Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 68, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-hosts Thomas Stott and Megan Storms each give their top five trail running tips for new runners, which also happen to be great reminders for seasoned veterans as well. From mental aspects to sage training advice, gear recommendations, and nutrition guidance, each host shares their tips and strategies to promote a lifetime of healthy choices within running.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In this deeply personal Episode 67, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix shares a story he’s never told publicly, until now. After a lifetime of masking and adapting to neurotypical expectations, John opens up about his recent diagnoses of ADHD (Combined Type) and Autism (Level 1). This isn’t just a story about neurodivergence; it’s a reckoning with leadership, identity, and the cost of pretending to be someone you’re not. You’ll hear how John’s neurodivergence has shaped everything from race-day logistics to how he handles noise, social interaction, and emotional bandwidth. He talks candidly about Autistic Burnout and the hidden work of masking. This episode is a call to unmask; not just for him, but for all of us. It’s an invitation to build a trail community where everyone belongs, regardless of how they blend in. If you’ve ever felt “too much” or “not enough”… this one’s for you.

Topics include:

• What it means to be neurodivergent in leadership

• ADHD and Autism through a personal lens

• The invisible cost of masking in trail culture

• How HPRS is evolving to reflect sustainable leadership

• The Community Roundtable (CRT) and a shared vision for the future

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 66, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix discusses change and transitions. Change can be terrifying to the point that some people avoid it. It can also be necessary to grow. Transition is a word that can better describe change in a positive light. In this episode, John discusses aspects of the ultrarunning community that need to change for the sport to evolve. John also discusses how these aspects have affected his desire to self-identify as an ultrarunner, and how it ultimately leads to a period of transition at HPRS that will occur over the next 2-4 years. This is a heavy, incredibly personal episode, recounting challenging situations that have led to decisions that will affect the HPRS community for years to come.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 65, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-host Thomas Stott discuss a wide range of thoughts about race preparation strategies. Together, they take us on a journey from beginner training plans to using races as training. They tackle ego versus mindset, how one can be destructive on your journey and the other the base of your foundation. They tackle movement streaks, body and brain recovery, and what truly matters in the race prep journey. 

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 64, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix welcomes special guest co-host Derek Talbott from The Shifted Hunter. In this episode, John and Derek combine their two shows to discuss recent concerns about public land. In this robust conversation, they discuss the growing threats to public land access and why hunters, runners, and outdoor communities need to unite. They explore: The politics behind land transfers and sales, why this issue affects hunters, anglers, and trail users alike, what we can do to protect these wild spaces, how two very different communities are fighting for the same cause, whether you’re chasing elk or finish lines, this episode is for you.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 63, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix welcomes special guest co-host Christopher Mellott. In this episode, John and Chris define what a mantra is. They provide various examples of the multitude of mantras that exist in the world. Then they turn to a conversation on how mantras can be turned into action, helping you achieve your athletic goals. 

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 62, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix welcomes special guest co-host Christopher Mellott. In this episode, they discuss Care, Concern, and Accountability, and balancing all three when runners cheat or if a race participant or volunteer behaves negatively. They also discuss why rules matter and the distinction between the spirit of the rule versus the letter of the rule. An interesting conversation that explores the facets of ego, character, and integrity, as well as what happens when something negative reaches the court of public opinion.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 61, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-host Thomas Stott give updates on the Silverheels Trail Runs Permitting process before diving into a conversation about chasing an experience (the journey) rather than a destination. They discuss how people tend to become good at helping others meet their needs along the way and how that helps individuals find what they've lost or need while in the mountains. They also discuss the differences between introverted and extroverted trail runners, how to recognize the signs of one over the other, and how to be respectful of one another's "bubble" while on the trail. 

In this special edition of the HPRS Podcast, Race Director John Lacroix discusses the framework of community within ultramarathon running from 20 years ago, the two pockets that currently divide the sport, and how the behaviors of a small subset of runners within the community threaten to tear what remains of the community apart. 

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 60, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix brings us full circle on how our federal land management partners' current issues could negatively impact trail and ultra events. During the discussion, John highlights the timeline from June 2023 to the Present in discussing how we arrived at this moment and the real-life ramifications of budget shortfalls, cuts, and worker layoffs could have on our sport. John then expresses the importance of continued advocacy by our user group and being intentional by doing more to give back to the agencies that have afforded us the use of public lands for our events and those like them and the need to stop requesting new permits or permits for events with greater impacts.