Episode 24: Setbacks, Resilience and the 240 with The Trail Confidante: Isabella Janovick
04/20/25 • 58 min
This episode of Run Shoe Diaries is brought to you by SILO Performance! Whether you're grinding out a desert ultra or dodging danger noodles in the back half of a 100-miler, SILO’s got you covered with race-tested gear built for the long haul. Use code RSD10 at GoWithSILO.com for 10% OFF your order.
In this episode, I sit down with Isabella Janovick; ultra-runner, professor, business owner, and the founder of Ultrabuds Run Club. From surviving a broken back at age 19 to being diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease, Izzy has turned every setback into a comeback story, and then some! Her journey to the finish line of the Moab 240 isn’t just about miles, it’s about meaning, mindset, and the wild beauty of building a running community that includes everyone.
We talk about the internal battles no one sees, the power of gratitude, and how Izzy continues to rise, run, and rebel against every limitation placed in her path. She opens up about what it's like to live with a chronic condition, build a brand, and teach at the collegiate level, all while training for one of the most brutal ultras in the game.
This episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, punk rock vibes, and trail-earned perspectives. From her race strategy and mental toughness to her work behind the scenes, Izzy proves that the trail is for everybody and that running is a revolution—one step, one story, and one runner at a time.
So whether you're starting over, finding your why, or just trying to get through mile 10 on tired legs—this one’s for you. Let’s lace up and learn from the unstoppable force that is Isabella Janovick.
Instagram Accounts
https://www.instagram.com/ultra_izzyb/
https://www.instagram.com/ultrabuds/
https://www.instagram.com/run_shoe_diaries/
Click Here for: Run Shoe Diaries Spotify Guest Playlist!
Red Bull: Widesky
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Premium Beat - Hanging 10
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Composer: David John Vanacore (ASCAP); John Richard O'Hallaron (ASCAP)
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Premium Beat - Floodgates
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Audio Jungle - "Game Show Opener" - D. Weltermann (ASCAP)
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
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This episode of Run Shoe Diaries is brought to you by SILO Performance! Whether you're grinding out a desert ultra or dodging danger noodles in the back half of a 100-miler, SILO’s got you covered with race-tested gear built for the long haul. Use code RSD10 at GoWithSILO.com for 10% OFF your order.
In this episode, I sit down with Isabella Janovick; ultra-runner, professor, business owner, and the founder of Ultrabuds Run Club. From surviving a broken back at age 19 to being diagnosed with Meniere’s Disease, Izzy has turned every setback into a comeback story, and then some! Her journey to the finish line of the Moab 240 isn’t just about miles, it’s about meaning, mindset, and the wild beauty of building a running community that includes everyone.
We talk about the internal battles no one sees, the power of gratitude, and how Izzy continues to rise, run, and rebel against every limitation placed in her path. She opens up about what it's like to live with a chronic condition, build a brand, and teach at the collegiate level, all while training for one of the most brutal ultras in the game.
This episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, punk rock vibes, and trail-earned perspectives. From her race strategy and mental toughness to her work behind the scenes, Izzy proves that the trail is for everybody and that running is a revolution—one step, one story, and one runner at a time.
So whether you're starting over, finding your why, or just trying to get through mile 10 on tired legs—this one’s for you. Let’s lace up and learn from the unstoppable force that is Isabella Janovick.
Instagram Accounts
https://www.instagram.com/ultra_izzyb/
https://www.instagram.com/ultrabuds/
https://www.instagram.com/run_shoe_diaries/
Click Here for: Run Shoe Diaries Spotify Guest Playlist!
Red Bull: Widesky
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
Invoice No: | IVIP43381612
Order No: | 146231625
Premium Beat - Hanging 10
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
Invoice No: | IVIP43381612
Order No: | 146231625
Collection/Artist: Sounds of Red Bull
Title: Single Release
Composer: David John Vanacore (ASCAP); John Richard O'Hallaron (ASCAP)
Publisher: Prod Music of RB (ASCAP)
Label: Sounds of Red Bull
Order Number: 0SYUAWU4
Premium Beat - Floodgates
Used with Permission - https://www.premiumbeat.com/account/orders
License No: | #4022460
Order No: | #3449651
Audio Jungle - "Game Show Opener" - D. Weltermann (ASCAP)
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
Invoice No: | IVIP44457818
Order No: | 150546937
Previous Episode
Episode 23: Grit, Grind, and Giving Back – The Warrior’s Journey with Matthew Kellenberger
Matthew Kellenberger: The Grit, The Grind & The Warrior’s Mindset
This episode of Run Shoe Diaries is brought to you by SILO Performance! Ultra-running isn’t just about the miles—it’s about preparation, resilience, and having the right gear to go the distance. Get 10% OFF your order with code RSD10 at GoWithSILO.com.
