Podcasting is an increasingly popular way for people to entertain themselves. According to a 2016 Pew Research Center study, 36% of Americans age 12 or older have listened to a podcast in their lifetime, up from 27% in 2013. Of those 36%, 21% have listened to a podcast in the month, which is an increase from 12% in 2013. Podcasts are audio recordings (some podcasts include video too) available on multiple services such as iTunes and Podcast One that provide listeners with a new way to follow a specific brand, personality, or industry. From expert interviews to instructional seminars, podcasts are a great way to learn high-quality information at a low cost.
Podcasts are one of the more popular ways to find out the latest about obstacle course racing (OCR) athletes, course previews, and post-event analysis’ from athletes who ran and industry-insiders. Tough Mudder, our athletes, ambassadors, and obstacle designers have been featured on and are the subject of several podcasts and is a great way to stay on top of what’s happening on Tough Mudder courses throughout the season. Tune into these five OCR podcasts to expand your obstacle knowledge in a new way.
Obstacle Racing Media Podcast
The most consistent OCR podcast has been Obstacle Racing Media (ORM) Podcast, which boasts almost 250 episodes at time of writing. Interviews and race recaps are the main two components of the ORM podcast, and everyone who’s anyone in obstacle racing have shared their thoughts with host Matt B. Davis, who has been covering the sport of OCR for years. The clever episode titles add a nice flair to an objective production.
Host: Matt B. Davis
First Episode Released: 2013
Obstacleracingmedia.com/category/podcast
Hosted by OCR athlete and World’s Toughest Mudder participant Will Hicks, this podcast is centered around Tough Mudder Legionnaires and their stories of triumph and training. The podcast includes hot topics amongst the Tough Mudder community, Tougher and Toughest course previews and recaps, and athlete interviews with a focus on how events play into preparation for World’s Toughest Mudder.
Host: Will Hicks
First Episode Released: February 2017
Worldstoughestpodcast.libsyn.com/podcast
OCR Radio by the AthElite
Personal trainer and OCR athlete Stephanie Keenan of the AthElite training systems launched OCR Radio this year, geared towards people from all walks of life, including those have never even heard of obstacle course racing. While the expert guests may be from different fitness avenues, such as running and kettlebell training, Coach Steph asks how their advice applies to obstacle course racing. For the fitness enthusiast looking to try something new, tune into OCR Radio for an introduction of how to train for race.
Host: Stephanie Keenan
First Episode Released: February 2017
Theathelite.com/ocr-radio-intro
Obstacle Dominator
Endurance athletes and coaches Ben Greenfield and Hunter McIntyre team up to provide expert tips, tricks, interviews and funny shenanigans on their Obstacle Dominator podcast. Greenfield is known for his “biohacking” and advice for pushing the mind forward to propel the body in various professional sports and McIntyre has conquered just about every obstacle course someone has put in front him, including 76 miles of World’s Toughest Mudder in 2014.
Together, the “been there done that” bros hold live Q&A’s, taking questions from social media, and also have their guests take listener questions too.
First Episode Released: 2014
Hosts: Ben Greenfield and Hunter McIntyre
Obstacledominator.com/category/podcast
Dirt in Your Skirt: The Podcast
Margaret Schlachter is the editor in chief of Mud Run Guide and the creator of the Dirt in Your Skirt podcast, where she interviews female obstacle course racers, expert coaches and runners about their training and nutrition plans, personal backgrounds and much more. Always on the front lines of OCR news, Schlachter’s access to the fiercest and most inspirational ladies in the endurance community is impressive and her interview style lends well to lengthy interviews.
First Episode Released: 2016
Host: Margaret Schlachter
Dirtinyourskirt.com/podcast