HappyCast

The North Dakota Nomad: Elliott Waldock’s Ultra Trail Journey

In this episode of HappyCast, Andrew and Stephanie are joined by Elliott Waldock — fresh off the Summit 200, one of the most rugged and high-altitude 200-mile races in the U.S. With Dylan notably MIA (possibly launching a Chipotle-based fight club), Andrew drinks wine and scrolls Elliott’s Instagram to dive deep into his running past, landing fortuitously on his very first 100-miler: Brazos Bend. What follows is a hilarious, nostalgic, and surprisingly heartfelt look at Elliott’s journey from Texas trails to the brutal peaks of Colorado.The conversation takes a wild turn when Stephanie realizes she raced alongside Elliott at the Possum’s Revenge 69-miler—where he unknowingly triggered her into a puke-worthy sprint finish. From there, it’s an exploration of shared memories, ridiculous aid station food strategies, Airbnb mishaps, and what it’s like to hallucinate alone at 12,000 feet. Elliott reflects candidly on the Summit 200 experience, calling it the hardest 200-miler he’s ever done and detailing the cold, isolation, and relentless terrain that made it a true test of mental and physical strength.Elliott also shares what the ultra scene is like in his home state of North Dakota, and makes a strong case for why more runners should volunteer—and why Stephanie should come run the Maah Daah Hey 100. We close things out with moose stand-offs, wine reviews, a heartfelt “can’t let it go,” and the kind of chaotic, unfiltered storytelling that makes HappyCast feel like a trail hang with friends.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

Reaching New Highs and Overcoming Lows: Melissa Perez & High Lonesome 100

This week on HappyCast, we welcome Melissa Perez—trail runner, graduate student, community leader, and self-proclaimed lover of the f-word—for a raw and powerful conversation about what it means to run scared and come out the other side stronger. Hot off her recent finish at the notoriously tough High Lonesome 100, Melissa shares how altitude, hyponatremia, and mental fatigue collided in the Colorado mountains—and why this race stands out as one of the most transformative of her life.Joined by hosts Andrew and Stephanie, Melissa opens up about the unexpected challenges of back-to-back 100s (with Angeles Crest looming just one week after), why representation on the trails matters so deeply, and how she’s shifted from racing to heal past trauma to racing in celebration of her growth. From last-minute pacer miracles to clear-pee paranoia, nothing is off the table in this candid chat.We also hear about her all-women’s trail group, Chingonas on the Run, her love for champagne and screamo playlists, and her very special race-day accessory that always brings joy. If you’ve ever doubted your readiness, questioned your path, or needed a reminder that it’s okay to show up scared—this one’s for you.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

Raw Dogging the Vermont 100

In this heartfelt and deeply personal episode of HappyCast, Andrew and Stephanie sit down—just the two of them—for a rare one-on-one reflection. Fresh off completing her 21st 100-miler, Stephanie opens up about her emotional journey through the Vermont 100. From navigating recovery and divorce to running the race entirely without audio, she shares what made this one of the most transformative experiences she’s ever had on trail.Stephanie takes us mile by mile through Vermont’s historic course—runnable dirt roads, technical trails, and long stretches without crew. We hear about her surprise pacer Richard, the power of community, and how a simple shift in mindset (“my room is full”) helped carry her through one of the most meaningful weekends of her life. She also shares some hilarious moments, including bathroom misfires, monster popsicles, and a bear encounter at her Airbnb.Andrew and Stephanie close the episode by reflecting on summer running struggles, trail negativity, and what it means to show yourself grace. With no third-party guest and no filter, this episode offers a raw and intimate look at life, loss, and the joy of pushing through it all. Whether you’re chasing your first finish or your 21st, this is one you won’t want to miss.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

Folklord: Where Running Meets Mythology

This week on the HappyCast, we change things up a bit and focus on the business side of running and the colorful apparel it brings by having Elliot Matson, creator and founder of Folklord, join us to tell us all about his up-and-coming business. Folklord and its mythological and storytelling approach to running apparel has been popping up all over the country, and it’s definitely something that’s hard to miss. We talk about Elliot’s colorful and unique approach to selling his products, where his shirts can become just as mythological as the content he’s inspired by. Always rotating in something new, we talk about the challenges about running a growing running company as a one-man show. And on behalf of Folklord and the HappyCast, we will be doing a WEEKLY giveaway for the foreseeable future where we pick one winner a week to win an item (or two) of their choice from Folklord. More about that later. So strap in a let’s go behind the scenes and speak with the man behind the myth, and may your runs always be as colorful as the gear you wear. 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 Copper Kings 100 Recap: Grit, Grace, and a Little Too Much Cheese

In this special fourth appearance, Wes Plate returns to HappyCast with a full breakdown of the inaugural Copper Kings 100—Montana’s newest hundred-mile race and his most ambitious project yet. With co-hosts Stephanie and Andrew, Wes opens up about what it took to bring this dream to life: from months of preparation and a jam-packed U-Haul to navigating stormy skies, deadfall-filled trails, and the high-stakes logistics of a remote mountain race. Spoiler: not even a lightning storm during the race briefing could shake this crew.Stephanie recaps her experience captaining the Our Lady of the Rockies aid station—a mountaintop post where she and a team of volunteers (including both her and Wes’s moms) kept runners alive with mashed potatoes, heated bathrooms, and the occasional mid-hallucination pep talk. Between walking every runner up the hill, managing drop bags and puke blankets, and making sure no one missed the cutoff, this became a spiritual checkpoint for runners and crew alike.With 90 finishers out of 105 starters and only one DNS, the Copper Kings 100 defied all expectations for a first-year race. Wes reflects on what went right, what he learned, and how much this community has grown around a course that winds through solitude, scenery, and suffering. Whether you’re an aspiring race director, a trail runner dreaming of Montana, or just here for stories about flamingo costumes and blowing up propane heaters, this episode is packed with heart, hustle, and humor.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