PODCAST · sports
Pushing Horizons Step by Step
by Ash Pant
Pushing Horizons: Step by Step is a podcast about how running changes us: physically, mentally, emotionally. Hosted by Ash Pant, each episode unpacks raw, heartfelt conversations with runners who’ve faced setbacks, chased dreams, and found themselves in the rhythm of the run. These are stories of grit, growth, healing, and quiet triumphs. Whether you're lacing up for your first 5K or recovering from your hundredth, this is for anyone who's ever run toward something more. Every step tells a story. Let’s keep moving forward, together.
Episodes
-
450 Kilometers, One Step at a Time | Annie Hughes on TOR450 & Everest Marathon | Season 3 Ep 33
450 Kilometers, One Step at a Time What does it take to keep moving when you've been on your feet for seven days, slept only 10 hours, and still have mountains to climb? Annie Hughes returns to Pushing Horizons: Step by Step to share two extraordinary adventures that pushed her beyond anything…
more -
More Than Miles | Michelle Doza on Leadville, Marathon Running & What’s Next | Season 3 Ep 32
Running has never been only about miles for Michelle Doza. It's a place to think, process life, clear her head, and sometimes think about absolutely nothing. It's something that brings her happiness and grounds her when life feels off. Michelle Michelle's running journey eventually took her from...
-
The Life He Almost Missed: Eamon Kearney on Sobriety, Running & Rebuilding His Life | Season 3 Ep 31
The Life He Almost Missed | Eamon Kearney There was a point when Eamon Kearney didn't believe there was a future worth staying for. Today, he's sober, a father, a marathon runner, and the author of the upcoming memoir The Long Way Home. Born in Ireland and now living in the United States, Eamon's...
-
250 Miles Changes Everything | Nick Allen | Cocodona 250 Ultramarathon
250 Miles Changes Everything | Season 3, Episode 30 The last time he joined Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, he had just won Sedona Canyon 125 and had already decided what was coming next: Cocodona 250. At that point, 250 miles was still something he could only imagine. This time, he comes back...
-
The Pursuit of What's Possible | Heidi Allan: From American Ninja Warrior to Tahoe 200 | Ultrarunning & Race Directing | Season 3, Episode 29
Heidi Allan grew up as a gymnast and rock climber, competed around the world in obstacle course racing, and spent three seasons competing on American Ninja Warrior. Running wasn't her strength. In fact, she used to hate it. Today, she's an ultrarunner, 200-mile finisher, race winner, and Race...
-
This Too Shall Pass: From Wildland Firefighter to Cocodona 250: An Ultrarunner’s Journey
Season 3, Episode 28 — This Too Shall Pass Trueheart Brown never grew up dreaming of becoming an ultrarunner. After years of skiing and competitive cycling, running eventually became something much deeper a way to process difficult experiences, quiet his mind, and find space away from the demands...
-
Fueling for Performance: The Basics Most Runners Miss — Part 2
How much carbohydrate do you actually need during an endurance race and is more always better? Roger, CEO of SQUEEZY Nutrition, returns to Pushing Horizons: Step by Step for Part 2 of our conversation about endurance fueling. This time, we go deeper into the practical problems runners face when…
more -
The Horizon Moved | My First 100 Mile Ultramarathon Attempt: 52 Miles, a DNF & What I Learned
I went into the Berlin Wall 100 believing I could run 100 miles. I made it 52. 84 kilometers. The longest distance I have ever covered on foot. And then the sweeper caught me. This is the story of my first 100-mile ultramarathon attempt — the heat, the mistakes, the fueling problem, the high…
more -
Stephanie Rosebaugh | Cocodona 250, Backyard Ultras & The Power of Enoughness | S3E25
Stephanie Rosebaugh is an ultrarunner, licensed marriage and family therapist, speaker, author of The Power of Enoughness, wife, and mother of two. Her journey into ultrarunning started almost by accident with the Antelope Canyon 55K. But after pacing a friend for 60 miles at Cocodona 250,...
-
Shelby Dillingham | A Commitment to the Self | Tahoe 200, Type 1 Diabetes & Ultrarunning
Shelby Dillingham is an ultrarunner, multidisciplinary artist, and Type 1 diabetic who recently completed the Tahoe 200. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at just seven years old, Shelby has spent most of her life managing a condition that never gives her a day off. Running entered her life during…
more -
Ash Pant | The Road to 100 Miles | Berlin 100miles | Season 3, Episode 23
This one is personal. In just a few days, I'll attempt to run 100 miles for the first time at the Berlin Wall Race. But this episode isn't really about the race. It's about how I somehow ended up here. I never grew up dreaming of becoming a runner. I struggled with my weight for much of my life,...
