Outrun the Darkness: Running, Recovery, and Doing Something Bigger Than Yourself with John Shep

From hitting rock bottom to building a life of recovery through running: Meet John Shep.John is a Canadian ultrarunner, teacher, and host of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast. He’s also the creator of “Outrun the Darkness,” a project centered around a 142.2K ultra-double, completing the Sulphur Springs 100K and the Ottawa Marathon on back-to-back days to raise awareness for youth mental health.John’s journey into running didn’t start with performance. It started with recovery.After a mental health crisis and disordered eating led to hospitalization, running became a way to rebuild his relationship with himself, with food, and with the world around him. Nearly two decades later, he’s still living what he calls “a life of recovery,” using running as both a tool and a platform.Jon and John dive into:• John’s path from mental health crisis to ultrarunning• the concept of “living a life of recovery”• how running can support, and sometimes challenge, addictive tendencies• “riding the edge of the lightning bolt” and finding balance• using running as exposure therapy and rebuilding a relationship with food • the role of community in recovery and mental health• the story behind Outrun the Darkness• why mental health conversations need to be ongoing, not occasional• what it means to use running for something bigger than yourselfStay connected:Follow John: https://www.instagram.com/outrunthedarkness/This episode is supported by:Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠ - Dial your fueling in this year. Use code “LONGRUN26” for 15% off your first order at ⁠www.precisionhydration.com⁠.Mount to Coast - Built for runners who go long. From Badwater to Boston, Mount to Coast is designing footwear for the demands of real endurance. Learn more at mounttocoast.com.Don't miss out on a live podcast recording in Boston at the Marathon Sports Brand House brings together Jonathan Levitt and Joe Corcionefor a candid conversation on training, strategy, and gear for runners looking to take on longer distances from their first 50K to ultramarathons. Sign up here!Tifosi Optics - If you've been curious, now's a great time to try them. Head to tifosioptics.com and use code FTLR2026 to tell ‘em i sent you!Boulderthon - Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR2026 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.