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.
35episodes
Episodes
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#373 - We Are Diarra Cropper Makes Some Sense of the Burrito League
Jan 2900:47:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHave you heard about the latest thing in running challenges, the Burrito League? A year ago, Jamil Coury, owner of the race directing company Aravaipa Running, ran back and forth in front of a Chipotle in Tempe, AZ expressly to get them to give him a year’s worth of burritos. Back and forth, back and forth. And he succeeded. That was the genesis this January of the Burrito League. Leagues have sprung up all over the country. The idea is to run as many segments on Strava that runners can during the month of January. The segments are .25 mile or less. Some are on city streets, back and forth, back and forth. There is one going as we speak just two miles from my house that is going back and forth on a fairly busy, unscenic street. There is now a Burrito League world headquarters in Tempe where they are tracking daily results as runners are logging marathons or more every day at all hours of the day. My friend TJ Harms-Synkiew is running one on the original course in Tempe, which is along a busy thoroughfare and they have to cross the street twice during every segment, which has led to a few car vs. runner encounters. As of this recording, he is in second-place with more than 2300 segments, or about 575 miles on the same stretch of pavement. There are now prizes such as entries into Aravaipa-hosted races like the Cocodona 250, a reward worth a couple of thousand dollars, plus shoes from sponsoring companies, and importantly, a year’s supply of burritos from local stores. In this episode, I’ve gotten a report from the course in Manitou Springs, Colorado with my Black Men Run brother Diarra Cropper, who will fill us in on the whys, the hows, and the ups and downs of the Burrito League there in this picturesque town at the foot of Pikes Peak. This Burrito League is creating a community while running laps around the parking lot of the Buffalo Lodge, and even townspeople who are not running are joining in on the, uh, fun. You’re possibly going to be amazed – as well as perplexed – at this new phenomenon as described by Diarra, an accomplished trail runner, who is a terrific ambassador to bring more people into the sport.Diarra CropperStrava Diarra CropperInstagram @dcrop_mtnrunner25Bill 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=133138
Transcribe →#372 - We Are Olli Bryers, A Young Aussie Beats a Tumor and Finishes a Triathlon... With a Twist
Jan 2201:17:06Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWe’re going back Down Under for a really impressive comeback story. Olli Bryers was what we Americans would stereotype as a young, carefree, adventurous Australian who liked to surf, backpack, travel, and occasionally party. Usually, that youthful bliss only gets interrupted when the real world says that maybe you need to find a job to finance this lifestyle, or get serious about a long-term career path. But in Olli’s case, that jolt came in his early 20s from the discovery of a spinal tumor that necessitated a surgery that could rob his ability to ever walk again. Fortunately, the doctors were successful in removing the tumor and it was benign. Improbably, just six months later, Olli toed the starting line of his very first triathlon, in his hometown of Newcastle in the state of New South Wales. But that wasn’t the end of this amazing comeback story because Olli never would have completed the race without the generosity of another competitor. His finish time was 1:27:16, placing him 114th out of 304 who completed it. But I have a feeling that this is only the beginning for this young Aussie, who as you’ll hear in this interesting chat has a lot of gratitude and a very mature attitude about the meaning of his surviving this ordeal intact, including how to approach life and being kinder to those around you. Plus, I’ve got to say that Olli told me I’m “cruisy,” which I took as a compliment. You’ll have to look that one up in your Aussie slang dictionary.Olli BryersInstagram @olli.bryersBill 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=133138
Transcribe →#371 - We Are Nick Thompson Decoding the Simplicity of Running and Unraveling His Enigmatic Father
