In a powerful turn of the mic, co-host Zach Vogt steps into the spotlight to share his deeply personal journey—from a childhood rooted in love and discipline to a decade-long battle with addiction. Zach opens up about his rock bottom moment on a business trip to Canada and how it sparked a complete transformation. With raw honesty, he details how running, faith, and grace helped him rebuild his life and ultimately become a force in the endurance community. This is a story of resilience, redemption, and the power of taking that first step.

Zach Book Club

• •GRIT by Angela Duckworth
• •Atomic Habits - James Clear
• •12 Rules for Life - Jordan Peterson
• •Can’t Hurt Me - David Goggins
• •The Art of Learning - Josh Waitzkin
• •Extreme Ownership - Jocko Willink & Leif Babin
• •The Obstacle is the Way & Ego is the Enemy - Ryan Holliday
• •The Happyiness Hypothesis - Jonathan Haidt
• •The Art of Impossible - Steven Kolter
• •The Infinite Game & Start with Why - Simon Sinek

takeaways

• Zach's journey highlights the importance of transparency and honesty.
• Growing up in a supportive family shaped Zach's values and character.
• Discovering running in high school opened the door to endurance sports.
• College years brought challenges, including experimentation with alcohol.
• A pivotal work trip became a turning point in Zach's life.
• Sobriety was achieved through faith, determination, and support.
• Zach's transformation led to remarkable achievements in running.
• Gratitude plays a crucial role in Zach's daily life.
• The importance of community and support in recovery.
• Zach encourages others to seek help and turn their lives around.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Zach's Journey

03:25
Zach's Early Life and Family Background

06:29
The Shift to Endurance Sports

09:44
College Life and Early Running Experiences

12:38
The Rise of Alcohol in Zach's Life

15:35
Navigating Work and Personal Challenges

18:33
The Turning Point: Rock Bottom in Vancouver

21:25
The Path to Recovery and Sobriety

24:28
Life After Sobriety and Endurance Achievements

41:30
The Critical First Days of Recovery

43:09
Navigating the Early Days of Sobriety

44:41
Finding Inspiration in Endurance

46:54
Building Micro Habits for Success

50:07
The Redemption Tour: A New Beginning

52:34
Transformative Running Experiences

56:59
Living in Gratitude

01:02:09
The Power of Community and Support

01:09:39
Scriptural Guidance in Recovery

01:12:22
Living the Dream: A Life of Gratitude

01:16:42
New Chapter

https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

In this milestone 10th episode of Endurance State of Mind, Zach and Anthony sit down—just the two of them—for an honest conversation reflecting on their podcast journey so far. From their surprise nomination to the “Best of the Pine Belt” awards to building an organic listener base through Strava and real-world connections, the duo opens up about what they’ve learned, what they’d do differently, and where they want to go next.

They also dive into:

• Why they’ve avoided “pushing” their nomination and prefer organic growth
• Building community through Strava, run clubs, and future merch
• Behind-the-scenes of their podcast prep process and how they want to improve
• Life updates: Anthony’s move to the coast, Zach’s family adventures, and race recaps
• Future goals: Big Butts 50K/100K, ultra-cycling, and the Dog Days 5K with the whole Vogt crew

This episode is packed with laughter, honesty, reflection—and the promise of more stories to come, including Zach and Anthony finally telling their own.

takeaways

• The podcast has evolved significantly in just ten weeks.
• Recognition as a nominated podcast boosts motivation.
• Community engagement is crucial for podcast growth.
• Future plans include expanding the podcast's reach.
• Reflections on the first ten episodes highlight areas for improvement.
• Personal stories enhance the connection with the audience.
• Family involvement in running creates memorable experiences.
• Heat training is essential for performance in hot races.
• Cycling presents new challenges and opportunities for growth.
• Insights from the Tour de France inspire training strategies.

Chapters

00:00
Welcome Back and Podcast Journey

03:25
Exciting News: Nominations and Recognition

06:22
Reflections on Growth and Audience Engagement

09:15
Building Community and Expanding Reach

12:24
Future Plans: Merchandise and Collaborations

15:30
Reflections on Top Episodes and Improvement

18:36
Personal Stories: Sharing Our Journeys

21:25
Life Updates and Local Running Scene

31:46
Urban Fitness Rides and Community Engagement

33:18
Joining the Gulf Coast Running Club

35:05
Experiencing Local Races and Family Involvement

37:07
Summer Activities and Family Dynamics

38:16
Fleet Feet's Inaugural Big Run Event

41:10
Breaking Barriers in Running Communities

43:21
Training for Upcoming Races

44:20
Heat Training and Performance Goals

50:14
Sauna Benefits and Longevity

52:13
Upcoming Races and Family Participation

55:19
Cycling and Ultra Training Plans

https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu

In this powerful episode, we sit down with David Slowik—a high-energy force in Mississippi's ultrarunning scene and a beacon of resilience. From battling addiction to toeing the line at 100-mile ultras, David opens up about the micro habits that saved his life and the running community that helped him rebuild it.

He shares the emotional story behind his transformation, the spreadsheet that kept him accountable, and how his journey culminated in a euphoric finish at the Pinhoti 100. This episode isn’t just about endurance sports—it’s about grit, growth, and the power of showing up every day.

Whether you're chasing a finish line or fighting personal demons, this one will stay with you long after the run.

takeaways

• David's journey into running began as a way to lose weight after struggling with addiction.
• Running became a therapeutic outlet for David, helping him cope with anxiety and depression.
• The importance of community support in David's recovery and running journey.
• David emphasizes the need for proper nutrition and hydration during long races.
• He learned valuable lessons from his experiences in races, particularly about pacing and humility.
• David's relationship with his wife, Shelby, has been a significant source of motivation and support.
• The concept of micro habits played a crucial role in David's recovery from addiction.
• David's experiences in ultra running have taught him about resilience and perseverance.
• He believes that the pain experienced in races is manageable compared to past traumas.
• David's story illustrates the transformative power of running and community in overcoming personal struggles.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to David Slowik

02:40
David's Early Life and Introduction to Running

06:52
Transitioning from Soccer to Running

10:39
The Evolution of David's Running Journey

17:48
Overcoming Addiction Through Running

24:26
Micro Habits and Recovery

32:35
The Role of Community in Recovery

39:38
Perceived Effort vs. Actual Value in Recovery and Running

41:02
The Journey to Endurance Sports

44:42
Overcoming Challenges in Running

48:21
Lessons from the Penhody 100

01:05:17
The Power of Community and Support

01:10:29
Finding Love Through Running

01:16:22
New Chapter

https://www.instagram.com/endurance_stateofmind?igsh=cjBnanNobHhhYXNu