Free Outside

20h ago

Vote on the Jeffrey Awards: https://forms.gle/zC29GEAgUJBKNn8T6 I brought the cowboy hat out for this one, because Month of Jeff needed full giddy up vibes. Jeff “Bronco Billy” Browning is back, and we go everywhere: Cocodona’s weird and wonderful rise into a spectator cult phenomenon, the tiny weather window that makes that race possible, and what it feels like when you are having one of those perfect days in a hundred. Jeff talks about his best races ever (including a scorching San Diego 100 and a 19:33 at Wasatch), and what actually made them click, training blocks, timing, and yes, a little luck. We also get nerdy and practical with an underrated, overrated, properly rated game, covering trail super shoes (carbon on trail, and why the foam matters more), heat training, speedwork for ultra runners (hello zone 3), and why you have to practice race nutrition in training if you want race day to feel automatic. Then we time travel to the early 2000s when ultra gear was basically a fishing vest era, handheld bottles ruled, poles were not a thing, and race nutrition was gels, S-caps, and hope. Jeff shares how mentorship and group long runs shaped the scene back then, and why adventure running and storytelling still matter more than a stat on a results page. We also get into the realities of long efforts and sleep deprivation, including why Jeff would choose self-supported if he goes long again (less complaining, more problem solving). And yes, there are animal stories, including some genuinely terrifying mountain lion encounters, plus the lightning strike moment at Hardrock that led to one of the most ultrarunning reasons ever to change your earrings. To close it out, Jeff breaks down how he made hundreds work while raising a family, with a simple framework: flexible training, non-negotiable family time, and getting creative with when long runs happen. We finish with what is next, some training races, Cocodona, a Western States swing, and the itch to do more adventure style projects. Sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear, CS Coffee Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:48 Cocodona 250: Growth and Popularity 08:38 Memorable Races and Personal Bests 11:51 The Mental and Physical Toll of Long Distances 14:44 Self-Supported vs. Supported Racing 17:48 The Shift in Running Focus: Adventure vs. Competition 20:55 The Importance of Storytelling in Running 23:51 Training Insights: Speedwork and Nutrition 28:29 Preparing for Race Day: The Importance of Training Camps 30:00 Evolution of Gear: Trends from the Early 2000s 33:09 Nutrition and Hydration: Lessons from the Past 35:46 The Social Aspect of Ultra Running: Mentorship and Community 39:43 From Hobby to Career: The Journey of an Ultra Runner 42:36 Race Directing: The Challenges and Rewards 45:42 Wildlife Encounters: Stories from the Trail 55:18 Balancing Family Life and Ultra Running 56:10 Balancing Work and Family Life 59:00 Creating Quality Family Time 01:02:58 Navigating Technology and Family Connections 01:03:50 The Story Behind the Earrings 01:10:13 Future Plans and Upcoming Races 01:18:39 Introduction and Community Connection 01:22:40 The Importance of Supportive Relationships 01:26:49 Fostering a Positive Community Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

3d ago

The Month of Jeff keeps rolling, and today we are giving the thru-hiking world some love. I tracked down a Jeff who just finished the Appalachian Trail in 2025, Jeff Coull, the guy behind the coullbean.com blog. Jeffreys Nomination Form: https://forms.gle/FiW9ZKNpiXoWb8MJ8 Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coullbean/ Jeff wanted to hike the AT for almost a decade, but in 2024 it stopped being a “someday” goal and became a “need to.” We talk about the scariest part of committing to a long trail, the conversation with his girlfriend Robin, and how doing something huge does not have to come from tragedy or running away from your life. We get into the details that make a thru hike real: early mistakes (starting too fast, an ankle ligament barking, a sleeping pad that died for two straight weeks), figuring out resupplies when you are basically learning in public, and the constant debate between pop tarts and protein. There is also a strong case made for frozen burritos thawing on the outside of your pack, plus the harsh reality of FarOut water comments when Maine is dry. Jeff carried a “Robin Rock” most of the trail, hid it in plant photos to see if she would notice, and accidentally created a recurring side quest by leaving it behind and coordinating a rescue mission. He also carried a sealed ICE letter from Robin all the way to Katahdin and only opened it on top, which is where the emotions finally caught up. We also talk about trail friendships, why it is so easy to connect with people out there, and how Jeff’s view of the “trail family” idea changed once he got confident enough to make his own plan. Then there is the moment in Tennessee when a “power hiking song” conversation turned into an unexpected hour of Freebird on repeat, and a big lesson about forgiveness and leaving old baggage behind. To wrap it up, we hit quick hitters: favorite trail town, best meal, best trail name he heard, what the whole thing cost, and the lesson that kept coming back over and over, be gentle with yourself. Sponsors: Janji, Garage Grown Gear, CS Coffee. Chapters 00:00 The Journey Begins: Aspirations and Realizations 05:22 Navigating Relationships: Conversations with Loved Ones 08:25 Symbolic Connections: The Robin Rock 11:25 The Learning Curve: First Experiences on the Trail 14:13 Dreams and Goals: The Call of the AT 17:28 Life Changes: Quitting the Job for Adventure 20:21 Challenges of Thru-Hiking: The Reality vs. Expectations 23:29 Building Confidence: Finding Your Own Path 26:17 Nutrition on the Trail: The Food Dilemma 29:21 The Importance of Gut Health: Eating Fresh on the Trail 30:53 Trail Nutrition: Creative Food Choices 34:24 Adversity on the Trail: Overcoming Challenges 39:13 Building Connections: The Social Aspect of Hiking 45:32 Moments of Transformation: Personal Growth on the Trail 58:41 The Challenge of Water Scarcity 01:01:15 Emotional Reflections on Completing the Trail 01:03:27 Slowing Down to Savor the Experience 01:06:21 The Emotional Climax at Katahdin 01:12:18 Trail Towns and Memorable Meals 01:15:27 Lessons Learned and Future Adventures Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

