For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Vikash Sharma is a physical therapist, runner, and founder of Perfect Stride Physical Therapy in New York City and Running for Life Education. After 14 years of working with runners, he's seen firsthand how often injuries come down to being underprepared for the demands of training rather than simply doing too much. Vikash joins Jon to talk about when runners should seek physical therapy, how to distinguish pain you can work through from pain that requires rest, and why heavy strength training and plyometrics deserve a place in every runner's routine. They also discuss how travel disrupts training, ways to maintain fitness when your schedule changes, and practical strategies for arriving at race day ready to perform. With the New York City Marathon approaching, Vikash also shares his advice for navigating the course, preparing for its toughest sections, and making the most of one of running's biggest days. Join us in New York with CEP on Friday afternoon! https://www.heylo.com/event/-P2p2YiMh-m_r2_pYrfm…

How much data do we really need to become better runners? Recorded live in Chamonix during UTMB week, Jon Levitt hosts a panel discussion presented by TrainingPeaks with Alison Lynch of Amazfit, Arnar Larusson of Tymewear, professional athlete and coach Corrine Malcolm, and Doug Stewart of the Elite Trail Team. They explore how wearable technology is changing the way we train, what metrics actually matter, and why more data doesn't always mean better decisions. The conversation also digs into the gaps in women's health research, the role of AI in coaching, and how technology can help everyday runners balance training with the demands of life. At the heart of the discussion is a question worth asking: How do we use technology to become better runners without losing the joy of running in the first place? Support our Sponsors: CEP compression socks and sleeves are built to support runners through the full race experience, from long travel days to race-day miles and post-race recovery. Shop CEP at ceprunning.com…

Dakota Jones has been running ultras for more than half his life, but these days, running means a lot more to him than results. Recorded in Chamonix ahead of CCC, Dakota joins the podcast to talk about the experiences that have kept him connected to trail running, why some of his most meaningful days in the sport have had nothing to do with winning, and how running has become a vehicle for community, adventure, and environmental action. They talk about Dakota’s work with Footprints, riding his bike 650 miles to Western States, his partnership with NNormal and the brand’s approach to sustainability, and why individual action doesn’t have to be perfect to matter. Dakota also shares how he thinks about excellence today, the importance of making change at the community level, and his upcoming Great Salt Lake Project, where he’ll run 260 miles around the lake over five days to bring attention to its future. For Dakota, running isn’t the end goal. It’s a way to connect with people, explore what’s possible, and…

What happens when running becomes less about the numbers and more about finding the edge of what’s possible? Victor Zetouine is an ultrarunner, entrepreneur, and founder of Party Place who has taken on some wildly ambitious endurance challenges, including running The Speed Project solo from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and racing hundreds of miles across Chile’s Atacama Desert. Victor joins Jon to talk about going from barely running half a mile to chasing huge endurance adventures, why a stress fracture ultimately led him to ditch his watch, and how losing a close friend changed the direction of his running. They dig into what Victor finds when he’s completely alone in the desert, why the hardest adventures can make the rest of life feel more meaningful, and the difference between goals that scare you and goals that paralyze you. They also explore the overlap between ultrarunning and entrepreneurship, why perseverance often matters more than talent, breaking enormous goals into the next manageable step, and why…

Emma Zeiger knows a lot about doing hard things and finding meaning in them. After losing her dad when she was nine, Emma eventually found community through Experience Camps, a free camp for children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary caregiver. That experience helped inspire Ghosted by Grief, her podcast and community built around making hard conversations easier to have. Now, after two marathon attempts were derailed by health issues and surgeries, Emma is training for the New York City Marathon while raising money for Experience Camps through her “Grief Is a Long Run” campaign. The idea: grief, like running, isn’t linear. Mile six can feel impossible and mile 19 can feel easy. You just have to keep moving. Emma and Jonathan talk about grief, finding community through endurance sports, the pressure we put on ourselves, and learning to accept what our bodies can do. Ultimately, it’s about doing hard things, finding joy along the way, and making those hard things a little less lonely for someone…

What happens when 100 miles is no longer far enough? Ekta Basu joins Jon after finishing the Tahoe 200, a journey that took her more than four days and pushed her further than she had ever gone before. She shares how she went from a self-described “mile junkie” with little structure to training intentionally for 200 miles, and why the process taught her as much as the race itself. Ekta takes us inside the highs and very low lows of Tahoe, from early blisters and chasing cutoffs to spending the final 20 miles hunched over with a failing back. She talks about the crew and community that kept her moving, seeing her son cry at the finish line, and the realization waiting for her after 200 miles: everything she needed to keep going was already within her. They also talk about doing hard things, the freedom of running, why every step is a choice, and the curiosity that keeps Ekta wondering just how far she can go. Stay connected: Follow Ekta on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekta_runs/ Support our Sponsors:…

