“Just wanted to say how great your podcasts are. I discovered them quite by accident after reading an Instagram post by @jessekokotek and have been listening all day. I had been especially taken by the honesty and the relatability of you talking about depression which seems to be an issue of common meeting between a lot ultra runners across the world. It has and probably will always be a big factor in my life also. Hearing other people talk about it and baring their souls in such a brave and open way is so very inspiring. Thank you.”

— Anonymous

“Jess: I heard you on TJM so I thought I'd give your show a listen. Good stuff! The reason I'm writing is to tell you that on a recent looooooong training run I was listening to the Burning River Recap and struggling with about 8 miles to go. I was doing all sorts of math, because there was no short way home and the next mile or so was filled with short, but steep hills. At one point you started laughing and it got out of your control. I assume because of some exhaustion and the added wine. I started to wonder how long it would take and that led me to think of some instances when I've been a bit "punchy". Next thing I know, I'm at the top of the last hill with the homestretch downhill in front of me. Still a few miles, but much easier than what I had just come through. Thanks for the podcast!”

— Paul

“Hey Jessica! I just stumbled upon your podcast, thank you- it’s pretty fantastic! I was at the Ute & paced a friend at Grindstone. Just listened to both podcasts. I share a lot of your sentiments and also your path. Keep it up! :)”

— Emily

“Hi Jessica, Just wanted to let you know that I just listened to the Depression episode and I'm in the same boat. I appreciate your open and honest episodes that shed a light into these issues that are so hard for some of us to bring up to our friends and loved ones. I often have thoughts of "what's wrong with me!!" , " I'm tired of feeling this way" " I just want to drop dead" "If a car hit me—that might be quick" I recently heard (from Dr. Drew ) about birth control being a cause of depression in women. I was so desperate to not feel so shitty that I got off my pills just to make sure everything is still working normally—granted I got on them 7 years ago because of endometriosis. But I'm happy to report that I'm not having these dark thoughts AS much and I'm a little more balanced. Just thought I'd share my current experiment. I may get back on to a lower estrogen birth control pill if possible if my endometriosis comes back with full vengeance. But perhaps it’s something to look into. Thanks for all you do. I'll see you out there in the trails :)”

— Maritza

Jessica, Heard you interviewed on Ten Junk Miles and Running, Beer, and BS podcasts. I'm from NW Ohio, love running at Mohican, and like to hear about runners I "know". I was very interested in your episode on the Mohican DNF and finally went back to listen to that episode. I was shocked when listening to hear a conversation I remembered, I still believe you can do an entire ultra on a good milk stout. Let's get that PBR, or something better, next run we're at together. See you on the trails.

— Anonymous

“Hi! I just discovered your podcast through your interview with Scott from Ten Junk Miles. I really love it so far. Congratulations on Grindstone! Just thought I’d send you a message because I’m about to do my first 100k and it’s in Ohio! I’m doing Conquer the Castle at the North Chagrin Reservation near Cleveland. I’m scared to death but really excited. My big, scary goals are the WV Trilogy next year, then 100 miles - not sure what race yet and hopefully, gulp, one day, Eastern States. I volunteer at that race every year and really want to do it some day. Hope you are doing well! Take care!”

— Neely

“Just finished listening to the Bighorn podcast. I can't thank you enough for sharing this one and all of your podcasts. You are incredibly brave and courageous on so many levels. You're so honest in talking about life, the struggle, and yearning, and the suffering to become a better runner and a better person. I don't listen to much ultra running stuff, just you and TJM and I'm drawn to both for the honesty and complete lack of bullshit pretension. I'm a lousy runner, slow as hell. But I mostly don't care much for the results-mostly. I care about the process and the adventure, and I still maintain the hope that it'll keep transforming and someday learn-up this punk-ass kid! Be well and thanks a million, Bart”

— Bart

Hey Jessica! Thanks for your podcasts. I've enjoyed quite a few of them, and especially appreciate your honesty and emotional frankness. Kudos to you for sharing! I'm a runner from Colorado, an old guy (age 59) who just started running ultras in 2016. I'm struggling to finish my first 100 miler. (I've failed twice in 2018). Recently I decided to try a 24-hour timed race, thinking that the loop course format and a relatively flat trail or track would give me the best chance to maximize my potential distance covered. This strategy led me to consider running the Outrun 24-Hour race in Kirtland OH on May 4, 2019. It looks like a well-supported race with a good sized field (100+ finishers). I don't know anyone in Ohio beyond my passing familiarity with you through your podcasting. I just wanted to reach out and ask your thoughts on this Ohio event. Not sure if you are familiar with it or know of someone who might be. I appreciate anything you might care to share!