6d ago

I sit down with yet another Jeff, but this one took things to a different level. Over the course of October and November, he completed 122 laps of the Manitou Incline, nearly a mile and over 2,000 feet of gain per lap, turning one of the most brutal stair climbs in the country into a month-long experiment in mental resilience. What started as training for a future unsupported FKT evolved into something much bigger. A Navy veteran with multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he shares how his nervous system adapted to years in combat and why returning to everyday civilian life felt overwhelming. Loud environments, crowds, and constant inputs became difficult, while long, repetitive movement in nature helped turn the volume back down. We talk about why hiking and rucking can work where therapy and medication do not for some veterans, how mundane suffering and repetition create space for processing trauma, and why unsupported FKTs and long efforts with weight may be a wide-open niche for athletes with military backgrounds. He explains how the incline project became a fundraiser and awareness campaign for Warrior Expeditions, a veteran-led nonprofit that helps veterans heal through long-distance hiking. This conversation dives into combat stress, family life, fatherhood, endurance, mental health, and the simple power of left foot, right foot. It is a powerful reminder that the outdoors offers different things to different people, and sometimes the hardest, most boring path is the one that helps us heal the most. Check out Warrier Expeditions: https://warriorexpeditions.org/ Follow Jeff Snyder: https://www.instagram.com/jsnydersoloadventures/ Chapters 00:00 The Manitou Incline Challenge 05:10 Mental Resilience Through Hiking 07:41 The Impact of Combat on Mental Health 10:07 Nature as a Healing Tool 13:01 The Role of Community in Recovery 15:36 Fundraising for Warrior Expeditions 17:58 Accidental Discoveries in Nature 20:35 Transitioning from Rucking to Hiking 23:15 The Importance of Mindset in Outdoor Challenges 25:23 Unexpected Changes in Combat Situations 28:01 Daily Life and the Incline Challenge 30:31 Supporting Veterans Through Outdoor Activities Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Dec 14

It is Month of Jeff, so its time to talk to another Jeff, Jeff Pelletier. Jeff had a huge 2025. He paced and crewed at Cocodona, then took on Badwater 135 and followed it up with the inaugural Mammoth 200. We go deep on Badwater, why he was drawn to a race the core of the community has kind of fallen out of love with, and why he thinks it might be the hardest race in the world to crew. No aid stations, constant leapfrogging, the rulebook, the blinky lights, the penalties, and the reality of managing sleep, food, gas, and ice in Death Valley. Then we shift to Mammoth 200. What the course was like in year one, why it is going to be a major 200 because of how runnable and crewable it is, and how finishing timing completely changed the race experience once the weather rolled in. Jeff also talks about altitude issues, his first time puking in a race, and how it felt to miss his Badwater goals but still finish and learn something important. We also get into the filmmaker side, outsourcing rough cuts, what it is like trying to race and produce at the same time, the weirdest things he has done for a shot, and why telling the story can sometimes be the thing that keeps you moving forward. We wrap with what is next for Jeff, including Croatia, Spartathlon, Cape Town, and the always painful lottery season. This episode of the Free Outside Podcast is brought to you by Janji, Garage Grown Gear, and CS Instant Coffee. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of Badwater 135 07:11 The Challenge of Crewing at Badwater 09:57 Logistics and Rules of the Race 13:00 The Unique Terrain and Conditions 16:14 Heat Management Strategies 19:06 Hydration and Sodium Management 22:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections on the Experience 26:45 Testing Limits: Fluid and Electrolyte Management 28:49 Data Collection in Extreme Conditions 31:06 Balancing Filmmaking and Performance 33:41 Lessons from Badwater: Setting Realistic Goals 35:52 Transitioning to Mammoth: New Challenges Ahead 37:06 Experiencing Coca-Dona: A Unique Race 38:26 Mammoth's Inaugural Year: A Mixed Bag 43:45 Resetting Goals: From Badwater to Mammoth 48:01 The Unique Culture of Ultra Running 50:04 The Rise of 200-Mile Races 53:03 Storytelling in Ultra Running 53:39 The Editing Process of Race Films 56:50 Behind the Scenes of Filming Races 01:03:00 Gear Recommendations and Future Plans Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Dec 11

