Off The Couch

We talk to Dakota Jones about how motivation evolves, different chapters of life, and what led to the launch of the Footprints Running Camp.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Breaking bones (3:27)
• Footprints Running Camp (6:53)
• ‘What you should do’ vs ‘What you want to do’ (21:00)
• Dakota’s different chapters of life (26:19)
• What ignited your environmental passion (34:11)
• What are you currently studying? (36:10)
• What does the next year look like? (40:09)
• Fundraiser for the next Footprints (46:01)

RELATED LINKS:

• Camping in Gunnison & Crested Butte

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Ian Sharman is back on the podcast (check out ep. 12 for more with Ian) and we sat down with him in Blister HQ, along with our good friend and Ian’s favorite pacer of all-time, Dana Kracaw.

We talk about how Ian and Dana met; what makes a good pacer; when & when not to DNF; Tanya Harding; deer costumes; trolling; all-mountain roller skates; and yes, murder. This one is a lot of fun, so if you dislike fun, please skip it. Otherwise, enjoy!

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Introductions & Instagram trolling (2:18)
• Preparing for another Leadville 100 (11:21)
• Difference between a “hike” and a “run” (16:00)
• Heart rate monitoring (26:02)
• The art of pacing (30:01)
• Ian & Dana’s proudest running accomplishments (36:12)
• Hacking Wikipedia pages (44:45)
• Tanya Harding & deer costumes (50:48)
• To DNF or Not to DNF (55:14)
• Coaching & race selection (1:09:26)
• Ian’s strategy for this year’s Leadville 100 (1:17:56)
• More trolling, Boston, Leadville, & costumes (1:24:00)

RELATED LINKS:

• Off The Couch ep. 12: Ian Sharman
• Camping in Gunnison & Crested Butte

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Sanjay Rawal is back on the podcast to discuss his latest film project about the American runner, Patti Catalano Dillon; how being coached by Patti has caused him to completely overhaul how he trains; and why we all might benefit by remembering to “run easy.”

TOPICS & TIMES:

• The Reception of the film, Gather (1:44)
• Sanjays' own running & latest project (8:37)
• Training & the signs of a "happy" runner (16:39)
• Running easy (36:27)

RELATED LINKS:

• Filmmaker, Sanjay Rawal, on the World’s Longest Race (Ep.2)
• Sanjay Rawal on Running Dumb, Training Slow, & Finding Joy through Exertion (Ep.33)
• Food Sovereignty, Indigenous Rights, & the Film, Gather (Blister Podcast Ep.131)
• Camping in Gunnison & Crested Butte

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In part 2 of our conversation with one of the top ultrarunners in the world, we discuss Michele’s book, Ultra, that comes out today; his motivation heading into the Moab 240 last year (which he won); the “art of the pull”; death; purpose; and Michele makes an announcement about a big upcoming project.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Today’s release of his book, “Ultra" (2:50)
• Running the Atacama & Gobi deserts (5:14)
• Motivation going into the Moab 240 (10:50)
• Pulling vs Pushing (17:26)
• DNFs (26:16)
• Death (29:41)
• Purpose (37:33)
• How Dean Karnazes’ book saved his life (45:36)
• The backstory of his book, Ultra (57:43)
• Michele announces an upcoming project (1:09:12)

RELATED LINKS:

• Part 1 of our conversation
• Order Michele’s book
• Camping in Gunnison & Crested Butte

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How does a kid from a little town in Italy go from working in his family’s floral business to being a top fashion model in Miami to being one of the top ultrarunners in the world? Michele Graglia has done all of that, but he isn’t just about winning long-distance races and setting world records (though he’s won the Moab 240, Yukon Arctic Ultra, Badwater 135, & more). He is most passionate about human potential, helping us redefine what is possible, and motivating each and every one of us to do the same. 

