The band is back together — and by “band,” we mean three ultra runners in wildly different seasons of life trying to figure out who they are when they’re not toeing a 100+-mile start line. Dylan makes his long-awaited return to the mic and shares how 2025 humbled him at Rocky, why he’s stepping back to truly respect the 50K and 100K distances, and how sustainability (and maybe 2027 plans 👀) are shaping his next chapter. Sometimes the bravest move isn’t chasing another buckle — it’s recalibrating.

Meanwhile, Stephanie is navigating a frustrating hip injury, post-race blues, and an unexpected new identity built around puzzles, peaceful evenings, and female bartenders. What happens when running isn’t the loudest thing in your life anymore? Is it growth? Is it denial? Is it both? The crew dives into injury fear, post-ultra depression, and the uncomfortable space between “who I was” and “who I’m becoming.”

And Andrew? He spent Rocky Raccoon dressed as a chicken while serving as a race medic. Yes, really. From rhabdo calls to emotional IT band interventions (delivered in feathers), this episode balances vulnerability with absolute chaos — exactly how we like it. It’s a check-in episode. It’s reflective. It’s unhinged. It’s HappyCast.

As always: language warning. Possibly costume warning. And remember — the hip don’t lie.

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The HappyCast is back for its second episode of the season, and what better way to continue the chaos than to have John Farris return for this third episode - this time to talk about one of the most insane and unforgettable races yet: the Montane Winter Spine Race. This is a 268 mile foot race across the pond in the UK in the dead of winter that has developed quite the reputation. Could you do a race that had no checkpoint or aid station for up to 60 miles at a time? How about not having any pacers or crew? 

We sit down and sip on some beverages and let loose with John as we catch up and see how things have been going since his last appearance a year and a half ago. From incredible highs, to some unfortunate lows, John has been through it all, but it’s safe to say that things have never been better. 

From training, race logistics, oversleeping, testicular chaffing and borderline rectal hemorrhaging (and one unfortunate aid station volunteer), this episode has it all. 

And as always, thank you Jose Cuervo for unofficially sponsoring this podcast, and thank you for your service, Trojan. You were good while it lasted. 

We can’t wait to have John on for a fourth time, but we will have to wait and see what adventures await the Texas legend himself. 

Disclaimer: language warning, and drinking warning

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After a month-long hiatus and plenty of concerned messages, HappyCast is officially back — and no, Andrew and Stephanie did not break up. In this Season 5 kickoff, the two dive straight into the chaos with candid catch-ups, unfiltered humor, and a surprisingly deep conversation about loneliness, dopamine hits, and why witty banter might actually be a mental health necessity. From AI-suggested “safe flirty texts” to starting arguments on Facebook just to feel something, Stephanie explains how being too quiet for too long can lead to… questionable choices.

On the running side, Andrew recaps his current “waitlist surfing” era, the rise of the Burrito League (yes, burritos are a legitimate training incentive), and a wild Bandera weekend filled with heckling, aid station chaos, unexpected celebrities, and some truly elite volunteer moments. Bandera stories range from Molly Seidel’s historic performance to lei-wearing confusion at a small-town Texas bar, proving once again that trail running culture is equal parts grit and absurdity.

The episode closes with reflection, reset energy, and a handoff to the rest of Season 5 — a season focused less on rankings and more on longevity, healing, and running races the way they’re meant to be run. DNFs are discussed without shame, big goals are still on the horizon, and both hosts agree on one thing: this podcast keeps them grounded. Welcome back to HappyCast — the banter is back, the miles are messy, and we’re just getting started.

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In this episode of HappyCast, Andrew and Stephanie sit down with Stephanie Rosebaugh to unpack an extraordinary performance at The Summit Last Person Standing, a Big’s Backyard Ultra Silver Ticket race in Texas. Stephanie ran an incredible 279 miles over 67 hours, averaging sub-50 minute loops with minimal rest — all while navigating sleep deprivation, changing weather, and the mental grind of a true last-person-standing format.

Rather than racing others, Stephanie shares how a powerful mindset shift away from comparison nearly doubled her previous LPS distance. The conversation explores flow state, nighttime running, fueling discipline, unexpected crew support, and the unique camaraderie that forms when the field dwindles down to just a few runners sharing the same hour over and over again.

The episode closes with a deeply reflective moment: choosing to step away not because her body failed, but because it felt right. It’s a conversation about endurance, self-trust, and redefining success — reminding us that sometimes the most meaningful finish isn’t about winning, but about knowing when you’ve done enough. 

The Power of Enoughness

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In this episode of HappyCast, we dive into a full, emotional, hilarious, and raw recap of the Fall Creek 100 in Tennessee — a race filled with waterfalls, scenic ridges, surprise proposals, mud, and a whole lot of internal battles.  

Stephanie is joined by Chuck Clark, who shared most of the 100 miles with her, and Race Director Scott Simcox, the creative mind behind the Fall Creek, Long Hunter, and Rim Runner races. Scott walks us through how he designs courses with intention: showcasing every overlook, waterfall, bridge, and scenic loop the park has to offer. We also learn about his volunteer-first family culture, the impact of tornado damage on trail systems, and why Fall Creek’s dorm setup might be one of the best race perks out there.