Professional skier, mountaineer, endurance athlete, activist, and former U.S. Senate candidate Caroline Gleich joins Jon for a wide-ranging conversation about sport, advocacy, and having the courage to stand for something. Caroline shares how running became part of her life after a major ankle injury, how she built an unconventional career as a professional athlete, and why endurance sport has given her the confidence and self-belief to take on challenges far beyond the mountains. She reflects on running for U.S. Senate in Utah, the grit she gained from the campaign, and what she learned about speaking up, finding common ground, and staying true to her values even when there are consequences. Jon and Caroline also talk about the responsibility athletes have to use their platforms, navigating brand partnerships while being outspoken, the role of sport in building resilience, supporting a partner with equally big goals, and her concerns about AI, data centers, and the future of creators. At the heart of the…

Ben Dhiman won UTMB. One of the most competitive ultra trail races in the world, and he won it. This conversation was recorded not long after, when the dust had barely settled and he was still figuring out what it all meant. Ben talks about the race itself, what the final miles felt like, the weight of expectation that came with being a contender, what winning actually gave him versus what he thought it would, and who he is when he's not running.

Joe Corcione returns to talk through his Western States race, why he considers it his best race ever despite missing his time goal, and how he defines success through process and effort rather than placement or pace. He also breaks down the mindset tools he used late in the race, the role of sober living and personal growth in his why, and the bigger mission behind Everyday Ultra. This is an interview centered on performance, identity, and purpose, with strong crossover into coaching, business, and community-building. Joe shares the practical and mental framework he uses for racing and for running a business that he believes should change lives, not just improve times. Support our Sponsors: Boulderthon Whether you're chasing a PR or looking for an unforgettable race weekend, Boulderthon offers a 5K, 10K, half marathon, full marathon, and kids races in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. Register at Boulderthon.com and use code FTLR2026 to save $20 on your half or full marathon registration. Go Brewing This episode…

Daniel Berk was 32 years old, about 50 pounds overweight, and hadn't sprinted since college when he posted a tweet saying he was going to become a runner. He didn't know what he was doing. His first 5K took 50 minutes. He described himself as a blubbery, slow, out-of-breath whale. And then he just kept going. Two and a half years later he's lost 50 pounds, run four half marathons, and is sixteen weeks out from his first full marathon at Chicago. He's also an entrepreneur, a content creator, a father of two with a third on the way, and someone who thinks about running and business in almost exactly the same terms. This conversation is about what happens when you show up publicly with a goal you're not sure you can achieve — and what that does for you in every other part of life. Topics covered: What pushed Daniel over the edge to start running — a family heart scare and a TikTok His first 50-minute 5K and why he kept going anyway When the runner's high finally hit and why he describes it like a drug Breaking…

Quick note before you press play. This conversation with Des Linden first aired on Long Run Labs, my podcast about the business of endurance and the outdoor industry. Des is one of the most thoughtful people in running when it comes to how athletes can build something lasting beyond their competitive years, so I figured her story was worth putting in front of the For the Long Run audience too. Des Linden won the 2018 Boston Marathon in one of the most iconic performances in the history of the race. But this conversation is not about that day. It is about what she has built since and how she thinks about the next chapter. Des and Jon chat about: how Des started seeing the business side of running as early as 2011 what twenty years of loyalty with Brooks actually looks like in practice why winning Boston in 2018 gave her permission to flip the switch her transition to trail and why she is entering that space carefully why gravel running might be the most underrated opportunity in the sport right now the…

Kelsey Walla is a CPA by day and a triathlete, runner, and community builder by everything else. She grew up hating running, never touched a weight until college, and didn't get on a bike until she found one at a garage sale for twenty bucks. Then she had a serious skiing accident that took away her ability to walk, and everything changed. This is a conversation about what happens when your body forces you to stop — and what you do when it lets you go again. Topics covered: The skiing accident that ripped everything in her knee and why she's grateful for it Going from hating running to signing up for a half marathon at elevation How hitting one goal immediately creates the next one Building Wild Coyote Club in Longmont and why she walks at the back every Monday night Creating space for the middle and back of the pack runner What community actually means and why it changes everything The relationship that made her believe she could do the impossible Imposter syndrome — why even Olympic medalists feel it and…

Molly Seidel was running well at Western States. In the top ten for the first fifty-ish miles, racing where she knew she belonged. Then by mile sixty-two she was ready to quit, in pain, angry at herself, with thirty-eight miles left and nothing to race for competitively. She ran them anyway. This is a conversation about what those last twelve hours taught her that the first fifty never could have — about trail running, about herself, and about why finishing a race you're no longer competing in can be more meaningful than winning one. Topics covered: What went wrong at Western States and why she kept going The ego death of being a rookie after winning an Olympic medal Whether trail can save itself from becoming what road racing already is The people in her corner — Kelly Newland, Cliff, Steph Howe What she'd say to the Molly of 2021 and 2024 OCC and Javelina coming up this fall Stay connected: Molly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bygolly.molly/ Support our sponsors: Training Peaks The coaches behind…

