Enduring the Impossible with Vincent Antunez

This episode is a deep dive into the mind and mission of Vincent Antunez, DSc, PA-C - a retired U.S. Army Major, ultra endurance athlete, and founder of Trail Toes. From grueling military deployments to multi-day ultramarathons across the globe, Vincent shares how pain, persistence, and preparation have shaped every step of his journey.

We talk about what it takes to push beyond the limits of your body - and more importantly, your mind. Vincent shares raw, powerful stories of suffering and success on the course, the lessons that endurance sports teach about humility and resilience, and the gear and mindset strategies that keep him (and his feet) moving forward. This one is packed with wisdom from the front lines - of both battlefields and ultramarathons.

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[1:12] - How Vincent met ultrarunning legend Lisa Smith-Batchen — and helped her complete her historic Badwater Quad
[3:44] - A military career across decades and continents
[6:57] - How a post-midnight beer run in Germany accidentally became his first marathon
[11:42] - Why he keeps showing up, even without formal training
[13:58] - The 3 reasons people drop out of ultras (and how to beat them)
[20:31] - Innovative tips for staying cool and blister-free on brutal courses
[24:49] - Trail Toes and how Vincent created it in Afghanistan
[38:11] - The psychology of endurance: crews, quitting, and the right kind of pressure
[52:05] - Why Vincent keeps coming back to these events — and what they continue to teach him

• Trail Toes Foot & Body Care

• Vol State 500K

• Band of Runners – a trail running camp for veterans and first responders

If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate, follow, and review the podcast — and share it with a friend who's always pushing their limits. Every download helps more everyday explorers find their way forward.

How do you embrace fear and failure to build a multi million dollar business, shred heavy metal guitar solos and break land speed records in a custom built car?

In this episode of the On Adventure Podcast, I sit down with Tom Kubiniec—entrepreneur, former heavy metal guitarist, and the so-called "gun storage guru." From his days tearing up the music scene to building a global business in military weapon storage, Tom's journey is one wild ride. We dive deep into what it means to stake a claim in life before you've "earned it," why failure should be embraced (and quickly), and how creativity fuels not just business, but bold living.

A killer insight from Tom: "You don't know where you're going to land until you jump. As you're falling, you will find a place to land. If you're not happy with that one, jump again."

We also explore his adrenaline-pumping pursuits: restoring rare cars, racing across the Utah salt flats, and finding peace in silence while bow hunting. This episode is about pushing limits, whether in the boardroom, behind a guitar, or out in the wild. If you're looking for inspiration to go all-in on your ideas or just want a reminder of how short life is, this one hits home.

Episode Highlights:

[1:12] - Tom's journey from unknown rock guitarist to global leader in military gun storage

[6:05] - The pivotal moment of "claiming" expertise before it was proven—and why it worked

[13:25] - How public speaking and guitar technique both benefit from slow, intentional practice

[17:00] - Fail fast: Why Tom says failure is not the enemy but the pathway to innovation

[25:55] - The birth of a game-changing locking system after a live simulation revealed a major flaw

[33:02] - Creating personas in business and why it's not about being fake—it's about solving problems

[39:45] - Breaking a land speed record with a 750cc custom car: the build, the danger, the payoff

[44:00] - Why silence in the woods and watching a forest wake up is Tom's ultimate reset

[54:10] - Final reflections on living fully, embracing fear, and making the most of the one life we get

Links & Resources:

• SecureIt Tactical

• Tom's YouTube Guitar Performance (Layla in DADGAD)

• Bonneville Speed Week Info

Closing Remarks: If this conversation with Tom fired you up to take bold steps in your own adventure, make sure to follow the podcast so you never miss an episode. And if you enjoyed this one, rate, review, and share it with a friend who's ready to make their move.

Also, don't forget to check out the full video episode and more on our On Adventure YouTube page and hit that Subscribe button.

Thanks for tuning in!

What does greatness look like? Is it talent, time, or something deeper? In this episode, I sit down with endurance legend and master coach Lisa Smith-Batchen to explore what greatness really means - and how it evolves as we do. With over four decades of coaching and ultra-running behind her, Lisa shares a wisdom-packed perspective on pushing limits, aging with intention, and chasing big dreams, no matter where you're starting.

Lisa is the first American to win the grueling Marathon des Sables and the first woman to have completed the Badwater Quad - covering 584 miles across Death Valley! She's run across multiple states for charity, completed a 50-mile ultra in every state, and raised over $1 million for orphanages and clean water projects. But what's just as remarkable is how grounded, present, and purpose-driven she remains through it all.

We dig into the transformative power of endurance sports—not just physically, but mentally and spiritually. Lisa opens up about what keeps her coming back to extreme challenges, the emotional shifts that come with aging as an athlete, and how learning to put yourself first might just be the most radical move of all. Whether you're training for your first 5K or simply trying to show up fully in life, this one's for you.

🕓 Timeline Highlights

[3:55] – Lisa's 20-year coaching journey with Bob Becker and the bond beyond the miles
[6:45] – Getting cut from the team—and how it shaped her coaching philosophy
[9:25] – Breaking records and barriers: Badwater Quad, 50 ultras in 50 states, and running for causes
[12:15] – The path from average to good to great: Lisa's simple but powerful growth model
[17:49] – Embracing evolution: letting go of who you were to step into who you're becoming
[29:01] – A moment at mile 132 that changed Bob Becker's mindset—and maybe yours too
[34:00] – Why making time for yourself isn't selfish—it's essential
[41:15] – What keeps Lisa coming back to the edge of endurance: joy, clarity, and spiritual connection
[57:22] – Guiding a blind and deaf athlete through 140 miles—Lisa's next adventure

🔗 Links & Resources

• Dreamchasers Coaching – Lisa's personalized coaching platform

• Route 6640 Ultra – The 140-mile race Lisa will be guiding in November

• Badwater 135 – The world's toughest foot race

💬 Final Words

This episode offers far more than endurance talk—it's a blueprint for living with purpose, courage, and connection. If it struck a chord with you, be sure to subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen. And don't forget - head to our YouTube page to subscribe and watch the full conversation. We've got more powerful stories coming your way, so stay tuned and stay on adventure.