On Your Left with Trails of Mississippi

Episode #30: The Never-Too-Late Journey

In this episode, Matt sits down with Claire Jungling from RunStrong to spotlight the upcoming “Rez Loop Challenge” on June 6. Joining them is Nancy Hines, who began running in her 60s and is now tackling her longest challenge yet. Nancy shares her inspiring journey from her first 8K to aiming for 24 miles on race day. We’ll talk about the power of starting late, pushing boundaries, and finding community on the trails. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just lacing up, this episode proves it’s never too late to start.   #OnYourLeft #RunStrong #RezLoopChallenge #NeverTooLate #TrailRunning #Inspiration   Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #29: The Ride with MagRidge BMX

In tonight’s episode, Matt welcomes Shane Adams and Bernie Brenneman, the driving forces behind MagRidge BMX, right here in the studio. We dive into the inspiring story of how MagRidge rose from the site of an old landfill—the “North Lagoon”—to become Mississippi’s only BMX track.   For over a decade, MagRidge has fostered a growing BMX community for riders of all ages. We’ll talk about their impact on youth and adult riders, how they run as a volunteer-driven nonprofit, and their big annual events—from state championships to Easter egg hunts and Halloween Trunk-or-Treats.   Shane and Bernie will share how MagRidge brings families together, supports new riders with leagues and clinics, and even collaborates with pro riders. Whether you’re a seasoned BMX racer or just curious, you’ll get a glimpse of what makes this track a special place in Mississippi.   Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode: #28 - 180 Miles Deep: The Brutal Beauty of Cocodona 250

This week on On Your Left, the crew breaks down Matt Clem’s epic attempt at the legendary Cocodona 250, a grueling ultramarathon stretching from Black Canyon City, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona. Battling brutal heat, destroyed feet, exhaustion, and severe sleep deprivation, Matt pushed himself 180 miles into one of the toughest races in the world before ultimately stepping off the course. But this episode is not about failure, it’s about perspective. Matt opens up about the overwhelming support from friends, family, crew members, and followers who rallied behind him every step of the way. What could have felt like defeat instead became a powerful reminder of community, resilience, and what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves. This is the real side of endurance racing: suffering, sacrifice, teamwork, emotion, and the unexpected joy found somewhere deep in the pain cave. #OnYourLeft #Cocodona250 #UltraRunning #TrailRunning #EnduranceAthlete #MattClem #RunningCommunity #Ultramarathon #AdventureRunning #PainCave #MountainRunning #ArizonaTrails #NeverQuit #OutdoorAdventure #PodcastLife   This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #27: Bethany Madson

In this episode, we welcome Bethany Madson—the mom of two who just shattered the 100-mile course record at the Mississippi 100 Trail Race.   Bethany’s journey began in high school cross country and track, but it was after her second daughter was born that she truly embraced trail running. Starting in 2018 with a six-hour ultra, she steadily grew her distance. After a brief hiatus, she returned stronger—tackling her first 100-miler in 2023 and recently completing her tenth.   Though she’s conquered major marathons like Boston and New York, her heart lies on the trails—where she finds strength, purpose, and a way to inspire her daughters. Song of the week: https://open.spotify.com/track/4lY95OMGb9WxP6IYut64ir?si=_eoE-2mhQ7ulWjK9Yb1KkA [https://open.spotify.com/track/4lY95OMGb9WxP6IYut64ir?si=_eoE-2mhQ7ulWjK9Yb1KkA]   Episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode #26: On Your Left – Gravel Adventures with Zach McRaney

In this episode, Matt sits down with Zach McRaney from the South Mississippi Trail Alliance. They dive into all the exciting initiatives the Alliance has been working on to expand outdoor recreation in the region. A highlight of the conversation is the upcoming “Rattlesnake Rumble,” Mississippi’s only gravel bike race. The event offers distances up to 100 miles and will take place in the scenic Pine Belt area on April 11. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just curious about the gravel scene, this episode promises inspiration and some great stories from the trail. Tune in for a fun ride!   Song of the week: https://open.spotify.com/track/4sWs84qtpPOhyUBG0NHiz7?si=BeYdRy9RQweJfr7ApZBlhQ [https://open.spotify.com/track/4sWs84qtpPOhyUBG0NHiz7?si=BeYdRy9RQweJfr7ApZBlhQ] This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.