In this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, host Stefan Schuster welcomes TJ Harms-Synkiew, an ultrarunner with a diverse background in trail running, seasonal work and trail maintenance to the show. Together they discuss the importance of trail work, TJ's transition to ultra running, and the mental challenges faced in endurance sports. TJ shares his journey from completing his first marathon to tackling 100-mile races, timed events and backyard ultras. In this conversation, TJ shares his experiences and insights on these unique event formats, the appeal of timed events plus loop courses and the unique mindset required to succeed in these events. TJ also discusses the strategies that have worked for him in backyard racing along with the importance of finding balance in ultrarunning to prevent burnout (spoiler alert: fun should be the primary goal!). We also discuss the necessity of discipline in training and TJ's personal journey of living life on his own terms as he navigates his running career.

Chapters
 00:24 Show Introduction
 02:57 TJ's Introduction, Seasonal Work and Its Impact on Life Choices
 08:45 Trail Work: The Importance and Challenges
 11:50 Experiences with Trail Work and Community Involvement
 14:40 The Role of Volunteers in Trail Maintenance
 17:43 Daily Life of a Trail Worker
 20:41 The Chavano Project and Trail Development
 23:49 Social Trails: Perspectives and Implications
 26:45 Transitioning to Ultra Running: A Personal Journey
 29:52 The Journey to Ultra Running
 35:16 Building Confidence Through Challenges
 38:47 The Loop Race Experience
 49:37 Mindset in Timed Events vs Fixed Distances
 53:12 Understanding Backyard Ultras
 58:20 Mastering Compartmentalization in Ultra Running
 59:18 Strategies for Backyard Ultra Racing
 01:04:42 Finding Balance in Ultra Running
 01:07:38 The Importance of Fun in Racing
 01:11:37 Building a Sustainable Running Routine
 01:17:31 Living Life on Your Own Terms
 01:20:54 Navigating Life's Journey Through Running
 01:23:48 Introduction to Trail and Ultra Running
 01:24:17 Coaching and Nutrition Insights

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Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
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In this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, host Stefan Schuster welcomes trail medic and ultra runner Natasha Swartley. They discuss Natasha's journey from military service to trail running, her experiences as a medic, and the importance of optimism and resilience in both life and running. Natasha shares her insights on mental health, the impact of running on her well-being, and her nutrition journey with her dietitian. In this conversation, Natasha Swartley shares her insights on trail running safety, the mental state of runners, and the importance of making healthy decisions during races. She discusses the dynamics between medics and runners, emphasizing the need for open communication and understanding. Natasha also reflects on her journey as a trail medic and the entrepreneurial path she has taken to support runners through self-care and education.

Chapters
00:24 Introduction to Natasha Swartley
 03:20 Military Background and Its Influence
 06:23 The Journey to Becoming a Trail Medic
 12:18 Optimism and Personal Growth
 15:08 Trail Running Experience and Community
 24:12 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges
 30:06 The Supportive Community of Ultra Running
 32:22 Experiencing the Tahoe 200
 37:48 Nutrition and Health Awareness
 42:50 Trail Safety and Foot Care
 46:27 Mental State and Decision Making in Races
 52:44 Breaking the Stigma: Medics and Runners
 54:08 Personal Experiences with Medics
 01:01:23 The Role of Medics in Trail Running
 01:03:41 Building a Business in Trail Medicine
 01:12:34 Life Lessons from Military Service

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
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In this episode of the Journey Running podcast, host Stefan Schuster interviews Jordan Wasson, the owner of Helios Laser Therapy. They discuss the benefits of laser therapy for ultra runners and athletes, including its effectiveness in treating soft tissue injuries and accelerating recovery. Jordan shares his personal journey into the field, the process of a typical laser therapy session, and the emerging research on laser therapy's applications for gut health and concussions. The conversation also touches on entrepreneurship in the health and wellness industry, offering insights and advice for aspiring professionals.