Help us with our Jeffrey Award Winners by voting here: https://forms.gle/GAcHKf5QZrR7GAR79 The Month of Jeff continues with another elite Jeff: Jeff Dengate, better known on the internet as @dengatorade. Jeff is the director of product testing and de facto runner in chief at Runner’s World, and one of the most experienced shoe and gear testers in the world. He walks me through how Runner’s World actually tests shoes with hundreds of wear testers, why some products never make it to a review, and how he personally ends up in well over 100 different pairs of shoes every year. We get into what trust looks like in the age of AI, affiliate links, and endless gear noise, and why having a real human you can bump into at a race still matters. Jeff talks about the changing landscape at Runner’s World, the COVID running boom, how trail and ultra fit into the broader running world, and why the world marathon majors craze is exploding. We cover super shoes, sky high prices, why comfort still rules, why you probably do not need a 300 dollar racer to start running, and yes, we revisit my infamous Runner’s World Crocs 5K headline. We finish with his case for Jeff of the Year, including BQing three times in a year and rotating through more shoes than most runners log runs. Follow Jeff Dengate: https://www.instagram.com/dengaterade Show supported by Janji.com, Garagegrowngear.com, and CSinstant.coffee Chapters 04:00 Introduction to Dengatorade and Running Background 06:54 Role at Runner's World and Product Testing 09:38 The Art of Product Reviews 12:26 Navigating AI in the Running Community 15:08 Revenue Streams and Content Creation at Runner's World 17:50 Understanding Runner's Needs and Popular Topics 20:43 Shoe Testing and Personal Experiences 23:25 Finding the Right Shoe for You 25:59 The Evolution of Running Gear and Nutrition 28:59 Excitement in Running and Gear Unboxing 31:42 Jeff's Unique Journey to the NBA 37:16 The Journey of a Sports Journalist 40:06 Impact of COVID-19 on Running Community 43:33 The Growth of Trail and Ultra Running 48:20 Trends in the Running Industry Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Dec 8

Vote for the Jeffrey Awards: https://forms.gle/2JaYdBFdogo2hTXP8 During the Month of Jeff I, sit down with a true Jeff of the Year contender, Jeff Mogavero. We cover a wild range of topics, from his fourth place curse at big races to winning Ultra Trail Cape Town, getting married, and somehow deciding Montana Cup might outrank all of it. Follow Jeff Mogavero: https://www.instagram.com/jeffmogavero/ Jeff walks through his dirtbag origin story, hitchhiking around the West on almost no money, racing for gas and grocery money, surveying fish and frogs for seasonal biology jobs, and eventually moving to Missoula to see if he could actually make a run at professional trail running. We talk about his Appalachian Trail thru hike, how he ended up with the trail name “Burger King,” his barefoot college phase, and why he once bailed on a “Number One Dad” hat. Then we get nerdy about performance. Jeff explains the science experiment heat chamber protocol he did for Western States, why he thinks heat training is overrated, and why cooling, ice bandanas, and sun protection are underrated superpowers. We dig into Montana Cup, the quiet training culture in Montana, and why adult cross country with a potluck might be the best event in running. Of course, as our official Taylor Swift correspondent, Jeff breaks down the new album, the Taylor Swift treadmill workout, and how he ended up in the top 2 percent of her listeners while also growing 25 to 30 pounds of potatoes and going through 100 pounds of flour. We finish with his dramatic finish line collapses, his case for being Jeff of the Year, and why potatoes, leeks, and Swift might be the real performance trifecta. If you like stories about hitchhiking, dirtbag seasons, science-backed heat preparation, tiny Montana races that mean everything, and a professional runner who is not afraid to be a little dramatic, this episode is for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jeff Mogavero 07:30 Racing Highlights and Personal Achievements 10:25 Journey to Becoming a Pro Runner 13:22 Living the Life of a Runner 16:24 Hitchhiking Adventures and Human Connections 19:25 Barefoot Jeff and Life Experiences 22:12 Heat Training Protocols and Strategies 28:20 Cooling Strategies for Racing 34:23 Philosophy on Training and Performance 41:35 The Importance of Training and Recovery 44:24 Taylor Swift: The Soundtrack to Training 52:21 The Role of a Good Coach 56:22 Trail Names and Their Stories 01:01:22 Dramatic Finishes and Personal Reflections Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Dec 5

