Touching The Trail Podcast

While I may talk a big talk on this podcast week to week, in reality I am human and I am not perfect. The truth of the matter is that I often allow myself to be controlled by stress and distractions, leading to sometimes calamitous results. On the small and large scale I allow myself to be prisoner to stress, it shaped my emotional wellbeing last year, and it is rare that I have the complete self-awareness to recognize it. I may talk, but I don’t always act. That imperfection is where I can learn, however. It provides me an opportunity to grow, something I will need to do to best enjoy this new school year. Going forward I hope to reshape my perspective into something that supports me, instead of tears me down. Listen in today as I discuss the consequences of my flaws and the perspectives that I must take to learn from and better them.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: touchingthetrail.comTouching the Trail Weekly: eepurl

There are countless people throughout, and currently in, each of our lives who positively influence us. Those mentors hold a powerful sway on your path and your betterment, but no one is perfect. When those mentors go astray you must realize that their past message, that at one point positively influenced you, still can. Their current mistakes or negativity does not cancel out their past influence. However, the current mistakes or negativity should cause you to let them go and move on, all the while holding dear their message that does influence you to be better.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: touchingthetrail.comTouching the Trail Weekly: eepurl.com/bEENNPInstagram: @touchingthetrail instagram.com/touchingthetrailTwitter: @touchthetrail twitter.com/touchthetrailFacebook: Touching the Trail facebook.com/touchingthetrail

Too often we speed through our lives without taking the time to recognize the multitude of opportunities we have available to us to find personal peace. The practice of cooking is one of those opportunities and yet our society has forgotten the importance of cooking at home. Today's episode is a simple reminder of the importance of cooking and eating at home, because it is not only an opportunity for mindful peace and presence, but also an opportunity to fuel your body right. For me, cooking is a metaphor for life, because it allows you to be present amongst each step while workings towards the whole. Let's all remember that.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSources:ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3639863/washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/03/05/the-slow-death-of-the-home-cooked-meal/?utm_term=.1fc0601eb846Tao Te Ching, trans. Stephen MitchellSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: touchingthetrail.comTouching the Trail Weekly: eepurl.com/bEE

In each moment of our lives we each blaze our own personal trail and that trail must be crewed by those who truly have an enlightening influence on you and challenge you to be better. Whether they are friends or family those that surround you must be positive influences on you and your path. If those that surround you are negative influences who hold you back you must make the committed decision to let them go, with compassion, so that you can be better. It will be a difficult process, but one that will, ultimately, free you to live a life even more true, happy, and fulfilled. Today we delve into stories of the benefits of letting go those negative influences and how to embrace the people that truly support you.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: touchingthetrail.comTouching the Trail Weekly: eepurl.com/bEENNPInstagram: @touchingthetrail instagram.com/touchingthetrailTwitter: @touchthetrail twitter.com/touch

Let's talk about tea, because while the US may still be a coffee culture, tea is becoming more popular and is a staple of many people's daily lives. I am an avid tea drinker and have been so for probably longer than I have been a coffee drinker. For me, tea is a much gentler experience and one that provides more overall benefits than coffee. One of the main attributes of tea that I love is the fact that it can so easily be a positive personal ritual, an active meditation, that benefits me each time I take the time to focus on the process. Today I make the case that tea can and should be an active meditation for all of us to center us in the moment. Join me as I delve into tea's vibrant history and its numerous positive and negative health effects. I hope we can all be better from this discussion.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSources:tea.co.uk/tea-a-brief-historymightyleaf.com/history-of-teanam.ac.uk/explore/opium-war-1839-1842nytimes.com/2015/10/06/upshot/what-the-evidence-tells-us-about-tea.htmllivestrong.com/article/4