-
Sierra DeGroff | Finding Confidence Beyond the Finish Line | Western States, Badwater & Denali 135 | S3E22
Sierra DeGroff returns to Pushing Horizons with a story that goes far beyond race results. In this episode, Sierra shares her journey through some of ultrarunning's most iconic events, including Western States 100, Badwater 135, Umstead 100, and Denali 135. We discuss the highs of course records...
-
Caitlin Fielder | Running with Purpose | Western States 100, UTMB, Zegama & Life as an Elite Trail Runner | S3E21
Elite trail runner Caitlin Fielder joins Pushing Horizons to share her journey from marine science student and artist to competing against the best trail runners in the world. We talk about starting running later than most elite athletes, recovering from major hip surgery, finding success at…
more -
Kat Edwards | The Joy of Hard Things | How She Conquered Cocodona 250 & Moab 240
Season 3 Episode 20 The Joy of Hard Things Kat Edwards Anderson has raced some of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, including Cocodona 250, Moab 240, Sedona Canyons 125, Kodiak 100M by UTMB, and Massanutten 100. But this conversation isn't just about running farther. It's about purpose,...
-
Built for the Long Game | DJ Fox | Cocodona 250 Podium, World's Toughest Mudder Champion & Colorado Trail FKT | S3 E19
Season 3 Episode 19 Built for the Long Game DJ Fox has become one of the most respected endurance athletes in ultrarunning. After winning World's Toughest Mudder, setting the Colorado Trail West-to-East Fastest Known Time (FKT), and finishing on the podium at Cocodona 250 in 2026, DJ joins…
more -
James McDonald | Finding Purpose Beyond the Finish Line| 1,202-Day Running Streak, 100 Miles & a DNF | Season 3 Episode 18
Season 3 Episode 18: Finding Purpose Beyond the Finish Line What happens when something that defines you comes to an end? After an incredible 1,202-day running streak, James McDonald made one of the hardest decisions of his life: to stop running every day. In this episode, James opens up about...
-
Cody Poskin | The Making of a Cocodona Contender | 3rd Overall at Cocodona 250 | S3E17
A year can change everything. The last time Cody Poskin was on the podcast, he had just finished his first Cocodona 250. He crossed the finish line in 8th place after battling blown quads, brutal climbs, and the biggest challenge of his running career. This year, he came back. 🥈 2nd Male 🥉 3rd...
-
Jeevan Lama | From the Himalayas to Tor des Géants (TOR) | Season 3 Episode 16
In Season 3 Episode 16 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with Nepali ultrarunner Jeevan Lama to explore his incredible journey from the trails of Nepal to some of the world’s toughest mountain ultras. Jeevan shares how running helped transform his life, keeping him away from...
-
Peyton HildeBrandt | Running Stronger Through Setbacks and Goals | Season 3 Episode 15
In Season 3 Episode 15 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with Peyton for an honest conversation about injuries, setbacks, marathon struggles, and the mindset required to keep moving forward. Peyton shares how her running journey began, the transition from shorter distances to...
-
Kaylee Frederick | Running Towards the Impossible | Badwater 135 & 24-Hour Racing | S3E14
In Season 3 Episode 14 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with ultrarunner Kaylee Frederick for a powerful conversation about endurance, discipline, mental resilience, and chasing seemingly impossible goals. At just 21 years old, Kaylee has already built an extraordinary…
more -
Where Strength Meets Endurance | Grace Gilliam | Wakaii Chahatngan Tukon | Season 3 Episode 13
What happens when a powerlifter decides to run 200 miles? In Season 3 Episode 13 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with Grace Gilliam / Wakaii Chahatngan Tukon to explore a journey built on resilience, discipline, and relentless self-belief. From growing up in a remote village with...
-
Discipline Beyond Motivation | Timonthy Bass | Season 3 Episode 12
Timothy Bass returns to the podcast after completing one of the most demanding goals he has ever set for himself, running 5,111 miles in a single year. In this episode, we look back at the physical and mental challenges of maintaining 100-mile weeks, what it took to stay consistent without a…
more -
Junko Kazukawa | The Art of Not Giving Up | Season 3 Episode 11
What does it take to keep showing up for decades? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with ultrarunner Junko Kazukawa, a breast cancer survivor, coach, and one of the most experienced endurance athletes in the sport. From completing Leadville 100 ten times to racing...
-
Addie Bracy | Still Finding New Limits | Western States, UTMB & 25 Years of Running | S3E10
What does it take to stay competitive after more than two decades in the sport? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with elite ultrarunner Addie Bracy to discuss longevity, adaptation, setbacks, and the constant pursuit of improvement. From her early days in running…
more -
Careth Arnold | Chasing Big Goals, Raising Little Humans | Western States, TDS, Hardrock & 100-Mile Racing
What does it take to balance elite ultrarunning with motherhood? In this episode, I sit down with Careth Arnold, one of the top-ranked ultrarunners in the United States, to talk about her journey from a recreational runner and mother of two to competing at some of the biggest trail and...
