Run The Riot Podcast

EP 190 - From Back Surgery to Boston: Ryane Broussard’s 20-Year Goal

In this episode of Run the Riot, David sits down with Ryane Broussard, a driven runner, mom of four, and woman of faith who chased one goal for nearly two decades: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. But Ryane’s path wasn’t a straight line. After a sudden back injury left her unable to feel or control her left leg, doctors told her she’d need to find a new hobby and stop running. Ryane refused to accept that as the final word. What followed was years of rehab, identity rebuilding, and learning what perseverance really looks like—until she finally put it all together on race day and earned her Boston qualifier. This conversation is packed with practical lessons for any ultrarunner (or anyone training for marathons, ultrarunning, or ultra racing) who’s faced setbacks, self-doubt, or the weight of a long-term goal. What You'll Hear in This Episode: Ryane’s start in sports (including lacrosse) and how competition shaped her mindset Moving from Texas to South Louisiana and finding a running community The back injury that changed everything (and the hard season that followed) Doctors said “no more running”—how Ryane approached recovery anyway Identity shifts: when running becomes who you are (and how to reset it) The Boston qualifier chase: flu, self-sabotage, vomiting at mile 19, and trying again The power of words, self-talk, and what you “partner with” mentally Why community matters: pacers, training partners, and people who believe with you How she fits training into real life: faith, marriage, kids, work, then running Key Moments Starting point: sports background + love of achievement Back injury + surgery: the moment everything changed Rehab reality: relearning basic movement and rebuilding confidence The Boston goal: 30 marathons, setbacks, and alignment on race day The win: qualifying—and keeping it in the right place Practical Takeaways for Runners Race-day alignment matters: sleep, health, weather, and fueling can make or break the day Mindset is trainable: negative self-talk can sabotage fitness you’ve already earned Fueling is personal: don’t introduce “new” habits (like NSAIDs) without understanding the cost Build a support system: a coach, a pacer, and training partners can carry you when your brain gets loud Keep running in its place: what you do isn’t who you are—especially when setbacks hit Races Mentioned in the Episode Louisiana Summer Nights 50K/ultra effort Zydeco Marathon Stennis Marathon Boston Marathon qualifying standards shift

MWM Episode 89 - Relentless Forward Progress

Relentless Forward Progress isn’t just an ultrarunning principle — it’s a blueprint for the Christian life. In this Midweek Motivation episode of the Run the Riot Podcast, David shares how the mindset that carries you through mile 80 of a 100-miler is the same mindset that builds spiritual endurance. When the body is tired and doubt creeps in, runners keep moving forward. When faith feels dry and life feels heavy, believers do the same. This episode explores: Ultramarathon mindset and mental toughness Endurance training and spiritual growth Staying consistent in your walk with Christ Overcoming doubt, drift, and discouragement Faithfulness over feelings Whether you're training for your first ultra, chasing a 100-mile finish, or learning how to stay steady in your faith, this message will challenge and encourage you to keep stepping — even when it’s not pretty. The original song “Relentless” plays after the episode. #ultrarunning #christianmotivation #midweekmotivation #mentalstrength #endurance #faithandfitness

EP189 - The Long Game: Injury, Identity, and the Ultrarunner’s Comeback - Melanie Mathews

In this episode of the Run the Riot Podcast, David sits down with ultrarunner Melanie Mathews for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about grit, setbacks, and what it really takes to stay in the game of ultrarunning. Melanie’s running story starts long before ultra racing. Growing up on a Nebraska farm, she learned hard work, discipline, and toughness early—qualities that later carried her from road races to trail running and into ultra racing. She shares how she transitioned from marathons like the Little Rock Marathon to rugged mountain events, her early mistakes in trail racing, and why the ultrarunning community hooked her for good. The conversation goes deeper as Melanie opens up about DNFs, injury, grief, and seasons when running was taken away entirely. From her first 100-mile attempts to finishing the Love It 100, Melanie reflects on mental toughness, stubborn determination, and the lessons that only ultra racing can teach. She also talks about hormone health, depression, and the identity struggle many ultrarunners face when they can’t train or race the way they want to. Now heavily involved in volunteering and running aid stations, Melanie shares why giving back to the trail community matters so much—and how being on both sides of the race has shaped her perspective as an ultrarunner. This episode is packed with perspective for anyone chasing big goals in ultrarunning, navigating setbacks, or simply trying to stay grateful for the miles they get to run. More at http://www.theriot.run/melaniem

MWM Episode 88 - Stop Waiting Until You're Ready

In this episode of the Run the Riot podcast, David Theriot discusses the common trap of waiting until one feels ready to take action. He emphasizes that readiness is often a feeling that can delay progress, and instead encourages listeners to take action to build momentum. Through personal anecdotes and examples from ultra running, he illustrates how starting small can lead to significant changes and growth. The episode serves as a motivational call to action, urging listeners to stop waiting and start moving towards their goals.

EP188 - When FKTs Break You (and Make You Stronger): Katie Gunvalson

In this episode of Run the Riot, David sits down with Katie Gunvalson, an ultrarunner known less for traditional races and more for her relentless pursuit of Fastest Known Time (FKT) efforts. Katie shares her journey from road marathons to multi-day ultrarunning challenges that test not just fitness, but resilience, problem-solving, and mental toughness. Katie opens up about repeatedly falling short on major FKT attempts — including the Pacific Crest Trail and the Arizona Trail — and how those setbacks nearly convinced her to quit. Instead, she chose to keep showing up, learning, and refining her approach. That persistence paid off with a breakthrough performance on the Oregon Coast Trail, followed by a gritty, emotional FKT on the Ouachita Trail, where she battled exhaustion, poor visibility, fueling issues, and long nights alone in the woods. Throughout the conversation, Katie explains why FKTs appeal to her more than ultra racing, how thru-hiking skills have made her a stronger ultrarunner, and why embracing discomfort is essential for growth. This episode is a powerful reminder that success in ultrarunning — and in life — often comes only after repeated failure. Whether you’re an aspiring ultrarunner, an ultra racing veteran, or someone struggling to stay resilient after setbacks, Katie’s story will resonate deeply. Key Topics Covered: Transitioning from road running to ultrarunning Why FKTs demand a different skill set than ultra racing Learning to manage failure and repeated setbacks Mental strategies for multi-day ultrarunning Fueling, sleep deprivation, and problem-solving on long efforts Why not giving up ultimately leads to breakthroughs Show notes: http://www.theriot.run/katieg