Let's talk about coffee. The wonder drug of our society and a staple of most our daily rituals. To me it seems that coffee is so readily available and commonly used that we don't think much about it, at least I don't. After many years of coffee consumption I've recently done some thinking on my, and society's, relationship with coffee. As I look around me day to day I see so many people who live in a state of fatigue and use coffee to temporarily drag themselves out of it. However, I believe that coffee must be used as an added bonus to our day, for its flavor and energetic properties, but not as a crutch. To combat our state of fatigue, and shift into living in a state of energy, we must learn to listen to our bodies and respond intelligently. That intelligence only comes by equipping ourselves with the right knowledge of how to treat our bodies as machines and temples. So listen in to today's episode as I delve into the lush history of coffee, its scientific benefits and drawbacks, and how we can all r

As humans we constantly have ups and downs. Whether those ups and downs are emotional or physical, we feel them each day. Over the past few weeks I have, quite honestly, been feeling down. It is not constant nor overwhelming, but I have noticed a distinct shift in my mental wellbeing towards the negative. The main reason I believe that shift has occurred is because I feel like my business and sport endeavors have come to a sort of stand still. That perception of staleness is only a matter of perspective, I know, but it is still difficult to walk the walk, instead of just talking the talk of betterment. I have realized that one of the key ways I can work through and with these feelings is through not beating myself up about how I feel. Instead, I must listen to my body, work with it, and learn from it. As such, I hope that you can learn from these musings that I share today. AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail:&nbs

There are many aspects of our day to day lives that we take for granted or simply don't think about. Over the past few weeks, as I have been working to manage my fatigue and injuries, I have been doing a lot of thinking about how I spend my time each day. For any of us, what we do with our time each day must be things that are positive and fulfilling, that better us. One of those things, something I have refocused on recently, are hobbies. Having a hobby may seem childish, pointless, or just not possible to some, but I posit in today's episode that hobbies are vital aspects of building a peaceful mental headspace and a truly fulfilling life. Hobbies have a multitude of benefits that contribute to becoming a more well-rounded human being. They can become part of our process of personal betterment and presence, if we let them. Listen today as I delve into hobbies and how you can find and focus on yours.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comF

"That's the ticket: putting energy into it, even when no one else can see it."-Lynsey DyerHumans have an uncanny ability to connect and converse with people of wildly different backgrounds, because when it comes down to it we all share a common experience. Today's guest is many things, mainly known as a big mountain skier and filmmaker, and while I may not do those two things Lynsey Dyer and I still connected and conversed. I believe that whatever sport, focus, or job that we do, if we do it with intent, good will come of it. Lynsey is a prime example of that sentiment and coupled with the fact that she has lived her life breaking paradigms, she was a perfect guest for the show. Our conversation is barely concerned with the mountains or even storytelling, instead we explore the mindset and spiritual side of things. Today we delve into growing up, finding purpose, finding yourself, and staying true to yourself. All topics not often discussed, on this show nor in life, so it was a special treat to have Lyn

We all deal with it, but we rarely take the time to step back and focus on it: fatigue. Our hectic lives are so easily negatively impacted by a string of heavily fatigued hours, days, weeks, or even months. The causes of fatigue are so common in our lives, as well. Personally, it has been an issue that I have been dealing with for the past few weeks and I have only recently made committed, planned efforts to solve my high level of fatigue. Today we delve into the causes of and solutions to fatigue, a topic that I think will benefit us all. Just remember this: play it smart and KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid).AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: touchingthetrail.comTouching the Trail Weekly: eepurl.com/bEENNPInstagram: @touchingthetrail instagram.com/touchingthetrailTwitter: @touchingtrail twitter.com/touchingtrailFacebook: Touching the Trail facebook.com/touchingthetrailPhoto: My dad, Gabriel Contreras, ru

Whenever I sit down to record an episode for this podcast I always hope that whatever story I may tell, you may take what you will from it and use it to better yourself. Today I tell the stories of my past few weeks. I have completed my first year of college, adventured, road tripped, and spent time with my family. I delve into the stories of those experiences and how they have shaped the end of my first year at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I also delve into two events that have recently transpired in my life that took a toll on my mindset, instantly redefining my preconceived notions and preconceptions about who I am and what I am capable of. It is hard to not let these events stop me or slow me down, but I can only do so by focusing on acceptance and diligence. Those two focuses are what have driven me over the past few weeks, so let's dig into how I am learning from them.AUM,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: t

