The Human Potential Running Series Podcast

Take a run with the Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 86, host and HPRS race director John Lacroix goes solo in the studio to announce major show updates—including the move to video—before diving into one of the most unexpected, full-circle stories in his 20-plus years in ultrarunning.

At the 2026 Sheep Mountain Trail Runs, John set up electronic check-in when a legendary name surfaced on the roster: Andrew Thompson. Thompson—a Barkley Marathons finisher, former Appalachian Trail FKT holder, and New Hampshire mountain icon—was also John’s first internet bully two decades earlier, after a public clash on the UltraList over Thompson’s mentor, Sue Johnston.

What followed on race day was an extraordinary confluence of history, grace, and redemption. Andrew arrived in Fairplay, Colorado, with fellow Barkley finishers Brett Maune and Travis Wildeboer to start one final 50-mile race to celebrate his 50th birthday. From a fiery morning pre-race speech to late-day cutoff battles at the aid stations, John recounts what it felt like to support an old rival’s final ultra, learning he was being compared to his own idol, Dr. David Horton, and sitting side-by-side on coolers at the finish line without needing a single word of apology.

In this episode, John reflects on:

• The HPRS Evolution: Expanding to video recording, YouTube, and stepping into the discomfort of being seen.
• The Ghost of 2005: The origins of a 20-year feud, neurodivergence, justice sensitivity, and owning past mistakes.
• Barkley Royalty at Sheep Mountain: Supporting Andrew Thompson, Brett Maune, and Travis Wildeboer through a razor-thin cutoff finish.
• The "Horty" Connection: An unexpected lesson in assumptions and discovering who your idols really are.
• The Unspoken Apology: Why we aren’t owed apologies in this life, how to give grace, and the sacred contents of the little black bag.

Whether you've held a grudge for months or decades, this episode offers a raw, emotional look at maturity, letting bygones be bygones, and discovering that sometimes the best way to say you're sorry is simply to show up and hold space.

Listen or watch now on YouTube, Riverside, and all major podcast platforms, or visit: www.humanpotentialrunning.com

What happens when a runner who has finished 16 consecutive 100-milers finally has to walk up to an aid station tent and utter the words: “I quit”?

Take a run with the Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 85, host and HPRS race director John Lacroix is joined by ultrarunner and coach Stefan Schuster to break down Schuster’s first career DNF at the Crazy Mountain 100. Moving far beyond race splits, the two dive into the complex web of physical and psychological factors that lead to dropping out—from chronic injuries like plantar fasciitis and hamstring strains to physiological burnout, life stress, and overtraining.

John challenges the modern obsession with high mileage streaks and social media pedestals, sharing lessons from his own DNF history and urging runners to look beyond external validation. Together, they explore the difficult internal work of rediscovering your "why," knowing when to step back from rigid training plans, reframing failure as a tool for personal growth, and remembering to appreciate not just the scenic mountain views, but the "view within."

They close out the episode with a lighthearted deep dive into old-school ultrarunning swag etiquette—including whether you have the right to wear a race shirt if you didn't cross the finish line.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 84 of the show, host John Lacroix welcomes Stefan Schuster back to the program to discuss Cocodona and ultrarunning safety, addressing the impact of tragic events on the ultrarunning community and the importance of risk management. The conversation delves into the responsibilities of race directors in prioritizing runner safety; the challenges of live-tracking devices and bandwidth limitations; risk management and safety in ultrarunning; and the controversy surrounding assisted finishes. The conversation delves into the ethical concerns in ultrarunning, particularly related to medical wellness checks and the use of banned substances. It also explores the impact of doping on the sport and the ethical implications for athletes and race organizations.

Takeaways

• Risk management in ultrarunning
• Impact of tragic events on the ultrarunning community Race directors need to prioritize runner safety
• Live tracking devices and bandwidth limitations pose challenges for race events Ethical concerns in ultrarunning
• Impact of doping on the sport

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 83 of the show, host John Lacroix reunites with his former co-host Stefan Schuster to discuss Schuster’s newly released book, Beyond the Single Track: How Ultra Running Taught Me to Live. After opening with a humorous conversation spanning classic movies, acting cameos, and historical assassination trivia, the two dive into an in-depth exploration of the book-writing and publishing process. Schuster details the six-year journey of crafting his memoir, the importance of incorporating reflections on personal growth at the end of each chapter, the vulnerabilities of sharing intimate life lessons, and the practical realities of indie publishing and working with an editor. Lacroix also shares insights and hurdles from his own ongoing book project, leading to a candid discussion between the two about finding purpose in ultrarunning, using creative projects as therapeutic tools to process life experiences, and giving back to the running community. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 82, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix is back in the chair! After catching up on summer family adventures and new mapping projects, John tackles a heavy topic facing our sport this summer: Navigating Wildfires, AQI, and Race Cancellations. John breaks down Colorado's fire season, the complex logistics of race cancellations vs. air quality management, and how HPRS is stepping up with discounted entries for displaced runners this season. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 81, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix dives into a fascinating, cautionary tale from the frontline of local trail racing: The Rise of the AI Race Director. John breaks down a recent interaction with a new event organizer whose entire race presence, from a high-priced entry structure down to every single line of marketing copy, was entirely generated by Artificial Intelligence.

