Scott had a chance to sit down with Ben Tracy who is running across the country to highlight the importance on online safety for our youth.  Some of the stories from the kids he gets to meet are pretty wild and it's a cause we can get behind with young kids being so vulnerable to the evils online.

Ben Tracyis a leading keynote speaker on digital citizenship, online safety, and responsiblesocial media use. Drawing from personal experience, Ben shares his compelling story aboutthe impact of teenage social media usage at schools and organizations nationwide.Ben is currently running across America to advocate for youth online safety. He is running amarathon each day for 120 consecutive days while speaking at schools and organizationsalong the way. His mission is simple: Keep Kids Safe.As the founder of Safe Social Network, Ben provides essential online safety resources forstudents, parents, and educators. He speaks to more than 100,000 people each year andvolunteers his time to help families report online predators and internet crimes to lawenforcement. Additionally, he awards scholarships annually to high school seniors whoactively promote positive social media usage, mental health awareness, and anti-bullying.

Dreama Walton is an ultrarunner and parent with a great story of perseverance from life circumstances.  She took chances to get out of situations that weren't ideal and has settled into a community that supports her and her goals! Scott and Dreama talk about life and running, training, living in the mountains, parenting, and more. Enjoy the show!

Many ultra runners start training perfectly healthy with no past injury or issues to slow them down and some of us have to start while we are dealing with those issues.  Deidra is managing a back injury she had fixed with surgery as she ramps up.  It's almost always 2 steps forward and one step back with these types of issues so don't get discouraged if you are going through it. Thanks for listening.  

Our first live race from Becoming Ultra is now taking registrations.  Check it out here!

As coach Ian Sharman guides Carrie throughout the holiday season ramping up for big goals in 2025 she asks some common but pertinnet questions about footwear and strength training.  Scott announces Becoming Ultra will be putting on their first ultra event in Western Colorado in July of 2025!  Enjoy the show and thanks for listening!

Cale Pearson was a runner for Season 11 of the Becoming Ultra project.  One thing that has been so cool are the side projects and trickle down of the project.  We have had books written about the project, podcasts started, friendships, and so much more.  On this episode Cale brought some of his peers from the Freight brokering industry on his channel to talk about an upcoming team ultra at Desert Rats (where Cale ran his first ultra).  We hope you enjoy.

Cale's biz You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@B2BTransportationServices

On the show today we talk about Ian's amazing PR in the half marathon recently as he had to adjust from a marathon effort to the half.  Carrie travels and gets some rest and come back ready to train as she focuses on body care early in the training cycle.  Enjoy the show!

Deidra comes back from the amazing mountains of Big Bend and we talk about her adventure as well as come up with some best practices dealing with plantar fasciitis, something that many runners deal with. We are early in the training cycle so taking time to get right early is the goal with slow ramp up in mileage, strength and mobility, and being present along the way. Enjoy!

Change is here!  Kris & Carly discuss how much the past 151 episodes have meant to them and what the future holds!  They recap some of their favorite moments and give info on where to find them in a few weeks!  Don't forget to follow us on IG so you can get the info on our new podcast!

Kris - @birdielovestorun

Carly - @sherunderlusts

Pod - @myfirstultrapod

Coach Addie and Scott get to know Denise on her first epsiode of Season 16. Denise has an amazing coming to running story that I think many will be able to relate to. Starting in roller rinks and moving to roller derby and Spartan races where a shoulder injury left her looking for something bigger.  We think she is going to be an awesome follow for the next 6 months so stay tuned and share with someone who needs to hear that just because one door closes doesn't mean an epic one won't open!

One of Kellie's friends describe her as "an all-around incredible runner.  Her feet are basically wings as she climbs mountains like they are anthills. She is not only a great athlete and talented photographer, but she is probably one of the greatest people you will ever meet."

Kellie's love for the running community is evident as well as her gratitude for how it has changed her life. She comes from a family of runners and that tradition has continued on, now with her husband who is also a trail runner! Our conversation really highlights how special the sport of running is to Kellie!

Today we get to meet our second runner of Season 16, Carrie Balick who shares her story with Scott and her coach for the season, Ian Sharman.  She grew up on the east coast and has spent most of her adult life in California in the school system as a speech pathologist.  She recently went all in on her own business so she will be balancing her professional life with training for Mendocino.  We hope you enjoy the show!