On Your Left with Trails of Mississippi

Chris Mixon is back on On Your Left with Matt Clem, and there’s a lot to catch up on.
Chris joins Matt to preview the upcoming Belhaven Hills Classic, taking place October 10th in Jackson’s historic Belhaven neighborhood. We’ll talk about what runners can expect from this unique event, the course, the hills, and what makes racing through one of Jackson’s most historic areas such a special experience.
But this episode goes well beyond race day.
When Chris last joined us, he shared the story of his family’s adoption journey and the challenges that came along with it. This time, we pick up where we left off and hear what’s happened since.
We’ll also dive into Chris’s incredible 200+ mile run to help raise money for the adoption, a huge undertaking that turned into an epic adventure all its own. Chris takes us inside the highs, the lows, the surprises, and what it took to keep moving as the miles piled up.
It’s an episode about running, community, family, perseverance, and going an extraordinary distance for something that matters.
Join Matt and Chris for Episode 36 of On Your Left as we look ahead to the Belhaven Hills Classic and catch up on one unforgettable journey since Chris’s last visit.
🎵 Song of the Week: https://open.spotify.com/track/5kje42RAjDsJlKpN4OezWL?si=JqlY-S1mSlSaFUa3_p9rwA&utm_source=copy-link
🏃 Register for the Belhaven Hills Classic: https://raceroster.com/events/2026/139601/belhaven-hills-classic
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Episode 35 of On Your Left with Matt Clem features a true legend of Mississippi running, Greg Gearhart.
 
Growing up in Roanoke, Virginia, Greg was cut from every sports team he tried out for, eventually finding his place in band and Scouts. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1978 with a degree in Civil Engineering, he moved to Mississippi to help build Grand Gulf Nuclear — and along the way, discovered a passion for distance running that would shape the next several decades of his life.
 
Greg went on to become a six-time Mississippi Marathon champion and one of the early pioneers of the trail and ultrarunning scene in the Jackson Metro area. At age 45, with encouragement from Dick Bennet, Greg entered the world of ultrarunning — and he hasn’t stopped since.
 
Now, after logging more than 100,000 lifetime miles, Greg is still hammering out the mileage at age 70. In fact, he celebrated his 70th birthday in incredible fashion by completing the Sedona Canyons 125 during Cocodona 250 week in Arizona.
 
Beyond his own accomplishments, Greg has been a huge inspiration to generations of Mississippi runners and helped lay the groundwork for much of the trail and ultra community we enjoy today.
 
From VMI and Grand Gulf, to six Mississippi Marathon victories, more than 100,000 miles, ultramarathons, and a 125-mile race at age 70 — Greg Gearhart’s running story is one of longevity, toughness, and a genuine love for the miles.
 
On Episode 35, we sit down with one of the true legends of Mississippi running and talk about the journey, the people, the races, and the miles that made Greg Gearhart the runner he is today.
 
Song of the week:
https://open.spotify.com/track/0bjKbwEvZfU5epyZ3aZm1y?si=aueMivMZTSiA2VHBmv11aQ&utm_source=sms
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

What does 200 miles through the Colorado mountains actually do to you?
On Episode 34 of On Your Left, Matt Clem sits down with elite ultrarunner Bethany Madson and Jackson Wolf of Rougarou Running and Coaching to break down their experience at the Summit 200.
They get into the reality behind the miles: brutal terrain, sleep deprivation, fueling, race strategy, the mental grind, and those unforgettable moments that only come when you push your body and mind that far.
Bethany shares how she trained for the challenge, what worked, and what caught her completely off guard once she was on course. Jackson brings the coaching perspective, breaking down strategy, decision-making, and some lessons learned the hard way.
Then the conversation comes back home as Jackson previews several upcoming Mississippi races he’s promoting and what he hopes runners of all levels will experience on the local trails.
From 200-mile mountain races to Mississippi trail running, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons, great stories, and plenty of laughs from people who know what it means to keep moving forward when everything in you wants to stop.
 
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=137599
 
Song of the week:
https://open.spotify.com/album/6K8iDZW8jPaoiqSzFFebJA?si=VhMqzdv8RcCnI75Kg1ogMA&utm_source=sms
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On Episode 33 of On Your Left, host Matt Clem sits down with ultrarunner, coach, race director, and entrepreneur Walker Higgins for a conversation that goes far beyond running.
Walker’s story is one of transformation. After getting sober at a young age, he found a new purpose through endurance sports, channeling the determination that changed his life into conquering some of the world’s most demanding ultramarathons. From Badwater 135 and Brazos Bend 100 to Pinhoti 100, Barkley Fall Classic, Tunnel Hill 100, and countless other legendary races, Walker has built a reputation as one of the toughest competitors in the sport.
But this episode is about much more than race results. Matt and Walker explore how adversity shapes resilience, why mental toughness can be developed, and how endurance sports become a proving ground for life itself. Walker also shares insights from years of coaching athletes, directing races, and helping runners of every ability discover they’re capable of far more than they ever imagined.
Whether you’re an experienced ultrarunner, training for your first race, or simply looking for inspiration to overcome life’s challenges, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom, powerful stories, and a reminder that the greatest victories often happen long before the finish line.
Lace up, settle in, and join Matt Clem for an unforgettable conversation with Walker Higgins on On Your Left.
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

