For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

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...

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:

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...

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 th...

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. 

This episode was recorded in person in February 2026.

Jon chats with Rachel about:

her running journey from college m...

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 full...

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...

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 Verde...

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...

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 experienc...

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...

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...

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

• train...

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 Fa...

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...

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...

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

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...

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 cha...

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. 

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 phil...

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:

over...

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, bi...

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 w...

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...

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...

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...

While most professional athletes choose between excellence and everything else, what happens when you refuse to pick just one lane?

Ryan Montgomery’s impressive resume includes over 50-60 ultra marathons, with 17-18 of those being 100-mile events, demonstrating their particular affinity for the longest distances the sport offers.

Currently balancing a professional running career with graduate studies in strategic sales management, Ryan exemplifies the modern multi-dimensional athlete. He's also a Team Janji athlete and passionate advocate for inclusivity in trail running, organizing annual retreats for the queer running community.

Jon ch...

From cheerleader to two-time Olympian - discover the 'secret sauce' that transformed an accidental runner into a world champion.

Aisha Praught Leer is a two-time Olympian and holds seven national records for Jamaica, most notably as a gold medalist in the steeplechase at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She is a founding member of Team Boss in Boulder, CO, and a community organizer, an advocate for the world's best athletes as a member of the World Athletics' Athletes Commission, and works full-time in tech. 

Jon chats with Aisha about:

h...

From faking knee pain to avoid running to coaching over 1,000 runners - Amanda Brooks knows exactly what it's like to be in the middle of the pack, because that's where most of us actually are.

Amanda Brooks has been a running coach for over 13 years, working with thousands of runners to find more enjoyment in the process. She’s also known for the thousands of reviews on her site and her highly rated book, "Run to the Finish," geared towards the middle of the pack.

Jon chats with Amanda about:

wh...

At 35, Sara Vaughn was just getting started—landing her first professional contract and proving that sometimes the best chapters come when you're brave enough to rewrite the story.

Sara Vaughn is mom of 4, placed 6th in the NYC Marathon in 2024, is a top American and 2X top 10 at the Chicago Marathon.

Jon chats with Sara about:

Stay connected:<...

After 21 years as a professional runner, Sara Hall reveals the mental shift that saved her career when she was ready to quit in 2009 - and why she refuses to use the 'grandma emoji' at age 42.

Sara Hall is a professional distance runner for ASICS. Her personal best time for the marathon is 2:20:32 set at the Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona on December 22, 2020, making her the third-fastest American woman in history. She is the second-fastest American woman ever to run the half marathon, running 1:07:15 on January 16, 2022–an American record at the time.

If you don’t invest in your weaknesses now, they will haunt you down the road.

This conversation originally aired on Episode 13 of Long Run Labs, my new podcast on the business of the outdoor industry.

Alex is the Founder and CEO of Eternal. Before founding Eternal, Alex was the founder and CEO of The Athletic, a subscription sports media company founded in 2016. The Athletic reached 1M paid subscribers faster than any publishing company in history and sold to The New York Times in 2022 for $550M. Prior to The At...

Sometimes the hardest race isn't 100 miles through the mountains - it's figuring out who you are when everything in your life changes.

Amanda is a professional trail runner and endurance coach with a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University. She has coached endurance athletes for 10 years in everything from 5k - 200 miles. She is an Oregonian originally and now lives and trains in Colorado. 

Amanda ran collegiately for a couple years and then got into road marathons. It wasn’t until 2014 that she discovered trail running after an...

Is it better to be well-lopsided or well-balanced?

Randi Zuckerberg is a multi-faceted entrepreneur, media personality, and endurance athlete who embodies a "portfolio approach to life." Currently serving as a radio host, investor, entrepreneur, author, and mother, Randi has built a diverse career spanning technology, media, and athletics.

Jon chats with Randi about:

Managing the pain cave

Breaking age/gender stereotypes

Applying business thinking to race planning and problem-solving

Preparing to run Cocodona 250 again and other...

What happens when a mining town of 40,000 people shrinks to just 2,700 overnight, and then reinvents itself as one of America's most authentic mountain destinations? Today we're talking with Adam Ducharme about Leadville's incredible transformation from boom-and-bust mining to endurance sports mecca.

Adam Ducharme’s tourism journey started early; he was born in the Silver Lake Motel on Cape Cod and was helping check in guests and change sheets before he could tie his shoes. Now based in Leadville, Colorado, the highest incorporated city in America, Adam brings that lifelong passion for people and places to...

What if you accomplished everything you wanted, but still felt empty?

Pierce Showe is in the business of extreme discipline — a language spoken by the world’s top performers. He spent the early part of his career as the right hand to Super Bowl champion Steve Weatherford before stepping fully into his calling as a faith-driven endurance athlete and coach.

He’s completed multiple 100- and 200-mile ultramarathons, an Ironman, and an Ultraman — pushing human limits with grit, purpose, and an unshakable faith in God. Most recently, Pierce broke the Guinness World Record f...

What happens when you quit your corporate job, go all-in on entrepreneurship, and decide to run 40 miles through the Colorado mountains? Today we're diving into how major life changes and epic trail adventures go hand in hand.

Having recently ran the Grand Traverse race with Emily, we dive into the details of the race experience, as well as other exciting life/career updates since Emily was last on the podcast in January.

Jon chats with Emily about:

Most endurance athletes are making the same critical fueling mistake. Let’s learn how to avoid it so you can perform the best.

Kelsey Bailey is the lead Performance Dietitian for Eternal, a company providing high performance, personalized healthcare to athletes. She spent 8 years with Special Operations and is also a consulting Performance Dietitian within the tactical space of military, fire, and police. Her areas of specialty include understanding the unique demands of today’s world on the body to keep people healthy, thriving and performing throughout their life. She also has a vested inte...

Don’t fall into the comparison trap as a runner!

Annie Frisbie is a professional runner for Puma and Minnesota Distance Elite. She trains with her team in Minneapolis and lives with her boyfriend and two dogs. 

Jon chats with Annie about:

• Annie’s Training Mindset for Success

• What Makes a Good Running Shoe?

• Race Fueling & Nutrition Strategy

• How to Get Back on Your Feet After an Injury

• Evaluating the Current Running Scene

Stay connected: