Eli Hemming: From Olympic Triathlon to Trail Ultras, UTMB Goals, and the Joshua Tree Traverse

Ryan Maguire sits down with Eli Hemming, former elite professional triathlete turned trail runner, for a wide-ranging conversation about reinvention, endurance, and what drives an athlete when the Olympic dream doesn't pan out the way you planned.

Eli grew up in triathlon literally from birth. His mom was a triathlete and swim coach, and he was racing by age seven. What started as something social and skill-based eventually evolved into elite draft-legal Olympic-distance racing on the international circuit. He came within reach of the Tokyo Olympics before a broken foot derailed his qualification, and when he looked ahead at another four-year grind toward Paris, with all the travel and time away from family it would require, he decided it wasn't worth it.

What came next surprised even him. A race in Buena Vista, Colorado cracked open a new world, and trail running took hold fast. He found a coach in David Roche, started stacking results, and eventually ended up toeing the line against Roche himself at the Broken Arrow Skyrace, a moment that captures just how quickly his trajectory shifted.

Ryan and Eli also get into his relationship with his wife Tabor, their shared Adidas sponsorship, and a Joshua Tree traverse FKT attempt the two are chasing together. They dig into what makes Joshua Tree such a singular and strange place to run, and why the project matters to both of them personally.

On the racing front, Eli's 2026 calendar includes Black Canyon 100K and a return to Desert Rats 100K, where Ryan first spotted him, to earn his way into UTMB week races. UTMB itself is the long-term goal, even though he's only raced up to 100K so far. His best trail performance to date? OCC during UTMB week in Chamonix, and he lights up talking about the atmosphere there.

The conversation also gets honest about the harder parts of moving up in distance, overheating issues, a fried hypothalamus affecting heat regulation, fueling and hydration mistakes, and how his training philosophy is evolving around high volume without necessarily high mileage, muscular endurance work, and staying adaptable.

In this episode, host Ryan Maguire welcomes back Matthew Bickel, who shares his remarkable journey from weighing over 500 pounds to training for the Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run in August 2026. The conversation dives into Bickel’s physical and mental transformation, his current training regimen, and the support he’s received from the community and his friends. Bickel also discusses the challenges and milestones in his path, such as overcoming injuries and setting ambitious goals. The episode further explores World Fitness Project, a new initiative aiming to professionalize functional fitness and expand its community reach. It concludes with Bickel’s optimistic outlook on his journey and the importance of staying motivated and committed to one’s goals.

This podcast is in loving memory of Rylan Schadegg.

The podcast 'Who The WYLD Things Are' features guest Jason Hardrath, an accomplished endurance athlete known for setting 100 fastest known times (FKTs). Jason discusses his transition from being a top mountain athlete to facing serious health challenges, including a debilitating car accident and long COVID, which significantly impacted his ability to train and compete. During his recovery, Jason discovered paragliding, which became a new passion and a means of experiencing growth and adventure without relying solely on physical endurance. He delves into the intricacies of paragliding, his learning process, and how it helped him reclaim a sense of purpose. Despite the setbacks, Jason remains optimistic about finding new ways to explore and inspire others. He also reflects on the balance between pursuing high-risk activities and living a fulfilling life, sharing valuable insights for those dealing with chronic conditions.

The episode features an in-depth conversation with Rhys Fontaine, who recounts his transformative journey from battling severe Lyme disease to undertaking wilderness adventures. Rhys shares his experiences of debilitating symptoms, the frustration of ineffective treatments, and his eventual recovery spurred by a combination of extreme diet changes and a spiritual experience with psilocybin mushrooms. Rhys details his miraculous recovery, the role of his mental and spiritual resilience, and how he has since returned to his passion for wilderness survival. The episode emphasizes hope, holistic healing methods, and the importance of community support for those enduring chronic illness.

