Take a run with the Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 86, host and HPRS race director John Lacroix goes solo in the studio to announce major show updates—including the move to video—before diving into one of the most unexpected, full-circle stories in his 20-plus years in ultrarunning.

At the 2026 Sheep Mountain Trail Runs, John set up electronic check-in when a legendary name surfaced on the roster: Andrew Thompson. Thompson—a Barkley Marathons finisher, former Appalachian Trail FKT holder, and New Hampshire mountain icon—was also John’s first internet bully two decades earlier, after a public clash on the UltraList over Thompson’s mentor, Sue Johnston.

What followed on race day was an extraordinary confluence of history, grace, and redemption. Andrew arrived in Fairplay, Colorado, with fellow Barkley finishers Brett Maune and Travis Wildeboer to start one final 50-mile race to celebrate his 50th birthday. From a fiery morning pre-race speech to late-day cutoff battles at the aid stations, John recounts what it felt like to support an old rival’s final ultra, learning he was being compared to his own idol, Dr. David Horton, and sitting side-by-side on coolers at the finish line without needing a single word of apology.

In this episode, John reflects on:

• The HPRS Evolution: Expanding to video recording, YouTube, and stepping into the discomfort of being seen.
• The Ghost of 2005: The origins of a 20-year feud, neurodivergence, justice sensitivity, and owning past mistakes.
• Barkley Royalty at Sheep Mountain: Supporting Andrew Thompson, Brett Maune, and Travis Wildeboer through a razor-thin cutoff finish.
• The "Horty" Connection: An unexpected lesson in assumptions and discovering who your idols really are.
• The Unspoken Apology: Why we aren’t owed apologies in this life, how to give grace, and the sacred contents of the little black bag.

Whether you've held a grudge for months or decades, this episode offers a raw, emotional look at maturity, letting bygones be bygones, and discovering that sometimes the best way to say you're sorry is simply to show up and hold space.

Listen or watch now on YouTube, Riverside, and all major podcast platforms, or visit: www.humanpotentialrunning.com

What happens when a runner who has finished 16 consecutive 100-milers finally has to walk up to an aid station tent and utter the words: “I quit”?

Take a run with the Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 85, host and HPRS race director John Lacroix is joined by ultrarunner and coach Stefan Schuster to break down Schuster’s first career DNF at the Crazy Mountain 100. Moving far beyond race splits, the two dive into the complex web of physical and psychological factors that lead to dropping out—from chronic injuries like plantar fasciitis and hamstring strains to physiological burnout, life stress, and overtraining.

John challenges the modern obsession with high mileage streaks and social media pedestals, sharing lessons from his own DNF history and urging runners to look beyond external validation. Together, they explore the difficult internal work of rediscovering your "why," knowing when to step back from rigid training plans, reframing failure as a tool for personal growth, and remembering to appreciate not just the scenic mountain views, but the "view within."

They close out the episode with a lighthearted deep dive into old-school ultrarunning swag etiquette—including whether you have the right to wear a race shirt if you didn't cross the finish line.

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 84 of the show, host John Lacroix welcomes Stefan Schuster back to the program to discuss Cocodona and ultrarunning safety, addressing the impact of tragic events on the ultrarunning community and the importance of risk management. The conversation delves into the responsibilities of race directors in prioritizing runner safety; the challenges of live-tracking devices and bandwidth limitations; risk management and safety in ultrarunning; and the controversy surrounding assisted finishes. The conversation delves into the ethical concerns in ultrarunning, particularly related to medical wellness checks and the use of banned substances. It also explores the impact of doping on the sport and the ethical implications for athletes and race organizations.

Takeaways

• Risk management in ultrarunning
• Impact of tragic events on the ultrarunning community Race directors need to prioritize runner safety
• Live tracking devices and bandwidth limitations pose challenges for race events Ethical concerns in ultrarunning
• Impact of doping on the sport

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 83 of the show, host John Lacroix reunites with his former co-host Stefan Schuster to discuss Schuster’s newly released book, Beyond the Single Track: How Ultra Running Taught Me to Live. After opening with a humorous conversation spanning classic movies, acting cameos, and historical assassination trivia, the two dive into an in-depth exploration of the book-writing and publishing process. Schuster details the six-year journey of crafting his memoir, the importance of incorporating reflections on personal growth at the end of each chapter, the vulnerabilities of sharing intimate life lessons, and the practical realities of indie publishing and working with an editor. Lacroix also shares insights and hurdles from his own ongoing book project, leading to a candid discussion between the two about finding purpose in ultrarunning, using creative projects as therapeutic tools to process life experiences, and giving back to the running community. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series Podcast.

