The GJBeat
The GJBeat birthed itself to showcase exceptional people in and around Roanoke, VA. An opportunity to get to know adventure athletes, ultra-runners, cyclists, professionals, etc. Sometimes we know so little about those we consider great friends. Let's use this platform to tell some amazing stories.
Episodes
54 episodes
Justin VanBlaricom!! #NokeVanCo #FishburnPerk #chasingdreams
Justin left his lucrative career in the financial industry following a passion to co-found Noke Van Co in Roanoke. It started small with explosive growth in a very short time. His vans are a dream for anyone who loves adventur...
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Episode 54
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2:21:55
Molly Bullington! #BlueRidgeRacing #deerhunter #texastavern
Molly Bullington finally made it here for an excellent conversation. She tells of how she gained ownership of Blue Ridge Racing which is the management company for Roanoke's largest running events. She has likely given you a high f...
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Episode 53
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2:06:58
Matt Thompson #FleetFeetRoanoke #Smiles4Tab #goals
This is the first official repeat guest on the GJBeat. Matt's life turned upside down in early 2022 and he was instantly thrown into the local spotlight. Since the cycling death of his wife, Tabatha, life has changed in so many diff...
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Episode 52
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2:45:04
Carrie Cousins! #digitalmarketing #running #awesomesauce
Carrie Cousins is a writer, designer and marketer in Roanoke with a strong bond to the region and its growth. Having worked in media, marketing, and education, she's passionate about seeing people here grow and thrive. She's currently the Direc...
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Episode 51
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2:10:22
Kathryn Van Orden! #hollinscoach #frozentoe #ACLtimesthree
Third time's a charm for Kat Van Orden(we hope!). She is a self proclaimed newbie of trail running while showing the results of a seasoned champ. Kat got the victory at the 2023 Frozen Toe trail race immediately followed up by an i...
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Episode 50
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1:16:06
Dick Howard!! #grandfatherofmountainbiking #lawnornaments
Dick Howard and I had never met and this was the best of connections. He is considered to be the Grandfather of Mountain Biking in Virginia. Why that self proclaimed title? You'll find out not just about Dick's passion for cyc...
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Episode 49
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2:57:27
Mark Long! #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #Triguy
Mark Long has been on the future guest list for quite a while. He's a very well known and respected athlete around Roanoke and beyond for his genuine personality and exceptional race finishes. Mark's latest life adventure centers ar...
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Episode 48
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2:13:35
Ron Glowczynski! #americanflyers #PennState #lifejourney
Hop in the saddle for this endurance length podcast with all things bike with Ron Glowczynski as he tells his tale from being trained as a mechanic in a pro shop, getting roped into racing triathlons, biathlons and bikes in college and ultimate...
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Episode 47
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2:48:10
Cloudsplitter 100 Miler finishers and their stories!
This group began their journey of 100 miles on feet at 8am on a recent Saturday morning in Norton VA at the Cloudsplitter races. They finished Sunday just before midnight with this huge accomplishment. The experience is difficult be...
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Episode 46
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2:09:05
Mark Taylor! #troutunlimited #oregon #carvinscove
Mark Taylor made his way across the country from Oregon while stopping at Northwestern for his education and spending some years abroad in the Navy. The Roanoke Times called his number in 1998 and he chose to remain here. He's now t...
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Episode 45
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2:11:03
George Martin! #Afghanistanengineer #snowcreek #givingback
George piqued my interest in a presentation he gave about his work as an engineer in Afghanistan and experiencing the sudden evacuation in 2021. He has and continues to travel the world with Antarctica next to complete his mission to vis...
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Episode 44
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1:15:07
Scott Moir!! #WestPoint #VBRironman #RoaTriClub
So much can be said about 'Army Brat', West Point Graduate and self proclaimed neurotic triathlete Scott Moir. Scott made his way to Roanoke and eventually discovered his relentless passion of being a triathlete and stacking up some impr...
