THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Dominic Schlueter

The Running Effect tells the best stories in running—and turns them into insight, inspiration, and tools to help competitive runners become greater.
Every week, host Dominic Schlueter sits down with the fastest, smartest, and most inspiring people in the sport—from Olympic medalists to breakthrough athletes—to unpack the stories, lessons, and mindset behind elite performance. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or looking to understand how greatness is built, The Running Effect will make you a deeper fan of the sport—and a better runner.

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743 episodes
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April 10 · 44 min
The Chosen One: How Cooper Lutkenhaus Became the Youngest World Champion in Track History at 17 — Inside His Training, Mindset & Why He Believes He Can Be the Greatest Of All Time
He won a world title on spring break. Monday morning, he was back in class. Cooper Lutkenhaus is 17 years old and the youngest world champion in the history of track and field. Weeks after Toruń, he sits down with The Running Effect to answer the question nobody else has asked: what does life actually look like on the other side of history? The Nike contract signed at 16. The high school coach he still trusts with everything. The Tokyo wound that quietly powered an unbeaten indoor season from the inside out. Stockholm is on the calendar. June 7, Diamond League, the best half-milers alive. This episode is the discussion before that. His winning time in Poland was 1:44.24—third fastest in World Indoor Championships history. His outdoor PR is 1:42.27, the World U18 record and the U.S. high school record, set at the USATF Outdoor Championships in July 2025. He was 17 years and 93 days old when the gold went around his neck, and no individual world champion (indoors or outdoors, in any event) has ever been younger. He ran seven races this indoor season. He won all seven. The budding legend of Cooper continues here with TRE. Tap into the Cooper Lutkenhaus Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
April 8 · 1 hr 2 min
How Mark Dowdle Is Preparing to Run 500 Miles and Five Days Straight — and Why Competing Against Others Is the Wrong Goal
Mark Dowdle didn't grow up a runner. He was a two-sport college athlete who heard David Goggins on a podcast during a bus ride home from a losing lacrosse trip, and decided to become a different person. Six years later, he's on Team USA. He's won backyard ultras covering 283 miles in 68 straight hours. He ran 135 miles through Northern Minnesota in sub-zero January temps and took first place. He spent an entire year running the day of the month in miles (every single day), logging 6,400 miles before most people finished their morning coffee. He quit his job to go all in. And this October, he will represent the United States at the Big Dog's Backyard Ultra World Championship in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. This is the kind of athlete that makes you question every excuse you've ever made. Mark doesn't talk about motivation. He talks about systems. About decisions. About the thousand small choices inside a single race that determine who you actually are when no one is watching and everything hurts. This conversation will mess with you—in the best way. Press play. Tap into the Mark Dowdle Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
April 6 · 47 min
How Braelyn Combe Went From Missing NXN to Winning a National Mile Title — The 29-Second 200m Kick, Strength Training, and Why She Thinks Sub-4:25 Is Coming This June
She missed NXN in the fall. By March, she was winning national titles. Braelyn Combe is a senior at Santiago High School in Corona, California, and the latest athlete to join TRE's Festival of Miles series. Right now she's the most dangerous prep distance runner in the country. Not because she's the fastest out of the gate, because she knows exactly when to move. At the 2026 Nike Indoor Nationals, Combe ran the first 800 meters of the championship mile slowly, deliberately, and patiently. Then she ran the back half in 2:12.7, closing out Ellery Lincoln and crossing in 4:38.18, the third-fastest mile in NIN history, behind only Jane Hedengren and Katie Rainsberger. She was a nationally ranked runner who never made Nike Cross Nationals, but she used it as fuel. In February, she broke the 10-minute barrier in the 3,200m. In March, she doubled at The TEN—one of the top professional distance meets in the world—winning the 800m in 2:04.52 and the 1,600m in 4:40.01 in a single night. In the fall, she heads to Arkansas. She's just getting started. Tap into the Braelyn Combe Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
April 4 · 57 min
