Canyon Woodward's Unconventional Path | Learning by Doing, Community Organizing, & Humanity's Interdependence
6/11/20261 hr 29 min
Canyon Woodward is pro trail runner for Patagonia from Franklin, NC. Canyon has proven himself to be among the most consistent long-course athletes in America, finishing top five at three golden ticket races in a six-month timespan: Javelina Jundred (3rd), Black Canyon 100k (4th), and Canyons 100k (5th). Carrying a lot of fitness and competitive momentum, Canyon will be a factor at Western States later this month -- a goal he's been chasing for several years.
But Canyon is much more than just a talented runner. He's made his career working in politics and community organizing where he's fought for his values in the public domain – things like rural communities, environmentalism, and conservation, which we discuss at length in the episode.
Also part of our conversation is Canyon's recently signing with Patagonia – the iconic outdoor brand that takes a leadership role in the industry and globally around the things that Canyon cares about – the collision of his running career and his career as an environmentalist and activist coming together is an exciting new partnership. This is his first appearance on the podcast.
Topics:
– Canyon's fascinating childhood and ppbringing
– His education and discovering his knack for community organizing
– Getting into politics and running a 100% positive campaign
– the political power of rural communities
– Of course we explore the origins of his running prowess
– the value of learning by doing
– Consistency and Success in Racing
– Navigating Sponsorships and The new Partnership with Patagonia
– Preparing for Western States
– The Pacer Debate in Ultra Running
– Goals for Western States
– And a lot more
Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front -- The poem recited at the end of the episode
Sponsors:
- Use code FREETRAIL25 for 25% off your first order of NEVERSECOND nutrition at never2.com
- Check out the Capilene Cool Sun Hoodie from Patagonia
- Use code FREETRAIL for an extra discount on Clearlight Saunas at HealWithHeat.com
Freetrail Links: Website | Freetrail Pro | Patreon | Instagram | YouTube | Freetrail Experts
Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsDylan Bowman· Host0:00
[upbeat music] Hey, fam. Welcome to the Free Trail Podcast. Of course, I'm your loving host, Dylan Bowman, here today with Canyon Woodward, a rising star trail runner from Franklin, North Carolina, who has been building experience and quite a resume for himself, especially in the last nine months or so. Looking at Canyon's race results, you'll see a story of someone who is passionate about the sport, who's been chasing opportunities, trusting that with hard work and dedication, his time would eventually come, and that indeed has happened. What's felt like a step change in performance since last fall. Canyon finished third place well under the previous course record at the Javelina 100, where he finally got his golden ticket to Western States, a goal he had been chasing for a while. And then since then, he's posted top fives at both the Black Canyon 100K and the Canyons 100K, becoming the first person ever to finish in the top five of three separate golden ticket races in a single season, a remarkable feat of consistency. And looking ahead towards Western States, a lot of people, including me, anticipate that Canyon is gonna be a factor for some of the top spots at North America's most important race. But what you'll learn here in this episode is that Canyon is much more than a talented runner. He