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Andie Cornish takes us on a breathtaking journey from the iconic peaks of Jackson Hole to the competitive world of mountain running. Growing up just minutes from world-class terrain shaped Andie into the dual-sport athlete she is today—excelling both as a ski mountaineer tackling serious Teton objectives and as an elite trail runner with impressive results at races like Broken Arrow.

During our conversation, Andie reveals how Nordic skiing methodology revolutionized her approach to training. Rather than following traditional running dogma, she embraces a more holistic perspective measuring effort in hours and vertical gain instead of just miles. This cross-disciplinary approach incorporating substantial mountain biking and ski mountaineering has kept her injury-free and mentally fresh while developing unique strengths for mountain challenges. "I think it's dumb when people say cross-training," Andie explains. "It's just training—everything goes together and time on feet is time on feet."

What truly distinguishes Andie's story is her remarkable resilience facing a recent diagnosis of Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)—a rare condition affecting blood flow during downhill running. Rather than allowing this setback to derail her athletic pursuits, she's brilliantly pivoted to focus exclusively on uphill races like the Broken Arrow VK and Pikes Peak Ascent. This adaptation has unexpectedly elevated her climbing performance to new heights: "I'm in the best uphill shape I've ever been in, breaking my records beyond anything." Andie's journey reminds us that sometimes our greatest challenges lead to discovering our true strengths.

Whether you're fascinated by the lifestyle of mountain towns, curious about training across multiple disciplines, or seeking inspiration for overcoming obstacles in your own athletic journey, this conversation offers valuable insights from someone who embodies the authentic spirit of mountain sports. Follow Andie's upcoming season as she tackles iconic vertical challenges in North America and Switzerland!

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Jackson Cole, one of the most compelling figures in skyrunning, returns to the Steep Stuff Podcast for a raw, insightful conversation about his mountain running journey. Currently based in Missoula, Montana, Jackson opens up about training alongside elite ultrarunners Adam Peterman and Jeff McGavro – a dynamic that pushes his fitness while maintaining the pure essence of mountain running he values so deeply.

The conversation takes us through Jackson's recent foray into the ultra world at Canyons 100K, where he led portions of the race before ultimately dropping due to Achilles issues. With refreshing candor, he reflects on the stark differences between skyrunning and ultrarunning: "It really does solidify the idea that they're two different sports." His experience highlights how specialized the mountain athlete must become to excel in either discipline.

Meet the Minotaur in Canada emerges as a focal point for Jackson's 2024 season, marking his fourth attempt at a race he once won and clearly loves. His passion for proper mountain running shines through as he describes the Canadian mountain running community as "kind and hardcore at the same time." Beyond racing, Jackson shares details of his ambitious plan to attempt the North Cascades High Route – a multi-day, technical journey involving glacial travel and scrambling that represents the intersection of mountaineering and mountain running.

Perhaps most compelling is Jackson's thoughtful perspective on the controversial Grand Teton FKT situation that rocked the trail running world. As someone who had planned his own attempt, his insider knowledge offers valuable context about mountain ethics, public perception, and the future of mountain records. Throughout the episode, Jackson's blue-collar approach to mountain running – "I just want to drink beer and train" – reminds us why he remains one of the most relatable and respected athletes in the sport.

Ready to follow Jackson's mountain adventures? Find him on Instagram @jaycolee and follow along as he represents New Zealand at the Mountain Running World Championships and pursues his unique vision of what mountain running can be.

Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com!

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Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello

Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod

Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com!