Jan 1500:56:38Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailMany of us have complicated relationships with our parents and then wonder how much of our inherited traits we are passing to our own children; it’s left up to us whether to nurture and grow those traits, or to discard them entirely. In his new book, “The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports,” Nick Thompson describes how his dad one day taking him to watch the New York City Marathon led him to a lifelong love of running. Nick, the CEO of the nationally renowned publication The Atlantic, and his dad followed similar paths through New England prep school and then Stanford, and both pursued running to varying degrees, but there their paths diverged. His dad’s life devolved from being a Rhodes Scholar and working inside the Reagan administration to a baffling, hedonistic life overseas. All the while, Nick’s journalistic career blossomed and he became the Editor-in-Chief of Wired magazine, and running became an anchor of stability. He consistently cranked out speedy marathons in the 2:40s, sandwiched around his own serious health scare. Then an opportunity to train under Nike coaches led him to breakthrough marathon times and a greater awareness of his importance as a husband and father. “The Running Ground” also includes stories about pioneers such as Bobbi Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, and Suprabha Beckjord, a multiple-time winner of the Sri Chinmoy Marathon, a 3100-mile race run on a half-mile concrete sidewalk loop in Queens, New York. Nick has now ventured into the ultramarathon world, including breaking the previous 50K American 45-49 age group record previously held by the legendary Mike Wardian, running a 3:04:36. “The Running Ground” is a riveting read that deeply explores as only a career journalist can the complexities of why we run – the joys as well as the challenges and frustrations – and exploring that part of our life cycle that includes unraveling the mysteries about our parents. You can order both print and audiobook versions on Amazon. I also highly recommend subscribing to The Atlantic if you, like I do, want to read great in-depth reporting about the people and events that are shaping this world.Nick Thompsonnickthompson.comtheatlantic.comInstagram @nxthompson“The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports" is available on AmazonBill 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=133138
Transcribe →#370 - We Are Karen Smidt Putting the Bulldog Into Traveling to Races
Jan 802:06:30Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAs many of you are planning your 2026 race schedule, you might be considering traveling out of town. Of course, that’s very different than waking up in your own bed, throwing your gear and some nutrition into the back of your car, stopping at a coffee shop along the way for some caffeine, and making a leisurely drive to a local race when few others are on the road. For answers about what and how to pack when the race is in another state, how to deal with not being able to bring big bottles of your favorite liquids on a plane, and more, I thought I’d turn to travel warrior Karen Smidt. Karen was featured in episode #186 four years ago as she was navigating her way toward an impressive goal of completing a 50-miler in all 50 states while in her 50s. She is now only six states short as she approaches her 60th birthday later this year. She not only finishes these races, but she is often a top placer in her age group or even overall in them. As Karen’s husband and crew chief Dan says, the only thing that she likes more than running is talking about it, so we have a fun time as she breaks down the gear she takes (hint: less), how she packs it, and how she achieves her need to drink pickle juice during races. Plus, we share many stories we’ve had at ultra races in far-flung locales. Definitely listen closely so you have smooth sailing at your next travel race, until you kick a rock and do a Superman on the trail!Karen Smidt@cairnrunnerBill 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 →#369 - We Are Jerzy Gregorek Reveals How a Happy Body Leads to a Happy Life
Dec 3102:13:01Tap to summarizeSend a textJerzy Gregorek and his wife Aniela survived a perilous journey living behind the Iron Curtain in Poland while it was subservient to brutal Soviet Union domination. He describes the darkness of living there in the 1970s and 80s, and how it led to him becoming an alcoholic at age 15. He had a mentor who pretty much dragged him into weightlifting at the time of the rise of Solidarity, the movement that led to the fall of the repressive Communist regime and to the free Poland that exists today despite constant threats from Putin’s Russia. Escaping that destructive, alcoholic path shaped his understanding of resilience and personal responsibility. He rebuilt his life — becoming a political exile in the USA, then a four-time world champion weightlifter, and later a mentor, poet, and a student earning his PhD in Humanistic Psychology. His core philosophy — “Hard Choices, Easy Life; Easy Choices, Hard Life” — comes from lived experience and years of guiding people through