— A Colorado Fan

“Hey Jessica, I'm just letting you know—I'm going to see the hell out of you at Covered Bridge this year! I DNF'd last year at mile 60, but I'll be back this year and am so so so so ready and pumped to finish! So be ready! Some weird random guy is going to yell "Jessica!", and it will be me! That will be something for me to think about and look forward to. I'll be hurting, but I'll be there! Great podcast - loved the AJW episode. Keep it up! I'm a fan now!”

“ (the magazine,) It's beyond wonderful! Having just moved to Colorado I'm excited you promote the Colorado Fourteeners Initiative on page 1!! Your photography is amazing.....a picture is definitely worth a thousand words in this magazine!

I was particularly struck by the photos from the Georgia Jewel....especially the father/son on the last page...behind every accomplishment there is a team of support and this picture spoke to me greatly. I've also never seen such a complimentary mix of photography and art before...you have some seriously talented artists!!

I must admit I have not read all the articles yet...I seem to pick up the issue and read one when I need an emotional and motivational boost. They are inspirational! I hope you realize that to a novice (and older) runner, your magazine is not just fun and educational; it's motivational :)”

— brian

“Hey Jessica, I wanted to write and let you know that I really enjoyed the interview with Dr. Matt. I have long been a proponent of chiropratic care and his insight has given me more interest in ways to become a more efficient runner, and how to train better for higher performance. I actually checked out some of the companies' youtube videos and found that they gave a good visualization to go along with a lot of your discussions during the interview. So...after seeing the youtube posts, and viewing some of the technology they have, I think it would be a great idea for him to "partner up" with your listeners and followers and do an open house at his office. Much like your vino and vinyasa, etc... I look forward to hearing if that is something you can put together. Obviously, I can just call his office for an appointment, but I thought that if there is a group, it is a great way for him to show what they can offer and probably add many more patients. Cheers! See you on the trails. Todd Harrell PS - keep the podcasts coming. They help me power through the treadmill days.”

“Hi Jessica—Great Podcast. Thanks for sharing and being vulnerable in sharing a few things: 1. You didn't quit, you stopped. Big difference. You're training, growing, and building. You just stopped at mile 84. I stopped at mile 87 at Umstead this year, and like you feel totally at peace with it. 2. I was at Mohican too and am pretty sure I was one of those people checking in on you somewhere in the 40s. I managed to finish...but barely. Here is my experience. I'm not at all bragging, because I didn't get to learn all the lessons that you learned :) The one thing I learned not mentioned in my blog or in your podcast is that looped coursed can be gnarly. The hills always just keep coming. 3. Travis Lloyd saved my race too! Actually after the race he helped coordinate people to drive me and my car to Columbus so I could catch my flight. 4. I'm from Wisco too. Wauwatosa to be exact. I had family that lived in Green Bay and Egg Harbor though. Small fucking world. Great post. Thanks again for sharing. I'm going to ponder the best life/terrible person dichotomy some more!”

— Karl

“Just wanted to say how great your podcasts are. I discovered them quite by accident after reading an Instagram post by @jessekokotek and have been listening all day. I had been especially taken by the honesty and the relatability of you talking about depression which seems to be an issue of common meeting between a lot ultra runners across the world. It has and probably will always be a big factor in my life also. Hearing other people talk about it and baring their souls in such a brave and open way is so very inspiring. Thank you.”

— Anonymous

“Jess: I heard you on TJM so I thought I'd give your show a listen. Good stuff! The reason I'm writing is to tell you that on a recent looooooong training run I was listening to the Burning River Recap and struggling with about 8 miles to go. I was doing all sorts of math, because there was no short way home and the next mile or so was filled with short, but steep hills. At one point you started laughing and it got out of your control. I assume because of some exhaustion and the added wine. I started to wonder how long it would take and that led me to think of some instances when I've been a bit "punchy". Next thing I know, I'm at the top of the last hill with the homestretch downhill in front of me. Still a few miles, but much easier than what I had just come through. Thanks for the podcast!”

— Paul

“Hey Jessica! I just stumbled upon your podcast, thank you- it’s pretty fantastic! I was at the Ute & paced a friend at Grindstone. Just listened to both podcasts. I share a lot of your sentiments and also your path. Keep it up! :)”

— Emily

“Hi Jessica, Just wanted to let you know that I just listened to the Depression episode and I'm in the same boat. I appreciate your open and honest episodes that shed a light into these issues that are so hard for some of us to bring up to our friends and loved ones. I often have thoughts of "what's wrong with me!!" , " I'm tired of feeling this way" " I just want to drop dead" "If a car hit me—that might be quick" I recently heard (from Dr. Drew ) about birth control being a cause of depression in women. I was so desperate to not feel so shitty that I got off my pills just to make sure everything is still working normally—granted I got on them 7 years ago because of endometriosis. But I'm happy to report that I'm not having these dark thoughts AS much and I'm a little more balanced. Just thought I'd share my current experiment. I may get back on to a lower estrogen birth control pill if possible if my endometriosis comes back with full vengeance. But perhaps it’s something to look into. Thanks for all you do. I'll see you out there in the trails :)”

— Maritza

Jessica, Heard you interviewed on Ten Junk Miles and Running, Beer, and BS podcasts. I'm from NW Ohio, love running at Mohican, and like to hear about runners I "know". I was very interested in your episode on the Mohican DNF and finally went back to listen to that episode. I was shocked when listening to hear a conversation I remembered, I still believe you can do an entire ultra on a good milk stout. Let's get that PBR, or something better, next run we're at together. See you on the trails.

