Shows
The Steep Stuff PodcastUTMB OCC & Some ETC Race Preview with Teddy TonelliSend us a textGet ready for an exhilarating UTMB OCC race preview that blends expert analysis with laugh-out-loud banter! James Lariello teams up with Teddy Tonelli from the Chasing Trail podcast to break down this iconic 55K mountain race that features over 11,000 feet of climbing through some of the most spectacular terrain in the Alps.The duo dives deep into what makes OCC special - from its technical course that prohibits switchback cutting to the mandatory gear requirements that add an extra layer of challenge. With forecasts showing potential rain and temperatures ranging from 48...
2025-08-251h 09
The Steep Stuff PodcastSpecial Announcement - Live Podcast at the La Sportiva Summer Run SeriesSend us a textSpecial Announcement - Live Podcast at the La Sportiva Summer Run Series with Special Guest - Anton KrupickaRSVP will be going live soon, so mark your calendars ! When : Thursday, September 11th Where: La Sportiva Store, Boulder Colorado Time: 5:00pm event start 5:30pm run start 6:45pm Live Podcast DM me on Instagram with any questions ! ________________________________________________________-Follow James on IG - @jameslaurielloFollow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstu...
2025-08-2102 minThe Steep Stuff Podcast#112 - Jane MausSend us a textJane Maus' trail running journey embodies perseverance against formidable odds. After multiple extended injury layoffs that nearly ended her running career, she's emerged as one of America's premier mountain athletes. Her remarkable comeback culminated in earning a coveted spot on Team USA for the World Trail Running Championships in Canfranc, Spain this September.The conversation reveals how strategic racing propelled Jane to success at the fiercely competitive Broken Arrow 46K. Despite rolling her ankle just days before the race, she executed a flawless race plan—conservatively pacing the first lap to st...
2025-08-1937 min
The Steep Stuff PodcastThe State of Sub Ultra Part 2, with Emkay Sullivan & Dani MorenoSend us a textTwo of trail running's most beloved podcasts collide in this dynamic exploration of the sport's evolution, challenges, and future. The hosts of SubHub and Steep Stuff dive deep into trail running's identity crisis, debating whether "short trail" or "sub-ultra" better describes races under marathon distance – a conversation that reveals much about how we frame our sport's narrative.The discussion moves through fascinating territory, examining how races can achieve iconic status in today's sponsorship-driven landscape. Can events survive without being part of major series like Golden Trail? The hosts identify community integration as...
2025-08-141h 03The Steep Stuff Podcast#111 - Sarah KushnerSend us a textSarah Kushner captivates listeners with her remarkable journey from childhood jogs through Garden of the Gods to becoming the 2024 Pikes Peak Marathon Champion. With disarming honesty and warmth, she reveals how walking on to Baylor University's track team as a steeplechaser laid the foundation for her trail running success, despite never being the fastest collegiate runner.What makes Sarah's story particularly compelling is her perspective on competition and community. While fiercely competitive (something she admits hides beneath her friendly exterior), she approaches running with refreshing balance. She's intentionally stepped away from...
2025-08-1358 min
The Steep Stuff PodcastSierre Zinal Race Preview with Bailey KowalczykSend us a textNestled in the Swiss Alps, Sierre-Zinal stands as perhaps the most competitive short trail race on the planet. It's the place where mountain running meets marathon speed in a showcase of pure athletic brilliance. To help break down this iconic event, host James Lauriello welcomes the perfect co-host – Bailey Kowalczyk, who scored a remarkable 5th place finish at the race in 2022.Bailey paints a vivid picture of what makes Sierre-Zinal so special: "It has that European energy – people with enormous Swiss cowbells and even chainsaws at the summit creating this electric atmo...
