

evokecast
Coach Scott Johnston and the Evoke Endurance Collective
Official podcast of the Evoke Endurance collective. Evoke Endurance is an institution that disseminates information on training for mountain sports. Here we share our collection of interviews, discussions, and educational materials for the benefit of the global mountain community.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 13, 2025 • 45min
#103 Jesse Crocker: Creator Of Goat Maps Adventure Planning App
Join Evoke coach Larry Goldie for a discussion with Jesse Crocker. Jesse is the creator of Goat Maps, an adventure mapping and route-planning app, as well as an Evoke Endurance athlete. Larry and Jesse discuss Jesse’s thinking behind the creation of Goat Maps, and his experiences as an athlete, and mountain enthusiast. More information on the Goat Maps app:https://www.goatmaps.com/https://www.instagram.com/goatmaps/00:00:00 Introduction00:01:12 What brought Jesse to Evoke as a coached athlete00:05:10 Jesse’s experience helping create the Gaia mapping app00:10:45 The creation and features of Goat Maps app00:15:00 Intention for an intuitive user experience00:21:15 Mountain sports that can best utilize Goat Maps00:24:32 Utilization of satellite and 3d imagery00:28:35 Goat Maps customizable slope angle and aspect shading00:35:08 Almost world-wide map coverage00:40:29 Up-coming features and improvements to Goat Maps00:43:11 How to find Goat Maps on the internet

Feb 27, 2025 • 1h 46min
#102 Ask Evoke: Athlete-Submitted Questions For February 2025
Join coaches Scott Johnston and Kylee Toth for our February installment of Ask Evoke, where they answer training questions submitted by members of the Evoke Endurance community.To submit your own training questions for our coaches, send us a direct message on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evokeendurance/Or email your questions to coach@evokeendurance.com00:00:00 Introduction00:01:24 Managing races that are 2-weeks apart00:05:55 Sacrificing mileage for elevation gain as a mountain runner00:16:19 Measuring uphill and downhill accumulation in a mountaineering training plan00:19:14 Wim Hoff breathing positively affecting zone 2 performance?00:23:12 Combating heart rate decoupling during long duration cycling training00:32:36 Next steps after a muscular endurance block00:35:26 Combining mountain and road running in one season00:40:52 High-rep core circuits vs. max-strength core routines00:53:34 Training considerations with long-Covid symptoms00:58:24 Sufficient leg strength for skiing Mt. Rainier?01:15:14 Should heart-rate drift tests be tailored to my event?01:18:30 Avoiding overtraining on hilly terrain with aerobic deficiency syndrome01:21:51 Progressing from walking to running hills01:24:22 Delayed vs. early and systematic carb intake during training?01:33:51 Determining intensity adjustments for shorter events01:42:32 Strategies for racing at altitude without being acclimated

Feb 20, 2025 • 49min
#101 Ian Nicholson: A Life In Climbing And Guiding
Join Evoke coach Larry Goldie for a discussion with Ian Nicholson. Ian is a professional mountain guide with decades of experience as an alpinist in mountain ranges all around the world. 00:00:00 Introduction00:01:45 Ian’s early days of climbing00:09:40 Ian’s beginning ambitions to be a mountain guide00:12:39 Being a good skier as a guide00:16:11 Ian’s experiences becoming an A.M.G.A. certified guide00:24:06 Dividing time instructing guides and guiding clients00:24:43 Common mistakes made while navigating the training process for guides00:34:37 Balancing life as a mountain guide and having a family00:39:30 Adapting training with age and time constraints00:46:39 Ian’s future climbing goals

Feb 13, 2025 • 1h 26min
#100 Climbing Denali: Tactics And Best Practices With Sam Hennessey
Join Evoke coach Mark Postle for a discussion with Sam Hennessey about all things Denali. Sam is a professional guide with extensive experience guiding and climbing on Denali, and in the Alaska Range.Learn more about Sam Hennessey here:www.sunwolfadventures.com0:00:00 Introduction0:02:20 Sam’s experience in the Alaska Range0:04:41 The remoteness of the Alaska Range and existing there0:08:44 Factors that create uncertainty during an expedition0:10:49 Alaska Range has unreliable weather forecasting0:15:39 Being flexible with day-to-day planning0:20:24 Summit attempts from 14k ft vs. 17k ft0:22:58 Underestimating cold and altitude0:24:36 Greater levels of energy expenditure unique to climbing in the Alaska Range0:26:11 Common scenarios resulting in failure to summit0:36:23 The necessity of training and practice on technical terrain0:41:03 A multi-year approach for success on Denali0:42:07 Limited bandwidth for skill instruction while on the mountain0:50:45 Logistical challenges on Denali0:52:45 Ways to reduce weight on Denali0:59:41 Heat exposure on Denali1:02:13 Best practices for descending after summiting1:04:17 Observations of unguided parties on Denali1:09:07 Efficient strategies for meal prep1:14:01 Thoughts on decision-making high on Denali1:23:48 Sam’s final thoughts about climbing Denali

