The Andrew Fast Podcast

Transcordilleras: An 8 day bikepacking race up and over the three mountian ranges of Columbia. A race recap with Griffin Easter. Griffin's Recent Results:Transcordilleras: 1st GCOregon Trail Gravel Grinder: 1st GCUSA Cycling Gravel Nationals: 5thRebecca's Private Idaho: 2ndBWR SD: 3rdBWR Cedar City: 2ndBWR Kansas: 3rdWasatch All-Road: 1stCrusher in the Tushar: 3rd

Today we take a deep dive into the world of high performance, adventure, and the power of will through the lens of professional cyclist, Hannah Finchamp. For the uninitiated, Hannah was named to the Olympic Long Team in 2020 and in 2022 won the infamous Leadville 100 MTB. The lead out to these results started at age 9, when Hannah began her journey as a triathlete. Before turning 18 she became a 2x XTERRA Amateur World Champion and 2x high school State Champion through NICA. As a five-time collegiate cycling National Champion it was clear that Hannah likes to race bikes. So she kept leaning into it. Through a lot of dedication to the craft, elation, and let down, Hannah has represented USA Cycling on the World Championship XCO stage numerous times. She also has a degree in exercise science and athletic training. But Hannah's formal resume falls short when it comes to describing her innovative approach to an ever-changing sport in an ever-changing world. Today Hannah shares her approach to discipline and the power of will, balancing ambition with self-care, and the power of technology in day-to-day training when coupled with good guidance. This is a listen that just might redefine how you approach day-to-day operations and reminds us that process > outcomes. Hammer on, Andrew --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andrew-fast/support

Alyssa reached out in April and asked if I'd be up for a long “swimrun” effort. I asked her to send over the particulars of the race, she did, and I immediately replied that I'd need some time to think about it. Respect the distance. And good golly am I glad I did.  Sweden: where water meets topography. 43 miles of swimming + 136 miles of running. Over 100 transitions as teams of three swimrun through an archipelago.  I went to race an Extreme Triathlon in Sweden a few years back. The topography was soul branding. An incredibly healthy water table certainly lends itself to swimrun, and it's far north so the daylight is long. Conveniently, there are chains of islands connecting some fantastic open water swimming. And that, coupled with some very deep roots in swimrun culture, is where One Water Race sprouted. Back to Alyssa, the guest on this episode. She doesn't fuss around. Alyssa is the current record holder for the Female Supported Fastest Known Time (FKT) on Vermont's 273-mile Long Trail, completing the trail in 5 days, 2 hours and 37 minutes in the summer of 2018. In 2020, she set the current Female Supported FKT for the 46 High Peaks in the Adirondacks, becoming the second fastest human to climb the 46 peaks, in a time of 3 days, 16 hours and 16 minutes. In 2022, Alyssa set the Overall Supported FKT for New Hampshire's 48 High Peaks, in a time of 3 days, 8 hours and 56 minutes.  Traithlon, trail running, bike packing, long walks. It's all good stuff, but what about swimrun? Don't know unless you go. And if you are going you might as well try hard.  Yours in sport, Andrew —- One Water Race on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@onewaterrace6713 Keep up with Alyssa: @alyssagesky on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andrew-fast/support

What does it mean to be brave? In this episode I sit down with a long-time friend, colleague, and two-time Middleweight Karate Combat World Champion, Ross Levine. We discuss what the day to day of a world champion looks like; habits, routines, and going after goals beyond sport. Sparing, Jiu Jitsu, grappling, and dodging punches is really just "problem-solving" as Levine puts it. Something we can all relate to. Listen to this episode of The Andrew Fast Podcast via link above in description or on Spotify, iTunes, and most other listener platforms. Keep up with or contact Ross: @ross_turbo_levine on Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/andrew-fast/support

A picture is worth a thousand words but it never tells teh who story. Photography is art. It's a wonderful way to feel something or someplace. The process. The grit, elation, and let down--the smell in the van or the texture of the rock. Climbing, endurance, and adventure photography has room for a narrative. Story told from behind the lense helps us go there without going there, yet. Eric Wynn has been an industry leading photographer and film maker in the realm of endurance sport for over 20 years, and now he owns Slowtwitch.com In the world of triathlon, Slowtwitch is the gold-standard for news, classifieds, and community dialogue. This is the first installment of a mini-series "The Story Behind the Lens". I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Daniel finished Tour Divide three days