By Lindsey Tilton & Casey McCullough
Join hosts Lindsey Tilton and Casey McCullough for inspiring stories, expert tips, and community-focused paddling insights. With solo episodes and special guest interviews, you’ll walk away with pr
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The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.
In this episode, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Greg Wingo, the visionary race director of the Alabama 650 and founder / race director of Last Paddler Standing. As a paddler, ultra-runner, and adventure travel leader through his company Roam Projects, Greg is no stranger to pushing boundaries. He’s also the mastermind behind the Bureau of Endurance Racing, further cementing his impact in the endurance sports world.
We dove into everything that makes Last Paddler Standing one of the most unique endurance events in the world, from its backyard-style format to the non-stop live stream coverage that keeps spectators on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or someone dreaming of tackling an endurance event, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and plenty of behind-the-scenes details.
Learn how to tune in and experience the race live, accessible for free, and get insider tips on the most thrilling moments to watch. From the intense final laps to unforgettable highlights from past races, we discuss the family-like atmosphere that keeps paddlers returning year after year. Whether you're a competitor looking to set personal milestones or a spectator yearning for dramatic endurance battles, this episode promises to ignite your passion for paddleing
Tune in to Last Paddler Standing Live Stream:
00:00 Introduction to Last Paddler Standing
00:48 The Concept and Inspiration Behind the Event
02:05 Race Format and Evolution
06:00 Live Broadcast Enhancements
08:08 The Value of a Free and Accessible Live Stream
11:36 Viewer Tips and Exciting Moments
16:48 Memorable Highlights from Past Races
25:09 Looking Forward to This Year's Race
36:24 Encouraging Participation and Community
38:26 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events
Last Paddler Standing
Greg Wingo
Roam Projects
In this episode of Training Chats with Aloha Athletics, Lindsey Tilton, the first female to complete the Great Alabama 650 on a stand-up paddleboard, shares her experiences and motivations. Lindsey was the third person to ever finish the race on a stand up paddle board, with the races first stand up finish in 2023, and the first female to do so. She describes the 650-mile race across Alabama, detailing the challenges she faced, including managing limited sleep, navigating different water conditions like rapids and an unpredictable open water bay crossing, and encountering wildlife such as alligators. Tilton talks about her mental and physical preparation, teamwork with her crew, and the inspiration behind attaching her effort to the cause of women’s mental health. She emphasizes the importance of a supportive crew, the significance of mental strength, and the unexpected but impactful support she received from friends and followers. Her journey highlights themes of endurance, perseverance, and the impact of community and inspiration.
In a remarkable display of endurance, determination, and resilience, Lindsey Tilton made history as the first female stand-up paddler to complete the grueling Alabama 650 race. Spanning 650 miles across Alabama’s scenic waterways, this is the longest paddle race in the United States, pushing even the most seasoned paddlers to their limits.
A Journey Beyond Limits
Lindsey’s journey began with a pull from within, an unexplainable drive to challenge herself in a race where no female had dared to enter on a stand up paddle board before. Her love for long-distance endurance sports and a commitment to raising awareness for women’s mental health fueled her motivation. Having experienced anxiety during her college years and seen the impact of mental health struggles firsthand, Lindsey aimed to tie her incredible journey to a cause close to her heart.
Race Conditions: More Than Just A Paddle
The Alabama 650 is not just a race; it’s a test of physical and mental fortitude. Paddlers face a range of conditions—from calm, flat waters and the excitement of rapids to the daunting, unpredictable conditions of the Mobile Bay. Navigating these diverse water ways requires not only skill but also adaptability. This year’s race brought an additional challenge with tropical storms bringing 25+ mile winds and a threat to disrupt the course.
Overcoming Challenges with Heart
Lindsey’s preparation was as much about mental resilience as physical readiness. Her approach included visualization, journaling, and strategic planning, allowing her to adapt to unexpected challenges along the way. The race demanded strategic pacing, and despite being in the back of the pack, Lindsey remained focused on her personal goal of finishing, rather than competing for placement. To her surprise she wound up placing second place female.
Her physical endurance was complemented by the crucial support of her husband and crew, Jimmy, who managed the logistical and emotional demands of the race. Communication with friends and family back home through heartfelt letters and video messages provided an emotional boost, reminding her of the vast network of support that buoyed her efforts.
