The Midpacker Podcast

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠

"I'm basically a pro athlete right now." - MVD

In this episode of Trailing Indicators, hosts Troy Meadows, Corinne Shalvoy, and MVD discuss various aspects of trail running, including reflections on recent races like UTMB and the Headlands 27K, the value of coaching and structured training plans, favorite workouts, and techniques for using poles effectively in trail running. 

Corinne also shares insights about her new apparel venture, Women Can, which aims to empower women through storytelling and community engagement.

+++++ Women Can. T’s  +++++

Corinne’s Links

@corinne_shalvoyage

Corinnes’s Coaching Page

Troy’s Links

@troyontherun

Troyontherun.com

Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page

MVD Links

@mvd_trailrunner

Things we talked about on the show

Corinne Shalvoy 2022 CCC results

Here For The Women's Race 

Golden Trail World Series

Johen - Freetrail Interview

Remi’s assault on MT Tam

Stephanie Howe

David Roche

Megan Roche

Pole Technique Video with Dylan Bowman

Big Day Concepts - Cuben Fiber Pole Quiver

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - Run Trail Life Brings you casual apparel that lets you show off your love of trail running and ultrarunning while giving back to ensure that everyone has access to the beauty of nature for generations to come. With each item purchased, we donate $1 to Runners for Public Lands.

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ - Bring Trail Culture with you everywhere you go and join an amazing community of extraordinary trail runners. Freetrail Pro membership is just $96 a year, giving you access to the Freetrail Slack community, training plans, weekly office hours, and so much more. 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

trail running, coaching, training plans, workouts, pole techniques, women empowerment, ultra running, race reflections, fitness, endurance sports

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠

"I'm going to start a business and I'm going to feed professional athletes."

In this episode, Troy Meadows interviews Kelly Newlon, founder of RAD (Real Athlete Diets). Kelly shares her journey into running and trail racing. She talks about how her love for running started at a young age and how she discovered trail running in high school. Kelly also discusses how RAD came to be and how she merged her passion for culinary arts with her love for the outdoors. She emphasizes the importance of intentionality in life design and making choices that align with your values and goals.

Kelly also provides insights into contract negotiations for athletes and the value proposition they bring to brands. In this conversation, Kelly from Rad Boulder discusses athlete contracts, life design, and her involvement with the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). She shares insights on negotiating athlete contracts, including the importance of knowing your worth, understanding the market, and being willing to walk away.

Kelly also talks about the Do Epic Shit Awards, an initiative she started to celebrate individuals making a positive impact in the outdoor community. Additionally, she highlights her work with UNEP, where she collaborates on projects that bring awareness to environmental issues. The conversation provides actionable advice for both elite athletes and everyday individuals looking to create a fulfilling life.

Kelly's Links:

IG: @radboulder

Website: https://www.radboulder.com/

Things we talked about on the show:

R.A.D. Boulder

Culinary Institute of America

Runners Roost in Boulder

Ultimate Direction

"Do Epic Shit" awards

Tim Tolifsons - What Goes Unsaid 

Dylan Bowman - Pyllars

Free to Run Stephanie Case - Pyllars Pod

EpisodeStephanie Case - Freetrail Pod Episode

Kim Gaylord 

High Lonesome 100

RUFA - Running Up For Air

Jared Cambell

Suffer Better - NP in Co

Bob Africa & Peter Downing

HellBender 100

United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP)

Mina Guli - Running for the water purity crisis 

Mina Guli - The Thirst FoundationLewis Pugh - Hudson Swim 

Mina Guli runs the length of the Seine River in France

Jason Koop

Favorite Trail - Longs Peak

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠

Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠

Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

running, trail running, RAD, Real Athlete Diets, culinary arts, life design, intentionality, contract negotiations, value proposition, athlete contracts, negotiation, worth, market, Do Epic Shit Awards, outdoor community, UNEP, environmental issues

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠

"We have a really beautiful life. We spend a lot of time outside. We're very busy people."

"As long as you make me a really nice latte every morning, I am happy."

"Maybe my first hundred mile finish would be at Javelina"

On this episode of the pod Troy Meadows talks with Rachel Norfleet.Rachel is a curious and hardworking individual who has been an endurance athlete for 10 years. She has a background in swimming and triathlon, and later got into ultra running. Rachel values her family and community, and enjoys learning new things. She currently works as the Director of Partnerships at Aravaipa.

