The Evolution of Anton Krupicka: From Minimalist to Mountain Philosopher

Anton Krupicka never set out to become an icon. But with a string of legendary performances in the early 2000s, including back-to-back wins at Leadville and a second-place finish in the epic 2010 Western States, plus a starring role in Unbreakable, he did. In this episode, Buzz and Anton sit down for a reflective, raw, and deeply insightful conversation about the sport’s past, present, and future.

They talk about:

• The early days of ultrarunning sponsorships and the dawn of the minimalist movement

• What it felt like to be in Unbreakable—and how that race really felt

• How Anton’s training philosophy has evolved (“I used to run too hard all the time”)

• Why social media metrics can’t measure meaning

• The role of athletes in brand storytelling—and why inspiration still matters

• His return to Sportiva, future alpine missions, and maybe even UTMB

• Why he still shows up, even after injury, and what keeps him running

Plus, Buzz gets candid with pro athlete Hillary Allen, who shares why Anton's legacy matters far beyond podiums—and how storytelling shapes the next generation of endurance athletes.

📣 Sponsor Shoutout: This episode is brought to you by Wahoo Fitness. Meet the Wahoo Kickr Run, a game-changing treadmill designed for real runners. With Run Free Mode and automatic grade control, it’s the closest thing to trail running without getting your socks wet. Check it out at wahoofitness.com and bring the mountains inside.

📬 Got a guest suggestion? A hot take to share? Email Buzz at buzz@ultrasignup.com.

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