-
Charlie Shelbourne | From the Desert to the Mountains | Marathon des Sables, Dragon’s Back & 100 Mile Ultras | Season 3 episode 8
In Season 3 Episode 8 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with ultra runner and former Royal Marines Commando Charlie Shelbourne for a deep conversation about endurance, suffering, and pushing human limits. From completing Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert to taking on the...
-
John Kelly | The Edge of Possible | Barkley Marathons, Endurance & Mental Toughness | S3E7
What does it take to keep showing up at the edge of human possibility? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with John Kelly, Barkley Marathons finisher, endurance athlete, data scientist, and one of the most thoughtful minds in ultra running. From the psychological...
-
Figuring Out the 100 Mile Mind | Mercedes Siegle-Gaither | Season 3 Episode 6
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, ultra runner and Merrell athlete Mercedes Siegle-Gaither joins the podcast to talk about ultra running, 100 mile races, trail running mindset, endurance training, and the mental side of ultramarathons. We discuss: 50 mile vs 100 mile racing ultra...
-
Noreen Roberts | From “I Can’t” to “Let’s See” | Season 3 Episode 5
What does it take to go from self-doubt to self-belief? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive into the real journey behind ultrarunning: not the podiums, not the highlight reels, but the internal shift that happens when you stop asking “Can I?” and start saying “Let’s see.”...
-
Roger Milenk | Fueling for Performance: The Basics Most Runners Miss | Season 3 Episode 4
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Ash sits down with Roger, CEO of SQUEEZY Nutrition and one of the pioneers of endurance fueling in Europe, to break down the fundamentals of fueling for performance. Roger shares over 30 years of experience in sports nutrition, starting from...
-
Nicole Linke | From Doubt to Distance: Chasing the Impossible | Season 3 Episode 3
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with Nicole Linke: an ultrarunner who returned to running after 8 years away and went from self-doubt to completing some of the toughest endurance races out there. From her first 61K in 2021 to conquering 100 milers, 24-hour races,...
-
Kilian Korth | From Delusion to Proof: A Complete Transformation | Season 3 Episode 2
After winning Moab 200, setting a new Triple Crown overall time record, and completing one of the most brutal challenges in ultrarunning, Kilian Korth returns to the podcast. In this episode, we go beyond the headlines. We break down what it actually took to execute across Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200,...
-
Rebecca Rick | Without Limits: Winning the Moab 240 | Season 3 Episode 1
What does it take to win one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with Rebecca Rick, who claimed 1st place female at Moab 240 Endurance Run (2025) after finishing 2nd the year before. From pushing through 240 miles of desert...
-
Season 2 Finale: Dreams Into Reality
Episode 50 marks the Season 2 finale of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step. “Dreams Into Reality” returns, but this time it means something different. Over this season, the conversations went deeper. Stories of endurance, failure, resilience, and stepping into the unknown started to hit differently....
-
Ivo Steyaert | Into the Fifth Night | Season 2 Episode 49
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive deep into the journey of an athlete who pushed the limits of human endurance at Big’s Backyard Ultra, completing an incredible 113 loops (≈758 km / 471 miles) and finishing second. We explore what it really takes to survive multiple days…
more -
Emilie Mann | Chasing Mountains and the 100 Mile Mind | Season 2 Episode 48
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with ultra runner Emilie Mann to explore the mindset behind racing some of the toughest ultra marathons in the world. From 50K mountain races to 100 mile ultras like Run Rabbit Run, Emilie shares her experience racing globally,...
-
Megan Eckert | Surviving the Storm at Big’s Backyard | Season 2 Episode 47
Megan Eckert returns to Pushing Horizons: Step by Step after an incredible performance at Big’s Backyard Ultra, where she pushed through brutal weather, extreme sleep deprivation, and over 90 hours of continuous running. In this episode, we break down what it truly takes to survive one of the...
-
Nick Coury | Engineering the Perfect Ultra Race | Season 2 Episode 46
What does it really take to run the perfect ultra race? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with one of the most analytical and consistent endurance athletes in the sport to break down the science, strategy, and mindset behind elite ultra running performance. From…
more -
Jacqueline Rayo | The Therapy Found on the Road | Season 2 episode 45
In Season 2 Episode 45 of Pushing Horizons: Steps by Steps, Ash sits down with an inspiring runner whose life revolves around discipline, resilience, and the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. A single mother balancing work, parenting, and intense endurance training, she logs…
more -
Renee McGregor | When Passion Turns Into Burnout | Season 2 Episode 44
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we explore one of the most overlooked topics in endurance sports: when passion slowly turns into burnout. Many runners believe that more mileage, harder training, and constant racing are the keys to improvement. But what happens when the body and...
