Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast

So this episode is going to be a bit different as I not only have one or two guests, but a cornucopia of them. Back in the early episodes of the show I asked paddlers to reach out to me if there were specific topics they’d like me to cover and this episode is courtesy of Chuck Scheidt reaching out. His question was, “how do paddlers get themselves rested for a race? In particular the two weeks (or weeks) leading up to the event.”So to answer his question, I polled 14 of the top paddlers out there to share their experiences. And if you liked this episode and have a different question you’d like me to tackle, please reach out. There were quite a wide array of strategies shared from doing nothing at all to scientific and intentional approaches, but I’ll let you hear it from the paddlers themselves on this 49th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… A big thanks to all of the paddlers that made this episode possible!! Lindsey Tilton, Trey Reaves, Mirko Prufer, Brandon Grundy, Ryan Gillikin, Jake VanLue, Esther Wheeler, Jeremy Stanton, Michelle Bousquet, Sean Lougheed, Lauren Andersen, Salli O’Donnell, Paul Cox, and West Hansen.

This is the law of the Yukon and ever she makes it plain. Send not your foolish and feeble. Send me your strong and your sane. This is the Robert Service poem my guest today recites minutes before paddlers begin the Yukon 1000. In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Jon Frith, U.K. Army veteran, adventurer, expedition leader and guide for wounded veterans, and race director of the Yukon 1000. We cover so much in this episode from his entry into adventure sports via his military career, his innate desire to empty the tank, how the Yukon brings him back year after year, the story behind him becoming the Yukon 1000 race director, racer selection, his race support partner Andy, behind the scenes look into directing the race, how the race touches and reshapes paddlers for the better, talk about a Yukon 2000 race, the record setting source to sea trip on the Yukon, his work guiding wounded veterans down the river, and a sorrowful memorial to a great paddler Ian Huntsman. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Jon himself on this 48th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Jon’s book recommendations: The Long Walk, by Slavomir Rawics: https://a.co/d/0imC1LGQ Yukon 1000 website: www.yukon1000.org

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Mike Malone, veteran, paddler, crew support extraordinaire, and paddling coach. We cover so much in this episode from his early days as an elite swimmer, why he gravitates to coaching and crewing ultramarathon paddling over competing, pitfalls crew support often fall into, tips for getting out of in-race funks, approach to training with focused sets and focused speeds rather than simply logging miles, his journey to discover the best paddling technique to maximize speed and minimize risk of injury, future growth of ultramarathon paddling, getting kids involved in the sport, Last Paddler Standing, and 10th Life Kayaking. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Mike himself on this 47th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Mike’s contact info: [email protected] 10th Life Kayaking - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18PYP21SCK/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Bruce Smith, former ultramarathon runner and ironman athlete and now elite ultramarathon stand up paddle boarder out of Northeast England. Bruce is coming off of a massive year winning the inaugural Eliminator race in the U.K. and completing 48 laps including 2 super laps in the 2025 Last Paddler Standing. We cover so much in this episode from a career ending ankle injury that led him to paddling, training based on what life brings rather than a structured format, the Eliminator race, Last Paddler Standing 2023 and 2025, Nathan Benderson Park versus Lake June in Winter, amazing crew support from his “harem” of women, sleep deprivation strategies, hallucinations, the Northern SUP Race Club, the N1SCO one design race series, and the book he’s been writing that comes out in May. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Bruce himself on this 46th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Bruce’s book recommendations: Feet in the Clouds, by Richard Askwith: https://a.co/d/0dOVhCf6 A Life Without Limits, by Chrissie Wellington: https://a.co/d/0hW8B5U1 Social contact: -IG: @bruce_ironsmith

Hello to all the paddlers out there. First of all, thank you so much for listening to the show! I’ve had so much outpouring support lately and it really means more than you know. Today’s show isn’t really a show or even an episode, but more of a public service announcement. I wanted to let all the paddlers out there know that I just launched a website for the show which you can find at www.dabblinginpaddleism.com. On the website you can find archives for all episodes, links to both apple and Spotify podcasts, a “coming soon” section that highlights already recorded episodes that are coming down the pike, and a contact us section where you can reach out to me for guest and topic suggestions. The section that I’m most excited about, however, is the “book club” tab. Here you can find all of the books that guests have recommended over the lifetime of the show. So instead of trying to remember a past recommendation or having to search for it within an episode or the show notes now you have an epic curated reading list that everyone can access any time. Each of these tiles in the book club section have direct links to access, if available publicly for free, or direct links to purchase. Of note, at the moment I am not an affiliate for any sites or companies, so these links to purchase or access are really only intended to be for your convenience only. I may or may not end up doing this in the future, but at the end of the day I wanted to make it as easy as possible for all of you out there to find these great reads to continue to drive inspiration and curiosity out there in the paddling world. And if there’s anything else you’d like to see from this site, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via instagram at dabbling_in_paddleism, [email protected], or the new contact us section on the dabblinginpaddleism.com website. Thanks again for listening and until next time I hope you’re dabbling in paddleism. -Chris

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Scott Baste, mountain biker and ultramarathon stand up paddle boarder out of Atlanta, Georgia, now hailing from Western North Carolina. One of Scott’s many paddling career highlights thus far is completing the Everglades Challenge 4 years in a row on SUP and is the only person to complete that race more than 2 times on SUP. This is certainly impressive as he describes in the show that the Everglades Challenge has been the hardest thing he’s ever done. We cover so much in this episode from his early elite mountain biking days, owning a paddle shop and the importance of buying local, the Trans-North Georgia and Tour Divide bike packing adventures, cross training, the mental game in ultra races, the Alabama 650, MR340, losing a fin in the Everglades Challenge, unstructured training programs, high stakes in the WA360, the Yukon 1000, and Suwannee 230. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Scott himself on this 45th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Scott’s book recommendations: Rod Price’s books - as a reminder if you want one of Rod’s books, email him at [email protected] and he’ll get you set up with a 2-for-1 offer. Scott's YouTube channel: SUP with Scott https://www.youtube.com/@SUPwithScott

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Anne-Marie Reichman Totah out of the Netherlands, currently hailing from Hawaii. Anne-Marie is a former elite professional windsurfer, now stand up paddle boarder and founded the SUP 11 Cities Tour. We cover so much in this episode from elite competitive windsurfing, long distance ice skating, starting stand up paddle boarding in 2008 only to launch a major ultra race less than 2 years later, the storied history that inspired the SUP 11 Cities Tour, training for ultra distance by milking cows without a chair, board selection and race strategy, the stage race versus the non-stop tour, challenges with extreme weather, glamping in sleeping boats, race-provided nutrition support, crew support, SUP 11 Green leaving the course better than they found it, and the Hawaiian Outrigger Voyaging Society. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Anne-Marie herself on this 44th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Anne-Marie’s book recommendations: Let’s SUP, by Janneke Smits and Marleen Backx: https://a.co/d/0e63FqjH Race contact: [email protected] [email protected] Socials: @totahannemarie @sup11citytour @reikimaui