How Frankie Ruiz Went From Team Alternate to 17-Time State Champion Coach — The Culture, the 1Team Philosophy, and What Most Coaches Get Backwards + Insights From Coaching Marcelo Mantecon
Miami doesn't have a running culture by accident. Frankie Ruiz built it. From 17 Florida high school cross country state championships (9 in a row); to a junior who just finished 4th at Nike Cross Nationals; to a marathon that generates $300 million a year for Miami-Dade County; and a government appointment to make an entire city healthier—he does all of this simultaneously. And he's been doing it for over two decades. Frankie is the co-founder of the Life Time Miami Marathon and serves as Chief Running Officer at Life Time, overseeing one of the largest endurance event platforms in the country. He's the City of Miami's Chief Wellness Officer, where he'sreframing parks and public trails not as amenities, but as preventative healthcare infrastructure. And every week, he runs with hundreds of people at the Baptist Health Brickell Run Club, which he founded in 2009 and which has grown into one of the largest free weekly run clubs in the world. On the coaching side, his Belen Jesuit cross country program just broke its own Florida record with a 17th state title. If you've ever wondered what it looks like when a city decides to take running seriously—this is the blueprint. Tap into the Frankie Ruiz Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
April 3 · 41 min
How WORLD CHAMPION Josh Kerr Plans to Break a 30-Year World Record With a 3:42 Mile — Project 222, Custom Spikes, and the Mindset Behind History's Boldest Attempt
He said it was his to lose. Then he went out and made sure of it. Josh Kerr is back on The Running Effect, and this time he's not limping off a global stage. He's walking out of Toruń with gold, and already calling his next shot. At the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships, Kerr reclaimed the 3000m title he first won two years ago in Glasgow. He ran a 7:35.56, the second-fastest winning time in World Indoor Championships history. February brought his return: a 2-mile against Cole Hocker at Millrose, a second-place finish that felt more like reconnaissance than defeat. He knew what was coming. Before Toruń, he called the title his to lose. On March 21, he backed it up, settling patiently, surging at the bell, making himself the target, and winning by 0.14 seconds. Now the next target is on the clock. Project 222. On July 18 at the London Diamond League, Kerr will attempt to break Hicham El Guerrouj's mile world record of 3:43.13, a mark that has stood since 1999. The goal: 222 seconds flat. A 3:42 mile. His current PB of 3:45.34 is the British record and sixth all-time. Two seconds separates him from history. Tap into the Josh Kerr Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
April 1 · 1 hr 11 min
The #1 Running Scientist Who Helped Eliud Kipchoge Break 2 Hours In The Marathon Shares What Actually Makes Runners Faster — And What Most Are Getting Wrong
A sub-2-hour marathon was supposed to be impossible. Then Dr. Brad Wilkins built the mathematical model that proved it wasn't, and Nike handed him the keys to make it happen. In 2017, Kipchoge ran 2:00:25 at Breaking2—25 seconds short. Close enough to prove the science was right. Two years later, the 1:59:40 happened in Vienna. The blueprint Wilkins built made that possible. Now he's back in a university lab asking an even bigger question: what is the actual ceiling of human performance? Spoiler: he doesn't think there is one. From the gut bacteria influencing your race day performance, to the hormone data that's about to change how women train forever, to the super shoe numbers the industry doesn't want you to see, Dr. Brad Wilkins is bringing the actual science, not the headlines. He'll tell you why your wearable is lying to you, why your brain quits long before your body has to, and why most of what you've heard about VO2 max, altitude, and recovery is noise dressed up as wisdom. Ten years inside Nike's most secretive labs. Forty-plus published manuscripts. One bold claim: humans have no limits. This is the episode that changes how you train. Tap into the Dr. Brad Wilkins Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 30 · 55 min
How NIKE Pro Running Coach Alex Ostberg Reframes Running Nutrition — Donuts as Rocket Fuel, the Durability Lag, Building Injury-Proof Mileage & What To Do After A Bad Race