ago. The weather was particularly challenging this year. He stayed in two hotels and slept in a lot of pit toilets (for shelter). Over the course of 17 days, 10 hours, and 48 minutes Daniel covered ~2,362 miles. We unpack his kit and experience and his passion for "relentless forward movement". When it comes to tackling Tour Divide or trying cycle touring for the first time, as Daniel puts it: "if you can pedal around your neighborhood, you can cycle tour." Above all else, just keep pedaling. Your pal, Andrew --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Some people say wisdom comes from experience. Mike Nelson has an affinity for experiences, and he's a darn good story teller. From open boat canoe racing to climbing mountains followed by 28 Ironman finishes and then more recently a "To or From" swim project on Lake Washingon in which Mike swam 'to' or 'from' every public access beach on the shoreline (...it's a a huge lake). Mike is 75 years young and more curios and ambitious than most people I've met. From single speed bicycles to his recent qualifying race for Ironman 70.3 World Championships in St. George--Mike is a scientist of sport/life. Retired chemist actually, but that's not the point. Enjoy. Link to the Andrew Fast Podcast in Bio and via most listener platforms. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Eric Zaltas developed an affinity for pedaling hard and the science of nutrition at a young age. Growing up in the Bronx, New York, this meant racing bikes through Central Park and attending the Bronx High School of Science. After college, he raced full time for the US National Road Team collecting 75 career victories including a US National Championship in the Team Trial. Amidst his bike racing career, Eric had the unique opportunity to base out of Switzerland, the home of Nestle world headquarters. While in Switzerland Zaltas helped lead research collaborations with some of the top sports scientists in the world including the UK-based Asker Jeukendrup and Louise Burk of Australia. In the realm of fueling for performance, Eric and his colleagues helped provide evidence based clarity by testing common questions in the lab and implementing them in the field. Eric doesn't have a PhD after his name– though he certainly could– if only he wasn't so busy spending his spare time with extracurricular activities. Hammering up all the famous climbs in the Alps, racing IM Switzerland, and prepping for his next marathon is just who he is–and I think that's a good thing. Here are the key questions Eric helps to answer in this episode of the podcast: -Carb Loading: Is it still a thing? If so, how do we do it? -Solids vs. semi-solids: salted red potatoes + bacon or caffeinated cake frosting? -Day to day Pre-session fueling: What, when, how? -How does a person train the gut to absorb what it needs for long efforts? -General parameters for intra-session fueling. -Protein: post training when and how much? If you'd like to support the podcast click here to donate or via the link below: https://www.gofundme.com/f/andrew-fast-podcast?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Becca Windell is a Wildlife Biologist and this year's Bear 100 Mile Endurance Run champion. In this episode, we talk about Home Range a non-profit dedicated to advancing wildlife conservation by conducting high-quality research, educating aspiring biologists, and engaging local communities. As a co-founder of the organization, Becca speaks to what we can learn from animal movement patterns, their response to fires, and living in areas that are increasingly densely populated among other things. As an athlete: Becca became a full-time professional cyclist right out of high school. She learned some hard lessons early, which we talk about in this episode. Lessons that ultimately every endurance athlete faces to varying degrees at some point. After quickly realizing a life comprised of purely training and racing wasn't healthy for her she made a bold move and quit cycling and go back to school to become a wildlife biologist. During this time Becca discovered the joy of long-distance running. In the realm of racing, Becca is a silent warrior and definitely one to watch. In this episode, we talk about stepping back into the ring of competitive racing and Becca offers some guiding principles to help strike a balance between racing and the rest of life. To learn more about Home Range: https://www.homerange.org/home To support their efforts: https://www.homerange.org/donate On Instagram: @homerangewildlife Becca's Instagram “Running, wildlife, coaching, writing, dogs.”: @beccawindell --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

