Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation

In this engaging conversation, Taylor Nichols shares his unique journey as an ultra biker, connecting generations through his biking adventures across America. He discusses his advocacy work for safe streets and the importance of creating a biking-friendly environment. The conversation also delves into the emerging trends of e-bikes and e-motos, exploring the need for regulation and safety. Throughout, Nichols emphasizes the freedo...

Welcome back to Buckle Up, everyone! Today I am incredibly excited to share a conversation that gets right to the heart of why we challenge ourselves on the trails.

My guest today is Jake Jackson, and we sat down to talk about everything from the deep philosophies of life to the daily grit of training. Jake’s journey into the endurance world is nothing short of incredible. Back in 2011, by his own admission, he found himself a...

From 450 pounds to running over 100 miles on foot in less than three years—today’s episode is nothing short of extraordinary.

This week, Mandy Mullen and Coach Brian sit down with Josh Lee to unpack his incredible transformation. Josh didn't just change his physical health; he completely revolutionized who he is as a husband, father, and employee. Interestingly, he did it by choosing to be "selfishly" dedicated to his ow...

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Marcinek fresh off his incredible finish at the Cocodona 250, where he crossed the line in a staggering 85 hours. We dive deep into Chris’s transition from the Navy to the trails, uncovering the discipline and mental fortitude required to tackle one of the most iconic point-to-point ultramarathons in the country.

From navigating hydration crises to the profound impact of community suppor...

With the Cocodona 250 just days away, this episode features a deep dive with Stephanie Rosebaugh. Both Mandy and Steph are heading to the starting line this week, and we explore Steph's unique journey to this monumental race. From navigating the mental battlefield of "backyard" formats to the philosophy behind her memoir, The Power of Enoughness, Stephanie shares how she balances the grit of 200-plus mile races with family life and...

In this episode of Buckle Up, Coach Brian Passenti is joined by ultra runner Ruairi Moynihan for a raw and honest deep dive into one of the most frustrating injuries for endurance athletes: Haglund’s Deformity.

Whether you call it "pump bump" or just a literal pain in the heel, Haglund’s can derail years of training. Brian and Ruairi are at two very different stages of the process—Brian is currently in the thick of...

This week on Buckle Up, we have a very special "welcome home" episode. Former co-host Simon Guerard rejoins Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen to recount his epic finish at the Arizona Monster 300.

Three hundred miles is more than just a race; it’s a journey through every physical and mental state a human can experience. Simon pulls back the curtain on the raw reality of the Monster 300, from the blistering heat of Day One to the ag...

What happens when you trade 20 years of trauma nursing stories for 250 miles of desert trail? This week, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with Maia Detmer to explore her incredible evolution from a high-stress career in a Las Vegas ER to becoming a powerhouse in the ultra-running community.

Maia opens up about her transition from unhealthy habits to finding her stride in endurance sports at age 30. We dive deep into the "mental...

This week on Buckle Up, we sit down with a true legend of the trails: Ed Ettinghausen, better known to the community as "The Running Jester." With over 300 hundred-mile finishes and multiple world records to his name, Ed brings a wealth of experience, humor, and heart to the show.

In this episode, we explore the man behind the iconic costumes and the drive required to maintain a staggering goal of hitting 100 miles in every 24-hour ...

Lace ’em up and grab a handheld, because we are hitting the trails for a heavy-hitting (but light-hearted) Episode 104!

This week on Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen are sitting down with the resilient Aaron Nelson. If you’ve ever had a "DNF" (Did Not Finish) burning a hole in your soul or a "Why" that’s bigger than the miles ahead, this conversation is for you.

Aaron is heading ...

In this episode of Buckle Up, hosts Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with ultra-endurance athlete Wesley Smith to explore his incredible transition from the San Francisco running scene to the rugged, high-altitude trails of Mexico. Wesley shares the grit and grace required to tackle the "Tras las huellas del jaguar" 200-miler and offers a front-row seat to the explosive growth of Mexican ultra culture.

Beyond the miles, we dig ...

Strap in for a high-energy episode of Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation! This week, Mandy and Coach Brian are joined by the man, the myth, the legend: Greg Veregin—better known to the community as Greggi off the Seggi.

We’re diving deep into the secret sauce of the ultra-endurance world: the Burrito League. Greg shares his journey from a spark of inspiration in a college classroom to becoming a coach and a pivotal ...

Welcome back to the show! In today’s episode, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down for a rapid-fire session with the incredible Dr. Stephanie Howe, PhD. As both a world-class ultra-runner and a registered dietitian with a background in exercise physiology, Stephanie brings a rare blend of elite athletic experience and rigorous scientific expertise to the table.

Throughout this conversation, we explore why nutrition is far fro...

In this episode of the Buckle Up Podcast, hosts Mandy Mullen and Coach Brian welcome ultra runner Ben Niebla, who shares his journey from hiking in New Hampshire to becoming an accomplished ultra runner. Benjamin discusses his early experiences with sports, his transition into trail running, and how he found a community that supports and inspires him. He recounts his first ultra race, the challenges he faced, and how he developed a...

Buckle up! This week, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with Chris Avery, a man who went from "accidental runner" to planning one of the most ambitious physical feats we’ve ever heard on the show.

Chris shares the story of how a spur-of-the-moment marathon with zero training ignited a fire that hasn’t gone out since. Now, he’s preparing for his biggest "why" yet: running the entire perimeter of the United State...