Ep 78: Grit, Mountains, and Medicine: Inside the Mind of Trailblazer Dr. Jasmin Paris

On today’s show, I’m thrilled to welcome Dr. Jasmin Paris—a true powerhouse in the worlds of veterinary medicine and ultra-running. 

Jasmin’s got a serious academic pedigree: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Veterinary Science, PhD, and membership in the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Jasmin is a leading expert in small animal medicine, but honestly, it’s her jaw-dropping athletic feats that leave most of us in awe.

Jasmin is one of the most accomplished female ultra runners, particularly in Fell Running, on the planet. Just this March, she made history as the first woman ever to complete the brutal Barkley Marathons in Tennessee, a 100-mile monster with a 60-hour cutoff that only 20 people have ever conquered in its 38-year run. And that’s not all—back in 2019, Jasmin won the Montane Spine Race, a 268-mile winter ultramarathon across England’s Pennine Way, breaking the record by over 12 hours, all while expressing breast milk and caring for her 14-month-old daughter. She’s also crushed records in the 2016 British Fell Running Championship and the Bob Graham Round, blazing through that gruelling 66-mile challenge in an incredible 15 hours and 24 minutes.

From her days as a vet student, captivated by animals and the science behind their care, to her relentless pursuit of the next peak in mountain running, Jasmin is the embodiment of grit and passion. Today, we’ll dig into her incredible journey, exploring how she’s balanced—and thrived—at the intersection of veterinary medicine and ultra-running, and the lessons she’s picked up along the way.

So sit back, grab a cup of tea and enjoy my conversation with the one-and-only Dr. Jasmin Paris.

Episode Links

Dr Jasmin’s blog: https://jasminfellrunner.blogspot.com/

Follow Dr. Jasmin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminparis_fellrunner/

The Green Runners: https://thegreenrunners.com/

Episode Outline

00:01:00] - Introduction to Dr. Jasmin Paris’s Dual Passions

[00:04:45] - Discovering the Call to Veterinary Medicine

[00:13:20] - First Steps into the World of Ultramarathons

[00:21:30] - Breaking Records at the Montane Spine Race

[00:28:10] - Preparing for the Barkley Marathons Challenge

[00:39:15] - Becoming the First Woman to Finish the Barkley

[00:47:20] - Lessons in Resilience from Running and Vet Medicine

[00:53:00] - The Key to Work-Life Balance and Recovery

[01:00:05] - The Power of Teamwork and Community

[01:05:50] - Final Advice for New Graduates