Podcast
We Are Superman
Hosted by Bill Stahl · EN
Founded by David Clark, a former 320-pound alcoholic, drug addict, food junkie turned accomplished endurance athlete, bestselling author, plant-based fighter, and happiness warrior. Ultramarathoner and coach Bill Stahl is continuing David's legacy to bring you inspirational stories of ordinary people overcoming alcoholism, addiction, obesity, or catastrophic injuries or illnesses to accomplish epic achievements like running ultramarathons, climbing Everest, etc. We also bring you world-class athletes and others involved in the endurance sports space, medical providers, and others who can help you up your own game in athletics as well as in life so you feel, look, and perform better. As David said, we will help you look into the far side of the universe where anything is possible and all things are eventual.
28episodes
Episodes
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#386 - We Are Mike Melton and a Peek Into the Race Timer's Tent, Part 2
1w ago00:54:32Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThis is part two of my entertaining chat with Mike Melton of MCM Timing, the absolute best in the business of timing very long races. As I mentioned last episode, I inherited Mike for the American Heroes Run after David unexpectedly passed away less than four months before the race and I suddenly took up the mantle of race director, and I got really lucky because Mike ensured that not only would the race not miss a beat in the transition, but I’ve had a partner ever since that has helped me maintain the highest quality in the race running smoothly, with accurate timing and results. Mike is well-known across the continent for his precision work with many of the most prominent ultras, on point-to-point trails, loops, indoors, in hot weather, cold weather, rain, snow, wind, you name it. Mike and I have traded stories for hours at the American Heroes Run, but it was super cool to be able to chat with him here without getting interrupted by race duties. No one has seen as many unusual occurrences, or has gained more perspective on human behavior of those who run races like these, as Mike has. Enjoy the second part of this very fun chat.Mike MeltonFacebook Mike MeltonBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastPlease consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide! Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much!https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138
Transcribe →#385 - We Are Mike Melton and a Peek Into the Race Timer's Tent, Part 1
2w ago01:01:04Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailThey say that a game is well-officiated when you don’t even notice the referees or umpires. I sure can’t say that about this NBA Finals, where the officiating has been atrocious. But if you’ve ever run an ultramarathon, especially a multiday race, and didn’t notice the timer, it might have been because that was Mike Melton of MCM Timing, the absolute best in the business. I inherited Mike for the American Heroes Run after David unexpectedly passed away less than four months before the race and I suddenly took up the mantle of race director, and boy, did I get lucky because Mike ensured that not only would the race not miss a beat in the transition, but I’ve had a partner ever since that has helped me maintain the highest quality in the race running smoothly, with accurate timing and results. Mike and his company have timed everything from 5Ks to many of the most significant ultras in North America, including the Barkley Marathons, Big’s Backyard Ultra, Six Days in the Dome, Across the Years, the Keys 100, and many more. In fact, he is on the road in his Sprinter van that has 500,000 miles on it for 265 days a year. He has seen it all and has some great stories to tell here. In fact, so many that I have split this conversation into two parts. Mike also shares his origin story in the timing business and as a runner. Many might not know that Mike ran 171 miles in 72 hours at Across the Years, and has a very respectable 100-mile PR of 22:49. Mike also tells about how he and David connected for the very first American Heroes Run and how it led to the development of the software that Mike now uses for races that run laps.Mike MeltonFacebook Mike MeltonBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastPlease consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide! Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much!https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138
Transcribe →#384 Power Play - How Long Should Your Long Run Be?
