The Trail Network Podcast

Episode 83: Molly Seidel’s Leap to Ultras: Why Trail Running is Healing for Her Body and Soul!

Olympic bronze medalist Molly Seidel joins Hilary Yang and Katie Asmuth for a candid, thoughtful conversation about rebuilding her relationship with running and stepping into the trail world with intention. She opens up about the long recovery from a broken patella, the emotional work that reshaped her approach to training, and how her anthropology background influences the way she sees sport and culture. Molly shares why trail running feels like the right place for her joy, creativity, and durability right now, how Austin and Flagstaff each support a different side of her life, and what it has meant to find a healthier balance outside of racing. She also reflects on dropping out of the New York City Marathon to protect her progress, learning the logistics of ultras, and future trail goals with equal parts humility and ambition. It’s a grounded, refreshingly human look at an athlete redefining success and finding the confidence to build a career on her own terms. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. A big shout out to our new sponsor Precision Fuel & Hydration [https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ttnp]. Go to pfandh.com [https://www.precisionhydration.com/planner/?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ttnp] to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout. A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Episode 82: Hilary Yang and Filmmaker Carrie Highman on Stories That Move Women Forward

Hilary returns to the podcast after a whirlwind stretch directing the Mammoth events and traveling through Hong Kong and China to film her new documentary project. She’s joined by filmmaker Carrie Highman, her co-director on the upcoming film, for a conversation centered on storytelling, women’s experiences, and the impact of bringing outdoor narratives to life with intention. Carrie reflects on her career and the themes that have shaped her work, from Free to Run, which highlights the barriers faced by women in Afghanistan, to her newest film Off Course, premiering at the Banff Film Festival and exploring the intersection of infertility, identity, and ambition. Together, Hilary and Carrie discuss what it means to create work that inspires women, how filmmaking connects to the spirit of trail running, and why telling honest stories still matters. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. A big shout out to our new sponsor Precision Fuel & Hydration [pfandh.com]. Go to pfandh.com [pfandh.com] to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Episode 81: Javelina Jundred: Katie’s 100K Win + Addie Bracy on Her Golden Ticket Run

Fresh off Javelina, Leah and Katie set the scene with the weekend’s energy, from a record-setting women’s race to Katie’s own 100K win. The conversation moves quickly into what’s actually working in modern ultras: smarter cooling, sharper crew transitions, and staying present when plans go sideways. Addie Bracy joins with a clear, grounded look at how deliberate heat prep and simple mantras carried her to a golden ticket, and why decoupling identity from outcomes can revive a career. She also shares what’s ahead at SageStone Adventure Lodge, the OutRun community, and her coaching lens heading toward Western States. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Episode 80 — Big Alta’s new 100K, late season check-in, and the Leah × Katie deep dive

Katie Asmuth and Leah Yingling take the mic for a co-host deep dive, opening with a look at Freetrail’s new Big Alta 100K and how it could shape spring racing before reflecting on Kodiak’s UTMB North America Majors and the fatigue of a long season. The conversation moves into racing strategies for inaugural courses, the balance of data and intuition, and what they’ve learned from pacing, crewing, and commentary. Listeners also get a closer look at both athletes—their paths into trail running, perspectives on sponsorship, favorite gear, and the goals driving their next chapters. It’s a relaxed, personal, and insightful episode that captures the friendship, honesty, and love of the sport that define The Trail Network Podcast. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!

Episode 79: Back from 200 Miles: RD Lessons, Mom Miles & Javelina Plans

Hilary, Katie, and Leah kick back for a post–Mammoth 200 catch-up. Hilary debriefs year one of directing and alpine 200 (weather reroutes, why mandatory gear mattered, and the real talk on volunteer power and community buy-in). Katie shares end-of-month racing plans at Javelina 100K (plus a little live-stream cameo energy), and Leah opens up about her gradual, low-pressure return to running and the joys/realities of new-mom life. It’s a cozy, candid, all-corners-of-trail running episode. This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network. A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!