About this episode
Send us a text The view from a razorback ridge can change your life—and your training. We invited Robin Vieira Brower, one of the few American women racing the Skyrunner World Series, to unpack how she built a season across Austria and Ireland, what “sea to sky” truly demands, and why skyrunning needs a bigger footprint in the U.S. Robin shares a refreshingly candid path from college soccer to technical mountain running, the exact workouts that paid off on steep grades, and the mindset shift required when weather cancels races the day before the start. We dig into the nuts and bolts—heart rate based training, base-building through winter, and the intervals that translate directly to efficient climbing and controlled descending. Robin also opens up about running a creative studio while racing internationally, turning storytelling into a strength instead of a distraction. We compare skyrunning with Golden Trail and UTMB, talk through ISF standards that protect the sport’s identity, and spotlight the best U.S. gateways for “real sky” skills: Cirque Series venues, The Rut, Alyeska, and the Wasatch. Expect practical insights on gear, travel, and course selection, plus honest talk about representation and how to support more women on technical terrain. If you’ve wondered how to break into skyrunning—or just want to understand why switchbacks are sometimes optional in Europe—this conversation delivers a clear map and plenty of motivation. Tap play, then tell us which course you’d race first. If you’re enjoying the show, follow Robin at @mindfullyrobin, subscribe, and leave a quick review to help more mountain athletes find us. Follow Robin on IG - @mindfullyrobin Contact Robin on her website - mindfullyrobin.com 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 !