3w ago00:13:26Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailOne of the most common questions we coaches of long-distance runners get is, “How long should my long run be?” Related to that is, “If I’m training for a marathon, how many times should I do 26-mile training runs?” I dive into these, training camps, and other related considerations in this Power Play episode that I hope helps you in your training for your next marathons and ultramarathons.Bill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastPlease consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide! Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much!https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
Transcribe →#383 - We Are Cody Poskin Continuing To Climb with a Huge Cocodona 250 Finish
4w ago01:39:48Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailCody Poskin is an emerging star of ultramarathoning, and his meteoric rise continued earlier this month at the Cocodona 250 in Arizona, where he placed second among men in 58:13:44, impressively knocking 13 hours off of his time from a year earlier. He attributes his progress due to lessons he learned from last time about sleeping, how not to chafe, increasing his training load, and to mental ruggedness. Some of the latter was honed when he won the Ultra Gobi Desert 400K, which he discussed on WASP episode #364 last October. Cody chats with me about many of the challenges he encountered while running 253 miles through the Arizona mountains, deserts, canyons, and several steep mountain climbs and descents, and what it was like to not be cruising to the finish, but actually be dueling other competitors in the latter stages of the race. Not to mention the challenges of training for such terrain on the meek hills where he lives in Missouri, and while working an office job. His recent results have led to sponsorships with Mount to Coast shoes among others that are leading toward him considering himself a full-time professional runner, and allowing him some degree of freedom like many 24-year-olds crave to travel to races and pursue other adventures like triathlon and long-distance kayaking. Cody is setting his sights toward qualifying for high-profile races like Hardrock and UTMB, and relocating to an area like Colorado where he can train on our trails. And last but not least, we chat about his race clothing choices. Cody is awesome to chat with and I’m sure you’ll be entertained.Cody Poskincodyposkin.comInstagram, YouTube, and Threads @cody_poskinBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastPlease consider donating to support Team Leadville and Boulder Crest to help end veteran suicide! Donate, share, or just help spread the word to help end veteran suicide. Thank you very much!https://weblink.donorperfect.com/BoulderCrestFoundation/2026TeamLeadville/BillStahl Subscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
Transcribe →#382 - We Are Josh Lee, From 435 Pounds to Ultramarathon Warrior
May 2201:39:29Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailToday’s guest is one of the earliest members of David’s Leadville Ten Warriors group that all were overcoming their addictions and with David’s guidance gleaned from lessons he learned in his own life, battled back against those addictions and trained to run races like the Leadville Heavy Half and Marathon. Josh Lee completed the Heavy Half in 2019, but he had to hit rock bottom before making the definitive changes he needed to put his life on the right course. Josh was a high school wrestler, and as you may know, their routine before every meet was to starve and sweat to lose pounds, and then following the weigh-in gorge out eating. This yo-yo effect created bad habits that led to him gradually putting on more and more weight. From 200 pounds in 2017, Josh ballooned to 435 pounds in 2023. At least that’s what he knew of. It might have been more. Josh works as a funeral director, which meant wearing suits to work. He and his young son had a routine where the boy put on Josh’s socks because he couldn’t reach down himself to do this seemingly simple task. A comment by his son triggered a response that made him determined to upend his food addict life. So he changed his diet and get this, Josh dropped 180 pounds over the ensuing 72 weeks. Nothing fancy. No GLP-1 drugs, no bariatric surgery. And he began running. A lot. Nine months in, he ran his first 50K. A year after that, he finished 7th in a 12-hour race, completing 53 miles. This past October, he finished the Hennepin 100-miler in 21:51, which is a very, very, impressive time. Earlier this month, Josh entered his first backyard ultra and placed second, completing 112.5 miles. But best for Josh is he is the dad and husband he always wished he could be when he weighed literally three times what I weigh. Plus he’s a great guy. I think you’ll be very inspired by this truly amazing story.Josh LeeInstagram @leemortuaryBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
Transcribe →#381 - We Are Three Blind Veterans Climbing Kilimanjaro and Leading Inspiring Lives
