In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with Nicole Linke: an ultrarunner who returned to running after 8 years away and went from self-doubt to completing some of the toughest endurance races out there.

From her first 61K in 2021 to conquering 100 milers, 24-hour races, backyard ultras, and the brutal CCC at UTMB, Nicole’s journey is raw, honest, and powerful. We talk about fear, resilience, eating disorders, self-belief, and what it really takes to push past your limits.

This is not a story about instant confidence.
It’s about showing up anyway.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re capable: this one hits hard.

Keywords: ultrarunning, Nicole Linke, CCC UTMB, backyard ultra, 100 miler, endurance mindset, trail running, ultra marathon training, mental strength, running podcast, resilience, German ultrarunner, long distance running, pushing limits

After winning Moab 200, setting a new Triple Crown overall time record, and completing one of the most brutal challenges in ultrarunning, Kilian Korth returns to the podcast.

In this episode, we go beyond the headlines.

We break down what it actually took to execute across Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, and Moab 200, how strategy shifted under pressure, and what changed mentally once “delusional self-belief” became undeniable proof.

We talk about:

• The reality of racing Moab in extreme conditions
• Chasing a record vs chasing execution
• The cost of stacking 200-mile races in one season
• The moment everything changed after crossing the finish line
• Sudden growth, attention, and becoming a full-time athlete
• Why success didn’t feel like an ending

This is not just about winning.
It’s about what happens after you prove yourself right.

Keywords

ultrarunning, Moab 200, Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, Triple Crown ultrarunning, endurance mindset, ultra marathon podcast, Cocodona 250, trail running, endurance athlete mindset, running podcast, long distance running, ultramarathon training, mental toughness

What does it take to win one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with Rebecca Rick, who claimed 1st place female at Moab 240 Endurance Run (2025) after finishing 2nd the year before.

From pushing through 240 miles of desert terrain to managing sleep deprivation, pain, and mental breakdowns, Rebecca shares what it really takes to operate at the edge of human endurance.

We go deep into:

• The mindset behind running 200+ mile races
• Lessons from Moab 240 and Tahoe 200
• Sleep strategy, hallucinations, and staying mentally sharp
• Fueling and recovery after multi-day efforts
• Why pushing limits reveals who you truly are

This is not just about running. This is about discovering what you're capable of when quitting is no longer an option.

Keywords: ultrarunning, Moab 240, Tahoe 200, endurance mindset, trail running, 200 mile race, ultra marathon training, sleep deprivation, running podcast, endurance athletes

Episode 50 marks the Season 2 finale of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step.

“Dreams Into Reality” returns, but this time it means something different.

Over this season, the conversations went deeper. Stories of endurance, failure, resilience, and stepping into the unknown started to hit differently. Listening to people push beyond what feels possible doesn’t just inspire you. It forces you to question your own limits.

This episode is a reflection on that shift.

From hearing journeys of ultrarunners and athletes who chose discomfort over safety… to making that same decision personally.

With a 100K race just weeks away and a 100-mile race on the horizon, this is where things start to become real.

This is not about being ready.
It’s about stepping into it anyway.

Season 2 closes here.
Season 3 builds from it.

Keywords:

ultrarunning podcast, dreams into reality, endurance mindset, 100k training, 100 mile race, stepping out of comfort zone, running motivation, mental toughness, ultramarathon journey, growth mindset, endurance athletes, pushing limits, running podcast Berlin, self improvement, endurance stories

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive deep into the journey of an athlete who pushed the limits of human endurance at Big’s Backyard Ultra, completing an incredible 113 loops (≈758 km / 471 miles) and finishing second.

We explore what it really takes to survive multiple days of running , from sleep deprivation and hallucinations to the mental battles that define ultra endurance. This conversation goes beyond performance and into the mindset required to keep going when everything in you wants to stop.

From discovering ultra running later in life to competing against some of the best in the world, this episode is about resilience, persistence, and redefining limits.

If you’re a runner, an endurance athlete, or someone chasing something bigger in life, this one will stay with you.

🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

Keywords

ultrarunning, backyard ultra, bigs backyard ultra, endurance mindset, mental toughness, ultra marathon podcast, running podcast, sleep deprivation running, endurance athletes, pushing limits, long distance running, ultra runner story, trail running, endurance training, mindset and performance

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with ultra runner Emilie Mann to explore the mindset behind racing some of the toughest ultra marathons in the world.

From 50K mountain races to 100 mile ultras like Run Rabbit Run, Emilie shares her experience racing globally, including events like Ultra-Trail Cape Town, Black Canyon 100K, and Desert RATS.

