The Ultimate Human with Gary Brecka — Episode 237

Guest: Andrew Glaze

Title: On The Mental Health Benefits of Running 100 Miles Weekly

Release Date: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode features an in-depth and inspiring discussion between host Gary Brecka and ultra-endurance runner and firefighter, Andrew Glaze. The central theme is the profound mental health benefits, resilience, and powerful life lessons born from Glaze’s extreme running routine — 100 miles every single week for over 300 consecutive weeks — and his experiences with both trauma and triumph as a first responder. The conversation covers strategies for overcoming PTSD, the culture and demands of ultra distance running, biohacking and recovery, and the motivational power of purposeful suffering.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Andrew Glaze’s Origin Story: Movement as Therapy

• Glaze’s early 20s: Battled anxiety, depression, inactivity, and substance use.
  • “I was overweight, smoking a lot of pot, drinking a lot of alcohol, all the kind of things you do in your 20s.” (03:27 – A)
• A friend’s suggestion led him to exercise; benefits were immediate and profound.
  • “Once I started working out... I really just never had that anxiety and depression problem again.” (04:23 – A)
• Took an exercise science course to learn more, pre-Internet era learning.

2. First Responder Trauma & PTSD

• As a firefighter, exposure to trauma (e.g., accidents, death) led to PTSD symptoms: insomnia, persistent anxiety, elevated heart rate.
• Glaze: “Occasionally you’ll get triggered... it just throws off your nervous system. It's a really terrible feeling.” (07:00 – A)
• A hyper-masculine environment made discussing mental health taboo, leading many to self-medicate with drugs/alcohol.
• Running offered Glaze a healthier escape and way to process trauma.

3. The Unique Mental Benefits of Ultra Running

• During the most grueling points of ultra races (mile 50–85+), a forced single-mindedness emerges that silences PTSD and everyday stress:
  • “The brain goes real quiet when it comes to the PTSD symptoms... you're just trying to stay alive.” (12:16 – A)
• Emphasis on mental toughness, intentional suffering, and growth through adversity:
  • “There’s no way to shortcut to get there. The only way to mile 80 is through 80 miles of hard work.” (12:43 – A)
• “Maybe the addiction is just like that mental training where you’re always trying to get yourself into a better spot.” (13:53 – A)

4. Unbroken Streak: The 100 Mile Week Challenge

• Glaze accomplished 300 consecutive weeks of running at least 100 miles (most weeks more than 100).
• “300 consecutive weeks of running 100 miles... most of them were way more than 100 miles.” (15:06 – B/A)

5. Recovery, Nutrition & Biohacking

• Glaze’s Recovery Routine:
  • Basic but consistent: sauna, cold plunge, red light therapy (mainly for feet).
  • Massive caloric intake required; focuses on whole foods, is vegan.
  • Trained his stomach to process heavy foods (e.g., “vegan burgers”) during races.
• Supplementation includes: flaxseed oil, algae oil (DHA/EPA), iron, zinc, magnesium, D3/K2, garlic, B complex, AG1 for nutritional insurance; regular bloodwork. (19:43 – 21:14)
• Always experimenting with new supplements and strategies.
• “If you don’t keep your bones and tendons and muscles strong, then... things happen to them.” (16:08 – A)

6. Race Strategy & Sleep Deprivation

• Ultra distances (e.g., 240-300 mile races like Moab 240) require relentless logistics and adaptation.
• Hallucinations and sleep deprivation are normal after 24–50 hours awake.
  • Memorable hallucination: “The whole road looked like those little troll dolls... I was running on troll dolls.” (30:41 – A)
• New sleep strategy: 3–6am, paired with sunrise, boosts recovery and energy.
  • "I would sleep from like 3am to 6am so that like I would wake up right as the sun was rising." (29:04 – A)

7. Race Adversities, Setbacks and Perseverance

• Failed Moab 240 twice (falling and back injury, heat stroke and dehydration).
  • "At first I thought I would be okay, but what happened is I'd landed on my back and it started to swell." (34:10 – A)
  • Second DNF (Did Not Finish) due to heat stroke at mile 85: “My body stopped sweating... almost died.” (35:19 – A)
• Returned third year, overcame 150-year rainstorm, finished in ~98 hours with 7 hours of sleep.
• "Failing forward": using setbacks to fuel growth.
  • "...just not giving up... failing forward... that's what life's really about, you know, is just continuing to try to improve yourself." (44:07 – A)