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Why Michele’s book Ultra is a big book but a fast read (2:55)
• Growing up in Italy, education, & the family business (11:00)
• How a rainstorm started Michele's modeling career (18:35)
• Weight, Form, & Nutrition: modeling vs ultrarunning (26:41)
• Being disciplined vs remaining open (34:48)
• Diet & experimentation (41:48)
• Coaching running, practicing yoga (54:23)
• Ultrarunning, Yoga, Vedic philosophy, & “getting to the fabric of your soul” (56:08)

RELATED LINKS

• Part 2 of our conversation
• Order Michele’s book, Ultra

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If you want to understand one of the most important developments currently taking place in the outdoor industry, then this conversation is for you. Jenny Bruso is the founder of Unlikely Hikers, and what she has started is a movement that is growing fast, and for good reason. See why.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Life, presently (1:32)
• Navigating social media & the digital world (3:54)
• The mission of Unlikely Hikers (15:32)
• Main takeaways so far from Unlikely Hikers? (27:41)
• Plus-size apparel & gear (31:35)
• Getting real about “average” size (39:25)
• Proving to gear makers that there's a market (43:36)
• Jenny’s Unlikely Hikers podcast (52:06)

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We’re talking again with one of the most influential product designers in the outdoor industry, Jean-Luc Diard. He was formerly the CEO of Salomon and played a major role in the development of Salomon’s running shoes (and the first shaped skis), he co-founded HOKA One One, and he is now the VP of innovation for the Deckers Group and the head of Deckers X Lab. Yesterday, we spoke with Jean-Luc about the design philosophy of Deckers X Lab, and why they are rethinking everything from the standard flip flop to the casual sneaker to the suspension systems of very high-end, performance shoes.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• The Deckers X Lab philosophy & lineup (2:26)
• Minimalist vs Maximalist shoes (8:53)
• KO-Z Slipper series (31:06)
• Suspension & Arch Support (36:53)
• K-ST series 35 (44:55)
• X-SCAPE series (49:24)
• Running-Shoe Quivers (53:29)

RELATED LINKS:

• Ep.73: Jean-Luc Diard on the Process of Innovation

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Neli Vasquez Rowland is the co-founder and president of A Safe Haven, which is a Chicago-based nonprofit whose goal is to end homelessness. So we talk to Neli about A Safe Haven’s comprehensive approach; how and why their model could be adopted by other cities around the world; their Run to End Homelessness; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• Running in Chicago (0:53)
• What is A Safe Haven (5:14)
• What led you to start A Safe Haven? (6:30)
• A Safe Haven’s approach (15:00)
• Neli’s book, HEALING (18:04)
• Who qualifies for the program? (19:58)
• A Safe Haven’s housing options (28:48) 
• How does this compare to other programs? (29:40)
• Providing jobs to break the cycle (33:38)
• What could other cities be doing better? (38:25)
• Expanding A Safe Haven to other locations (52:50)
• What policies or laws most need to be changed? (1:01:05)
• A Run to End Homelessness (1:08:58)

RELATED LINKS:

• A Safe Haven
• Run to End Homelessness
• Neli’s book: Healing: Real Stories Told By People Who Have Overcome The Homeless And Opioid Epidemics

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Brendan Leonard and Jonathan Ellsworth talk to Daryl Murphy about his Miles For Justice project; why he’s been running 5k or more every single day for over 300 days; his running background; his ideas about the future of Miles For Justice; and more.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• What is Miles For Justice? (1:41)
• What started your 5k-a-day streak? (4:13)
• Daryl’s background, getting into running (5:36)
• Did you have running heroes? (25:21)
• The process of fundraising (28:06)
• Books (35:48)
• Acapella poem / rap (43:02)
• Interest in writing? (44:29)
• The 5k Streak: what’s easiest & what’s hardest about it? (46:20)
• The future of Miles For Justice (52:08)
• Running goals this year? (56:37)
• Expanding on the "idea" of Miles For Justice (1:01:42)

RELATED LINKS:

• Watch Daryl’s Video
• Donate to Miles For Justice

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Brendan Leonard and I talk to TheGingerRunner, Ethan Newberry, about life before GingerRunner; what led Ethan to start GR and how it has evolved; anxiety and mental health; his partnership with Kim Teshima Newberry; and of course, shoe reviews.

TOPICS & TIMES:

• On being interviewed (2:29)
• Life before GingerRunner (4:55)
• Acting Auditions (16:57)
• Ethan’s process of content creation (24:47)
• The Barkley Banana (31:58)
• Ethan’s partnership with Kim (37:23)
• Branding / the origins of the GingerRunner name (45:09)
• “Making It” (57:00)
• Anxiety & Mental Health (1:06:10)
• “What shoe should I run in?” (1:15:20)

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