The Midpacker Podcast

• #103 Malcolm Pascotti | Can't Buy Cool Studios, The Anti-Hustle Philosophy, & Taking Big Beets on Yourself

  The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings ⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“Running is more than a race. It’s art, memory, and freedom.”On this episode Troy Meadows sits down with Malcolm Pascotti, founder of Can’t Buy Cool Studios. Malcolm’s journey is one of quiet evolution. He started as a road runner, lots of miles in high school and beyond, but during the pandemic, while living in San Francisco, he began exploring trails in the Marin Headlands and hills around Pacifica. That slow, natural shift eventually led him into mountain running and “DIY ultras” solo, self‑supported runs of 30–40 miles, all on his own terms.What makes Malcolm stand out isn’t just distance or pace, but the way he mixes movement with creativity. Outside of running, he climbs, skis, scrambles, shoots photography (both professionally and for fun), writes poems and musings. He calls it living.He also quietly gives back to the community: providing gear and support to fellow runners, like when he ran a T-shirt sale to help fund race entries for another runner,  proof that support doesn’t always need spotlight.Malcolm is quietly building Can’t Buy Cool Studios, weaving together art, running, identity, and community.Motivational HighlightsEmbrace adventure on your own terms — solo ultras don’t have to be for trophies, they can be for the soul.Running can be part of a creative life — movement, art, writing, identity — all deeply connected.Quiet generosity matters: supporting others in small ways helps build a stronger, more inclusive community.Balance is messy but possible: holding down a full-time job, a creative process, and still getting out for the run.Links & ResourcesIG: @cantbuycoolstudiosWebsite: https://cantbuycoolstudios.com/Partner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.trail running, DIY ultra, solo ultra, creativity, running life balance, community support, running brand, outdoor adventure, Puerto Vallarta UTMB, Can’t Buy Cool Studios

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• #102 Jon Eisen | Navigating Barkley, Finding Your Why, & Bushwhacking Your Way To Your Dreams

  The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS⁠ BLACK FRIDAY SALE 25% off Premium!!!! Use CYBER25 at Checkout using the link below start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker“Running became my way to process grief, build community, and explore the edges of what’s possible.”In this episode, Jon Eisen joins Troy Meadows to unpack a journey that goes far beyond miles. Jon’s career in tech didn’t prepare him for the kind of grit and self‑discovery he found on the trails, especially when he set his sights on the infamous Barkley Marathons. On the way he picked up ultra finishes at events like Niwot’s Challenge and the Yucca Bar Massacre, embraced navigation‑heavy racing, and turned running into a tool for resilience and community.Highlights:How Jon went from programming to pursing ultra adventures—with little thought for convention.What draws him to Barkley‑style races: the unknown, the navigational challenge, the refusal to accept a “normal” race.Key training takeaways: establishing strength, avoiding injury through smart prep, embracing weekly yoga and strength work (yes, even for ultra runners).Motivational nuggets: How showing up matters more than finishing; how joy in running can exist alongside the grind; why community and purpose matter just as much as pace.Practical tips: For runners looking to level up in 2025—whether you’re chasing 50 miles or chasing meaning—you’ll hear what made the difference for Jon.Jon’s  links:IG: @mildly_athleticIG: @runningwithproblems“Running With Problems” podcast infoJon’s race archive & blogJon’s Barkley 2023 race reportBarkley Marathons background infoPartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.ultrarunning, Barkley Marathons, Niwot’s Challenge, San Diego 100, navigation race, trail running, strength training, injury prevention, community running, “running with problems”, perseverance

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• #101 Erica Rupp | Herbal Remedies for Trail Runners, Supporting Your Race Director Partner, Finding Belonging in the Ultra Community

  The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS⁠BLACK FRIDAY SALE 25% off Premium!!!! Use CYBER25 at checkout using the link below https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“I am currently not a trail runner, but have found deep belonging within the community.”In this episode, we bring on Erica Rupp—a woman who didn’t pick up trail shoes, but found her place in the ultra community anyway. Her story flips the usual “runner interview” on its head, and it’s rich in meaning.Guest journey & highlightsErica is married to a race‑director, which opened her door into the world of trail and ultra running from a different vantage point—supporting, creating, building instead of racing.On her 42‑acre farm in North Carolina (nestled between Asheville and Charlotte), she homesteads, grows endangered medicinal plants, sews sustainable slow‑fashion pieces, and dives deep into frameworks of wilderness, microbiome, community and true belonging.Her family’s race event, the Hollis Hills Farm Revival (50 km, 25 k, 5 mile) is part trail run, part community fest, part land‑revival project.She speaks to how the ultra world (sometimes stereotyped as hyper‑competitive) can actually be profoundly welcoming to non‑runners, volunteers, supporters—the “behind the scenes” humans.Motivational takeaways: You don’t need to be the person crossing the finish line to belong here. Contribution isn’t always measured in miles. Sustainability, craft, community resilience—these are trail values too. LinksIG: @hallowedspringarts FB: hallowedspringartsErica’s website: https://www.hallowedspringarts.com/Key products from the showLion Heart Adaptive EnergyXtra Strong Muscle SalveHollis Hills Farm Revival registration/infoLinkedIn profile for Erica Partner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.trail running, ultra community, race director spouse, non‑runner involvement, sustainability, wilderness, community, slow fashion, natural fibers, homesteading, Hollis Hills Farm Revival, inclusion in running

