The Trail Chasers Podcast

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The Trail Chasers Podcast

Trail tales, running insights & adventure awaits! Join Dean Horwitz & friends as they uncover the heart of South African Trail Running Community.

New Episodes every week!

05/08/2025

Are You a Taker or Giver?
How Do You Give Back to Trails and the Trail Community?

Let us know below 👇

Do you volunteer at races? Pick up trash on your runs? Help new runners feel welcome?
Support the work of ?
Sweep races? Clear alien trees with ?
Fight fires with ? Rescue people with or ?

Or maybe… you’ve never thought about it before.

This week on Trail Chasers, we’re joined by — conservationist, activist, and founder of — who’s on a mission to protect the places we run and build safer, more inclusive trails for all.

🎙️ Blake Dyason: The Gift of Trails — Building Community, Safety & Purpose on the Mountain
Episode drops tomorrow, Wednesday 6 August.

👇 Tag someone who gives back — or the project or crew you volunteer with. Every action counts.

04/08/2025

📢 NEW EPISODE DROPS WEDNESDAY

🎙️ : The Gift of Trails — Building Community, Safety & Purpose on the Mountain

💬 “Trails connect us to wild spaces, to communities, and to ourselves.” — Blake Dyason

From emergency mountain rescues to trail cleanups, Blake has spent the last decade turning his love for trail running into a mission of service.

In this episode, we unpack what it means to run with purpose — not just pace. Blake shares the pivotal moment that changed everything, how safety and stewardship go hand in hand, and why he believes trail runners can lead the way in protecting the places we love.

If you’ve ever felt the mountain give you something — peace, strength, clarity, connection — this one’s a reminder to give back.

📅 Episode drops Wednesday, 7 August

👇 Drop a 🌱 if you believe the trail gives us more than just a workout.

01/08/2025

I stumbled upon the documentary and was instantly drawn in
The brand story was bold, the energy was raw, but it was who truly captivated me. His passion. His grit. His breakout at . I had to find him, and eventually, I did.

But what I didn’t expect was how that journey would lead me here — full circle — sitting down with the man behind the brand, the “Chief of Stoke” himself, Jeremy Bohnett, to talk about how it all began and where it’s headed.

🎙️ People I Meet: Jeremy Bohnett
Drops Sunday, 3 August.

31/07/2025

Did you know people ran on mountains before you became a mountain runner?
didn’t either…
until she tried.

Her beginner story is one of our most relatable episodes yet.
🎧 S3.E13 is live!
Catch up now — link in bio.

21/07/2025

📢 NEW EPISODE DROPS WEDNESDAY

🎙️ : From Trail Snail to Trail Runner — Embracing the Pace & Owning the Journey

💬 “I used to feel embarrassed about being a trail snail 🐌
Now I just embrace it.” — Ally Sieff

From signing up on a whim for a 5K night run in Kirstenbosch… to finishing the 24km with a rolled ankle, rebuilding after injury, and joining the FrontRunner crew, Ally's first year of trail running was messy, humbling, and completely life-changing.

We talk about starting from zero fitness on the mountain, learning to run at your pace (not the group’s), navigating safety and getting dropped, and how strength training helps build confidence, stability, and longevity on the trails.

If you’ve ever worried you’re “too slow,” “not fit enough,” or “not a real runner,” this episode is for you.

📅 Episode Drops Wednesday, 23 July

👇 Drop a 🐌 if you’ve ever felt like the slowest one out there but kept showing up anyway.

Season 3 sponsored by
🧦
🕶

20/07/2025

🔥 S3E12 is LIVE! LISTEN NOW!
LINK IN BIO! 🎧

🎙️ Fuel Smart, Run Strong—Trail Nutrition That Actually Works

“At the end of the day, we’re all there to get the most out of ourselves and be our best. You feel so much better when you're fuelled.”
– Mariella Sawyer, pro triathlete, registered dietitian & new mom 💥

From fasted training myths to hydration hacks, Mariella keeps it real with advice that’s science-backed, beginner-friendly, and built for everyday runners especially those who think nutrition only matters for elites.

✨ What you’ll learn:
✅ What to eat before, during, and after your run
✅ The truth about sugar, carbs & energy drinks
✅ Why hydration is more than just drinking water
✅ How to build a simple fuelling plan that fits your life

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple & all podcast platforms.
Link in bio to listen!

Season 3 is sponsored by
🧦
👓

👇 Drop a 🥣 if you're ready to fuel like you mean it.

16/07/2025

What’s One Fuelling Mistake You’ll Never Make Again?

Was it skipping breakfast before your long run? Waiting too long to eat post-run? Or thinking water alone was enough on a hot day?

Drop your fuelling lesson in the comments 👇
We want to hear the “never again” moments that changed how you eat, drink, and recover on the trails.

