Ultrarunner, Arizona Desert Native, Outdoor Lover–meet Johnny Ramos

Johnny was raised in Congress, Arizona - a small desert town where the sun is relentless and the landscape teaches you early that there’s no hiding from the elements.

From riding bikes through open desert to wrestling mats that demanded discipline and grit, Johnny has always been drawn to doing hard things. That drive led him to ultra running - and ultimately to winning the Saddles 100.

Now, he’s preparing for one of the most demanding desert races in the world: TSP Solo, the 340-mile run from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. For Johnny, the trail isn’t escape - it’s where he feels most honest, most clear, most himself.

"There’s no hiding from the sun and the heat in Arizona. I use Utu before every training run and race. It’s been a game changer on my skin health and tattoo appearance"

Let’s start at the beginning. Where did you grow up, and what was your relationship with the outdoors like as a kid?

I grew up in a super small town called Congress in Arizona. Growing up I played outside with my older brother and his friends all the time. We would ride bikes around town, take ATV’s out to the desert, go out hunting with my dad, clean my parents’ yard constantly because I was always in trouble ha ha. 

Before running entered your life, what were the sports or activities that shaped you early on?

Wrestling shaped the person I am today at an early age. I was introduced to wrestling around 8th grade and competed throughout my high school career. I learned the true meaning of hard work, mental toughness, and personal accountability. Wrestling is very honest like running. You get what you put in, there’s no hiding in wrestling. 

Was there a moment when you first realized you were drawn to endurance, discipline, or pushing your physical limits?

In a weird way, I always have pushed my body in a unique way. I would go hiking with a weighted vest to make it harder, I would sit in my car during the summer in Arizona with a sauna suit because I wanted to suffer, I would hike up big mountains without a trail, I would run multiple miles with a sauna suit to get a good sweat in. I’ve just always have done hard things that translated well into endurance sports.

Many athletes talk about a setback that changes everything. Have you experienced a moment like that - and how did it influence your path forward?

Yes, during my senior year in high school I broke my ankle two weeks before the season started. I didn’t a chance to wrestle at all that year and I left with a burning desire to prove myself since. I think still today I carry that flame into running. Wanting to prove myself to the world and to myself.

You were an avid cyclist for years, so when and how did you discover running and running ultra’s? 

So, I picked up cycling during Covid and fell in love with pushing my body. I had no idea I could endure so much until I got on a bike.  I was riding my bike more miles per week than I was driving my car per week for about two years. I really built my cardiovascular base like that. 

I discovered running during a bad breakup in late 2024. I wanted a new way to suffer and punish myself. One of my friends told me about saddles 100 3-months before the race started. I never knew ultras were a thing prior to that conversation. I thought running 100 miles would be a good way to think things over and forgive myself for the bad relationship. So, I signed up for my first ultra and first 100 miler racing saddles 100 on October 2024. 

Last year was the second time you ran the Saddles 100, and you won it. A huge achievement! What did that experience represent for you beyond the finish line itself?

Taking the win last year was a huge accomplishment for me personally because I almost shaved off 12 hours from my finish time last year and it represented all the hard work and sacrifices; I made leading up to the race all year. It confirmed the person I think I am that I don’t have a way to show on the outside.

Running 100 miles through the heat and arid Arizona moonscape places a huge amount of stress on your body and skin - how are you protecting yourself out there?

There’s no hiding from the sun and the heat in Arizona. Prior to TSP last year when I was first introduced to Utu, I would run without protecting my skin. My tattoos have really paid for that decision. Now I use Utu’s SPF50 Stick before every training run and race. It’s been a game changer on my skin health and tattoo appearance. 

When you’re out on the trail, away from everything else, how would you describe the version of yourself that shows up there?

The version of myself that shows up on trails is 100% Johnny Ramos. I’m 100 % pure out there, relieved from all the stress that comes with being a human. My mind is clear, and my thoughts and conversations flow without boundaries. 

"As cliché as it is, it really is about showing up every day. I’m nothing special, if I can do the things I do then you can too. I promise’"

You are about to embark on the Solo 340 mile (approx) TSP (The Speed Project) from LA to Vegas, how are you training for this extreme desert race? And how are you feeling about it?

Preparing for TSP, I have really dialed in my training by getting a coach. I’ve been running twice a day, lifting twice a week, going to the sauna 4 days a week, sleeping for almost 8 hours every night, visualizing winning. I’m very locked in and feel ready for the whole journey ahead!!

For someone standing on the edge of a big challenge, unsure if they’re ready, what would you want them to understand about taking that first step?

I think you answered it yourself. It’s all about taking the first step. That’s usually the hardest part. You can start small and work up towards your goals. Everyday doesn’t have to be perfect. If you accomplish one thing to get you closer to your goal, then that’s progress. As cliché as it is, it really is about showing up every day. I’m nothing special, If I can do the things I do then you can too. I promise.