Lisa Belanger | Pacific Crest Trail Thru-Hiker Turned Ultra Runner
Lisa Belanger has always loved adventuring in the wilderness, and her free time is dedicated to getting outside to hike, rock climb, camp, and dirt bike. Taking it to the next level, in 2019 she attempted a thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail which runs 4,270km across the USA from the border of Mexico to Canada. Partway through she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a complex autoimmune disease requiring insulin injections and constant blood sugar management. This ended her thru-hike at that time, but she returned in 2022, starting over at the Mexican border and successfully hiking all the way to Canada over 4.5 months. While she still had her trail legs, she went on to complete the Lost Soul 100 Mile Ultra, having never run any sort of marathon before. At the time she expected it to be a once-in-a-lifetime thing, but having discovered how amazing the ultra running community is, she’s reconsidering!Lisa works as the Director of Operations at the Rural Development Network, a non-profit organization that supports the sustainability of rural communities across Canada. She also recently joined the Board of Directors of the Great Divide Trail Association, volunteering her energy to help protect and maintain this incredible long-trail that runs more than 1,100km along the continental divide between Alberta and BC.Lisa became an entrepreneur when she launched Flat Out Feasts with her husband Colin in 2022 in an attempt to make backcountry adventures more accessible to those with specific dietary needs. Her freeze dried meals provide more consistent energy for longer, while allowing her to keep her blood sugar stable. This allowed her to have the proper nutrition for her 2022 thru-hike, and her ultra, and she hopes many others will take them along on their treks!Connect with Lisa:Flat Out FeastsResources we discussed in the episode:Favourite Mantra: You gotta wannaFavourite Place to Hike: California Sierra Nevadas; around Nordegg, ABBucket List Hike/Race: Great Divide Trail (btw AB & BC); Moab 240Favourite Endurance Book/Movie: Man on the Run by Mark TimmonsFavourite Post Hike Indulgence: Sugar Free Ice Cream & StrawberriesConnect with Carolyn & Kim:Email us with guest ideas: [email protected] Soles InstagramKim's InstagramKim's FacebookCarolyn's InstagramCarolyn's FacebookCarolyn's website (sign up for her free weekly newsletter on the homepage)We love hearing from you! Connect with us on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend, subscribe or leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts.