High Performance Denim And Laughs | Fiery Embers Guest: Garett Graubins
Let’s face it, endurance sports can be serious business. We track splits, analyze cadence, worry over fueling, and debate the marginal gains of carbon plate shoes. But what if we put that all aside for a minute and just… laughed? That’s exactly what Fiery Embers, an endurance sports humor podcast hosted by Jason Bahamundi, sets out to do — and its latest episode with Garett Graubins is a hilarious reminder that endurance sports are supposed to be fun.
Forget FTP tests and pace charts. This episode celebrates high performance denim, awkward gear choices, and the joy of human connection. If you’ve ever worn a button-down to a 5K or debated the Oscar worthiness of Tom Hardy mid-run, you’re in the right place.
The Birth of High Performance Denim
Garett Graubins didn’t set out to make fashion history. But one late night, with a running streak on the line and a dress shirt still buttoned from a business dinner, he found himself on an elevated trail in jeans and dress shoes. The result? Two miles, a skyline view, and the accidental birth of “high performance denim.”
Jason, never one to shy away from a bold wardrobe, responded with his own tales of running in a Mets button-down. It’s not about moisture-wicking; it’s about making it happen. Whether you’re in tech fabric or thrift store chic, the real performance gear is showing up.
Soundtracks from the Summit to the Sidewalk
As the conversation drifts into audio territory, Jason and Garett explore what gets them through the miles. Guess what? It’s not your average Spotify playlist.
Garett’s go-to? Bluegrass, the Grateful Dead’s “Ripple,” and Nathaniel Rateliff. Think mountaintop meditation with a beat. Jason, on the other hand, prefers the natural soundtrack: birdsong, footfalls, and the occasional internal scream of “Why am I doing this?” For longer races, nature wins. For driving? Hip-hop all the way.
It’s a reminder that no matter how you choose to tune in or tune out, running is a full-body experience — ears included.
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Race Stories, Jorts, and Flip-Flops
You know what’s better than hitting a PR? Seeing someone crush a race in jorts and flip-flops. Jason recalls a legend at a 70.3 triathlon who did just that, with custom clip-in flip-flops, no less.
From denim-inspired running shorts to trail shirts with more holes than fabric, this episode is a sartorial tribute to the creative decisions endurance athletes make. It’s not about looking fast. It’s about being yourself while having a blast.
Trail Etiquette and Wild Hypotheticals
Etiquette on the trail? Garett’s got it covered with the now-famous two-finger wave and pre-dawn high-fives. Because if you’re out before sunrise, you deserve more than a nod…you deserve celebration.
As for run-ins with wildlife? Garett says bring on the mountain lion. It’s a better matchup than a bear or shark, especially if you’ve got a bike as a buffer. Jason takes the conversation in an even wilder direction, invoking The Revenant and demanding Oscar justice for Tom Hardy. Shawshank over Forrest Gump? Discuss.
Baseballs, Buckner, and the Beauty of Connection
Among the laughs and layers of denim, the heart of this episode comes in the form of a baseball. As a kid at a White Sox vs. Red Sox doubleheader, Garett watched in awe as Bill Buckner tossed a game-ending ball his way — only to have a drunken fan intercept it. What happened next? Buckner himself emerged and demanded the fan return it. Buckner made sure Garett left with the ball in hand.
It’s a small story, but it echoes the big reason we all lace up: human connection. The finish lines matter, sure but the moments between are what stick.
Laughter is the Best Training Partner
Fiery Embers isn’t your average endurance podcast. This is a podcast filled with humor and laughter with a side of endurance sports. It won’t tell you how to qualify for Boston or how many gels to eat per hour. But it will remind you why you started running, biking, or swimming in the first place: because it’s fun. Because it’s freeing. Because even when you’re wearing jeans or yelling about movie awards, you’re part of a community.
So the next time you’re feeling overwhelmed by metrics, turn up the volume on an episode like this. Let yourself laugh. Let yourself be weird. That might just be the endurance fuel you need.
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