transformation. Jerzy founded the weightlifting program at UCLA, and Aniela herself is a five-time world weightlifting champion with six world records.What sets Jerzy apart is his ability to integrate physical training, creative expression, and psychological insight into a holistic approach to health and resilience. He emphasizes that emotional intelligence is a crucial element in overcoming life’s adversities, and that it can be practiced, cultivated, and mastered. His three books, titled “The Happy Body: Mastering Food, Exercise, and Rest Choices,” are designed to help people embrace this path of strength, wisdom, and balance. The poetry book “The Happy Body: Food For Your Soul” helps with emotional eating. “The Happy Body Virtues: Daily Practices for the Modern Stoic” helps with emotional eating and self-regulation, while “I Got This: The Art of Getting Grit” helps with integrating the stories that contribute to building the skill of living a good life. Listen closely to the wise lessons Jerzy shares here and strongly consider getting deeper into The Happy Body to learn to apply the “Hard Choices, Easy Life; Easy Choices, Hard Life” philosophy to your own life. This might be one New Year’s resolution for change that I can heartily endorse.Jerzy Gregorekthehappybody.comjerzygregorek@gmail.comThe Happy Body book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N21PL3DFacebook The Happy BodyYouTube @thehappybodyLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerzy-gregorek-ab87475/Bill 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 →#361 - We Are 30-Time Leadville Trail 100 Finisher Eric Pence
Oct 901:26:29Tap to summarizeSend us a textEric Pence is a guest I actually wanted to chat with a couple of years ago, but it is even better that it is occurring now because this summer he completed the Leadville Trail 100 for the 30th time, becoming just the second person to do so, after the legendary Bill Finkbeiner. Eric and I go back to the early 1990s days of the race, so we have lots of stories to share about that pioneering era, quite a few unique race memories, and the changes we have seen over the years. Eric discusses what has kept him going all of these decades, especially the support from his close and extended families, including his wife Anne, who has written a LT100 crewing guide, and his son Ethan, who has become an ultramarathoner himself. Discussion about his family certainly wouldn’t be complete without talking about his sister Pam, to whom he donated a kidney several years ago, and who is married to legendary Mark Macy of adventure running fame. Like several WASP guests have recounted, having one kidney hasn’t diminished his abilities one bit. Eric has had numerous other impressive racing accomplishments, and he talks about what has gotten him through iconic events like the Badwater 135 and Across the Years. Eric also shares secrets of his longevity and his tried-and-true tips for racing success in this very engaging episode.Bill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill Stahl and American Heroes Run for race photosInstagram 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 →#360 - We Are Jonathan Boulware Has the 432 Playbook to Take Control of Your Body from Obesity
Oct 201:14:43Tap to summarizeSend us a textSometimes seeing a close relative struggle through chronic conditions can spur someone to take action to help themselves and then others. I often find these stories to be inspiring. Like the story we had of 250-pound middle schooler Nathan Maze in episode 277, who saw his dad battle obesity and decided not to follow the same path. He dropped the weight, got jacked in the gym, and then as a 15-year-old ran and completed the American Heroes Run marathon. In this episode, I have an uplifting chat with Jonathan Boulware, who lost his mother to obesity-related health issues which propelled his journey to lose weight himself and then help others achieve the same results. Wanting to head off the yo-yoing that many others have undergone in battling their weight, Jonathan studied how to make lifestyle changes by becoming a certified lifestyle coach, personal trainer, and nutrition coach. Following his own success, Jonathan has created many incredible tools to help others, including his 432 Playbook and his book Take Control of Your Body Before It Takes Control of You that demonstrate how to personalize your own lifestyle change plan. It's the same concept David had when he said that once he learned to first change himself, he could then help others change, and it opened the door for him to write his third book, Eat Sh*t and Die, Radical Rehab for Food Junkies and Sugar Addicts, which also gives a blueprint for changing your eating habits. In this fun and entertaining chat, Jonathan gives a lot of very practical insights into how to lose weight and keep it off. He is also putting into action how his own transformation has changed his life by competing soon in the Cal Tri LA Duathlon, which consists of a 5K run, 23-mile bike, and then a 10K run all strung together.Jonathan BoulwareYouCanBeatObesity.comLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-boulwareBill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill Stahl and American Heroes Run for race photosInstagram 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 →#359 - We Are Another Inspirational American Heroes Run
