aking Chances – Why Not You?
This week, I’m sitting down with someone who defines grit, resilience, and the power of choosing a different path: Travis Swanson — Father, Husband, Brother… and Ultrarunner.
Travis calls himself a “typical middle‑aged, standard family, recovering alcoholic” … but anyone who knows him knows there’s nothing typical about the miles he’s logged or the battles he’s won.
At 45, he’s juggling a career in manufacturing, life with his wife and two busy kids, and still finding ways to push himself into the wild world of endurance running. He might say he doesn’t have the most time… but he’s learned to give the most effort (minus the diet part, his words ). Travis Swanson has been sober for 8 years and running for just as long — and the friendships, community, and shared suffering on the trails are what keep him coming back.
His accomplishments?
Buckle up:
Four Mines of Spain 100 finishes (with another coming this fall)
Two Barkley Fall Classics (where he’s always projected to finish after cutoff )
Leadville 100 finisher
42.5 miles at the Schuetzen NIEN Hour Endurance Run (IYKYK…) And now he’s asking the best ultra question of all:
“What else looks like a good bad time?”
You won’t want to miss this conversation — Travis brings honesty, humor, humility, and a whole lot of heart.
Episode drops soon!
Why not you?
