Better High Podcast

On this episode of the Better High Podcast, Matt Bellace shares some personal news that’s anything but a natural high. He also catches you up on surfing in New England and what it’s like speaking at what many consider the best private school in the country!

Then, Matt sits down with Will Guzman, an inspiring Fleet Feet training athlete whose incredible weight-loss journey will blow your mind. Will’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when determination, hard work, and the right support come together.

A huge thank-you to Fleet Feet Princeton for partnering with the Better High Podcast and helping us share stories of resilience, transformation, and the power of finding healthy highs.

Coming up next: Matt will be out at the Princeton Half Marathon, interviewing runners about their journeys, their challenges, and the natural highs that keep them going!

Tune in, get inspired, and remember: Sometimes the best high comes from pushing through the hardest moments.

#BetterHighPodcast #NaturalHighs #FleetFeetPrinceton #WeightLossJourney #RunningMotivation #PrincetonHalfMarathon #MentalHealth #Resilience #HealthyLifestyle #Inspiration #Surfing #PersonalGrowth

Listen to what happens when you put a group of enthusiastic Northern Wisconsin high school students in front of a mic and ask them about their natural highs.

While speaking at Wabeno High School and Crandon High School, Matt interviewed students about the things that give them a natural high — from snowmobiling, dogsledding, skiing and truck racing to running and being active outdoors. Their enthusiasm is contagious, and you can hear just how engaged these students are when they talk about the activities they love.

Matt also shares some of his own natural highs and plenty of stories from the road, including meals while traveling, curious peacocks approaching him, and the surprisingly interesting experience of walking while digesting your food.

It’s a great reminder that some of the best highs in life don’t come from a substance — they come from adventure, movement, connection, challenge and doing something you love.

#BetterHighPodcast #ABetterHigh #NaturalHighs #MentalHealth #YouthMentalHealth #SubstancePrevention #TeenMentalHealth #WabenoHighSchool #CrandonHighSchool #Snowmobiling #Dogsledding #Skiing #TruckRacing #Running #OutdoorAdventure #HealthyChoices #Resilience #TeenWellness #NaturalHigh

On this episode of the Better High Podcast, Matt starts by sharing stories from his recent trip to Northern Wisconsin—including a night spent next to Lambeau Field! His natural high of the episode: catching a fish while surfing (not in Northern Wisconsin)! He also talks about the natural low of a major flight delay and leaving Uber waiting while he recorded the pod.

For the interview, Matt gets on his bike and rides alongside the Fleet Feet training group, where he meets two remarkable runners.

First, Matt talks with Kurran Pritchard, who is training for his first half marathon while navigating life with hearing impairment. Kurran shares his experience and how he got into running.

Matt then speaks with Rouslan Karimov, who is running with a transplanted heart. His story is a powerful reminder of resilience, gratitude, and just how much the human body—and spirit—can overcome.

From an unexpected catch to an unexpected delay, from first-time runners to an extraordinary comeback, this episode is all about finding the natural highs in life and the people who inspire us along the way.

It’s a memorable episode for sure!

#BetterHighPodcast #ABetterHigh #NaturalHighs #Running #HalfMarathon #FleetFeet #Inspiration #Resilience #HeartTransplant #HearingImpaired #MentalHealth #Wellness #Exercise #RunningCommunity

In this episode of the Better High Podcast, Matt catches us up on his summer, including speaking at Seton Hall University, The College of New Jersey, and with the Montclair High School football team. He also shares his natural highs and lows of the summer.

Then Matt dives into the world of open water swimming with special guest Naz Aksu (@live_like_water), author of Live Like Water. They explore the physical and psychological benefits of swimming in open water, the powerful connection between nature and the brain, and why challenging yourself can create such a powerful natural high.

Live Like Water officially comes out in November, but you can preorder it now!

Tune in and discover another powerful way to find your Better High! 🌊🏊‍♂️

#BetterHighPodcast #ABetterHigh #NaturalHighs #OpenWaterSwimming #LiveLikeWater #MentalHealth #Wellness #Mindset #Exercise #ColdWaterSwimming #Swimming #Resilience #SubstanceFree #HealthyHigh #MattBellace

In this episode of the Better High Podcast, I take the mound for the Gotham Comedy Club softball team in Central Park’s Performing Arts League, sharing what it’s like to pitch under pressure, compete with friends, and discover the mental side of the game.

Along the way, I talk with Sean Taylor, artistic director of the Magnet Theater and host of the 31 Days of Pizza podcast, about the mental side of pitching. He served as my backup that day. You’ll also hear brief conversations with comedian Adam Mamawala, entrepreneur Ripton Rosen, aka “Rip,” and Gotham softball co-manager Tom Burnett.

Matt opens the episode talking about spotting a whale while about to surf and a bout of La Jolla-rhea on a recent trip to Cali. 

Subscribe, share, and remember: the best highs don’t come from a substance—they come from being full in the moment.

On this episode of The Better High Podcast, Matt catches up one last time with runners from the Fleet Feet Princeton Marathon Training Program. This third and final interview reflects on their triumphs, struggles, and lessons that emerged from marathon training. Zhen, Nick, Ben, and Fletcher shared honest reflections on race day, injuries, recovery, and the mental resilience it takes to keep moving forward when things don’t go according to plan.

Also in this episode, Matt talks his recent gigs, the simple natural high of perfect June weather in New Jersey and the natural low of disappointing people we care about. 

Whether you’re a runner, recovering from a setback, or simply looking for a healthier way to navigate life’s ups and downs, this episode offers inspiration, humor, and a reminder that some of our greatest highs come from pushing through the lows.

#BetterHighPodcast #NaturalHighs #RunningCommunity #MarathonTraining #FleetFeet #RunnerLife #MentalHealth #Resilience #GrowthMindset #Endurance #Recovery #RunningMotivation #NewJerseyRunning #HealthyLiving #PodcastRecommendation

On this episode of the Better High Podcast, we talk about hitting the waves with my surfing buddy Alex Hernandez and the surf team from Ocean City High School in New Jersey. We talked about the natural high of surfing, the unique bond of going out in big surf together and finding freedom in the ocean. From early-morning winter swells to the confidence building benefits of learning how to manage emotions, this conversation dives into how riding waves can build resilience, confidence, connection, and a healthier high.

In this episode, Matt also discusses the natural high of nostalgia, the natural low of having a head cold and recent gigs in Upstate New York and New Jersey. 

#ABetterHigh #Surfing #OceanCityNJ #SurfTeam #MentalHealth #OceanLife #Podcast #StudentAthletes #SurfCulture #FlowState #HealthyHighs

On this episode of the Better High Podcast, we lace up for a conversation about endurance, mindset, and the natural high that comes from pushing beyond what you thought was possible. Guest hosts Dr. Dara Bellace — Fleet Feet Princeton run coach — and podcast audio engineer Steve Blumenthal brave the chilly weather with three runners preparing to take on the Jersey City Marathon: Jenny Castro, Zhen Jin, and Fletcher Grayson.

From early morning training runs to overcoming setbacks, hear what drew them to marathon running and what keeps them moving when the miles get tough. 

Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a weekend jogger, or someone simply looking for inspiration, this episode captures the powerful connection between social connection and the achievement of the Runner’s High.

On this episode, we examine the natural high of acting. Our guest today is someone who lives at the powerful intersection of performance and psychology. Dr. Mykee Fowlin is an accomplished actor, writer, and clinical psychologist who has spent his career using the stage not just to entertain, but to challenge, heal, and transform. Mykee brings a rare depth to his work—whether he’s performing one of his acclaimed solo shows or speaking to audiences about identity, empathy, and mental health.

Through his performances, Mykee invites audiences into deeply human stories that confront issues like race, privilege, trauma, and connection, all while showcasing the emotional range and vulnerability that great acting demands. Today, we’re going to explore how acting can be more than just a craft—it can be a tool for self-discovery, emotional expression, and of course, a natural high.

On this episode, Matt also discusses the natural high of his perfect day and the natural low of his second shingles shot. Thanks to Bridgewater Raritan Middle School and DeLucia's Pizza in Raritan, NJ for allowing us to record. 

We caught up with the Fleet Feet Princeton marathon training group as they prepare for their big races in April.  Our first interview was with Ben Saunders, an IT specialist at Princeton University, who says running makes him feel more comfortable being uncomfortable. Then we interviewed Nick Woodbury, a dad of three and a podcast producer at Hidden Brain. Nick finds that running gives him more energy, which he definitely needs tiring out his three boys. In this episode, Matt also talks about this week's natural high, surfing at Waco Surf in Texas, one of the largest man-made waves in the United States.