In the Zone

2023 has been a grand cru year for Laura. Podium in Marathon the Montblanc 91km & winning the 100 miler by UTMB in Nice. 

Hard work has been a key aspect to these stellar results. But she openly questions: what (amount of training) is enough? 

When is pushing more helpful? Or when am I just being hard on myself? 

We also talk about: 

Laura also has a big heart for the world, so she doesn't shy away from asking herself, despite her inspiring results, if running is really what the world needs from her right now? 

 social links:

- instagram

Christine went from having a desk job to being an outdoor adventurer. 

It took courage to quit her job and she had to let go of layers of stories before she dared to call herself an "athlete" or "adventurer". 

Today, her courageous journey continues as she's letting go of her need to have "the perfect body" while breaking through the stigma of bleeding on trail. 

In this episode, she shares how she navigated & navigates each of these challenges. 

Social links:

Instagram

You likely know your training plan helps you grow physically stronger. 

But a training plan is secretly an opportunity for personal and spiritual growth just as much. 

It's inviting you to into new perspectives about the meaning of "failing" or missing workouts. Or to reconsider the importance of achieving goals and why you're running in the first place. 

When you accept these invitations, exploring where they take you, you get the opportunity to get to know yourself in a whole new way and even find out you're not even who you thought you were. 

In this episode we explain where you can find this spiritual dimension in your training plan and how to start working with it. 

We'd love to make the Inner dialogue series a conversation with you, the listener. 

So, if these conversations trigger questions about your own inner journey, please share them. 

You can do so in the comments below or in the DM's. 

I wish you an insightful episode. 

Social links:

- ⁠Instagram⁠

- ⁠Substack⁠

- ⁠Website

But she didn't get it handed on a silver platter. 

After spending weeks alone on trail, her PTSD unexpectedly surfaced. She was forced to deal with it while setting the record. 

Fortunately, Jessica has a gift for always finding the positive in the negative. It's just one of the things that helped her not just deal with, but even grow through the experience. 

In this episode we also unpack: 

She even shares a trick to manifest bear encounters. And apparently her pain cave has a pool… 

Jessica is an inspiration for anyone afraid to go on a big adventure. 

How did Karel become the runner he is today? 

And how does he experience & navigate the challenges that are inevitable when running across countries, through deserts, and over mountain ranges for weeks on end? 

Those are the 2 main questions we explored in our conversation together. 

It's for anyone curious to learn more about the mindset behind some of world's toughest races & FKTs. 

I couldn't have thought of a better guest for our 100th episode. 

What a beautiful journey it has been already. 

Enjoy this one.

Social links:

From LA to Las Vegas on foot, as fast as possible. No rules. 
 
That's The Speed Project. 
 
Unique concepts are not seldomly birthed by unique human beings. So, I invited Nils Arend on the podcast. 
 

We talk about: 

I wanne do more of these. 

Social links:

Florian Descamps, 7th place at Marathon du Mont Blanc this year, is one of our strongest Belgian trail runners.
But he's not out there to prove himself. It's just so happens that he can't not live a life outside. The mountains and forests is where he's at home.
And that's why he decided to craft his life to spend as much time in nature as possible.
This episode is as much about living intentionally (accepting and honoring who you are) as it is about how to perform at the highest level.
I wish you an insightful episode.
Social links:

Nick & I both have had are most adventurous running year to date. 

In this episode we reflect on: 

We also share our plans and ideas for 2024. 

A podcast, exactly like I love them. 

And let us know in the comments if you want us to record that lifestyle episode. 

Social links:
- Instagram
- Substack
- Website

It requires elite athlete skills to do what Roeland did.
It's just not as easily spotted.
Most people at 200kg would probably not even allow the thought of ever running a half marathon. Yet, Roeland somehow believed it was possible.
Patiently he dedicated himself to the journey of weight loss and eventually to training for his first half marathon.
This is a podcast where we cover:
○ How to lose weight and train sustainably
○ The power of a humble, curious, and patient mindset
○ What's even much more important than weight loss to Roeland
It's inspiring. And I hope to have many more of these elite athletes in disguise on the podcast.
Let me know if you know one of these superheroes.

Ever heard of imposter syndrome? 

You'd think that once you set a new record on the PCT* you'd feel like you earned your stripes as a trail runner. 
 

Yet, after doing exactly that, Heather still struggled with self-doubt. She continued to feel as though she was "just lucky". 

So, in 2015, Heather set out to overcome this internal story by going after the AT** record. She was ready to prove to herself she wasn't a fraud at all. 

This podcast is her story of overcoming imposter syndrome. 

Links:

 
*a 4300km trail from Mexico to Canada 

**a 3500km trail on USA's east coast