Chapters

00:24 Introduction to Laser Therapy and Jordan's Journey
07:36 Understanding Laser Therapy: Mechanisms and Benefits
10:31 Laser Therapy for Runners: Success Stories and Applications
13:18 The Process of Laser Therapy: What to Expect
16:14 Exploring Laser Therapy Beyond Injuries: GI Health and Concussions
18:52 The Future of Laser Therapy: Research and Innovations
21:48 Entrepreneurship in Health: Jordan's Business Journey
24:39 Advice for Aspiring Health Professionals
27:26 Conclusion and Resources for Laser Therapy
35:19 Introduction to Trail and Ultra Running
35:48 Coaching and Nutrition for Runners

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
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In this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, host Stefan Schuster discusses his personal goal of completing the Rocky Mountain Slam in 2026, a challenging series of four 100-mile races in the Rocky Mountains. He shares insights on the history of the slam, the races involved, and the unique challenges they present. Stefan also reflects on his motivations for pursuing this goal, including the thrill of ultra running and the beauty of the courses. Additionally, he provides guidance on planning a race schedule and explores other ultra running slams available for runners looking for new challenges.

Chapters
00:24 Introduction to Journey Running Podcast
02:51 Understanding the Rocky Mountain Slam
09:28 Personal Goals and Motivation for the Slam
16:49 Planning the Race Schedule for 2026
24:42 Exploring Other Ultra Running Slams
29:48 Final Thoughts and Advice for Runners

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
Facebook: Journey_Running
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In this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, host Stefan Schuster interviews his father, Craig Schuster, who shares his inspiring journey into running marathons and ultra marathons later in life. Craig discusses his motivations, training experiences, and the impact of charity on his running journey. The conversation covers various marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon, New York Marathon, and Chicago Marathon, highlighting the challenges and triumphs faced along the way. He shares insights on training, pacing, and the emotional highs and lows of racing, including his first 50K. The discussion also touches on the importance of community, personal growth, and the lessons learned through running. Craig's candid reflections provide inspiration for both new and seasoned runners alike.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Craig Schuster
03:47 Athletic Journey: From Basketball to Running
08:24 Inspiration Behind Running: Family and Events
13:24 The Role of Charity in Running
19:12 Training for Endurance: Lessons Learned
24:38 Experiences from the Marine Corps Marathon
30:21 Reflections on the Journey and Future Goals
30:50 The Thrill of Race Day
32:24 Fundraising and Community Impact
33:46 Experiencing the New York Marathon
36:37 Challenges of the New York Course
37:12 Getting into Major Marathons
40:07 Lessons from the Chicago Marathon
42:06 Unfinished Business in Marathon Running
44:29 Transitioning to Trail Running
45:32 Pacing the 100-Mile Race
50:48 The Gift of Trail Running
53:32 Training for the Cayuga Trail Runs
54:54 Transitioning from Marathons to Trail Racing
57:13 The Experience of the 50K Race
59:33 Nutrition Strategies for Endurance Running
01:02:19 Comparing Trail Running on the East and West Coasts
01:05:52 Crewing at Western States: A Unique Perspective
01:09:44 Reflections on Running and Life Lessons
01:15:41 Defining Greatness in Running and Life
01:19:11 Keys to a Long-lasting Marriage