“It doesn’t matter what happens to us, it only matters what you do about it.”-Charlie EngleCharlie Engle has been called many things, but behind all of the judgments and snap assumptions that people have thrown at him there is a wise and fascinating man. I have known about Charlie for quite awhile now, but only recently realized how perfect of a guest he would be. He was excited to come on the show and to be honest with you this episode is not about Charlie's story. If you want to know his story, from crack addiction to Running the Sahara to prison and more, then read his incredible memoir Running Man. Today is about Charlie's head: how he endures what he puts himself through, how he found acceptance of prison, how he learned from addiction, and who Charlie, the real Charlie, is. I am honored that I was able to sit down with him today, we had a long conversation that could have gone on for hours more. As always we are wide-ranging in this episode as we delve into Charlie's next expedition, his mindset towards

"I'm always seeking happiness."-Maria WaltonI believe Maria Walton's spirit name of La Mariposa encapsulates her personality: simple, free, and kind. Maria may be best known for being the girlfriend of Micah True, known as Caballo Blanco in the bestseller Born to Run, in the few years leading up to his sudden death in 2012. However, Maria is so much more than just a girlfriend of some guy in a book. Maria embodies the ideal so often discussed on this show: to live a life as true to yourself as possible. She does not distract herself with materialism or ego, instead she lives a simple life fueled by nature, running, and community. Those topics turn out to be the common threads of discussion in today's episode. Maria and I delve into her relationship with Micah, her story, the community forged by running, reconnecting with nature, living a fulfilled life, minimalism, and the pure love for running free.Muchas gracias amigos,Jarod ContrerasFind Maria:Instagram: @mariposaapache instagram.com/mariposaapacheTwitter:

“I find comfort in uncomfortable situations.”-Tyler TomaselloSomeone who, when it’s summer, actively seeks out time to camp and tell stories instead of staying inside is someone that I want to talk to. Tyler Tomasello is that someone. Whether he is in Afghanistan running with a women’s ultrarunning team or at the Born to Run Ultramarathons, he is always looking for a way to convey the emotion he sees around him. We met at the Born to Run Ultras where it was immediately apparent to me his love for being in touch with nature. What fascinates me about Tyler is his simplicity, in life, photo, and words, that he uses to impart such passion. Today Tyler and I discuss the art of storytelling, connecting with people and other cultures, finding peace in the outdoors, fueling our bodies right, community, travel, learning from discomfort, and more. Enjoy!Gracias,Jarod ContrerasFind Tyler:tylertomasello.comInstagram: @tytomasello instagram.com/tytomaselloTwitter: @tylertomasello1 twitter.com/tylertomasello1Facebook: Tyle

"You really have to face yourself."-Morgan Hope SjogrenA self-described dirt barbie Morgan Hope Sjogren, also known as Mo or Running Bum, is an adventure fueled storyteller par excellence. I first discovered Mo through Instagram and was fascinated by her ability to convey her love for the desert, mountains, canyons, and valleys in photography and in words. She is a professional writer who continually displays her knack for translating the complexity of nature onto the page. I met Mo at the Born to Run Ultras where she ecstatically agreed to come on the show. We are wide-ranging today as we discuss keeping sane in a hectic life, finding peace in the outdoors and in discomfort, the running family, the concept of "women in the outdoors," being active political and social citizens of this planet, and storytelling. Do enjoy!Muchas gracias amigos,Jarod ContrerasFind Mo:therunningbum.comInstagram: @running_bum_ instagram.com/running_bum_Twitter: @running_bum_ twitter.com/Running_Bum_Support Touching the Trail:touchi

