154 episodes
#153 | Inside the Crew Behind the Fastest Badwater 135 Ever | Mackenzie Jolliffe & Billy Garner
08/22/2026 | 1h 41 mins.In this episode, Sally chats with Mackenzie Jolliffe and Billy Garner. They take us behind the scenes of crewing Max Jolliffe during his historic Badwater 135, revealing the planning, pacing, nutrition, split-second decisions and teamwork required to keep him moving. They also share what the experience taught them about trust, friendship, staying calm under pressure and serving someone else without needing the spotlight. Enjoy!
Connect with Mackenzie & Billy!
Mackenzie: Instagram & TikTok
Billy (William): Instagram & TikTok
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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08/15/2026 | 1h 42 mins.In this episode, Sally chats with her good friend, rockstar pacer, podcast host and ultrarunning coach, Joe Corcione! Joe shares how running helped transform his life from addiction and unhappiness into nearly eight years of sobriety, a coaching career, and a deep belief that people can change through consistent effort. Joe also chats about his demanding Western StatesāBadwater double and the larger lesson that growth comes from embracing difficult challenges! Enjoy!
Other episode highlights:
Prioritizing rest and mental freshness over additional fitness.
His first coach, Zach Bitter, gave him crucial confidence by immediately believing in his ambitious racing goals.
Badwater fulfilled one of Joeās long-held dream races and became a major āfull-circleā moment.
How friendships, crews, and shared moments often become more memorable than race times or placements.
Joeās coaching mission
Follow Joe:
Coaching: Theeverydayultra.com
Podcast: The Everyday Ultra
Instagram: @joecorcione
YouTube: @everydayultrapodcast1473
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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Episode Sponsors:
LAUNDRY SAUCE: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code STRONG at https://laundrysauce.com/STRONGĀ #laundrysaucepod
Mud/WTR: Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code STRONG atĀ ā ā ā mudwtr.com/STRONGā ā ā ! #mudwtrpod #sponsored- Fresh off his historic Badwater 135 win, in a time of 20:53:41 (the new course record!), Max Jolliffe joins the Choose Strong podcast to chat with Sally about his race & training leading up to race day. You'll gain insight into his mindset as he raced, his race strategy, how he heat trained, fueling and how hiring a coach changed everything for him. Enjoy!
Keep up with Max!
STRAVA
WOAHMAX.com
YOUTUBE
INSTAGRAM
FAVES (Badwater Gear)
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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ONESKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SALLY at https://www.oneskin.co/SALLYĀ #oneskinpod #150 | How to Push Past the Wall, Recover From an Ultra & Believe You Belong
07/31/2026 | 1h 55 mins.In this episode, Sally answers listener questions about overcoming mental barriers during races, stepping up from the half marathon to longer distances, recovering after a first ultra, and building a career in trail-running media. We also have an honest and encouraging conversation about body image, comparison, and why every runnerāregardless of pace, size, or experienceābelongs in the running community. Thanks for tuning in - enjoy!
Other Episode Highlights:
How to prepare for the mental wall that often appears late in a marathon or ultra.
Why identifying your fears before race day can help you respond differently when things get hard.
The simple race-day strategy of slowing down, walking, fueling, and refusing to let temporary discomfort make the decision for you.
How to know when you are ready to move from a half marathon to a marathon or 50K.
Why curiosity and excitement may be better indicators of readiness than waiting to feel completely confident.
The biggest training adjustment when moving up to the marathon: gradually extending the weekly long run while including recovery weeks.
What nausea, shaking, poor sleep, and temperature-regulation problems after a first ultra may reveal about hydration and depletion.
Practical advice for entering trail-running photography, filmmaking, or media by creating consistently, building relationships, and starting humbly.
Why comparison can convince runners that they do not belongāeven when they are already doing the bravest thing by showing up.
Sallyās reminder that your pace, body shape, and clothing size do not determine whether you are a ārealā runner.
Choose Strong Community Highlights
Send in your questions! Record Them Here
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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Episode Sponsors:
LAUNDRY SAUCE: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code STRONG at https://laundrysauce.com/STRONGĀ #laundrysaucepod
TRUE NUTRITION: Save 20% off on your first order at https://www.google.com/url?q=http://truenutrition.com/CHOOSESTRONG&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1785516341703360&usg=AOvVaw0YlTvPhlPLHQHv_CxkqjlB- Elite runner and mountain athlete Anna Gibson joins Sally to share the unexpected journey that took her from the 1,500-meter semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials to ski mountaineeringās debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Anna opens up about saying yes before she felt ready, winning the race that sent Team USA to the Games, the emotional comedown that followed, and why joy, vulnerability, and community matter more than any result. Enjoy!
Other Episode Highlights:
The funny reality of learning a brand-new sport while chasing the Olympics.
Behind-the-scenes moments from Annaās crash course in ski mountaineering.
How staying curious and being willing to look like a beginner opened unexpected doors.
What it feels like when a casual āyesā suddenly becomes a life-changing opportunity.
Why even elite athletes have awkward moments, doubts, and plenty to learn along the way.
Why the people beside you matter more than any title or finish line.
Follow Anna's Adventures: @annaagibsonn
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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BUBS NATURALS: Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals.Ā For a limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code SALLY at Bubsnaturals.com
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About Choose Strong
Hosted by Eddie and Sally McRae, Choose Strong is about choosing strength over fear in every situation in life. Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Love. Each episode is filled with candid insight, raw and relatable stories and interviews. As a pro athlete, wife, mother, and biz owner, Sally seeks to encourage others to live a strong and courageous life and uses her running as a metaphor for life. The show covers a variety of life focused topics including running, total wellness, mindset, parenting, life balance, the impact of social media, and staying motivated while working toward goals.
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