Jan 30, 2025 • 1h 34min
#99 Ask Evoke: Athlete-Submitted Questions For January 2025
Join coaches Scott Johnston and Kylee Toth for our January installment of Ask Evoke, where they answer training questions submitted by members of the Evoke Endurance community.To submit your own training questions for our coaches, send us a direct message on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evokeendurance/Or email your questions to coach@evokeendurance.com0:00:00 Introduction0:01:40 Recovery from energy deficiency syndrome0:06:43 Allocation of training load on weekdays vs. weekends0:10:23 Strength cross-training options for ultra running0:14:52 How to break a plateau in Zone 2 running pace0:20:12 Balancing weight-loss with increasing running volume0:27:09 Managing an overreaching of training volume during a holiday0:29:53 Training for mountain races as a flat-lander0:35:05 Balancing electrolytes for long endurance trainings0:39:28 Use of ketones and bicarbonate for fueling0:45:24 Training differences between 100 mile, and 200 mile races0:49:09 How does training effect cortisol levels?0:56:03 Correlation between running speed on flats vs. uphill0:59:58 Can V02 max be increased on a bike as a distance runner?1:13:17 VO2 max plays a minimal role in multi-hour events1:15:43 Use of high-intensity training vs. VO2 max for short duration events1:16:59 Opinion of VO2 max training from high level coaches1:20:49 Does wearing a mask while running effect aerobic development?1:24:01 Tips for training in areas with low air quality1:25:00 Recommended books and literature for improving as a coach and athlete1:32:39 Outro

Jan 17, 2025 • 1h 8min
#98 Ski Mountaineering Racing: Training And Competing, With Nikki LaRochelle
Join Evoke coaches Scott Johnston and Nikki LaRochelle for a deep-dive in training for, and competing in ski mountaineering races. 0:00:00 Introduction0:03:08 Best choice of ski skins for the Grand Traverse in Colorado0:10:37 Managing hydration and fueling during races0:19:31 Muscular endurance training for long ski-mo races0:25:21 Longest ski distance during pre-race training0:32:18 Developing a system for transitions0:35:14 Ratio of aerobic/anaerobic energy production utilized during ski-mo races0:45:14 Why do ski-mo racers start fast, even for very long races?0:48:28 Gear requirements during races0:52:48 Specific training focuses in the final eight-weeks before a race1:07:03 How to submit your own questions to Nikki about ski-mo

Jan 9, 2025 • 1h 9min
#97 Mountain And Tactical Fitness Crossover With Mauri DiMeo
Join Evoke coaches Scott Johnston and Maury Birdwell for a chat with Army Ranger, and alpinist, Mauri DiMeo. DiMeo authors the Tactical Alpinism Instagram, Podcast and Youtube channel, where he shares tactics, techniques, and best practices from recreational and mountain professionals for the military to use.Tactical Alpinism Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TacticalAlpinismInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/tacticalalpinism/Spotify: Tactical Alpinism Studies Cited:DOD Arctic Strategy: https://media.defense.gov/2024/Jul/22/2003507411/-1/-1/0/DOD-ARCTIC-STRATEGY-2024.PDF SFAS QC Success study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938419303063 Chapters:0:00:00 Introduction0:00:21 What is the crossover between military and mountain fitness?0:03:27 Gaps in tactical training filled by approaches to mountain fitness.0:10:01 Mountain fitness utilized during the military selection process.0:16:00 Building strength for an endurance-focused person and military athlete.0:20:36 Prescribing strength training within an endurance training program. 0:21:33 Training as a generalist vs. training for specialization.0:23:58 Melding strength and endurance as a tactical athlete.0:33:00 Aerobic training’s roll in sustained output ability during military fitness tests.0:39:40 Why military selections emphasize performing under deep fatigue.0:48:35 What aids or detracts from a military athlete’s ability to perform in the mountains?1:07:11 Favorite mountain, route, or objective of Scott and Maury B.?

