The Human Adventure
The Human Adventure
Jake Bushman
Redemption Miles: Addiction, DNFs, And Purpose with John Calabrese
48 minutes Posted Mar 5, 2026 at 7:00 am.
Opening Hook & Theme
Host Welcome & Context
Meet John: Names, Vibes, Ultrarunning
Origin Story: Virginia, Navy, 9/11
Anxiety, Alcohol, And Finding Running
Divorce, Sobriety, And Fatherhood
Dance Dad Life And Training Chaos
From PT To Loving The Miles
Discovering Ultras And First Big Leaps
Crews, Pacers, And Going Solo
DNFs: Mental Battles And Lessons
Competing vs. Finishing Your Own Race
Wild Stories: Lost Trails And Wins
The Wild Oak 100 Strategy
Grassroots Races vs. Big Brands
Regional Races And Future Goals
Road Heart, Trail Soul
Current Challenges And Balance
Advice For The Stuck And Sober-Curious
Rapid Fire & Personal Preferences
Define Adventure & Closing
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Show notes
#214 - What if the lowest point isn’t a dead end but a doorway? That’s the charge at the heart of our conversation with ultrarunner and dance dad John Calabrese, who traded alcohol and anxiety for sunrise miles, grassroots races, and a community that made space for the mess and the miracle. John takes us from Navy service during 9/11 to the long, uneasy middle where divorce and two DUIs forced a reckoning—and how running became a daily anchor, not a quick fix. We go deep on the mental game t...