Kaylin Goepper is a strength and running coach, mother of two, and the subject of Ultra Mom - a new short documentary film now available. Based outside Cincinnati, Ohio, Kaylin went from not being able to run a mile to completing her first 50K in under two years - all while raising a family and building her own business. 

Continue reading to learn more about Kaylin’s journey and what drives her, as we highlight Kaylin Goepper in our May Ambassador Spotlight.

Note: In this month’s spotlight, we’ve shared a glimpse into Kaylin Goepper beyond topics of Ultra Mom. If you find Kaylin as inspiring as we do, you can learn more about her by watching Ultra Mom and hearing from her on our latest episode of Without Compromise.

How did you discover Athletic Brewing Company? 

About five years ago, my husband gave up alcohol. I was pursuing a more active lifestyle myself, but I still loved the taste of beer. We discovered Athletic Brewing around that time. Athletic fit perfectly into my training goals, and has been a part of my life ever since! 

You went from not running at all to completing a 50K in under two years. What finally made you want to lace up?

For years I avoided running because I was worried about my pace. I thought you had to be faster than a certain pace to be a runner, and I let the fear of judgment get to me. Once I started pursuing my own athletic goals, I realized I wasn’t doing it for anyone else, so why did I care? That mental shift made it a lot easier to tune out all the noise. I’d already been doing adventure races for years, so I knew my body could handle long efforts. I am more drawn to distance than speed, which made training feel natural rather than an impossible grind. 

You’re a strength and running coach who works specifically with moms. What drove you in that direction? 

It started during my second pregnancy, which was during the spring of 2020. Gyms were shut down, and I found myself lifting weights at home just to cope. Not to change how I looked, but to feel better mentally. That was the first time in my life I’d exercised purely for my mental health - and it was a revelation. I thought, why isn’t anyone talking about this?!? That became the message I wanted to share. 

I went back and got my master’s degree while the kids were little, and eventually opened my own coaching company focused on helping moms feel like themselves again. That is what keeps me going: Being the support system I wish I’d had. 

What has been your favorite part of being part of the Athletic Ambassador Program? 

Definitely the support system. I talk to some of the other Athletic Ambassadors almost weekly. It is incredible to be connected with a group of goal-oriented people who live similar lifestyles - and who understand the desire for non-alcoholic options. While I haven't met any fellow ambassadors in person yet, I’m hoping to change that this year! 

The documentary about you, Ultra Mom, is available now to watch. What do you hope people take away from the film?

One thing the film doesn't fully capture is how much I've had to learn to prioritize my time. No one is going to carve that out for you. When you have kids and a career, you have to plan differently. I map out my entire week around my training blocks. Half the time it feels like it won't come together, but it always does.

My husband understands how essential staying active is for my mental and physical health. It's what makes me feel most like myself, and he’s always supportive of me carving out this time. We share this mindset completely: We both love setting goals and staying in motion.

What do you and your family do to recharge when you’re not training? 

We just love being outside. Mountain biking as a family, climbing trips, those kinds of things. But honestly, we also do really normal stuff. We bake and read together, and I’ll sew when I have the time. I think people who see the film might expect our lives to look intense all the time. But most evenings we’re just playing in the backyard or watching movies like everyone else. 

What next challenge is on the horizon for you? 

Right now I am focused on my strength training. My IT band was a real problem during the 50k, and I’ve learned I need a stronger base before I push the distance. The goal is a 50-miler in early 2027. I have some adventure races this fall too, and I’m still deciding whether to fit in another 50k before the year ends. 

Past that? My husband mentioned 100 miles in the film. I’ve thought about it, but I honestly can’t imagine the weekly training volume that would require. But I said I’d never do more than a marathon, and then I did a 50k, so I’ve learned not to make promises!

What is your favorite Athletic Brew?

Run Wild is a classic and my go-to, but I love all of the seasonal releases too.  Fancy Like is so good, and I really liked the pickle brew when that came out. The sours always surprise me in the best way, and most recently I’ve been loving the cocktail-inspired brews.