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March 2025
Run from the Norm Newsletter
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It's that time of year again!
The sun’s flirting with us, the rain is feeding the bloom, and the trails are calling. Spring has officially sprung—and you know what that means: it’s time for recess!
It’s that time of year when your body’s begging to move—whether that means chasing down a 100-mile goal, going for a walk to clear your head, or just seeing how many cartwheels you can still do without pulling something, it's time to blow the dust off and shake the winter rust loose.
So go on, open a window. Step outside. Let the wind slap your face a little. And if it turns into a full-body awakening or just a mildly inappropriate stretch in your driveway wearing socks and Crocs, that counts.
Let's get into it. 🤘
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Podcast Episode #18
Kylee Wiscombe on Movement, Mental Health & Building Gr8ter Things
In this episode of the Run from the Norm podcast, Kylee Wiscombe shares a raw and powerful journey of transformation—from struggling to run a mile to finishing marathons, all while navigating life with bipolar disorder.
Through movement and connection, Kylee found strength and purpose. She went on to create Gr8ter, a nonprofit supporting mental health recovery and suicide prevention, and launched Trail Fridays, a weekly running group built around healing, resilience, and real belonging.
We also talk about Top of Tamarack, an event that blends physical challenge with emotional honesty in a way that’s raw, beautiful, and real.
This episode dives deep into what happens when we break stigmas, support each other, and use movement as a tool for healing—not just for ourselves, but for the entire community.
Podcast Episode #20
Austin Reed on Adventure, Resilience & Running Toward What Matters
In this episode of Run from the Norm, we sit down with Austin Reed—a runner, backpacker, and all-around adventurer with a deep well of stories and hard-earned insight.
From an 80-mile solo trek on the Appalachian Trail—where he earned the trail name "No Gear" after losing everything—to summiting Wyoming’s remote Gannett Peak, Austin takes us into the wild places that shaped the man he is today.
But this one isn’t just about rugged feats and mountain highs. We also dig into Austin’s journey from growing up in a small town, to navigating depression, to building a career in psychology and social work. Running, it turns out, became the thing that pulled him through.
Along the way, we talk about the kind of grit it takes to keep going—sometimes with help from the trail, sometimes in spite of it—and yes, we unpack that infamous aid station moment where preparation almost met Preparation H.
This episode is packed with heart, humility, a few big laughs, and the kind of moments that just might help you reframe what it means to move forward.
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🎧 Find these and every other Run from the Norm episode wherever you listen — or head straight to the source.
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🪐 It isn't a Website, it's a Portal.
I didn’t build Run from the Norm because I needed a website—I built it because I needed a way out.
Out of survival mode.
Out of self-doubt.
Out of years spent carrying weight I couldn’t name—and couldn’t set down either.
What started as a project to foster connection turned into something way deeper.
Below is a link to the latest blog post that hits hard for me. It’s about what this project has actually meant. What it’s helped me uncover. And what it might just open up for you too.
Give it a read if you’re building something of your own. Or if you’re trying to figure out who the hell you really are underneath it all.
👉 Read the full article here
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A Trail Runners Guide to Emotional Breakdowns (and why it's normal)
Trail running is magical—until it’s not.
One minute you’re flying through the forest like a woodland warrior, and the next you’re hunched on a rock halfway through your run, choking down an emergency gel like a trash panda at a truck stop.
This piece dives headfirst into the weird, wonderful, and occasionally soul-crushing world of ultrarunning meltdowns. If you’ve ever negotiated with your knee pain mid-climb or believed the aid station volunteer who swore it was “just one more mile,” this one’s for you.
Inside, we break down the chaos:
- The Five Stages of Trail Grief – Denial, anger, bargaining, existential dread, and finally… reluctant acceptance (repeat as needed).
- Aid Stations – The emotional equivalent of a war zone with gummy bears and flat Coke.
- Hallucinations & Trail Delusions – Did you talk to a rock at mile 70? Trail etiquette, friend.
- The Snack-Driven Comeback – Sometimes the only thing keeping you going is the promise of soup and quesadillas.
- The Lie of the Finish Line – It’s not always a euphoric sprint. Sometimes it’s just cold pancakes and stiff-legged regret.
You’ll laugh. You’ll cringe. And if you’ve ever been deep in the pain cave, you’ll probably see yourself in every line.
Because let’s be real, ultrarunning isn’t graceful. But it is hilarious in hindsight. And somehow, we always come back for more.
👉 Read the full article and embrace the chaos
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📝 Want more stories like these?
Raw reflections, trail weirdness, unexpected truths — and we're just getting started.
🔎 Browse the full blog archive and see what else speaks to you.
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Way of the Peaceful Warrior
Dan Millman
This is a book about waking the hell up. Way of the Peaceful Warrior follows Dan, a cocky college athlete, who meets a mysterious old gas station attendant named Socrates (yes, really). What starts as a weird late-night encounter turns into a deep journey of self-discovery, pushing Dan to question everything he thought he knew about life, struggle, and what actually matters.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, restless, or like you’re searching for something even if you don’t know what it is, this is an awesome book for you. It’s part adventure, part life lesson, and packed with the kind of wisdom that sneaks up on you when you least expect it, but need it most.
Definitely worth a read.
Find it here 👉 Way of the Peaceful Warrior
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Born to Walk – The Broken Promises of the Running Boom
Mark Sisson
🚶♂️The truth hurts—and sometimes, it limps.
For years, we’ve been sold the shiny dream: we’re born to run. Just lace up your overbuilt sneakers, pound some pavement, and you’ll find eternal youth and that elusive runner’s high, right?
Yeah… not exactly.
Born to Walk kicks that myth straight in the quads. The book makes the bold (but well-researched) case that humans weren’t built to endlessly jog around like malfunctioning gazelles—we’re actually wired to walk. A lot. And slowly. And often.
Instead of chasing finish lines at the cost of your knees and nervous system, Born to Walk lays out a sustainable, movement-based approach to fitness that favors long-term health over fleeting Instagram glory. It’s about building a body that moves well and lasts long, not just one that looks good in compression shorts.
Bottom line:
This isn’t a war on running. It’s a reminder to slow down, move often, and stop treating pain as a badge of honor.
So maybe the next step isn’t another PR attempt.
Maybe it’s just a step.
One. After. The. Other.
Find it here 👉 Born to Walk - The Broken Promises of the Running Boom
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Food for Thought 🤔
🌿 "The best way to lengthen out our days is to walk steadily and with a purpose." Charles Dickens
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We partner with brands that get it, and Fleet Feet Treasure Valley definitely gets it. Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your fifth 100-miler, they’ve got the gear, nutrition, and know how to keep you moving strong.
But what really sets them apart? They listen. The team takes the time to understand what you need, so you’re not just buying stuff—you’re setting yourself up for success.
With locations in Meridian (The Village) and Nampa (Karcher & the Blvd), Fleet Feet is more than a store—it’s a hub for local runners. Stop by, get dialed in, and tell them Run from the Norm sent you.
Runners helping runners. That’s the good stuff! 🏃♂️🏃♀️
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Was this month on target? 🎯 |
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Your feedback matters.
Seriously. This whole thing only works if it resonates. What stuck with you? What felt off? I’d love to hear it.
And while you’re at it…
What’s fueling you lately?
What’s lighting a fire under your feet, and in your heart? Hit reply and let me know.
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Thanks for being here.
In health,
Jayk ✌️
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Because the best stories come from the road less traveled.
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If you are enjoyed this newsletter, please forward to a friend. Thank you 🙏
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