"I do the best I can, but you know, at the end of the day I'm a mom and I'm a runner and I got to do my best to balance that." Brianna Santos is a mom of 7 and a runner. In this episode, Brianna chats with Luis about where to run around Travis Air Force Base, when she started running, how she got into ultras, loving trails, which running podcast she listens to, adopting 3 kids, how they support her running, having a running coach, getting hit by a car, her nutrition strategy, and advice for new ...
Oct 13, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 272
"It was more about just getting out there and seeing how long I could go and how long I could enjoy it and still feel good at the end." Wesley Van Der Velden is a carpenter and runner from Australia. In this episode, Wes chats with Luis about travelling, running, how he came across Luis and BTR, travelling around California in a van, his impressions of California coming from Australia, his Born to Run experience, and what he has coming up next. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. Joining the Patreon...
Oct 06, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 271
"We know why they did it, but we don't know how they did it. Because once we saw what we saw—and we're like tested ultramarathon athletes—we just kept shaking our heads, like, how did they ever make it? Just sheer desire and will." Bob Crowley, Hal Hall and Tim Twietmeyer are discovering American West tales and trails. Join them as they chat with Luis about their upcoming trip called Survivors & Heroes Expedition which is a 120-mile horseback journey reprising the heroic 1844 Sierra Mountain...
Sep 29, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 270
"Every single ingredient we put in there will do something for you good biologically." Seattle Gummy Company (SGC) is a science-first wellness brand specializing in high-performance functional gummies. Backed by over 80 patents, our products deliver targeted benefits—like energy, immunity, recovery, and sleep—using fast-acting, bioavailable formulations. Seattle Gummy Company (SGC) was founded by Dr. Connie Wan, a seasoned pharmacologist. Also, Connie is joined by Andy Wellman, the Vice Presiden...
Sep 22, 2025•1 hr 41 min•Ep. 269
"When we go down, that's the gift that the Tarahumara give us. That we are one people and we all just have to take care of each other." The Korma Health Initiative mission is to provide compassionate, community-centered healthcare and outreach that respects and integrates the ancestral knowledge and traditions of Rarámuri healers with modern medicine. In this special episode of the Road Dog Podcast, Luis chats with a panel of 5 folks form the KORIMA HEALTH INITIATIVE - Shari Hymes, Anna Villalob...
Sep 15, 2025•1 hr 33 min•Ep. 268
"You're going to go the hard route, and then you are going to be so proud of yourself —that you went that route, and you came out successful." Jameelah Mujaahid is a Mom of 5, Ultrarunner, RD, Fitness Specialist, Personal Trainer, and Equality 4 All Advocate. In this episode, Jameelah chats with Luis and Karina Powell about her lengthy running career, living in a car, diversity in running, how the ultra-community is welcoming, the changes she sees in the sport since 2009, her experience at Born ...
Sep 08, 2025•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 267
"I doubt running often. Why am I doing this?" Adrian Vigil is a distance runner, a business owner, and a recovering addict. In this episode, Adrian chats with Luis about how he got into running, running Boulder to Boulder in Colorado, his tough upbringing, his struggle with drug addiction, how an explosion changed his life, being sober for 7 years, what running means to him, working with at risk youth, how he got stabbed, and his upcoming trip to Copper Canyons. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. J...
Sep 01, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 266
"If you're feeling good you should go for it. But if you feel bad come race day and it's not your day, just bow out. Don't get further injured." John Calabrese is a dad, a runner, and a former military serviceman. In this episode, John chats with Luis about his upcoming race called Burning River 100, how he turned his life around, overcoming his addictions, going to AA, his running, how to deal with tough situations in a race, a spectacular failure he had to endure, where he runs in Virginia, Ba...
Aug 25, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 265
"I'm capable of suffering but still moving forward." Bryant Shook is a sales rep in the veterinary space and a runner in Southern California. In this episode, Bryant chats with Luis about Back on the Ranch, how that race got him into running, DNF at Cocodona 250, finding the joy in suffering, nutritional mistakes, finally finishing the Cocodona 250, the logistics of running 250 miles, how his family is his "why", Mammoth 200, and race directing Wildwood Canyon Trail Runs. Support Road Dog Podcas...
Aug 18, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 264
"I have known this for a long time…running saved my life." Joe Hasell runs a construction company, is an author, and runs. Joe chats with Luis about growing up in the Santa Maria area, how running saved his life, dealing with stress, finding running, finding God, his experience at his first organized run, how he overcomes life issues, drinking, finding gratitude, and family. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. Joining the Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/roaddogpodcast 2. Subscribe to the ...