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
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In this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, host Stefan Schuster provides an in-depth recap of his experience at the Western States 100, sharing insights on preparation, race day dynamics, nutrition strategies, and the challenges faced during the race. He emphasizes the importance of efficient aid stations, the role of crew support, and the mental aspects of tackling the canyons. Stefan also discusses his unique fueling plan and the significance of thermoregulation in hot conditions, offering valuable tips for future participants. In this conversation, Stefan Schuster shares his detailed experience of running the Western States 100, reflecting on his training, race strategy, and personal insights throughout the journey. He discusses the challenges faced during the race, including navigating the canyons, managing heat, and the importance of pacing and nutrition. The conversation culminates in his emotional finish, highlighting the significance of the event in his life and the journey leading up to it.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Journey Running Podcast
02:40 Recap of the Western States 100 Race
05:41 Preparation and Crew Dynamics
08:40 Race Day Experience and Start Line Insights
11:14 The Escarpment and Grand Chief Wilderness
14:16 Nutrition Strategy and Fueling Techniques
16:54 Aid Station Efficiency and Support
19:22 Thermoregulation and Managing Heat
22:22 Transitioning Through Key Sections
24:55 Climbs and Technical Terrain
27:28 The Canyons and Final Thoughts
34:39 Race Day Preparations and Crew Coordination
39:01 Navigating the Course: Early Miles and Strategy
48:20 The Canyons: Challenges and Strategies
01:01:41 Final Stretch: Pacing and Mental Resilience
01:09:21 Race Reflections and Mistakes
01:12:25 Navigating the Challenges of the Race
01:15:07 The Pressure of Performance
01:19:12 Transitioning to Night Running
01:23:10 The River Crossing Experience
01:25:43 Meeting the Legends of Ultra Running
01:33:20 The Final Stretch to the Finish
01:41:14 The Journey to Western States

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
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Hi everyone, in this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, I recap my experience crewing and pacing the Badwater 135. In this episode, I do my best to  provide invaluable insights for runners, crews and pacers through story telling about what my experience out there was like.

Notable talking points include: discussions about our runner's highs and lows and how to improve upon those in the future, discussing important points on the course, organization of the crew vehicle, making sure you plan a sleep strategy before the event, mental toughness, and so on.

If you'd like to hear more about the Badwater 135 through a runner's perspective, you can check out episode 19 of the Journey Running Podcast, where I had on our runner, Danny Manimbo. 

As always, thank you for taking the time to listen!

Enjoy the episode!
-Stefan

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
Facebook: Journey_Running
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Hi everyone, in this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, I have on Danny Manimbo, who recaps his recent finish at the notorious Badwater 135. The Badwater 135 is the famous 135 mile ultramarathon that runs from Badwater (the lowest point in the Western hemisphere), through Death Valley and to Whitney Portal. Badwater is no doubt the hottest race on Earth and dubs itself "The World's Toughest Footrace." As both a crew member and pacer for Danny, I can attest that there is good reason for this.

On top of discussing his recent Badwater finish, Danny also talks about how he got into ultrarunning, his battle against infertility (and how that led to him running his first 100 miler), leadership, toughness, many of his philosophies on life and more!

For those interested in learning more and/or donating to Danny's Fight Against Infertility fundraiser, you can do so here: https://give.resolve.org/campaign/680377/donate.

As always, thank you for taking the time to listen!

Enjoy the episode!
-Stefan

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
Facebook: Journey_Running
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Hi everyone and welcome to episode 18 of the Journey Running Podcast. In this episode, I discuss training and preparing for the Western States 100. I walk listeners through each phase of my training plan (Base Building, Speed Work + Long Runs, Running a Tune-up Race, Fine Tuning things and then Tapering). I also intertwine subjects such as human physiology, nutrition for ultrarunning and heat training in this episode, among others. There are a variety of great tips and tricks in this episode you can take away, whether to help you run Western States or a different ultra!

Thanks for taking the time to listen!

-Stefan

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
Facebook: Journey_Running
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Hello all and welcome to episode 17 of the Journey Running Podcast!In this episode, I discuss the general topic of how to become a Registered Dietitian. I talk about why I decided to become an RD and the steps required to become one in specific detail. Generally speaking, those steps involve completing a Master's program, a dietetic internship (the nutrition equivalent to a residency program) and passing the RD Exam.

If you are considering becoming an RD, this is a great episode for you. You will learn the ins and outs about the process and what it takes to complete all the educational requirements. Though, if you are considering hiring a Dietitian as an athlete or nutrition coaching client, you may find the educational process your RDN went through to achieve their credentials interesting as well. Or you might just find the topic interesting for another reason. Either way, enjoy!

And thanks for listening!
-Stefan

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Journey Running Links

Website: JourneyRunCoaching.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: Journey_Running
Facebook: Journey_Running
Tiktok: JourneyRunning