May 102:24:20Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailI’m talking today with three truly remarkable men, all veterans, all of whom have not let the loss of their eyesight and sometimes more affect their willingness to help others in monumental ways. They have started foundations and programs so others are not glued to their couches but instead get active and find meaning in their lives. They have found ways to adapt to the world to produce podcasts and music, and telling stories about overcoming steep odds. They have set and attained what would be unfathomable goals to most people that are even more impressive for the blind. They have also formed a tight bond that has led them to the Top of Africa – the summit of Kilimanjaro. Imagine if you will a multi-day trek starting through the jungles and pouring rain up an Alpine peak that tops out at 19,341 feet, all without vision. One of them, Aaron Hale, even first ran 200 miles from the Indian Ocean to the base of Kilimanjaro to join the climb with the others, Steve Baskis and Lonnie Bedwell, who by the way is the first blind person to kayak the length of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The climb up Kili itself is arduous enough for most, but being blind adds elements that others wouldn’t encounter. Obviously, every step on a rocky trail can be riskier. Or take a little thing like leaving your tent in the middle of the night to answer nature’s call when no amount of lights is going to help tell you if there is a cliff a step ahead. I think you’ll be riveted to hearing this enthralling story. I would recommend following up this WASP episode by listening to Steve’s three-part series telling of their climb on the Blind Endeavors podcast channel. And also check out their other amazing achievements on their web sites, which I have listed in the show notes, including Lonnie’s quest to complete the last leg of the Explorer’s Grand Slam, which includes reaching the top of the Seven Summits, which are the tallest peaks on every continent, as well as trekking to the North and South Poles. The only part he’s missing is the North Pole, soon to come. Steve meanwhile, is working to sail solo across the Atlantic Ocean.Blind Endeavors Media Hub:https://blindendeavors.org/on-the-mountain-to-tell-the-story-a-blind-endeavors-foundation-mission-to-kilimanjaro/Steve Baskisstevebaskis.comFacebook Steven C BaskisInstagram and X @stevebaskisYouTube @Baskis360 and baskis360.comLinkedIn Steven BaskisLonnie Bedwelllonniebedwell.comlonnie.r.bedwell@gmail.comFacebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn @Lonnie BedwellAaron HaleFacebook www.facebook.com/aclayhaleInstagram @aclayhaleLinkedIn Aaron Halepointofimpactpod.comYouTube @pointofimpactpodcastBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8
Transcribe →#380 - We Are Tim Carney, Firefighter to Healthstyle Guru
Apr 1601:35:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAs you know, the American Heroes Run honors among others our courageous first responders, so when the opportunity came up to chat with Tim Carney, a professional firefighter for 33 years, I jumped at it. Tim learned early on during one of his rescues how much fitness comes into play. From this, he earned his personal training certification. But he was surprised how much resistance he got from department heads after he developed a program to improve wellness for those he worked with. This evolved into him creating PrimeFITTlife, which is aimed to help people of all ages and all walks achieve what he calls a better “health-style.” Tim has learned a lot about how fitness contributes to overall health, and most of all about the different ways people are motivated to act. He points out that people are typically either “doers,” “whyers,” or “howers,” and what types of exercise are likely to inspire each group. He has distilled his down-to-earth approach into in-person and online training, and e-books. We talk also about barriers that some people erect to adopting a better health-style, and about simple steps one can take to overcome these, whether it’s meal planning or simply walking – and that there are different types of walking for fitness, too. It’s also great that Tim brings his classroom training into community centers near where he lives in northeast Ohio to facilitate more of that healthstyle training to a wider audience. Tim shares a lot of fantastic, simple steps one can take to make incremental progress in your overall health that can benefit all of us, including what he calls “minding your P’s and 2’s.” Be sure to reach out to Tim at timothyjcarney.com for his free e-book or if you’d like to chat with him about improving your own healthstyle.Tim Carneytimothyjcarney.comInstagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @primeFITTlifeBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
Transcribe →#379 - We Are Greg the Hydrogen Man Has Uncovered the Keys to Better Health
Mar 2502:09:07Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailComing back from a suicide attempt, tumors, and pain so bad that he was bedridden for six months and couldn’t even operate a TV remote, Greg desperately searched for answers, any answers. He came across one that showed promise – hydrogen. But being the skeptic that he is, he recognized that there are gazillions of scams both in traditional and alternative medicine. It took him four years researching hundreds of studies before he started to believe. Greg also learned about how pure water and blocking PFAS from entering our bodies are also major keys to health. Water, filtration, and supplement companies in general, he found, have been misleading consumers about their efficacy in the name of profits, which Greg illuminates us on. Over a period of years, Greg was able to recover his physical and mental health and has embarked on a mission to help others. He isn’t promoting products, but just wants to share his extensive research that has led to him to debunk dubious medical claims and to creating protocols using hydrogen that have cured and/or improved the lives of people living with autoimmune diseases, Parkinson’s Disease, tumors, diabetes, glaucoma, and more. A lot of these inspiring stories are featured on his comprehensive YouTube channel, Uprising144K. I think you will find this a very interesting episode, especially if you or someone you know is dealing with a condition that seems to defy solution.Greg the Hydrogen Manuprising144k@gmail.comInstagram @uprising144k_YouTube, X, and Rumble Uprising144KBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