Aug 11, 2025•1 hr 40 min•Ep. 263
"I was sort of the face of positivity during the pandemic for just under a 100,000 people." Jamie Boyle is the Chief Positivity Officer for the Town of Newmarket, Ontario. In this episode, Jamie chats with Luis about how they met at a race in Nicaragua, Born to Run, making toys, Zoom drinking, his job as Chief Positivity Officer, and the importance of travel. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. Joining the Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/roaddogpodcast 2. Subscribe to the podcast on whate...
Aug 04, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 262
"It was a good experience. I loved it. My legs were fucking done by 25 miles in, and I was shaking walking up the hill because my legs couldn't take any more beating." Erik Koenig, a former U.S. Army infantryman and accomplished ultramarathoner, is widely respected in the running community for his experience as both a military veteran and elite endurance athlete. In this episode, Erik chats with Luis about Lompoc California, working in the penitentiary system, the mental strain he deals with, th...
Jul 28, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 261
"The Badger 100 is the biggest race we put on. It is the crown jewel of everything that I do, and I look forward to it every year." Scotty Kumer is an attorney, race director, podcast host of Ten Junk Miles, and quite possibly the most painstakingly average runner known to man. He is a co-founder of the Flatlander Ultrarunners in Chicagoland which has rapidly grown to over 1,100 members. In this episode, Luis chats with Scotty about baseball, tragedy at a race, his experience crewing at Badwater...
Jul 21, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 260
"Within their culture, it's much more community based and integrated in sharing and kind of what I have is yours. This is how we survive. We are all one." Michael Miller is the owner and operator of the Copper Canyons Endurance Run In this episode, Michael chats with Luis about the Copper Canyons Endurance Run, Tarahumara people, the culture around the race, having a connection with nature and the lands, the particulars of the race, what to expect, safety concerns, and how it can change your lif...
Jul 14, 2025•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 259
"Enjoy it while you're out there and embrace every moment on the course." Carrie Meng is the Assistant Race Director at the Western States 100. In this episode, Carrie chats with Luis about how she became involved with the Western States 100, the structure of Western States, all the media involved in the race, policy changes with regards to crew, how the lottery works, how you get your buckle, how to watch the event, and drop bags. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. Joining the Patreon Community: h...
Jun 30, 2025•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 258
"The heat out there is just a different beast." Ted Knudsen is the owner of the San Francisco Running Company and passionate trail runner since 1995. Ted has completed the Western States Endurance Run four times and is involved with the WSER lottery and runner tracking for the race. In this episode, Ted chats with Luis about Born to Run, timing and tracking the Western States 100, stories from Western States, the biggest mistake runners make, what his Western week looks like, and selling running...
Jun 23, 2025•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 257
"I was dead set on winning the 2006 race almost because I didn't want to embarrass or disappoint Jurek." Jason Davis was the pacer for Brian Morrison at Western States 100. In this dual episode, Luis chats with Jason Davis & Brian Morrison about the Western States 100, Brian describes how a running shoe should fit, his run camps, how he got into running, how Scott Jurek trained him for the 2006 Western States endurance run, his retelling of how he won Western States but got disqualified just...
Jun 09, 2025•3 hr 3 min•Ep. 256
"If I'm not good enough to get a golden ticket to get back into Western States, I'm probably not good enough to win the event. And for me, I want to win the event." Hayden Hawks is a professional ultra runner, coach, and family man with a long list of accomplishments. In this episode, Luis is joined by Michael Salsbury and they chat with Hayden about, how he found out about Western States 100, his goal and vision for running Western States, running and winning 9 Trails, his involvement and relat...
Jun 02, 2025•1 hr 42 min•Ep. 255
"If you want to test your endurance, you go do the Ironman triathlon. But if you want to see the other side of your soul, run the Western States Endurance Run." Shannon Weil is an original co-founder of the Western States 100 and author of a new book entitled Ultrarunning's Buckle Fever . In this episode, Luis chats with Shannon about the beginnings of Western States 100 race, it's humble start as the Tevis Cup, how they created the concept and rules to the race, all the original founding member...
May 26, 2025•1 hr 22 min•Ep. 254
"Live simple, be kind, run, keep your connection to the earth, and share." Michael Miller is the owner and operator of the Copper Canyons Endurance Run. In this episode, Michael chats with Luis about Micah True also known as Caballo Blanco, the meaning behind the Copper Canyons Run, the Tarahumara people, the culture around the race, having a connection with nature, particulars of the race, and how it can change your life. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. Joining the Patreon Community: https://ww...