Hildee Weiss is a wife, mother of five, grandmother, freelance writer, and runner. She started running at age 46 with a hand injury, a trainer named Jeff who believed in her before she believed in herself, and a head full of reasons why she couldn't do it. Twelve years later she has run 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, Spartan races, and trail runs. She has broken bones, had surgery, lost her motivation, and found it again. And she just wrote a book about all of it. This conversation is about what happens when you finally decide to do something for yourself after years of doing everything for everyone else. It's about identity, self-belief, the difference between I have to run and I get to run, and why it's never too late to start. Topics covered: Who Hildee was at 46 and what finally pushed her to make a change Why she looked out the window at runners and thought not me Meeting trainer Jeff and what it means to have someone believe in you before you believe in yourself Her first 5K, her broken foot, and how she…

Shad Mika has been running ultras for over twenty years. He went from two hundred and forty pounds and a divorce to a duathlon, to Leadville, to Hardrock — and he's still going. He DNF'd his first two hundred mile attempts before he finally figured out it was supposed to hurt that bad. He's paced friends through Cocodona, volunteered at Hardrock for twelve years before he ever got in, and left his dog's ashes on top of Handies Peak. He blogs about it all at a site he's kept going since 2006 and has no plans to stop. This conversation was recorded the week before Hardrock with wildfires burning near Ouray and real uncertainty around whether the race would happen. He showed up anyway. Topics covered: How running found Shad after a divorce and two hundred and forty pounds His first trail run on the Mesa Trail in REI shoes and why he never looked back Sleeping under the bleachers at Leadville watching people finish all night and deciding he had to do it DNFing his first two Leadville attempts and what it taught…

This one is a little different. Jon hosted a live panel in Boulder with three people who between them have worked with Olympic athletes, NBA teams, professional runners, and tens of thousands of recreational athletes. The topic was fueling, strength training, and the fundamentals that most runners are still getting wrong. Charlie Sweeney is a professional marathoner who has lived the training load most people only read about — 140 miles a week, two sessions a day five days a week, and 110 grams of carbohydrate per hour at Boston this year. Dr. Marc Bubbs is the founder of ProBio, a performance nutritionist, and author who has spent his career in elite sport locker rooms translating research into what athletes actually do every day — from Canada Basketball to NBA and NHL teams to Olympic track clubs. Jason Fitzgerald has been coaching runners since 2010 and works primarily with adult recreational athletes. The conversation is practical, honest, and occasionally funny. There's pizza involved. Topics covered:…

Quick note before you press play. This conversation with Andy Blow first aired on Long Run Labs, Jon's podcast about the business of endurance and the outdoor industry. Andy is the co-founder of Precision Fuel and Hydration and one of the most thoughtful people in the sport when it comes to how athletes should actually be fueling. Precision sponsors For the Long Run, but this episode wasn't recorded out of obligation — it was recorded because Andy's story is genuinely worth hearing and there's a lot of tactically useful information in here for anyone who runs long. If you like going behind the scenes on how the endurance world actually gets built, Long Run Labs is worth finding. Guests include sports marketers from Salomon, Garmin, ASICS, and Amazfit, founders from brands like Ketone IQ and Lagoon, and athletes turned media like Des Linden, Kara Goucher, and Dylan Bowman. Andy Blow started Precision as a sweat test, not a product. He was a triathlete who kept ending up in the medical tent with hyponatremia…

Lindsey Dwyer started running before she could remember choosing it. Her mom ran while pregnant with her, and Lindsey was in a stroller on the course not long after. By seventh grade she'd quietly trained for and finished a half marathon without telling anyone until she needed a ride to the start line. By college, marathons felt routine. So she went longer. Now she's one of the top finishers at Cocodona 250, a point-to-point 253-mile race through Arizona that's become one of the most-watched ultras in the world outside of Western States and UTMB. This year she finished fifth overall, running the final 200 miles with a knee injury that started at mile 50 and never went away. Jonathan and Lindsey get into what it actually takes to compete across 80-plus hours of racing, how she thinks about crew and pacing at that scale, and why she believes the mental puzzle of ultras is the whole point. They also talk about the role of gratitude when things get hard, what her first 50-mile race recap on Facebook revealed…

Zach Miller is one of the most recognizable names in trail and ultra running — a nine-year North Face athlete, self-coached competitor, and someone who has lived everywhere from a cruise ship to an off-grid cabin to a bus. He's been competing at the highest level for over a decade, watched the fields get dramatically deeper, and just punched his golden ticket to Western States at Canyons Hundred K. This conversation is about what it takes to still be here. Zach talks about self-coaching and curiosity as a training philosophy, the mental switch that separates good races from great ones, what it felt like to question whether his career was over, and why lining up at Western States this year means more than it ever would have before. Topics covered: Who Zach is and why he's hard to fit in a box Running big volume and what actually stokes the fire How his nutrition approach has matured beyond just doing more The North Face Fifty showdown with Hayden Hawks in 2016 and what's changed in a decade Why deeper fields…