-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs What if the secret to running faster is eating a donut? World-class coach Alex Ostberg is back for another monthly breakdown of his newsletter, The Rundown; and this one might be his most thought-provoking yet. Dominic and Alex tear through four recent editions, starting with a piece that'll make your clean-eating friends squirm: The Case for Junk Food as a Runner. Alex breaks down the real physiology behind post-run refueling—and why your muscles genuinely don't care where your carbohydrates come from. From there, the conversation shifts to one of the most emotionally charged moments in any athlete's season: the bad race. Alex's piece, What Not to Do After a Bad Race, has a surprisingly sharp analytical edge, pulling from NBA data, Fidelity investment research, and a controversial Super Bowl call to make the case for why one result should almost never rewrite your entire plan. Then Alex lays out The Best Way to Guarantee Improvement; a question every runner asks and very few coaches answer honestly. The aerobic vs. anaerobic breakdown is clear, practical, and backed by real science. Finally, they close with Five Rules for Building Mileage Without Getting Injured. The "durability lag" concept and the Ferrari-in-a-Prius metaphor will stick with you long after this episode ends. Tap into The Rundown Recap Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 28 · 59 min
How Isaiah Photo Transformed His Body and Running in 75 Days — 10 Pounds of Fat Lost, 10 Pounds of Muscle Gained, Marathon PR Incoming
What do you do after you've literally run around the world? For Isaiah Photo, apparently, you wake up at 5 AM every single morning, jump into an ice bath, and spend 75 days trying to get a six-pack. This is the kind of unhinged, disciplined, borderline-beautiful chaos that Isaiah Photo lives in. You might know him from his 10 million YouTube subscribers, or from that video where he attempted a marathon in high heels. But today, he's back on the show to discuss his 75 Hard Challenge, aka Operation Get Isaiah a Six Pack. With all the humor, Isaiah is a legit runner. He successfully ran a marathon in cheap budget shoes. And outside of stunts, he is a highly competitive runner. He recently set a personal best of 2:41:54 at the Chicago Marathon. He has also attempted a sub-4:30 mile. At the end of the day, running isn't just about miles or minutes or podiums. It's about the version of yourself you're willing to fight for: even when it's 5 AM, even when the ice bath is waiting, even when your next marathon is on a different continent and you're running it in a pair of shoes that absolutely were not designed for 26 miles. Tap into the Isaiah Photo Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 26 · 1 hr 6 min
An Inside Look At How Grant Fisher Set 2 World Records in 6 Days, Became the First American to Medal in the Olympic 5K & 10K, and the Conversation at 19 That Changed Everything
Grant Fisher holds American records, world records, and an Olympic medal. He's arguably the greatest American distance runner alive—and he's only 28. But the story that shaped all of it almost didn't happen. His college coach sat him down junior year and asked one question: how much do you actually care about this? That conversation changed everything. Then, before the 2024 Olympics, Grant did something most athletes never do at the height of their power: he blew it all up. New coach, new city, new training. Complete blank slate. So what drives a man who already has the records to rebuild from scratch? What does it feel like when you can't force the magic; you just have to be ready when it comes? And how does one of the most honest athletes in the sport sit with the tension between peak performance and knowing the window is finite? He's 28, at his absolute best, being chased by a new generation of Americans who want what he has, and in this conversation, he holds nothing back. This is one of the most honest conversations we have ever had with an athlete operating at the highest level of the sport. This conversation is worth every minute. Tap into the Grant Fisher Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 24 · 33 min
How Adriaan Wildschutt Won the NYC Half Marathon in 59:30 with Only One Career 20-Mile Run — The Track Speed, Half Marathon Build, and McGregor Mindset Behind It
Adriaan Wildschutt just became the first South African in history to win the NYC Half Marathon, and it looks like he’s in the middle of a memorable career. Adriaan holds five South African national records. He ran a sizzling 59:13 half marathon debut. He was 13th at the World Cross Country Championships, which was the best finish a South African man has ever had at that event. This guy is notbuilding toward something. He's already in the middle of it. Adriaan’s NYC Half Marathon victory on March 15 was both historic and revelatory. If the running world didn’t know him before, they do now. At the Valencia Half Marathon in October 2025, he debuted with a 59:13. And at the World Athletics Championships in August 2025, he secured a 10th-place finish in the 10,000m in Tokyo. To cap it off, he holds the South African national records in the 10,000m (outdoor): 26:50.64, the 5,000m (outdoor): 12:56.76, the 3,000m (outdoor): 7:32.99, the Half Marathon: 59:13, and the 5,000m (indoor): 12:56.67. Historic, revelatory, and long overdue for the recognition, If the running world didn't know Adriaan Wildschutt before Sunday, they do now. Tap into the Adriaan Wildschutt Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 22 · 55 min