Now, onto the show! 🎙️
In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Kellenberger—former military soldier, ultra-endurance athlete, and all-around powerhouse in the world of multi-sport endurance! From the battlefield to the racecourse, Matt has forged a path built on discipline, perseverance, and a relentless hunger for pushing limits.
We dive deep into his journey from military service to ultra-running and triathlons, uncovering the mental toughness it takes to thrive in high-stakes environments—both in combat and on the course. Matt’s passion for endurance sports isn’t just about finishing races; it’s about showing up, pushing through, and proving that the human spirit is tougher than any obstacle in its way.
But that’s not all—Matt is also a dedicated advocate for military veterans, using his platform to support those who’ve served and to help others find healing and purpose through endurance sports. We talk about the importance of camaraderie, finding your “why,” and what it really takes to embrace the grind day in and day out.
Oh, and did I mention? This episode is packed with high-octane energy, a few pseudo-military Chuck Norris-style jokes, and a whole lot of pure, unfiltered inspiration.
So lace up, tune in, and get ready for some serious motivation. This one is for the warriors, the grinders, and anyone looking to break through their own limits. See you out there! 💥🔥
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Instagram Accounts
https://www.instagram.com/mandime.kellenberger/
https://www.instagram.com/run_shoe_diaries/
Run Shoe Diaries Spotify Guest Playlist!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tJ7SyTYbY46DBC6Vqjb5D?si=5b01c95250e74058
Caves and Tunnels
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Premium Beat - Desert Warrior
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Collection/Artist: Sounds of Red Bull
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Composer: David John Vanacore (ASCAP); John Richard O'Hallaron (ASCAP)
Publisher: Prod Music of RB (ASCAP)
Label: Sounds of Red Bull
Order Number: 0SYUAWU4
Premium Beat - CowBeat
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Audio Jungle - "Game Show Opener" - D. Weltermann (ASCAP)
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Next Episode
Episode 25: Built in Butte; Grit and Growth with The Montana Maverick Dylan Malloy
Dylan Malloy: Built in Butte – The Grit, The Growth, and The Montana Maverick
This episode of Run Shoe Diaries is brought to you by SILO Performance! Whether you're bombing down descents or grinding through mile 80, SILO has your back with performance-tested gear for the long haul. Use code RSD10 at GoWithSILO.com for 10% OFF your order.
Now, let’s get into it...
In this episode, I sit down with Dylan Malloy—ultra-runner, ICU Nurse, Endurance Coach, and a THREE-Time finisher of the brutal Crazy Mountain 100. Hailing from the mining town of Butte, America, Dylan’s story is rooted in resilience, recovery, and an unshakable drive to keep climbing no matter how rugged the terrain.
We dive deep into the mindset it takes to rebuild from a devastating knee injury, chase down Ironman finishes, and eventually fall in love with the pain cave of ultra-distance running. Dylan opens up about pacing at Run Rabbit Run, riding high at the Maah Daah Hey 100, and what it means to live a seasonal Montana life—training hard in the summer, hitting the ice and gym in the winter, and always keeping the spark alive.
This episode is packed with wisdom for runners, athletes, and anyone who’s ever stared down a setback and said, “Let’s go anyway.” From his time coaching athletes and teaching nursing students, to his brutally honest take on the evolving ultra scene—Dylan brings that Maverick mindset through and through.
We talk grit. We talk legacy. We talk about the real why behind every mile—and what it means to run not for the finish line, but for the meaning behind it.
So whether you're hammering trails or healing through movement, this one’s for you. Let’s lace up and ride with The Montana Maverick himself—Dylan Malloy.
Instagram Accounts
https://www.instagram.com/ahoymalloy2/
https://www.instagram.com/run_shoe_diaries/
Run Shoe Diaries Spotify Guest Playlist!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7tJ7SyTYbY46DBC6Vqjb5D?si=5b01c95250e74058
Caves and Tunnels
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
Invoice No: | IVIP43381612
Order No: | 146231625
Premium Beat - Desert Warrior
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
Invoice No: | IVIP43381612
Order No: | 146231625
Collection/Artist: Sounds of Red Bull
Title: Single Release
Composer: David John Vanacore (ASCAP); John Richard O'Hallaron (ASCAP)
Publisher: Prod Music of RB (ASCAP)
Label: Sounds of Red Bull
Order Number: 0SYUAWU4
Premium Beat - Motodream
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License No: | #4022460
Order No: | #3449651
Audio Jungle - "Game Show Opener" - D. Weltermann (ASCAP)
Used with Permission - https://audiojungle.net/user/runshoediaries/statement
Invoice No: | IVIP44457818
Order No: | 150546937
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