2025-08-061h 03The Steep Stuff Podcast#110 - Grant ColliganSend us a textGrant Colligan sits down with the Steep Stuff podcast to share his fascinating journey from Michigan flatlands to Colorado mountain peaks. Despite growing up in the Midwest without access to mountains, Grant developed into an elite trail runner while maintaining his career as a metallurgist.The conversation explores how Grant's decorated collegiate running career at Colorado School of Mines (where he earned 10 All-American honors) ended abruptly—first by being tripped in his final cross country race, then by the pandemic canceling his track season. This unfulfilling conclusion led him to trail ru...
2025-08-051h 00The Steep Stuff Podcast#109 - Courtney CoppingerSend us a textWhat happens when an elite athlete rejects pressure and runs purely for joy? Courtney Coppinger's remarkable transformation from burned-out track star to trail running standout offers a blueprint for finding success through authenticity and boundary-setting.A Kansas native and All-American steeplechaser at the University of Kansas, Courtney's path took unexpected turns after representing Team USA internationally in 2019. She candidly shares her journey through multiple "retirements" from professional running, the personal struggles that led to identity crises, and the profound healing that ultimately brought her back to the sport—but on entirely di...
2025-08-011h 11The Steep Stuff Podcast#108 - Sarah CarterSend us a textFrom collegiate rejection to trail running triumph, Sarah Carter's story is one of extraordinary resilience and self-discovery. After being cut from her university team and told she lacked potential, Sarah transferred to Colorado State University where she rebuilt her confidence and reignited her passion for running.Our conversation dives deep into Sarah's remarkable capacity to overcome adversity – a quality that defines her athletic journey. She candidly shares the emotional toll of her college transfer, the years spent rebuilding her confidence, and how these experiences shaped her approach to professional competition. Rather th...
2025-07-301h 15The Steep Stuff PodcastLindsay Allison & Ryan Becker| Speedgoat 50K Pre Race InterviewSend us a textRyan Becker and Lindsay Allison join the Steep Stuff Podcast fresh off their selection to the US Trail Running World Championship team, bringing listeners a candid glimpse into the realities of high-level mountain running while balancing demanding careers.The conversation begins with Ryan's breakthrough performance at Broken Arrow 46K—a victory made more remarkable by the circumstances surrounding it. Working 70-80 hours weekly at a new job, Ryan nearly withdrew from the race entirely just days before. This work pressure paradoxically created the mental space for his best performance yet. Meanwhile, Li...
2025-07-2442 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastRobyn Lesh | Speedgoat 50K Pre Race InterviewSend us a textFrom defending 28K champion to 50K challenger, Robin Lesch brings her trademark consistency and strategic approach to this year's Speedgoat 50K. The mountain ultrarunner from Durango shares a refreshingly honest assessment of her racing philosophy: "I'll either blow up, and that'll be a learning, or I won't, and that'll be a learning."Robin's consistency across diverse race distances and terrains stands out in a sport where many experience dramatic performance swings. She attributes this to her measured racing style—staying within herself during the first half before hunting down competitors in th...
2025-07-2417 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastScott Klingonsmith | Speedgoat 50K Pre Race InterviewSend us a textMeet Scott Klingonsmith, a rising star in the mountain running scene who's ready to take on one of America's most challenging ultramarathons. At just 20 years old, this Utah-based athlete brings fresh energy and strategic thinking to the grueling Speed Goat 50K.Scott shares his fascinating journey from dabbling in ultras to deliberately focusing on shorter trail races to build speed, and now returning to test himself against the punishing 11,000 feet of elevation gain at Speed Goat. What sets Scott apart is his methodical preparation – he's been exploring the course's notorious rocky ba...
2025-07-2420 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastSpeedgoat 50K Race CompanionSend us a textThe legendary Speedgoat 50k isn't just another mountain race—it's a brutal test of endurance that has humbled even the sport's greatest athletes. With 11,400 feet of climbing packed into 31 miles at altitudes reaching 11,000 feet, this Karl Meltzer creation has rightfully earned its reputation as America's toughest 50k.James and Nick dive deep into what makes this race so special, tracing its rich history through the performances of ultrarunning royalty like Kilian Jornet, Anton Krupicka, and Jim Walmsley. They analyze David Sinclair's mind-blowing course record (4:57:35) set last year when he became the fi...
