Nels Matson was born with a heart defect basically starving one side for oxygen.  So basically, his first few years were like training at altitude.  His own Leadville childhood.  At the age of 3 he had open heart surgery and at 5 was released to play sports.  He has never looked back, and most certainly has not taken his gifts for granted.  He has used his gift of stamina to make a difference in the world and has done so with several causes.  His most recent was a Transcon from San Francisco to New York City to raise funds and awareness for The Wounded Warrior Foundation as a part of Project Campbell's Call.  I'll let him tell you the rest.  Enjoy

@toughasnels

Project Campbell's Call to Action - Fundraising For Wounded Warrior Project Community Fundraising

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PlayOn Pain Relief l Nature’s Hot & Cold Therapy – PlayOn Relief

@pacertravel  -  727-433-2385  -  [email protected]

2024 was an epic year in running for many people.  It was not my best year, with some injuries and a few DNF's, but I gained a bunch of new friends and some wisdom, son we'll call it a good year.  I reached out for your help and got some input, and my good friend Jeff Iosa with Pacer Travel sat down for a long chat trying to name some of our own winners in categories such as most inspirational guest from this year, favorite episodes, biggest accomplishments, ultra runner of the year. We went international and local.  We also get sidetracked a few times discussing training, life, etc.  Hope you enjoy.  If we left something out, let me know.

@pacertravel  -  pathcrx@aol,com  -  727-433-2385

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Home - PlayOn Relief

There are 2 parts to episode 130.  First off, my friends, Jamie, Charlie, Judie, and Scott are making a run at the Across Florida 200 on the 27th and they are raising funds and awareness for The Child Advocacy Center.  They fully intend to "run with joy" and to use their feet and feat to make a difference for some at-risk children.  Click the links below for info and to support.

Part 2 is Deanna Doane.  She's quite an accomplished ultrarunner and Co-RD with Run Bum Races.  She has big plans for 2025 with an FKT attempt and a running retreat in the Fall.  Hear her story and check out her website to find out how you can support her journey or participate in the retreat.

 https://childadvocacycentergainesville.org/run-with-joy

Fundraiser by Deanna Doane : Help Deanna attempt her FKT on the Florida Trail

Home | Wandering Runner

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@pacertravel - [email protected] - 727-433-2385

Marshall Ulrich is the epitome of a badass ultra runner!  His accomplishments in endurance activities are mind blowing!  Seven summits, 20-time Badwater finisher, 13 time Leadville 100 finisher, Transcon, world class adventure racer, and he's literally always missing toenails.  He's also an RD, and a true friend to many.  It was such an honor for me to get to know Marsh a little and hear some of his stories.  Hope you enjoy!

@marshall.ulrich

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PlayOn Pain Relief Spray - PlayOn Relief - code = martygardner

@pacertravel  -  [email protected]  -  727-433-2385

Andy Sholly is a friend of mine and a badass ultra runner from the Tampa area in Florida.  He prefers the backyard ultra format, and does very well at it.  He seems to be built for it.  When he's in race mode, he's just very efficient in every single aspect.  He saves all of the energy for running each yard.  Between each running segment he is in recovery/cool down mode and it is a spectacle to watch how efficient he has become.  Andy is an interesting guy and I'm sure you will enjoy getting to know him and hearing how a BYU person thinks.  

Squirrel's Nut Butter: Natural Anti-Chafe & Skin Restoring Salves
discount code = Timberfriends

@pacertravel  -  [email protected]  -  727-433-2385

playonrelief.com
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I met Viktoria out of the blue when she contacted me about possibly crewing her in a race here in Georgia next month.  She ended up deciding against doing the race.  Who does that?!  But we kept talking and knowing that she is a total badass in our sport, I finagled my way into an interview.  What an inspiring story!  She has won several world championship titles and holds 3 different current Canadian records.  She's also a coach, and effective today, she's my coach.  eek.  I hope you enjoy getting to know her!

Viktoria Brown
@viktoriabrownathlete

Squirrel's Nut Butter: Natural Anti-Chafe & Skin Restoring Salves

Home - PlayOn Relief

@pacertravel  -  [email protected]  -  727-433-2385

The Bootlegger 100 Mile Trail Race - April 5, 2025

Bailes Ridge 8hr/12hr - May 3, 2025  -  Message me for discount code!! 

Meet Leah Vincent!  She's an artist, an estate sales professional, and a badass ultra runner.  She's the self-titled queen of DNF's, but she did not DNF Moab 240 this year.  She got the job done with many adventures.  She has taken the lessons from her not so fortunate experiences and turned them into valuable tools in her toolkit.  Enjoy an informative and entertaining chat with an awesome human!

@lifewithleahkate

Squirrel's Nut Butter: Natural Anti-Chafe & Skin Restoring Salves

Home - PlayOn Relief

@pacertravel - [email protected]   -  727-433-2385

The Bootlegger 100 Mile Trail Race - April 5, 2025

Daufuskie Island 100/50/RELAY - March 29, 2025

Joey Lichter is a dear friend of mine that I met as part of the Florida Ultra Running Community.  He lives in South Florida and is a college professor, badass ultra runner, and just a well-read, super smart guy.  We covered many subjects including the election, politics, DNF's, running, races, psychedelics,etc.  He has run quite a few ultras including HOTS, Vol State, Cowboy 200, Icarus 48 hr, Stinger, 6 Days in the Dome, and on and on.  He's a common sight as a crew or volunteer at races and just a fun guy to be around.  He is definitely the kind of person we want teaching our college students.  If you enjoy half as much as I did, this will be a huge success.  

Squirrel's Nut Butter: Natural Anti-Chafe & Skin Restoring Salves

@pacertravel
[email protected]   -  727-433-2385

The Bootlegger 100 Mile Trail Race - April 5, 2025

Meg Eckert is the new female BYU world record holder at 362.5 miles.  But that's not all, she's won numerous events from Snow Drop Ultra in Texas to 6 Days in the Dome.  She has a proven track record in going the distance.  Enjoy her story!

@meganeckert

@squirrelsnutbutter
Squirrel's Nut Butter: Natural Anti-Chafe & Skin Restoring Salves
discount code = Timberfriends

@pacertravel
[email protected]  -  727-433-2385

The Bootlegger 100 Mile Trail Race - April 5, 2025

Ed "The Jester" Ettinghausen is a 62-year-old man that ran his first ultra at 46 years old.  He had run some marathons and decided to try an ultra.  His first ultra happened to be a 24 hour race and well, you guessed it, he made 100+ miles on his first try.  Now he didn't immediately set out to run 100's every weekend, but has evolved into 280 finished races of 100 miles or more. He's done 41 this year so far with 2 more planned this coming weekend.  

When I first heard of Ed, I thought he probably had a big ego with the Jester schtick and all, but I was dead wrong.  Ed is one of the more humble and supportive humans that you will meet at a race.  He makes it his mission to search out those that are hurting and to help them endure.  I watched it in action recently and I was super inspired.  I hope you enjoy his story as much as me.

@runningwiththejester

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Squirrel's Nut Butter: Natural Anti-Chafe & Skin Restoring Salves

@pacertravel
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