Encountering Nature’s Wild Side
Wildlife encounters were part and parcel of the Alabama 650’s adventure, with alligators, snakes, and other local fauna sharing the waterways. While such encounters added an element of risk and fear, Lindsey’s prepared mindset helped her navigate these moments with calm and composure.
A Community Effort
The impact of the Alabama 650 extends beyond the personal accomplishments. It was a community effort that highlighted the support and encouragement of coaches, fellow paddlers, and the race organizers. Lindsey’s achievement is a testament to what can be accomplished with passion, support, and determination.
Inspiration for All
Lindsey’s historic journey serves as an inspiration for everyone, reflecting the idea that with determination and support, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome. Her completion of the Alabama 650 on a stand-up paddleboard is not just a personal victory; it’s a beacon of hope, showing that boundaries can be broken and milestones achieved, one paddle stroke at a time.
As Lindsey reflects on her journey, her story becomes a reminder that passion and perseverance are powerful forces, capable of creating not just personal success, but a ripple effect that inspires others to pursue their own extraordinary goals.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate Lindsey’s incredible achievement, we eagerly anticipate what she will tackle next. Her journey across Alabama’s rivers is more than a story of endurance; it’s a narrative of courage, community, and the pursuit of something greater than oneself. Through her story, Lindsey Tilton has not only made history but has also laid the groundwork for future pioneers in stand-up paddleboarding and women’s endurance sports. Tune into this episode of Training Chats with Aloha Athletics to hear her story.
Connect with Training Chats Hosts
Endless Aloha Challenge:
In this episode hosts Lindsey Tilton and Casey McCullough sit down with Craig Sawyer, an endurance paddler who took on the grueling Yukon 1000 — the world’s longest paddle race. Craig shares his journey of paddling a thousand miles through the wild Yukon wilderness, braving intense conditions, and testing the limits of mental resilience. But Craig didn’t just complete the race; he documented the entire experience, capturing the raw reality of such an extreme adventure for an upcoming self-produced documentary, Push Past Impossible.
Join us as Craig reveals the mental and physical preparation required for this daunting challenge, the highs and lows he faced on the water, and the powerful lessons he learned along the way. Whether you’re an endurance athlete, a paddling enthusiast, or simply curious about the power of resilience, this episode offers insights and inspiration to fuel your own pursuits. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that goes beyond endurance, showing what it truly takes to face nature, and yourself, head-on.
Connect with Craig at
Connect with Training Chats Hosts
Endless Aloha Challenge:
For more content from Aloha Athletics head to Aloha-Athletics.com
Tune in to this brief pre race meditation to settle your nerves by focusing your awareness on your breath and utilizing mindful mantras to build confidence. You can utilize this meditation any time during your training cycle to help you get race ready!
This meditation was originally shared as part of Aloha Athletics Instagram series Training Tip Tuesday. Follow along for weekly training tips, motivation and more.
Rylee comes back to Training Chats to share how her 2024 attempt at being the first woman with Cystic Fibrosis to complete the 80 mile Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis went. The Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis is an overnight 80 mile paddle from the Bimini Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach Florida that raises funds for the Pipers Angels Foundation. Each year approximately 200 paddlers attempt the journey.
Brad Friesen walks us through preparation for the Alabama 650, the worlds longest annual river race. Brad completed the race in 2023 as one of the first to complete the race on a stand up paddleboard. Brad holds the course record for the Yukon 1,000 and is the race director of the Red River Paddle Challenge.
Brad's Instagram:
Red River Paddle Challenge
Alabama 650
Aloha Athletics Instagram
Welcome to our special two-part series featuring Rylee Walker, an extraordinary athlete and adventurer. Rylee is about to embark on a remarkable journey, paddling overnight from the Bahamas to Florida. What makes this trek even more inspiring is that Rylee is attempting to be the first woman with Cystic Fibrosis to make this solo journey.
In Part One of our series, we sit down with Rylee to hear her thoughts, emotions, and motivations as she prepares for this challenging adventure. She shares the preparations she's made, the challenges she anticipates, and the significance of this journey for herself and others living with Cystic Fibrosis. Join us as we dive into the mind and heart of this incredible woman on the eve of her departure.
Stay tuned for Part Two, where we'll follow Rylee's progress and hear firsthand about her experiences paddling through the night, facing the open ocean, and ultimately reaching her goal.
The podcast currently has 7 episodes available.
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