For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Running is a sport that has the power to unite us all and we are here to share conversations about how running has shaped the lives of people within our community, as well as how running has created community in itself. From pro runners and Olympians to ultramarathoners running their first big race to business owners who use running to improve their entrepreneurial journey, we believe in creating community and expanding the running world for all. Hosted by running enthusiast, Jonathan Levitt.

Episodes

May 2, 2025 49 mins

This runner took a scary setback and turned it into a message of hope.


Dom Fusco is a health and wellness creator, coach, endurance athlete, and community builder based in Austin, Texas.


After surviving a sudden cardiac arrest in 2023, Dom made it his mission to help others strengthen their bodies, sharpen their minds, and deepen their faith to live healthier, stronger, and more purposeful lives.


Listen to hear about:


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    Royi Metser is the founder and CEO of Avelo, the company behind the world's first smart running shoe.


    Running changed Royi’s life in 2021 after a blood test was the kick in the butt he needed to make a change. Three days later he signed up for his first marathon.


    It was through his personal mission to improve at running that he decided to build a product to measure force and form and use the data to help runners improve performance a...

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    Want to build your mental strength and confidence before your next race?


    Neal Palles is an ultrarunning coach and a psychotherapist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant.


    Through his private practice, Colorado Psychotherapy and Sport Performance, he works with athletes who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or a performance related issue to help them focus on what matters.



    Listen to hear about:

    • Jon’s performance and men...
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    Boston is coming up next week, and to celebrate, we have a special bonus episode with you to give you the complete guide to the Boston Marathon experience with George Woodward.

    George Woodward is a father, data scientist, runner, and certified coach who came to running and racing late in life. Boston 2025 will be Marathon number 21 and Boston number nine. 

    He runs with the Somerville Road Runners in USATF events and runs for fun with...

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    Family life in an athletic family can be a balancing act.


    Jenny Jurek is an avid runner and adventure seeker sharing her passion of the outdoors with her two young children and husband, Scott Jurek.


    After twenty years designing sustainable outdoor apparel, she recently launched her own business, “Always Up”, which offers performance products that empower parents to stay active during pregnancy and beyond.



    Listen to hea...

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    What does it take to build a passion-based activewear line?


    Caitlyn Miller is a 26 year old business owner and marathon runner. Caitlyn’s business, Expntl Athletics, specializes in activewear for distance runners. 


    Listen to hear about:


    • How social media helped Caitlyn connect to audiences and build a brand
    • Navigating the mental and physical aspects of a sacrum injury
    • Distinguishing between good and bad pain and learning ...
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    Golfing might help your running more than you’d think.


    Scott Stallings is a 3x PGA Tour winner who earned the reputation as "The Fittest on Tour" due to his fitness-first lifestyle.


    In April, Scott will be participating in the 2025 Boston Marathon - his first-ever Marathon - while raising funds for and supporting Golf Fights Cancer, a non-profit organization that raises funds for cancer-related organizations and fam...

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    Elite athletes deal with many of the same challenges that recreational runners do.


    Adam Vadeboncoeur’s been running for over 20 years but is now finding his stride in his mid 30’s. Over the past few years, he’s gained his first Team USA spot for 50km World Championships, a 100k road national title, and a sub 2:18 marathon.


    Listen to hear about:


    • Imposter syndrome and mental game
    • How volunteer firefighting fits into Adam’...
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    The Marathon Project is back and bigger than ever.


    Ben Rosario spent two years as a member of the Hansons Brooks Distance Project, was the special events director for the GO! Saint Louis Marathon, founded the Northern Arizona Elite professional team, and co-founded a specialty running store--Big River Running Company.


    Now, Ben’s the CEO of The Marathon Project, an annual event in Chandler, Arizona that features an amateur and...

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    In a world of diet culture, nutrition for running can feel complex and exhausting– but it shouldn’t be.


    Zoë Rom is a writer and journalist based in Carbondale, CO. Kylee Van Horn is the founder of sports nutrition business Flynutrition, which helps runners, triathletes, cyclists, and skiers to learn not only the ‘why’ but the ‘how’ behind fueling for performance.