In Episode 73, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix sits down with Andrew Buck Michael, a meteorologist from Ohio and host of the Weathering the Run podcast. Together, they explore the strange and beautiful relationship between weather, running, and resilience, and how much of our training happens in conditions we can't control.

Andrew shares how he grew up on an Ohio farm watching storm clouds roll in with his dad, how that early curiosity turned into a career in broadcast meteorology, and how running became the outlet that grounded him through it all. The two dive into the mindset of runners who head out when most people stay inside; the ones who face heat, cold, wind, and storms not because they have to, but because something in them needs to.

They talk about how weather shapes us as runners and as humans. How unpredictability forces adaptability. How the trails teach us acceptance. There's also plenty of laughter, nerding out about radar models, talk about GIS maps, and reflections on parenting, balance, and what it means to stay in motion when life gets messy.

If you've ever run through rain just to see what you're made of, or found calm in a snowstorm miles from home, you'll feel right at home in this episode.

And while you're at it, check out Andrew's show, Weathering the Run, for more stories from runners who know what it means to lean into the elements. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 71, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-hosts Thomas Stott and Megan Storms reveal an exciting project spearheaded by Tommy. In this episode, we crack open a big idea: the future Human Potential documentary. Not a highlight reel. Not a brag piece. But a raw, honest exploration of what it really means to show up on trails, in all your humanness, and become something more.

John shares the deeper vision behind the project and how it connects to our core belief in Human Potential. They discuss a 10-part docuseries unfolding across the 2026 season, from RegFest to finish lines and the messy middle in between, which has now morphed into a feature film.

We talk about the "why" behind it:

• To show the human side of trail adventures, not just the triumphs
• To explore what people find out there when they're willing to go all in
• To give outsiders a real answer to "Why would anyone do this?"
• To help our own community reflect on what their journey means

We're starting to gather footage now, and we're looking for folks in the HPRS community who are willing to be part of it. You don't need to be fast. You don't need to be flashy. We're looking for:

• Grit
• Vulnerability
• People who are willing to go deep
• And your real, natural self on camera

If that sounds like you, or someone you know, reach out. This is a story we're telling together. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 69, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-hosts Thomas Stott and Megan Storms discuss the word of doom, "Injuries." Injuries are never on the training plan, but every runner eventually faces them. What matters most is how you respond in the first few minutes, the first few days, and the weeks that follow. In this episode, we walk through the full arc of dealing with an injury, from that initial "uh-oh" moment to your first cautious steps back on the trail. Topics include:

• Triage on the Spot: How to tell if it's a soft-tissue tweak or a hospital trip.
• Mindset Matters: Why your brain chemistry shifts in the first five minutes, and how to ground yourself in what to do now.
• Training Setback → Opportunity: Reframing your outlook, setting up support, and dropping the unnecessary stress of "racing through it."
• The Real Return-to-Run Checklist: It's not just about time. We dig into pain-free walking, stairs, range of motion, strength, eccentric control, and even hopping tests before lacing up again.
• Protocols that Work: Run-walk reintroductions, flat terrain starts, and why consistency still trumps intensity. Plus, surprising strategies like gentle uphills (for everyone except Achilles injuries).
• The Nintendo Reset Button: Use downtime to build where you've been weak—slower paces, mobility, breathwork, hydration, connective tissue health.
• Healing on Nature's Timeline: Understanding the cellular phases of repair; inflammatory (days), proliferation (weeks), remodeling (months), so you can respect the process instead of fighting it.

Whether you're sidelined today or just want tools for the future, this episode is a guide to resilience, patience, and coming back stronger. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 66, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix discusses change and transitions. Change can be terrifying to the point that some people avoid it. It can also be necessary to grow. Transition is a word that can better describe change in a positive light. In this episode, John discusses aspects of the ultrarunning community that need to change for the sport to evolve. John also discusses how these aspects have affected his desire to self-identify as an ultrarunner, and how it ultimately leads to a period of transition at HPRS that will occur over the next 2-4 years. This is a heavy, incredibly personal episode, recounting challenging situations that have led to decisions that will affect the HPRS community for years to come. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!