Episode 51: The Journey to Ultra - Why Endurance Athletes Need a Strong Mind and Stronger Community with Jess Hanson
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
Release Date: 06/13/2025
Episode 67: How to find God in Solitude, Silence and Wilderness with Bishop Mark Beckman
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this final installment of our series on spirituality and adventure, I sit down with Bishop Mark Beckman, the 4th Bishop of the Diocese of Knoxville, to explore what happens when faith is formed not just in quiet rooms, but in wild places. From hiking solo through old-growth forests to walking hundreds of miles on pilgrimage, Bishop Beckman shares how discomfort, silence, and physical effort can open us to something deeper than words. We talk about the moments that push us to the edge of our capacity—storms in the backcountry, long days of walking, fear at high elevations—and how those...
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Episode 66: The Adventure Within - Finding Strength, Meaning, and Hope through Adversity with Hilal Kanaan
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In today’s episode, I sit down with Dr. Hilal Kanaan - neurosurgeon, son of Palestinian immigrants, and someone whose daily work places him in the quiet but profound landscapes of human suffering, endurance, and compassion. While he isn’t chasing adventure in the traditional sense, Hilal spends his days navigating a different kind of wilderness: the emotional and spiritual terrain of walking with people through their hardest moments. We explore the kind of toughness that’s forged not on trails or mountaintops, but in operating rooms, hospital corridors, and the inner worlds shaped by...
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Episode 65: Why Suffering Becomes a Spiritual Awakening with Scott Sauls
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
David Brooks describes life as a journey up two mountains. The first mountain is about achievement—building a career, proving yourself, chasing success. The second mountain begins when the first no longer satisfies, and you’re called into a deeper life of meaning, surrender, and service. This episode lives squarely on that second mountain. This conversation is the second installment in our series exploring where spirituality and adventure overlap, and it’s an honest look at what happens when ambition gives way to awakening. I sat down with Scott Sauls to talk about burnout, identity, and...
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Episode 64: Adventure, Spirituality, and the Search for Something Bigger with Reed Dunn
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In today’s episode—the first in a brand-new series exploring the deeper meaning behind our outdoor experiences—I sit down with my longtime friend, pastor, everyday explorer, and deep thinker, Reed Dunn, for one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had on this podcast. This first installment leans less on adrenaline and more on the why—why we’re drawn to the outdoors, why hardship shapes us, and why so many of us pursue experiences that push us into awe, wonder, and transcendence. Reed and I dig into the spiritual side of adventure—what it means to connect with something...
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Episode 63: Walking Into a New Life - How a 100+ Pound Transformation Led to Ultra Endurance Success with Lisa Decker
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with ultra-endurance athlete Lisa Decker, whose story is a powerful blend of resilience, transformation, and the relentless pursuit of hard things. Lisa didn’t come from a traditional running background—yet she discovered the world of ultra running through community, curiosity, and a willingness to push herself beyond her comfort zone. What followed is a decade-long journey that includes a 120-pound weight-loss transformation, countless ultras, and the life-changing experience of completing the legendary Vol State 500K across...
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Episode 62: From Ultras to FKT's to Ocean Crossings: You Won’t Believe What Mike Wardian’s Doing Next!
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start chasing wild, audacious goals? That’s exactly what we unpack in this powerhouse episode with Mike Wardian—elite endurance athlete, record-setting runner, and all-around inspiration. From running across the United States to setting a fastest known time (FKT) on the Appalachian Trail for his age group, Mike shares the mindset behind tackling the unimaginable. But this conversation goes beyond races and records. Mike opens up about what fuels his drive, how he builds resilience through repetition, and how he balances his career,...
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Episode 61: Why Adventurers Quit - 3 Mental Traps and How to Beat Them with Vol State 500K Finisher MAJ (Ret.) Vincent Antunez
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
Enduring the Impossible with Vincent Antunez This episode is a deep dive into the mind and mission of Vincent Antunez, DSc, PA-C - a retired U.S. Army Major, ultra endurance athlete, and founder of Trail Toes. From grueling military deployments to multi-day ultramarathons across the globe, Vincent shares how pain, persistence, and preparation have shaped every step of his journey. We talk about what it takes to push beyond the limits of your body - and more importantly, your mind. Vincent shares raw, powerful stories of suffering and success on the course, the lessons that endurance sports...
