Episode 3 with Joshua T. Stevens of Estes Park, Colorado

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) United States Army & Professional Mountain, Ultra and Trail Runner whose awards & decorations include the Purple Heart and Two Bronze Stars; 2019 Badwater Ultra Cup Champion

Joshua, a U.S. Army Ranger served in a variety of Infantry Units and Army Special Operations Forces to include the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division and the 75th Ranger Regiment.

He served numerous combat deployments in over two decades of service. Directly exposed to numerous roadside bombs during combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom which required two spinal surgeries.

Informed by the lead neurosurgeon that conducted his operation in 2011 that he would not run again he then developed substance abuse disorder of opioids following six years of a heavy pain management program which allowed him to continue to deploy with his unit.

Yet he later then went on to run his first 50k distance on the Art Loeb Trail in Pisgah National Forest on his 44th Birthday three years after he was informed he'd not run again.

This incredible human signed his first professional contract at age 45 and went on to achieve yet more staggering efforts:

In 2017: Ran 121.3 miles in 24 hours on a treadmill at 5,300 feet above sea level at Boulder Running Company to raise money and awareness for Herren Project.

In 2020: Ran 100 miles in 22 hours 07 minutes and 07 seconds around Lake Estes, Estes Park, Colorado at an average elevation of 7,522 feet above sea level with over 4,700 feet in cumulative vertical gain to raise funding and awareness for the Red Bull Non Profit Wings for Life. Executed this in conjunction with pro climber Quinn Brett who fell over 100 feet while she was climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and is now paralyzed from the waist down.

Has numerous top 10 and podium finishes in some of the most exclusive ultra marathons in North America to include winning the Bear Chase 100k in 2016, first male Badwater Cape Fear (2019) and completing "the double" Badwater 135 and Leadville 100 Trail Run within 30-days of each other in 2020.

To find out more about the Wings For Life foundation please visit here: https://www.wingsforlife.com