#116 Ryan Thrower | Curiosity, Creativity, & The Fragility of Life

The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.Join the Newsletter at: ⁠MidPack Musings SubStack⁠⁠Support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠.⁠Check Out MPP Merch Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching? Check out Troy’s Coaching PageSTOKED TO PARTNER WITH  PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first orderTRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscriptionVACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or TrailfestUSE PROMO CODE MIDPACKER FOR A SWEET DISCOUNT“The $hittiest mile in a hundred miler would still probably be better than the mile I could run at 85.”This week on the MidPacker Pod, Troy Meadows sits down with Ryan Thrower for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations the show has had in a while. Ryan opens up about his journey from bartending in Indianapolis and living out of his car while exploring the American West… to becoming one of the key creative voices behind Freetrail and modern trail running media.The conversation dives deep into curiosity, creativity, and learning to say yes to opportunity before you feel ready. Ryan shares stories about discovering trail running through Born to Run and Eat and Run, volunteering at Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run, and eventually building a life around storytelling, mountains, music, and community.The two also unpack Ryan’s unique approach to ultrarunning—especially his love for “step-for-step” adventures with friends at races like the Swiss Alps 100 and upcoming adventures filming Courtney Dauwalter at Cocodona 250 and running the Mammoth.But the heart of this episode centers around a bigger topic: the fragility of life. Ryan reflects on gratitude, staying present, creative burnout, and why even the hardest miles are gifts when viewed through the right lens.Topics DiscussedBuilding a creative career in trail running mediaMusic, photography, and storytellingFreetrail, TrailCon, and race-week chaosStep-for-step ultrarunning adventuresThe power of curiosity and learning in publicGratitude and the fragility of lifeMammoth training and redefining “moseying”Ryan’s LinksIG: @ryanthrower@freetrailRelevant LinksFreetrailCocodona 250Western States Endurance RunThe Freetrail Podcast with Dylan BowmanFreetrail YouTube ChannelPartner Links: PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.comProven Pain Relief for People Who Refuse to Stop!All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted ReliefUse MIDPACKER for 20% off your fir