Anthony Lee joins the Free Outside Podcast for a deep, honest conversation that starts in Vancouver, Washington (not Canada) and runs all the way to Boulder, Colorado, and 30 completed 100-milers.

Anthony opens up about growing up sedentary, finding fitness through family, and the non-linear reality of turning your life around. We talk about bad decisions, real consequences, therapy, and the support system that helped him rebuild. Then we shift into what he does best, racing hard mountain ultras like Ouray 100 and Hurt 100, and why he keeps choosing the toughest courses.

We also get into travel, his engagement story in Japan (yes, the ring lived in a fanny pack for two weeks), sponsorship, and how it actually happens, plus what Anthony would fix in trail running right now, from social media noise to making the sport more welcoming and more diverse.

Topics we cover

-Growing up in Vancouver, Washington and finding running later than most

-Setbacks, consequences, and the role of therapy and family support

-Moving to Colorado after winning High Lonesome 100

-Why Anthony loves 100 milers (and why his race schedule is “chaotic”)

-Favorite races, Yurei 100, Hurt 100, and what makes them special

-The mental checklist for surviving low points in ultras

-Engagement in Japan and traveling outside of race season

-Diversity in trail running, barriers to entry, and representation

-Sponsorship, persistence, and building a career as an athlete

-What’s next, Golden Ticket races, Western States, Hardrock, and maybe Barkley

Follow Anthony online: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyclee94

Support our Sponsors:

Sawyer: https://sawyerdirect.net/

Janji (code: Freeoutside): https://snp.link/a0bfb726

CS Coffee: CSinstant.coffee

Garage Grown Gear: https://snp.link/db1ba8ab

Chapters

00:00 From Vancouver to Boulder: A Journey Begins

08:50 Finding Fitness: The Shift from Sedentary to Active

14:06 Overcoming Challenges: The Road to Trail Running

20:37 Love and Support: The Engagement Story

24:05 Racing Passion: The Ultra Running Experience

29:53 Exploring the Challenge of Ultra Races

34:02 Mental Strategies for Endurance Racing

35:06 The State of Trail Running: Community and Inclusivity

38:17 Diversity in Trail Running: Progress and Challenges

42:24 Personal Experiences and Representation in Running

47:13 Future Goals and Aspirations in Running

50:11 The Journey to Sponsorship in Running

55:23 How Running Transformed My Life

57:41 Community and Support in Running

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Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside

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