The MidPacker Pod is part of the Freetrail network of Podcasts. Email: [email protected] for 1:1 Ultra Running Coaching. You can now support the MidPacker Pod on ⁠Patreon⁠. Make sure you leave us a rating and review wherever you get your pods. Want to leave Troy some feedback, recommend a guest, or make a suggestion? ⁠LINK HERE ⁠In this Episode, Troy Meadows talks with Andrew Grillos. Andrew shares his journey of resilience and perseverance. He discusses his passion for fly fishing and trail running, as well as his experience as a fly-tying expert. Andrew also opens up about surviving a stroke just two months after finishing his first 100 milers at IMTUF having to learn to walk again and ultimately getting back to running ultra post-stroke! He emphasizes the importance of fortitude as a superpower and credits his confidence and family influence for his ability to overcome obstacles. Andrew embraces the midpacker mentality and encourages others to set goals and push through challenges. In this conversation, Andrew Grillos shares his journey of finding work-life balance and pursuing ultra running after recovering from a stroke. He discusses the changes in his life post-stroke and how he transitioned from his engineering job to pursuing his passion for fly fishing and running. Andrew emphasizes the importance of building strength and progressing gradually in ultrarunning, highlighting the need to avoid rushing into high-level competition. He also shares his upcoming race goals and his motivation to stack up as much vertical gain as possible. Takeaways Passion for activities like fly fishing and trail running can provide a sense of adventure and continuous learning. Resilience and perseverance are essential qualities for overcoming challenges and achieving goals. Fortitude is a superpower that lies within all of us and can be harnessed to push through difficult times. Confidence and belief in oneself are crucial for success and personal growth. Embracing the midpacker mentality allows individuals to focus on their own progress and enjoy the journey rather than comparing themselves to others. Finding work-life balance after a major life event, such as a stroke, requires adjustments and a new perspective. Building strength and progressing gradually is key in ultra running, as rushing into high-level competition can lead to burnout or injury. Setting goals and committing to them can lead to remarkable achievements, even in the face of adversity. Knowing when to push through challenges and when to rest is crucial in maintaining a healthy and sustainable running practice. Andrew’s Links IG @andrew_grillos_flyfishing @uphillandrew  Things we talked about on the show Stroke Video YouTubeI MTUF Bridger Ridge Run Run The Red Desert 50k Bighorn 50  The Rut Trifecta The Mountain Project Coach Emily Kipp If you are enjoying the content, please consider supporting our sponsors using the links below. Sponsor Links:  ⁠Run Trail Life⁠ - Run Trail Life Brings you casual apparel that lets you show off your love of trail running and ultrarunning while giving back to ensure that everyone has access to the beauty of nature for generations to come. With each item purchased, we donate $1 to Runners for Public Lands. Use code: midpackerpod to double the donation from your purchase.  Visit RunTrailLife.com to check out our line of Hats and Organic cotton T's. ⁠Freetrail⁠ - Bring Trail Culture with you everywhere you go and join an amazing community of extraordinary trail runners. Freetrail Pro membership is just $96 a year, giving you access to the Freetrail Slack community, training plans, weekly office hours, and so much more.  Visit Freetrail.com to sign up today. MidPacker Pod Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Patreon⁠Troy Meadows Links: ⁠Instagram⁠ | ⁠Twitter⁠ | ⁠Website⁠ | ⁠Strava⁠ Freetrail Links:⁠ Freetrail Pro⁠ | ⁠Patreon