In terms of her running goals, Rachel is interested in exploring her strengths in faster distances like 50K and 50 miles, while also holding space for longer and more challenging races like 100 milers and high altitude races. 

Troy and Rachael discuss the challenges of balancing training with family life, the importance of specificity in training, and their future race plans. They also talk about their experiences at Western States and the electric atmosphere of the race. Troy shares his upcoming race schedule, including returning to HellBender for his Hardrock qualifier and the Looking Glass 100K, while Rachael mentions her focus on 2025 and her interest in a race in the desert. In final part of the conversation, Rachael turns the rapid fire question on its head and starters asking Troy a few really good ones! 

Rachael emphasizes the importance of being kind, passionate, and grateful in life.

Rachael’s Links IG: @rachelnorfleet

Things we talked about during the show:

Aravaipa

Javelina 100

Jamil Coury

MPP Episode #13 with Matt Feldhake

The Big Alta

High Lonesome 100

Ryan Mongumery Western States

Looking Glass 100k

Dam Hard 50K McDowell Mountain 50

Bozeman Mt - Middle Cottonwood to Saddle

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠

Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

Rachel Norfleet, endurance athlete, swimming, triathlon, ultra running, trail running, family, community, learning, partnerships, Aravaipa, running goals, 50K, 50 miles, 100 milers, high altitude races, training, family life, specificity, race plans, Western States, race atmosphere, upcoming races, races, East Coast, post-race meals, trails, Bozeman, Montana, kindness, passion, gratitude

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠

“I let my running come to me.” 

On this episode of the pod Troy Meadows talks with Sarah Bergeron Larouche, a Canadian athlete and new mother, Sarah shares her journey in trail running and the challenges of balancing motherhood and training. She discusses her background in cross-country skiing and how it helped develop her endurance and training discipline. 

Sarah talks about the technical and wet trails in Quebec and the competitive trail running scene in Canada. She also opens up about her struggles with pregnancy and miscarriages, as well as her postpartum experience and the importance of listening to her body and asking for help. She shares her journey of coming back to running after having her daughter and the challenges she faced. She leans in with an amazing message for how she dealt with her postpartum journey: “I let my running come to me.”  Sarah reflects on the joy of being a mother and the special moments of crossing the finish line with her daughter. 

Sarah talks about her favorite races and her goals for the future, including her desire to run longer distances. She also discusses her partnership with Norda and the importance of durability in running shoes. Sarah shares her experience as a coach and the balance she strives to achieve between being an athlete, coach, and mother. She emphasizes the importance of communication and teamwork in managing these roles.

Sarah’s Links

IG: @sarah_bergeron_larouche

Things we talked about on the show

Quebec Mega Trail

Emily Forsburg

Norda

Norda 665 Fam

Nick and Willamette Norda Founders

001

002

F-24

Le Coaching Du Coureur

Mestachibo trail Quebec

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠

Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠ Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

running, motherhood, cross-country skiing, Quebec, Canadian trail running scene, pregnancy, postpartum, listening to your body, support system, finishing races with daughter, running, motherhood, coaching, Norda, durability, balance, ultrarunning, trail running, ultra runner, trail runner

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE

⁠"Community is everything in the running world"

In this episode Troy Meadows talks with Skip Brand, the founder of the Hillsborough Running Company (HRC), Skip shares his journey in the running community and his involvement in the Lake Sonoma 50 race series. He emphasizes the importance of community and building relationships through running.Skip took over the Lake Sonoma 50 race from John Medinger and has put his own mark on the event, creating a unique and iconic race experience. He also expanded the race series to include a marathon and a trail half for women. The races have a strong focus on giving back and supporting local charities. The conversation covers various topics related to the Lake Sonoma races, including the culture of surf contests, the history and community of the Lake Sonoma races, the challenges and experiences of running the races, and the upcoming addition of the 100-mile race. The races are known for their focus on the runner's experience, the involvement of the local community, and the support of vineyard worker kids through charity. 

The conversation also touches on the importance of trail work and the impact of fires on the races. In this final part of the conversation, Skip and Troy discuss their experiences in various races and the challenges they faced. They also talk about the unique aspects of trail running on the East Coast and West Coast. Skip emphasizes the importance of diversity in the running community and the need for transparency in race participation. He also shares his favorite trail to run on locally in Healdsburg. 

