About this episode
This week on the Free Outside Podcast, I'm joined by repeat guest and newly crowned Lavaredo 120K podium finisher Alyssa Clark. We talk all things Lavaredo—what makes this epic European race special (aside from the 11 PM start and absurd elevation gain), how she ran within striking distance of Courtney Dauwalter, and how pink hair and frogs helped her stay grounded mid-race. But that’s just the start. Alyssa opens up about the team she’s built around her—nutritionist, mental coach, agent, husband, and even the cats. We go deep on how her mental game has evolved, why she talks to frogs mid-ultra, and how rewriting internal narratives (with the help of a herd of mental sheep) has changed everything. We also dig into where the sport is heading—development pipelines, the blurry line between influencers and athletes, why agents matter, and how media obligations are shifting as trail running professionalizes. If you’ve ever wanted to hear two runners talk about therapy, shoes, mentorship, contracts, and night running tunnel vision all in one episode, this is your jam. Chapters 00:00 Exploring Lava-Eido: A Unique Race Experience 02:50 Race Day Strategies: Preparing for a Night Start 05:48 The Influence of Competition: Running Against the Best 09:10 Race Planning: Balancing Goals and Performance 11:59 Building a Support Team: The Importance of Collaboration 14:53 Nutrition Strategies: Tailoring Fuel for Performance 17:46 Mental Resilience: Strategies for Self-Compassion 20:56 Embracing Identity: Overcoming Past Challenges 23:55 Mindfulness in Racing: Staying Present 26:46 Training for Mental Toughness: The Role of Discomfort 29:48 The Future of Ultra Running: Evolving Support Systems 32:14 The Mental Game in Ultra Running 34:01 Breaking Into the Sport: Challenges and Opportunities 36:19 The Importance of Mentorship and Development in Ultra Running 38:32 Respecting the Elders: Learning from Experience 40:04 Navigating the Influencer vs. Professional Athlete Landscape 44:35 The Role of Brands in Athlete Development 52:20 Building Confidence in Uphill Running 55:31 The Role of Agents in an Athlete's Career 58:08 Media Obligations and Athlete Performance ☕ CS Coffee – Instant coffee that doesn’t suck. Whether you’re climbing through the Italian Alps or just trying to function before your morning run, CS Coffee brews a legit cup in seconds. No gear, no cleanup, just vibes. 🎒 Garage Grown Gear – The best place to discover small, ultralight, and innovative outdoor brands. From niche ultrarunning gear to thru-hiker favorites, they’ve curated the stuff that actually works (and isn’t made by some giant faceless corporation). Shop small, run far. 👕 Janji – Running apparel that performs on big climbs and looks good during your post-race meltdown. Their gear is built for adventures, designed with global inspiration, and supports clean water initiatives. Use code FREEOUTSIDE for 10% off your order and help support the podcast! 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