25. Natasha "Thor" Swartley - Trail Medic Extraordinaire

In this episode of the Journey Running Podcast, host Stefan Schuster welcomes trail medic and ultra runner Natasha Swartley. They discuss Natasha's journey from military service to trail running, her experiences as a medic, and the importance of optimism and resilience in both life and running. Natasha shares her insights on mental health, the impact of running on her well-being, and her nutrition journey with her dietitian. In this conversation, Natasha Swartley shares her insights on trail running safety, the mental state of runners, and the importance of making healthy decisions during races. She discusses the dynamics between medics and runners, emphasizing the need for open communication and understanding. Natasha also reflects on her journey as a trail medic and the entrepreneurial path she has taken to support runners through self-care and education.Chapters00:24 Introduction to Natasha Swartley 03:20 Military Background and Its Influence 06:23 The Journey to Becoming a Trail Medic 12:18 Optimism and Personal Growth 15:08 Trail Running Experience and Community 24:12 Mental Health and Overcoming Challenges 30:06 The Supportive Community of Ultra Running 32:22 Experiencing the Tahoe 200 37:48 Nutrition and Health Awareness 42:50 Trail Safety and Foot Care 46:27 Mental State and Decision Making in Races 52:44 Breaking the Stigma: Medics and Runners 54:08 Personal Experiences with Medics 01:01:23 The Role of Medics in Trail Running 01:03:41 Building a Business in Trail Medicine 01:12:34 Life Lessons from Military ServiceSend us Fan Mail Journey Running LinksWebsite: JourneyRunCoaching.comEmail: [email protected]: Journey_RunningFacebook: Journey_RunningTiktok: JourneyRunningNourish Referral Link: https://www.usenourish.com/providers/stefan-schuster?referralSource=Nourish+dietitian&referralName=Stefan+Schuster&utm_source=Nourish_dietitian&utm_term=Stefan_Schuster