Today we’d like to introduce you to Jeanne Schaaf.
Jeanne, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Thank you for giving us this opportunity to showcase our Texas-based Trail Running company, Ultra Expeditions – where I am the co-founder.
I grew up in Cleveland and graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management/Hospitality Management. While working my first leadership job in food service in Columbus, Ohio, I was honored to be selected by PepsiCo to enter a leadership program that would embark on a lifetime of learning and opportunities. After working in Operations in Virginia Beach, I was promoted to the world headquarters in Dallas, Texas in my role as Operations Director for Yum! Brands.
During this time, I led numerous cross-functional teams to bring new products and processes to national launches within Research & Development, Operations and Training Development. Although I enjoyed a successful career for years, I always knew in my heart that I wanted to take a chance on opening my own company. I was ready to explore new opportunities as an entrepreneur and left my growing career to start my own consulting business.
While working out at a local gym, I struck up a conversation with then owner, Jason Gates, who fully embodies the entrepreneurial spirit. As avid runners and adventurers, we shared what we were looking for in the running community and what we felt was missing from our current running experiences. What started out as casual banter, quickly turned into a collaboration.
Soon, we decided to start our own running company and create races and events that focus on unique and challenging locations across Texas to help people create life-changing experiences. It became our goal to build a community that encourages camaraderie and self-discovery through adventure.
The idea was born. Now, how do we get started?
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Building a company from the ground up is never an easy task. Having an idea and an entrepreneurial spirit is one thing, executing the vision and putting in the hard work is where successes is found. Thankfully, both Jason and I are not strangers to putting in the work and staying humble.
One challenge has been proving that a running company is a legitimate BUSINESS and not just a “hobby.” Blood, sweat, tears, and lack of sleep, fuel our race weekends. We embrace it all for the sake of making our business thrive for our running community, our team, and for ourselves.
One of the largest challenges we’ve faced is attempting to change an industry-wide mindset of racing being entirely about personal records, medals, podium finishes, and “swag.” We’ve built this company based on our strong belief that running is purely a vehicle to teach life lessons.
Running is about endurance, sticking with something, and learning to put in the work to accomplish ANYTHING in life – not just this one race. Failing is important, getting that “Did Not Finish” will teach a person more about themself than any personal record will. Learning from running about the struggle, the hard work, the pain, and understanding just how far you can push yourself. Knowing how it feels to succeed because you stuck with the training and put in the work. Our tagline, “Built to Endure” embodies all these struggles and triumphs. It’s much more than a medal or podium finish and we’ve built a company that celebrates that – quite literally with each and every one of our runners at the finish line, no matter the outcome of their race.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
After years of working for a Fortune 500 company and pushing myself to excel in spaces that are generally not accessible to women, I learned to love the challenge. I enjoy pushing myself to create, collaborate, implement and launch new ideas. I knew that my success was found in the people and teams that I developed, supported, and had the pleasure to work alongside.
Once Jason and I committed to starting a company, we stepped away from our jobs and spent a full year flipping the script on what a “career” was for us. We scouted trails in remote places, we drove all over Texas (literally), we slept in our cars, we met countless amazing Texas State Park staff, and we built races – one by one – in scenic, beautiful, destinations across the state. Slowly and carefully, we also built our own team, hand selecting each person for the roles they so wonderfully occupy today. As we always have believed, our success is in a large part due to the hard work and capabilities of the people we are fortunate enough to call our team.
Together, we pushed forward and created a company based on delivering an experience that far exceeds the goals of crossing a finish line.
With three types of unique races, there’s something for every runner.
- The Eco Trail Racestake you through the World’s most spectacular ecoregions, all in Texas. All Eco Trail Races are part of our Ultra Cupand Eco Challenge
- The Urban Trail Races are races run on a combination of concrete, gravel and dirt trails, close to a major urban or suburban commercial area.
- The Hybrid Trail Racesare the perfect mix of a destination Eco Race and an Urban Trail Race and are run on dirt trails in State Parks, close to a town or city.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I read and listen to anything that educates on the science of human physiology all the way to developing training programs. I also like books that help explain how running challenges your mental state, setting goals, and creating habits.
Here are a few books we have used within our company. Advanced Marathoning, Hal Koerner’s Field Guide to Ultrarunning: Training for an Ultramarathon, Advanced Road Racing, The Lore of Running, Nutrition Periodization, Atomic Habits
Basically, anything that helps me to think differently about physical limitations vs. pushing through from a mental state. We limit ourselves in our minds the most! Our bodies, with proper training, are capable of a whole lot more than we realize if we just set the goal, put in the work, and trust in our mental ability!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ultraexpeditions.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ultraexpeditions
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/UltraExpeditions