Last Mountain Man Standing Race: July 18th

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Primitive Skills Run Course: July 1st-5th

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Field to Feast Course: August 26th-30th

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Meghan Buchanan (@ggrit on IG) is not interested in playing the victim. She’s an aerospace engineer, a mountaineer on a mission to climb the Seven Summits, a dyslexia advocate, and someone who’s been tested again and again by life. You may have seen her on Outlast Season 2 on Netflix, where survival gets messy fast. But this episode isn’t about the show. It’s about the real-life survival stories that came before and after.

We talk about what it actually feels like to face trauma while keeping a goal in sight. What it takes to rebuild after being brought to your knees. And how to keep showing up when nobody’s clapping for you.

Meghan doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She opens up about grief, betrayal, mountaineering disasters, and the invisible weight of always having to prove yourself. She also shares what she’s learned from the mountains, from her body, and from walking through some dark seasons with her head up.

This one is for anyone who’s been through something and kept going.

Matthew Lefthand is a record-breaking ultra-endurance cyclist who’s redefining what’s possible on two wheels. In this episode, we dive into his journey from a 270-pound marathon runner to one of the fastest ultra bikers in the world. He recently shattered the Race Across the West course record, completing the brutal 860-mile route from Oceanside to Durango in just 1 day, 21 hours, and 39 minutes, averaging nearly 19 mph through desert heat and mountain climbs. Earlier this year, he also set the highest 24-hour mileage ever recorded by an American—576 miles at the Sebring 24. But beyond the numbers, this conversation is about the mental, physical, and spiritual transformation that fuels those rides. Matthew talks about what it means to suffer with purpose, how his Navajo heritage and family drive him forward, and what it takes to truly give everything you have. If you’re chasing big goals or need a reminder of what the human body and spirit are capable of, this one’s for you.

In this episode, hosts Ryan, Luis, and Mitchell break down the upcoming Western States 100-mile race. They explore how Jim Walmsley’s absence opens the door for new contenders and dive into key strategies around heat training and nutrition. The trio analyzes top runners like David Roche and Kilian Jornet, then draft their fantasy teams with hot takes and bold predictions. The episode wraps with final thoughts and sleeper picks for the most iconic ultra of the year.

Dean Karnazes is one of the most iconic endurance athletes of all time—and for good reason. He’s run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days, raced across deserts, mountains, and frozen tundras, and helped bring ultrarunning into the public consciousness. But Dean’s story runs far deeper than race stats.

In this episode, we explore the history of ultrarunning—from its roots in ancient messengers to its modern resurgence. Dean shares how he got started, what pulled him back into running on his 30th birthday, and why he’s stayed in the sport for decades while many burn out.

We cover the mindset that’s allowed him to go the distance, the toll (and gift) of solitude, how he’s kept his body healthy through relentless effort, and what’s still pulling him forward. We also dive into his upbringing, his Greek heritage, and how culture, family, and purpose all play into his enduring passion for movement.

Whether you're an ultra veteran, a weekend runner, or just someone seeking inspiration—this episode will light a fire in you.

Brittany Konsella is a skier, mountain biker, author, and one of the few people to ski all of Colorado’s 14ers. But behind those summits is a story of resilience few ever hear. After a traumatic spinal injury left her partially paralyzed, Brittany fought her way back into the wild. In this episode, Ryan and Brittany dive into recovery, risk, identity, and the raw process of rebuilding a life in the mountains after everything changes.

Roland Welker isn’t just the winner of Alone Season 7—he’s a storyteller, a mountain man, and a true student of the wild. In this REWYLD episode, Ryan sits down with the only person to ever complete 100 days fully alone in the Arctic. But this conversation goes far beyond reality TV.Roland opens up about the emotional weight of isolation, the mental shifts that happen when modern life is stripped away, and the deep ancestral knowledge that guided him through one of the most extreme survival challenges ever broadcast. They talk about building shelter in brutal cold, harvesting wild game, and what it really means to live in relationship with the land.This episode is about resilience, yes—but also about humility, connection, and finding meaning in the stillness of the wilderness. Whether you're a survivalist, a nature lover, or just someone curious about the edges of human experience, this one’s worth the listen.

Join us in the wild this Summer