Evan Kilstrom Leadville 100 Finisher Iowa State Football Player Weight loss

Taking Chances – Why Not You? —the podcast where we dive into the bold moves, the big dreams, and the everyday people who prove that the impossible is just a dare waiting to be answered. Next week's guest, Evan Kilstrom, embodies transformation in its purest form. A 2019 graduate of Pleasant Valley High School and a three-season lineman for Iowa State, Evan played under the bright lights of the 2020 Big 12 Championship and helped clinch a Fiesta Bowl victory over Oregon. But his story didn’t stop when the clock ran out. After tipping the scale at 340 pounds, Evan made a radical decision to take control of his path. In less than a year, he shed over 100 pounds, reshaped his life, and set out on a journey most would call impossible. From running a marathon on a whim to conquering the legendary 2024 Leadville Trail 100 in under 30 hours (Finish time of 29:40:01), Evan redefined what strength looks like—inside and out. Now an engineer at John Deere in Moline, Evan’s story isn’t just about physical endurance. It’s about vision, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of growth. So, sit back, get inspired, and ask yourself the question Evan has been living out loud: Why not you? No incredible accomplishments are done alone, he had a team of amazing friends, and family to support him.