About Steven
Steven Kornhaus is a U.S. Army veteran, trail and ultra runner, UESCA-certified ultra running coach, and the creator behind the YouTube channel UltraTrailSteven. He discovered trail running through a Billy Yang film and quickly fell in love with the sport. Over the past seven years, he’s completed numerous ultras and has a deep passion for helping others find joy and transformation on the trails.
As a coach, Steven specializes in injury prevention and sustainable training, and is also an Ovarian Hormone Profiles (OHP) in Sport Specialist. His approach is deeply personal—after undergoing a total hip replacement on his left side, he knows the mental and physical challenges of recovery and rebuilding. Before his running journey, Steven served as an Executive Officer in a U.S. Army tank company, bringing leadership, resilience, and discipline into everything he does.
Steven lives in Colorado with his wife (also an ultra runner) and their four kids, embracing the chaos and beauty of family life—one mile at a time.
Steven was also the host of The Adventure Jogger Podcast, where he shared the stories of runners from all walks of life—from elites to back-of-the-packers—celebrating the heart, grit, and humor of the ultra community.
About Valan
Valan Kornhaus is a wife, mother of four, trail and ultra runner, U.S. Army veteran, and a passionate mental health advocate. With a B.A. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University, Valan blends real-world experience with clinical knowledge to support athletes in building mental resilience.
As an experienced ultra runner of five years, she has completed numerous ultramarathons—and also knows firsthand the emotional challenges of a DNF. Her journey inspired her to author Breaking Through: A DBT Workbook for Athletes, a resource designed to help runners and endurance athletes navigate the mental side of training, racing, and recovery.
Whether you're chasing a finish line or facing personal roadblocks, Valan is deeply committed to helping others break through self-doubt, manage performance anxiety, and develop the mental strength to go the distance.