"Every step is evidence that the story in your mind is not true."

That line from Mark Dowdle after Last Soul Ultra hit hard — and this episode is a raw, fired-up reaction to one of the most riveting endurance performances I’ve ever watched.

Brad talks through the madness of the backyard ultra format, why Last Soul was so gripping, and how watching runners go back out loop after loop lit a fire heading into his own backyard ultra at Bear River.

This one is less polished and more real. It’s about FOMO, big goals, coming back from injury, saying the quiet part out loud, and what it means to go all-in on something that scares you in the right way.

Brad also talks about the Do Hard Things Project, men’s mental health, and why endurance sports can become more than just racing. Sometimes the hard things we choose give us a place to keep showing up, keep fighting, and keep proving that the story in our mind is not always true.

Do Hard Things Project

If you’re interested in one-on-one ultra running coaching, check out The UltraNurse.

For inquiries about supporting, sponsoring, or collaborating, contact me here at the UltraNurse.

Website: https://www.theultranurse.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ultranurse
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_ultranurse

Episode 23: Ricky Urias — Crazy Mountain 100, Hardrock Dreams & Inside UltraSpire

Crazy Mountain 100 tested Ricky Urias in ways even Cocodona didn’t.

In Episode 23, I sit down with Ricky to talk about his recent Crazy Mountain 100 finish, training for a brutally difficult mountain hundred without unlimited access to vert, learning that more mileage isn’t always better, and the mental battle that begins when things start going sideways deep into an ultra.

We also get into the deeper side of this sport—the community, recovery, anxiety, finding purpose through hard things, and why ultrarunning can teach us a hell of a lot about ourselves.

Then we geek out on gear. Ricky takes us behind the scenes of his work with UltraSpire, including how products go from an idea to prototypes to thousands of miles of real-world trail testing, what’s changing with the Alpha, and what actually goes into designing gear ultrarunners can depend on.

If you love 100-milers, mountain running, ultrarunning culture, or gear, this is a great conversation with one hell of an ultrarunner.

I'm a UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach helping runners prepare for 50Ks, 50-milers, 100Ks, 100-milers, and other endurance goals while balancing work, family, shift schedules, and real life.

Interested in one-on-one coaching?

Website:
https://www.theultranurse.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_ultranurse

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_ultranurse

Thanks for Listening!!!

It’s my 44th birthday, so this episode is a little different.

No polished script. No perfectly organized lesson. Just me sitting down and talking about the year behind me, where I’m headed next, the ultra-running drama currently taking over Instagram, and the moment I apparently became an “alpha bro ultra runner” with a coaching and podcast problem.

I talk about the Sage Canaday and Kilian Jornet situation, getting called out by a random Instagram hater, why I’m far more invested in Rave Runner at Summit 200 than Badwater, and what it feels like to keep building something publicly when not everybody is going to like you.

I also reflect on coaching, fatherhood, sobriety, faith, injury, money, getting older, and the things I’m telling myself as I head into 44.

This one is loose, honest, funny, and probably a little all over the place.

Basically, a birthday conversation with a microphone.

-Brad

Interested in Ultra Running Coaching?

I'm a UESCA Certified Ultra Running Coach helping runners balance training with shift work, family, careers, and real life.

Website:
https://www.theultranurse.com

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the_ultranurse

TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_ultranurse

Email:
[email protected]

What separates the people who accomplish incredible things from everyone else?

It's not talent.
It's not luck.
It's the willingness to step into the arena.

In this episode, I dive into one of Theodore Roosevelt's most powerful quotes:

"Far better it is to dare mighty things..."

We talk about why it's better to risk failure while pursuing something meaningful than to spend your life safely watching from the sidelines.

Whether it's signing up for your first ultra, starting a business, changing careers, becoming a better parent, rebuilding your health, or simply having the courage to chase a dream you've been putting off, this episode is about choosing action over comfort.

We'll also talk about criticism, why social media has made it easier than ever to tear people down, and why the people who are actually willing to risk failure deserve our respect.

Because at the end of the day, I'd rather fail chasing something that matters than spend my life wondering, "What if?"

If this episode encouraged you, I'd love for you to share it with a friend, leave a rating, and follow the show.

Train smarter with The UltraNurse Coaching

I'm a UESCA Certified Ultrarunning Coach helping runners balance training with shift work, careers, family, and real life. Whether you're training for your first 50K or chasing a 100-mile finish, I'd love to help.

Coaching: https://www.theultranurse.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_ultranurse

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_ultranurse

Questions or business inquiries?
[email protected]

Ultra running has changed a lot over the past few decades.