2025-07-241h 03The Steep Stuff Podcast#107 - Alexa AragonSend us a textWelcome to a captivating conversation with Alexa Aragon, the rising trail running star who's taken the mountain running scene by storm. With remarkable top-10 finishes at the Broken Arrow Sky Race, Sunapee Scramble, and most recently, a second-place finish at Cirque Series Snowbird, Alexa has quickly established herself as someone the trail running world needs to watch.What makes Alexa's story particularly fascinating is her unorthodox path. Unlike many elite trail runners, she balances her competitive pursuits with a full-time career as a middle school math teacher. Growing up in Montana...
2025-07-221h 02The Steep Stuff PodcastBarr Trail Mountain Race Elite PanelSend us a textThe steep stuff podcast delivers a fascinating glimpse into the minds of elite mountain runners in this special episode featuring the Bar Trail Mountain Race Elite Night panel. Host James Loriello brings listeners directly into the pre-race conversation with six accomplished athletes preparing to tackle one of Colorado Springs' most iconic trail races.The episode opens with crucial safety information from El Paso County Search and Rescue, highlighting the unique challenges of the course, including the infamous Big Boulder section where traffic jams are inevitable. Their practical advice serves as a...
2025-07-201h 10The Steep Stuff Podcast#106 - Steve WhiteSend us a textSteve White brings a refreshing perspective to mountain sports as both the West Coast Race Director for the Cirque Series and an accomplished athlete in his own right. Through our conversation, Steve offers a glimpse behind the curtain of what it takes to create memorable race experiences while maintaining his personal connection to mountains and movement.What sets Steve apart is his approach to adventure – less concerned with structure or external validation and more focused on inspiration and meaningful experiences. He describes finding running in his twenties not as a competitive pu...
2025-07-161h 05The Steep Stuff Podcast#105 - Noah WilliamsSend us a textWhen Noah Williams crossed the finish line at Broken Arrow 46K in fourth place, beating dozens of elite international competitors, he knew something special had happened. "I felt almost out of body," he shares, describing that rare state where everything clicks perfectly into place. Just one week later, he stood on the podium at Italy's prestigious Lavaredo 80K.This conversation takes us deep into the mind of one of America's most exciting mountain runners. From his Vermont roots to his current home in the thin air of Leadville, Colorado, Noah reveals...
2025-07-081h 26The Steep Stuff Podcast#104 - Rena SchwartzSend us a textThe trail running world has a new star to watch, and she comes from an unexpected background. Rena Schwartz, fresh off her victory at the Mount Washington Road Race, joins the Steep Stuff Podcast to share the fascinating journey that took her from Nordic skiing champion at Dartmouth College to dominating some of America's most challenging mountain races.What makes Reena's rapid rise in trail running so remarkable is how new she is to competitive racing. After graduating from Dartmouth in 2022 where she competed as an elite Nordic skier, Reena moved...
2025-06-2534 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastBroken Arrow 46K Race PreviewSend us a textThe mountain running world turns its attention to Palisades Tahoe this week for what promises to be an epic showdown at the Broken Arrow 46K. This isn't just any race – it's a Team USA selection event that has attracted virtually every elite mountain runner in the country, creating what might be the most competitive field ever assembled on American soil.The race itself presents a formidable challenge: approximately 28 miles with a punishing 9,000 feet of vertical gain over two loops. Course record holder David Sinclair's time of roughly four hours could be un...
