Wed, 11 September 2013
Episode 65-Matt talks with Kelly Perez and finds out everything you always wanted to know about The X-Rated Run, but were afraid to ask. Then, Matt talks to Jeff Rondina and learns just how he pulled of running 5 different races in a 13-hour period. Last we hear a quick chat with Nic Zahasky, elite racer and founder of Barrel Aid. Barrel Aid directly helps children in Haiti by providing shoees and water filtration.
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Wed, 4 September 2013
Episode 64. In this episode, Matt talks to several athletes from the 8.24.13 Spartan in Virginia. With 8000 feet of elevation change over 8 miles, everyone said it was harder terrain that last year's Vermont Beast. You will hear from the following: Matt Novakovich-the Alaskan that showed up to his first ever Spartan, did zero burpees, and beat Hobie by 5 minutes. Trish Blackwell-The woman who Matt challenged to finish top ten in her first Spartan and she promptly took 2nd on Sunday. Elise Fugowski-The 24 year old who won Saturday's race in just her 3rd Spartan ever. Brian Hoover, a 42 year old from Utah, taking his 3rd Sunday podium of the year. Hobie Call-The most recognizable man at any Spartan Race talks about not being the poster boy anymore. |
Wed, 21 August 2013
Episode 63-Joe Desena was on CNBC this morning, you can watch the clip here. I was under the impression that it would be an intelligent conversation about OCR, the growth of the sport, and/or sponsorship dollars. It was not. This gave me a great excuse to call Joe and talk about anything that changed since we last spoke about the big Vermont race. I also wanted to see how he thought the CNBC piece went. Please listen very close to the end of the first segment with Joe for some sage advice. I was already planning to air interviews which had taken place just days after the Death Race ended. So, lucky you, you get a double dose of Joe Desena on today's podcast. You will also hear from Junyong Pak. Pak is best known for being the 2X World's Toughest Mudder. He is also a previous Death Race finisher. It came as a surprise to many when he quit this year's Death Race about 12 hours before it ended. I ask him what happened and if he ever plans on doing the DR again. Today's episode is brought to you by Man Games. Their amazing first event takes place Sept 6 and 7th. |
Thu, 15 August 2013
Episode 62-Inspired by the demise of Hero Rush and the outcries on facebook that followed, I begin this episode talking about what a scam is or isn't. I then play an interview with Randy Yolo of Mud Endeavor. Randy puts on small, local, high quality, obstacle races with great success. We talk about how simple doesn't mean easy in OCR and how you can build a strong following by doing a few things really well. Next up is Josue Stevens, the man behind Hunter Gatherer. Josue's FuegoYAgua Survival Run put the OCR/Adventure/Ultra world on it's ear last February with tasks that included carrying chickens, climbing trees, and running around with eggs on people's foreheads. Find out what it's going to take to be a finisher this time around. He also gives a sneak peak about the NEXT Survival Run, which he is alreday planning. Today's episode is brought to you by Pretty Muddy and by Bone Frog Challege. |
Tue, 6 August 2013
Episode 61-The interviews in this episode kick off with a short call I had with Joe DeSena. He talks about the recent "Spartan Rash" that occured at the recent Spartan Race in Illinois. He also talks about a TV show in the works for NBC. I then, sort of, beg for a job. Next, I speak with 3 2013 Summer Death Race finishers. Amelia Boone, Olof Dallner, and Pete Coleman. These 3 all got skulls which means they did everything (or almost everything) asked and outlasted everyone else over the course of 3 days. I wanted to know how this DR compared to previous ones, and find out what it takes to actually finish one of these things. |
Mon, 29 July 2013