Tommie Runz is a runner, a dad, and someone who spent years building one of the most authentic presences in running before he ever needed it to pay the bills. He qualified for Boston, ran the six majors, and has now set his sights on Western States — one of the most competitive hundred-mile races in the world — with a simple mission: show people who look like him that they belong out there too. This conversation covers the long game, the trust economy of social media, what curiosity actually looks like in a hundred-mile race, and why black skin looks good on trail. Topics covered: Who Tommie is and what he's trying to show people who look like him Why the message isn't just "go run a hundred miles" — it's an invitation to find your own trail Alcoholism, sobriety, and how running became the place to channel the same perseverance Working with a coach since day one and what patience actually looks like over eight years Four hundred and twenty-five miles in May and why it didn't feel like a big deal How to use…

Mark Dowdle is a backyard ultra competitor who found running after college football and lacrosse, not because he loved the sport, but because he needed somewhere to put everything he was carrying. What started as 3:30 a.m. runs to eliminate excuses has turned into one of the more compelling stories in ultra running right now — a guy who washes windows and umpires youth baseball between races, shares his unfiltered thoughts on social media like he's writing in his journal, and keeps showing up to races specifically to find out who he is when everything is telling him to stop. This conversation goes deep on suffering, faith, identity, and what it actually means to keep a promise to yourself. Topics covered: From football and lacrosse to 3:30 a.m. runs and how David Goggins started it Working three part-time jobs while chasing a dream that hadn't paid off yet Why running is what he does, not who he is How he uses hour 60 of a backyard ultra to find out if he's been keeping his promises The Nike Boston ad and…

Maria Chevalier has run a marathon in 48 states, finished the Boston Marathon 17 times, and a few weeks ago ran it twice in the same day, starting at 3 a.m. in reverse from Boston to Hopkinton, resting for a few hours, and then lining up with everyone else for the actual race. 52.4 miles total. But the distance is almost beside the point. What makes this conversation worth listening to is how Maria thinks about hard things and why she keeps choosing them. She's navigated four wrist reconstructions that ended her music career before it fully started. Nine DNFs at Vermont 100 before finally finishing on the tenth try. A medical history that took away choices she thought were hers to make. And through all of it, she kept finding a way to keep moving forward. This conversation goes deep and is a must listen! Topics covered: How running found Maria after she couldn't make the team in any other sport What drew her to the 50 States and why she's two away from finishing Why road marathons and trail ultras attract…

Dan Green is a trail athlete for Salomon who grew up running in West Virginia, spent years working at a running shop, and recently finished Cocodona 250 — a race he'd wanted to do for years before finally deciding to stop waiting. In this conversation, Dan talks about how running has given him everything that matters in his life, what it actually took to get sponsored, and why being yourself is both the simplest and hardest thing to do in this sport. Topics covered: How Dan got into running (his football teammates basically told him to leave) Going from college cross country with no track program to chasing a pro career Why he was anti-trail in college and what changed that His first ultra: a 24-hour race on a concrete loop with zero plan Early results at Black Canyon and Javelina and when he started thinking pro was possible Setting realistic goals versus big swinging ones Crewing his buddy Ryan at Cocodona before deciding he had to do it himself What it's actually like to be on mile 120 and know you have…

Dr. Teddy Bross is a practicing family medicine physician at Highpoint Direct Care where he focuses on the treatment of athletes and active adults in Colorado and select surrounding states. He is an avid mountain ultra trail athlete, husband and father. Happiest in the company of friends and indulging in small joys, Dr. Teddy is a seeker of wild flowers, avid reader and consumer of poetry, and frequent DIY project manager, including the building of a dreamy Finnish basement sauna. In this episode, Teddy and Jon talk about the massive gaps that exist in traditional medicine for endurance athletes and why so many runners are struggling with fatigue, low energy availability, recurring injuries, and burnout without getting meaningful answers. They dive into the realities of modern healthcare, why most runners wait too long to seek help, and how Teddy approaches athlete care differently through direct primary care. The conversation also explores ferritin and iron deficiency, underfueling, GI issues in endurance…

Joe Corcione is an ultrarunner, coach, and host of the Everyday Ultra Podcast, where he helps runners of all levels improve not just physically, but mentally. His path into the sport didn’t follow a traditional trajectory. He found running during a period of major life change, using it as a way to rebuild structure, discipline, and a sense of direction.Since then, Joe has gone on to complete some of the most demanding races in the sport, including 200+ mile events, while also building a coaching business focused on helping athletes push beyond what they think is possible.In this conversation, Joe shares how fear has shaped his approach to both running and life. Instead of treating it as something to avoid, he’s learned to see it as a signal that something meaningful is on the other side. That mindset shows up in how he chooses goals, how he approaches competition, and how he thinks about long-term growth.He also talks about what it takes to stay in the sport over time. Not just chasing big race-day moments,…