How Coach Ryan Waite Produced an NCAA Indoor Mile Champion — The Scouting System, Race Simulation Workouts, and Mental Edge That Won It
The man behind one of the most exciting moments in collegiate track this season is here: BYU Assistant Coach Ryan Waite. His athlete, Carter Cutting, just claimed the 2026 NCAA Indoor Mile title. Ryan isn't just a coach. He's a five-time All-American who ran these same kinds of races, felt that same pressure, and now pours every bit of that experience and wisdom into the athletes he develops. He is the current Assistant Coach for the BYU men’s distance program; he returned after a successful tenure as the head coach of the University of Delaware. He was instrumental in assisting the BYU Men’s Cross Country team to a National Championship in 2024. He also played a pivotal role in coaching steeplechase Olympian James Corrigan. Before coaching, Coach Waite was a standout middle-distance runner for the Cougars as a five-time All-American and three-time Conference Champion. He was a part of the school's elite distance medley relay (9:29.0) at the time; he is fifth all-time at BYU in the indoor 800m (1:48.49); and sixth all-time in the outdoor 800m (1:46.83). The résumé speaks for itself. Now let's hear from the man behind it. Tap into the Ryan Waite Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 20 · 38 min
Exclusive: How Carter Cutting PR'd Every Single Year Since Age 9 — The Compounding Confidence That Built an NCAA Mile Championship Win
Just a few months ago, Carter Cutting wasn’t the favorite in the men’s mile of the NCAA Indoor Championship. In fact, he was ranked 10th in the field heading into this big meet. But when the moment came, the BYU junior delivered one of the most decisive kicks of the entire meet—closing his final 200 meters in 27.35 seconds to win the 2026 NCAA Indoor Mile National Championship in 3:58.94. That victory didn’t just crown a new champion, it also ended a 15-year drought for BYU men’s individual indoor titles. And it capped a season where Cutting had already broken the BYU school record in the mile (3:52.84) and won the Big 12 title along the way. His PRs include the 3:52.84 indoor mile, a 3:37.03 in the indoor 1500m, 1:48.53 in the 800m, and 2:21.48 in the indoor 1000m. Carter Cutting’s story is a reminder that championship racing isn’t always about who has the fastest seed time: it’s about who’s ready when the moment arrives. He trusted his preparation, stayed patient in a tactical race, and unleashed the kick that made him a champion. Tap into the Carter Cutting Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 18 · 37 min
How Kimberley May Went From Almost Quitting Running to Signing With New Balance & Turning Pro — The Mindset Shift That Made the Difference
The last time Kimberley May joined the show, she was a 4:27 miler pulling back the curtain on what it takes to compete at the highest level of collegiate running. Since then, her career has accelerated into something much bigger. In early 2025, May ran 8:44.73 for the indoor 3,000m, breaking the Providence College record and posting one of the fastest times in NCAA history. Over the past year, she has also risen to become the second-fastest New Zealand woman ever in both the 1,500m and the mile, cementing herself among the most accomplished middle-distance athletes her country has produced. Her personal bests tell the story of remarkable range and progression: 2:03.46 (800m), 4:04.40 (1500m), 4:27.36 (mile), 8:44.73 (3,000m), and 15:26.50 (5,000m). That 4:04.40 in the 1500m ranks No. 2 all-time in New Zealand history, while her 4:27 indoor mile also sits second-fastest ever by a New Zealand woman. Now, after a historic run at Providence, May is entering the next stage of her career: signing professionally with New Balance and stepping onto the global stage of middle-distance running. From NCAA standout to international contender, the trajectory of Kimberley May is only just beginning. Tap into the Kimberley May Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 16 · 1 hr 1 min
World-Renowned Sports Psychologist Jeff Troesch: What It Takes to Be Great, the "It Factor," & Why You Don't Actually Want to Be an Olympian