I sit down with one of the true architects of modern running, Jeff Galloway. From making the 1972 Olympic team as an unexpected underdog to creating the RunWalkRun method used by millions of runners today, Jeff’s story is packed with history, perspective, and wisdom that still applies right now. We talk about the emotional crash that can come after achieving a massive goal, something I relate to deeply after finishing the Appalachian Trail record, and how that post-Olympic low pushed Jeff to open one of the very first specialty running stores in the world, Phidippides. That store became the foundation for the running boom, community run clubs, and the coaching systems that followed. Jeff breaks down how RunWalkRun was created, why taking walk breaks early actually makes runners faster, and how the data shows average improvements of around seven minutes in the half marathon and thirteen minutes in the marathon. We also dig into his Olympic era training, 140-mile weeks, mile repeats, long runs past marathon distance, and why most training principles today still mirror what worked fifty years ago. We go deep on his friendship with Steve Prefontaine, the early fight for professionalism in the sport, the birth of the Peachtree Road Race, and how those moments shaped modern running as we know it. Jeff also shares his approach to mental training, mantras, step counting, and how meaning is the real fuel behind long term consistency. To close it out, Jeff tells an incredible story about chasing a marathon in eight different decades of life at age eighty, coming back from a heart attack, a fractured toe, and weeks of forced rest to toe the line once again. This episode is equal parts history lesson, coaching clinic, and reminder of why running can be a lifelong pursuit. Find Jeff's books and Jeff online: JeffGalloway.com This episode is brought to you by Janji, Garage Grown Gear, and CS Coffee. Chapters 00:00 The Olympic Journey: Triumphs and Challenges 03:41 From Athlete to Entrepreneur: The Birth of a Running Store 07:07 Navigating Life After Competition: Finding New Goals 10:57 Training Insights: The Evolution of Running Techniques 14:14 The Impact of Steve Prefontaine on Professional Running 26:30 Reflections on Running Culture and Trends 32:19 The Legacy of Pre and Athlete Rights 35:41 Building a Running Community 40:04 The Birth of the Galloway Method 48:49 RunWalkRun: A Game Changer 54:41 Mental Strategies for Endurance 57:20 The Eight Decade Challenge Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside

Dec 1

Get yourself a Crotch Pot: https://snp.link/cd93a18d In this solo Month of Jeff episode, I go deep on one of the strangest and coolest studies I have read in a while. It looks at capsaicin, the compound that makes hot peppers spicy, and how a small 12 milligram capsule taken before exercise can actually make you faster, more powerful, and more resistant to fatigue without raising heart rate or perceived effort. I break down what the researchers found, how it works on the brain, nerves, and muscles, and whether you should be popping pepper pills before your next workout. From there I talk about why the classic 10 percent rule is being used wrong, and why it is your longest run, not your total weekly mileage, that really drives injury risk. I get into how I think about long runs and intensity in my own coaching, and why slow, boring progress is still the best way to stay healthy. I also wander through crotch pots and backcountry bidets as gift ideas, putting down your phone and reclaiming boredom, Thanksgiving with 30 people, why AI scares me for books and movies, and the difference between style and fashion on planes, and trails. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Month of Jeff 01:54 The Crotch Pot: A Unique Hiking Gadget 04:42 Capsaicin and Its Impact on Athletic Performance 09:27 Rethinking the 10% Rule in Running 11:46 The Importance of Disconnecting from Technology 14:03 Thanksgiving Reflections and Family Gatherings 15:29 Concerns About AI and Creativity 17:20 Fashion vs. Style: Perception and Personality 20:39 The Evolving Landscape of Sports and Sponsorships Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at jeff@freeoutside.com Watch the movie about setting the record on the Colorado Trail: https://tubitv.com/movies/100019916/free-outside Website: www.Freeoutside.com Instagram: thefreeoutside facebook: www.facebook.com/freeoutside