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Mike Carson, ultramarathon runner and stand up paddle boarder out of Michigan, currently hailing from Alabama. In the past year Mike completed the Vol State 300 mile journey run, made it to the super lap in Last Paddler Standing, and won the Across the Years Last Man Standing running backyard ultra. We cover so much in this episode from ultramarathon running versus paddling, the adaptability of the human body, focusing on process & procedure over finishing place, the Vol State Journey Run & what it feels like to run 300 miles in one sitting… spoiler alert it sounds miserable, deja vu hallucinations, board selection for Last Paddler Standing, Nathan Benderson Park versus Lake June in Winter, what it feels like to meet your heroes, having Laurie Sanders as crew and as a spirit animal, sleep deprivation strategies, and Across the Years Last Man Standing. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Mike himself on this 43rd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Mike’s book recommendations: The Ultramarathon man, by Dean Karnazes: https://a.co/d/04dElC14 Socials: https://bio.site/mcarson Mike’s mini-documentary on the 2023 Last Paddler Standing race: https://supboardermag.com/2024/11/21/experience-the-last-paddler-standing-with-mike-carson-cruel-punishment-self-torture/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Rod Price, legendary ultramarathon paddler originally from South Carolina and now hailing just outside Orlando, Florida. Rod is a highly decorated ultramarathon paddler and is just coming off his 11th start and 11th win in the Everglades Challenge, but that doesn’t even scratch the surface of all his paddling accomplishments. We cover so much in this episode from overcoming obstacles like broken paddles, getting lost in the Everglades during the Everglades Challenge, hallucinating the same things as your partner, going upside down in the Yukon River Quest from falling asleep, paddling 1200 miles in the Ultimate Florida Challenge and 40 mile portages, adventure racing, the Race to Alaska and being reported missing to the Coast Guard, the story of developing the Suwannee 230, 46 years of ultramarathon paddling evolution, and the books he has authored. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Rod himself on this 42nd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Rod’s Books: Racing to the Yukon Racing Around Florida Have Paddle Will Travel Chasing History on the Mississippi River Rod’s book recommendations: River of Doubt, by Candice Millard: https://a.co/d/05R4Qijg Endurance, by Alfred Lansing: https://a.co/d/0bBSGyS0 Rod’s Website & Contact Info: rodpriceadventure.com [email protected] - email Rod for a 2-for-1 discount on any of his books

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Jeff Kay out of California, ultramarathon paddler and co-founder/race director of the California River Quest. We cover so much in this episode from getting into paddling by invitation, the transition from short paddle races to ultramarathons, the history of the California 100 and his journey in founding the California River Quest, race safety precautions as well as hazards of the Sacramento River, challenges of starting and maintaining a paddling race, ground support, what sets the CRQ apart from other ultras, and his take on the 2023 Guinness Book of World Records dragon boat record setting attempt in the 2023 MR340. As a disclaimer, I moved this episode up from a previously recorded episode to coincide with the upcoming California River Quest in just a couple months. This will be made clear when Jeff talks about his book recommendations late in the episode. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Jeff himself on this 41st episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Jeff’s book recommendations: - [ ] Intro to Ultra Endurance Paddle Racing, by Carter Johnson: https://www.californiariverquest.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Intro-to-Ultra-Distance-Paddle-Racing-by-Carter-Johnson.pdf - [ ] Racing to the Yukon, by Rod Price: If you’d like a 2-for-1 deal, email Rod Price at [email protected]. - [ ] Other books by Rod Price: Racing Around Florida, Have Paddle Will Travel, and Chasing History on the Mississippi River Socials: -IG: @j.j.kay -FB: facebook.com/jjkay California River Quest Website: https://www.californiariverquest.com/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with John Astbury & Rich Winstanley, two paddlers out of the U.K. that battled significant adversity in the 2024 Yukon 1000 but refused to give up. We cover so much in this episode from the sprinting world of paddling, the Devizes to Westminster, the importance of trusting a partner, training for Lake Laberge around the Isle of Wight, paddling 800+ miles with broken hands, Yukon Gold, hallucinating pig masked bank robbers and penguins ice skating, the importance of reading water in the Yukon, and the impossible goal of fully emptying the tank. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from John & Rich themselves on this 40th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Jon’s book recommendations: Kings on the Yukon, by Adam Weymouth: https://a.co/d/0bU3jFXH Rich’s book recommendations: Canoeing the Congo, by Phil Harwood: https://a.co/d/0cVmth6p Socials: Jon - @astbury.jon Rich - @richwinstanley1

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Lillian Nelson and Izzy Nicolier, 25 year old canoeists, dog mushers, and adventurers hailing from Alaska. Both have just finished the Alabama 650 in 2025 and the Yukon 1000 in ’24 with plenty of endurance adventuring as well. We cover so much in this episode from the Yukon 1000 race, source to sea on the Yukon, the Great Alabama 650, revisiting an air quotes hallucination story from a previous episode that actually proved to be true, 6 day portages, how dog mushing in the Yukon translates to race performance in the 1000, going upside-down just out of Dawson City, SOS fails, duct taping fire ants, the Boo Bash versus Mobile Bay, and their upcoming business venture guiding folks on the water and over snow. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Lil & Izzy themselves on this 39th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Lil’s Book Recommendations: -Brothers on the Bashkaus, A Siberian Paddling Adventure, by Eugene Buchanan: https://a.co/d/01eqKof8 -Amazon Woman, by Darcy Gaechter: https://a.co/d/0iZNd70M Izzy’s Book Recommendations: -Alone, by Gerard d’Aboville: https://a.co/d/0h0eTKeF How to keep up with Lil & Izzy: -FB: Lead Dawgs Expeditions -IG: @lead.dawg.exp How to reach out to Lil & Izzy with specific questions about their expeditions: [email protected]

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Jeremy Stanton and up and coming stand up paddle boarder out of Ozark, Missouri who just tied for 4th place overall completing one full super lap in the 2025 Last Paddler Standing. We cover so much in this episode from the MR340, Chattajack, the importance of being curious, nutrition and sleep strategies, Last Paddler Standing, using joy as a fuel, support from his dad as crew and family back at home, paddling on an unfamiliar board, a shoutout to the 954 Paddle Crew, and unfinished business on the water. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Jeremy himself on this 38th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Jeremy’s Book Recommendations: -The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhig: https://a.co/d/4zrlN3U -Make Your Bed, by Admiral William McRaven: https://a.co/d/62w4r2G -Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall: https://a.co/d/3LdytCO Socials: -IG: @jeremy.stanton

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Brad Friesen, stand up paddle boarder, adventurer, and race director out of Winnepeg, Manitoba. Brad is one of the top elite ultra paddle boarders out there and is a clear contender in any race he enters. We cover so much in this episode from his early days of river surfing, coaching and instructing SUP, his basecamp barista, crew, and family support at Last Paddler Standing, training for paddle sports in a cold climate, theoretical limits for Last Paddler Standing, camaraderie, sleep deprivation strategies, comparisons between the Yukon 1000 and the Alabama 650, LPS weather delay impacts, the Red River Paddle Challenge and how shorter races can help grow the sport of ultra paddling, and a sneak peak at one of his upcoming new races. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Brad himself on this 37th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Brad’s Book Recommendations: -Paddle to the Amazon, by Don Starkell: https://a.co/d/1X1ExTQ Links: -Red River Paddle Challenge: https://www.redriverpaddlechallenge.com/ -Winnipeg River Quest: www.winnipegriverquest.com Socials: (IG) @bradfriesen @redriverpaddlechallenge @winnipegriverquest