For nearly 40 years, Jeff Troesch has worked behind the scenes with NBA players, MLB All-Stars, Olympic medalists, and national championship programs. He's coached athletes at every Olympic Games since 1988, helped shape the mental systems at IMG Academy, and consulted for USA Track & Field. In 2025, he distilled 150 mental performance lessons into one book: One Day Better. Jeff doesn't preach positive thinking, he teaches neutral thinking. His approach encourages athletes to define what "one day better" looks like for each specific session, preventing the overwhelm that comes from fixating on long-term goals. Adaily decision, not a distant destination. Jeff’s career path wasn't linear. After a marketing degree from Washington State University and four years as Media Relations Director for the Seattle SuperSonics, he returned to school for an advanced degree in sports psychology. He launched his performance career in 1987 as an NBA consultant, later expanding into MLB with the Mariners and Tigers. "One Day Better" isn't a slogan: it's a system. Whether you're chasing an Olympic Trials qualifier, a high school PR, or just trying to stay consistent when life feels chaotic, the mental game is the game. You don't need to win the season today. You just need to win the day. Tap into the Jeff Troesch Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 14 · 1 hr 1 min
Mike Scannell on the Philosophy Behind Coaching Champions, Why He Turns Down D1 Coaching Every Year, & Inside The 6-Week Training Block of Grant Fisher's Half Marathon Debut
Mike Scannell is back on The Running Effect Podcast. The last time he joined the show, we talked about the long-term vision behind coaching one of America’s most talented distance runners. Since then, that vision has turned into one of the most remarkable stretches in American distance running history. His athlete, Grant Fisher, has won two Olympic bronze medals in Paris, broken indoor world records in both the 3,000m and 5,000m, and firmly established himself as one of the most dominant distance runners on the planet. And now, the next chapter is about to begin. On March 15th at the United Airlines NYC Half, Fisher will make his professional half-marathon debut. Coach Scannell’s coaching record speaks for itself: Footlocker and Dream Mile national titles, multiple state records in the 1600, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and Olympians. He was an incredible runner himself, but in many ways he’s an even better coach. That is continuing to evolve with some of the best runners on the planet, and we can’t wait for you to hear our latest chat with one of the best minds in the sport. Tap into the Coach Mike Scannell Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 12 · 57 min
The Inside Scoop Before Nationals: Simeon Birnbaum & Connor Burns on How Oregon Qualified 5 Men in the 3k, Connor's Injury Comeback, and the Truth About Training Under Jerry Schumacher
The last time Connor Burns and Simeon Birnbaum were here, they were two highly anticipated freshmen trying to find their footing in one of the most historic distance programs in NCAA history. Now? They’re conference-dominating sophomores ready for their next target. At the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Championships, Simeon Birnbaum swept the distance double, winning both the 3,000m and the 5,000m to claim two Big Ten titles while continuing to climb the Oregon all-time lists. Connor Burns dropped a 7:40 in the 3000m at Boston University, one of the fastest times in the NCAA this season, and crossed the line second in the Big Ten 5000m before a controversial disqualification changed the results of the race. Now, both are headed to the NCAA Indoor Championships, where Simeon enters as a double threat in the 3000m and 5000m, and Connor arrives as one of the top contenders in the 3000m. We’re watching two of the most talented distance runners of their generation grow into championship racers at the NCAA level, and with the NCAA Indoor Championships up next, the Oregon Boys’ story is still being written. Tap into the Conner Burns and Simeon Birnbaum Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 10 · 1 hr 6 min
Clayton Young: A Doctor Told Him His Career Might Be Over — How a 2:08 Olympian Turned a Near Career-Ending Injury Into His Biggest Comeback Yet
Clayton Young fell early at the Marathon World Championships, and still finished as the top American. He also ran 2:07:04 at Boston (the fastest marathon of his life), and somehow it still felt like there was more in the tank. Since 2024, he’s been everywhere that matters: including 2nd in the U.S. Olympic Trials, 9th at the Paris Olympics, 7th in New York, 7th in Boston, and 9th in Tokyo. This man is stacking top-10 finishes on the biggest stages in the sport of marathon running. And now, with Tokyo, Boston, and Berlin lined up in 2026, he’s not just racing majors, it appears that he’s chasing history as he closes in on becoming a Six Star finisher. Clayton was the 2019 NCAA Champion in the 10,000m while at BYU. He’s a native of American Fork, Utah, and is a mechanical engineer by profession, often sharing detailed training data through partnerships with brands like Stryd. He runs professionally for ASICS and is coached by Ed Eyestone at Brigham Young University, his former college coach. Clayton’s career is a masterclass in durability, humility, and quiet progression. Clayton Young isn’t chasing attention. He’s chasing excellence. Tap into the Clayton Young Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 8 · 49 min