— Anonymous

“Hi! I just discovered your podcast through your interview with Scott from Ten Junk Miles. I really love it so far. Congratulations on Grindstone! Just thought I’d send you a message because I’m about to do my first 100k and it’s in Ohio! I’m doing Conquer the Castle at the North Chagrin Reservation near Cleveland. I’m scared to death but really excited. My big, scary goals are the WV Trilogy next year, then 100 miles - not sure what race yet and hopefully, gulp, one day, Eastern States. I volunteer at that race every year and really want to do it some day. Hope you are doing well! Take care!”

— Neely

“Just finished listening to the Bighorn podcast. I can't thank you enough for sharing this one and all of your podcasts. You are incredibly brave and courageous on so many levels. You're so honest in talking about life, the struggle, and yearning, and the suffering to become a better runner and a better person. I don't listen to much ultra running stuff, just you and TJM and I'm drawn to both for the honesty and complete lack of bullshit pretension. I'm a lousy runner, slow as hell. But I mostly don't care much for the results-mostly. I care about the process and the adventure, and I still maintain the hope that it'll keep transforming and someday learn-up this punk-ass kid! Be well and thanks a million, Bart”

— Bart

Hey Jessica! Thanks for your podcasts. I've enjoyed quite a few of them, and especially appreciate your honesty and emotional frankness. Kudos to you for sharing! I'm a runner from Colorado, an old guy (age 59) who just started running ultras in 2016. I'm struggling to finish my first 100 miler. (I've failed twice in 2018). Recently I decided to try a 24-hour timed race, thinking that the loop course format and a relatively flat trail or track would give me the best chance to maximize my potential distance covered. This strategy led me to consider running the Outrun 24-Hour race in Kirtland OH on May 4, 2019. It looks like a well-supported race with a good sized field (100+ finishers). I don't know anyone in Ohio beyond my passing familiarity with you through your podcasting. I just wanted to reach out and ask your thoughts on this Ohio event. Not sure if you are familiar with it or know of someone who might be. I appreciate anything you might care to share!

— A Colorado Fan

“Hey Jessica, I'm just letting you know—I'm going to see the hell out of you at Covered Bridge this year! I DNF'd last year at mile 60, but I'll be back this year and am so so so so ready and pumped to finish! So be ready! Some weird random guy is going to yell "Jessica!", and it will be me! That will be something for me to think about and look forward to. I'll be hurting, but I'll be there! Great podcast - loved the AJW episode. Keep it up! I'm a fan now!”

“Hey Jessica, I wanted to write and let you know that I really enjoyed the interview with Dr. Matt. I have long been a proponent of chiropratic care and his insight has given me more interest in ways to become a more efficient runner, and how to train better for higher performance. I actually checked out some of the companies' youtube videos and found that they gave a good visualization to go along with a lot of your discussions during the interview. So...after seeing the youtube posts, and viewing some of the technology they have, I think it would be a great idea for him to "partner up" with your listeners and followers and do an open house at his office. Much like your vino and vinyasa, etc... I look forward to hearing if that is something you can put together. Obviously, I can just call his office for an appointment, but I thought that if there is a group, it is a great way for him to show what they can offer and probably add many more patients. Cheers! See you on the trails. Todd Harrell PS - keep the podcasts coming. They help me power through the treadmill days.”

“Hi Jessica—Great Podcast. Thanks for sharing and being vulnerable in sharing a few things: 1. You didn't quit, you stopped. Big difference. You're training, growing, and building. You just stopped at mile 84. I stopped at mile 87 at Umstead this year, and like you feel totally at peace with it. 2. I was at Mohican too and am pretty sure I was one of those people checking in on you somewhere in the 40s. I managed to finish...but barely. Here is my experience. I'm not at all bragging, because I didn't get to learn all the lessons that you learned :) The one thing I learned not mentioned in my blog or in your podcast is that looped coursed can be gnarly. The hills always just keep coming. 3. Travis Lloyd saved my race too! Actually after the race he helped coordinate people to drive me and my car to Columbus so I could catch my flight. 4. I'm from Wisco too. Wauwatosa to be exact. I had family that lived in Green Bay and Egg Harbor though. Small fucking world. Great post. Thanks again for sharing. I'm going to ponder the best life/terrible person dichotomy some more!”

— Karl