Billy Yang Podcast

My guest on this episode is talented runner and thru hiker Joe McConaughy: a multi-FKT (Fastest Known Time) holder of many prominent routes such as the Pacific Crest Trail, Appalachian Trail, John Muir Trail and most recently a film has been produced about his 2021 800-mile Arizona Trail produced by Pilot Field called "Racing Arizona" : https://youtu.be/VOPRcISQ6Fw

In today's conversation, Joe shares his stories about his adventures including tackling the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail for his first FKT on a long established trail, racing and winning the Cocodona 250 mile race, dreams of running the Western States 100, what it's like to have his friends document the experiences and much, much more.

+ Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/lfunX75lQZs

+ The Run For Colin https://youtu.be/MoaMlE3WDTs

+ Appalachian Trail FKT https://youtu.be/fCy7ASKYLto

+ Joe's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thestring.bean/

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My guest on this episode is Hilary Matheson, a very talented female creative in the sport of trail and ultrarunning as well as an accomplished ultrarunner in her own right .She also just happens to be my girlfriend and adventure partner. In today's conversation, we talk about her start in the creative space from her typical 9-5 corporate life, how she wants to impact and influence more women to do the same, some of early health issues and how that helped shape her perspective on her life and the story of how we met.

We also chat with first-time race director and professional athlete Tim Tollefson on the heels of his first event at the Mammoth Trail Fest. Joined by my partner Hilary Matheson, we asked him what it was like putting on an event of this scale for the first time in Mammoth Lakes, how it served as a salve for a disappointing 2022 summer run season, what we have to look forward to in 2023 and much more.

+ Watch on YouTube (Tim) https://youtu.be/alpOkeNl3A4

+ Watch on YouTube (Hilary) https://youtu.be/ds7LiA9sODU

+ Hilary's YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/hilaryann

+ Hilary's Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thehilaryann/

+ Mammoth Trail Fest https://www.mammothtrailfest.com/

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My guest on this episode is Jeff Browning, one of the most durable and successful male athletes in American ultrarunning. In this conversation, we discussed some of the keys to his longevity, race stories from Hardrock, HURT 100, UTMB among others and how a change in diet to one of a more paleo/keto/OFM one helped with race recovery and much, much more.

Jeff ended up running a 26:17:43 at this year's Hardrock 100, good for 5th place overall at 50 years of age.

+ Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/WplxT3r-bLk

+ Keepin' It Tactical https://youtu.be/__1B4zr2BE8

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My guest on this episode is Hayden Hawks, one of the greatest talents in the sport of American ultrarunning.

Today, we explore a myriad of topics including his competitive mindset, his professional approach to ultrarunning, what it was like competing against the likes of Jim Walmsley and Zach Miller, how ball sports athletes influenced his own approach as an endurance athlete, stories about his faith and how it shaped him into who he is today, what it will take to win Western States and much, much more.

He was an absolute pleasure to talk to and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it!

+ Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/1ddX2bfcx3k

+ Miller vs. Hawks https://youtu.be/7DCR03UDggA

+ Hayden Hawks Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hawks_hayden/

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Canada's Jazmine Lowther has been taking 2022 by storm in 2022 with her podium finish at Chuckanut 50K and most recently, her course record win at the Canyons by UTMB 100K. Today, I sat down with her to talk about her emerging ultrarunning career, her goals in the sport, the mindset of an elite athlete and much more. 

We also welcomed back Jamil Coury to talk all things livestream including Aravaipa's recent Cocodona 250 race and the future of where broadcasts can go in this sport. 

+ Canyons By UTMB: https://youtu.be/-N5ByUkj3Kw

+ Justin Grunewald's Finish At Black Canyon 100K: https://youtu.be/7C1GvvXdYV0

+ Stephen Park's DFL Cocodona 250 Finish: https://youtu.be/VAj4oeYtI_0?t=21296

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My guest today Michael Wardian has long been on my list of athletes I've wanted to converse with because he very well might be the new Most Interesting Man In The World. Beyond his running resume and achievements - of which there are many including running 7 marathons in 7 continents in 7 days (all under 3 hours), being the last man standing at the Quarantine Backyard Ultra during the Covid shutdowns (260+ miles in over 63 hours) and multiple world records...he also manages to carry a full-time job, a wife, 2 sons and multiple different hobbies and passions outside of endurance sports. Today, we attempt to unpack as much of it that we can, find out how he recovers so quick, how to get out of low moments during races, who he enjoys competing against and what's exactly in store for what may be his biggest endurance feat yet: running across America this May 1st from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean in a project called "Running Home". All to raise money for clean water projects to underdeveloped countries. + To Donate: https://bit.ly/3Mqx00W + YouTube Interview: https://youtu.be/aQu__82yDdg

+ Quarantine Backyard Ultra: https://youtu.be/loGR3Rh6fRE

+ Cooper Kupp: https://youtu.be/2I3CHKBcJbw

+ Sean McVay's Photographic Memory: https://youtu.be/IjlfQBQk_kg

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On his 30th birthday, Dean Karnazes decided to walk out of his birthday celebration to run 30 miles on a whim in search of adventure and renewed purpose. Today on the podcast, we talk about the book that initially put Dean on the map "Ultramarathon Man: Confessions Of An All-Night Runner" and his excellent follow up "A Runner's High: My Life In Motion" which draws the curtains back a bit on what it takes to pursue your passion, some of its pitfalls, thoughts on aging/relevancy, the importance of mentorship and much more. 

+ Becoming A Marathoner: https://youtu.be/xbaJY15Wodo

+ Ultramarathon Man the film: https://youtu.be/bpjRFkqTIkY

+ A Runner's High the book: https://amzn.to/3uNKH3s

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First episode of 2022 and we welcome back repeat guests and fan favorites Sally McRae and Jason Koop to answer YOUR questions via a live YouTube broadcast (originally aired January 11, 2022). We cover a wide range of topics including sleep, heat training, training for races at altitude, mental toughness, long runs and much, much more!

+ Our Conversation on YouTube

+ Jason Koop's Training Essentials for Ultrarunning Book

+ Sally McRae's Training App

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In this episode, I sat down with ultra endurance athlete Timothy Olson for a conversation about his record setting run on the famed Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). We unpacked all that went into his 51 days along the 2,653 mile route (averaging 51+ miles a day!) that runs from the southern terminus of the Mexican border to the Canadian border traversing vast terrain from the desert to alpine mountains. We talk through various challenges including rerouting from fires, missed water drops, animal encounters and some injuries that cropped up. We also break down the positive including the support from his family/friends/fans, moving through beautiful topography and much more.

+ Our Conversation on YouTube

+ Timothy Olson's Website

+ The Unknown (Timothy's 2016 Hardrock 100) 

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In this episode, I sat down with ultra athlete Zach Miller talking running and racing, coming back from injury and some of his overall life philosophy. The conversation picks up where we last saw Zach in his film as a caretaker at Barr Camp to a now, a life on the road in his converted bus traveling through North America. We cover our summer at Hardrock, uncertainty around coming back from his injury, the pros and cons of social media, the recent passing of his grandmother and her legacy and much more.

+ Our Conversation on YouTube

+ ZACH: In Relentless Pursuit Of His Best

+ Zach Miller on Strava

+ All Gas No Brakes

+ Zach's Conestoga Race Report

+ But What If It's Good? 

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