The Ultra Happy Podcast
Welcome to ’The Ultra Happy Podcast,’ where joy, ultrarunning, and insightful conversations converge. Join me, along with invited guests, athletes, and experts, as we explore the happiness found in both ultrarunning and everyday life. Delve into inspiring stories, practical tips, and the transformative power of adopting the ultrarunning mindset. As I document my journey crossing the 5 deserts, we invite you to share in the joy, resilience, and lessons learned on the trail and in our pursuit of happiness.
Episodes

15 minutes ago
S3 E6: The Moment I Made History
15 minutes ago
15 minutes ago
This is the one. The most emotional, the most epic—where we finally cross the finish line of the Atacama, the 5th and final desert, and close the chapter on a year-long journey.
I’ve officially made history as the first Mexican and Latin American woman to complete the Grand Slam Plus—and the 9th woman in the world to ever do it.
This episode has everything: adventure, struggle, new training routes, and yes—tears of pure happiness. The Ultra Happy Tears.
Thank you for cheering me on. I couldn’t have done it without you. Let’s relive this finish line together.

Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
S6 E2: Rebuilding from Zero: Atacama Recap + Big Race Reveal!
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
Wednesday Jun 18, 2025
This week, we're diving into Stages 3 & 4 of the Atacama Crossing—the raw, emotional miles, the lessons, and the laughs that carried me through some of the toughest terrain in the desert. But that’s not all…
I’m also sharing what it’s really been like rebuilding my fitness after a long, unexpected break due to surgery—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Spoiler: it’s not linear, but it’s full of fire.
And yes… we’ve got a brand-new race booked (AHHH!), and some seriously exciting plans in motion. We’ve missed you, and we’re back with more grit, more love, and more big desert dreams.
🎧 Tune in. Let’s catch up. It’s getting real again.
Follow Tania @taniatruns_theworld

Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
S6 E1: We’re Back!
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
Wednesday Jun 11, 2025
In today’s episode, we’re kicking off Season 6 with all the juicy updates from the Atacama Crossing to Cocodona250 and everything in between. I walk you through the emotional highs and sandy lows of Stages 1 & 2 of the Atacama Crossing, the final race in my 5-desert challenge.
Plus… I’m finally sharing a new project I’ve been secretly working on something powerful and especially close to my heart for all the women out there.
Get ready, this season is packed with stories, inspiration, and surprises. Let’s gooo!
Get in touch : @taniaruns_theworld
Subscribe to the channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Tania_Carmona
Follow: @Instintoexpediciones

Thursday Mar 20, 2025
S5 E11: This is the End
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
The day has finally come! After a year of sharing this journey with you, we’re heading out to race the final desert of the 4 Deserts Series – Atacama 🌵🏃♀️. This race will mark history as I become the first Mexican to complete this challenge!
But the adventure doesn’t stop there—after Atacama, I’ll be facing the ultimate test: Cocodona250, the race that started it all. We’ve prepared for this moment together, and now it’s time to stay strong and push through the final stretch.
Thank you for being part of this journey! Your support and incredible energy mean the world. Keep following, keep cheering, and most importantly—keep doing whatever makes you Ultra Happy! 💫🔥
See you in a few weeks!
Dont forget to Follow, Subscribe
IG: @taniaruns_theworld
Tiktok: @taniaruns_theworld

Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Join us for today’s episode—it’s almost time to say goodbye as I get ready to embark on the most important journey yet. After nearly a year of preparation, we’re finally heading to the Atacama Desert for an epic race, followed by Cocodona 250 just four weeks later.
As I continue my final preparations, I’m sharing all the gear that has carried me through the past 1,000 km across some of the toughest deserts in the world—plus plenty of stories that will make you laugh along the way. Don’t miss this one!

Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
As Tania prepares for her ultimate challenge—400 km from Phoenix to Flagstaff—we had an incredible opportunity to sit down with Steven Aderholt, race director of Cocodona 250. In this episode, we pick his brain on everything from course strategy to the most common mistakes runners should avoid.
Steven shares insights not just from a race director’s perspective but also as an experienced ultrarunner himself. We break down race rules, the uniqueness of the course, and the best strategies to tackle this epic journey. We also dive into how Aravaipa Running has revolutionized the ultra scene—turning races into full-blown experiences and using live streaming and social media to showcase the inspiring stories behind the miles.
This is a must-listen for anyone dreaming of Cocodona, long-distance ultras, or just looking for that next big challenge. Tune in and take notes—you won’t want to miss this one!
Check out Cocodona website for more info about this event: https://www.aravaiparunning.com/cocodona2/

Saturday Feb 15, 2025
S5 E8: From Zero to 21K – Andy’s First Half Marathon & Tania’s Next Big Leap!
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Saturday Feb 15, 2025
Today, we’re celebrating Andy’s incredible journey from zero to 21K in just one year! We’ll dive into the key lessons for new runners—from staying motivated and recovering well to actually enjoying the process of building up to longer distances.
Stepping outside our comfort zones is where the magic happens, and just like Andy did with his half marathon, Tania is about to take on her biggest challenge yet: the legendary Cocodona 250—a non-stop 400 km race across Phoenix. We’ll talk fears, dreams, and what it takes to push past limits.
Tune in for an inspiring episode packed with motivation, mindset shifts, and the joy of chasing big goals! 🎙️🏃♂️🔥

Thursday Feb 06, 2025
S5 E7 Feeling Like a Fraud on Race Day? Let’s Fix That!
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
Thursday Feb 06, 2025
You trained. You showed up. But suddenly, at the start line, that voice creeps in: “Do I really belong here?” 😨 Impostor syndrome is REAL in running, and today, we’re tackling it head-on!
🔥 We’ll break down:✅ Why even the strongest runners battle self-doubt✅ How to flip those nerves into fuel for the race✅ The ultimate mindset shift to OWN that start line
PLUS—we’re sending Andy off for his FIRST HALF MARATHON! 🏅 What’s going through his head? Will he crush it, or will the pressure get to him?
🚀 AND NEXT WEEK… we have a MASSIVE guest you won’t believe! Stay tuned for the big reveal!
🎧 Hit play NOW—your next race-day breakthrough starts here!