The Human Potential Running Series Podcast

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 52 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix talks about the growth of our sport; specifically revisiting the concept of The Tragedy of the Commons and how the growth of our sport is contributing to race cannibalization and the struggles many race directors will soon face. 2025 is going to be an incredibly difficult year for race directors to acquire permits on USFS lands, as land managers will resort to culling the herd of races since no one seems to know when enough is enough. An important listen for the future health of the sport many of us love!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 51 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix talks about What It's Like to be a race director, but this time from the emotional/mental perspective. In previous episodes John has discussed what it's like to be a race director during a time where the sport of trail and ultra is ever changing. He has discussed the physical aspects of the job and the toll that takes on the race directors body. In this episode he discusses the seemingly unavoidable emotional and mental toll that comes with being a race director in today's day and age.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 50 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix talks about recent ultrarunning press releases; most notably the news of Camile Herron’s involvement in a wikipedia controversy, and Aravaipa announcing their updated drug policy. John’s main discussion focuses on the effects the sport of ultra will realize as prize money and podiums become more of a focus. He names the “oligarchy” whom he believes is in control of ultra’s narrative, including the prize money narrative, and how they stand to make money that will NOT trickle down to smaller events. An episode many will label as “controversial” as John displays his passion for inclusion and accessibility in our sport, and maintaining our focus on community. 

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 49 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix talks about hi upcoming milestone of directing 100 events. Specifically John reads the letter he wrote in our monthly newsletter and expands upon some of the points made therin, while also telling more of the history of him becoming a race director and HPRS coming to be. Then John talks about where he goes from here; he can either hang it up and call it a career, submitting to the fact that those who have sought to corporatize and ironmanize the sport have won, that the money is here and never going away... or to double down on our roots and push ever harder to be the example of how powerful community and belonging still is for our sport.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 48 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and Co-Host Cade Hanson discuss the topic of masculinity in ultrarunning. Masculinity explored in the discussion are neo-traditionalist, egalitarian, progressive, and toxic masculinities. A different kind of conversation for sure!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In this special edition of the show, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix discusses the acquisiton of Ultrarunning Magazine by Jamil Coury of Steep Life Media and Aravaipa Running, what it potentially means for our sport, and potential anti-trust violations as a result of the sale. 

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 46 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and Co-Host cade Hanson discuss the some of the things that "grinds John's gears," and likely the gears of many a race director. Truly a conversation about nothing and everything all at once.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 45 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix discuss the many nuances between road/tri and trail/ultra and highlights the biggest ones so that the new kids on the block will set better expectations for what they're getting into, and perhaps not insist that trail and ultra do it like road and tri. We are "the dirt bags of the endurance world" after all.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 44 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix welcomes Emily Royal to the set as we talk about our journey in supporting the Latino Ultra Nature Adventure (LUNA). We discuss the many permitting challenges we've face along the way, as well as how "the entitled" have responded to this event. We explore the success of LUNA in our support of a traditionally underserved and marginalized community. Finally, we discuss the importance of helping our Rarámuri friends in their time of desperate need. 

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 43 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix dives into the numbers to see if anyone has really boycotted UTMB/Ironman this year. Then he talks about the concept of "Ethical Fading" in Ultra race director, arguing against live drone coverage of events, permitting issues, and more.