How Trent McFarland Went From a 4:13 Walk-On to 3:52 NCAA Contender — And Why Nobody in the NCAA Can Stop His Kick
In the span of a few months, Trent McFarland has gone from conference contender to one of the most dangerous milers in the NCAA, running 3:52.73 to break a school record and then defending his Big Ten title in a gritty, tactical 4:11 championship race. As one of the top milers in the Big Ten and the NCAA, Trent has had a tremendous 2025-26 season so far. He is the back-to-back Big Ten mile champion, and helped anchor the Michigan DMR team to gold at the 2026 Big Ten Indoor Championships. In early 2026, he set a new school record in the mile with a 3:52.73, which at the time was an NCAA number 6 all-time performance. Trent’s collegiate PRs include 1:47.50 in the outdoor 800m (1:47.22 indoor), 3:38.45 in the 1500m, 3:52.73 in the mile, and 7:50.75 in the 3000m. Trent McFarland is no longer just a rising name in the Big Ten conference, he’s becoming one of the defining milers of this NCAA era. From 3:52 precision to tactical championship wins when it matters most, his 2026 season has been a masterclass in evolution: speed, strength, patience, and competitive fire. Tap into the Trent McFarland Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 6 · 56 min
How Cameron Hanes Ran 250 Miles on a Broken Foot — and What That Reveals About Your Own Ceiling + Lessons From Training With David Goggins, Cole Hocker, & More
Cameron Hanes didn't inherit greatness. He built it: one mile, one arrow, one brutally consistent day at a time. He wasn't a child prodigy hunter or a naturally gifted runner. He was a warehouse worker, a utility employee, and a guy who struggled through his first mile of running. And through obsession, discipline, and an uncompromising personal code, he became the man who can run 20 miles before breakfast, lift after work, shoot in the dark, and line up for the hardest ultras in the world, all while preaching a simple philosophy–earn it. The prominent bowhunter, endurance athlete, and author, known for his "Keep Hammering" philosophy is here, a man who epitomizes self-discipline and physical preparation. In terms of running, he has finished the Moab 240 (238 miles), the Bigfoot 200, and the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. In 2025, he completed the Cocodona 250 in approximately 84 hours (and 18th place overall) and the Leadville Trail 100 in just over 24 hours. And he has some speed to boot: his mile PR is 5:18. Whether you are reaching your potential or someone who needs a higher standard, you won't want to miss this one. As Cameron says, Keep Hammering. Tap into the Cameron Hanes Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word"PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz
March 4 · 58 min
Aleksander Lingauer on the Confession Serious Runners Never Make — Identity, Ego, and What the Sport Really Costs You
Aleksander Lingauer is back on the show, this time putting everything on the table. Aleksander is an endurance athlete and writer, and the mind behind Project 61: a solo mission to run the length of Germany, one marathon a day, for two straight months. He's also crewed for Kim Gotthwald across two Last Man Standing victories. And this year, BPN extended him an invitation of his own. Aleksander is here to be honest and raw: about his nervous system shutting down on him. Not from one bad running session, but from weeks of training too hard, sleeping too little, and handling sudden public attention in ways he'll be the first to admit weren't healthy. What followed were tearful nights, empty churches, and one very raw conversation with himself on paper. He had to ask himself the question: what am I really doing this for? This isn't a race preview. It's an hour between two people talking honestly about ego, identity, faith, and what happens when the thing you've built your life around suddenly feels meaningless. Alexander reads aloud from a letter he wrote (Churches and Mirrors) and it stops feeling like a podcast entirely. His closing words: if you can suffer honestly, you will win honestly. Tap into the Aleksander Lingauer Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz