Pushing Horizons Step by Step

About Pushing Horizons Step by Step

Pushing Horizons: Step by Step is a podcast about how running changes us: physically, mentally, emotionally. Hosted by Ash Pant, each episode unpacks raw, heartfelt conversations with runners who’ve faced setbacks, chased dreams, and found themselves in the rhythm of the run. These are stories of grit, growth, healing, and quiet triumphs. Whether you're lacing up for your first 5K or recovering from your hundredth, this is for anyone who's ever run toward something more. Every step tells a story. Let’s keep moving forward, together.

Publisher

Ash Pant

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

14 Feb 2025

Latest episode

22 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

140 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   22 Oct 2026

   Push, Push | Ian Hayashi Jones — Tahoe 200, Mammoth 200 & Finding Your Limits | Season 3 Episode 34

   What does it take to finish second at a 200-mile ultramarathon? And what happens when months of preparation end in a DNF? In this episode of Pushing Horizons: Step by Step, I sit down with ultrarunner Ian Hayashi Jones, who went from thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail to competing at the front of some of the toughest ultramarathons in just a few years. Ian's first running race wasn't a 5K, half marathon, or marathon. It was the Wyoming Range 100, a rugged 100-mile race that introduced him to competitive ultrarunning. In 2025, Ian took on Tahoe 200, finishing second overall in 56 hours, behind Kilian Korth. We talk about his experience racing alongside Kilian, managing sleep deprivation, overcoming nutrition problems, and what it takes mentally to keep moving for more than two days. But ultrarunning doesn't always go according to plan. At Mammoth 200 in 2026, Ian arrived with his biggest training block and one clear goal: to win. Unfortunately, severe stomach problems and repeated vomiting forced him to withdraw at approximately mile 82. We explore how he deals with disappointment, why he believes DNFs can help us discover our limits, and how his competitive mindset continues to evolve. We also talk about the importance of family and friendship, including the two simple words his twin brother said during his first 100-miler that still motivate him today: "Push, push." This conversation goes beyond race results. It's about ambition, setbacks, resilience, discovering our limits, and finding the motivation to keep moving forward. In this episode: From the Pacific Crest Trail to ultrarunning Running 100 miles as a first-ever race Tahoe 200: second overall in 56 hours Competing alongside Kilian Korth Sleep deprivation and nutrition during 200-mile races Mammoth 200: DNF at mile 82 Finding confidence through setbacks The role of family, friends, and pacers The meaning behind "Push, Push" Discovering what the human body and mind are capable of Keywords: Ian Hayashi Jones, Push Push, Pushing Horizons podcast, ultrarunning podcast, Tahoe 200 2025, Mammoth 200 2026, Kilian Korth, 200 mile ultramarathon, ultramarathon DNF, trail running, ultra endurance, mental resilience, endurance athlete, Pacific Crest Trail, ultrarunning nutrition, sleep deprivation, running motivation, 100 mile race, ultra running mindset.

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   450 Kilometers, One Step at a Time | Annie Hughes on TOR450 & Everest Marathon | Season 3 Ep 33

   450 Kilometers, One Step at a Time What does it take to keep moving when you've been on your feet for seven days, slept only 10 hours, and still have mountains to climb? Annie Hughes returns to Pushing Horizons: Step by Step to share two extraordinary adventures that pushed her beyond anything she had experienced before. First, we travel to Nepal, where Annie completed the Everest Marathon, her very first marathon, starting from Everest Base Camp at over 5,000 meters above sea level. We talk about the challenges of running at extreme altitude, climbing Island Peak, and experiencing the beauty of the Himalayas. Then we head to the Italian Alps for one of the most demanding mountain endurance races in the world: Tor des Glaciers. 450 kilometers. 32,000 meters of elevation gain. 173 hours. Around 10 hours of sleep. Annie finished sixth among the women, but getting to that finish line was anything but straightforward. For more than 30 hours, she struggled with severe stomach problems. Painful blisters made walking almost unbearable. Sleep deprivation, difficult navigation, and emotional breakdowns pushed her to some of her lowest moments. At one point, she found herself crying on a technical descent, struggling to keep her eyes open, with more than 100 miles still remaining. But rather than giving up, Annie focused on what she could control. One problem at a time. One mountain at a time. One step at a time. We also explore how her approach to ultrarunning has evolved, why sleep and nutrition become critical in multi-day races, and how she managed to feel stronger during the final miles than she had earlier in the race. And after completing 450 kilometers, Annie is already dreaming about even bigger adventures, including PTL and Swiss Peaks 700K. This conversation goes beyond race results. It's about resilience, patience, managing the unexpected, and discovering that we're often capable of more than we imagine. Because sometimes, the biggest challenge isn't the distance ahead. It's finding the strength to take the next step. Running the Everest Marathon and climbing Island Peak in Nepal. Why Annie's first marathon was unlike any other race. Taking on Tor des Glaciers: 450 km and 32,000 m of climbing. Managing stomach problems for more than 30 hours. Sleep deprivation and navigating technical mountain terrain. Painful blisters, tears, and the lowest moments of the race. Why eating, sleeping, and problem-solving matter as much as fitness. How Annie found her strength again with 100 miles remaining. Finishing sixth woman after 173 hours. What's next: PTL, Swiss Peaks 700K, and more mountain adventures. Annie Hughes, Pushing Horizons podcast, 450 Kilometers One Step at a Time, Tor des Glaciers, TOR450, Tor des Géants, Everest Marathon, ultrarunning podcast, ultra endurance, mountain ultrarunning, 450km ultramarathon, multi-day ultrarunning, 200 mile races, ultra running motivation, endurance athlete, mental toughness, sleep deprivation ultrarunning, ultramarathon nutrition, trail running, Swiss Peaks 700K, PTL UTMB, women in ultrarunning, endurance mindset, ultra running stories, Pushing Horizons Step by Step. In This EpisodeKeywords / SEO Tags

3. 

   8 Oct 2026

   More Than Miles | Michelle Doza on Leadville, Marathon Running & What’s Next | Season 3 Ep 32

   Running has never been only about miles for Michelle Doza. It's a place to think, process life, clear her head, and sometimes think about absolutely nothing. It's something that brings her happiness and grounds her when life feels off. Michelle Michelle's running journey eventually took her from the 17-mile Imogene Pass Run to six marathons and a pursuit of the elusive sub-four-hour marathon. Her current PR? 4:00:53. Yeah... painfully close. Michelle Then came the Leadville Trail Marathon. Starting around 11,000 feet, climbing roughly 6,000 feet and reaching above 13,000 feet at Mosquito Pass, Leadville forced Michelle to change the conversation happening inside her own head. Instead of asking why she was doing it, she reminded herself that she had trained for it, that people were waiting for her, and that she could do hard things. MichelleMichelle In this episode, we talk about running as therapy, injuries and patience, chasing a sub-four marathon, learning to trust the process, the mental battle of Leadville, finding joy in difficult things, the running community, and her experience co-hosting Runners Like Us. And after Leadville, another question has started creeping in: Could an ultramarathon be next? Michelle says it's firmly on her radar. Michelle Because sometimes running isn't really about how many miles you've covered. It's about discovering how much further you're willing to go. Keywords: Michelle Doza, More Than Miles, Pushing Horizons, Pushing Horizons Step by Step, Runners Like Us, Leadville Trail Marathon, Leadville Marathon, Colorado runner, marathon running, trail running, running podcast, women runners, sub 4 marathon, running motivation, running as therapy, mental health and running, endurance running, running community, ultramarathon, first ultra

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

5 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.