Mike Fitzsimmons became only the second person in history to complete the 178-mile Reno Tahoe Odyssey solo — finishing in 45 hours and 5 minutes through the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

But this episode isn't just about running. It's about mastering your mindset when everything in you wants to quit, building resilience through adversity, fueling your body for peak performance, and why success — in business, athletics, or life — is won one step at a time.

Host George Goodwin sits down with ultrarunner Mike "Fitz" Fitzsimmons to unpack the physical, mental, and emotional lessons from one of the toughest endurance races in America.

In this episode you'll learn:
✅ How to stay mentally strong during impossible challenges✅ Why "running the mile you're in" changes everything✅ The three versions of yourself that keep you moving forward✅ Why your tribe determines your success✅ What a vegan ultramarathon athlete actually eats✅ How to overcome self-doubt and stop quitting on yourself✅ Why the real reward is found in the struggle — not the finish line

Whether you're an entrepreneur, athlete, leader, or simply someone chasing a big goal, this conversation will leave you motivated to take the next step.

Episode Highlights
🏃 Becoming only the second solo finisher in Reno Tahoe Odyssey history🧠 The mindset that carried Mike through 178 miles💥 Battling cramps, exhaustion, and mental fatigue🤝 Why surrounding yourself with the right people matters🥔 Nutrition strategy during 45 hours of nonstop running🌱 Thriving as a vegan endurance athlete⛰️ Lessons every entrepreneur can learn from ultrarunning🔥 Why discomfort is where growth happens

About Mike Fitzsimmons
Mike "Fitz" Fitzsimmons is an ultramarathon runner, endurance coach, and member of Reno's running community. In 2026, he became just the second athlete ever to complete the 178-mile Reno Tahoe Odyssey as a solo runner, setting a new course record while inspiring thousands with his grit and perseverance.

Connect with Mike
📸 Instagram: @fromfattofitz
✉️ Email: fitzcoaching@gmail.com

Connect with George Goodwin
🌐 enjoykobu.com
🔗 linkedin.com/in/georgegoodwin
✉️ george@innovaragency.com

About GroceryPulse
GroceryPulse is hosted by George Goodwin, fourth-generation grocer, entrepreneur, and founder of Kōbu Kombucha Powder. Each week we sit down with leaders across grocery, CPG, health, entrepreneurship, and high performance to uncover practical lessons that help you build a healthier business — and a healthier life.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction02:15 Becoming the second solo finisher08:45 The mental battle of 178 miles18:20 Learning to stay present29:15 Your tribe determines your success39:40 Nutrition and fueling strategy48:30 Life lessons from ultrarunning57:10 Rapid-fire questions1:05:45 Final advice

If this episode resonated, share it with someone who needs to hear it — and follow GroceryPulse for more conversations with the leaders shaping grocery, entrepreneurship, nutrition, and performance.

Innovar Marketing Agency (grocery/CPG marketing insights): innovaragency.com
Order Kōbu Kombucha Powder (gut health made easy): enjoykobu.com/discount/podcast10 — code PODCAST10 for 10% off

"The grocery industry may be driven by logistics and supply chains—but it’s still powered by relationships."

In this episode of Grocery Pulse, George Goodwin speaks with Lori Brown, a 40+ year grocery industry leader and President of The Illuminators. Lori shares insights from her experience across retail, CPG, and supply chain—revealing why communication, presence, and servant leadership are more important than ever.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Lori Brown and Her Journey

02:06:35 Lori's Career Path and Experiences02:10:15 The Importance of Communication in Crisis02:14:32 Building Relationships in the Grocery Industry02:17:24 Lessons from Early Career Experiences02:19:59 Balancing Family, Work, and Community Involvement02:22:41 Understanding Servant Leadership02:27:11 Insights from Industry Leaders02:28:40 The Importance of Personal Connection in Retail02:31:33 Brand Strategies for Modern Retail02:34:46 Finding Your Niche in the Market02:36:35 Building a Supportive Network02:38:32 Effective Time Management in Leadership02:40:48 The Reluctant Leader's Journey02:43:48 Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders02:45:02 Core Values in Leadership

George and Lori dive deep into:

• Showing up and building real connections
  Why being physically present at events and in stores creates long-term opportunities and trust.

• Communication during uncertainty
  How consistent communication—even with no updates—builds stronger relationships during crises.

• Servant leadership in action
  Leading by serving others, sharing knowledge, and empowering teams at every level.

Connect with Lori Brown:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-brown-ms/
Email: lkbrown9600@gmail.com

Connect with George Goodwin:

• Kōbu: ⁠enjoykobu.com⁠

  promo code: podcast10

• LinkedIn: ⁠George Goodwin

"Nutrition is the gateway drug to spirituality."

In this episode of Grocery Pulse, George Goodwin sits down with holistic health coach Mike Schmidt to discuss the powerful intersection of gut health, identity, and the grocery industry. Mike opens up about his personal journey—battling 10 years of chronic acne and a 16-month period of burnout—and how he used "food as medicine" to transform his life and his business.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Health and Wellness Transformation

02:32 Personal Journeys and Health Challenges

05:17 The Role of Food in Healing

08:10 Consumer Trends in Health and Nutrition

10:58 Understanding Gut Health and Its Importance

13:39 Navigating Grocery Stores for Healthier Choices

16:15 The Impact of Emotional Well-being on Nutrition

19:23 The Science Behind Food Quality

21:50 Kobu: A New Approach to Probiotics

24:38 Final Thoughts on Health and Nutrition

28:27 The Role of Electrolytes and Natural Hydration

29:31 Nutrition for Athletes: The Importance of Clean Fuel

32:06 Japanese Wisdom in Nutrition and Eating Habits

35:54 Lessons from Okinawa: Community and Simple Diets

38:12 The Impact of Food Choices on Health and Economy

41:50 Investing in Health: The Long-Term Benefits of Nutrition

45:50 Consumer Choices and the Food Industry's Response

48:34 Integrity in Food Choices: A Path to Self-Respect

51:31 Listening to Your Body: The Key to Healthy Eating

52:31 Coping Mechanisms and Health Trends

57:29 Listening to Your Body

01:02:18 Holistic Health and Daily Habits

01:04:11 Gratitude and Mindfulness

01:05:09 Future Endeavors and Community Engagement

George and Mike dive deep into:

• The "Why" Behind the Brand: Why passion-led companies (like Goodwin’s Organics and Kōbu) are the most impactful.

• The Gut-Brain Connection: Why 90% of your serotonin is made in your gut and how that affects your daily confidence.

• Navigating the "Grocery Casino": Tips for avoiding "greenwashed" labels and sticking to the nutrient-dense edges of the store.

• The Future of Kōbu: George shares the science behind Kōbu's 33 billion probiotics and the mission to "inspire, encourage, and motivate."

Whether you are a CPG founder, a retail professional, or someone looking to optimize your own health, this conversation offers a raw look at how the food we sell—and eat—shapes who we become.

Connect with Mike Schmidt:

• Website: superfoodsuperhuman.com

• Instagram: @mike_schmidt_

Connect with George Goodwin:

• Kōbu: enjoykobu.com

• LinkedIn: George Goodwin