May 19, 2025•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 253
"Volunteering is a great way to get to know people, it's a great way to get inspired. So, I would recommend it to anybody who wants to go to a race but they're nervous because they don't know people. Volunteering you know people instantly. You know them very very well." In this episode, Luis chats with Mara Klassen, Emily O'Rourke, Barb Sims, Jennifer Gray, Brenda Luce, Roland Hyatt, Joanie Andersen, Tom Taylor, and Bryan Gray about volunteering at race events. They explain why they like to volu...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 252
"So the main purpose of this is not to draw attention to myself, but to draw attention to encourage people to get out and move." Ron du Preez is a 73-year young man who is planning to walk 50k/day in 50 states in 50 days, with its mission, "to energize and empower everyone, especially those over 65, to engage in physical fitness in a fun and friendly way to foster health and well-being." In this episode, Ron chats with Luis about blue zones, moving your body as you get older, how he is funding h...
Apr 28, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 251
In this special episode of the Road Dog Podcast, Luis chats with folks who are going to be involved with the Born to Run Ultramarathon Extravaganza. The Born to Run Ultra Marathon is a trail run and much, much more. Luis speaks with Rob DeCou, Crystal Morse, Ron du Preez, Tyler Tomasello, Julie Fernandez, Ted Knudsen, Zoey Linnea Chiasson, Hannah Cox, Michael and Kimberly Miller, and Emilie Bard. Hear about a spirit run, sunset ceremony, running into the golden years, photography, Mexican food, ...
Apr 21, 2025•2 hr 49 min•Ep. 250
"If we can share best practices and ways to help change the sport and grow it and evolve into something different than the way it is right now then we can make bigger impact in terms of the ripples in the sport." Terry Chiplin is the founder of the US Trail Running Conference. In this episode, Terry chats with Luis about the south of France, the history of the US Trail Conference, details about the conference this year in Tennessee, who the conference is for, what a participant will get out of i...
Apr 14, 2025•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 249
"I'm pacing myself. I got to keep consistent going up these hills and just keep my heart rate and breathing under control because once you get to far pass lactate threshold, it's hard to come back from that." Justin Wirth, Salvador Wirth, and Emery Wirth are a running family from Minnesota. In this episode, the Wirth family chat with Luis about living in Minnesota, where they like to run, how they got into running, running the 9 Trails race, and the ups and downs of the race. Support Road Dog Po...
Apr 07, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 248
"I think 9 Trails is always kind of been this like, test for me to see where I am at." Rod Farvard is a pro ultra trail runner for Hoka from the Santa Barbara area. In this episode, Rod chats with Luis about the Santa Barbara 9 Trails race, first competing in that race in 2019, how running against the best tested him, how it feels to be looked up to as a trail runner, placing 2nd in the Western States 100, race strategy advice, and what it's like to be in the lead of Western States with the best...
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 247
"Well if I do swap here or end up in the drink, then at least my core will remain warm and maybe I'll survive a bit longer." Stephan Kesting is a Canadian firefighter, Jiu-Jitsu instructor, and an endurance canoer. In this episode Stephan chats with Luis about Jiu-Jitsu, the difference between a kayak and a canoe, A 42 day, a 1,000 mile solo journey across the Canadian Arctic and Subarctic by canoe, what gear he carried on this trip, challenges of the trip, the use of GPS, bear encounters, and h...
Mar 24, 2025•2 hr 13 min•Ep. 246
"If there are kids in high school that are showing an interest, or a passion, or want to try something, we absolutely do not want literacy barriers, financial barriers to be an issue. So, we want to be able to be there to assist and make sure they get those opportunities." Lindsey Haring & Celia Uribe are a partner and board member of PEAK. In this episode, Lindsey and Celia chat with Luis about San Luis Obispo, best places to hike there, PEAK or Promoting Extracurricular Activities for Kids...
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 245
"We know that you are trained as a journalist, you're trained as a more documentary style photographer so whatever you see out there capture it." Taylor McKenzie Gerlach is a writer, photographer, runner, rock climber, and outdoor enthusiast based in Seattle, Washington. In this episode, Taylor chats with Luis about the outdoor industry in the Pacific Northwest, the details of the 9 Trails Race, her article on 9 Trails, her article workflow, her favorite projects she has worked on, her favorite ...
Mar 10, 2025•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 244
"I don't know if I'd do a 100 miler again. I don't know." Carmen Mata is a distance runner and a financial investigator. In this episode, Carmen chats with Luis about her job, living with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, her experience at Born to Run, her ultramarathon support crew, and what to look out for if someone is laundering money. Support Road Dog Podcast by: 1. Joining the Patreon Community: https://www.patreon.com/roaddogpodcast 2. Subscribe to the podcast on whatever pla...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 243
