#78 Adam Popp | From Learning How To Walk Again to Running Western States, Mental Mastery, & Redefining Limits

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 PERFORMANCECOOPERATIVE COFFEE ROASTERSBEAR BUTT WIPES USE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT“Setbacks are just setups for comebacks.”In this episode, Troy Meadows sits down with Adam Popp—an above-knee amputee, Air Force veteran, ultrarunner, and mental performance coach. Adam’s story is one of grit, transformation, and relentless forward motion.Athlete Spotlight: Adam PoppCombat to Comeback: After losing his leg in Afghanistan in 2007, Adam began running in 2015. Within 19 months, he completed his first 100-mile ultramarathon.Ultrarunning Milestones:First above-knee amputee to finish the JFK 50 Mile (2017); now a six-time finisherSet a 100-mile amputee record of 16:13:43 at The Raven 24-Hour in 2024Earned a spot in the 2025 Western States 100 via special considerationMental Performance Coach: With dual master’s degrees in Sport & Performance Psychology and Rehabilitation Counseling, Adam helps athletes and teams build mental resilience through his practice, Couch to 100.Highlights & TakeawaysThe power of reframing adversity into opportunityHow mental skills like focus, presence, and emotional regulation can elevate performanceThe importance of community and purpose in long-term growthLinks & ResourcesAdam’s Website & CoachingAdam’s InstagramJFK 50 MileWestern States 100 EntrantsCouch to 100 CoachingPartner 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.H001 is a new hydration mix that has the carbs and sodium your body needs for high-output adventures in a single serving.Check them out at hyperlyteliquidperformance.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and 10% off your first subscription order.Cooperative Coffee Roasters - Cooperativecoffeeroasters.comGet the best coffee in Asheville delivered right to your door! Each bag of Cooperative Coffee is responsibly sourced and intentionally crafted, from seed to cup. FIll your cup with wonder.Check them out at Cooperativecoffeeroasters.comUse the code MIDPACKER for 10% off your individual order and subscription order.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.Adam Popp, ultrarunning, amputee athlete, Western States 100, JFK 50 Mile, mental performance, sport psychology, veteran runner, adaptive athlete, Couch to 100, resilience, trail running, endurance mindset, prosthetic running, Guinness World Record