After several years away from race directing, Rob Goyen is rising back into action with his new company, Rise Racing Co. In this episode, Andrew and Stephanie catch up with one of HappyCast’s very first guests to hear how Rob has spent his time away, why he chose to step back, and what ultimately pulled him back into the trail running scene. From his early days building Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT) to the ideas now fueling Rise Racing, Rob reflects on the lessons learned and the community he never stopped loving.

Rob shares candidly about the challenges of directing races at scale, the toll it took on his family life, and the loss that weighed heavily on his decision to pause. But his passion for creating unique experiences and building trail running community never faded. Now, with Rise Racing Co, he’s bringing that energy back—this time with a sharper focus on creativity, connection, and long-term vision. Listeners will hear about his inspirations, his vision for new kinds of events, and even a few surprising ideas that push the boundaries of what a trail race can be.

Whether you know Rob from the legendary Franklin Mountains race, the infamous sheet-cake incident, or his knack for dreaming up off-the-wall challenges, this conversation is packed with stories, humor, and insight. Tune in to hear how Rise Racing Co plans to carve its place in the Texas trail running landscape, why Rob believes community is at the heart of every finish line, and what it means to truly rise back into action.

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