Racing Jim Walmsley/Zach Miller, Goals Of Winning Western States, Competitive Mindset | Hayden Hawks

My guest on this episode is Hayden Hawks, one of the great talents in the sport of American ultrarunning.
Today, we explore a myriad of topics including his competitive mindset, his professional approach to ultrarunning, what it was like competing against the likes of Jim Walmsley and Zach Miller, how ball sports athletes influenced his own approach as an endurance athlete, stories about his faith and how it shaped him into who he is today, what it will take to win Western States and much, much more.
He was an absolute pleasure to talk to and I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed having it!
If you would like to support my work, consider donating to my Patreon page at: / billyyang
INSTAGRAM: / billyyang
STRAVA: / strava
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© Billy Yang Films, LLC 2022
Twitter: @BillyYang
Instagram: @BillyYangPodcast
Facebook: @BillyYangPodcast
www.billyyang.com/

[@MichaeMichaelMichael]

Billy - Any chance you'll cover the Barkley Marathons at some point? I'd love to see your take on it.

[@runslowtorunfast6528]

I look up to Hayden so much. Great athlete, great human, dedicated to his faith and family. I agree with Hayden that my mission helped me to be more empathetic and to love ALL people! Well said, Hayden!

[@coolhatadventures8111]

I had the joy of spectating the Black Canyon 100k and running the Black Canyon 60k three times. It was so inspiring watching Hayden cruise by me while descending down to the agua fria river of the course. Keep up your faith and have a blessed WS 100 run on June 25th!

[@coolhatadventures8111]

Keep the faith Hayden, God bless !!

[@ahhabee5308]

What a fantastic interview. The dialogue here was so clean and respectful. Billy really knows when to keep pressing the questions and how to change subject without it feeling harsh or out of place. Hayden is extremely well spoken and seemingly an amazing person. Really appreciate learning all about Hayden. Where he came from, how he got into running, his experiences, etc... Looking forward to Hayden putting in some work at WS100. Thanks for the interview!

[@AllTheFaxs]

Awesome content. I'm just getting into ultra. I failed my first attempt but I get to go again on Wednesday. Good luck to everyone at Western States. Crush it!

[@stjamesnolan]

Billy, love the interview, great dialogue. Looking forward to seeing continued content. Your stuff is always inspiring and insightful. We know it’s a lot of work. Keep it up and enjoy running and life!

[@MichaeMichaelMichael]

Awesome interview! Thanks Billy and Hayden!

[@themobleys]

I loved this interview! I’m also a member of the church and was raised in Alabama 😁

[@steve_bailey]

Great work Billy. Thank you for the content!

[@joshuasoto212]

Hayden Hawks is awesome! Great runner and an even better example and advocate for the church! Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences Hayden!

[@at7512]

Great interview.. honest.. respectful and inspiring.. well done to both Gents..👌🏽👌🏽

[@c-beam3670]

Billy Yang's Podcasts just oozes quality in its content!!!

[@fastinradfordable]

That’s what she said

[@Mattbarentsen]

Billy with another banger!!

[@Supt3100]

One of the better conversations. Great exchange of well poised questions and honest, insightful responses. This is the stuff that makes BY interviews the industry standard for content & quality.

[@bazzacollins7031]

I think Hayden is correct in that he has a lot more show, I remember when he came into the scene at speedboat, and I can’t help but think that he came into ultras when the talent pool was so deep, he has youth on his side and he hast ran too many 100s I think so his best years are to come, great interview Billy, please be regular with your podcasts Mr Yang I really enjoy your conversations. Peace ✌️

[@joominatore6527]

Great stuff Billy! Can't waait

[@tatayki]

Great interview. Go Hayden, rooting for you at WS100!

[@gladysmitchell743]

Most Excellent. You do a great job of creating a space for people to be at their authentic and best self when conversing with you.

[@BillyYang]

🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@JanRobG]

Came here to say that, but you said it better than I can, so I'll just second what you said!

[@billys100aolcom]

Hayden Hawks is officially my favorite trail runner. This is a great interview Billy. Thanks......

[@BillyYang]

Thanks Billy. You’re certainly one of mine…great to hear from you!

[@barlowwe]

I love how candid Hayden is. I’m obsessed with ultra docs and interviews and in general I’ve noticed that female runners almost refuse to admit they want to win a race whereas male athletes readily admit that.

[@sarahmcdonald6980]

Check out Sabrina Stanley, she’s super competitive and badass!

[@barlowwe]

@@sarahmcdonald6980 Thank you I will!

[@FuckAdds]

There is indeed a gender thing here and the "1orBlow" mindset is indeed a masculine thing. The first obvious reason is that top women compare themselves beyond the gender category institution and look at scratch ranking so they do not feel "number one of everyone" like top male. Truth is that the "win or blow" mentality is really rare among top ultra runners : François D'Haenne, Kilian Jornet, Xavier Thevenard, Ludovic Pommeret, Benoit Girondel .... All the frenchies that filled the top ten utmb last year and most of the euro ultra runner have a personnal approach free from first spot obsession. Among USA top ultra runner not all are first spot obsessed, the few ones that are are the one that were born and raised in the schooling competitive mindset of track and field. More soeculative but I think they mostly orihinate from "reddish" education if one think of Zach Miller, Jim Walmsley and Hayden Hawks. Those coming from biking or mountain activities or orienteering mostly think different. In the US i would categorise : Krupicka, Tolefson, Jurek, Roes, Mike Foote Joe Grant .... Writing from France I do not know all the us ultra pro athlete. That "1or blow" approach is only somlewhat relevant for a handfull of top athlete so it is factualy elitist. Most ultra runner do not come to achieve dream of becoming star athlete in a sport show industry like nba or compete for national medal count at olympics . They are mainly on a personal path where training and inspiration are base and measure their success relatively free from comparison to others hence the FKT, race organisation, ckean sport advocacy, disruptive product development, ecologic awareness and exemplarity etc... so many things thar grow the sport for all and are relevant to all runner. For us mere mortal there is so much more to learn from those women and guys running for more things rather than top of the box. EGO is rarelly safe if it needs to be on "top of peers" to be good. PS: Women are more than wife and mother they are human whose value goes way beyond care for children and husband. Their body is their business not church one.

[@fastinradfordable]

@@FuckAdds if you’ve never toed the line with the feeling to win a race, Do you even know what a race means?

[@d2h655]

Welcome back Billy!

[@augustusandrada3930]

The ultimate raw stories make listen more

[@andys121.]

top guy , tough ask going sub 15hrs ws, but hope he does it

[@karlmunov4305]

Hayden Hawks = Wade Boggs!

[@Achey_Runner]

Be sure you get a running stroller. Nothing like doing a race with your kids while they're little.

[@foodpimpz9086]

BY!

[@BillyYang]

FP!

[@tonyschwartz8790]

...and Joe Gray!..Hayden knows...What did he get from Joe?...east coast mountain runners are legit

[@Josh_Stringer]

Wondering why Hayden switched from Hoka to Altra then back to Hoka. Haven't ever heard that story. He's one of my favorite runners and I like both brands. Just wondering what led to his decisions.

[@BillyYang]

This is obviously a Hayden question but if memory serves right, I think it came down to preferring HOKA shoes over Altra

[@johnrennanjumag8103]

first

[@johnrennanjumag8103]

notice me idol billy please

[@johnrennanjumag8103]

can you give me some new shoes I have upcoming race😁😊