#135 - Nick Cornell, Founder of Trailhead Athlete Management

The Steep Stuff Podcast

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4d ago 1:13:55

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The sport we love is growing up, and that’s a good thing—if we build it right. I’m joined by athlete and agent Nick Cornell of Trailhead Athlete Management to dig into what “professional” actually looks like in trail running: livable contracts, smarter bonuses, real anti-doping, and a path that lets athletes focus on performance without losing the grassroots soul that makes this community special.
Nick shares how he went from thru-hiking the Triple Crown to winning Montana 50Ks and managing athletes who train 20 hours a week while juggling logistics, content, deliverables, and travel. We unpack what brands want beyond results—genuine people with presence—and why short trail deserves more investment alongside ultras. We also talk hard numbers: why most pros still sit in the low five figures, how a league minimum could change that, and where healthcare and PT stipends fit in. If you’ve wondered whether rumors of huge salaries are real, or how to negotiate your first deal, Nick gives grounded, practical insight.
We go deep on legitimacy and the World Mountain and Trail Championships—federations offering team camps and big bonuses, the realities of kit rules, and why national team results should be bonused just like track. From out-of-competition testing to non-endemic sponsors—cars, banks, tourism boards, food brands—we explore the funding models that could unlock full-time careers without sidelining local races. The takeaway is hopeful: keep the watermelon at aid stations and the big stages on the calendar. With smarter structure, everyone wins.
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Chapters

1. Welcome And Audio Note (00:00:00)

2. Nick’s Path From Hiker To Agent (00:03:08)

3. Soccer Roots And Athletic Background (00:06:30)

4. Discovering Trail Running And Early Races (00:09:59)

5. Montana Scene And Local Culture (00:14:45)

6. Why Start Trailhead Athlete Management (00:16:25)

7. What An Agent Actually Does (00:19:35)

8. The Mission: Fair Pay And Careers (00:22:15)

9. Contracts, Longevity, And Post-Career Paths (00:24:55)

10. Relationship Building With Brands (00:28:35)

11. Contract Season Advice For Athletes (00:30:45)

12. Short Trail Versus Ultra: Brand Value (00:34:42)

13. Money Talk: Salaries And Minimums (00:39:30)

14. Healthcare, Testing, And Who Pays (00:44:05)

15. World Championships: Takeaways (00:48:10)

16. Federations, Bonuses, And Brand Buy-In (00:52:30)

17. Calendars, Courses, And What “World Champion” Means (00:57:05)

18. Growth, Media, And Mainstream Attention (01:00:10)

19. Will Grassroots Races Survive (01:03:40)

20. US vs Europe Contracts And Culture (01:06:10)

21. Transparency, NDAs, And Pay Data (01:10:20)

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