Buckle Up: An Ultrarunning Conversation

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 ...

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 support, Chr...

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 f...

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 the imm...

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 th...

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 "m...

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 ever...

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 headin...

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 mile...

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 figure in ho...

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 from a on...

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 States in 2027 with his...

In this episode of Buckle Up, Coach Brian and Mandy Mullen sit down with the renowned Dr. Jason Karp to discuss the intersection of sports science, culture, and technology. Dr. Karp takes us through his fascinating journey from a curious student of human anatomy to a leader in the running community.

The conversation dives deep into his time coaching in Kenya, revealing how a culture rooted in community and hard work shapes world-cla...

This week, we sit down with Ellie Martinez, the essential "right hand" to our co-host Mandy Mullen. We go behind the scenes to discuss Ellie’s pivotal role at Run.Windsor and what has surprised her most about working in the industry. Plus, Ellie opens up about her lifelong background in sports and draws a fascinating parallel between the patience of hunting and the endurance of ultra running. Thank you for listening—we ca...

In this conversation, Andrea Moore shares her journey from a corporate banking career to becoming an ultra runner, highlighting the importance of community, personal growth, and the transformative power of outdoor experiences. She discusses her transition during COVID, the joy of exploring new places through running, and offers advice for newcomers to the ultra running scene, emphasizing the significance of curiosity and connection...

In this episode, we sit down with the man who literally wrote the book on ultra endurance training: Jason Koop. From his new home base in France, Koop discusses his most ambitious project yet—Koop AI.

Described as "his brain in a box," Koop AI represents a massive shift in how technology interacts with athlete development. We dive deep into the philosophy behind the platform, the critical importance of quality control in a...