Dec 27, 2024 • 1h 17min
#96 Ask Evoke: Athlete-Submitted Questions For December 2024
Join coaches Scott Johnston and Kylee Toth for our December installment of Ask Evoke, where they answer training questions submitted by members of the Evoke Endurance community.To submit your own training questions for our coaches, send us a direct message on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evokeendurance/Or email your questions to coach@evokeendurance.comAre you a mountaineer who has attempted to climb mountains above 6000 meters? If so, please consider participating in the survey mentioned in this podcast. Specific information on this survey is provided at the link below:https://uwashington.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6VBMTx46BKn5wSa0:00:00 Introduction0:00:43 Does movement at sub-aerobic threshold intensity lessen the effects of altitude?0:08:11 Scientific studies on the effects of using artificial acclimatization.0:10:03 How to combat slowing down on hills during races?0:12:45 Guidance for stacking workouts vs. following training as planned?0:16:24 Using mileage vs. time while training on steeper terrain?0:22:27 Two trainings per day vs. one long training session for a 100-mile race prep?0:28:12 Training endurance for downhill skiing?0:33:29 Is a single 6-hour aerobic base workout sufficient for a total weekly volume?0:37:32 Considerations for post-menopausal training of general endurance?0:46:28 Supplementing with Beta-alanine for endurance?0:52:40 How to best train as a new trail runner with a history road-running? 0:55:35 Varying training stimuli vs. repeating training that has previously worked?0:59:01 Vertical accumulation guidelines for weighted muscular endurance training?0:01:12 Achilles tendinopathy recovery strategies after an acute overuse injury?1:03:50 Rock climber: combating muscle cramps after limit efforts?1:06:24 Using the Suunto Zone Sense model vs. traditional three-, four-, and five-zone models?

Dec 19, 2024 • 1h 14min
#95 Brian Oestrike, CEO Of Hypoxico, On Simulated Altitude Training Systems
Join Evoke coach Leif Whittaker for a conversation with Brian Oestrike. As CEO of Hypoxico Altitude Training Systems, and life-long athlete, Brian provides a wealth of knowledge on the history, protocols, and best practices of simulated altitude training (SAT). The topics covered in the conversation are listed below.For more information on Hypoxico’s products, visit:https://hypoxico.com/0:00:00 Introduction0:01:46 Brian’s athletic background0:05:00 Brian’s shifts in athletic goals over his endurance career0:09:48 The shifts in user groups utilizing simulated altitude training (SAT)0:15:39 The basics of how SAT works0:18:38 Differences between simulated altitude, and real altitude0:22:58 Adaptations to a high-altitude, low-pressure environment0:28:04 Risks and side effects of SAT0:33:09 Application and use of Hypoxico Systems0:37:25 Standard protocols for simulated altitude progression?0:40:40 Six days to the summit and down on Everest using SAT0:45:29 Monitoring progression & recovery0:58:33 Age and gender differences in acclimatization protocols1:02:59 General health improvements with SAT1:03:25 Training respiratory muscles for altitude1:07:05 Sleeping best practices in an altitude tent1:10:00 How Brian has personally used SAT for his athletic goals1:12:43 Where to find more information about Hypoxico

Dec 5, 2024 • 58min
#94 Ruth Croft: Post-UTMB 2024 Wrap-Up After Her Impressive Second Place Finish
Join Evoke coach Scott Johnston for a conversation with Ruth Croft. Coached by Scott, Ruth secured a second-place finish at UTMB 2024, a race that attracts the best-of-the-best in the ultra running world. Learn about Ruth’s rest and recovery strategies post-UTMB, and approaches used by Ruth and Scott for Ruth’s long-term athletic development. More info on Ruth:https://www.instagram.com/ruthcrofty/0:00:00 Introduction0:00:37 Ruth’s Post-UTMB break form training0:03:00 Training break strategies of other professional racers0:05:07 Does focusing on training, and racing less, lead to better outcomes?0:11:14 Racing often and it’s effects on the body0:15:11 Ruth’s strength training strategies0:24:24 Ruth’s plans for training and racing in the coming year0:27:07 Working on training basics versus exotic training methods0:28:40 Most important methods for recovery0:30:33 Ruth’s ambitions to become a Naturopathic Doctor0:34:21 Serum ferritin levels in high level athletes0:43:53 Ruth’s go-to recovery methods0:46:10 Ruth’s nutritional strategies0:50:59 Scott’s experiences coaching mountain runners0:53:24 Personality types attracted to various mountain sports0:57:22 Outro