Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Sally McRae joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio in the days leading up to the 2025 Western States 100 for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation.
In this episode, we explore what it really takes to go pro in trail and ultrarunning—beyond the podiums, Strava segments, and sponsorship deals. Sally shares the lesser-told story of building a sustainable career in the sport, from early sacrifices to developing her voice as both an athlete and a creator. As one of the few pro runners who has built a loyal community through content, coaching, and entrepreneurship, Sally offers a blueprint for what the modern trail athlete can become.
We also discuss her role at this year’s TrailCon, where she’s set to speak about the evolving intersection between athletic identity and personal branding. Sally is a thoughtful voice on how athletes can—and must—take control of their stories in the social media era, and why the future of trail running belongs as much to storytellers as it does to speedsters.
Lastly, we zoom out to talk about Western States itself—what it represents to the community, how it has changed, and why it continues to capture the imagination of runners around the world.
Whether you’re chasing sponsorships, starting a YouTube channel, or simply navigating your place in this sport, this conversation with Sally is packed with hard-won wisdom, encouragement, and clarity.
Partners:
* @nordarun - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (nordarun.com/)
* @gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.
* @naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (raideresearch.com/)
Photo: @sh1tinthewoods
Follow Singletrack on Instagram:
instagram.com/runsingletrack
Subscribe to Singletrack on Apple:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/singletrack/id1572382413
Subscribe to Singletrack on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/7jAsWCRNSCU8nh81vrAaC2?si=3ac02e4e32b946c4
Sally McRae joins the Singletrack Podcast live from our Olympic Valley, CA studio in the days leading up to the 2025 Western States 100 for a powerful and wide-ranging conversation.
In this episode, we explore what it really takes to go pro in trail and ultrarunning—beyond the podiums, Strava segments, and sponsorship deals. Sally shares the lesser-told story of building a sustainable career in the sport, from early sacrifices to developing her voice as both an athlete and a creator. As one of the few pro runners who has built a loyal community through content, coaching, and entrepreneurship, Sally offers a blueprint for what the modern trail athlete can become.
We also discuss her role at this year’s TrailCon, where she’s set to speak about the evolving intersection between athletic identity and personal branding. Sally is a thoughtful voice on how athletes can—and must—take control of their stories in the social media era, and why the future of trail running belongs as much to storytellers as it does to speedsters.
Lastly, we zoom out to talk about Western States itself—what it represents to the community, how it has changed, and why it continues to capture the imagination of runners around the world.
Whether you’re chasing sponsorships, starting a YouTube channel, or simply navigating your place in this sport, this conversation with Sally is packed with hard-won wisdom, encouragement, and clarity.
Partners:
* @nordarun - check out the 005: the lightest, fastest, most stable trail racing shoe ever made (nordarun.com/)
* @gorewear - use code SINGLETRACKPOD30 at checkout on their website to get 30% off your purchase.
* @naak - use code SINGLETRACK20 at checkout on their website (naak.com/) to get 20% off your purchase.
* Raide - Making equipment for efficient human-powered movement in the mountains (raideresearch.com/)
Photo: @sh1tinthewoods
Follow Singletrack on Instagram:
instagram.com/runsingletrack
Subscribe to Singletrack on Apple:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/singletrack/id1572382413
Subscribe to Singletrack on Spotify:
open.spotify.com/show/7jAsWCRNSCU8nh81vrAaC2?si=3ac02e4e32b946c4
