A few months ago, May 2022, Mau Díaz and Nils Arend decided to run the width of the Baja California Peninsula in one day, from Todos Santos to Cabo Pulmo (140 kms). They knew it would be a challenge, but they never imagined how far this experience would push their physical and mental boundaries.

This is a conversation between these two running legends about an incredible adventure that brings to bear the significance of shared experiences.

This episode is also a preview of an upcoming experience in January 2023 with Aire Libre Running. Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to learn all the details, you won't want to miss this one.

Mau Díaz is the co-founder of Aire Libre RunningNils Arend is the founder of The Speed Project.

SUGi is on a mission to empower rewilding and bring Nature closer to anyone anywhere. Mobilizing an incredible team of creatives, forest makers, ocean gardeners, and polymaths, their projects create micro-forests that reflect the indigenous biodiversity of that place.

In a conversation with founder Elise Van Middelem and lead forest maker James Godfrey-Faussett, we explore their process, the value of nature and moving through forests, and talk about some of the forests we’d most like to visit.

It’s an inspiring conversation about how to turn passion into action and spend more time connected to the things that matter most.

Be sure to check out the beautiful, informative content they’ve created at the links below.

@sugiproject

sugiproject.com

Like the Wind Mag has been changing the game in the running media landscape since they launched in 2014. Bringing beautiful design together with amazing storytelling in collaboration with a range of artists and writers.

We spoke with co-founders Julia Freeman and Simon Freeman, longtime friends of Aire Libre, about the project, using running as exploration, and their recent book: Running Wild: Inspirational Trails from Around the World.

@likethewindmag

https://www.likethewindmagazine.com/shop/running-wild-book/

Clare Gallagher is a professional ultra trail runner and environmental activist who has won the Leadville 100 and Western States 100 mile races. She’s also set FKTs on the Zion Traverse and the Joshua Tree Traverse. 

 

The way she uses her platform and running to raise awareness and drive change sets her apart. She’s a deep thinker and a writer who explores the intersection of running and mindfulness and our connection to the landscapes we’re in.

The conversation explores running mindfully, keeping other pursuits while running competitively, and using media of all forms with intention.

Michel Rojkind is an artist, world-renowned architect and runner based in Mexico City. He’s done projects all over the world and worked with the Mexican government. He’s a runner who’s well known in the Mexico City crew scene for having dipped under the 3-hour barrier for the marathon in his fifties, running 2:56 most recently at age 51.   We dig Michel’s philosophy for bringing energy into his creative work through the integration with his running and the rest of his life. We talk about living as an embodiment of your spirituality with no separation between what you do and what you believe. And of course, we look at what keeps him so vibrant and healthy in his old age—staying flexible and not holding on too tightly to beliefs or concepts of the self.

 

Michel is a good friend of the Aire Libre crew and we feel so privileged to share some of his wisdom. 

 

Find him at @rojkind on Instagram.

Our first episode of 2022 features Jason Suarez, sports photographer and athlete with a fascinating creative eye. In this conversation, Jason shares the story behind his career as well as his thoughts on how we can bring more perspectives into the creative world that surrounds athletics.

With a trademark sense of humor and a positive spirit, Jason’s words serve as a succinct guide to being a better creative, or simply a better person.

Follow Jason at @notafraid2fail

For the end of year, we’re doing something different—our first solo episode. It’s a time of reflection and Alex looks back on his own story, how he connected with the Beyond Running Podcast, as well as his notes from the year and ambitions for the next one.

It’s a personal check-in we hope to make a tradition around here. Our roster of upcoming guests is stacked and we can’t wait to see you in the new year.

Michael Versteeg is a professional ultra runner for Satisfy Running, the winner of this year's Cocodona 250, and the holder of many fastest known times—but the focus of this conversation isn’t necessarily performance. Versteeg unpacks his relationship with running, which he looks at through a unique lens. Like a climber, mountaineer, or general outdoorsperson, Michael takes an experiential approach to running. That’s largely to do with his background, since he started wide and then honed his focus to running over time. He breaks down recent projects and shares some thoughts on future projects that have him excited.

All in all, Versteeg evades categorization, and that’s a good thing. Because he shows us how to live as an integrated person and athlete, while containing multitudes, in a world and social media landscape that wants us to be one thing.

Follow Michael Versteeg on Instagram:

@michael.versteeg

@satisfyrunning

In this conversation, we explore the roots of yoga and how the tradition has been colonized and mis-appropriated. We touch on the anti-science and white supremacist rhetoric that has plagued the culture of yoga in the West, laid even more bare by the pandemic and social justice movement that’s gained momentum in 2020. And, of course, we talk about what we can do about it, what it means to be a devoted, humble student of yoga, and how one can be a yoga teacher in a way that’s in line with yoga’s philosophy.

Wijeyakumar has had a life-long connection to yoga. Raised in the tradition of Sanathana Dharma, she makes it clear that asana is simply one small part of the yoga tradition, meant to prime the body for seated meditation and Dharana. It’s only in the West, through colonization and appropriation, that asana has been equated with yoga. What’s more, the way asana is practiced in the West is far from inclusive, but yoga is as inclusive as a tradition can be.Anusha’s combination of wisdom and humility is compelling and inspiring. We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did.

The MindWork Series is a content collaboration with lululemon to explore movement as an entry point to mindfulness.  This second episode features guest Sanchia Legister, a runner, yoga teacher and an energy giver that works to bring diversity to mindful movement practices.

We talked about the importance of being present as a tool to look beyond the fast things that make us take life for granted and a path to change our perspective.

Enjoy!