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Episode 43
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2:41:04
Matt Thompson #TeamTab #runningRoanoke
Matt Thompson left his career in biotechnology to try his hand as General Manager for Fleet Feet Roanoke. On the surface this may seem like an odd transition. However the path becomes clear as we discover his business experience, passion for fi...
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Episode 42
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2:17:07
Jim Casey!! #obgyn #ultradoc #livingthelife
Dr Jim Casey and I met thanks to ultra and pub running around the Roanoke region. His medical background specializes in obstetrics and gynecology with Carilion Clinic. His passion for adventure, family and travel compliments his lov...
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Episode 41
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2:23:50
Jeff Vockrodt!! #patentlawyer #worldtraveler #coolguy
Jeff talks all about his life as a traveler and patent attorney while calling Roanoke his home at the moment. We met a couple of years back and I knew he was someone I'd want to know more about. It's unlikely for most of us to...
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Episode 40
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2:39:17
Chad Riddleberger! #firstresponder #work/playhard #localhero
Chad is currently Battalion Chief at Roanoke City Fire-EMS with an extensive background in public service. He's a competitor in everything he involves himself in. He gives a very detailed vision into the life of a first responder an...
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Episode 39
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2:52:44
Seth Coulton Thomas!! #ultrarunner #insuranceguy #SCT
Seth was born and raised just down the street in Boones Mill. The twists and turns of life eventually led him to discovering his huge passion for running. Like most, he started small and is now running ultra marathons a few times ea...
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Episode 38
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1:20:15
Sam Dean!! samdeanphotography #journalism #deepthoughts
Sam Dean is a photographer/videographer and adventurer with curiosities that have taken him around the world. He spent many of his young years in Latin America and eventually landed at the University of Montana amongst other great places...
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Episode 37
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1:55:29
Caleb Williamson!! #Hammer&ForgeBrewery #FromAKtoVA #BoonesMill
Caleb is the founder and owner of Hammer and Forge Brewery in Boones Mill, VA. His story leading up to now living in Boones Mill is pretty interesting. He was born in Alaska and has spent his life in many parts of the country. ...
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Episode 36
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2:01:31
Marty Winn! #alltrailschallenge #fitnessjourney #firstultra #rocketsurgeon
Marty calls the Roanoke region his home now while spending his childhood near NASA in Florida. He became know in local circles through the very labor intensive All Trails Challenge which was a big hit for those trying to span nearly every...
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Episode 35
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1:33:50
Raven-Robert Kraft!! #45+yearstreak #southbeach #musicman
Raven has run 8 miles on South Beach Miami every single day since Jan 1, 1975 for one of the longest streaks in the world. Robert Kraft is quite a personality around Miami Beach and continues his ritual each day starting at the 5th Street...
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Episode 34
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1:31:47
Jay Proffitt!! #racephotographer #LynchburgUniversity #aguyyouwanttoknow
Jay has been around foot races for quite a few years now. He has become quite a personality around the Roanoke area for the quality of his race photography. Lynchburg is his hometown and he spends his days designing course material...
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Episode 33
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1:40:24
Nancy Hans!! #doingtoughstuff #roanokelove #sweetheart
Nancy Hans is a phenomenal athlete and career professional with so much to talk about. She has been a trained triathlete for many years and found her way to Roanoke from Maryland some years ago. Her profession is an interesting one ...
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Episode 32
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1:37:42
Rachel Spaulding!! #ultraelite #coach #obsessedwiththesport
Rachel Spaulding is taking her ultra running to the highest of levels. She has won more than half of the ultras she has competed in so far, including a 100 miler. Rachel had just returned from Lake Tahoe and placed in the top 10 at ...
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Episode 31
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1:36:25
Ricky & Sharon Scott!! #CR24 #crookedroadrunningclub #supermansurvivor
This conversation took place at just the right time. The Crooked Road 24 Hour Ultra is upon us with Ricky as race director. He and Sharon are well known in the local running community as two in the group of founding members of the C...
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Episode 30
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1:32:23
