As the year draws to a close, it’s a perfect time for reflection and growth. In this special recap episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, hosts Zach and Anthony look back on their inaugural year, celebrating the lessons learned, the inspiring stories shared, and the incredible guests who joined them along the way. Join us as we delve into the highlights of the past year and share what’s next for the podcast. 1. A Year in Review: The Journey So Far Zach and Anthony kick off the epis...

Introduction: The Rocket City Marathon is not just a race; it's a celebration of endurance, friendship, and the spirit of running. In this special episode of Endurance State of Mind, we revisit the experiences of our guests as they brave the freezing temperatures and push their limits. Join us as we unpack their unforgettable journey and the lessons learned along the way. Main Content: 1. Reunion of Endurance: In this episode, Zach welcomes back two previous guests, Josh Moore and Brian Murp...

In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, Zach sits down with Jared Graham, a runner, father, and passionate advocate for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. What began as a personal fitness journey evolved into a powerful mission of service, community, and perseverance. Jared shares how a tight-knitunning group keeps him accountable through daily check-ins, how his upbringing shaped his work ethic, and why community matters just as much as mileage. He reflects on his path from high scho...

Forrest Johnson Support link: https://www2.breakthrought1d.org/site/TR?fr_id=10421&pg=personal&px=12605959 Introduction: In the world of endurance sports, stories often emerge that inspire and uplift. One such story is that of Forrest Johnson, a dedicated runner whose journey transcends the mere act of finishing races. With over 60 marathons completed, including a remarkable feat of running seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days, Forrest’s motivation is deeply p...

Introduction: In the world of endurance sports, few stories are as inspiring as that of Ethan Lott, a 20-year-old ultra runner from Hattiesburg, Mississippi. While many runners take years to progress through the distances, Ethan took a bold leap into the ultra running scene, tackling formidable races like 50Ks and preparing for his first 50-mile race. This blog post explores Ethan's journey, shedding light on his experiences, training, and the mindset that has driven his success.  ...

Introduction: In the world of endurance sports, transitioning from sprinting to ultra running is a rare feat, yet Jake Russell has not only made this leap but has excelled in it. In a captivating episode of the Endurance State of Mind podcast, Jake shares his remarkable journey, revealing the pivotal moments that led him to conquer the 100-mile trail and the community that has supported him along the way. Main Content: 1. **Early Beginnings in Running** Jake Russell’s running journey...

Rhonda Hayden joins the podcast for a deep dive into one of the South’s most iconic races, the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. We break down everything runners can expect from this year’s event: a fast, thoughtfully designed course, the continued growth of the marathon weekend, and the personal touches that make Rocket City a fan favorite. From upgraded race experiences and returning crowd-pleasers to new additions like the shout-out video board, Rhonda gives listeners an inside ...

Introduction: In the latest episode of our podcast, we dive into the exhilarating experience of the Tunnel Hill 100, where our co-host Zach completed the race in an impressive time of 18 hours and 56 minutes. This episode unpacks the emotional rollercoaster, physical challenges, and invaluable lessons learned from this remarkable endurance event. The Journey Begins: Setting the Scene The Tunnel Hill 100 is not just a race; it’s an endurance masterpiece that tests the limits of physica...

In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with runner and data enthusiast Whit Kendall, whose methodical yet mindful approach to training led to a stunning 2:37 finish at the Chicago Marathon. Whit shares how he transformed from a former football player to a marathoner obsessed with progress — running music-free, driven by intuition and numbers in equal measure. We unpack his marathon progression, the power of community training, recovery insights, his Yasso 800 philosophy, and ...

In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Lacey Saul — a 13-time Ironman finisher, registered dietitian, and newly minted Kona qualifier through the Ironman Legacy Program. Lacey opens up about her decade-long pursuit of Kona, how she learned to pivot instead of quit, and why racing smart often beats racing fast. From battling brutal weather and concussions to mastering gut training and redefining limits, this conversation dives deep into the mental and physical endurance i...

Description: In this special “just the hosts” episode of Endurance State of Mind, Anthony and Zach sit down to catch their breath and reflect on a wild stretch of endurance action. They revisit key takeaways from recent guests — Derrick Baker, the “Ambassador of Havoc,” and Warren Kimball, the maestro of the negative split — and unpack how consistency, nutrition, and mindset shape performance. Then they dive into their own Clear Creek Ultra experience, the finale of the MUTS Grand Slam. From...