What happens when automated machine learning clashes with the complex, boots-on-the-ground reality of public land permitting, route design, and community safety? John shares the email correspondence, the logistical red flags he uncovered (including courses mapped over illegal social trails slated for restoration), and the essential human truth that no algorithm can ever replace: ultra running requires authentic community and real-world risk management.

To close, John connects this modern dilemma to a special speech and original poem inspired by Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, reminding us all of the heavy responsibility of stewardship and why the soul of the sport depends on people who "care a whole awful lot." 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 80 is Part 3 of a 3 part series on The State of Ultrarunning. In the conclusion of this three-part series, HPRS owner and race director John LaCroix delivers his most raw and data-backed "State of the Sport Address" to date. Using 21 years of longitudinal data from Colorado and beyond, John pulls back the curtain on the "Ghost Race" phenomenon, the math of corporate greed, and the reality of the permit ceiling facing federal land use.

This episode features an opening reflection by Dr. Jacob Ambrose on the "AuDHD" (Autism & ADHD) experience—prioritizing truth over simplicity—which sets the stage for a discussion on why the sport is entering a critical "Stewardship Era."

Key Topics Covered:

• The 100-Mile Bubble: Why race counts are up 27% while finishes have stagnated.
• Extraction vs. Stewardship: The rise of corporate "Ironmanization" and predatory race scheduling.
• The Math of Entry Fees: A forensic look at why $500 entries are becoming the norm (and why it's not just inflation).
• The Cultural Shift: Moving from a "frat house" atmosphere of mockery back to a "sanctuary" of belonging.
• HPRS Updates: Why John is choosing "depth over breadth" by reducing race counts and leaning into the Community Fund.

🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 79 is Part 2 of a 3-part series on The State of Ultrarunning. In this part, John and guests Gordon Harvey, Mike Gamp, and Megan Storms tackle the increasingly complex world of land management, legal liability, and the "tragedy of the commons" that ultrarunning currently faces.

John pulls back the curtain on how some race directors are operating in "gray areas" to bypass permit restrictions—and how these short-sighted decisions are triggering a massive ripple effect that threatens access for everyone, from running stores to collegiate teams.

Topics in Part 2:

• The Permitting Crisis: How a few "at all costs" race directors are causing the U.S. Forest Service to reconsider rules for every trail user.
• The Liability Myth: Why recent court rulings in Colorado have made your race waiver "meaningless" and what that means for the future of entry fees.
• Search & Rescue Realities: The sobering truth about how long it actually takes for help to arrive when things go wrong in the backcountry.
• Gatekeeping vs. Safety: Should hard races have stricter qualifiers? A look at the "couch-to-100-miler" trend and the rise of the "unprepared runner."
• The In-Crowd & The Oligarchy: A candid look at the power dynamics of the "Five Families" of ultrarunning and why the sport needs more "rabble-rousers."

This is the second of a three-part series. Stay tuned for Part 3, where John delivers his official "State of the Sport Address." 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. Episode 78, is the first installment of a special three-part series, where HPRS Race Director John Lacroix sits down with guests Gordon Harvey, Mike Gampp, and Megan Storms to pull back the curtain on the current state of the ultrarunning industry.

Part 1 focuses on the friction between "old school" trail culture and the high-gloss world of modern influencers. From the impact of film crews on the runner experience to the legal and permitting repercussions of high-profile rule-breaking, the group explores if the sport is losing its "dirtbag" soul.

Topics in Part 1:

• The "Influencer" Formula: How social media monetization is shifting race priorities.
• Prize Money & Elitism: Does the focus on the top 1% marginalize the back-of-the-pack?
• Stewardship & Permits: The real-world consequences of cutting switchbacks and ecological harm.
• The "It's Not About You" Ethos: Why rules exist to protect shared spaces.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week as the roundtable continues, followed by John's solo "State of the Sport Address" in Part 3. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 77, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix offers insights into the story of the Franklin Mountains Trail Runs for HPRS. Hear the story of how HPRS came to own the Franklin Mountains Trail Runs, the trials and tribulations we endured over the 5-years hosting the event in El Paso, and what led to the decision to sell the race to Wanderlust Running, including lessons learned, a thank you, and a goodbye. For our El Paso running family. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!