This conversation goes beyond results and performance. It dives into the mental side of endurance, staying present during long races, handling setbacks, and continuing forward when things don’t go as planned.

In this episode, we cover:

• 100 mile race mindset and execution
• Training and preparation for ultra marathons
• UTMB and international trail racing experience
• Dealing with setbacks, DNFs, and race-day challenges
• The importance of staying present in endurance sports

Whether you’re preparing for your first ultra, training for a 100K or 100 mile race, or looking to understand what drives elite endurance athletes, this episode delivers real insight from someone who has lived it.

Keywords:
Emilie Mann, ultra marathon, 100 mile race, trail running, UTMB, ultra trail running, endurance mindset, mountain running, 100k race, ultra running podcast, running motivation, trail race strategy, endurance training, Run Rabbit Run 100, Black Canyon 100K, Ultra Trail Cape Town

Megan Eckert returns to Pushing Horizons: Step by Step after an incredible performance at Big’s Backyard Ultra, where she pushed through brutal weather, extreme sleep deprivation, and over 90 hours of continuous running.

In this episode, we break down what it truly takes to survive one of the toughest endurance formats in the world. From running through storms and collapsing tents to battling the mental effects of sleep deprivation, this is a raw and honest conversation about resilience, limits, and the mindset required to keep going when everything inside you wants to stop.

This episode goes beyond performance , it dives deep into the psychology of endurance and what happens when your body can still move, but your mind starts to fade.

Keywords: Big’s Backyard Ultra, ultrarunning, Megan Eckert, endurance mindset, sleep deprivation running, backyard ultra strategy, mental toughness, ultramarathon podcast, Lazarus Lake, Harvey Lewis, long distance running, endurance athletes, pushing horizons podcast

What does it really take to run the perfect ultra race?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with one of the most analytical and consistent endurance athletes in the sport to break down the science, strategy, and mindset behind elite ultra running performance.

From 24-hour racing and 100-mile ultras to marathon-level speed, this conversation dives deep into how data, pacing, and intuition come together to create optimal performance.

We explore:

• The concept of negative splitting in ultra marathons

• How to pace correctly for 100-mile and 24-hour races

• The balance between data-driven decisions and instinct

• Why most runners start too fast and pay for it later

• How to train smarter, recover faster, and stay consistent long-term

• The mental shift required to move from surviving to performing

This episode challenges conventional ultra running advice and offers a completely different framework for approaching endurance racing.

If you’re training for an ultra, marathon, or looking to improve your endurance strategy, this is a must-listen.

Keywords

ultra running, ultra marathon training, negative split ultra, endurance training, 100 mile race strategy, 24 hour race, pacing strategy running, marathon training, endurance mindset, trail running, ultra runner tips, running podcast, performance optimization, long distance running, running strategy, data driven running

In Season 2 Episode 45 of Pushing Horizons: Steps by Steps, Ash sits down with an inspiring runner whose life revolves around discipline, resilience, and the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other.

A single mother balancing work, parenting, and intense endurance training, she logs up to 300 miles per month, wakes up at 3 AM to run, and has taken on brutal endurance challenges including the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, five half marathons in one week, and a self-planned 50K ultramarathon.

But for her, running is not about podiums or personal records. Running is therapy.

In this conversation, we dive into the mental side of endurance, how running helps navigate life’s toughest moments, and how discipline built on the road translates into strength in everyday life.

This episode explores the intersection of endurance sports, mental health, single parenthood, and resilience.

If you’ve ever wondered why people push themselves to extreme distances, this episode will give you the answer.

running podcast, endurance running, ultrarunning mindset, 50k ultramarathon story, goggins 4x4x48 challenge, discipline in running, single mom runner, mental strength running, endurance athlete story, marathon training motivation, running as therapy, pushing horizons podcast

SEO Keywords

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we explore one of the most overlooked topics in endurance sports: when passion slowly turns into burnout.

Many runners believe that more mileage, harder training, and constant racing are the keys to improvement. But what happens when the body and mind can no longer keep up?

This conversation dives deep into the realities of endurance training, including overtraining, recovery, fueling strategies, RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), and the pressure created by social media culture in running.

We discuss how athletes can build sustainable training habits, recognize early signs of burnout, and develop a healthier relationship with performance.

If you are training for marathons, ultras, or simply trying to improve as a runner, this episode offers powerful insights into how to push your limits without breaking yourself.

endurance sports, ultrarunning podcast, running burnout, overtraining syndrome, RED-S in athletes, fueling for endurance, sports nutrition, ultramarathon training, recovery for runners, endurance mindset, marathon training tips, running podcast, pushing horizons podcast

Keywords (SEO)