Mercedes Siegle-Gaither | Navigating the Wilderness of Professional Trail Running

Send us a text Can a cross country dropout become a professional athlete? Join us as we chat with Mercedes Siegle-Gaither , who transformed her high school running struggles into a passion for trail running, discovered unexpectedly while studying abroad in Australia. From there, she journeyed into a series of adventurous seasonal jobs in Colorado, working with the Bureau of Land Management and embracing a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Mercedes shares intimate details about her decision to quit her job and pursue running full-time, the challenges of training on the go, and the unique logistics of living out of her car. Ever wondered about the life of a full-time athlete? Mercedes opens up about the significance of structured training and the personal battles athletes face in maintaining their schedules. With a diverse academic background and careers ranging from pre-med to environmental consulting, Mercedes's stories reveal the thrill of fieldwork in forestry and hydrology versus the more routine aspects of consulting. Listen to her humorous and heartfelt reflections on recent race experiences and the camaraderie found in competition. Prepare for an adventure-packed episode as we explore Mercedes' participation in the Skyrunner World Series and her emotional journey through competitive trail races. From the dynamics of mountain races, strategic race planning, and community among elite competitors, to broader topics like wildlife speculation and future ambitions, this episode promises a comprehensive and thrilling glimpse into Mercedes's life. Plus, we touch on upcoming mountain race plans, athlete sponsorships, and even the speculation of grizzly bears in Colorado and the existence of aliens. This is one episode you won't want to miss! Mercedes on Instagram - @runsciencecedes https://www.instagram.com/runsciencecedes/?hl=en Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com !