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• #100 Lazarus Lake | The Barkley Blueprint, Backyard Ultras, Embracing the Edge, & Why Comfort’s the Enemy

  The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“Failure means you found your edge—that’s where you learn.”In this episode, Troy sits down with the one and only Gary Cantrell, better known to the trail world as Lazarus Lake. From humble beginnings in Tennessee to building the most notorious events in ultrarunning, Laz has done more than just push limits—he’s redefined them.What you’ll hear in this episode:How Laz went from a casual runner to the creator of iconic ultras like the Barkley Marathons and Big’s Backyard Ultra.The origin story of Barkley and the infamous map, highlighters, and those cryptic course notes.Why he believes failure is a feature—not a flaw—of a well-designed race.Thoughts on what makes someone endure, when everyone else taps out.His philosophy on community, suffering, and why the human spirit shines brightest in darkness.The ethos behind races that break you down, only to build you back stronger.Whether you’re a back-of-the-pack grinder or chasing podiums, Laz’s words will hit home. His belief that every runner has untapped reserves of toughness is as brutal as it is uplifting.Relevant Links:The Barkley Marathons – Official SiteBig’s Backyard UltraFrozen Head State Park (Barkley’s Home)The Endurance Artist – Book on Lazarus LakePartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: MIDPACKER to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.ultrarunning, Barkley Marathons, Big’s Backyard Ultra, Lazarus Lake, Gary Cantrell, endurance, trail running, failure, mental toughness, race design, Tennessee, Frozen Head, grit, perseverance

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• #99 Dreama Walton | Motherhood, Trail Camps For Kids, & Building Dream Adventures

  The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  JANJI HYPERLYTE LIQUID PERFORMANCEBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNTTRAINING PEAKS start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/“Kids need to see their parents do hard things — and they need to try a few themselves.”In this episode, Troy sits down with Dreama Walton — trail runner, mother, community-builder, and founder of Dreama Adventures — whose journey is equal parts inspiring and badass.Dreama found trail running while living in Germany, unknowingly training for marathons on singletrack. After finishing her first road marathon, she casually signed up for the SwissAlpine 78K, kicking off a long love affair with ultrarunning.Since then, she’s tackled big races, summited Kilimanjaro, and even got her kids involved — literally. She co-founded COS-TRCK, a youth summer trail running camp in Colorado Springs that introduces kids to the magic of moving on dirt.We talk about the juggle of motherhood, training, and meaningful work — and how after 17 years in IT, she left her career to follow her purpose. That purpose? Building Dreama Adventures, a guiding business focused on empowering others through outdoor experiences.Dreama also shares the behind-the-scenes story of Dreama Team, a documentary that captures her life, identity, and the power of doing really hard things — including running ultras as a mom of four.This convo is packed with inspiration, hard-earned lessons, and love for community.Dreama’s Links IG - @dreamawalton       @dreamaAdventureCoDreamAdventuresDreama Team FilmRelevant LinksCOS-TRCK Youth Trail CampTrail Runner Mag FeatureDreama on UltraSignupPartner Links: Janji - Janji.comA big shoutout to our sponsor, Janji! Their running apparel is designed for everyday exploration, and 2% of sales support clean water initiatives worldwide. Plus, with a five-year guarantee, you know it's gear you can trust. Check them out at janji.com.Use the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.Hyerlyte Liquid Performance - https://www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comMade by the ultra-endurance athlete, for the ultra-endurance athlete.More Carbs, More Dirt, More Miles.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.“The Kid” Hans Troyer DocumentaryTraining Peaks - https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/A training app as versatile as you. Start your free trial at  https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker/Bear Butt Wipes - Bearbuttwipes.comPortable individually wrapped wipes for when nature calls and a DNF is not an option. Bear Butt Wipes: Stay wild. Stay clean.Check them out at Bearbuttwipes.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your order.⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - https://runtraillife.com/Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase. Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.⁠Freetrail⁠ - https://freetrail.com/Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.trail running, ultra-running, Dreama Walton, Dreama Adventures, COS-TRCK, SwissAlpine, youth trail camp, motherhood and running, Kilimanjaro, Dreama Team film, community, passion

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