What does it really mean to earn every mile?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with Anthony Costales, an elite ultrarunner who has stood on major podiums while balancing a full life outside the sport. Teaching, coaching, family, and still showing up day after day to compete at the highest level.

We talk about the reality behind long-distance running. The mental swings inside hundred-mile races. Lessons from Western States and CCC. Why consistency beats talent. Why curiosity matters more than confidence. And why there are no shortcuts in endurance.

This conversation isn’t about hype or results alone. It’s about discipline, patience, setbacks, recovery, and choosing hard things on purpose.

If you care about endurance, mindset, and the human side of ultrarunning, this episode is for you.

🔑 KEYWORDS

ultrarunning podcast, anthony costales, trail running, endurance mindset, western states 100, ccc utmb, elite ultrarunner, long distance running, mental toughness, running consistency, endurance training, balancing life and running, pushing horizons podcast

What does it really mean to choose hard things on purpose?

In this episode, we sit down with one of the most accomplished endurance athletes of our time to unpack the mindset behind extreme challenges. From solo ocean crossings to back-to-back ultramarathons, this conversation goes beyond achievements and into intention.

We talk about fear, discipline, mental fatigue, purpose-driven endurance, and why doing difficult things isn’t about proving anything to others. It’s about knowing yourself, serving something bigger, and showing up when quitting would be easier.

If you’re into ultrarunning, endurance sports, mindset, or building resilience through discomfort, this episode will hit home.

Keywords: endurance mindset, ultrarunning podcast, choosing hard things, mental toughness, purpose-driven endurance, extreme endurance athlete, resilience, discipline, pushing limits

What does it really mean to belong at the front of the pack?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with elite ultrarunner Lotti Brinks to talk about the journey from showing up unsure, to racing with confidence against the best in the world.

We dive into her breakthrough performances, including major ultra wins, course records, earning a Golden Ticket, and racing at Western States. But more importantly, we talk about the mental side of elite racing, handling pressure, executing on race day, and learning to trust your training when it matters most.

This episode is for runners chasing improvement, confidence, and that feeling of belonging, whether you’re racing your first ultra or lining up at the front.

Keywords:
ultrarunning podcast, trail running, elite ultrarunner, Western States 100, Golden Ticket racing, mindset in ultras, endurance running, women in trail running, Pushing Horizons podcast, long distance running, confidence in racing

What happens when you stop waiting and start committing?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we talk about the journey from triathlon to marathon running, the leap from half marathon to the full 42.2 km, and what it means to set a goal that actually scares you.

With Stockholm Marathon as the first full and another marathon planned later in the year, this conversation dives into training volume, mindset shifts, fueling, gear choices, and the mental strength required to keep going when things get hard.

This episode is for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone standing at the edge of a big goal, wondering if they’re capable.

Because most of the time, you already are.

Keywords:
marathon training, first marathon, Stockholm Marathon, endurance mindset, triathlon to running, long-distance running, fueling strategy, running motivation, mental strength, pushing limits, endurance podcast

What does it really take to go longer when everything inside you says stop?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive deep into the mindset behind ultra-distance running, 200-mile races, and the quiet resilience required to endure multi-day events. This conversation explores mental toughness, suffering with purpose, sleep deprivation, endurance mindset, and why some athletes are drawn to distances where speed no longer matters.

We talk about:

• Why 200-mile races are more about survival than performance

• Mental strategies for pushing through extreme fatigue

• The emotional side of endurance running

• The role of community, compassion, and support in ultra racing

• What going longer teaches you about life beyond running

This episode is for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone curious about pushing limits—on the trail or in life.

Keywords:
ultra running, 200 mile race, endurance mindset, mental toughness, ultramarathon podcast, long distance running, resilience, suffering and growth, trail running, endurance athletes

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we explore what it really takes to turn setbacks into breakthrough performances in ultrarunning.

From DNFs and high-pressure races to rebuilding confidence and finding consistency, this conversation dives deep into the mental and physical side of competing at a high level. We talk about managing expectations, racing with intention, learning from bad days, and why patience and smart training matter more than chasing results.

This episode is for runners navigating setbacks, self-doubt, injuries, or the pressure to perform — and for anyone trying to stay committed to the long game.

Keywords:
ultrarunning mindset, trail running podcast, overcoming setbacks in running, elite ultrarunning, running consistency, DNF recovery, endurance mindset, mental toughness running, trail racing psychology, ultramarathon training

What does it really take to survive 200 miles on foot?

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we go beyond training plans and race stats and into the mental space where ultrarunning truly lives. This is a conversation about doubt, patience, pain, and the quiet decisions made when quitting feels reasonable and continuing doesn’t.

We talk about endurance when the body is done, staying present in extreme fatigue, coming back from injury, and why mental resilience matters more than talent at the longest distances. This episode isn’t about chasing podiums. It’s about understanding what keeps someone moving when the finish line feels unreal.

If you’re curious about the mindset behind 200-mile races, this episode will change how you think about endurance.

🎙 The Mind That Survives 200 Miles

Keywords:
ultrarunning podcast, 200 mile race, mental toughness, endurance mindset, trail running, ultra endurance, resilience, long distance running, Pushing Horizons podcast, running psychology

Ultrarunning isn’t held together by grit alone. Behind every finish line is calculation, planning, and someone making impossible decisions with zero sleep.

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with one of the sharpest minds behind the scenes of ultra-distance racing. We talk about what really happens beyond mile 100. Crewing strategy. Reading runners before they break. Managing sleep deprivation, nutrition disasters, weather chaos, and the mental collapse that no race plan ever accounts for.

This is a raw look at the unseen side of ultras. The part where math meets instinct. Where preparation collides with chaos. And where races are either saved or lost.

If you’ve ever run an ultra, crewed one, or wondered how anyone survives 200+ miles, this episode is required listening.

Keywords:
ultrarunning, ultra marathon, ultra crewing, endurance running, 100 miler, 200 miler, trail running, pacing, race strategy, ultra mindset, crew chief, endurance podcast, ultrarunning podcast, Pushing Horizons Step by Step