This week on the Free Outside Podcast, I'm joined by repeat guest and newly crowned Lavaredo 120K podium finisher Alyssa Clark. We talk all things Lavaredo—what makes this epic European race special (aside from the 11 PM start and absurd elevation gain), how she ran within striking distance of Courtney Dauwalter, and how pink hair and frogs helped her stay grounded mid-race.

But that’s just the start.

Alyssa opens up about the team she’s built around her—nutritionist, mental coach, agent, husband, and even the cats. We go deep on how her mental game has evolved, why she talks to frogs mid-ultra, and how rewriting internal narratives (with the help of a herd of mental sheep) has changed everything.

We also dig into where the sport is heading—development pipelines, the blurry line between influencers and athletes, why agents matter, and how media obligations are shifting as trail running professionalizes.

If you’ve ever wanted to hear two runners talk about therapy, shoes, mentorship, contracts, and night running tunnel vision all in one episode, this is your jam.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Lava-Eido: A Unique Race Experience

02:50 Race Day Strategies: Preparing for a Night Start

05:48 The Influence of Competition: Running Against the Best

09:10 Race Planning: Balancing Goals and Performance

11:59 Building a Support Team: The Importance of Collaboration

14:53 Nutrition Strategies: Tailoring Fuel for Performance

17:46 Mental Resilience: Strategies for Self-Compassion

20:56 Embracing Identity: Overcoming Past Challenges

23:55 Mindfulness in Racing: Staying Present

26:46 Training for Mental Toughness: The Role of Discomfort

29:48 The Future of Ultra Running: Evolving Support Systems

32:14 The Mental Game in Ultra Running

34:01 Breaking Into the Sport: Challenges and Opportunities

36:19 The Importance of Mentorship and Development in Ultra Running

38:32 Respecting the Elders: Learning from Experience

40:04 Navigating the Influencer vs. Professional Athlete Landscape

44:35 The Role of Brands in Athlete Development

52:20 Building Confidence in Uphill Running

55:31 The Role of Agents in an Athlete's Career

58:08 Media Obligations and Athlete Performance

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