Running 100 Miles AND Managing a Successful Charter Business with Captain Tony Young | Ep. #981

·1 hr 11 min·5 clips

A charter captain saw a runner collapse after 100 miles and decided that looked like a good time.

Host Tom Rowland interviews Captain Tony Young, a professional angler and charter business owner who recently completed the Keys 100-mile ultramarathon. Tony explains that his running journey began as training for a Wyoming elk hunt, leading to a marathon and then the Keys 50-mile race. After seeing hundred-mile finishers at that event, he was inspired to attempt the longer distance. He owns Forever Young Charters, which operates three boats in the Florida Keys with plans to expand to Key Largo and Key West, specializing in charter fishing and spearfishing. Tony guides up to 280 days a year and details his daily routine, waking at 3-4 AM, fishing all day, and running in the evening heat as 'cross-training' that improves his on-water stamina. For the hundred-mile race, his longest training run was only 20 miles, relying more on listening to his body than a strict plan. During the race, he consumed Uncrustables, pickles, and electrolyte additives, avoiding long breaks. At mile 95, he experienced severe physical distress, including blacking out and vomiting, but pushed through by listening to David Goggins' audio. Tony shares a profound moment at mile 60 where he felt his deceased grandfather running beside him. He credits his wife Alyssa as his crew chief for her support during the race. Tony discusses future goals, including the Badwater 135 and the Cocodona 250, and how he balances training with business by treating running as a non-negotiable 'pillar' in his schedule. He also connects breathing techniques from spearfishing to his running efficiency and advocates for minimalist footwear based on the book 'Born to Run'.

As heard by us

A 100-mile run becomes a grounded talk about fatigue, fishing, work, and the next hard day.

Tony Young's Keys 100 run gives the episode its clearest shape: the moment a person hits a hard mental edge, then learns that edge might sit a little farther out next time.

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Why you'd press play

You get the Keys 100 as a practical reset for days when the first mile, the bait, or the workday refuses to cooperate.

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