This week on Trail Chasers, we’re joined by Mariella Sawyer ( ), a professional triathlete and sports dietitian who breaks down trail running nutrition in a way that actually makes sense.

From hydration myths to caffeine timing and real food vs. gels, Mariella simplifies what beginners need to know and what most people get wrong.

🎙️ Mariella Sawyer: Trail Running Nutrition Simplified — Fuel, Hydration & Energy Tips That Work
Episode drops Friday 19 July.

15/07/2025

📢 NEW EPISODE DROPS THURSDAY

🗣Mariella Sawyer: Trail Running Nutrition Simplified—Fuel, Hydration & Energy Tips That Work

💬 “The biggest mistake?
Not eating enough.” — Mariella Sawyer

From under-fueling to overthinking, sports dietitian and pro triathlete breaks down trail running nutrition in a way that actually makes sense.

Whether you're bonking on your long runs, confused by carbs, or unsure what to eat before a session—this episode has the answers. We talk fueling myths, Red Bull, recovery, real food, and how to simplify your strategy without sacrificing performance.

📅 Episode Drops Thursday, 18 July

👇 Drop a 🍌 if you've ever bonked mid-run and sworn you'd never forget to fuel again.

12/07/2025

The People I Meet – Episode 2 drops tomorrow:
: Big Energy, Bigger Dreams – The Kid Who Can Go the Distance

💬 “I really think I'm world-class at failing.”

Only 10 races in and already shaking things up Hans Troyer is bringing raw energy, big dreams, and unstoppable vibes to the trails.

I caught up with one of trail running’s rising stars for the first international episode of People I Meet.
We spoke about failure, fuelling your fire, and finding joy in the pain cave.

From his 1st Ultra running loops at his parents' house in Georgia eating crackers and …
To earning a Golden Ticket at Canyons 100K…
To toeing the line and finishing 8th at …

"The Kid" is just getting started!

🎧 Full episode drops tomorrow.
Proudly powered by and

11/07/2025

🔥 S3E11 is LIVE! LISTEN NOW—LINK IN BIO! 🎧

🎙️ : Just Try—Starting Late, Going Long, and Finding Strength in the Struggle

“I think one of my superpowers is getting on that start line. I am not afraid to try. And I'm not afraid of the outcome.”
– Janet Steer, 100-miler finisher & mother of three 🏃‍♀️

Janet didn’t start running early. She didn’t think she had stamina. But somewhere between raising a family and racing through the Gobi Desert, she discovered something bigger than finish lines—she discovered belief.

✨ What you’ll learn:
✅ What it’s like to enter trail running later in life
✅ How to manage big goals with work, family, and real life
✅ Why bravery isn’t about pace, but about showing up
✅ The beauty of running your own race—on your terms

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple & all podcast platforms.
Link in bio to listen!

Season 3 is sponsored by
🧦
👓

👇 Drop a 💪 if you’ve ever surprised yourself with what you could do.

10/07/2025

🔥 S3E11—LISTEN NOW
🎧 Janet Steer: Just Try—Starting Late, Going Long, and Finding Strength in the Struggle
https://shrtlink.ai/dkMC

💭 “I remember turning off my little Led Lenzer light and I just… I could feel the tears starting to run down. I said, ‘Janet, is this it?’”
From the Gobi Desert to the UTCT miler, Janet isn’t chasing podiums—she’s chasing possibility.

She didn’t grow up thinking she had stamina. She wasn’t always a runner. But she’s proof that belief can be built, one hard-earned finish at a time.
In this episode, she opens up about starting in her 40s, learning through experience, and proving to herself (and everyone else) that stamina has nothing to do with age.

✨ What you’ll learn:
✅ Why getting to the start line is the real victory
✅ How to push past fear when you’ve never done something before
✅ What starting late teaches you about grit, pacing, and self-belief
✅ How to balance training with real life (and family chaos)
✅ Why trail running isn’t about speed—it’s about showing up

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms.
https://shrtlink.ai/dkMC

👇 Drop a ✨ if you've ever surprised yourself with what you could do.

🎙 Season 3 is proudly sponsored by:
🧦 Gilnokie
🕶 Boonies

08/07/2025

What’s the Boldest Trail Decision You Made Later in Life? Drop your story in the comments 👇

🏃 Signing up for your first ultra at 40?
🎒 Heading out solo on a multi-day adventure?
⛰ Taking on the mountain after years away?

Whether it was terrifying or totally freeing we want to hear it.👇

Drop your story in the comments and tag someone who's inspiring you to go big, no matter your age or pace.

📢 Inspired by this week’s episode : Starting Late, Going Long — Why It’s Never Too Late to Try.
Episode drops tomorrow, Wednesday 9 July!

Address

Cape Town

Website

https://open.spotify.com/show/1sy9XfdrpvrsSPM8mjvWpw, http://www.trailchasers.co.za/

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