Transcribe →#378 - We Are Jonathan Schwartz and His Remarkable Riches-to-Redemption Story
Mar 1101:22:46Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailDavid battled multiple addictions, including alcohol, drugs, and eating, but some other addictions don’t often receive the same attention. In this riveting episode, we hear the incredible story of convicted felon Jonathan Schwartz, who worked his way up in the finance world to the point where he was managing the money for numerous entertainment stars in Hollywood and beyond. However, underlying this glamorous life were insidious addictions to cocaine and gambling, the latter of which spawned from seemingly innocent sports wagering in college. I saw the devastating effects gambling had on someone once close to me that took many years to unravel. For Jonathan, it led him to embezzling millions of dollars from entertainers like Alanis Morissette. After his crimes were uncovered, Jonathan snorted coke on his way to take a lie detector test, which he failed miserably. His conviction in 2016 made sensational headlines on network news, Rolling Stone, and the Hollywood Reporter. He served in prison until 2020, his marriage broke up, and he became estranged from his three sons. Many of you know David’s story of seeking redemption, asking forgiveness, and making amends by becoming a positive force out of the ashes of his previous life. I have a quote from David on my office wall that reads, “I am not a bad person because of the past – I am a good person because I have the courage to leave it behind.” Jonathan’s remarkable story follows a similar path. Sober since the day of his disastrous polygraph test, he has undertaken a life dedicated to helping others, including as a program director for Altus Rehab, a luxury residential rehab facility. Like David, Jonathan acknowledges his own flaws and the harm he caused his victims, family, work associates, and friends by his actions, and that some may doubt his sincerity. But he knows the only person he can control is himself and others are free to judge him by his actions and make their own determination whether to believe or scorn him. Listen and find out for yourself.Jonathan Schwartzhttps://altus.rehab/meet-our-staff/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567366347946Bill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
Transcribe →#377 - We Are Dina Griffin Helping Find the Keys to Fueling and Hydration
Mar 501:28:09Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhile I was running a 12-hour, overnight trail race in Highlands Ranch, Colo. in 2024, I got a hamstring cramp that forced me to walk until I could get it to go away. In the middle of the night, when it was fairly cool. What the heck! I started to think afterwards about the number of times I’d been impaired by muscle cramps over the course of 35-plus years of races. At mile 30 of the Leadville Trail 100. At mile 22 of the Lost Dutchman Marathon in Arizona when I was on BQ pace. When my hamstring and quad muscles cramped simultaneously at mile 23 of the Boston Marathon, causing me to hobble-walk a 19-minute mile when I had been on my way to perhaps breaking 3:10. With another Leadville Trail 100 attempt only a couple of months away, I decided it was time to do something about this chronic issue and get a sweat test done at the Nutrition Mechanic in Boulder, Colo. It’s a very simple test done in their office. They also had me do three short trial runs to determine my fluid loss rate. It was a real eye-opener. I always knew I sweated a lot of salt, but my degree of fluid loss was rather astounding. I was losing from 0.8 to 1.0 pounds of fluid in just a half-hour! Since your ability becomes impaired once you exceed losing 2% of your body weight, using 150 lbs. as a rough number, meant that that 2% was happening to me in only 90 minutes. I had never considered it necessary to carry water for a run this short. This info was a total game-changer for me. I used this knowledge during the LT100 to dial in my fluid and electrolyte intakes using products from Precision Fuel, and bam, no muscle cramps hindered me at all. In this episode, you are going to learn a lot that might also greatly impact your training and race performances with Nutrition Mechanic founder and CEO Dina Griffin. Dina is a registered dietician who has an MS in Food Science and Human Nutrition and has also finished races like Leadville, Run Rabbit Run, and Comrades. Our conversation goes in-depth not only about how to use sweat test results and the genetics behind them, but how to efficiently fuel, various kinds of testing that can be done to optimize performance, supplementation, and much more. Dina shares a lot of practical advice in very relatable ways that will potentially help you make adjustments that don’t require extreme supplementation or radical dieting.Dina Griffinnutritionmechanic.comFacebook The Nutrition MechanicInstagram @nutritionmechanicLinkedIn DinagriffinrdPodcast Inside Sports NutritionBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill StahlInstagram and Threads @stahlor and @we_are_superman_podcastYouTube We Are Superman PodcastSubscribe to the We Are Superman Newsletter!https://mailchi.mp/dab62cfc01f8/newsletter-signupSubscribe to our Substack for my archive of articles of coaching tips developed from my more than three decades of experience, wild and funny stories from my long coaching career, the wit and wisdom of David, and highlights of some of the best WASP episodes from the past that I feel are worthwhile giving another listen.Search either We Are Superman Podcast or @billstahl8Register for the American Heroes Run: https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=133138Ride to End ALZ Coloradowww.alz.org/rideco
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