In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Matt Ramiller breaks down what it really takes to survive and succeed in ultrarunning. From his skateboarding roots to brutal Midwest winters, from 200-mile grinds to races that test your identity mile after mile, Matt shows what resilience looks like in real life.

We talk early failures, proud finishes, near breakdowns, parenting through training, the psychology of suffering, stair workouts, pulling sleds through snow, heat-induced hallucinations, and the mindset required to keep moving when every signal in your body says stop.

If you’re someone chasing big goals, fighting through setbacks, or trying to understand why people run 100+ miles, this conversation hits hard.

Keywords: ultrarunning podcast, Matt Ramiller, endurance mindset, Midwest states 100, Arrowhead 135, Beast of the East 100, mental toughness, long-distance running, trail running stories, ultra motivation, pushing limits, running community

Driven by Curiosity and Grit, featuring elite trail runner and theoretical physicist Juliette Soule.
From analyzing data in the lab to climbing mountains at UTMB races, Juliette has built her life around curiosity, discipline, and the drive to push her limits. In this episode, we talk about how she fell in love with trail running, the lessons she’s learned from injuries, what keeps her motivated, and how science and endurance overlap in surprising ways.

🎙 Topics covered:

• The connection between science, mindset, and endurance

• Lessons from training for CCC and Tarawera

• Dealing with injuries and rebuilding confidence

• Fueling, recovery, and staying balanced

• The mental game of elite ultra running

Keywords: Juliette Soule podcast, UTMB CCC, Tarawera Ultra Trail, female trail runner, elite ultrarunner, trail running podcast, science and endurance, Pushing Horizons podcast.

In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive into a story shaped by extremes. From sub-zero Alaskan winters to the heavy heat and humidity of Ohio, today’s guest built her running identity through contrast. She ran her first marathon distance at two degrees Fahrenheit, trained nineteen weeks for a 50K that fell apart in brutal conditions, then went back and completed the entire distance on her own.

We talk about rebuilding after a move, finding community, managing running with family and work, adjusting to harsh climates, and learning to push through when motivation disappears. This isn’t a conversation about medals or PRs. It's about resilience, self-belief, and the stubborn will to keep running when everything around you says stop.

Keywords:
ultrarunning, winter running, Alaska running, heat training, Ohio trails, 50K training, self-supported ultra, mental toughness in running, women who run, running motivation, trail running stories, running community, resilience, long-distance running