Episode 122: Lotti Brinks on Mindset, Balance, & Performance

Fresh off her win at the Kodiak 100K, HOKA athlete Lotti Brinks joins Katie Asmuth to reflect on a season that looked nothing like she originally planned but turned into one of her most successful yet.

From finishing fifth at Western States to stacking wins throughout the year, Lotti shares how she's learned to embrace flexibility, trust her training, and stay competitive across different distances and terrain. She takes us behind the scenes of her Kodiak victory, where unexpected knee pain leading into the race and debilitating leg cramps for more than 40 miles made simply reaching the finish line a mental battle.

Katie and Lotti also dive into her love of mountain biking, the lessons she's carried from big jumps to ultra racing, and how she balances competing at the highest level with leading marketing at a tech startup. They discuss her close relationship with fellow elite runner and sister-in-law Keri Arnold, the meaningful story behind her fern tattoo, and how working with Precision Fuel & Hydration has transformed her approach to race nutrition.

With no set race calendar beyond Western States in 2027, Lotti shares why her biggest goal isn't tied to a particular finish line, but to continuing to grow as an athlete while protecting the joy that brought her to trail running in the first place.

This episode is edited and produced by the Sandyboy Productions Podcast Network.

A big shout out to our sponsor ⁠⁠Precision Fuel & Hydration⁠⁠. Go to ⁠⁠pfandh.com⁠⁠ to crush your next race with a personalized fuel & hydration plan. Use code "TTNP15" at checkout.

A special thank you to Osprey for supporting this episode. Visit Osprey.com to explore their incredible products!