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Episode 60: Inside the Mind of Speed Records, Failure, and Firearms with Tom Kubiniec
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
How do you embrace fear and failure to build a multi million dollar business, shred heavy metal guitar solos and break land speed records in a custom built car? In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Tom Kubiniec—entrepreneur, former heavy metal guitarist, and the so-called "gun storage guru." From his days tearing up the music scene to building a global business in military weapon storage, Tom's journey is one wild ride. We dive deep into what it means to stake a claim in life before you've "earned it," why failure should be embraced (and quickly), and how creativity...
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Episode 59: What Does it Take to Be Great with Lisa Smith-Batchen
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
What does greatness look like? Is it talent, time, or something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with endurance legend and master coach Lisa Smith-Batchen to explore what greatness really means - and how it evolves as we do. With over four decades of coaching and ultra-running behind her, Lisa shares a wisdom-packed perspective on pushing limits, aging with intention, and chasing big dreams, no matter where you're starting. Lisa is the first American to win the grueling Marathon des Sables and the first woman to have completed the Badwater Quad - covering 584 miles across Death Valley!...
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Episode 58: How to run through Death Valley in July at age 80 with Bob Becker
On Adventure Podcast with Josh Self
In this captivating episode of On Adventure, I sit down with the legendary Bob Becker - ultramarathoner, race director, and age-defying adventurer - to unpack his incredible journey from late-blooming runner to becoming the oldest finisher of the Badwater 135, one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons. At 80 years old, Bob proves that it's never too late to rewrite your story, conquer deserts, and inspire generations. Whether you're an aspiring endurance athlete, race organizer, or simply someone looking for motivation to stay active, this episode delivers. 🕓 Timestamps...
info_outlineIn this episode of On Adventure, I sit down with Jess Hanson—a certified mental performance consultant, ultra runner, and coach—to explore what it takes to build a resilient mindset for both high-performance athletes and everyday adventurers. Jess shares her journey from playing lacrosse in college to coaching athletes across sports like skiing, mountain biking, and ultra running. We dive deep into how the mental game shapes athletic success, and how pushing your physical and emotional limits can unlock deeper purpose, confidence, and grit.
If you’ve ever faced the “dark moments” in endurance sports or wondered how to mentally prepare for big goals, this conversation is for you. We talk about identity, risk, motivation, and what it really takes to show up when things get hard. Plus, Jess gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her own ultra journey - yes, even the gritty details of 100K races, helicopter skiing, and rim-to-rim-to-rim Grand Canyon adventures.
⏱️ Timeline Summary
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[1:20] - From lacrosse to ultra running: Jess shares her athletic evolution
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[4:45] - Why mental performance matters—and how it’s different from traditional coaching
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[11:40] - Facing fear in the backcountry and building confidence in uncertain moments
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[16:50] - Running her first 50-miler with just two months of training (!)
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[21:55] - Mental spirals and self-talk strategies during her 100K trail race
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[33:10] - Why she loves working with high school athletes and how she helps them reshape their relationship with sport
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[45:10] - What drives Jess to keep pushing her limits in running, skiing, and life
🔗 Links & Resources
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Jess Hanson’s Coaching: https://cognelite.net
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Association for Applied Sport Psychology: https://appliedsportpsych.org
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Find a CMPC-certified consultant: AASP Directory
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Instagram: @cognelite
💬 Closing Thoughts
If this episode gave you fuel to keep chasing your goals - or gave you tools for when the trail gets tough - please rate, follow, and share On Adventure. Also find us on our new YouTube page and click to subscribe! And if you haven’t yet, go back and check out Episode 36 with Jess’s dad, Scott Hanson, for more inspiring stories from the trail.