Hein Viljoen: Beyond the Run—Why Strength & Conditioning is a Game-Changer
Send us a text💭 “It’s not flashy. It’s not gonna win you awards. You’re not putting it on Strava. But it impacts your runs tremendously.”What if the most important training you do doesn’t happen on the trails—but in the quiet, consistent work no one sees?In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Hein Viljoen—physiotherapist, movement specialist, and passionate voice for smarter, stronger trail running. From injury prevention and performance prep to myths about core work and the reality of staying in the game, Hein breaks down why strength & conditioning is a game-changer for runners of all levels.Whether you're a total beginner or finally learning the hard way, this one will change how you think about long-term trail fitness.What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why strength training is the foundation every trail runner needs 🧱 ✅ The most overlooked muscles that take the biggest impact 🦵 ✅ How to balance running and strength without burning out 🔁 ✅ What “brushing your teeth” has to do with staying injury-free 🦷 ✅ The danger of going too hard—or doing nothing at all ⚠️ ✅ How to actually spot your weak links (and what to do about them) 🧠 ✅ Why building resilience starts with showing up—off the trail 💪🥾 Got a strength or recovery routine that changed your running? DM us or tag @trailchaserspod—we want to know what’s keeping you in the game.🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.📩 If this episode helped reframe your training, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who still skips strength day. Let's build better runners, together.
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42:56
Maranda Muller: Run Through Anything—How to Prepare for Rain, Rocks, and Raw Emotion
Send us a text💭 “You can’t always choose your conditions. But you can choose how you show up.”What if running long distances wasn’t just about finishing but facing everything that shows up along the way? The rain. The rocks. The raw emotions that hit harder than the hills.In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Maranda Muller—ultra-endurance athlete, coach at Mindset Movement, and a quiet storm in the Cape Town trail scene. From breaking poles and breaking down to crawling out of the pain cave with one working sock and one working mindset, Maranda shares what it means to truly “run through anything.” If you’ve ever felt like quitting—or questioned why you signed up in the first place—this one is for you.What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ How to build real mental resilience—for racing and life 💥 ✅ Why rain, cold, and darkness are the perfect training partners 🌧✅ The biggest mistakes beginners make and how to avoid them ⚠️ ✅ The power of problem-solving when the plan goes to hell 🛠 ✅ Why your goal should scare you just enough to change you 🧠 ✅ How dry socks can save your race (seriously) 🧦 ✅ The beauty of doing hard things—and the joy that follows 💫🥾 Got a story of suffering on the trail—or a lesson you’ll never forget? DM us or tag @trailchaserspod. We love hearing what the mountains taught you.🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.📩 If this episode hit home, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s going through the thick of it—because there’s strength in showing up.
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33:38
Zane Schmahl: Chasing Distance—What to Expect When the Trail Gets Longer
Send us a text“You don’t have to know the whole route. You just need to take the first step.”What if chasing distance wasn’t just about going further—but about finding freedom, learning what you’re made of, and getting wonderfully, beautifully lost along the way?In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Zane Schmahl—trail race director, adventure racer, and co-founder of the legendary MUT (Mountain Ultra-Trail) in George. From running his first Otter to directing Africa’s only UTMB World Series race, Zane shares what it takes to move from your first short race into longer, more remote, and more meaningful challenges. This one’s all about discovery—of new trails, bigger goals, and yourself.What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why showing up undercooked might cost you—but sometimes teaches you more 💥 ✅ How to find new trails and build your sense of direction as a beginner 🧭 ✅ What to pack (and what to always carry, just in case) 🎒 ✅ How MUT went from a 60km dream to a global-stage race with runners from 45+ countries 🌍 ✅ The real reason preparation matters—and what gear mistakes to avoid in your first long run ⚠️ ✅ How trail running can evolve from sport to lifestyle to full-blown life mission 🚀🥾 Got a story of your first long run—whether you flew, flopped, or found something unexpected? DM us or tag @trailchaserspod. We love hearing how your trail got longer.🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.📩 If this episode hit home, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone eyeing their first ultra—because it’s time to go the distance.
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1:09:21
Owen Middleton: From Butterflies to Blisters—What Your First Trail Race Teaches You
Send us a text“You don’t need to win it. You just need to learn from it.”What if your first trail race wasn’t just a run—but a rite of passage? A place to learn, get it wrong, laugh at yourself, and fall in love with the trails?In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Owen Middleton—founder of the iconic Trail Series® and the man who introduced thousands to their first-ever trail race. With nearly two decades of experience as a race director and route pioneer, Owen shares why your first race matters more than your pace—and how paying your “school fees” early shapes everything that follows.What you’ll learn in this episode: ✅ Why your first trail race is less about racing and more about discovery 🧭 ✅ How Owen’s Trail Series became a gateway for everyday runners to fall in love with the sport 🏃♀️ ✅ What common first-time mistakes to embrace (yes, including packing too much!) 🎒 ✅ Why every route tells a story—and how learning to read the landscape can shift your mindset 🗺️ ✅ How to prep for your first event without overthinking, overtraining, or overspending 💡 ✅ Why showing up—even slightly underprepared—is sometimes the best way to grow 💥 🥾 Ready to share your first race story? Drop the name of your first trail race below or DM us @trailchaserspod—whether you got hooked, humbled, or hilariously lost, we want to hear how it all began! 🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order!📩 Loved this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and tag someone who's prepping for their first trail race—because their story starts here.
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1:14:57
Sue Ullyett—Volunteering, Vibes and Views: Where Community Shows Up
Send us a text"It's a coming together of friends, people who you feel like family." Ever wondered how volunteering, vibes, and views come together to turn Ultra Trail Cape Town and Ultra Trail Drakensberg into unmissable community celebrations?In this bonus episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Sue Ullyett—the event manager behind both UTCT and UTD. Sue shares how a chance coffee chat grew into a decade-strong core team, and how their passion for inclusivity transforms volunteers, spectators, and runners into one big trail family. What you’ll learn in this episode:✅ Why volunteers at UTCT and UTD “feel like family” and what keeps them coming back 🤗 ✅ How a chance coffee chat turned into a decade-strong core team building iconic trail events. ☕️ ✅ The secret behind crafting a race village that invites runners, crew, and locals to celebrate together under one finish-line canopy 🎪 ✅ What role aid station captains and local communities play behind the scenes—from route marking to create iconic mini-communities with local flavour at each aid station 🌙 ✅ Why even injured athletes volunteer—giving up their race entry to support the next generation of trail runners ❤️ ✅ Why volunteering at UTCT or UTD is the best way to join the trail community 🤝 🥾 Ready to join the community? Share your own volunteer stories, favorite race-village memories, or dream aid-station treats below or DM us @trailchaserspod—we’d love to hear how community shows up for you!🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦 Visit gilnoki.com and use the code TRAILCHASERS at checkout for 20% off your first order!📩 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and tag a volunteer hero in your review—let’s keep the vibes alive, one trail at a time!
Hosted by Dean Horwitz a trail running enthusiast, who started his journey in 2022, Dean has experienced the transformative power of chasing trails firsthand. Fuelled by a passion for trail running and a knack for connecting with fellow trail chasers, Dean created this podcast to merge both interests.This podcast is all about embracing the adventure, community, and self-discovery that comes with trail running. Join Dean on a journey of exploration and discovery, where you’ll learn about the world of trail running together. No matter if you’re a seasoned trail pro or just lacing up your shoes for the first time, this podcast is for you.Whether it’s the exhilarating view from a mountain peak or the camaraderie and making new friends with fellow trail runners, Dean is here to guide you through it all.
South Africa