Episode 16 - Brandon Dugi (Diné), Outdoor Photographer & Trail Runner

Grounded with Dinée Dorame

“[Running] helps me explore. It helps me go out and see different places. I can go on a 15 mile long run and go down some cool canyons and into rivers, you’re seeing stuff that nobody else gets to see. My photography mindset is still with me while I’m running.”

Brandon Dugi (Diné) is an outdoor adventure photographer, visual storyteller, and trail runner. He grew up on the Navajo Reservation in Łichíiʼii (LeChee, AZ) and only recently started racing competitively in the trail and ultra-running scenes. Brandon is currently an Assistant Track & Field coach at Page High School and a brand ambassador for CLIF Bar and Garmin Outdoor. You may recognize him from this beautiful short film made in collaboration with HOKA ONE ONE, “Time to Hózho.” In this episode, we reflect on the twists and turns of his running journey, how he’s navigated injury and built a solid running base, and how his homelands make him a stronger runner. He also tells us how important visual storytelling is to our culture and how he’s breaking down stereotypes by pursuing his dream of being a Native photographer in the outdoor industry.

In This Episode:

• Time to Hózho, Short film by HOKA ONE ONE (featuring Brandon Dugi)
• CLIF Bar
• “Helping the Navajo Nation with Brandon Dugi,” Hoka Voice Blog, hokeoneone.com, June 12, 2020.
• Ultramarathon Man, Book by Dean Karnazes

Follow Brandon Dugi:

• Instagram (Brandon’s Photography Page): @brandon_dugi
• Instagram (Brandon’s Athlete Page): @brandon_runz
• Twitter: @Brandon_Dugi

Follow Grounded Pod:

• Instagram: @groundedpod
• Twitter: @groundedpod
• Facebook: facebook.com/groundedpodwithdinee

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Music by Jacob Shije (Santa Clara Pueblo, NM).

This podcast was made possible through the Tracksmith Fellowship Program.