What does it take to represent Mexico on the world stage of dryland mushing? In this episode, we talk with Elly Lugo, a CaniCross and scooter musher who traveled from central Mexico to compete at the Dryland World Championships in Minocqua, Wisconsin. Elly is a mom of three, a former marathon runner, and a dedicated athlete building the future of dog-powered sports in her region.

She shares how she qualified for Team Mexico, how the public is learning to understand mushing, the breeds her family runs (GSPs, Eurohounds, a Border Collie, and a Golden Retriever), and what’s next as Mexico prepares to host the Continental Championships in November 2026.

If you care about spreading the sport, building community, and running dogs with heart, you’ll love this conversation.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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Former Air Force pilot turned musher Konrad Jakob joins us from the IFSS Dryland Championships in Wisconsin to talk about the rapid growth of dog mushing in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and across Latin America. Konrad shares how he launched sled dog tours in the Andes, helped expand IFSS participation, and what to expect from the 2026 Pan-American Championship in Mexico.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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In this episode of Mushing, Robert Forto sits down with returning guest Joy Weis, a canicross athlete, coach, and founder of the Friends of Oso Foundation. Joy shares how she got started in dog-powered sports, what makes a great canicross dog, what new athletes should know before entering their first race, and why the sport is more accessible than most people think. 

She also dives into her coaching work through Lucky Fox Coaching, explaining how she trains canicross teams, cyclists, runners, and multi-sport athletes using a data-informed, holistic approach. Joy breaks down the TrainingPeaks system she uses to review athlete metrics like pace, sleep, heart rate, and training load. 

The conversation shifts to the emotional origin of the Friends of Oso Foundation, which was created to honor her rescue husky and canicross partner, Oso. Joy discusses how the foundation provides grants to northern breed rescues to address immediate needs, such as food, medical care, and transportation, as well as resources like marketing and campaign materials. 

She closes with practical advice for anyone curious about dog-powered sports: start small, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to get involved. Whether you’re exploring canicross, considering a coach, or looking for ways to support northern breed rescue, this episode will give you a clear place to start.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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In this episode of The Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto talks with Andrew Comoletti, a Boston-based dog walker, musher, and filmmaker whose Border Collies launched him into the world of dog-powered sports. Andrew shares how he turned dog walking into a full-time career, how he races with both his own dogs and client dogs, and why he films mushing events across the US and Canada.

Robert and Andrew talk about dog behavior, non-traditional mushing breeds, building a camera rig for racing, and what it takes to produce high-quality videos from 20 terabytes of footage. Andrew also gives insight into the community, the races he attends, and his philosophy on putting dog welfare first.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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Michele Forto shares the biggest shift in Mushing Magazine’s history: the move to the new Team & Trail Foundation. After two years of fighting to keep the publication alive, the Fortos reveal what really happened behind the scenes, why they chose a nonprofit path, and how readers can keep print mushing journalism thriving for decades to come.

This episode explains how nonprofit outdoor magazines survive, what this means for mushers, fans, and clubs, and how Mushing+ members will support print issues, education programs, grants for village teams, and much more.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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Canicross is exploding across North America, and few people have been more instrumental in that growth than athlete, organizer, and Team USA captain Lizzie Hill. Recorded live at the IFSS Dryland World Championships, this episode dives into what it really takes to compete at the elite level while also helping shape the future of dog-powered sports in the United States.

Lizzie discusses running at Worlds with her young dog, Alibi, how she qualified after an injury-filled season, and what it means to help lead the United States Federation of Sled Dog Sports. She shares the origin story behind North America Canicross, explaining how a small Facebook group evolved into a huge international community, and why their challenge coins and titling programs have become so popular among both new and experienced runners.

We also get into World Championship logistics, why organizers had to recruit competitors from Australia to make certain classes official, and how Canicross is one of the most accessible ways for anyone to enter dog-powered sports.

If you’re curious about Canicross, want to understand how the sport is evolving, or want a behind-the-scenes look at the World Championships, this is a can’t-miss interview.

Topics include:

• What it takes to qualify for IFSS Worlds

• How the North American Canicross community grew so fast

• Challenge coins, titling, and lifetime mileage programs

• Why Canicross classes were some of the largest at Worlds

• Travel logistics and racing with one dog

• How beginners can get started right now

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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What happens when a lifelong Border Collie enthusiast enters the world of competitive sled dog racing? Meet Tabetha Kopta, a Pennsylvania musher who proved that determination, structure, and a pack of hard-driving Border Collies can compete with the fastest hounds and Siberians in the sport.

In this episode, host Robert Forto talks with Tabitha about her journey from grooming dogs to representing Team USA at the IFSS World Championships, how she trains and selects her dogs, and why Border Collies might be the most underestimated athletes in mushing.

You’ll also hear about her most humbling trail experience, her favorite heavy-metal playlist for training days, and the gear hack she swears by, using a deer antler as her snub line.

Whether you’re a musher, dog trainer, or outdoor enthusiast, this episode will change how you think about what makes a great sled dog.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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In this episode of Mushing, host Robert Forto sits down with Fernando and Dana, the husband-and-wife team behind Rancho Luna Lobos in Park City, Utah. From running a rescue kennel and family-run sled dog tour business to shaping the next generation of mushers, they share how faith, community, and love for dogs power everything they do.

We explore their Peace Garden, where dogs heal from past trauma, how they blend mushing and ministry, and what the future of the sport looks like, from sprint racing to the rise of dryland mushing and monodog sports.

Fernando also shares his most humbling moment on the trail (spoiler: it involves a wrong turn and icy trail!), and Dana reflects on legacy, leadership, and Leonard Seppala’s enduring influence.

Listen for:

• Why humility and faith matter in modern mushing
• How Rancho Luna Lobos blends rescue, sport, and storytelling
• The future of sled dog racing and outdoor adventure in Utah

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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In this powerful episode of Mushing, Maine musher Jonathan Hayes reflects on the final leg of his Centennial Seppala Expedition across Alaska—his emotional arrival in Nome and the lessons learned along the way. From honoring the legacy of Leonhard Seppala to finding faith, purpose, and resilience on the trail, Hayes shares what it truly means to carry history forward. This is Part Five of our in-depth series exploring the heart, heritage, and humanity behind one of mushing’s most meaningful journeys.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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In this episode of the Mushing Podcast, Robert Forto sits down with Tone Coughlin of Endurance Kennels in Duluth, Minnesota, to pull back the curtain on the realities of sled dog culture. They discuss the differences between sprint racing Alaskan Huskies and the stereotypical “Disney dogs,” how selective breeding has shaped performance, and why public education is crucial for the sport's future. Tony shares insights from growing his kennel, building a massive TikTok following, and balancing tradition with modern challenges, such as climate change and social media trolls.

Whether you’re a seasoned musher or new to the sport, this conversation offers a raw, authentic look at what it takes to raise, train, and advocate for sled dogs today.

The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus 

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