-
Hillary Allen | The Choice to Believe Again | Season 2 Episode 43
In this powerful episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, Hilary Allen shares her journey from being ranked world number one in skyrunning to surviving a 150-foot fall during a race in Norway. We talk about trauma, recovery, identity, mental resilience, and the choice to believe in yourself…
more -
Robyn Lesh | When Hard Is Exactly the Point | Season 2 Episode 42
In Season 2 Episode 42 of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with professional trail runner Robyn Lesh to unpack her journey from believing she “couldn’t run” to finishing 7th at CCC (UTMB), one of the most competitive 100K mountain races in the world. We dive deep into ultra running...
-
Cody Poskin | 400KM of Silence | Season 2 Episode 41
Last time I spoke to him, he had just finished Cocodona 250 tested, humbled, hungry for more. Now he returns after winning the Gobi 240. Four hundred kilometers across the desert. Self-navigated. Self-supported. No crew. No pacers. Just checkpoints, a GPS watch, and long stretches of silence…
more -
Manuela Vilaseca | Presence Over Pressure | Season 2 Episode 40
She didn’t start the year chasing a record. She started the year questioning if she even wanted to keep running. Then she ran the 200-mile Triple Crown. Tahoe 200. Bigfoot 200. Moab 240. Three races. Four months. And she broke the women’s Triple Crown record. But this episode is not about the...
-
Sanna Duthie | When Distance Becomes Freedom | Season 2 Episode 39
What happens when running stops being about pace, and becomes about freedom? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we sit down with one of the UK’s most accomplished ultrarunners to talk about mental strength, 100-mile races, mountain adventures, DNFs, and the deeper reasons behind...
-
Marah Catania | Finding Strength One Climb at a Time | Season 2 Episode 38
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive into an inspiring trail running journey that began in 2023 and quickly escalated into completing some of Hong Kong’s toughest ultra races. From a first 19km race to finishing the HK100 (103km, 5314m elevation gain), TransLantau 100K, and...
-
Josh McDole | The Triple Crown, the Letter, and Mile 200 | Season 2 Episode 37
In this episode, I sit down with Josh McDole, ultrarunner and 2025 Triple Crown of 200s finisher. We dive deep into what it really takes to complete Zion 100, Cocodona 250, Tahoe 200, Bigfoot 200, and Moab 240, all in a single season. We talk about: Running 200+ miles through mountains and desert...
-
Jon Park | When Fitness Becomes Identity | Season 2 Episode 36
What happens when fitness stops being something you do and starts becoming who you are? In this episode, I sit down with Jon to unpack a journey that moved from team sport to solo endurance. From discovering running after football ended, to tackling 24-hour races, hundred milers, brutal mountain...
-
Charlotte Fisher | Strength Built in the Dark | Season 2 Episode 35
Not every race ends at the finish line. Some end with a decision. In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we dive into the realities of ultrarunning beyond results. We talk about building mental strength through failure, learning from DNFs, and why knowing when to stop can be just as...
-
Tommy Sullivan | When Joy Pushes You Forward | Season 2 Episode 34
In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, we explore what happens when joy, not ego, becomes the driving force behind running. This conversation dives deep into the mental side of ultrarunning, including DNFs, burnout, loss of motivation, and the pressure to constantly perform. We talk...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Pushing Horizons: Step by Step is a podcast about how running changes us: physically, mentally, emotionally. Hosted by Ash Pant, each episode unpacks raw, heartfelt conversations with runners who’ve faced setbacks, chased dreams, and found themselves in the rhythm of the run. These are stories of grit, growth, healing, and quiet triumphs. Whether you're lacing up for your first 5K or recovering from your hundredth, this is for anyone who's ever run toward something more. Every step tells a story. Let’s keep moving forward, together.
HOSTED BY
Ash Pant
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Pushing Horizons Step by Step have?
Pushing Horizons Step by Step currently has 138 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Pushing Horizons Step by Step about?
Pushing Horizons: Step by Step is a podcast about how running changes us: physically, mentally, emotionally. Hosted by Ash Pant, each episode unpacks raw, heartfelt conversations with runners who’ve faced setbacks, chased dreams, and found themselves in the rhythm of the run. These are stories of...
How often does Pushing Horizons Step by Step release new episodes?
Pushing Horizons Step by Step publishes regularly with 138 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Pushing Horizons Step by Step?
You can listen to Pushing Horizons Step by Step on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Pushing Horizons Step by Step?
Pushing Horizons Step by Step is created and hosted by Ash Pant.
URL copied to clipboard!