8. Motivation, Community & Family Balance

• Running brings immense joy and purpose; now also inspires millions online.
  • “On a very fundamental level, I just really enjoy it...” (45:11 – A)
• Balances fatherhood, marriage, demanding firefighting schedule (eight-day shifts during peak season), and training.
• Emphasizes breaking mileage into two daily runs for injury prevention, often running loops around the fire station with a radio. (51:38 – 52:21)
• Inspiring camaraderie: encourages colleagues; some have attempted marathons/ultras. (53:14 – 53:39)

9. Setting New Limits: Upcoming Races & Expanding the Possible

• Next goals: 300 mile “Arizona Monster,” 250 mile Cocodona, 268 mile unsupported “Spine” race in the UK.
  • "I'm going to do that Arizona Monster 300. Then I'm gonna do Cocodona 250..." (70:35 – A)
• Enjoys dynamic environmental challenges (weather, terrain), community aspect, learning—"there's always crazier people in the ultra world!" (55:33 – A)

10. Legacy, Positivity & Life Philosophy

• Inspired by late father, who taught values of hard work and positivity.
  • "He taught me... always looking for the positive." (76:22 – A)
• Mental reframing negative experiences as launching pads for future growth:
  • “You can focus all your vitriol on what this person did to you... or you can go, that's actually what led to this decision.” (78:05 – B)
• Outlets like family, firefighting, and global social media presence expand his impact:
  • “Now I have this... third sort of career where I'm able to help people internationally on, like, a huge scale. Millions of people. Just because I like... to run.” (45:47 – A)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Trauma and Mindset:

• “Everyone has different symptoms, but for me, I’ll get really bad insomnia... I won’t be able to relax and I will try to like tell myself it's okay, but like, I just. My body will not, like, shut off.” (07:40 – A)
• “You really never know what’s going to trigger it... Pavlovian theory, right? So... all the lights come on or like a bright light hits my face, I wake up and I like think I’m getting a call.” (10:15 – A)

On the Mental State During Races:

• “When you’re just trying to stay alive, all the other thoughts and everything kind of go away... I got to keep moving forward. I got to feed myself... make sure I’m taking enough water, electrolytes, trying to live.” (12:16 – A)
• “There’s no way to shortcut to get there. There’s no cheat code, there’s no hack.” (12:43 – A)

On Recovery Limits:

• “People think... you have the ability then [to] sleep for a long time. But what you find is your body is so sore... the natural pain and soreness wakes you up.” (39:54 – A)

On Purpose and Inspiring Others:

• “I got into the fire service as a secondary career because I wanted to help people... Now I have this... third sort of career where I’m able to help people internationally on, like, a huge scale. Millions of people. Just because I like... to run.” (45:47 – A)

On Failure and resilience:

• “Failing forward, you know, you fail and you just keep trying to do better and better and better until you get to... that point.” (44:07 – A)
• “You’re going to make mistakes, things are going to go wrong, things aren’t always going to work out... just trying to get better so it doesn't happen again.” (44:26 – A)

On Family and Legacy:

• “He taught me to work hard and that nothing would be given to me unless I worked hard for it and that, you know, positivity wins.” (76:22 – A)

On What It Means to Be an Ultimate Human:

• “I think the ultimate human contributes selfishly to society to make society better. And whatever that means to you, I think that’s... helping people and making the world a better place.” (87:20 – A)

Important Timestamps

• PTSD and Mental Health in Firefighting: 03:18–09:54
• Ultra Running as Therapy/Endurance Mindset: 12:16–14:49
• Nutrition, Recovery, Biohacking for Endurance: 15:19–22:22
• MOAB 240 Race Details & Setbacks: 23:26–44:07
• Balancing Firefighting, Family, Training: 49:49–54:41
• Motivation, Community, Legacy: 55:04–59:03; 76:08–78:35
• Physical Impact and Adaptations: 58:09–59:24
• Future Aspirations in Ultra Endurance: 70:18–73:11
• Perspectives on Failure, Growth, and Impact: 76:14–87:20

Guest Information and Resources

• Book: "Smile. You're Doing It Wrong" (85:47 – A)
• Instagram: @amglaze
• TikTok & YouTube: @glazeruns
• Strava: Andrew Glaze

Overall Tone & Takeaways

Glaze and Brecka’s conversation is candid, motivational, and laced with humility and humor. Glaze exemplifies “the aggressive pursuit of discomfort,” turning suffering and adversity into resilience, self-improvement, and service to others. Their dialogue is both practical — detailing specific strategies for physical and mental self-care — and philosophical, encouraging listeners to seek meaning, connection, and positivity in their own ultimate human journey.

Recommended for anyone interested in mental toughness, overcoming adversity, the science and soul of extreme endurance, or thriving under pressure — on the race course and in life.