Brendan Morgan is an ultrarunner who found running in 2023 by doing something most people avoid. He started because he hated it. Since then, he’s gone all in. From completing a 4x4x48 just months after starting to running across Pennsylvania, Brendan has quickly built a reputation for taking on challenges that push both his body and mind to the edge. But what stands out isn’t just the distance. It’s the mindset behind it. In this conversation, Brendan talks about why running became more than just a physical outlet. It’s something he can fully control in a world where most things aren’t. That idea has shaped how he approaches challenges, how he deals with adversity, and how he shows up for others. He also shares how his past experiences and mental health journey influence the way he uses running as a tool, not just for himself, but to create space for others to feel seen and supported. Whether it’s running across a state to raise awareness or showing vulnerability online, Brendan is intentional about how he…

Stevie Lyn Smith is a registered dietitian, board certified in sports nutrition, endurance athlete, and one of the most trusted voices when it comes to practical, realistic fueling advice for runners. As a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, Stevie combines her passion for endurance athletics with evidence-based nutrition practices to help individuals reach their health and performance goals. She’s also an ultra-endurance athlete herself, with 10 Ironman finishes, which gives her a firsthand understanding of how nutrition impacts both performance and everyday life. When she’s not training, she’s usually outside exploring trails with her dog or experimenting in the kitchen. In this episode, Stevie breaks down what fueling actually looks like for everyday runners, not just elites, and why so many people are unintentionally underfueling their training. The conversation covers carbohydrates, hydration, sodium, and protein, with a focus on what’s realistic to execute in both training and racing. They…

From immigrating to the U.S. at 12 years old to representing Cape Verde at the Olympics, Ruben Sança’s story is one of consistency, patience, and staying in it long after most people step away. Ruben Sança is a Cape Verdean Olympian and elite distance runner who competed in the 5,000 meters at the 2012 Olympic Games in London after previously representing Cape Verde at the 2011 World Championships. He is a former standout at UMass Lowell, earning multiple All-America honors and helping lead the program to conference championships during his collegiate career. Sança holds multiple Cape Verdean national records and has run personal bests of 1:05 in the half marathon and 2:18 in the marathon while competing internationally and across the U.S. road racing circuit. In addition to competing, he coaches athletes and works professionally in leadership roles focused on education and opportunity for students. Ruben talks about how his relationship with running has evolved over time, from thinking he was “running…

This episode is with Emma Spencer, a runner and software engineer who lives in Durham, North Carolina. This episode was recorded on May 29th, the fourth day of protesting in Minneapolis after George Floyd’s violent murder. Normally “just” a running podcast, we dove into this right off the bat. In this episode we also talked about: How she got into running Her prioritizing rest/recovery and how that has helped her over the years The parts of running that give her value, and what that value is Intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation Challenges with moving Competition, comparison and validation North Carolina brewery scene Her least favorite style of workout The 2020 Olympic Trials Training in 2020 and much more! Follow along with Emma’s adventures at twitter.com/enspencer and instagram.com/enspencer

This week's episode is with Dorothy Beal, founder of @mileposts and #irunthisbody. In this episode, we talked about: listening to your body... and what that really means why Dorothy loves racing marathons why Dorothy loves racing MULTIPLE marathons in the same cycle Dorothy's history with social media the benefits of therapy and focusing on mental health... and much more! You can find Dorothy on Instagram at www.instagram.com/mileposts and on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/mileposts!

From hitting rock bottom to building a life of recovery through running: Meet John Shep. John is a Canadian ultrarunner, teacher, and host of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast. He’s also the creator of “Outrun the Darkness,” a project centered around a 142.2K ultra-double, completing the Sulphur Springs 100K and the Ottawa Marathon on back-to-back days to raise awareness for youth mental health. John’s journey into running didn’t start with performance. It started with recovery. After a mental health crisis and disordered eating led to hospitalization, running became a way to rebuild his relationship with himself, with food, and with the world around him. Nearly two decades later, he’s still living what he calls “a life of recovery,” using running as both a tool and a platform. Jon and John dive into:• John’s path from mental health crisis to ultrarunning• the concept of “living a life of recovery”• how running can support, and sometimes challenge, addictive tendencies• “riding the edge of the lightning…

From questioning what’s considered “normal” in professional sport to speaking up about what actually needs to change: Meet Grayson Murphy, a professional runner bringing clarity to conversations around pregnancy, contracts, and what real support for athletes should look like. Grayson is a world champion trail runner and professional athlete who has built her career at the highest level of the sport. But beyond performance, she’s using her voice to challenge long-standing norms around how female athletes are treated, especially when it comes to starting a family. Her perspective is grounded, honest, and rooted in lived experience. Jon chats with Grayson about:• her identity as an athlete and how that’s shifting with pregnancy• why she’s never felt the need to choose just one lane in running• what it’s actually been like to slow down during pregnancy• comparison, expectations, and stepping away from social media• signing a pro contract while pregnant and what that represents• why being supported shouldn’t be…

