Today’s episode is a fun one. We’re hanging out with friend of the pod, ultra‑runner Michael Wardian. If you’ve been following along, you might remember we teamed up with Mike a while back to create an audio drama about his run at Badwater 135 — called “Inferno.” When we launched Running Buddies, he was all in, so it’s always great to reconnect. This time, we tagged along for a run through the streets of Arlington with one of the true legends in the running world.

Mike’s story is wild. He’s knocked out the Appalachian Trail, pulled off seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, and somehow balances all that with being a dad, an international ship broker, and a competitive athlete across different sports. Pickleball anyone?

We got into his training routine, what’s next on his fitness horizon, and even his plan to row across the Atlantic (yup, you heard that right). He opened up about his philosophy on running, what fuels his competitive drive, and how he stares down fear.

The big takeaway? Mike keeps coming back to consistency, setting goals, and chasing adventure. And for anyone just starting out, his advice is simple but powerful: make your commitments public — it keeps you accountable.

Follow Mike on Instgram @mikewardian

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On today's show we are thrilled to be running with Ragna Debats a champion who has won major races like the Marathon des Sables and UTMB CCC. We discuss Ragna's transition from the sport of equestrian to her celebrated running career and how her background may have provided a foundational mental fortitude for ultra-running. The discussion also touches on the increased popularity of running, Debats' personal challenges with performance pressure following major wins, and her future goals, including establishing a trail running school in Spain near Girona.

To find out more information about Ragna's coaching and training centre, you can find her on Instagram @debatsragna

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On todays show, host Ari Fleeman talks to Nick Davis, the innovator behind a new fitness product called the Cinderuck. They discuss the Cinderuck, a backpack designed to incorporate a standard cinder block for rucking and hybrid workouts, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional rucking plates and specialized gear.

Davis explains that the product originated from his experiences in the F3 workout community and the need for an easy-to-transport, low-cost weight solution, particularly for traveling. They also cover the current rucking industry landscape, the challenges of manufacturing and product development, and the Cinderuck's intended market. An interesting conversation with an innovator in the space.

You can find Nick on Instagram @CINDERUCK

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RunningScaredMedia.com
Visit our shop to purchase our jogcasts and other merch
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