Sierra DeGroff is an ultrarunner who has taken on some of the toughest races in the world—including running Western States 100 and Badwater 135 back-to-back as part of the Mount to Coast project. In this episode, Sierra shares her journey from road running to ultras, what it was like tackling her first 100-miler, and how she discovered her love for the heat and challenge of desert races.
We dive into the Las Vegas running community, how Sierra balances a full-time career with training at an elite level, and the mental and physical highs and lows that come with ultrarunning. She opens up about the realities of race day—from those moments of “I don’t think this is going to work out” to finding joy in the struggle. Along the way, she shares humorous stories, lessons learned, and the mindset that keeps her excited about future races and big goals.
This conversation is full of grit, humor, and inspiration—perfect for anyone chasing endurance, adventure, or simply the joy of pushing beyond comfort zones.