Carbon-plated trail shoes, AI training plans, super shoes, powerful headlamps, advanced nutrition, recovery technology, and more data than ever before have helped make runners faster, safer, and better prepared.

But somewhere during a run, I found myself wondering...

Have we lost a little bit of the dirtbag spirit that made this sport so unique?

In this episode, I share a few thoughts on how ultra running has evolved, the incredible advancements that have made the sport more accessible and enjoyable, and whether all this optimization has changed the culture of trail and ultra running.

I also talk about life as a flight nurse, how working in emergency medicine has shaped my perspective on running, and why I still believe the heart of this sport isn't found in the gear we wear or the data we collect—it's found in the people, the shared suffering, the volunteers, the adventure, and the stories we take home.

I'd love to hear your thoughts after listening. Has ultra running changed for the better? Have we lost anything along the way? Or is the soul of the sport still alive and well?

Interested in one-on-one ultra running coaching? Visit The https://www.theultranurse.com/coaching

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theultranurse/

If I could go back and train for my first hundred miler all over again, knowing what I know now, what would I do differently?

In this episode, I break down the biggest lessons I've learned from training for and racing 100-mile ultras. We talk about why mileage isn't everything, the importance of time on feet, learning to hike efficiently, fueling and hydration, strength training, recovery, gear, pacing, and why your first hundred should be about finishing—not racing.

I also share mistakes I've made along the way, what I'd change if I were starting over, and the advice I'd give to any runner preparing for their first 100 miler.

Whether you're training for your first ultra or your tenth, I hope something in this episode helps you enjoy the process and avoid a few of the mistakes I made.

Interested in one-on-one ultra running coaching? Visit The UltraNurse website: https://www.theultranurse.com/coaching

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theultranurse/

Big goals can change your life.

They can make you stronger, more disciplined, more resilient, and give you a sense of purpose and direction.

But every meaningful goal comes with a price tag attached to it.

In this episode, I dive into the real cost of chasing big goals. We talk about the physical, mental, financial, and emotional trade-offs that often come with pursuing ambitious goals, whether that's running a hundred miler, building a business, paying off debt, or chasing a dream that's important to you.

I also discuss opportunity cost, balancing family and relationships, how goals can quietly become part of our identity, and why it's important to understand the price we're paying along the way.

This isn't an episode about avoiding big goals. It's about pursuing them with intention and making sure they improve your life rather than consume it.

Thanks for listening.

Interested in one-on-one ultra running coaching? Learn more at https://www.theultranurse.com/coaching

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theultranurse/

In endurance sports, we spend a lot of time talking about grit, toughness, and pushing through hard things.

But what happens when the smartest decision is not starting the race at all?

In this episode, I talk about when ultra runners should seriously consider pulling the plug before race day. We discuss injuries, training setbacks, burnout, life stress, the sunk-cost trap, and why a smart DNS is sometimes far better than forcing your way into a DNF.

I also share some of my own recent experiences navigating injury, chasing a big goal, and learning how difficult it can be to stay objective when a race means a lot to you.

Because sometimes the strongest decision an athlete can make is protecting their future instead of forcing one race.

Interested in one-on-one ultra running coaching? Learn more and apply at https://www.theultranurse.com/coaching.

Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theultranurse/

Thanks for listening.

Episode 16 of The UltraNurse Podcast is with special guest Luke Guyton.

Luke is a former paramedic, firefighter, and police officer with over 10 years in emergency services who has since become a gym owner, trainer, professional gravel bike racer, and founder of the Do Hard Things Project — a nonprofit focused on men’s mental health.

We talked about endurance sports, suffering, resilience, emergency services culture, health, nutrition, burnout, and the importance of community. We also got into gravel racing, altitude training, ultra running, and how hard things can shape people in really positive ways.

I used to work with Luke years ago at Medic EMS, so it was great catching up and hearing more about what he’s building now. Really good conversation with a smart, driven guy who’s doing meaningful work.

https://www.dohardthingsproject.org

https://www.instagram.com/dohardthingsproject/

https://www.instagram.com/lukeguyton__/

https://www.instagram.com/bear_river_ultra/

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.

Episode 15 of The UltraNurse Podcast is with special guest Nico Steinbrunner.

Nico is an incredible ultra runner, cardiac tech, and just finished his third Cocodona 250 finish after taking another hour off his PR. We also talk about him recently ripping the Boston Marathon, running 200 milers, learning through the sport, and a whole lot more.

Really fun conversation with a super genuine dude who’s put in a ton of work in this sport.

Thanks for listening.
Long miles. Long shifts. Real life.