The Maine Shakeout

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Today, we chat with Zander Pike of Bangor, Maine, a young athlete who has found his way into the world of endurance sports. From his background in wrestling to recently running an incredible 2:46 marathon, Zander’s athletic journey is a great example of how our goals and passions can evolve over time. His enthusiasm is contagious and his dedication to improvement is admirable. Another great shakeout with an absolute joy, Zander Pike.

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Meet local running legend Erik McCarthy — attempting to bring back the nickname FFF. Listen along to find out why! Erik has had lots of wins throughout his running career, and he continues to dominate the roads today. Join us as we chat with Erik about how he’s been able to stay in this sport for so long, how his relationship with running has shifted over the years, and how he’s looking to bring back the Maniac Era to the famous Cabot Trail Relay. Which by the way, seems to be the Festival of Champions for adults. If you're looking to join his legendary team, reach out- 7 spots left on the RE-MANIACS! 

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James had an outstanding high school career at Bangor high school and continued that at the University of Maine, where he was a distance runner. After graduating in 2025, James continued to run; and most recently ran a 32:05 at 2026 10K Beach to Beacon, placing as the 10th fastest Maine male in the race. Today we will talk to James about his running journey, what motivates him to continue to run, and his incredible development over the past 10 years. Another great shakeout with an incredible guy.

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Welcome back to The Maine Shakeout! Today’s guest is Brad…and we didn’t even know his last name until today! But we do know his purpose, and that’s far more important. His cause; Bradcrazy’s Hundo for the Homeless. Using running to bring attention to the homeless crisis in Bangor. A great chat with a very inspirational local. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/bradcrazys-hundo-for-the-homeless

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WE'RE BACK! After a few weeks of family time, Andrea and Lindsey are back with new conversations to share... What happens when you discover, maybe a little later than expected, that you’re really, really good at something? Steven Fritzsche didn’t follow the traditional path we often associate with elite distance runners. But somewhere along the way, running became more than running. A first half marathon turned into a win. A win turned into faster times. And eventually, Steven became a 2:25 marathoner and a Sugarloaf Marathon champion. But maybe the most interesting part of Steven’s story isn’t how good he’s already become.

It’s the question of whether he’s even close to his ceiling yet. 

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Today we’re joined by Maine ultra-runner Lila Gaudrault — a rising star on the New England trail scene and fresh off an incredible finish at the Cocodona 250. From winning her first 50K at 18 years old to balancing elite racing with work as a home hospice nurse, Lila’s story is as inspiring as it is impressive. We’ll talk ultra running, mental toughness, and her unforgettable 250-mile journey from Deep Canyon Ranch to Flagstaff, Arizona.

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OUR FIRST EVER REPEAT GUEST! 

"Have I really just run 300 miles? Honestly, it felt impossible — until I decided to do it." 🏃‍♂️💥

On the pod, Jason shared what that journey actually looked like: signing up based off a dream — desert heat, rattlesnakes, sleepless nights, and a full-on mental battle. Every step, every challenge pushed him further than he thought possible. It wasn’t about beating anyone else. It was about facing his own limits and seeing what level of mental toughness he truly had deep within. That mindset — that mental toughness — is what carried him across the finish line. And maybe that’s the point. It’s not about running 300 miles. It’s about proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you think.

Nothing worth doing is easy… but it’s always worth it. 

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Michael Westphal grew up on Great Cranberry Island and went on to become one of the state’s top distance runners. In his prime, he was running miles in the low 4s and marathons in the 2:20 range, competing with some of the best runners in New England. But Michael’s story took a turn when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in his 50s — a condition that affects movement and coordination and could have easily ended his running career for good. Instead, he did something remarkable. Michael returned to running, discovered that movement actually helped manage his symptoms, qualified again for the Boston Marathon decades after his first appearance there, and has since used his running to raise awareness and money for Parkinson’s research. His story is about grit, resilience, and the power of putting one foot in front of the other — no matter what life throws your way.

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 Today’s guest is someone near and dear to my heart- Sadie Harrow. A Bangor High graduate and now a collegiate distance runner continuing to build on one of the most steady and inspiring progressions you’ll see in our sport. Sadie’s story isn’t an overnight success. It’s about what happens when you trust the process, stay consistent, and allow development to unfold over years- not weeks. Always solid efforts but one may not have predicted what was to come. There were no short cuts, no sudden breakthroughs. Just steady, patient success. Year after year, Sadie continued to show up, put in the work, trust the training and stay positive. She never chased trends - she simply did what was right for her. And over time, the results consistently followed. Her 6:13 became a 5:05 and that low 21 became a 17:45. She continues to improve at the collegiate level. She never rushed her development, and because of that, she never peaked early. She built a foundation that supports her growth years later. Today, we’ll talk about that journey, the importance of trusting the process and why the best runners aren’t the ones who improve the fastest- they’re the ones who improve the longest. 

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Today, we’re joined by one of Maine’s most accomplished and respected ultrarunners, Jason Begonia. Jason has built a reputation not just for racing long — but for chasing the edges of what’s possible. From grueling 200 mile efforts to ambitious  backyard record attempts across some of the toughest terrain in the Northeast, he represents a unique blend of grit, strategy, and mental durability. In a sport where success often comes down to patience, precision, and the ability to suffer well, Jason has consistently shown what it means to endure. How does he reach these wild distances?... it's simple. When it gets hard he just tells himself, "One. more. loop." Great shakeout with another local legend.