Bonus Episode: Team Bailey & Iditarod Dreams

What happens when you combine 16 high-energy dogs, a sleep-deprived human, and 1,000 miles of Alaskan wilderness? Hallucinated rock concerts, near-death ice rescues, and a man who lost 45 pounds in 11 days while chasing the ultimate mushing dream. Meet Bailey Vitello, who's been commanding dog teams since age two and now tackles the legendary Iditarod with nothing but determination, his canine family, and—shockingly—zero caffeine.

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the wild world of competitive dog sledding with a musher who:

• Hallucinates Maroon 5 concerts in the Alaskan wilderness (sleep deprivation is a trip!)
• Rolls soaking wet dogs in snow to dry them (it actually works!)
• Shares his chili with his lead dog while sleeping in -10°F temperatures
• Lost a shocking 45 pounds during his rookie Iditarod run

Meet the canine characters in Bailey's 16-dog dream team – from Senator (the teacher's pet) to Wyoming (a loveable wrecking ball) to Tuckerman (the class clown who steals everyone's toys) to YoYa (his sleeping bag heater when needed).

Whether you're a dog lover, adventure seeker, or just curious about what drives someone to race across Alaska in conditions that would make most of us question our life choices, Bailey's story proves that sometimes the craziest dreams are the ones worth freezing for.

Listen now and discover why, as Bailey puts it, "Dogs honestly are just truly the answer to everything."

Links:

• Team Bailey USA: www.teambaileyusa.com
• Sponsor a dog or help pack Bailey's drop bags
• Follow Bailey's 2025 Iditarod journey
• The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Official Site

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