    Together, Zoë and Kylee host the podcast Your Diet Sucks.


    L...

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    Fueling your sports can be a lot simpler than you may think.


    Aaron Gouw and Gabe Multer co-founded Carbs Fuel, an emerging brand in the endurance sports nutrition space.


    Carbs Fuel believes that fueling shouldn’t be reserved to the affluent minority. Their flagship product is their Original 50g Energy Gel.


    Listen to hear about:


    • How Aaron’s and Gabe’s passion for running and cycling drove them to examine sports nutr...
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    This chat with a coach will have you reworking your running goals to be even more impactful.

    Tucker Grose is an endurance athlete and coach who enjoys competing over a variety of distances and surfaces.

    In 2024 alone, he completed events from 800m on the track to 100k on the trails.

    Tucker’s helped over 100 athletes incorporate running into their lives in a sustainable and health focused way.

    Listen to hear about:

    • Managing your own...

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    Runners tend to overcomplicate nutrition, so let’s talk about both mindset and science.

    Claire Shorenstein (MS, RD, CSSD) is a board-certified Sports Dietitian working with teenage and adult athletes from the recreational to elite level. 

    Her virtual private practice, Eat for Endurance, helps busy, active people learn how to fuel themselves for health and performance while navigating the challenges of everyday life.

    Claire’s a longtim...

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    Want a realistic look at how parents can spend meaningful time with their kids while also working toward running goals?


    Adam Merry is a professional dad and former pro runner living in Belfast, Maine. He loves the process of self-discovery and improvement through training and race trail and ultra marathons.


    Listen to hear about:

    • Finding a sustainable balance between family life, work, and running
    • Stepping away from...
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    For The Long Run’s podcast consultant is here to pull back the veil on everything from production to brand partnerships!


    Emily Holland is the co-founder of Wild Poppy Creative Consulting, working with creators and small business owners to maximize their impact on the world. She’s worked with Jon for 3 years now and she joins the pod to break down everything For The Long Run in a real way. 


    She's a trail runner, rock climber, begi...

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    Ever thought about starting a run club or event of your own? Listen up!


    Alexandra Weissner is the co-founder of Brunch Running, a community-focused run club and event series based in Denver.


    With years of experience producing events like The bRUNch Run and the Steamboat Marathon, Alexandra has built a vibrant community that celebrates running, connection, and post-run brunches.


    Want to run the Steamboat Marathon? Use...

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    How do you stay motivated after a big setback or injury?


    Fiona O'Keeffe is a professional runner with the PUMA Elite team based in North Carolina. After graduating from Stanford in 2020, she made the move to the East Coast and found success on the roads under the guidance of Alistair and Amy Cragg.


    Listen to hear about:


    - Balancing competition and community

    - Process goals and setbacks as opportunities for growth

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    Get tips from a coach who’s run over 250 marathons and ultras on 5 continents!


    Ian Sharman is the founder of Sharman Ultra Coaching, a team of elite coaches. He got a marathon PR of 2:21 at age 43, and a half marathon PR of 1:03 at age 44. He's won over 50 marathon+ races with at least one win every year for 19 (and counting) consecutive years.


    Ian also holds the fastest time in a trail 100-mile race by a Brit (12h44m), the recor...

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    This sprinter came from humble beginnings and is now one of the fastest people on Earth.


    Julien Alfred is a Saint Lucian sprinter and PUMA athlete who won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics 100-meter event, setting a new national record of 10.72s in the final. 


    Her medal was the first-ever Olympic medal for Saint Lucia, and then won a silver in the 200 meters.


    Listen to hear about:


    • Julien’s start to running as a ...
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    Print media is still alive, and it’s shaping running culture, too.


    Simon Freeman is a runner and co-founder of Like the Wind magazine, an indie running publication telling stories that inspire, motivate and move runners.


    He and his wife Julie also co-founded Freestak, an influencer platform for endurance sports brands which they sold in 2023.


    Simon lives in Switzerland, enjoying the mountain life and building the Like the Wind m...

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