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with a couple paddling legends, Paul Cox out of Georgia and West Hansen out of Texas. There’s a lot of laughs in this episode with these two characters, so buckle up, because it’s gonna be entertaining. We cover so much in this episode from their entries into ultra paddling, Paul’s previous attempt on the Yukon River, canoes versus kayaks over extreme distances, importance of navigation in the Yukon Flats, boat modifications, water reading skills, rough weather conditions and angry beavers, a firsthand review of a new GPS device, how the sport has changed over the years, and bucket list races and adventures. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Paul and West themselves on this 36th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… West’s Book Recommendations: -The Worst Journey in the World, by Apsley Cherry-Garrard: https://a.co/d/1AC2sbg -Running the Amazon, by Joe Kane: https://a.co/d/g4tHddc -Into the Thaw, by Jon Waterman: https://a.co/d/cDGqfF4 -Arctic Crossing, by Jon Waterman: https://a.co/d/gk2hfi2 -Anything by Buddy Levy -Anything by Hampton Sides Paul’s Book Recommendations: -Great Heart, by James West Davidson: https://a.co/d/3Q2PslK Socials: -IG: @paul.cox -FB: m.facebook.com/paul.cox.77920526/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Greg Wingo, race director of the Great Alabama 650, Last Paddler Standing, the Eliminator, and mastermind behind Roam Projects a multi-country trekking and adventure travel experience. We cover so much in this episode from his unique new race in the UK the Eliminator with partner race director Cassie Salter, the 2025 Alabama 650 and how it has compared to years past, all the variables that can impact performance in such a long distance race, the difficulty of Mobile Bay, app innovation for dot trackers, SUPs, still riding a high from a multi-record setting year at LPS, inspiration behind the location change, the overwhelming positive support from the community of Lake Placid, and new Roam Project trekking locations. Just as a side note, we did 2 takes for this episode, because on the first take Greg wasn’t ready to share new updates for his UK Eliminator race, but we got all of those updates fresh off the press at the end of the chat. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Greg himself on this 35th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Greg’s Book Recommendations: -Lost City of Z, by David Grann: https://a.co/d/68XrPwr -Anything that Adam Shoalts writes [examples: Vanished Beyond the Map (https://a.co/d/52LJGAz), Beyond the Trees (https://a.co/d/3Zj3DEy), Where the Falcon Flies (https://a.co/d/imS2w9x), Along Against the North (https://a.co/d/3ENQ53c)] Links: -Alabama 650: https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/great-alabama-650/ -Last Paddler Standing: https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/ -The Eliminator: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Eliminator-61577037287882/ -Roam Projects: https://roamprojects.com/home.html Socials (IG): @greatalabama650 @lastpaddlerstanding @roamprojects

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ethan Roadley, a kiwi, who recently undertook an expedition circumnavigating via kayak nearly all the way around the South Island of New Zealand until 6 weeks of horrible weather caused him to throw in the towel with only about 56 kilometers to go. We cover so much in this episode from a 100 day expedition tackling first descents in the whitewaters of Fiordland National Park, nutrition planning for expeditions including hunting and fishing, getting stuck in expeditions due to weather, winter weather paddling conditions, the stress of finding a land-able shoreline spot as daylight is coming to a close, amazing wildlife encounters, navigating tides and currents, treacherous beach landings, game changing gear for salt water conditions, heartwarming hospitality of his fellow kiwis, and the little things that helped to overcome the low points. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ethan himself on this 34th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Ethan’s Book Recommendations: -A Winter’s Paddle by Tara Mulvany: https://a.co/d/27QzXlN -Southern Exposure by Chris Duff: https://a.co/d/ax0SDcI

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with legendary ultramarathon paddler and “Queen of the 650”, Salli O’Donnell from Alabama. While Salli certainly has a very decorated paddling career, most recently she’s coming off of overall solo victories in the Suwannee 230 and the Alabama 650 in earning the new Southern Harm award in the process. We cover so much in this episode from her transition to ultra paddling from ultra running, the North Carolina Challenge, the James River 100, the logistics of planning for ultras, a continuous improvement mentality, recovery strategies, pre-race and in-race game plans for skin protection, paddling technique, nutrition rabbit holes, dealing with adversity and slumps, the importance of not wasting any opportunities, the evolution of ultramarathon paddling, and entering into the sprinting world. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Salli herself on this 33rd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Salli’s book recommendations: Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown: https://a.co/d/7Y4RE5P Find Salli on FB at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1552487491685668/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with legendary Canadian expedition canoeist, Mike Ranta, who has paddled over 30,000 miles in his expeditions combined, including coast to coast across Canada 3 times solo with his dog Spitzii. We cover so much in this episode from growing up spending months living and paddling in the bush near Atikokan, Canada which is the Canoe Capital of the World, supporting youth, veterans, first responders, and First Nations by promoting awareness and developing supportive wilderness programs, massive 500+ mile portages with a canoe over the Canadian Rockies, aggressive apex predator encounters while circumnavigating Great Bear Lake, strategies for primarily living off the land, sleep deprivation strategies for extreme expeditions, getting hit by lightening, self-made clothing, and the inspiration behind him building the worlds largest paddle, the Big Dipper. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Mike himself on this 32nd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Mike’s book recommendations: Bush Runner by Mark Bourrie: https://a.co/d/htm6Jd2 Frozen in Time, by Owen Beattie & John Geiger: https://a.co/d/3vAPn7F How to find Mike: Facebook - Mike Ranta’s Paddle: https://www.facebook.com/mikerantaspaddle/ Warrior Adventures Canada: https://warrioradventures.ca/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Jon Marble, ultramarathon paddler, aerospace engineer, and developer of the race and adventure tracker Race Owl. We cover so much in this episode from racing in the MR340, the stories behind racing misadventures that keep him coming back, the story behind Race Owl, the many features the app offers to paddlers, dot trackers, as well as race directors and support crew, the story behind the storm-cancelled MR340 mid-race in 2023, how to connect with RaceOwl as a race director or even as a paddler about to attempt an FKP, and volunteering for the paddling community and how to volunteer with RaceOwl. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Jon himself on this 31st episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… www.raceowl.com Jon’s book recommendations: -Missouri River 340: First Time Finisher, by Stephen, Linda, Robert, Ellen, Christine, & Claire Jackson https://a.co/d/h2XefAr

In this episode, Chris Thomas celebrates the 1 year anniversary of the show, gives a recap of 2025, and dives into upcoming changes and what is to come in 2026.

