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Listening When Your Body Speaks: Keith Overbay on A Collapsed Lung, 100-Milers, and Problem Solving
Description
In this episode of the Dirt & Vert Podcast, Matt and I sit down with a longtime friend in the Southeast trail community, and two-time No Business 100 finisher, Keith Overbay.
Keith’s journey is one a lot of us can relate to—starting out in his 30s to get back into shape after a divorce, finding the trail community through Nashville's Dirtbags group, and eventually tackling brutal 100-milers like No Business and Cruel Jewel. But earlier this year, Keith went through something none of us saw coming. While casually riding his bike through Nashville to cheer on friends at the marathon, he felt a bad side stitch that turned out to be a spontaneous collapsed lung.
We dive deep into Keith’s medical scare, the reality of having a tube put in your chest and getting surgery to rough up lung tissue, and the patience it takes to rebuild after back-to-back setbacks. We also talk about the mental grit required to survive 32 hours of hallucinations on a 100-mile course, learning to stop making excuses during 24-hour loops, and why ultra running is the single greatest tool for emotional growth and problem solving.
Key Takeaways
Finding the Outlet: How a life pivot and divorce in Keith’s 30s sparked a return to running that eventually led straight into the ultra community.
The Spontaneous Pneumothorax: The wild story of riding a bike, feeling what seemed like a minor cramp, and ending up in the ER with a collapsed lung requiring surgery and chest tubes.
Listening to Your Body: Recognizing when something isn't normal pain, trusting your gut, and seeking medical care before a bad situation turns deadly.
Hallucinations at Mile 80: What happens to the mind after 30 hours in the woods—from imaginary hot dog carts to seeing pirate ship masts in the trees.
Problem Solving for 30 Hours: Keith’s perspective on why ultra running isn't just physical—it’s an ongoing test in staying patient, troubleshooting issues, and keeping a positive mindset.
No Business 100: Looking back at the grit, weather, and deep relationships that make finishing a mountain 100 so meaningful