Episode 83: More Than Just Miles, The Six-Year Journey of Writing an Ultra Memoir

Episode 83: More Than Just Miles, The Six-Year Journey of Writing an Ultra Memoir

Author: Human Potential LLC August 25, 2026 Duration: 1:09:33

Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. In Episode 83 of the show, host John Lacroix reunites with his former co-host Stefan Schuster to discuss Schuster’s newly released book, Beyond the Single Track: How Ultra Running Taught Me to Live. After opening with a humorous conversation spanning classic movies, acting cameos, and historical assassination trivia, the two dive into an in-depth exploration of the book-writing and publishing process. Schuster details the six-year journey of crafting his memoir, the importance of incorporating reflections on personal growth at the end of each chapter, the vulnerabilities of sharing intimate life lessons, and the practical realities of indie publishing and working with an editor. Lacroix also shares insights and hurdles from his own ongoing book project, leading to a candid discussion between the two about finding purpose in ultrarunning, using creative projects as therapeutic tools to process life experiences, and giving back to the running community. 🎧 Listen now at humanpotentialrunning.com or on your favorite podcast app!


John Lacroix, the owner and race director behind the Human Potential Running Series, hosts this engaging The Human Potential Running Series Podcast. Rather than focusing solely on race results or training plans, the conversations here dig into the rich human stories that form the backbone of the trail and ultrarunning community. Each episode is built around the people who are out there on the trails, whether they're pushing their limits as runners or dedicating their time as volunteers. You'll hear from a diverse range of voices connected to HPRS, exploring their personal motivations, the challenges they've overcome, and the unique perspectives they bring to the sport. This podcast sits at the intersection of endurance sports and genuine human connection, reflecting its place in categories like Sports, Culture, and Society. It’s about the shared experiences and individual passions that make long-distance running about much more than just miles. Tuning in provides a sense of belonging and insight into what drives people to participate in this demanding yet rewarding world. The discussions are personal, often profound, and always rooted in the real lives of the community members. For anyone curious about the deeper narratives behind the running shoes and finish lines, this series offers a compelling and authentic listen.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Human Potential Running Series Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 63: Mantras - A Tool of the Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:02
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 63, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix welcomes special guest co-host Christopher Mellott. In this episode, John and Chris define a mantra. They provid…
Episode 62: Care, Concern, and Accountability [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:28
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 62, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix welcomes special guest co-host Christopher Mellott. In this episode, they discuss Care, Concern, and Accountabil…
Episode 61: It's the Journey, Not the Destination [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:59
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 61, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-host Thomas Stott give updates on the Silverheels Trail Runs Permitting process before diving into a conv…
Special Edition: Calling People Out vs Calling People In [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:06
In this special edition of the HPRS Podcast, Race Director John Lacroix discusses the community framework in ultramarathon running from 20 years ago, the two pockets that currently divide the sport, and how the behaviors…
Episode 60: It's Time to Support Our Land Partners, Not Demand More. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:44:48
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 60, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix brings us full circle on how our federal land management partners' current issues could negatively impact trail…
Episode 59: On Belongingness Theory [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:36:29
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 59, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-hosts Thomas Stott and Megan Storms, dive into Belongingness Theory. In this episode, the trio explores w…
Episode 58: Welcome Megan Storms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:26:55
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 58, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-host Thomas Stott welcome our newest co-host, Megan Storms, to the program. In this episode, we get to kn…
Episode 57: 2025 State of Ultra [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:22
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 57 HPRS Race Director John Lacroix provides his data collection and analysis for ultramarathon running in 2024, and where the sport finds itself tod…
Episode 56: Jenna Carosio [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:31:22
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 56, we welcome HPRS community member Jenna Carosio to talk about her life experiences and journey into running. In this episode we talk about Jenna'…
Episode 55: On Fueling [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:49
Take a run with The Human Potential Running Series podcast. For Episode 55, HPRS Race Director John Lacroix and co-host Thomas Stott discuss fueling. A wide ranging conversation that talks about daily diets and fueling d…