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This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, we sit down with Brian Abadia, the founder of Fooster. Brian’s journey is a powerful look at how a major setback—a debilitating back injury—can actually be the catalyst for a total life transformation and a thriving business.

Brian shares how he moved from the high-impact world of CrossFit into running as a way to regain his mobility and mental clarity. Along the way, he realized that the nutrition world for endurance athletes was cluttered, confusing, and often lacking a personal touch. That realization led to the birth of Fooster, a nutrition marketplace designed to take the guesswork out of fueling so you can focus on the miles.

We dive into the "why" behind Fooster, Brian’s philosophy that running is the ultimate life teacher, and the unique way he curates his shop—by personally testing every gel, bar, and "rocket fuel" before it ever hits the site.

The OG trio is finally back together! This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, David, Matt, and Mike reunite for a special Christmas run to close out the year and look ahead to an massive 2026.

We’re revealing our 2026 Bucket List Races, including big goals for the Cruel Jewel 50 and the No Business Hundo. We also get technical on what it really takes to train for the Mid-State Mile, specifically how to dial in the elevation training necessary to survive those climbs.

The guys also give their unfiltered first impressions of the new Hyperlite nutrition products, talk about the upcoming Smoky Mountain 24-hour Challenge, and share some laughs about the "gastronomic gauntlet" that is the Taco Bell 50K. Most importantly, we take a moment to reflect on the growth of this community and share our gratitude for every one of you who joined us on the trails this year.

This week on the Dirt and Vert Podcast, David and Matt are dropping some massive announcements that will shape the next two years of trail running in the Southeast!

We are officially announcing a heavy-hitting collaboration with Yeti Trail Runners for a brand-new race in Sevierville, and giving you the lowdown on the legendary (and slightly chaotic) Taco Bell 50K—a free event that proves ultra running doesn't always have to be serious to be a challenge.

We look ahead to why 2026 is going to be the biggest year yet for East Coast Adventures (ECA). Plus, we’re talking team dynamics, the nutrition strategies fueling our current training blocks, and a heartfelt thank you to you—our listeners—for the incredible growth we’ve seen this year.