I Could Never Do That

FKT - It’s an acronym that stands for “Fastest Known Time” and if you’re completely unfamiliar with this concept, there is an official website, fastestknowntime.com, where you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of routes around the world where people have submitted their times to get that coveted spot of having the FKT - the Fastest Known Time.  About a year ago, my guests were searching for new adventures and noticed something when they went to the fastest known time website. The majority of the routes were submitted by men AND many of the routes (regardless of length or terrain) didn’t even have female times. So, women do what women do…They got after it and started the Women Who FKT Project. This group of women in the Oregon/Washington area set out to tackle a bunch of the FKT routes in their region. Women Who FKT started as a small project between these runners and coaches and, in the last year, has grown into a full-blown global movement. Their mission? Calling women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved minorities in to claim space on the trails. You'll learn: What is an FKT? What are some of the misconceptions about FKTs which often prohibit people from attempting them? What sort of equipment do you need to get started? What are some reasons WHY women should pursue an FKT? Is it best to do it solo or with a group? Advice for newbies Of course, I left the conversation completely jazzed to seek one out and give it a go — and I hope you do.  So, let’s claim some space on the trails and welcome Marta, Dana, Teri, Danielle, and Stacy - The power behind Women Who FKT. Episode Resources Fastest Known Time Official Website - https://fastestknowntime.com/  Women Who FKT Website - https://www.ultraufitness.com/fkt.html Women who FKT Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/womenwhofkt/ "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett       

As Robine Bots says, "she may have lost her mind, but she found her soul." Robine is the founder of Harmony Farm Sanctuary, a little slice of heaven for humans and animals nestled on about 10 acres of land between Bend and Sisters, Oregon. What started out as one pet pig for her daughter (Pig Floyd!) has morphed into a forever home for over 145 beautiful souls including pigs, horses, donkeys, ducks, bunnies, an alpaca, a llama, goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens, and one awesome barn cat named Ronald Weasley.  Harmony Farm Sanctuary is just that - a sanctuary for these animals to live out their years to only know love, kindness, and compassion. For the staff and volunteers, it’s also a place to find those same things. Whether it’s brushing, feeding, or scooping , the feeling of helping another sentient being is unmatchable.  And that’s the legacy that Robine wants to leave with her guests who visit, volunteer, or stay on the on-site air-b-n-b. These animals have personalities and they have voices. These animals feel love and they give love. (Trust me - especially when they’re hungry!) I’m sure many of us feel like we could never do something of this magnitude, but that’s why we're thankful for people like Robine and her family. In fact, she would probably say, it’s what she was born to do. Episode Resources HarmonyFarmSanctuary.com "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Matt Whitcomb is the head coach for the US Cross Country Ski Team, where he’s coached at the past three Winter Olympic games. Even if you don’t know much about competitive cross-country skiing, you understand the value of a good coach and mentor when it comes to achieving anything in life, whether it’s athletically motivated or not.  Today, we focus a lot on the ingredients in developing a world-class athlete. Is it the number of hours you train, or is mindset the superpower of success? Does a dictatorship coaching style breed success, or does it come from a more autonomous “hands off” approach to coaching? When you’re working with a group of people at the top of their game (especially at the Olympics), how do you get that extra 1%,  and how do these athletes deal with the pressure of a glaring spotlight, where that light shines extra bright every four years?  We discuss definitions of success, failure, and the most important question: “Could Coach Whitcomb Ted Lasso his way into coaching a completely different sport altogether?” Essentially, are the key elements of a successful coach transferable to any sport? It’s an eye-opening chat  and if you’re going to learn from anyone, heck, it may as well be an Olympic head coach. Episode Resources: US Ski and Snowboard - Cross Country Ski Team US Ski and Snowboard on Peacock Best of Tokyo Moments Jesse Diggins at the 30K "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)    

Here are just a few athletic accomplishments from today's guest Deanna McCurdy: Six national championships, Four Pan-Am championships, 5th overall at ITU Cross Worlds, she’s finished as the top American female and 4th overall twice at the XTERRA World Championships. USA Triathlon awarded her Off-road Triathlete of the Year honors in 2017, 2018, and 2021.  In 2019, she competed as a Pro (at age 45), placing 2nd at XTERRA Quebec and winning XTERRA Fruita. WHEW...Even if you don’t know what any of those races are, you certainly recognize a powerhouse when you see and hear those results. BUT, what makes Deanna’s success story so incredible is that she didn’t start doing triathlons until 2009 after she had her second daughter. Yes, Deanna is also currently raising two teenage daughters (which is an “I Could Never Do That” unto itself) — one of which was diagnosed with Angelman’s Syndrome at just 16 months. Life can change in an instant. Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects approximately one in 15,000 people – about 500,000 individuals worldwide. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: delayed developmental milestones; gross and fine motor impairment; difficulty with feeding and swallowing; issues; loss of functional speech and epilepsy. As you’ll hear today, her daughter Hayden is one of the main reasons she races and trains —all in an effort to raise awareness and funds for a cure for this rare disorder. In fact, her most recent endeavor was truly epic — It was the Breck Epic, a six-day mountain bike race in the Breckenridge mountains. She and her partner crushed the race, but her fundraising goals continue and today, we talk about her athletic journey, and also the joy, difficulty, reality, and gift of raising a child with Angelman's Syndrome. She speaks beautifully and candidly about this privilege of giving her baby angel the wings to fly.  Episode Resources: Deanna's "Epic Climb for an Epic Cure" Fundraising Page - https://cureangelman.org/deanna-mccurdys-epic-climb-for-an-epic-cure  To learn more about FAST Athletes, their mission and inspiring stories, check out our FAST Athletes page - https://cureangelman.org/fast-athletes  Deanna's Team USA Blog Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com -  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)    

Ashley Brush was born and raised in a strict, religious upbringing and, by her early 20s, she was married, with a young son, and was also a stepmother to two other children. At this time, because she was playing by a strict set of rules,  she says she had no idea who she really was because she was so young and never gave herself an opportunity to find out. Resentment and depression were the norms, which led to drugs and binge eating to numb the pain.  Just a couple of years ago, Ashley went back to one joy she had as a child/teenager — running. She quietly started running again and, magically, a portal opened to happiness, joy, self-confidence, and profound freedom.  THIS is what she was meant to do…and today she’s doing it. Ashley is a coach, trainer, and ultra-endurance athlete. She runs redjasperrunning.com and the Rising Runners group in Bend, OR. She's also a coach for Team RunRun, working with runners of all levels.  By “pouring love all over herself,” she has started to discover the woman she was meant to be.    Episode Resources: Red Jasper Running - https://www.redjasperrunning.com/  Rising Runners FB Group Team RunRun - https://teamrunrun.com/coach/ashley-brush-bend-running-coach/  Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)  

In this episode of “I Could Never Do That,” I “shake” things up a bit to take a self-indulgent and celebratory walk down “memory lane.”  Think back to when you were 13, 14, or 15. What or who just lit your world on fire and made you believe that "Anything is Possible?" Was it a book? A Teacher? A Relative? A First Love? Was it a song, athlete, or artist that took hold and sent you on a journey of imagination and unlimited potential?  For me, as a 14-year-old songwriter wannabe in the late 80s (i.e. the best music decade ever), that person was Debbie Gibson and that album was “Out of the Blue.” In 1985-1986, I saved up some money to buy a 4-track Tascam multitrack recorder and, week after week, I would lay down pitiful keyboard tracks, hit rewind, and then lay down a drum machine, hit rewind again, and play guitar, only to top it off with some of the worst pitchy vocals you can imagine, but man oh man I was living my dream of making music. It wasn’t long after that I started hearing about this young 16-year-old, rising star who was also writing and producing her own music…and that was it.  Somehow along the way, over three decades have passed and I’m so thrilled to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the release of "Out of the Blue" by talking with a few Debbie Gibson fans and letting them share THEIR stories about the impact she had on them at the time and still has on their lives.  I chose a few old-school friends that I was pen pals back in the day of DGIF (Debbie Gibson International Fan Club), and a couple of new friends I met just a few months ago on her recent tour stop in LA. I even speak with a younger fan who, as she says, was an “Electric Youth” baby born in 1989!  There was a time I thought, “I could never” adequately thank Debbie for being such a bright light in my world, but actually, thanks to her, I have this mic and am honored to have that chance in this episode.  Episode Resources: "I Could Never Do That" Website Debbie Gibson Website: https://debbiegibsonofficial.com/  Instagram: @debbiegibson - https://www.instagram.com/debbiegibson/  http://www.rocknrollrescuedogs.org/  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the Podcast:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett 

Dan Leite is a long-time runner, multiple marathon and IRONMAN triathlon finisher, and recipient of a heart transplant recipient in 2015. His symptoms began in 2011 at the peak of his running and his condition, although treated with medication, continued to deteriorate until he was granted the ultimate gift in December 2015. His life ultimately was saved by the heart of a stranger, but the impact remains far-reaching. Today, we discuss: The onset of his symptoms Why it’s so important to be an advocate for your own health The gratitude he feels towards his donor and the medical team who saved his life Why he wanted to return to “normalcy," which included more marathons What he’s doing now to give back The great news? Dan still runs regularly and has completed a couple of marathons since his transplant. He’s also the Chairman of the Board of the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon and will be running the half distance this October. He and his family created a fund for ongoing research and support for transplant recipients, donors, and their families. It's called “Rita’s Corner of the World Fund” named after his Mother.  He writes: The fund’s namesake is a direct result of a conversation I had with her many years ago, when she reminded me that people do not always have to do large acts of kindness to change the world. Mom said that “sometimes we all need to just focus on improving our own little corners of the world. If many people can do that, just think of how many corners we can assemble to create an amazing mosaic and a better world.” Rita’s Corner of the World Fund is our small attempt to give back to the very large community that saved my life. It is meant to honor heart donors and their families, health care and hospital caregivers at all levels and those waiting on transplant lists. It is our hope that this fund will provide both needed patient services to heart transplant recipients at Ohio State along with funding to conduct crucial breakthrough research in organ transplantation. In dreaming a little, wouldn’t it be amazing if our new fund could help provide the needed resources that create “a new little corner of the world” through research discoveries that allow all transplant recipients to receive their “miracle call” and have a second chance at life with their families?   Episode Resources Runners World article on Dan Rita's Corner of the World Fund "I Could Never Do That" Website Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support this Podcast https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett   

Spencer Newell is a music writer, producer, health coach, trainer, author, and longtime endurance athlete.  He has certainly run the gamut in his 43 years - growing up as a high-level endurance athlete, battling a crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol, seeking treatment and finding sobriety, diving headfirst back into endurance sports, and unfortunately succumbing to overtraining syndrome not once, but twice. Today, we explore that fine line of being “all in” on something or being “all-out” — either by choice or force.  His journey is so packed with lessons from both extremes, but thankfully finding peace and stillness somewhere in the middle.  Follow Spencer: Instagram: @spencer.newell Facebook Novo Veritas - "Honest Change" Health Coaching Follow Spencer on Spotify Follow Spencer on Apple Music "I Could Never Do That" Website Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett 

Dawn Mussallem was in medical school when she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Treatment was successful but eventually, Dr. Mussallem, who works at Mayo Clinic in Florida, began experiencing heart failure. She had a defibrillator implanted and went through myriad procedures as she navigated her medical career. As her heart worsened, she was listed for a heart transplant and on Feb. 5, 2021, “the ultimate exchange” occurred – when Dr. Mussallem received a new heart. Just one year later, Dawn also became a marathon finisher. Today, she shares her journey as a physician, mother, wife, daughter, and 20-year cancer survivor turned heart transplant recipient. Episode Resources: Episode Webpage Dawn's Journey from Cancer Survivor to Transplant Recipient Mayo News Network Story on Dawn's Marathon Journey "I Could Never Do That" Website Support Carrie and the Podcast through "Buy Me a Coffee" Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)    

A musician and teacher by day and potato pusher by night! This is the story of Alison James, CEO of Sports Spuds. Tired of constantly feeling sick and nauseous during her marathons and races, Alison heeded the advice of a nutritionist and tried boiled potatoes - BAM!! Success! The only problem? They were messy and not portable, especially when you're reaching into your baggie with dirty hands. For 12 years, Alison and her husband researched, tested, explored and hit dead ends when trying to figure out how to package potatoes. Finally, they found a supplier with the right machine and packaging...now they just had to hone their recipe.  Sport Spuds debuted in 2021 and, through some grassroots marketing, is now making quite the impact on the endurance scene.  This is definitely a story of patience, resilience, and the determination to keep searching for solutions. Now, they have a great product and a loyal audience extolling the power of the potato!   Sport Spuds Website "I Could Never Do That" Website Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)