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down again with Dave Maitland and Scott Worthington to chat about the second half of their 2000 mile journey source to sea on the Yukon River as they recount their expedition from Galena, Alaska to the Bering Sea. Another great chat with two gems from New Zealand in which they describe unfinished business after a premature med-evac in 2024. We cover so much in this episode from experiencing the Yukon in both seasons, the Yukon 800 high-speed riverboat race, the slog and suffer fest that the Yukon unleashes on those that venture past Galena, the importance of keeping your world small in challenging conditions, tidal flows and what to expect in the delta region near Emmonak, local Alaskan hospitality, and an upcoming trip with wounded veterans on the Mackenzie River. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Dave and Scott themselves on this 29th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Scott’s book recommendations: -Honest Dogs: A Story of Triumph and Regret from the World’s Toughest Sled Dog Race, by Brian Patrick O’Donaghue https://a.co/d/5X4V2j9 -Future Shock, by Alvin Toffler https://a.co/d/fLTtMOp -Yukon 800 motorboat race: https://www.yukon800.com/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with brother and sister in-law Lauren Anderson and Sean Lougheed out of Ontario, Canada. They finished 3rd overall and 2nd place canoe in the 2025 Yukon 1000 under the handle Team Outlaws. We cover so much in this episode from origin stories to getting to the Yukon 1000 via the YRQ, the importance of being connected to the land, cross training during the winter in a cold climate, stretching, interesting in-race recovery biohacking strategies, pre-race bloodwork to guide physiologic optimization, showing up for each other as teammates, and becoming the best version of oneself through epic paddling adventures. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Lauren and Sean themselves on this 28th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… www.yukon1000.org IG: @outlaws_paddling Sean’s book/app recommendations: -Kings of the Yukon, by Adam Weymouth: https://a.co/d/3cs0gb4 -Great Heart the history of a Labrador Adventure, by James West Davidson: https://a.co/d/3cs0gb4 -The National Film Board of Canada: https://www.nfb.ca/ Lauren’s book recommendations: -Two Against the North, by Farley Mowat: https://a.co/d/6QLhRAj -Songs of a Sourdough, by Robert W. Service: https://a.co/d/2FuTgcG Fastest Known Paddle (FKP): www.fastestknownpaddle.com FKP Podcast episode w/ Lindsey Tilton: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/17-chris-thomas-fastest-known-paddle-paddlings-answer/id1752312685?i=1000732530635

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Alex Somoano, massage therapist and stand up paddle boarder originally hailing from Cuba who emigrated to the U.S. in Miami, Florida as a young child where he quickly discovered he was athletically inclined. I’ve been looking forward to this chat for a long time and it really turned out to be a fantastic conversation with a great human being. We cover so much in this episode from his origin story into paddling, a traumatic accident that started him on his journey to quote “find quality in everything”, the Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis, how paddling calms the mind and brings an inner peace, the importance of massage therapy for recovery, focus on process rather than outcome, the ’22, ’23, and ’24 Last Paddler Standing Races from training, to strategy, to emotions, and everything in between, nutrition, water quality in South Florida, and falling asleep standing up. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Alex himself on this 27th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Alex’s Book Recommendations: -Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M Pirsig: https://a.co/d/0EX10Ig -The Tao of Pooh, by Benjamin Hoff: https://a.co/d/dVaRrOV -Inner Excellence, by Jim Murphy: https://a.co/d/gX4cJaw Races mentioned: -Key West Paddle Classic: https://www.floridakeyswatermancompany.com/keywestpaddleclassic -Crossing for Cystic Fibrosis: https://crossingforcysticfibrosis.com/ -L2O: https://www.paddlesignup.com/Race/FL/Stuart/Lake2OceanPaddleRace -Last Paddler Standing: https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/ -Introducing Fastest Known Paddle with Lindsey Tilton on the Training Chats Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/17-chris-thomas-fastest-known-paddle-paddlings-answer/id1752312685?i=1000732530635 *Episode thumbnail photo credit: Mike Carson (@mikecarson.wmv)

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ryan Milby out of Missouri, who is a self-proclaimed normal dude, Chief Hobby Officer, and founder of Llama Racks. We cover so much in this episode from yet again the welcoming nature of the paddling community, his journey getting into ultramarathon paddle racing as well as starting Llama Racks, jumping in head first into the MR340 and paddling through the night for the first time during the race, attention to detail in designing his racks, available options for all human powered boats, customizable options, the importance of not giving up and proceeding as the way opens, shipping options outside of the U.S., and breaking a boat completely in half in the Texas Water Safari. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ryan himself on this 26th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Ryan’s Book Recommendations: -The Kid Who Climbed Everest, by Bear Grylls: https://a.co/d/jgvJILO How to find Ryan, Llama Racks, and Some Beach Outfitters: www.llamaracks.com www.llamaracks.com/some-beach-kayaks-liberty @llamaracks - Instagram @somebeachkayaksliberty - Instagram

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Esther Wheeler one of the premier ultramarathon female paddlers who just came out on top again this year in the Yukon River Quest in a kayak. We cover so much in this episode from the way she entered the paddling scene through a traumatic experience on whitewater, visualization techniques, the spell of the Yukon, the Great River Club, being a board member of the YRQ, her take on the 2025 dragon boat Guinness world record for distance traveled at the MR340, the importance of giving people chances, sleep deprivation strategies, testing out the Inside Passage in preparation for the Race to Alaska, and immigration fails after the Yukon 1000. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Esther herself on this 25th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Esther’s IG: @wheelerest Esther’s Book Recommendations: -Dare to Do, by Sarah Ouden: https://a.co/d/dK8Vs6s -Kayaking the Aleutians, Justine Curgenven & Sarah Ouden (DVD): https://a.co/d/gHeHl8f -The Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown: https://a.co/d/49nyEAk