From a finance pro who decided to chase what scared him, to a trail runner who's pushed the boundaries to 200 miles: Meet Dom Bubri, who discovered that the most extraordinary transformations happen when you stop thinking and just start running. Dom is a trail and ultra runner who loves the grind of long miles and the clarity that comes from spending time outside. By day, he leads finance teams, but his favorite lessons come from the trail - showing up consistently, embracing discomfort, and playing the long game. Running has shaped how he thinks about work, leadership, and life beyond the finish line. Jon chats with Dom about: his introduction to running the transition from road to trail running going from 50K to 100 miles his winning mental approach getting to the 200 mile race distance Stay connected: Follow Dom: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dbubri/ LinkedIn: LinkedIn.com/in/dbubri This episode is supported by: AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at…

Nutrition expert Alex Larson reveals how one simple timing shift in daily eating can dramatically transform sleep quality, recovery, and performance for endurance athletes — but most runners are doing the exact opposite of what actually works. Alex Larson is a Minnesota-based registered dietitian who felt her calling the moment she crossed the finish line of Ironman Wisconsin and has leaned into this mission of serving endurance based athletes. She works with endurance athletes on fueling for improved performance and body composition through a flexible eating style. She’s worked with athletes from all over the U.S. and in over 15 different countries and she herself has completed 20+ triathlons including Ironmans and multiple 10K and half marathons. Her clients fall back in love with their sport and life again. Jon chats with Alex about: daily fueling strategies and meal timing pre-run nutrition and carbohydrate intake guidelines recovery nutrition and post-workout fueling protocols supplement evaluation:…

The formula for elite running performance lies in the consistent application of stress and recovery - repeatable things that you can sustain over time. Cliff Pittman serves as the Coaching Development Director for CTS, where he leads the Ultrarunning and Cycling Coaching staff. With a deep passion for ultrarunning and a commitment to excellence, Cliff specializes in coaching athletes at all levels—from beginners to elite runners. Jon chats with Cliff about: • stress and recovery fundamentals • minimum effective dose for training adaptations • subjective feedback vs. objective data analysis • training specificity for race demands and terrain • how to manage life stress as part of your training load Stay connected: Follow Cliff: www.instagram.com/coachcliffpittman This episode is supported by: AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off. Vacation Races Run where you play and chase the extraordinary. Use code “FTLR”…

When pro ultrarunner Hayden Hawks faces challenging conditions on the trails, he doesn't just endure them—he transforms them into opportunities for growth, proving that sometimes the hardest moments forge the strongest athletes. Hayden Hawks has been a professional ultra runner for 10 years competing at and winning some of the biggest races in the world. He is sponsored by HOKA, AG1, Precision Fuel and Hydration, as well as many other sponsors. He has also been a huge advocate for helping and building youth group initiatives and inspiring the younger generation around the world, most notably the Trail Fam. Hayden is also a coach with Hawks Running and Centurion Running. He is a father of 2, husband to Ashley Hawks, and loves traveling with his family and being outside as much as possible. Jon chats with Hayden about: balancing competition with being a good person and giving back gradual training progression instead of extreme volume jumps fueling runs over 90 minutes for better performance mental toughness…

Legendary ultra-marathoner Pam Reed has a simple solution for people who feel tired: stop sitting and start moving. Pam Reed is an accomplished ultra-runner who has been competing since 1992. She is a hyperactive person who strives to get every moment out of every day, structuring her schedule as full as possible because she considers time the most valuable asset. Beyond racing, Reed directed the Tucson Marathon for 30 years before passing it to Jamil, believing that successful race directors must be hands-on and understand every aspect of event management. She continues racing with a full 2026 schedule and maintains her philosophy of maximizing each day while gradually accepting that recovery takes longer as she ages. Jon chats with Pam about: ultra-running discovery through tennis training and progression natural energy and ability to bounce back quickly heat and cold training strategies with specific tips Triple Crown achievement: Western States, Hard Rock, Badwater her winning mental approach Stay…

After transitioning from oncology physical therapy to full-time running, Rachel Entrekin discovered her true calling was not in conquering traditional hundred-mile races, but in pushing the boundaries of human endurance across multiple days and hundreds of miles. Rachel has been running since 2009, gradually making her way up from road 10ks to multi-day trail races. While born and raised in the southeast US, she currently resides in Colorado, where there is exactly zero humidity. Jon chats with Rachel about: her running journey from college marathons to ultramarathons the transition from physical therapy to professional running career 200-mile race strategy and mental approach at Cocodona sports nutrition partnership with Precision Fuel and Hydration philosophy on process versus outcome-focused racing goals Stay connected: Follow Rachel: https://www.instagram.com/rachel__entrekin/ Rachel’s Blog:…