The conversation ends with Skip inviting everyone to participate in the Sufferfest races and be part of the running community.

Skips Links 

IG - @healdsburgrunningcompany

Website: https://www.healdsburgrunningcompany.com

Donate to the Firefighters Run Free Gofundme

Things we talked about on the show

MPP #27 with Chris ThomasTropical John Redd Antler Running

Healdsburg Running Company

Leadville 100

Lake Sonoma 50

Lake Sonoma 26.2

Lake Sonoma 13.1

CFC - Lake Sonoma 100k

CFC - Lake Sonoma 55k

Gina Lucrezi - Trail Sisters

Keira Henninger - Lake Sonoma 100k RD

Lake Sonoma 100 miler - Suffer Fest

Lake Sonoma 100 mile - Relay

Little Baby Backyard Kids Run

Rob Farver

Broken Arrow Sky Race

Mammoth Trail Fest

Kodiak 100

Firefighters Run Free GofundmeT

ahoe Rim Trail

HellBender 100

Crazy Mountain 100

Here For The Women's Race

Lake Sonoma - Lake Loop

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

running, community, Lake Sonoma 50, race series, HRC, trail running, ultrarunning, relationships, marathon, trail half, giving back, surf contests, Lake Sonoma races, community, challenges, experiences, 100-mile race, runner's experience, local community, vineyard worker kids, charity, trail work, fires, races, challenges, trail running, East Coast, West Coast, diversity, transparency, favorite trail, Sufferfest

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠

"Folklore is for legendary days."

"A Folk Lord to me is like a consummately curious individual that loves being out in nature."

In this conversation, Troy Meadows interviews Elliot Matson, the founder of Folk Lord, about his running journey and his passion for writing.

They discuss Elliot's experience with bikepacking, his love for trail running, and his creative writing projects. They also touch on the importance of balance and prioritizing different aspects of life.

Elliot Matson discusses his brand, Folk Lord, and the unique approach he takes to trail running apparel. He wanted to create clothing that didn't look like typical athletic wear and that had a different vibe he calls Leisletic. The brand is all about the joy, weirdness, and bizarreness of trail running, and it pays homage to the Pacific Northwest and its folklore.

Elliot talks about the process of creating the brand, finding a manufacturer, and the challenges he faced. He also discusses the content he creates for the brand, including the Creature Feature on the website, which highlights different stories and legends each month. Elliot Matson discusses the vision for the brand, Folk Lord, and his approach to building a community around it. He emphasizes the importance of storytelling and creating a brand that people can connect with. Elliot also talks about his plans for the future, including volunteering at Hood Hundredand his upcoming 35 mile PCT section run.

Eliot's Links

IG: @wearfolklord

Website: wearfolklord.com

PROMO CODE - FOLK10

Things we talked about on the show

Folk Lord

Bike Touring

Anton Krupicka

Vol State

Andy Pearson MPP Episode #38

Elliot’s Audio Books  

- Henry Handsome Lived & Died 

   - Loveless Oregon

Ira Glass

This American Life

Seth Godin

Death March Running

Folk Lord Creature Feature

Daybreak Running

Hood Hundred

Cow Gill Runners

Michelle Bouquet MPP Episode #47

Timefulness - Marcia Bjornerud

Forest Park Portland, OR - BPA RD

Elliot actually have a video about it on Instagram in a series I started called "Trails Hiding in Plain Sight"

Yacolt, WA - Tarbell Trail

Where Elliot was running when he announced Folklord in - this video.

PROMO CODE - FOLK10

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠

Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠

Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

running, bikepacking, trail running, writing, balance, prioritization, Folk Lord, trail running apparel, unique approach, joy, weirdness, bizarreness, Pacific Northwest, folklore, brand creation, manufacturing, challenges, content creation, Creature Feature, stories, legends, branding, storytelling, community, Folklore, running, volunteering, trail run, Portland

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE

"It's a very runnable course...but it's a lot of short, punchy trail in what they affectionately call Rocksylvania  ."

"You just feel like you're in a mythical world."

In this episode Troy Meadows and Travis Longcar talk all things Laurel Highlands.

They talk about their experiences running the race, the history and vibe of the event, and the challenging terrain. They also discuss the heat and how it can affect performance. Both Troy and Travis share their highs and lows during the race and the importance of managing nutrition and hydration. Overall, they express their love for the race and the beautiful scenery along the course.