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Michelle Bousquet, ultramarathon runner and paddler out of Montreal who just podiumed in the 2025 Yukon River Quest in the solo female kayak class on her second attempt. We cover so much in this episode from her journey to finding ultramarathon running as well as ultramarathon paddling, her 250 mile Cocodona ultramarathon running race, sleep deprivation strategies, the 2024 and 2025 Yukon River Quest races, lessons from DNFs and hypothermia, broken rudders, the amazing wildness of the Yukon River, being a rafting guide on the Grand Canyon, and beer miles. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Michelle Bousquet herself on this 24th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie: https://www.classiquedecanots.com/EN/LaClassique.html Michelle’s book recommendations: -Born to Run, by Christopher McDougal: https://a.co/d/gDq7tpD -Eat & Run, by Scott Jurek: https://a.co/d/0TdeQZc -Upside Down on the Yukon River, by Steve Cannon: https://a.co/d/gCogD9d Michelle’s social handles: -IG: @michelle_bousquet -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/16mZR2SRW3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Alain Morvan out of France who is the race director for the Loire 725, which is the longest ultramarathon paddling race in Europe. Alain started out as a whitewater paddler in his younger days and eventually made his way to ultramarathon paddling with the goal of competing in the Yukon River Quest. We cover so much in this episode from the origins and evolution of the race, his dedication to protecting the environment of the Loire river, support of the communities along the route, how a stage race helps build and support the paddling community, the race route itself and the rules of the race, typical lodging arrangements for racers including camping at a rugby stadium, support crews, and how foreigners would rent a boat for the race. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Alain Morvan himself on this 23rd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Loire 725 website: Next race is June 14-20, 2026 -(English): https://loire725.com/en/presentation-english/ -(French): https://loire725.com/ Alain's contact: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069158600419 https://www.facebook.com/alain.morvan.18/ Alain’s book recommendation: La Loire vue de fleuve (Loire River rules/etiquette), by Jean-Francois Souchard https://imagesdeloire.fr/produit/la-loire-vue-du-fleuve-guide-de-randonnee-nautique/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ben Lott out of New Zealand who is an ultramarathon paddler, mountaineer, adventurer, trail runner, adventure racer, and equestrian who keeps finding his way back to the Yukon year after year. In addition to his adventuring exploits he is involved with the Yukon River Quest board and is involved with the race fleet as well. We cover so much in this episode from the life changing injury that brought him to paddling and the Yukon, the importance of implicitly trusting a paddling partner, the importance of giving back to the sport of ultramarathon paddling by being involved in races, insights from being an equestrian that overlap with paddling, paddling technique, the importance for racers to care for their boats in the Yukon, making paddle sports sexy again, boob cups, and the conditions New Zealanders paddle in that make them prime competitors in the Yukon. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ben Lott himself on this 22nd episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Ben's Instagram: @lotts_nzl Finding Ben documentary: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkzf4lMjX77XdOuHtI-sfByeLcQ_7gQBo&si=emgCe3i3HoqRG48u Finding Ben articles (Yukon 1000 website): https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart1/ https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/130808417/finding-ben-part-2-1000-miles-and-beyond Ben's Recommended New Zealand Paddle Adventures: -Clutha River, NZ: https://www.cluthanz.com/explore/activities-and-attractions/all-activities-and-attractions/mighty-clutha-river -Fjordland, NZ: https://www.cluthanz.com/explore/activities-and-attractions/all-activities-and-attractions/mighty-clutha-river Ben’s Book Recommendations: -Let My People Go Surfing, Yvon Chouinard - https://a.co/d/ezNRpw5 -The Long Walk, Slavomir Rawicz: https://a.co/d/0INH0gB Chris’s Book Recommendations -Some Stories: Lessons from the Edge of Business and Sport, Yvon Chouinard - https://a.co/d/6IQ1JzG -Life Lived Wild: Adventures at the Edge of the Map, Rick Ridgeway - https://a.co/d/3oKcLqC

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Glenn Nolan and Maureen Hatherley out of Ontario, Canada. Glenn and Maureen are absolute gems and certainly fan and racer favorites for those that follow the Yukon 1000. They both just completed the Yukon River Quest and the Yukon 1000 in back-to-back fashion, so we take a deep dive into their grueling experience in the Yukon this year. We cover so much in this episode from their experiences in Outward Bound which was actually how they met, tackling the Yukon 1000 after 3 straight finishes in the Yukon River Quest, the pull of the Yukon and especially the paddling community that keeps them coming back, cross training to prepare for the Yukon in frozen conditions, the adversity of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, the skill of reading water, forest fires, and what it’s like to complete the Yukon 1000 immediately after the Yukon River Quest. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Glenn and Maureen themselves, in this 21st episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast. Socials: Maureen Instagram: @hatherleymaureen Facebook: Maureen Hatherley Glenn instagram: @glennnolan698 Facebook: Glenn Nolan Outward Bound Canada: www.outwardbound.ca

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Trey Reaves out of Alabama, who has accomplished more than most men and without the use of his legs. Trey is well known for accomplishing amazing feats in his kayak, especially recently as he just set the record for paddling the entire length of the Tennessee River in just over 7 days. We cover so much in this episode from Trey spending 2.5 years planning his record setting attempt, the Tennessee River Line organization, support and an upcoming documentary on the attempt from Mike Carson 105, massive lightening storms, what to expect when going through a lock in a kayak, the beauty of the Tennessee River, the massive amount of community support he received along his journey, and his part in the 17-man crew that set the world record for distance traveled in a dragon boat during the 2025 MR340. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Trey himself, aka The Duke of Paducah, in this 20th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast. Tennessee River Line website: https://www.tnriverline.org/ Tennessee River Line interactive map: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/160e2b777f954d8e8bdc48f6ceb12028

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Jake VanLue out of Southwestern Missouri who recently took 1st place in the male solo kayak class in the Suwannee 230. We cover so much in this episode from inspiration and the drive to succeed he gets from his father, hypothermia interventions after going upside down on the Yukon on Lake Laberge, coaching support for ultras, the mental aspect of training and racing, the story of his male solo kayak class 1st place finish in the 2025 Suwannee 230, lessons learned from failure, rhabdomyolysis, crew support, lessons learned from a couple DNFs, and balancing training and family life. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Jake himself on this 19th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Jake's IG: @jakevanlue Hammer Nutrition: https://www.hammernutrition.com/JAKE86984

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Deed Ziegler, founder of the backcountry and adventure lightweight nutrition company, Recpak. Deed’s company was first inspired by his career in the military and solidified by aiming to solve a problem many of us face on our adventures and races in the outdoors when every ounce matters. We cover so much in this episode from his journey to creating Recpak, deliberate intention in balancing macro and micronutrient contents, focus on a health-conscious aspect with processed foods, challenges to creating a new brand, his mission to leave the world better than he found it with support for 1% for the planet, veteran and youth group organizations, and first responders in the Ukraine conflict. There’s so much more to this episode with Recpak, but I’ll let you hear it from Deed himself on this 18th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Discount code for listeners (25% off first order): DIP25 Links: -Recpak website: www.recpak.co -Follow Recpak on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recpakco/ -The Conservation alliance: https://conservationalliance.com/ -Garage Grown Gear: https://www.garagegrowngear.com/ -Access Fund: https://www.accessfund.org/ Deed’s Book Recommendations: On The Road - Jack Kerouac: https://a.co/d/axFD0y6 The River of Doubt - Teddy Roosevelt: https://a.co/d/9qv8AXa Chris’s Book Recommendations: Paddle to the Amazon - Don Starkell: https://a.co/d/eSBWV4I No Shortcuts to the Top - Ed Viesturs: https://a.co/d/1Q31IYS