There's a common misconception in ultra running that it's all about toughness, but Shea Aquilano believes gentleness is more important. Shea currently resides in Boulder, CO and focuses on ultra-distance trail events. At 24, she is a 2x US Mountain Running team member, and pro runner for Nike ACG. Shea loves a good pickle and has a knack for rationalizing almost any experience into a good one. Jon chats with Shea about: setting intentional pre-race goals and success definitions pursuing longer trail running distances over shorter formats moving to Colorado for mountain training opportunities joining supportive running communities and trail teams maintaining joy as central motivation in competitive running Stay connected: Follow Shea: https://www.instagram.com/shea_aq/ The Trail Team: https://www.trail-team.com/ This is episode is supported by: AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at https://us.amazfit.com/discount/FTLR2026 and use code “FTLR2026” for 10% off Precision Dial your…

From suppressing emotions as a military veteran to finding freedom on Colorado trails, here’s how Jonathan Mejia discovered that running isn't just exercise, it's therapy in motion. He came to Colorado after film school when the stars aligned and he conquered his first marathon. He’s now looking to take on his first ultra in 2026. Jonathan talks about: Running as freedom and a therapeutic escape His military background influencing mental health journey What inspired developing a consistent running habit The trail running community Building ultramarathon goals Stay connected: Follow Jonathan Mejia: https://www.instagram.com/goodvibesjon/ Team RWB: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-set-your-next-big-hairy-audacious-goal-with/id1453616436?1=1000676194617 This is episode is supported by: Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org. Precision Dial your fueling in this year.…

From residency training to ultramarathons - discover how Dr. Lauren Puretz balances life as a gynecologic surgeon with competing at the highest levels of trail running, including her breakthrough performance at UTMB and the mindset shifts that fuel both operating rooms and mountain peaks. Lauren Puretz, DO is a board-certified OB/GYN, elite ultrarunner, and mom of 2 based in Colorado Springs. She is the co-founder of Mountain View OB/GYN and co-host of the podcast Speaking of Labias. Outside the clinic, Lauren is intentionally making the most of her time as a competitive runner, chasing big goals, embracing challenge, and having as much fun as possible along the way. Jon chats with Lauren about: Lauren's transition from gymnastics and soccer to cross country running balancing medical career as gynecologic surgeon with ultra running training building community through persistent outreach and shared running experiences managing eating disorder recovery while fueling for endurance performance overcoming fear to…

At 20,000 feet, running feels like moving through molasses… but Erin Ton has found that climbing Colorado's highest peaks in stilettos actually makes her a more thoughtful athlete. Erin was born and raised in Colorado. After graduating from Cornell University in 2020, she moved back to Colorado to pursue professional mountain running. Her primary focus is on Fastest Known Time (FKT) speed records, specializing on steep, technical terrain at high altitude. She currently resides in her van and can be found chasing records all across the American West and all across the world. Jon chats with Erin about: High altitude running challenges and training FKT (Fastest Known Time) pursuits fourteeners climbed in high heels professional athlete sponsorship journey goal of climbing all Colorado 13ers upcoming Aconcagua speed record attempt Stay connected: Follow Erin: https://www.instagram.com/erin_ton7/ Erin’s Strava: “Erin Ton” This episode is supported by: AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches…

What if I told you that the most brutally honest performance metric you'll ever face isn't on your smartphone, can't be faked by AI, and strips away every excuse you've ever made about what you're truly capable of? It’s called running. Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, an American magazine founded in 1857, which earned the top honor for magazines, General Excellence, at the National Magazine Awards in both 2022 and 2023. In his time as CEO, the company has seen record subscriber growth. Before joining The Atlantic, he was the editor-in-chief of Wired magazine. He is also a former contributor for CBS News and has previously served as editor. He has long been a competitive runner; in 2021, he set the American record for men 45+ in the 50K race. Jon chats with Nick about: running's purity reveals personal truth and growth multitasking training with commuting and daily life breaking psychological barriers through gradual exposure how AI threatens media authenticity setting challenging goals creates…

Whether you just won the NCAA title or you just sucked in that race… the sun comes up tomorrow, and we're going back to work in the morning. Emma Coburn is a middle-distance runner who specializes in the 3000-meters steeplechase. She’s a world champion, world silver medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, three-time Olympian and 10-time US National Champion in the steeplechase. Her approach to training and competition emphasizes consistency, discipline, and focusing on process over outcomes. She believes that "belief comes from working hard" and executing training day-to-day rather than relying on hope alone. Her philosophy is grounded in the idea that "you can't just hope your way to the Olympics" but must work consistently despite setbacks. Jon chats with Emma about: resilience through discipline and routine food culture and fueling without restriction mental strategies for race performance building sustainable habits for long-term success moving forward after setbacks and losses Stay connected: Follow Emma:…