David Norris is an elite nordic skier and mountain runner. He is the 2019 US Nordic Skiing National Champion and 2016, 2018, and 2021 Mount Marathon Champion. If all goes to plan David is en route to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games in 2022 as a nordic skiing athlete. David is the most genuine (and talented) athlete I've had the honor to interview. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Learn more about David here: http://www.norrisnordic.com/blog Help David continue to pursue his Olympic dreams by supporting him here http://www.norrisnordic.com/supporters This episode is brought to you by SkyRun, your one-stop-shop for trail, mountain, and ultra-distance running needs: https://skyrun.skimo.co --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Brent Felnagle is a former collegiate runner in both Track & Cross Country at Gonzaga University where he competed from 800m to 10k. His hurdle as a runner wasn't on the track--it was working through not being able to run. Being chronically injured stinks. But being injured does allow a person time to think, and it is within this space (between your ears) that Brent started asking good questions: “How can I train for my sport while not physically doing my sport?” And so began a life-long pursuit of helping others perform at their best. As a D1 collegiate runner equipped with a Master's Degree in Sport and Performance Psychology + an older sister who runs professionally, Brent looks at the psychology of sport through a lens defined by experience. This episode is brought to you by the great folks over at @skyrun_co Check them out in person or online at https://skyrun.skimo.co for all of your uphill-oriented needs. Key Topics in this episode: -The emotion/behavior/thought triangle -The power of “why” -The power of imagery -Key steps for reframing thought “loops” -How to step into the ring with emotion -The power of simply “showing up” ...LINK TO LISTEN IN BIO... +++ Get in touch with Brent: Phone: (253) 970-6825 Email: Felnaglebrent33@gmail.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Rea Kolbl just set the female world record for the most vertical ascent on skis within 24 hours. As a Stanford graduate, Spartan Ultra World Champion, and runner-up with her team at The Worlds Toughest Race: Eco-challenge Fiji--it's safe to say Rea demands a lot out of this one life we have to live. And with that comes some honest lessons, which we talk about in this episode. Rea and I met after a ski race in Aspen, Colorado. From the moment we met I could sense that she had a story to tell. It's always refreshing to meet a legend in the making who doesn't wear it on their shoulder. I apologize for the terrible audio connection. If you are listening to this podcast and have some topic ideas, guest ideas, or just some good old fashion feedback--for the love of vert let me know. The best way to do that is via email: fastafast@gmail.com. Yours in sport, Andrew Keep up with Rea: On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reakolbl/ Learn more about Rea here: https://kolblrea.wordpress.com Or on her coaching site here: https://kolblathleticpe.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Kurt Perham is a student of endurance sport and strength training. As he describes in this episode: “My knowledge is 10 meters wide and 100 meters deep.” Which I interpret to mean he stays up to speed on current research, his methodology is not easily influenced by trends, and he doesn't overcomplicate the stress + rest = growth equation. He is a scientist with tattoos, a flat brim hat, and over 20 years of field experience as a coach within the wonderful world of endurance. I have been working with Kurt for over seven years and feel EXTREMELY fortunate to have him as a mentor and coach. I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I did. *link in bio Keep up with Kurt on the socials: FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/pbmcoaching Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kurt_perham/ Website: http://www.pbmcoaching.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Kristin Mayer is a total Betty. And by Betty I mean she has the creativity and agency to be irresistibly attractive and feminine minutes after effortlessly emasculating a mere dozen men with her intellect and ability to deliver. Kristin coined the term ‘Bad Ass is Beautiful' and altruistically supports the concept that women can be both strong + beautiful. In this episode we talk about the power of self-belief vs self-doubt, taking risks, and how to draw inspiration from a person's surroundings in an ever-changing world. Learn more about Kristin and Betty Designs here Join her endurance community on Strava here Keep up on the Insta here --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Abram and I met on the Wonderland Trail. Three close friends and I overestimated our abilities and underestimated the terrain. We staggered into Mowich Lake too tired to cook dinner and unenthused by the thought of a wet sleeping bag inside of a bivouac sac. There emerged Abram. Arm outstretched from a flap of a gargantuan warm tent, a bowl of spaghetti in one hand and a cold beer in the other. “Want some?” he said. The trail karma was palpable. And so the story goes. The day Aspire Adventure Running shined its light on four idiots. In this conversation, we talk about how the connection of people + places becomes much deeper through physical exertion (say it with me: trail running). How creating a base camp with various route options, fully catered, lends itself to the best part of running (say it with me: everything about running except running). And how fitness really is the only barrier between the individual and exploration. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Learn more about Aspire Adventure Running here Stay current on the FaceBook here and the Insta here --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Today's guest is Amber Ferreira. She is one of the most influential multisport athletes I have ever met. While working toward a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree Amber and I trained together under the guidance of Kurt Perham (an absolute legend) in Concord, New Hampshire. Session after session I would show up with my head hanging low; another failed exam. Amber was like Brad Pitt from the movie Fight Club. I'd go back to class every Monday tired and beat up with bags under my eyes after a proper Amber ass kicking--and feeling completely rejuvenated. In this episode we talk about: Everesting Why talented people fail and the arc between speed and wisdom The power of placing 4th not 1st Granite State Endurance Project The stimulus gained from being part of a community in sport (life) Here's a quick snap of her fierce competitive spirit and level of athleticism. She is the 3x US national snowshoe champion Ironman Lake Placid Champion Iceland ultra-marathon champion 4x National Snowshoe Champion Runner-up at the North American Ironman Championships. 12 Podiums on the Professional Ironman Circuit She has competed multiple times at the World Championships in the 70.3 and Kona as a professional. While maintaining a full time professional Ironman training schedule, she works as a Physical Therapist and coaches 30 individual multi-sport athletes and runners. She is the head coach of the Granite State Racing Team (150 members) and owner of the Granite State Endurance project (120 active members). Learn more about Amber and the Granite State Endurance Project here Keep up with Amber on social media here --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Cullen Easter is so awesome, and so are you. It is with a contagious enthusiasm that Cullen has started the non-profit OpiCure, a foundation keen to get addicts off drugs and on bikes. Like many, Cullen progressed through middle and high school accelling in sport and keeping up with the academic flow. Naturally, the current pulling him toward university. But unlike most people I know, when things didn't feel right he had the foresight and self-awareness to pull back and re-direct. The thing I admire most about people like Cullen is their ability to hear ‘no' and stay steadfast anyway. How many people have you met willing to drive 6 hours to the nearest hospital, resume in hand, to apply for one of the most thankless jobs in healthcare (I'm looking at you nurses) and have the door shut in their face, yet hammer on anyway? None? Me neither. Call it luck, call it fate, or call it Cullen's calling--this kid is the one in a million and 100% worthy of your support. As a pro-cyclist (4th Tour of the Gila, 37th Tour of Utah, the list goes on) and full-time nurse in the emergency department, Cullen is wired to help others and OpiCure is the avenue to do just that. I am honored to donate my time as a physio to this effort. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Stay hip to their social media here Donate to OpiCure here --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Skye Moench is the 2019 European Ironman Champion, Boulder 70.3 Champion, and was recently ranked 10th in the world by the Professional Triathletes Organization. As a friend and infrequent training tagalong, I am confident Skye is ascending to the top of long-distance triathlon racing. Near the end of the season of her life, Skye had a freak accident on her bike--a crash that would have ended the career for anyone less motivated. As she watched the Ironman World Championships from a hospital bed, bruised and broken, Skye put that emotion into a deep reservoir for later use--and we've only begun to see what she's going to do with it. As her custom kit reads: “DON'T STOP ME NOW,” Skye embodies the things I like the most about triathlon; dedication and hard work. In this conversation we unpack simple concepts that are hard to implement: How intrinsic motivation before external feedback helped create and Ironman Champion The power of a person's surroundings as it relates to performance. The positive impact of discipline and drive when applied daily The future of triathlon as a sport--and why kindness is more important than flashy gear. The performance-enhancing effect of a coach you trust. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. If you like this podcast be sure to rate and subscribe! Thank you to Matt Meredith (@one_armed_wanderer) for the cover art and production efforts. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Katie Arnold is a contributing editor and former managing editor at Outside Magazine. I have never met someone with such a poetic and symbiotic relationship between writing and running. As an author, her efforts range from the wildly popular Raising Rippers, a column in Outside about bringing up adventurous kids, to her most recent work - Running Home. Katie and I met while leading runs/coaching/speaking at the Leadville 100 Run Camp, a race she won in 2018. In this episode we untangle the hyper-relevant themes from her book: Grief and the many different faces of grief—and how it can lead to growth Run where You Are—staying motivated when races get canceled. Running from the inside—for the joy of running vs. putting results first. Running Home is available for purchase at your local independent book store or via Amazon. Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiearnold Facebook: Katie Arnold Twitter: @raisingrippers If you are enjoying the podcast be sure to like and subscribe. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Dear Bronco, Thank you for progressing the sport of ultra-distance running. Through strong performance and stewardship in a style that is all your own--you are a shot in the arm for a sport that is hard to make sexy. Bonus points for putting Rage Against The Machine in your all-time favorite bands. In this episode of the Andrew Fast Podcast, I sit down with Jeff Browning (aka Bronco Billy). One of the most decorated and down to earth ultra-distance runners in American history. I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. IG - @gobroncobilly --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Alexis and Brennan are a breath of fresh air for any parent, or soon to be parent, wondering if it's possible to keep progressing mountain pursuits after having children. If anything these two have gotten faster even while they have less time to train. As they explain in this episode, having kids has made them more motivated than ever, and on a deeper level, has grown their relationship with risk assessment. On a warm Friday evening in late August of last year, Alexis and Brennan found a baby sitter, put the kids to sleep, and set out into the warm darkness to tackle the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Link Up (WURL). Alexis raised the bar and lowered the time for the female fastest known time (FKT) on the route. Both Alexis and Brennan have excitement about life and offer some good insight on the route. I hope you enjoy this episode. Brennan's IG - @brenn.crellin Alexis' IG - @alexiscrellin --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Noah Brautigam is the recent winner of the highly competitive Speedgoat 50km. But perhaps more impressive and worthy of dialogue is his vertical ascent over the last 31 days. In the month of October Noah went uphill an impressive 342,213 feet (104,306.5 meters). In this episode, we dive into Noah's athletic background, unpack how he has maintained consistent performance during uncertain times, and expand upon the notion that our understanding of human capacity is poorly understood. What happens when a world-class athlete pushes beyond preconceived boundaries? What is learned and can be applied to our own athletic journey? Tune in to find out. Noah has enriched the endurance community through performance and mentorship for a long time. I hope you enjoy this glimpse into his intellectual side as much as I did! Coaching link: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/noah-brautigam-salt-lake-city-running-coach/ IG - @noahbrautigam --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

This is Flash. He is strong. Not only does he have the best hair in all of Alta Utah, but he is also Italian. Joey Campanelli, aka Flash, aka @joey.camps (IG), is the current Fastest Known Time (FKT) record holder for Nolan's 14 and the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Link Up (WURL). Joey has an affinity for pushing the boundaries of human performance. He is a wise soul and one to watch. I do not apologize for the terrible lighting and camera angles--plug in your headphones, turn your phone face down, pretend to work--and listen. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support

Today's guest is Kelly Halpin. She is the first female to complete what Jackson Wyoming locals refer to as “The picnic,” a bike, swim, climb from town that tags the summit of The Grand Teton. She has an immense drive and propensity for challenge which has lead to setting fastest known times on long and technical high mountain routes. Put simply, Kelly has continued to level up year after year and her tick list is impressive. Join us as we talk about her record time on the Wasatch Ultimate Ridge Link Up (WURL), Teton Center Punch, and her plans of going after the high route the the Winds. Instagram: @kyehalpin Web: kellyhalpin.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andrew-fast/support