Welcome to the shantytown, to the freak show, to the extravaganza, to the world of the Born to Run Ultramarathons. Held once a year in May in Los Olivos, California I was able to finally make it out, for the first time, to this wild event. The core theme of running carries a common thread through all of the passionate people who attend: we all have a deep love for running far. That love for pushing our bodies transcends into other wild antics that populate the days of crazy that is the Born to Run Ultras. There was everything from a Tarahumaran bola race, lucha libre wrestling match, and race between legends Scott Jurek and Arnulfo Quimare to a beer mile, talent show, and wedding. Today, in a special episode, I chronicle the events, tales, and experiences of my weekend at Born to Run utilizing a multitude of perspectives from people who attended the event and who each had their own story to tell. Sit back and enjoy the absurdity!Run free,Jarod ContrerasFind out more:allwedoisrun.comSupport Touching

"Not failing is the real failure."-Cedar WrightHumor and pain are two aspects of life not commonly associated, yet there is someone out there who not only associates them, but magically combines them. Cedar Wright has built his career not on being the best, but on being able to suffer more than the best. Through his tenacity he built a sustained, adventure fueled life filled with an uncanny ability to tell honest stories. Cedar pulls back the curtain on what it means to endure in the mountains through his films. Cedar is a rock climber, a paraglider, a storyteller, and so much more. This dude is a prime example of what a life can be built when we live and act truthfully to ourselves. Following our path is something we all strive to do, Cedar follows his everyday. Today sit back and relax as Cedar and I delve into what it means to fail, how to use humor as a tool, living truthfully, finding honesty, telling stories, relationships, reading, planning (or the lack thereof), and a few stories of wild eyed adventur

"I'm not gonna quit, because shit hurts."-Eric JohnsonThere are certain people out there in the world who show up so often in my Instagram feed that I feel like I know them very well, but yet I've never met them. Eric Johnson is one of those people and I decided it was high time he came on the show. Eric and I met in person, after I reached out to him on Insta, last weekend at the Born to Run Ultramarathon Extravaganza. That event is a sight to behold and a story I will tell next week in a unique, unusual podcast episode. This week, however, is for Eric. Eric is someone who clearly demonstrates the ideal I hold dear: to work each day to better ourselves. Through social media, and then when I met him in person and saw him run, I could see that he exemplified the benefits of commitment and honesty. Those traits are why I wanted to sit down and chat with him long form. As always, our conversation is a wide ranging discussion on everything from Eric's tale and his love story with running to endurance and fin

In our society, specifically American society and culture, we treat death as something that should be kept behind closed doors. Yet our entertainment is largely populated by brutal depictions of death. There is a blatant dichotomy in our relationship to death and that separation leads us to have trouble dealing with it. Death must become an opportunity for growth and for celebration. To celebrate the life of the deceased is to honor them, to become chained by your sorrow is to dishonor them. I believe to best process death we must bond with those around us through laughter, smiles, and conversation. Today's episode is an examination of the positive and negative aspects of our society's relationship to death and all of the baggage, ritual, and custom that come with it. Today, begin to think deeply about the paradigm around death, how we can break that paradigm, and add our humanity back into death.Muchas gracias,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecove

Family is a curious thing and when we lose a family member it is even curiouser. A week ago my grandmother passed away. Today's episode is an examination of my emotion within and about the loss of my grandma. Maria-Luz Contreras died at 85 years old and she was someone who always, without question, loved and supported me. She was my biggest fan. Her life was fraught with challenge and sorrow, so I have asked myself if she was ever happy even though I know I can never know for sure. Three of her four children and her guilt chained her. She fought an internal battle over her health, peace, and happiness. All I can trust in is that she loved me and I loved her. She is now at peace and with me, I know. I will honor her by doing my best, staying true to myself, and loving those around me.Muchas gracias & om shanti,Jarod ContrerasSupport Touching the Trail:touchingthetrail.com/donate targetreleaserecovery.comFind Touching the Trail: touchingthetrail.comTouching the Trail Weekly: eepurl.com/b