Sep 2200:27:38Tap to summarizeSend us a textWe had an incredible two days at the American Heroes Run with great weather, the largest turnout yet, inspirational and speedy performances, and the humble opportunity to honor our military veterans and service people, first responders, the lives lost on 9/11, and race founder David Clark, not to mention the opportunity to see familiar faces either pushing themselves to their limits or helping put on this event that was David's passion. Listen in for some amazing stories of people putting themselves out there to see how much they could achieve and to honor those who serve.Bill Stahlsilly_billy@msn.comFacebook Bill Stahl and American Heroes Run for race photosInstagram 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 →#358 - We Are Dr. Shivani Gupta Shows How Ayurvedic Medicine Can Be A Game-Changer For You
Sep 1100:53:53Tap to summarizeSend us a textDavid turned me onto learning about non-Western medicine because our system is primarily geared toward curing and not prevention. I’ve felt the difference in just modifying my food intake as much as possible away from the all-too-normal American diet that includes too much sugar, fat, and processed foods. So I’m excited today to share my chat with Dr. Shivani Gupta, an Ayurvedic medicine practitioner. We take a deep dive into how plant medicine and dietary modifications can benefit your body to battle inflammation, a popular buzzword these days. She explains what it really means and what it means to you when you eliminate it. We have a detailed discussion about the herb turmeric, a powerful natural anti-inflammatory that I have always used, what kind you should take, and what you should look for when evaluating the many options on the market. She also explains the benefits of another natural medicine, ashwagandha, that you may have heard many use to calm their brain and enhance focus. She covers a lot more important health topics on her Fusionary Health podcast, which you can catch on her website shivanigupta.com or on Apple Podcasts. She has also rolled her extensive knowledge into a supplement company called Fusionary Formulas, that includes many products to help fight inflammation, improve sleep, support women’s health, and much more. She has generously offered a 15% discount to all WASP listeners using the code WASP2025 on its website fusionaryformulas.comDr. Shivani Guptashivanigupta.comvisionaryformulas.comFacebook Dr. Shivani GuptaInstagram, Threads, and YouTube @dr.shivanigupta Fusionary Health podcastBill 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 →#357 - We Are Dan Armstead, A Kidney Transplant Story With A Surprising Twist
Aug 2700:56:19Tap to summarizeSend us a textWe’ve had several WASP episodes about organ transplant recipients who have gone on to accomplish impressive feats, but here’s one from the other side. Dan Armstead had plans to be a kidney donor from the time he learned in a high school class that you actually only need one to function perfectly normally. He eventually got tested and officially listed on the donor registry and then it barely took 48 hours before he got linked to someone who was in end stage renal disease who desperately needed a kidney, and it turned out it was his kidney that perfectly matched. But I’m not going to spoil it for you how that match took place because it’s a remarkable, heartwarming story. What is important to tell you right now is how admirably selfless Dan’s act was, and how he wants to spread the word about how easy it is to get tested to be a potential donor, and how little ongoing impact it has had physically on him. Most importantly, there are thousands on the kidney transplant waitlist who sometimes remain there for years – and sadly many don’t make it at all. Dan, who runs a Synergy HomeCare provider, however, was able to save a life with his incredibly generous donation. I think this story will make your day a whole lot brighter, and who knows, maybe motivate some of you to someday save a life yourself.Dan ArmsteadFacebook Dan ArmsteadGabrielle's "G"'s foundationOnekidonekidney.comBill 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
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