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Dave Maitland & Scott Worthington, two awesome Kiwis that live their lives seeking adventure and time in the outdoors. I invited them on the show to chat about their 2000 mile source to sea attempt on the Yukon River in 2024. We cover so much in this episode from their views on the current state of affairs in ultra racing, their journey that brought them the Yukon, Scott’s inspiring story and Yukon 1000 documentary with Ben Lott, their story of adventure in the Yukon and what lies beyond the Dalton Highway Bridge, gear differences in a 2000 vs. 1000 mile attempt, and the importance of implicitly trusting a teammate especially when things go sideways in the backcountry. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Dave and Scott themselves on this 17th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… **Dave & Scott would like to send a shoutout to Ben Schmidt of the Alaskan Canoe Company (https://alaskacanoecompany.com/) who crafted their canoe for their 2000 mile attempt** Dave’s book recommendation: -Endurance - Alfred Lansing: https://a.co/d/8B0PCQE Scott’s book recommendations: -On the Edge of Nowhere - James Huntington: https://a.co/d/iUqRxtT -Shadows on the Koyukuk - Sidney Huntington: https://a.co/d/2mXUO0B Finding Ben - Yukon 1000 documentary w/ Scott Worthington & Ben Lott -Part 1: https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart1/ -Part 2: https://www.yukon1000.org/findingbenpart2/ **Dave's NZ race recommendations & offer for guidance** -GODZONE - This is a multi day Adventure race and can range from 4 to five days, only sleep requirement is relating to if there are dangerous river sections for kayaking / rafting or pack rafting. Apart from that you are on your own, map reading is essential. Its great fun but very demanding on the body. It is held in a different location within NZ each year. *Link: https://godzoneadventure.com/one-new-zealand-godzone-chapter-12-heading-to-marlborough/ -Kathmandu Coast to Coast: This is a race from the beach on the west side of the south Island to the beach on the East coast, traversing the Southislands Southern Alps via a 32km mountain run. Other disciplines include running, road bike and Kayaking. Comperators can enter the following. One day individual One day three person team Two day individual And various categories of teams in the two day event. Some may consider it not an endurance event but when you are completing the 240km in between the high 10hr and up to 18hr I assure you it is. If there is anyone interested who thinks they have what it takes I am happy to advise them after having completed it 30 times I have a fair understanding as to what it takes. Would be great to see some from the North make the journey down to our part of the world and have a crack at either of these two events. Only willing to help out with the right type of people. *Link: https://www.kathmandu.co.nz/pages/coast-to-coast

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Bobby Johnson out of Clearwater, Florida. While he certainly doesn’t admit to it, Bobby’s racing record is certainly legendary and he is highly regarded in the paddling community as one of the top paddlers on any given race day in ultramarathon paddling. Of note, we recorded this episode before the show with his 2025 Everglades Challenge teammate Brandon Grundy, but thought that the timing of the Everglades Challenge record was certainly notable enough to move that episode up to coincide more closely with the end of that race. We cover so much in this episode from why he keeps coming back year after year to do these grueling races, how ultramarathon paddling helps calm the mind in everyday life, UFOs, racing solo versus tandem, lessons learned from past failures, sleep deprivation strategies and hallucinations, the 2024 last paddler standing and AL650 races, the endless search for the limits of the human body and mind in ultramarathon paddling, and the importance of training in all conditions. We cover so much more in this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Bobby himself in this 16th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Bobby's book/documentary recommendations: -Unbroken - Laura Hillenbrand: https://a.co/d/dmHTe4A -Race to Alaska (R2AK) Documentary: https://r2akthemovie.com/ -Eat & Run - Scott Jurek: https://a.co/d/9RExnx6 -North - Scott Jurek: https://a.co/d/aVyM7Eb

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with David Thomas of Stellar Kayaks USA who is both co-owner and a design team member. Of note, this is not a sponsored episode, as I simply reached out to David to come on the show because I’m a fan of their boats and especially wanted to hear about his journey and the inspiration that comes behind their paddles and kayaks. We cover so much in this episode from Stellar’s commitment to environmental responsibility, wing paddle dynamics, innovation in kayaks and surf skis, listener supported questions, seemingly unlimited variables that go into boat designs for all paddlers, the need for race directors out there, races he directs and hosts, modular kayak offerings, paddling community support, and his thoughts about growth of the ultramarathon paddling sport. There’s so much more to this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from David himself in this 15th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Website: https://stellarkayaksusa.com/ Social (IG): https://www.instagram.com/stellarkayaks?igsh=MXNzcTJhbHkxNTBsbQ==

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Ryan Gillikin out of Bay Minnette, Alabama who is always a top contender in ultra paddle races and notably was the overall solo female 1st place finisher in the 2024 Alabama 650. We cover so much in this episode from her exhaustive preparation leading up to a race, creative techniques to quote “manage the mystery”, her new approach to training with a coach, Camp 650, her experience as a co-race director of the Suwannee 230 and a deep dive into that race, game changing crew tips, and most importantly the story of her solo female victory in the 2024 Alabama 650. We cover so much more in this episode, but I’ll let you hear it from Ryan herself in this 14th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast… Ryan’s book rec: A Pearl in the Storm, by Tori Murden McClure https://a.co/d/cYekSLG

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Brandon Grundy and Bobby Johnson, both out of Florida, who just broke the Everglades Challenge record in the tandem kayak class without a sail. This chat is a true masterclass in how to not only succeed in bot how to set a standard for excellence in ultramarathon paddling races. We cover so much in this episode all surrounding the Everglades Challenge including the chronicles of their record setting race, route/weather/tidal/current strategies, the pros and cons of single versus double blades in a kayak or surfski, tactics to protect the body but more importantly the mind, manatee minefields and how dangerous these underwater allies can be at night, getting lost and the importance of trusting your GPS, and hallucinations. There's so much more to this episode, but I'll let you hear it from Brandon and Bobby themselves in this 13th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast... Everglades Challenge website: https://www.watertribe.com/events/evergladeschallenge/Default.aspx

In this episode Chris Thomas sits down with athlete, exercise physiologist, and veteran coach, Zoe Nance from Uphill Athlete. Zoe has spent 3 decades in the exercise physiology field guiding a very diverse group of athletes from endurance mountain and road bikers, swimmers, triathletes, mountaineers, and paddlers for efforts like 1000 mile biking and paddling races to Mount Everest summits. We cover so much in this episode from the importance of having a coach, aerobic deficiency, glucose versus fat utilization for fuel, maximizing capillary and mitochondria density, lactate as fuel, improving lactate shuttling, using exercise physiology lab tests to personalize training, heart rate variability, recovery, and using carbohydrates as a muscle-sparing tool during exercise. There's so much more to this chat, but I'll let you hear it from Zoe Nance herself in this 12th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism podcast... Zoe's book recommendation: "Good for a Girl" by Lauren Fleshman https://a.co/d/iySurCx How to find more from Zoe: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-nance-98316185/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@zoefitness Website: https://zoefitness.com/ And she can also be found at: https://uphillathlete.com/ Zoe's Mission: To combine scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to enhance performance, personal fitness, health and increase the overall quality of life to individuals.

Welcome to part 2 of 2 in my collaboration series with Dr. Alison Kole of the "Sleep is My Waking Passion Podcast." In this episode Alison and I continue our discussion on how to train for and mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation. We cover topics like caffeine naps, breathing techniques, devices to help with sleep and relaxation, supplements, and optimal sleep duration while maximizing time on the water. There's so much more to this episode, but I'll let you hear it from dr. Kole herself on the 11th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast... Welcome to Season 6 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion! In this episode, I sit down with Chris Thomas, pharmacist by day and ultra-marathon paddler by passion. Chris shares his incredible experiences tackling extreme endurance paddle races like the Yukon 1000 and Alabama 650, where sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and mental resilience are all part of the challenge. Together, we explore: Part 1: The unique demands of ultra-marathon paddle racing, from navigating 1,000-mile waterways to managing sleep in remote environments. The science behind sleep deprivation, its effects on cognition and performance, and strategies for recovery and in part 2: Tools and techniques like caffeine naps, sleep banking, breathing exercises, and even cutting-edge devices like Modia Sleep to optimize rest during intense races. Chris opens up about his own sleep challenges during races, including moments of déjà vu and pushing through exhaustion with creative solutions. We also discuss how nutrition, teamwork, and preparation play a pivotal role in maximizing performance while staying safe. Whether you're an athlete seeking tips for endurance sports or simply curious about the limits of human resilience, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the intersection of sleep science and extreme athleticism. 🔗 Join me for an inspiring conversation with Chris as we paddle through the uncharted waters of sleep deprivation and recovery! Keywords: Ultra-marathon paddling, sleep deprivation strategies, endurance sports, caffeine naps, recovery tools. Dr. Alison Kole's podcast aims to help all of us learn to navigate self-advocacy and prioritize healthy sleep. Dr. Alison Kole's Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asktheSleepMD Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-is-my-waking-passion/id1684976379 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kSqlAoEC7tFmFj0Pms0hw?si=7f9eb2af07ac4549 Connect with Dr. Kole: Website: www.askthesleepmd.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/askthesleepmd Facebook: www.facebook.com/askthesleepmd LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alison-kole-md-mph-fccp-faasm-b6a26715

