Nick Elson: The Silent Mountain Crusher

Nick Elson is an all around mountain athlete and he's inspired by adventures that blur the lines between different mountain disciplines that require a combination of physical fitness, technical skill, and mental toughness. He holds many FKT's including the Grand Teton Traverse and the Stein Valley traverse. On ski's he holds the FKT's on the Spearhead, Mcbride and Tantalus Traverse, Garibaldi Neve, Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier ascents. He has the course record for the Knee Knacker 50k, has twice won the Squamish 50 miler, and is a 2 times Canadian mountain running and skimo champion. 

In this podcast we get into his early childhood experiences growing up in Campbell River (British Columbia), getting into climbing, running on the varsity track and xc team at UBC, getting into ultras, FKT's, the accident with Adam Campbell, competing against Kilian Jornet and so much more. 

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Follow Nick on IG @nicksethelson

Nick's blog: nickelson.ca

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Follow me on IG @nicola.gildersleeve

If you have any feedback for the show or want a particular guest on the show you can email me at Nicola.gildersleeve@gmail.com

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Joanna Ford: The Vert Queen

On this episode of the Journey to Ultra Podcast, I interview the incredible Joanna Ford. Joanna is an ultra runner based in Calgary, BC and does most of her training in the Rocky Mountains. Joanna may have gotten her start in road running but she loves to climb mountains. In fact she has a goal of climbing (on foot) 25 new summits and completing 1 million vertical feet. In this episode we talk about what it was like growing up with 5 other siblings, her mothers influence on getting her into the mountains, being competitive, setting big goals, how she got into ultra running, her near epic miss at this years Bighorn 100, and everything in between! Tune in to hear her story. I promise you'll be inspired. 

Follow Joanna on Instagram: @jford.welsh

Check out Joanna's Blog: Joanna Runs

Follow us: @journeytoultrapodcast

If you have any feedback for the show or have a guest you'd like to see on the show email Nicola.gildersleeve@gmail.com

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Hilary Spires: The Scientific Athlete

In this episode I chat with ultra marathon runner and Trail Running Women Podcast host, Hilary Spires. In this episode we talk about her life growing up as a competitive hockey player, the struggles she faced when her career in hockey ended, becoming an MMA fighter, her love of the science behind peak performance, getting into triathlons and trail running, her experience running through her pregnancy and the recent public backlash she faced as she gets ready to tackle the Grouse Grind challenge at 7.5 months pregnant. Hilary truly does put the "Spire" in "Inspire" and I am excited to share her journey with you. 

Hilary is an endurance coach and personal trainer - check out her services at Rugged Conditioning

Hilary is the host of the Trail Running Women Podcast

Follow Hilary on Instagram: @hilsport55

Follow this podcast on Instagram: @journeytoultrapodcast

If you would like to leave any feedback or have a guest suggestion email Nicola.gildersleeve@gmail.com

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Daniel Goddard: The bet that changed his life!

Daniel Goddard wasn't always a crazy ultra runner.  In fact, he wasn't really active at all. After spending his 20's overworked, poorly nourished, and abusing drugs and alcohol, Daniel made a bet with himself that would change his life forever. Tune in to find out how he went from a hardcore partier and fast food eater to a vegan ultra runner and 100 mile finisher! 

When Daniel isn't trail running or listening to rad music, you can find him sharing his expertise on all things running at the local North Vancouver specialty store Distance Runwear. 

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Nicki Rehn: The Canadian Australian

Nicki Rehn may have been born and raised in Australia but she very much feels like a Canadian. She loves her big mountain adventures and the hairier the better. Her early introduction to the sport of orienteering has given her the tools to feel unintimidated in the mountains...solo. A map and compass is all this girl needs. Nicki is a 5 time Barkley starter, 3 time Tour de Geants finisher (4 starts), and just recently completed the Dragon's Back 315km 5 day stage race in Whales. It's impossible to spend time with Nicki and not be inspired by her amazing attitude and zest for life. 

In this episode we talk about her early childhood memories growing up in Australia, what brought her to Canada, the epic races and adventures she's done, her relationship with pain and suffering and so much more. 

Follow Nicki:

Instagram @Nicki.Rehn

Facebook: Nicki Rehn

Blog: Nickirehn.blogspot.com

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Sarah Seads: Power of the Mind

Sarah Seads is a Kinesiologist, Endurance Coach, ultra runner, Yoga instructor and hypnotist living in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. Sarah believes we are capable of unimaginable human potential when we learn to harness the power of the mind. She is passionate about both the mental and physical realms of healing, training, and exploring the boundaries of self perceived limitations. In this episode we talk about her unique upbringing, working in the trenches as a tree planter and forest firefighter. what led her to become a runner/ultra runner, 3 steps to getting what you want, her debilitating phobias, and how she conquered her fears using the power of the mind!

Dr. Joe Dispenza Ted Talk 

Eoin Finn: Blissology yoga teacher 

Sarah Seads Blog

ELM website training and coaching

Follow Sarah on IG @wildseads

If you have any questions or comments for the show please hit me up on IG @journeytoultrapodcast or @Nicola.gildersleeve or email Nicola.gildersleeve@gmail.com

 

 

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Kim Magnus: The Golden Goat - canyons 100k recap

Kim "Goat Runner" Magnus recently went down to California to race the Canyons 100k in the hopes of snagging a coveted "Golden Ticket" into the Western States 100. The week of the event Kim was plagued with sickness (later diagnosed with Bronchitis) and was unsure if she would even be able to get to the finish. With a motto of "forward motion and one foot in front of the other", Kim ran her way into second place and held her giant golden ticket high in the sky!

In this bonus episode we chat about other golden ticket attempts, her sickness leading up to the event, how the race went down, and the benefits of sandbagging ;)

Follow Kim Magnus on IG @magnusgoatrunner

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