EPISODE · Dec 30, 2025 · 1H 8M
From Addiction to 200 Milers: Wes Plate on Sobriety, Running Obsession, and Becoming a Mid-Pack Legend
from Everyday Ultra · host Joe Corcione
What does it really mean to be an everyday ultra runner?In this episode of the Everyday Ultra Podcast, I sit down with Wes Plate—ultrarunner, YouTube creator, race director of the Copper Kings 100, and the man behind the name Mid-Pack Elite.Wes has completed over 60 ultramarathons, including Cocodona 250 all five years, the Triple Crown of 200s, and the Arizona Monster 300 → Cocodona double—a feat only a handful of runners have ever attempted. But what makes Wes truly special isn’t just the miles… it’s the journey behind them.We dive deep into Wes’s story of overcoming alcohol addiction, how obsession can be both destructive and transformative, and why many ultrarunners are wired the way they are. Wes opens up about identity, self-doubt, validation, and how ultrarunning became a healthier outlet for the same drive that once nearly destroyed his life.We also talk about:What it means to be a mid-pack eliteLessons ultramarathons teach us about life, suffering, and perspectiveWhy Cocodona fundamentally changed how Wes sees himselfThe realities of racing (and directing) 100–300 mile eventsBuilding the Copper Kings 100 from a personal passion project into a sold-out raceWhy the middle and back of the pack are the true heartbeat of ultrarunningWhat’s next for Wes—including Vol State and stepping back from Cocodona (for now)This is a powerful, honest conversation about identity, resilience, addiction recovery, community, and purpose—and why ultrarunning is about becoming a better human, not just a faster one.If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing something deeper through running… this one’s for you.SHOW LINKS:Register for our race, The Desert Peak Ultra 100K + 50K at desertpeakultra.comWant to work with me to crush your next ultramarathon in our group coaching program? Sign up for our group coaching program here: https://www.theeverydayultra.com/group-coachingWant to be coached by me and my team to crush your next ultramarathon in our 1:1 coaching program? Book a free call here with one of our coaches to see if we are a good fit!Follow Joe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/Everyday Ultra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUelKGeptWZivD6yRIDiupgCancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/GORUN to give it a try today.Try HYPERLYTE Liquid Performance running nutrition and get 15% off your order when you use code EVERYDAYULTRA at www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comTry CurraNZ to boost recovery and performance and get 15% off your first order with code EVERYDAYULTRAPOD at www.curranzusa.comGet your FREE TrainingPeaks account to track, plan, and analyze your training easier at trainingpeaks.com/everydayultraTry PlayOn Pain Relief Spray at playonrelief.comTry Bear Butt Wipes and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at bearbuttwipes.comTry Janji apparel and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at Janji.comWes's links to YouTube, website, social profiles: https://www.wesplate.com/linksAbout the Copper Kings 100: https://www.onwardendurance.com/copper-kings-100
What this episode covers
What does it really mean to be an everyday ultra runner?In this episode of the Everyday Ultra Podcast, I sit down with Wes Plate—ultrarunner, YouTube creator, race director of the Copper Kings 100, and the man behind the name Mid-Pack Elite.Wes has completed over 60 ultramarathons, including Cocodona 250 all five years, the Triple Crown of 200s, and the Arizona Monster 300 → Cocodona double—a feat only a handful of runners have ever attempted. But what makes Wes truly special isn’t just the miles… it’s the journey behind them.We dive deep into Wes’s story of overcoming alcohol addiction, how obsession can be both destructive and transformative, and why many ultrarunners are wired the way they are. Wes opens up about identity, self-doubt, validation, and how ultrarunning became a healthier outlet for the same drive that once nearly destroyed his life.We also talk about:What it means to be a mid-pack eliteLessons ultramarathons teach us about life, suffering, and perspectiveWhy Cocodona fundamentally changed how Wes sees himselfThe realities of racing (and directing) 100–300 mile eventsBuilding the Copper Kings 100 from a personal passion project into a sold-out raceWhy the middle and back of the pack are the true heartbeat of ultrarunningWhat’s next for Wes—including Vol State and stepping back from Cocodona (for now)This is a powerful, honest conversation about identity, resilience, addiction recovery, community, and purpose—and why ultrarunning is about becoming a better human, not just a faster one.If you’ve ever felt like you’re chasing something deeper through running… this one’s for you.SHOW LINKS:Register for our race, The Desert Peak Ultra 100K + 50K at desertpeakultra.comWant to work with me to crush your next ultramarathon in our group coaching program? Sign up for our group coaching program here: https://www.theeverydayultra.com/group-coachingWant to be coached by me and my team to crush your next ultramarathon in our 1:1 coaching program? Book a free call here with one of our coaches to see if we are a good fit!Follow Joe on IG: https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/Everyday Ultra YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUelKGeptWZivD6yRIDiupgCancel your unwanted subscriptions and reach your financial goals faster with Rocket Money. Go to RocketMoney.com/GORUN to give it a try today.Try HYPERLYTE Liquid Performance running nutrition and get 15% off your order when you use code EVERYDAYULTRA at www.hyperlyteliquidperformance.comTry CurraNZ to boost recovery and performance and get 15% off your first order with code EVERYDAYULTRAPOD at www.curranzusa.comGet your FREE TrainingPeaks account to track, plan, and analyze your training easier at trainingpeaks.com/everydayultraTry PlayOn Pain Relief Spray at playonrelief.comTry Bear Butt Wipes and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at bearbuttwipes.comTry Janji apparel and get 10% off your order with code EVERYDAYULTRA at Janji.comWes's links to YouTube, website, social profiles: https://www.wesplate.com/linksAbout the Copper Kings 100: https://www.onwardendurance.com/copper-kings-100
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From Addiction to 200 Milers: Wes Plate on Sobriety, Running Obsession, and Becoming a Mid-Pack Legend
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