So for this episode we're going to do something a little different. First of all, my previous episodes have been released every 2 weeks, but here I'm releasing the next 2 episodes in a little quicker fashion as I partner with Dr. Alison Kole, a triple boarded pulmonary, critical care, and sleep physician that hosts the podcast Sleep is My Waking Passion. Secondly, this podcast is going to be distributed in 2 separate installments, so stay tuned for the next episode as well to hear all of her advice on how to train for and mitigate the effects of sleep deprivation. We cover so much in this episode related to sleep and ultramarathon events and do our best to keep it evidence-based, but I'll let you hear it from Dr. Alison Kole herself on this 10th episode of the Dabbling in Paddleism Podcast... "Welcome to Season 6 of Sleep Is My Waking Passion! In this episode, I sit down with Chris Thomas, pharmacist by day and ultra-marathon paddler by passion. Chris shares his incredible experiences tackling extreme endurance paddle races like the Yukon 1000 and Alabama 650, where sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, and mental resilience are all part of the challenge. Together, we explore: Part 1: The unique demands of ultra-marathon paddle racing, from navigating 1,000-mile waterways to managing sleep in remote environments. The science behind sleep deprivation, its effects on cognition and performance, and strategies for recovery and in part 2: Tools and techniques like caffeine naps, sleep banking, breathing exercises, and even cutting-edge devices like Modia Sleep to optimize rest during intense races. Chris opens up about his own sleep challenges during races, including moments of déjà vu and pushing through exhaustion with creative solutions. We also discuss how nutrition, teamwork, and preparation play a pivotal role in maximizing performance while staying safe. Whether you're an athlete seeking tips for endurance sports or simply curious about the limits of human resilience, this episode offers a fascinating deep dive into the intersection of sleep science and extreme athleticism. 🔗 Join me for an inspiring conversation with Chris as we paddle through the uncharted waters of sleep deprivation and recovery!" Dr. Alison Kole's links: My media press kit is in the link below: https://www.askthesleepmd.com/presskit My podcast aims to help all of us learn to navigate self-advocacy and prioritize healthy sleep. Links: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@asktheSleepMD Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sleep-is-my-waking-passion/id1684976379 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kSqlAoEC7tFmFj0Pms0hw?si=7f9eb2af07ac4549 Connect: Website: www.askthesleepmd.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/askthesleepmd Facebook: www.facebook.com/askthesleepmd LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alison-kole-md-mph-fccp-faasm-b6a26715 Link to episode: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2173002/episodes/16901696.mp3?download=true

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Craig Sawyer, a veteran ultramarathon paddler and true renaissance man. As the filmmaker of the Yukon 1000 documentary and 2023 Yukon 1000 winner in the stand up paddle board class our main focus in this episode is around lessons learned from the longest paddle race in the world and how he’s adjusting his approach to training for his upcoming solo attempt in the 2025 Yukon River Quest. We cover so much in this episode including the importance of being a good team in the 1000, post-race blues, data points to guide training, gear and boat adjustments relative to the 1000 and the YRQ, mental prep and visualization, a hilarious post-shower interaction with a trucker by the Dalton Highway Bridge, preparation and dealing with sleep deprivation, hallucinations, and an alcohol-free lifestyle. There’s so much more to this chat with Craig, but I’ll let you hear it from Craig Sawyer himself in this 9th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Craig’s book/documentary recommendations: Survival of the fittest - Dr. Mike Stroud The world’s fittest book - Ross Edglley Ross Edgley's documentary on the world’s longest non-stop swim on the Yukon River How to find Craig: -Instagram: @craigsawyer77 @thesupcoach -Professional website: https://www.abovesixsix.co.uk/ -Amazon Prime link to Craig’s documentary of the 2023 Yukon 1000 race Push Past Impossible https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0DS5PY3JH/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with Matt Jones out of Charleston, SC… a stand up paddle board racer, rock climber, and coach in both the climbing and paddling disciplines. Matt has an extensive background in which he’s coached athletes from all ages beginning with children and amateur adults all the way up to the professional level helping folks achieve national championships. I specifically invited him on the show because of one of his recent efforts coaching my guests, Jeff and John, from Episode 6 for the 2024 Yukon 1000. We cover so much in this episode from why any paddle athlete needs a coach, beginning with newcomers to the sport all the way to veteran champion paddlers, the essentials of injury prevention and recovery, minimal effective dose from a training perspective, how to prepare the body to be ready for a massive uptick in volume when an ultramarathon race comes around, and high versus low intensity training. There’s so much more to this chat with Matt, but I’ll let you hear it all from him in this 8th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Matt's Coaching Website: https://jonesfitnessandperformance.com/

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with veteran ultramarathon crew member Alicia Reaves as well as her daughter Ruthie Reaves, high school soccer player and newcomer to ultramarathon crewing. As the crew team that helped their husband and father, Trey Reaves, to first ever back-to-back overall victory in solo fashion in the Alabama 650, we go through what it means to be a first class crew for this event. We cover so much in this episode from nutrition support, wound care, old school navigation, the Alabama heat, sleep deprivation, strategizing around the challenge of an incoming hurricane, random photo shoots along the way, and how a race like this really brings people together. There’s so much more to this chat with Alicia and Ruthie, but I’ll let you hear it from the crew themselves in this 7th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Book recommendations: -Ruthie: Where the Crawdads Sing -Alicia: Where the Red Fern Grows If you have any questions you'd like me to address on air, ask future guests, or even suggestions for future guests, please send those to me at [email protected] or via instagram @dabbling_in_paddleism (https://www.instagram.com/dabbling_in_paddleism?igsh=dDE4aXc3bmd3aXZp&utm_source=qr).

