What's this episode about?

In this raw and honest conversation, Robbie and Justin open up about the mental and physical battles they've faced — from grinding through ultramarathon training to confronting the harder terrain of mental health. Whether you're chasing a finish line or just trying to get through the week, this one's for you.

• Mental health awareness for men — breaking the stigma and why asking for help is a strength, not a weakness
• Innovative training methods — how overspeed training and elevation work can unlock performance you didn't know you had
• Masculinity & confidence — what it really means to show up strong, in sport and in life
• Balancing the grind — keeping your mind right while pushing your body to its limits
• Personal stories — Robbie and Justin share their journeys through injury, mental health struggles, and what pulled them through

• Your mental fitness matters as much as your physical fitness — train both
• Overspeed and elevation training aren't just for elites; they can reshape how any runner moves and thinks
• Confidence isn't something you're born with — it's built through hard things
• Vulnerability among men isn't weakness. Talking is how we heal

You don't have to white-knuckle it alone. Real strength means reaching out.

🆘 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (US)

• 🧠 Movember Foundation — men's health, mental health & suicide prevention

• 💪 Man Therapy — a bold, no-nonsense mental health resource built specifically for men

• 🤝 Mental Health America — screening tools, resources, and finding local support

• 😟 Anxiety and Depression Association of America — resources, therapist finder, and support for anxiety and depression

Lace up and tune in — this episode of Golden Hour Adventures goes deep into the world of ultra running with a special guest who knows what it takes to push beyond every limit. Justin and Robbie sit down with Carrie Hammond to unpack race experiences, the mental and physical grit required to compete at the highest level, and what's on the horizon for trail running.

Whether you're a seasoned ultra runner or just starting to dream about your first 50K, this conversation will leave you inspired and better prepared for whatever the trail throws your way.

• Carrie's ultra running journey — her background, defining races, and what keeps her coming back to the start line
• Race strategy and pacing — how to structure your effort across 50, 100, or more miles.
• Overcoming setbacks — the mental frameworks that separate runners who finish from runners who don't
• Race streaming and coverage innovations — how technology is changing the way fans and families follow athletes in real time
• Races to watch — upcoming events and athletes making waves in the trail and ultra community

• Pacing in ultras is as much about patience as it is about fitness — going out conservative is rarely the wrong call
• Every DNF or bad race holds a lesson worth more than a finish line photo
• The ultra community is growing fast, and so is the infrastructure around it — live tracking and streaming are bringing the sport to a whole new audience

Golden Hour Adventures is produced for runners, by runners. If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs a little trail magic today.

Episode Summary

What does military service have in common with sleep science and adventure racing? For Rob Sweetman, everything. In this episode, Rob takes us through a remarkable life arc from the discipline and brotherhood of military service to the lab, where he studied what happens to the human body and mind during sleep deprivation, and ultimately to the starting line, where he now directs adventure races that push participants to their limits in the best possible way.

Rob opens up about the invisible weight many veterans and first responders carry home with them, and why conventional approaches to mental health don't always reach the people who need them most. He shares how nature, physical challenge, and genuine community can do what a waiting room sometimes can't — meet people where they are and help them rediscover who they are.

Whether you're a first responder looking for your next challenge, someone navigating the terrain of mental health, or just a fan of humans doing hard things for good reasons, this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

What You'll Hear

• Rob's path from military service into sleep science — and why the two are more connected than you'd think
• How chronic sleep deprivation affects resilience, decision-making, and emotional regulation
• The moment Rob decided to channel his experience into creating adventure races
• Why veterans and first responders often thrive in outdoor, challenge-based environments
• The role of community in sustained mental health and healing
• How adventure racing strips away the noise and reconnects people to their own strength
• Practical takeaways for using nature and movement as mental health tools

About Rob Sweetman

Rob Sweetman is a military veteran, sleep scientist, and adventure race director whose life's work sits at the intersection of human performance and mental wellness. He is passionate about creating experiences that foster resilience, connection, and healing particularly for those who have served.

Connect & Resources

• Follow Golden Hour Adventures for upcoming race events and episode updates
• Interested in racing? Visit Ryan Larkin Invitational Adventure Race 2027
• Mental health resources for veterans and first responders: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) · Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, Press 1

If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it. And if you're a veteran or first responder sitting on the fence about getting outside this one's for you