The conversation covers various aspects of the Laurel Highlands Ultra, including the race course, the challenges faced by runners, the unique features of the race, and the overall experience. The hosts discuss the technical sections of the course, the beauty of the surroundings, and the camaraderie among runners. They also touch on the logistics of the race, such as crew support and drop bags.

The conversation concludes with a discussion about the Free Trail Fantasy platform and the recent addition of historical splits for races like Western States.

Travis’s Links

IG: @tbloncar

MPP Episode #20 with Travis Loncar

Apple

Spotify

Things we talked about on the show

Jigger Johnson Ultras

Freetrail Aid

DBo Hard Rock recap episode with JBo

Laurel Highlands Ultra

Red Point Productions

JFK

G.A.P Trail

Fallingwater Frank Lyde Wright House

Ohiophylle Lodge

Trail Talk Freetrail Fantacy League

Freetrail Fantacy WSER Split Times

Open Split Time

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

Laurel Highlands, race, running, ultra running, trail running, experience, history, vibe, challenging terrain, heat, nutrition, hydration, highs and lows, beautiful scenery, Laurel Highlands Ultra, race course, challenges, technical sections, beauty, camaraderie, logistics, crew support, drop bags, Freetrail Fantasy, historical splits

"When do you use poles? To poll or not to poll? That is the question."

In this episode of Trailing Indicators, the hosts discuss their recent experiences spectating  Western States. Corinne shares her experience supporting Ryan Montgomery as a member of the Feeds High Performance Team during his race a Western States and her excitement for the upcoming Hard Rock race.

Troy talks about his experience listening in to the live stream and his  recent races and his return to Asheville.

They discuss the strategic moves made by racers at Western States, including Jim Walmsley's use of a life vest and Katie Scheid's decision to leave her gear behind at Rucky Chucky. They also highlight the intense finish between Rod Farvard and Hayden Hawks. Overall, it was an exciting and eventful race.

MVD speaks to the evolution of the Live Stream Chat and the “Sally Mcrae” effect as well as the tired tropes about Goggins and they all agree that with growth comes this kind of interaction with the not so hardcore fans of ultrarunning.

The conversation covers the topics of heat training and the Western States Endurance Run. The hosts discuss their personal experiences with heat training, including using hot water immersion and saunas. They also mention the benefits of heat training for blood volume adaptation and its similarity to altitude training. They emphasize the benefits of heat training for both performance and overall health. They also share their personal experiences with heat training and their plans for incorporating it into their training.

Regarding the use of poles, they discuss the advantages and considerations, such as upper body strength and technique. They also mention the cultural differences in the use of poles in Europe versus the United States. Finally, they talk about what they listen to during their runs, including podcasts, audiobooks, and music.

+++++ Women Can. T’s  +++++

Corinne’s Links

@corinne_shalvoyage

Corinnes’s Coaching Page

Troy’s Links

@troyontherun

Troyontherun.com

Troy’s Ultra Coaching Page

MVD Links

@mvd_trailrunner

Things we talked about on the show

Kendal Mountain 12 mile

WSER

The Feed

Liquid Death

Jim Wamsley

Rod Farvard

Ryan Montgumery

Ryan Thrower

Hayden Hawks

Mountain Outpost

Sally Mcrae

Courtney Dauwalter

Feed Courtney Comercial

Freetrail Aid

Mustard Bath Dr Zings

Freetrail Podcast

Single Track Podcast

The Rest is History

Hard Core History

Kristin Hannah

After ShokzOG

Apple Corded Earbuds Courtney

Dauwalter’s Salomon Movie - Team Sport

Women Can. T’s

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - Run Trail Life Brings you casual apparel that lets you show off your love of trail running and ultrarunning while giving back to ensure that everyone has access to the beauty of nature for generations to come. With each item purchased, we donate $1 to Runners for Public Lands.

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ - Bring Trail Culture with you everywhere you go and join an amazing community of extraordinary trail runners. Freetrail Pro membership is just $96 a year, giving you access to the Freetrail Slack community, training plans, weekly office hours, and so much more. 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

Western States, trail running, races, Hard Rock, experience, strategic moves, finish, heat training, Western States Endurance Run, hot water immersion, saunas, blood volume adaptation, altitude training, race experience, media coverage, social media comments, heat training, poles, trail running, performance, health, upper body strength, technique, podcasts, audiobooks, music

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE

“Put Some Salsa On It.”

“If Running is your Church and it's your soul, why are you not going.”

“You Can Show Up”

Victor Ballesteros is a multi-talented individual who has a passion for running, creativity, and entrepreneurship. He is the founder of Victory Sports Design, a company that creates durable and functional gear bags for runners. Victor's journey as an entrepreneur began when he designed a bag for his art supplies in college and realized there was a need for better drop bags in the ultra running community. He took the opportunity to create high-quality gear bags that are built to last. Victory Bags have become a staple in the ultra running community and are highly regarded for their functionality and durability.

In addition to his work with Victory Sports Design, Victor is also involved in the Trails in Motion film Tour, where he helps curate and manage the global event. Victor shares the story of how he took over Bay Trail Runners and Trails in Motion film festival after the passing of his friend Rob. He discusses the emotional significance of continuing Rob's legacy and the impact of the film festival on the running community.

Victor also talks about his recent role as a race director for the Tamalpa Headlands 50K and the challenges he faced in organizing the race. He emphasizes the importance of showing up and taking care of oneself amidst personal struggles and commitments. In this final part of the conversation, Victor reflects on his recent race experience and the importance of showing up and embracing the journey. They discuss the Dipsea race and the Tour de Giants, two challenging races that hold special meaning for Victor. They also touch on the allure of ultra-distance running and the difficulty of articulating the experience. 

Victor’s Links

IG - @victorysportdesign

Website - Victory Sport Design

HEADLANDS 50K Registration Sign Up HERE

Things we talked about on the show.

Victory Sport Design

SFRC

Brett Rivers

Jorge Maravilla

Ted KnudsonWSER

Tahoe 200

Candice Burt

Johny Burton

Mark Gilligan

Trails In Motion Film Tour

Helen Diller UCSF Cancer Research Center

Robert Rhodes

Dirtbagger Film Syndicate

Bay Trail Runners

Todd Gleaden

Tamalpa Headlands 50k

Tamalpa Runners 

Tim and Diana Fitspatric

Miwok 100k

Nike Trail

Tor Des Geants

Favorite Trail: The Dipsea

If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below.

Sponsor Links: 

⁠Run Trail Life⁠

Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. 

Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.

⁠Freetrail⁠ 

Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.

MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠

Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠

Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠YouTube

Victor Ballesteros, Victory Sports Design, gear bags, entrepreneurship, ultra running, Trails in Motion film festival, Bay Trail Runners, Trails in Motion, film festival, race director, Tamalpa Headlands 50K, legacy, community, showing up, self-care, race experience, showing up, journey, Dipsea race, Tour de Giants, ultra-distance running, post-race meal, favorite trail, encouragement

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.

You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.

Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.

Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching Page HERE

Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE⁠

"Finding our way to meaning and as a way to metabolize and process what is tragic."

“My Superpower is a Light Heart”

Michele Bousquet, the Chief People Officer at Strava, shares her journey from occasional road runner to ultra trail runner, including her experience at the Canyons 100K and her son's love for trail running. The conversation delves into the mental and physical challenges of ultra running, the joy of running, and the supportive community of trail runners.

The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including family, parenting, coaching, running, and culture within an organization. Michele Bousquet shares personal experiences, challenges, and insights related to these themes, providing a deep and meaningful conversation. She opens up about how trail running has played a huge role in processing the loss of her daughter Cora who passed away in 2013.

The conversation covers topics related to company culture, user value, and running experiences. Michele Bousquet shares insights on building a great culture, user value, and her personal running experiences.

Micheles Links

LinkedIn

Things that we talked about on the show

Strava

Canyons 100m

Canyons 100k

Mt Tam

Matt Budesa - Middle School Co-Cross Country Coach

Mark Gainey - Strava Founder

Michael Horvath - Strava Founder

Mike Martin - Strava CEO

LINK TO STRAVA CEO DARK MODE MESSAGE

Broken Arrow Sky Race

Double Dipsea

Quad Dipsea

TCC Trail on Mt Tam - Marin County

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ultra running, trail running, Strava, Canyons 100K, mental challenges, physical challenges, supportive community, joy of running, family, kids sports, family, parenting, coaching, running, culture, organization, values, leadership, grief, trauma, Strava, company culture, user value, running experiences, building culture, Strava, value proposition, user feedback, leadership, personal growth, ultra running