Why Ultrarunners Find Purpose in Pain, And What Motivates Jamil Coury

1:00 Zoë and Buzz discuss the technological and cultural shifts that have led to the trail running livestream boom and debate what its impact will be on the sport.  6:04 Buzz interviews Aravaipa Running founder Jamil Coury. They discuss how Mountain Outpost is leading the way with livestreams and why he decided to buy Ultrarunning magazine. They also discuss how the sport has changed and how Jamil’s love of bringing new people into the sport inspires him to keep pushing boundaries with event coverage.  28:06 Zoë interviews writer and researcher Leigh Cowart, author of Hurts So Good: The Culture of Pain on Purpose, about the psychology that drives people to seek out uncomfortable experiences intentionally. They dive into how Leigh’s trip to Big’s Backyard Ultra inspired them to write about ultrarunners and what they learned about pain from hanging out with ultra athletes.

Om Podcasten

The Trailhead isn’t your typical trail running podcast—we’re not dissecting splits or debating race strategies. Instead, hosts Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard take you straight to the heart (and funny bone) of the sport, celebrating the people, stories, and quirks that make trail running so special. With a mix of humor, heart, and a little irreverence, we explore the personalities, people, artists, and everyday athletes who give the sport its soul—because trail running is about more than just the miles.