Stephanie opens up about her toughest mental race to date — calling her mom at mile 30 in tears, dealing with self-doubt from previous DNFs, navigating humidity and trail math, and experiencing her first mid-race panic attack. Chuck shares how he tried (unsuccessfully) to medicate her attitude with potatoes for 12 straight hours, why they thought they were on the verge of missing cutoffs, and how a simple reminder — “You stack these because you know you can finish them” — helped shift the energy.

We also talk crew magic, Peg’s legendary road-trip rescue, Kevin’s 50K-plus pacing effort, Mo’s volunteer hero arc, and the incredible Tennessee trail community that kept runners fed, supported, and cheerful through every loop.

It’s emotional. It’s chaotic. It’s honest. And it’s a perfect look at what makes 100-milers so transformative.

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On this episode of the HappyCast, we go in-depth with local Houstonian Katy Barber who just tackled the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) FKT. Located in Texas, and definitely NOT Galveston, this is the 4th longest beach in the WORLD and one of the most isolated places in the country, all tucked away on the largest unprotected barrier island in the world. This is a 65+ mile FKT that traverses the entire length of the beach, and no woman has ever attempted this feat before, and only two men have completed it. 

We do a deep dive with Katy and her coach and fellow guest, Chad Lasater (who will one day have his own episode as he is a treasure trove of accomplishments). We talk about the logistics, the difficulty of running on a beach, and the dynamics with crewing and dealing with the remote nature of the race. Further yet, this was double the distance Katy has previously ran, so we talk about establishing distance PR’s in the process. 

We also share a few crew stories, as both Chad and Andrew were present for the FKT. Katy’s crew also consisted of Kevin Christensen, Regina Massingill, Jaimie (kind of like Cher or Bono), Laura Lundell, and John Kilburn. 

Join us as we tackle one of the more primitive, remote, and unconventional recaps yet - 65+ miles on nothing but sand! And congratulations on setting the FKT, Katy! It was one hell of a (sandy) adventure. 

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This week we’re taking it back to where it all began. While the crew is busy, we’re dipping into the archives and replaying the very first episode of HappyCast — the one that sparked the Happy Endings Trail Crew and everything that’s grown from it.

In this throwback, you’ll hear the full origin story: how a chaotic weekend at Rocky Raccoon brought three underprepared runners together, the debut of the infamous beaver costume, the birth of the “weed wobble,” and the moment we realized this community was something special. The audio may be rough around the edges, and honestly… so were we — but the heart of what makes Happy Endings what it is today was already there.

Whether you’re newer to the podcast or you’ve been with us since day one, enjoy this trip back to the beginning. We’ll be back with a new episode soon — but for now, here’s the throwback that started it all.

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When brutal weather forced Cactus Rose to relocate to the unforgiving hills of Camp Eagle, most runners hesitated—but not Houston’s own Madeline Green. With no aid stations, no crew, and endless miles of mud, rain, and lightning, she pushed through 105 miles of chaos to become the only female finisher of one of Texas’ toughest ultramarathons. In this episode, Stephanie and Andrew dive into Madeline’s mindset—how she handled a last-minute course change, two nights alone on the trail, and the mental rollercoaster of a self-supported 100-miler. From training on Houston’s flatlands to conquering Camp Eagle’s rocky climbs, her story is pure grit and quiet determination.

As always, things get candid, funny, and just a little chaotic. The crew swaps stories about storms, hallucinations, and what happens when your headlamp flash convinces you lightning’s about to strike. Madeline talks redemption, recovery, and what it means to represent women in the most rugged corners of ultrarunning—all while proving that sometimes, the loneliest miles lead to the loudest triumphs.

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Stephanie returns fresh off her 30-hour adventure at the Ghost Train Trail Races in New Hampshire, sharing what it took to push through 115 miles of near-perfect conditions, unexpected challenges, and one of her strongest performances yet. From the mental battle of deciding to go beyond 100 miles to the moment she realized she was on track for the second-fastest female finish in race history, this episode dives deep into what it means to truly test your limits.

Andrew and Stephanie catch up on the busy fall race season, updates from the DFW trail running scene, and the many familiar faces lighting up the course around the country. They also talk about the balance between ambition and self-belief, and how saying your goals out loud can transform the way you chase them.

To close things out, Regina hops on for a quick life update and some laughs, including talk of upcoming adventures like Girlfriends with Grit and a few too-honest travel stories from Stephanie’s post-race flight home. It’s a mix of celebration, reflection, and classic HappyCast chaos — the perfect reminder that growth comes from going just a little further than you thought you could.

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This week on the HappyCast, we have a special (very) late night episode and a small reunion of sorts that quickly becomes unhinged as we have Aaron Kubala of Speed Project and Moab 240 Pool Boy fame join to talk about his latest undertaking - The Ultra Gobi. Andrew and Aaron sip on some wine all throughout and try to stay on track to talk about this latest undertaking. This is a 400km race through the Gobi Desert in China that traverses the ancient Silk Road. Aaron was able to not only finish, but he ended up running a majority of the race with another 200 mile juggernaut, Jovica Spajic. We hear all about this experience and the formation of a friendship that will last the test of time.

And in a twist development, Mika Thewes joins us to help stir the pot and create even more madness in this episode as we talk about all sorts of topics. For those who enjoy a well structured episode focused solely on trail running, this one may not be it. 

So join in on the chaotic, free-flowing nature of this episode as we learn more about Aaron’s epic undertaking and, well, a lot of other stuff. There’s sure to be something in this episode that will tug at the heart strings…or not. Who can say.

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon.

Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at [email protected]