Seven months ago, Pushing Horizons: Step by Step was just a dream. Now, with Season 1 in the books, I look back at the conversations that carried me through my own ultra race.

From Lucy Bartholomew on burnout and resilience, Harvey Lewis on chasing longevity, Megan Eckert on pushing past limits, Eszter Csillag proving it’s never too late, Jessie reminding me that quitting is forever, and Peter Mortimer showing that late starts can still lead to big dreams, every elite taught me something I carried on race day.

But it wasn’t just the legends. Everyday warriors like Dante Dugan, Cody, Lindsey, Harry, Shelby, Jenni, Elesa, Kevin, Angus, Bobby, Milton, Val, James, Bo, Erin, and so many more proved that grit, community, and persistence are what truly push us forward.

This finale isn’t just a recap, it’s my ultra race, told through the voices of Season 1.

Keywords: ultrarunning podcast, running stories, marathon training, ultramarathon motivation, running community, elite runners, ultra journey, backyard ultra, Harvey Lewis, Lucy Bartholomew, Eszter Csillag