(Episode 60) I met Jason Pittman earlier this year through a mutual friend, and we decided to go for an early morning run. I was surprised to discover that Jason had spent the last 15 years working in the Atlanta rock and hip-hop scene. He produced, managed and booked everyone imaginable. His list of heavy hitters includes: Lil John, Bone Crusher, Ying Yang Twins, Too $hort, and David Banner. Find out all of the ways that Jason stayed in the mix. Also hear about his big break in 2007, producing the Shop Boyz mega hit "Party Like A Rockstar". I learned a lot about the music business, and I was reminded what it was like to wait in line at the store for a new record. Tune in for what is one of the most interesting interviews I've done to date. Today's episode is sponsored by Ruckus. Use Code ORM15 for $15 any location. |
Wed, 24 July 2013
In today's episode (Episode 59), we interview folks from 3 very different events. UQuest is part scavenger hunt, part scavenger hunt, part unknown. Matt spoke with Anthony Murph, founder, and Steph Dennis, event director in their Atlanta office. Alex ThunderDart Martin, in his first assignment as West Coast Ops, interviews some people behind Alpha Warrior. He sat down with David Nolan and Joe and Mike Timmons, the 3 men behind the concept of this obstacle only event. He also spent a few minutes with two members of the Alpha Warrior Elite Team Kacy Catanzaro and Brent Steffenson. These two have both been featured on American Ninja Warrior recently and are great ambassadors for the event. Last, we bring you the interview Matt did with Rob Butler from Shale Hill Adventure which is a permanent course which puts on races and is also one of a kind training center. Matt did the course with the NE Spahtens while up in Vermont for Death Race weekend and spoke with Rob shortly after doing the course. Today's Episode is sponsored by Pretty Muddy. A female only obstacle course coming to Chicago, Atlanta, Richmond, Tampa, Miami, and Central Ohio in 2013. Pretty Awesome. Pretty Fun. Pretty Mun. |
Fri, 19 July 2013
Part Two picks up on Friday evening June 21. We begin with Andy Weinberg speaking to the familes and crew members shortly after the athletes were sent off to build the "Stairway to Heaven". As we continue on, we give you a sneak peek inside the mind of Joe Desena as we followed him around as much as possible. You'll hear how he deals with the racers as they decide to quit, keep going, or in one case, beg to be DQ'd. We also catch some various racers thoughts and feelings throughout the next 48-72 hours. We end with two finishers, Erica Matta and Andrew Hostetler. This duo sums up their experience and the DR experience as a whole rather well. Today's episode is sponsored by Superhero Scramble. This awesome race has 3 more races to go this year including the marathon distance SuperVillian to take place in Illinois on August 24th. Housekeeping note: We now have a new permanent home for the podcast on iTunes. |
Mon, 15 July 2013
You probably have not heard of Mandy Baskin. At first glance, she is just an average 38 year old woman who happens to run a hot-air balloon company. Look closer and you will find an athletic champion. She was the 3rd place woman at least year's World's Toughest Mudder completing an impressive 6 laps. She was the only woman to do that other than Amelia Boone, and Deanna Blegg. Then in March of this year, she won the very muddy, very wet Sunday race at the Carolina Spartan Sprint. Our 2nd interview is with Cory Mulcock and Jacob Munns of Man Games. What the heck is Man Games?! I was dying to find out as much as you were. Check out their website and listen in to find out how men AND women are going to be blown away by this insane weekend of fun and competition. |
Wed, 10 July 2013
In this long awaited episode we take you to Pittsfield Vermont for Part One of the 2013 Summer Death Race. We begin our journey on Thursday June 20th and talk to some racers as they enjoy their "last meal" before the big event. This leads us to Friday morning's registration, the first tasks, veteran shenanigans, and some other fun interviews all recorded live from Pittsfield. Like the World's Toughest Mudder and Fuego y Agua episodes that precededed it, we hope the voices and sounds that you hear bring you the experience as if you were there. For those that were, we hope it can bring you back. Today's episode is brought to you by Man Games. A one day obstacle competition like nothing you have ever seen. PS I also spend a few minutes at the beginning of the episode bringing you up to speed with what has been going on with myself, and ORM. |