Loading episode…
Running
#118 Troy Meadows & Julio Palma | Hellbender 100, Battling the DNF Demons, & Through Endurance We Conquer
The Midpacker Podcast›
May 29, 20262:00:00
Loading episode…
Running
Episode context
Listen here or keep browsing the show and related sport coverage from here.
The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts.
Join the Newsletter at: MidPack Musings SubStack
Support the MidPacker Pod on Patreon.
Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods.
Looking for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching?
Check out Troy’s Coaching Page
Check out the Gear I love HERE on rendezvu.co
STOKED TO PARTNER WITH
PLAY ON RELIEF - 20% off your first order
TRAINING PEAKS - 20% off a premium annual subscription
VACATION RACES - 15% off any Ultra, Half Marathon, or Trailfest
“Through endurance we conquer.”
In this special MidPacker Pod episode, returning guest Julio Palma flips the script and puts Troy Meadows in the hot seat to unpack Troy’s recent finish at the Hellbender 100. What unfolds is an honest and vulnerable conversation about setbacks, growth, mental toughness, and what it really means to keep showing up when things get hard.
Troy opens up about his running journey—from growing up around endurance sports, to rediscovering running after losing both his mother and his dog in the same week, to eventually falling in love with trail and ultra running after reading Born to Run. The conversation also dives deep into Troy’s first 100-mile DNF at Dark Divide and how that experience forced him to reevaluate his mindset, priorities, and relationship with chasing qualifiers for races like Western States and Hardrock.
The heart of the episode centers around Hellbender 100, one of the toughest races on the East Coast. Troy shares how this training block was the strongest of his life, the nutrition struggles and sleep deprivation he battled during the race, and how support from family, friends, and the trail community helped carry him through the darkest moments of the night.
Some key themes from the episode include:
Using running as a tool for resilience and mental health
Learning from failure and difficult race experiences
The balance between chasing qualifiers and enjoying the sport
Training consistency, durability, and strength work
Managing low moments during ultras and continuing forward
The importance of community in trail running
This one is raw, relatable, and full of those classic MidPacker moments where everyday runners chase extraordinary goals.
Relevant Links
Partner Links:
PlayOn Relief - https://playonrelief.com
All Natural, Fast Acting, Long Lasting, Targeted Relief
Use MIDPACKER for 20% off your first order
A training app as versatile as you.
Start your free trial at https://www.trainingpeaks.com/midpacker
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 20% off an Annual Premium Subscription
Vacation Races - https://www.vacationraces.com
Epic Races on public lands near the most iconic National Park in the US.
Use MIDPACKER at checkout for 15% the registration of any Ultra, Half, or Trailfest
Wahoo Fitness - https://www.wahoofitness.com
KICKR RUN
It’s not running indoors. It’s running, reimagined.
Run Your Way
Buy the Wahoo KICKR RUN use code MIDPACK to get a free KICKR HEADWIND smart Bluetooth fan. Remember to add the HEADWIND to the cart and the code will apply to discount.
Run Trail Life - https://runtraillife.com
Find Official MPP Merch on RTL!!
Use MIDPACKERPOD to double the donation from your purchase.
Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's.
Freetrail - https://freetrail.com
Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today.
Hellbender 100, Julio Palma, Troy Meadows, MidPacker Pod, ultra running, trail running, Hardrock qualifier, Western States, DNF, Dark Divide, Laurel Highlands, Run828, endurance, ultramarathon, mental toughness, resilience, Asheville trail running, strength training, ultra mindset, hundred miler, endurance sports, Appalachian trails, race recap, ultrarunning community
Next listen
All from The Midpacker Podcast →
Next listen
#126 Arnab Banerjee | Surviving a Mountain Fall, Finding Ultrunning, & Utra Trail Monte Rosa
Listen guide
"#118 Troy Meadows & Julio Palma | Hellbender 100, Battling the DNF Demons, & Through Endurance We Conquer" is an episode of The Midpacker Podcast. Runtime 2 hr 0 min. Published May 29, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