From the weight room to 200-mile races, Derrick Baker is built different. A 12-time 100-mile finisher and 2-time 200-mile finisher from North Mississippi, Derrick embodies discipline, humility, and purpose. Once a 250-pound powerlifter, he discovered ultra running after seeing David Goggins on YouTube — and never looked back. In this episode, we dive into how Derrick blends bodybuilding with high-mileage training, how he stays grounded in the grind, and how he finds light in the darkest momen...

Warren Kimball—two-time Boston finisher, 100-mile ultra winner, and LSU musicologist—joins us to blend art and endurance. We dig into his 15:35 at Tunnel Hill (closed strong with a negative split), plant-powered fueling, staying calm early, and turning repetition into mastery—on the piano and on the run. Plus: training after setbacks, pacing by feel, and why gratitude beats “suffer mode” for the long haul. takeaways Warren's journey into running began after significant life changes.He los...

No guest—just Anthony and Zach catching up after work travel and stacked weeks. We trade notes on chasing Strava crowns coast-to-coast, a rope-assist climb at Mount Storm King, and turning a seven-day, 36-holes-a-day golf trip into a stealth ultra. We shout out recent guests (Travis, Jed, Hezekiah, Chris), celebrate comebacks and dubs, and sketch a new negative-split strategy for Tunnel Hill. Plus: what the Norwegians, Pogacar, and Sifan Hassan teach us about pacing and fueling, first impress...

In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Travis Stewart—a husband, dad, and real estate professional whose endurance journey began during COVID with the Couch to 5K program. What started as a way to cope during a tough season quickly grew into something bigger: running led to cycling, cycling led to triathlon, and soon Travis was toeing the line at three 70.3s, a full Ironman, Unbound 200, and the grueling Rule of Three. But this story is about more than just miles and med...

From the heart of Hattiesburg’s Longleaf Trace, Jed Darby has built more than a bike shop—he’s built a movement. The Cajun-born runner-turned-cyclist/coach shares how early boxing shaped his endurance mindset, why he qualified for Boston (and Kona) then chose the work over the spotlight, and what he learned from coaching greats like Rick Crawford. We dig into the science—zone 2, stress-adapt-recover, fit and position—and the culture: Tuesday Night Worlds, true no-drop group rides, Hub City Ve...

At just 23, Hezekiah “Hezzy” Miller is a walking shot of energy gel—equal parts hype man and humble grinder. Raised in the Mississippi Delta, Hezzy went from black-sheep kid to endurance engine, once jumping from two miles to a DIY 50-miler in two weeks (yes, really). But this conversation goes far deeper than mileage. He opens up about depression, the sticky-note practice that kept him here “one more day,” and how surrendering to faith reshaped his purpose into serving others—on and off the ...

In this special episode of Endurance State of Mind, it’s just Zach and Anthony behind the mics. The guys swap endurance shoes for golf spikes as they recount their first scramble together in Hattiesburg, where the “student became the teacher” and golf proved to be a surprising mirror for running lessons. From patience and humility on the fairway to battling the “lies” in endurance training, they reflect on recent guest takeaways, Zach’s powerful return to Banff for his 6-year sobriety milesto...

In this episode of Endurance State of Mind, we sit down with Chris Mixon—an ultra runner with podium finishes at the Pinhoti 100 and Lake Martin 100, and a course record at Fondren Urban Ultra. But what makes this conversation powerful isn’t just his racing resume—it’s the fact that Chris is sharing his story mid-comeback. After surgery, setbacks, and months of painful recovery, he’s opening up about the mental battle of rebuilding, the lies injuries whisper, and the resilience it takes to be...

For more than two decades, Ed Daly has been the gold standard of Mississippi endurance. With over 20 consecutive years of logging 2,000+ miles annually, Ed’s journey is about more than races — it’s about attitude, perseverance, and lifting others up along the way. In this episode, Ed shares how running became a lifelong habit, why community matters, the greatest week of running in his life, and how his medical background shapes his approach to health and longevity. From Crescent City to rim-t...