2025-06-1937 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastBroken Arrow Ascent PreviewSend us a textWelcome to a special preview of what might be the most competitive mountain race ever assembled on American soil. As the Broken Arrow Skyrace approaches, we're diving deep into the Ascent competition (formerly known as the VK) where the stakes couldn't be higher – the top four American men and women will earn spots on Team USA for the World Mountain Running Championships.The star power in this year's field is simply astounding. Patrick Kipngeno returns to defend his title against an unexpected challenger – the legendary Killian Jornet, who's taking a detour from...
2025-06-1950 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastBroken Arrow 23K Race PreviewSend us a textThe trail running universe's spotlight turns to Squaw Valley as the Broken Arrow Sky Race earns its rightful place on the prestigious Golden Trail World Series. James Lauriello and Nick Tusa dive deep into this watershed moment for American mountain running, breaking down why this recognition has been long overdue and what makes this race so special.The hosts explore the fascinating dynamics of the 23K course with its 4,500 feet of vertical gain over roughly 14.5 miles. They analyze the thoughtful race format that gives elite women their own separate start time—a...
2025-06-1932 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastSam Lewis - Pre Broken Arrow 46K InterviewSend us a textSam Lewis brings a wealth of experience to the starting line of the Broken Arrow 46K, having represented Team USA three times internationally and competed in the 23K version of this iconic mountain race twice before. In this compelling conversation, she shares the meticulous preparation that has her feeling "in the best shape of my life" heading into one of the season's most competitive events.Training from her temporary base in Boulder, Colorado has given Lewis the mountain-specific preparation needed for Broken Arrow's demanding terrain. Working with long-time coach Travis Fleck...
2025-06-1923 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastDenali Strabel - Pre Broken Arrow 46K InterviewSend us a textDenali Strabel returns to the Steep Stuff Podcast for a deeply personal conversation about her journey back to the Broken Arrow 46K Skyrace after a five-year hiatus. The Alaskan mountain runner opens up about the transformative path that led her here – through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and the heartbreaking loss of her twin sister.From the moment she arrived at the race venue, Denali's connection to this special place is palpable. Since 2008, she's been drawn to these mountains, first for college training camps and later with her sister when they craved elevation. He...
2025-06-1817 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastOakley Olson - Pre Broken Arrow VK & 23K InterviewSend us a textMeet Oakley Olson, a rising star in the trail running world who's breaking barriers between collegiate track and mountain racing. Fresh from her NCAA steeplechase season and now a Trail Team Elite selection for 2025, Oakley joins us just days before tackling both the Vertical Kilometer and 23K races at Broken Arrow Skyrace.Oakley's story is remarkable – from showing up at her first trail camp in worn-out road shoes to finishing top-10 at the US Mountain Running Championships within months. Speaking from the Trail Team camp in Grand Lake, Colorado, she shares ho...
2025-06-1819 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastJane Maus - Pre Broken Arrow 46K InterviewSend us a textFrom podium finishes to mountain FKT ambitions, Jane Maus has been quietly building an impressive resume in trail running. Just weeks before the highly anticipated Broken Arrow Skyrace 46K, she joins the Steep Stuff Podcast to share her practical approach to one of North America's most competitive mountain races.Having placed 7th at Broken Arrow in 2022, Moss brings valuable course experience to this year's event. She candidly discusses her race strategy—holding back on the first loop to avoid the late-race blowup she experienced previously. "Last time I raced this, I fe...
2025-06-1819 minThe Steep Stuff PodcastAshley Brasovan - Pre Broken Arrow 46K InterviewSend us a textAshley Brasovan redefines what success looks like in ultrarunning. With 25 years of competitive running experience, four Team USA appearances, and consistent podium finishes, she's accomplished what many dream of—all while running just five days a week.The secret? Balance. After battling four femoral stress fractures during her collegiate career at Duke, Ashley developed a sustainable approach to training that prioritizes cross-training, recovery, and listening to her body. Rather than chasing high mileage, she focuses on quality workouts, strategic race selection, and proper tapering. This approach not only keeps her healthy bu...
2025-06-1830 min