In this episode, Chris Thomas sits down with veteran paddlers Jeff Matthews and John Wellens who are definitely not novices when it comes to voluntary human suffering with paddles in hand. As recent top 5 finishers of the Yukon 1000 in the kayak class as Team Epic, we take a deep dive into their race. I specifically wanted to chat with these guys first of all, because my brother and I paddled with them early in the 2024 Yukon 1000 and realized they were just awesome dudes. Secondly, they both dealt with a great deal of adversity in their race and they rose to the occasion without a hitch. And lastly, they both helped to support an amazing cause in Team River Runner, which is an organization that helps veterans with a focus on supporting positive mental health. We cover so much in this episode, from early race setbacks, bears in camp, videography tactics while racing, the Yukon 1000 documentary Push Past Impossible, opportunities for improvement in future races, what it means to be a good teammate in an ultra paddle race, to their fundraising efforts supporting a great cause. There’s so much more to this chat with Jeff and John, but I’ll let you hear it from Team Epic themselves in this 6th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Check out this video that Jeff and John created about their Yukon 1000 race: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYMKThvR8jQ Jones Fitness https://jonesfitnessandperformance.com/ TRR https://www.teamriverrunner.org/ South Carolina TRR (Team Epic’s Chapter) https://www.teamriverrunner.org/chapters/south-carolina-columbia/ Team Epic's book recommendations: -Touching the Void by Joe Simpson -Endurance by Alfred Lansing -No Barriers – Erik Weihenmayer -Mississippi Solo – Eddy L. Harris

Chris Thomas sits down with veteran ultramarathon paddle racer, Trey Reaves, out of Florence, Alabama who just became the first ever overall back-to-back winner of the Alabama 650 as a solo racer. Trey’s performance in the ultra paddling racing world has been a real tour de force over the last several years with no signs of slowing down. We start off with his entry into the ultra racing world and even though he DNF’d in his first Alabama 650 he describes how the paddling community came out of the woodwork to encourage and inspire him to keep coming back for more. We cover so much in this episode from the advice to new paddlers entering the sport, the mental aspect of training and racing, early career learnings that have led to his success, his views on the future growth of the sport, and future paddling goals. There’s so much to this episode with one of the top ultra paddle racers in the world, but I’ll let you hear it all from Trey himself in this 5th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… -Trey's IG: @treyreaves -Trey's Facebook: www.facebook.com/share/15jaXyUWhh/?mibextid=wwXlfr -Stellar Kayaks: https://stellarkayaksusa.com/

Today, Chris Thomas sits down with veteran paddler, Mirko Prüfer, out of Germany who got his paddle racing start on a dragonboat racing team. In this episode you’ll hear about how Mirko dove head first into the ultramarathon paddling world after a vacation trip to the Yukon where he was inspired by Yukon River Quest racers. Talk about being in the right place at the right time as this chance encounter inspired his ultramarathon racing career both in boat and on foot. I loved this conversation mostly because it gave me a chance to meet a fellow paddler that I’ve admired from afar but also because of Mirko’s many heartwarming stories of the paddling community. We talk about stories of generosity in a fellow paddler that drove two days to crew for him in the AL650 only for him to return the favor the following year and crew for her. The resounding theme of this podcast is that the paddling community comes through for fellow paddlers in need. There’s so much more to this chat with him, including his stories about paddling more than 1700 total miles in 4 separate races in 2024, but I’ll let you hear it from Mirko Prüfer himself in this 4th episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… Mirko's book recommendation: Upside Down in the Yukon River, by Steve Cannon Mirko would also like to send a shoutout to a couple folks that in his words "helped me so much this year!" -John McCoy's Some Beach Outfitters out of Missouri: www.somebeachoutfitters.com -Lite Venture Pure Paddling, an outfitter out of Germany: www.liteventure.de

You’re entering a world of pain… In this episode, I chat with a mastermind in human suffering and adventure, Greg Wingo out of Alabama. As the race director of The Great Alabama 650 and Last Paddler Standing, Greg is no amateur when it comes to putting on races and adventures that and I quote… “gets as many people into enjoyable uncomfortable situations as possible.” We touch on so much in this episode, ranging from the Alabama 650, it’s growing popularity of the race amongst endurance racers, fans, and the local Alabama community. We discuss the positive impact the 650 has had on the Alabama Scenic River Trail and it’s growing reputation now competing with the likes of the Boundary Waters, for example. Other discussions include the new media side of Roam projects, the potential for and current barriers for a future AL650 documentary, Greg’s thoughts on how to grow the ultramarathon paddling sport, the off the beaten path hiking tours he puts on, a charitable running shoe donation program he created, Camp 650, Last Paddler Standing, as well as hints of 2 exciting new races and tour announcements likely coming soon including a brand new original racing concept, and cap it off with Greg’s adventure book recommendations. There’s so much more to this chat with him, but I’ll let you hear it from Greg Wingo himself in this 3rd episode of the Dabbling In Paddleism Podcast… https://roamprojects.com/home.html https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/ https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/great-alabama-650/

In this episode, Chris Thomas chats with Lindsey Tilton, a dominant force in the ultramarathon paddling world out of Jupiter, Florida who just became the first female to complete the Alabama 650 on a stand-up paddle board. We hit so much on this episode, including a mutual interest in gardening and linking that to recovery tactics, which Lindsey seems to excel at. We also cover training strategies, tracking sleep scores, heart rate variability guided training, the benefits of an alcohol-free lifestyle, sleep deprivation during ultra races, and strategies around caffeine intake. We take a deep dive into research-based training and her effort via Aloha Athletics to inspire others and bring evidence-based training modalities from other sports to paddle athletes. We also cover many of the details of her experience in the AL650, ranging from portages to her personal hydration strategy. Other races mentioned in this pod include the Crossing for CF, the Yukon 1000, MR340, Seventy48, Suwanee 230, Chattajack, and the Everglades Challenge. And there’s a shoutout to Craig Sawyer as well, the creator of the Yukon 1000 documentary, Push Past Impossible, who offered some key advice to Lindsey prior to the 650 as a result of his learning from competing in the race up North. There’s so much more to this episode and inspirational advice from Lindsey, but I’ll let you hear it all from her instead… Relevant Links: Aloha Athletics - https://aloha-athletics.com/ Endless Aloha Challenge - https://aloha-athletics.com/endless-aloha-challenge#endlessaloha The Great Alabama 650 - https://www.alabamascenicrivertrail.com/great-alabama-650/ Last Paddler Standing - https://lastpaddlerstanding.com/

Today I’m speaking with David Miller, an up-and-coming ultramarathon endurance paddler from North Carolina. We’ll talk about many of his already impressive accomplishments ranging from winning the Suwannee River 230 in 2023, claiming a world record in a dragon boat as a team effort during the 2023 MR340, and most recently his second place finish in the 2024 Alabama 650. One of the things I enjoyed hearing from him the most was how he came off of an impressively successful paddling year in 2023 to overcoming obstacles and challenges he faced during the 2024 paddling season as well as the Alabama 650 to ultimately finish second overall in that event. Additionally, we cover how he started out paddling. This dude literally built his own kayak as his first entry into the sport, which is pretty impressive and I hope leads to another discussion with David just to talk about building boats. We also cover some of the lessons he learned from other races, such as the Everglades Challenge in addition to learnings from his amazing support crew for the AL650, his sister Kim and friend Moogie, which led to his impressive performance in the 650 mile race. And finally we’ll cover one of his bucket list adventure paddling goals on the Finger Lakes in New York that I think will also be related to an exciting announcement coming from me on a later podcast edition.