On this episode of 'On Your Left, Matt welcomes Ronny Chane, a lifelong skateboarder, BMX racer, small business owner, and outdoor enthusiast whose story stretches across more than four decades. Ronny first picked up skateboarding and BMX in the very same week in 1983. After stepping away for many years, he came back during that exact same week35 years later. Now he's sharing those passions with his two sons, Seven Chane, 8, an intermediate BMX rider, and Mercer Chane, 6, who races novice. Together, the Chane family has traveled throughout the South, racing BMX, skateboarding, and even surfing. In 2027, they're planning to hit even more regions across the country. Outside of racing, Ronny owns Studio Chane, a long-running custom screen printing company. He also owns Swellophonic, the longtime Fondren skate shop and clothing boutique known in the BMX and skate scenes for its apparel and culture. Matt and Ronny talk about the early days of BMX and skateboarding, what it was like to step away and return decades later, raising two sons who now share the same passions, balancing business and family, and what keeps him rolling today. Whether you're a BMX lifer, a skate head, an endurance junkie, or just someone who loves a good second act story, this one's worth your time.
 
Song of the Week:
https://open.spotify.com/track/2gcxuSpWOOGR0z0JGsPB7B?si=znxHCXRHRZmX6JRrVIsYHw&utm_source=native-share-menu
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

Matt sits down with Jonathan Ray and Kelsey Ray to preview this weekend’s Big Butts Trail Race. They walk through the 100k, 100k relay, 50k, and 25k and what it takes to host a big trail weekend with close to three hundred runners expected. Plus, returning100k champion Peter Kazary joins the conversation to share his experience on the course and what he’s looking forward to this year. All signs point to a fantastic weekend.
 
Today’s Song Of The Week https://open.spotify.com/track/4wXIzVR4IT3vcG4rxhVgza?si=tPQ8UqBOTLWYYhXaKnOieA&utm_source=sms
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In this episode, Matt sits down with Claire Jungling from RunStrong to spotlight the upcoming “Rez Loop Challenge” on June 6. Joining them is Nancy Hines, who began running in her 60s and is now tackling her longest challenge yet. Nancy shares her inspiring journey from her first 8K to aiming for 24 miles on race day. We’ll talk about the power of starting late, pushing boundaries, and finding community on the trails. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just lacing up, this episode proves it’s never too late to start.
 
#OnYourLeft #RunStrong #RezLoopChallenge #NeverTooLate #TrailRunning #Inspiration
 
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

In tonight’s episode, Matt welcomes Shane Adams and Bernie Brenneman, the driving forces behind MagRidge BMX, right here in the studio. We dive into the inspiring story of how MagRidge rose from the site of an old landfill—the “North Lagoon”—to become Mississippi’s only BMX track.
 
For over a decade, MagRidge has fostered a growing BMX community for riders of all ages. We’ll talk about their impact on youth and adult riders, how they run as a volunteer-driven nonprofit, and their big annual events—from state championships to Easter egg hunts and Halloween Trunk-or-Treats.
 
Shane and Bernie will share how MagRidge brings families together, supports new riders with leagues and clinics, and even collaborates with pro riders. Whether you’re a seasoned BMX racer or just curious, you’ll get a glimpse of what makes this track a special place in Mississippi.
 
Produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.

This week on On Your Left, the crew breaks down Matt Clem’s epic attempt at the legendary Cocodona 250, a grueling ultramarathon stretching from Black Canyon City, Arizona to Flagstaff, Arizona. Battling brutal heat, destroyed feet, exhaustion, and severe sleep deprivation, Matt pushed himself 180 miles into one of the toughest races in the world before ultimately stepping off the course.
But this episode is not about failure, it’s about perspective.
Matt opens up about the overwhelming support from friends, family, crew members, and followers who rallied behind him every step of the way. What could have felt like defeat instead became a powerful reminder of community, resilience, and what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves.
This is the real side of endurance racing: suffering, sacrifice, teamwork, emotion, and the unexpected joy found somewhere deep in the pain cave.
#OnYourLeft #Cocodona250 #UltraRunning #TrailRunning #EnduranceAthlete #MattClem #RunningCommunity #Ultramarathon #AdventureRunning #PainCave #MountainRunning #ArizonaTrails #NeverQuit #OutdoorAdventure #PodcastLife
 
This episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions. 

In this episode, we welcome Bethany Madson—the mom of two who just shattered the 100-mile course record at the Mississippi 100 Trail Race.
 
Bethany’s journey began in high school cross country and track, but it was after her second daughter was born that she truly embraced trail running. Starting in 2018 with a six-hour ultra, she steadily grew her distance. After a brief hiatus, she returned stronger—tackling her first 100-miler in 2023 and recently completing her tenth.
 
Though she’s conquered major marathons like Boston and New York, her heart lies on the trails—where she finds strength, purpose, and a way to inspire her daughters.
Song of the week:
https://open.spotify.com/track/4lY95OMGb9WxP6IYut64ir?si=_eoE-2mhQ7ulWjK9Yb1KkA
 
Episode is produced by Daniel Anderson at Audio Alchemy Productions.