Success in running often comes from hitting rock bottom. This was the case for Terence Gerchberg, who transformed his gambling addiction into a mission to help others find their footing, one mile at a time. In the words of Terence, “Running changed and saved my life. Today, I have the privilege of helping others do the same through Back on My Feet, a national nonprofit that transforms the lives of those experiencing homelessness and addiction through the power of running and community.” Jon chats with Terence about: overcoming gambling addiction through running Back on My Feet nonprofit mission ultra running and Leadville race attempts community support in running groups finding purpose through helping others his definition of success (not money) Stay connected: Follow Terence: https://www.instagram.com/coachamazing/ Back on My Feet: Backonmyfeet.org This episode is supported by: Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money:…

If you're taking three-hour naps after long runs or showing up to marathons with just three gels, this episode will change how you think about fueling. Stevie Lyn Smith is a Registered Dietitian and avid endurance athlete. As a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics she combines her passion for endurance athletics with evidence-based nutrition practices to help individuals reach their health and performance goals. As an ultra-endurance athlete with 10 Ironman finishes under her belt, she understands firsthand the crucial role nutrition plays in both performance and everyday life. When she’s not swimming, biking, or running you can find her outside exploring new trails with her dog or trying new recipes in her kitchen. Jon chats with Stevie about: changes in sports nutrition over the past 8 years pre-run fueling and arguments against fasted training Stevie's personal race day fueling strategy for her Buffalo Marathon caffeine's role as a performance tool (including dosage recommendations) the…

From a hesitant podcaster to coaching 200+ athletes in two years, Joe Corcione reveals why indecision kills more dreams than lack of knowledge, and how one simple rule changed everything. Joe Corcione is an Ultrarunning Coach, Ultrarunner, Host of The Everyday Ultra Podcast, and CEO of Everyday Ultra Coaching. From going from zero running background to placing top 10 at Tahoe 200 and top 10 at Javelina Jundred 100 miler, along with completing over 20+ ultras, Joe's mission is to help others become the best ultrarunners they can be; no matter where they are starting from. Jon chats with Joe about: the "just start" philosophy business growth and Everyday Ultra race selection for mental toughness his upcoming Desert Peak Ultra race how setting limits in life is holding you back Stay connected: Follow Joe: https://www.instagram.com/joecorcione/ Everyday Ultra Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/everyday-ultra/id1600327047 Everyday Ultra Coaching: theeverydayultra.com Desert Peak Ultra:…

What do you get when you cross a full-time international ship broker, a world-class endurance athlete, and a dad who's planning to row across the Atlantic? You get Mike Wardian. Today we're diving into how he manages to excel at everything while never losing his curiosity for the next adventure. Mike Wardian is a multifaceted endurance athlete who describes himself as a husband, father, international ship broker, business owner, full-time professional athlete and a vegan adventurer. Mike has been a sponsored athlete since 2002, for 23 years, and has worked with both endemic running brands and non-endemic sponsors like T-Mobile, with whom he has partnered since 2017. His extensive travel through running has taken his family to 33 countries across all seven continents, providing his two sons Pierce (18) and Grant (16) with extraordinary global experiences. Mike’s adventurous spirit extends far beyond traditional racing. He has completed numerous ambitious projects including seven marathons in seven continents…

What if I told you that 93% of people can travel anywhere in the world with minimal to no jet lag - and it has nothing to do with melatonin or light therapy? Andrew is the Founder of FlyKitt, a breakthrough travel protocol built for high performers from the battlefield to the boardroom, who demand peak output under any condition. Whether leading a team, competing at the highest level, or making critical decisions, showing up sharp post-flight is non-negotiable. But out of the 10 million+ people who fly daily, few know the kind of toll it takes on the body. Jet lag, inflammation, dehydration, gut issues, joint pain, poor metabolism, brain fog — the risk is real and long-lasting. Jon chats with Andrew about: how travel affects health and athletic performance and can increase inflammation the correct way to deal with jet lag the challenges of delivering personalized health insights at scale specific supplements and nutrients used to combat travel-related inflammation compression socks, nerve stimulators, and…

From a Colombian orphanage to professional trail running champion, Jenn Lichter's story proves that sometimes the hardest journeys lead to the most extraordinary destinations. Jenn Lichter is a 29-year-old professional trail runner who competes primarily in distances ranging from marathon to 50-mile races. Born in Bogota, Colombia, she grew up in an orphanage before being adopted at nine years old and moving to La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her trail running career took off after working as a hiking guide at Glacier National Park, where she discovered her passion for mountain running during her off days. In September 2021, she competed in The Rut, her first major trail race, which led to her being discovered by The North Face team manager Esther. She signed with The North Face in 2022 and has been with the brand since. Lichter has achieved significant success in her professional career, winning races like Broken Arrow (setting a course record in 2022) and Speedgoat, where she placed second after taking a wrong turn.…