Country: United States

Running started for me as a tool—to lose weight and to fight a long struggle with depression. My first trail race was a 50K in my hometown of Columbus, Ohio. I hadn't trained nearly enough, especially on trails, but when I crossed that finish line, I knew I had found where I was meant to be. The trails slowed me down compared to roads, but they gave me a sense of purpose that road running never did.

I stick with trail running because it's my way of pushing back against modern life's pressure to be comfortable and complacent. I actively seek difficulty, connect with nature, and use my body the way it was designed—in a world that often tries to do the opposite. Today, trail running is part of my identity. Without it, I feel incomplete and antsy. It's my daily routine, my refuge, and my reset. Even if I woke up tomorrow and could no longer race, I would still run every day.

My most memorable race was my win at the Uludağ Premium Ultra Trail 100K in Bursa, Türkiye. The energy was electric, and the landscape was the most breathtaking I've ever seen. That experience stays with me more than any other.

Trail running gives me a sense of true belonging—nothing else makes me feel so right. It also taught me that my focus is usually scattered, but on the trails, the noise reduces to a steady hum and my mind clears. When life feels chaotic, I know I can go for a run and at least one part of my day goes right. (And yes, aid station snacks help too.) When it comes to gear, I value durability, reliability, and practicality—I need everything to work without fail, and I want to respect the planet whose nature I'm enjoying.

Trail running isn't just a sport; it's my anchor. It reminds me that even when everything else falls apart, the trail is always there to bring me back.