HappyCast

Why 279 Miles Wasn’t About Winning

In this episode of HappyCast, Andrew and Stephanie sit down with Stephanie Rosebaugh to unpack an extraordinary performance at The Summit Last Person Standing, a Big’s Backyard Ultra Silver Ticket race in Texas. Stephanie ran an incredible 279 miles over 67 hours, averaging sub-50 minute loops with minimal rest — all while navigating sleep deprivation, changing weather, and the mental grind of a true last-person-standing format.Rather than racing others, Stephanie shares how a powerful mindset shift away from comparison nearly doubled her previous LPS distance. The conversation explores flow state, nighttime running, fueling discipline, unexpected crew support, and the unique camaraderie that forms when the field dwindles down to just a few runners sharing the same hour over and over again.The episode closes with a deeply reflective moment: choosing to step away not because her body failed, but because it felt right. It’s a conversation about endurance, self-trust, and redefining success — reminding us that sometimes the most meaningful finish isn’t about winning, but about knowing when you’ve done enough. The Power of EnoughnessBe sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

Inside the Fall Creek 100: Course Creation, Community and Chaos

In this episode of HappyCast, we dive into a full, emotional, hilarious, and raw recap of the Fall Creek 100 in Tennessee — a race filled with waterfalls, scenic ridges, surprise proposals, mud, and a whole lot of internal battles.  Stephanie is joined by Chuck Clark, who shared most of the 100 miles with her, and Race Director Scott Simcox, the creative mind behind the Fall Creek, Long Hunter, and Rim Runner races. Scott walks us through how he designs courses with intention: showcasing every overlook, waterfall, bridge, and scenic loop the park has to offer. We also learn about his volunteer-first family culture, the impact of tornado damage on trail systems, and why Fall Creek’s dorm setup might be one of the best race perks out there.Stephanie opens up about her toughest mental race to date — calling her mom at mile 30 in tears, dealing with self-doubt from previous DNFs, navigating humidity and trail math, and experiencing her first mid-race panic attack. Chuck shares how he tried (unsuccessfully) to medicate her attitude with potatoes for 12 straight hours, why they thought they were on the verge of missing cutoffs, and how a simple reminder — “You stack these because you know you can finish them” — helped shift the energy.We also talk crew magic, Peg’s legendary road-trip rescue, Kevin’s 50K-plus pacing effort, Mo’s volunteer hero arc, and the incredible Tennessee trail community that kept runners fed, supported, and cheerful through every loop.It’s emotional. It’s chaotic. It’s honest. And it’s a perfect look at what makes 100-milers so transformative.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

The Wild Coastline: Katy Barber’s Journey Across PINS

On this episode of the HappyCast, we go in-depth with local Houstonian Katy Barber who just tackled the Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) FKT. Located in Texas, and definitely NOT Galveston, this is the 4th longest beach in the WORLD and one of the most isolated places in the country, all tucked away on the largest unprotected barrier island in the world. This is a 65+ mile FKT that traverses the entire length of the beach, and no woman has ever attempted this feat before, and only two men have completed it. We do a deep dive with Katy and her coach and fellow guest, Chad Lasater (who will one day have his own episode as he is a treasure trove of accomplishments). We talk about the logistics, the difficulty of running on a beach, and the dynamics with crewing and dealing with the remote nature of the race. Further yet, this was double the distance Katy has previously ran, so we talk about establishing distance PR’s in the process. We also share a few crew stories, as both Chad and Andrew were present for the FKT. Katy’s crew also consisted of Kevin Christensen, Regina Massingill, Jaimie (kind of like Cher or Bono), Laura Lundell, and John Kilburn. Join us as we tackle one of the more primitive, remote, and unconventional recaps yet - 65+ miles on nothing but sand! And congratulations on setting the FKT, Katy! It was one hell of a (sandy) adventure. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

RECAST: What is Happy Endings?

This week we’re taking it back to where it all began. While the crew is busy, we’re dipping into the archives and replaying the very first episode of HappyCast — the one that sparked the Happy Endings Trail Crew and everything that’s grown from it.In this throwback, you’ll hear the full origin story: how a chaotic weekend at Rocky Raccoon brought three underprepared runners together, the debut of the infamous beaver costume, the birth of the “weed wobble,” and the moment we realized this community was something special. The audio may be rough around the edges, and honestly… so were we — but the heart of what makes Happy Endings what it is today was already there.Whether you’re newer to the podcast or you’ve been with us since day one, enjoy this trip back to the beginning. We’ll be back with a new episode soon — but for now, here’s the throwback that started it all.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

The Lone Finisher: Madeline Green’s Wild Ride at Cactus Rose

When brutal weather forced Cactus Rose to relocate to the unforgiving hills of Camp Eagle, most runners hesitated—but not Houston’s own Madeline Green. With no aid stations, no crew, and endless miles of mud, rain, and lightning, she pushed through 105 miles of chaos to become the only female finisher of one of Texas’ toughest ultramarathons. In this episode, Stephanie and Andrew dive into Madeline’s mindset—how she handled a last-minute course change, two nights alone on the trail, and the mental rollercoaster of a self-supported 100-miler. From training on Houston’s flatlands to conquering Camp Eagle’s rocky climbs, her story is pure grit and quiet determination.As always, things get candid, funny, and just a little chaotic. The crew swaps stories about storms, hallucinations, and what happens when your headlamp flash convinces you lightning’s about to strike. Madeline talks redemption, recovery, and what it means to represent women in the most rugged corners of ultrarunning—all while proving that sometimes, the loneliest miles lead to the loudest triumphs.Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org