The Running for Real Podcast

In 1998, the groundbreaking artist Gordon Parks brought 177 rappers and hip hop artists, some of them rivals, together for his photograph, “A Great Day in Hip Hop.” When it was included in an exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum, Adrian Octavius Walker was chosen to continue Parks’ story by photographing a gathering of 116 members of the St. Louis music scene. His photo, ”A Great Day in Saint Louis," highlights the way ...

Many people attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon for years before they succeed, and many more never achieve that goal.  Robert Jackson BQ’d with his first marathon, and this year he not only ran the iconic race for the third time, but was one of the panelists on a Black Unicorn live podcast at the Expo. Now he has his sights set on the 2028 Olympic Trials, but that’s not the only challenge he’s taking on; he’s al...

If you’ve recognized your running self in a raccoon meme, you’ve seen the work of Izzy Seidel. She’s the founder of the Sad Girl Track Club on Instagram and Strava, and a content creator for running brands, a skill she honed during her time in the corporate world. While that may seem like a dream job, it isn’t without its downside.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/...

Hard as it may be for young women today to comprehend, this summer will mark only the 11th time that a women’s marathon has been held at the Olympic Games. Had women been allowed to participate just two Olympics sooner, they would have had to do so without the benefit of a sports bra, which wasn’t invented until 1977. 

In her new book, “Better Faster Farther: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Wo...

Isaiah Stofferahn’s 10 million+ followers know that he’s up for almost any kind of challenge. Lately he’s been focusing on running, whether that’s racing a marathon in Crocs or taking on his DoorDash driver in a head-to-head competition. What they didn’t know until recently was the story behind his drive to accomplish crazy goals and to have fun doing it.

For complete show notes and links, visit our websit...

When Alex Hermanson, a.k.a. “Herm Runs,” started following other runners on social media, “I didn't really see anyone that I personally related with wholeheartedly,” he recalls. “So I was like, ‘I'm just going to go make that myself.’” That was in late 2022, and now the self-described “big dude who runs a lot” has an online community of almost 100K and an in-person running group, the Not Yet Named Run Club.

Tyler Swartz believes that running should be fun, and that it’s more fun when you’re part of a community. That’s why he founded Endorphins Running, “to inspire and empower people to live happier and more fulfilled lives through movement and exercise.”

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode402.

Thank you to AG1, Precision Fuel & Hydration, and Track...

After being diagnosed with Haglund's Deformity, Tina wrestled with how to treat the debilitating pain. After doing extensive research and exhausting the more conservative options, she decided to have surgery.

Now she’s sharing what she learned so that others with the same condition will have an easier time determining the best course of action for themselves. She spoke with her chiropractor, Dr. Brennan Donahue; her s...

Chef Dan Churchill uses food as a way to inspire people to live the best life possible. He has a Masters in Exercise Science and was a strength and conditioning coach before switching his focus to nutrition. His recipe for success, whether he’s training for an ultramarathon or developing an actual recipe for his new cookbook, "Eat Like a Legend" or his Brooklyn restaurant, The Osprey, is simple: “Get the reps in.”

Tina ran her first ultra, the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler, a year ago. She finished first female and third overall, and felt good afterwards, except for one thing - her heel. She learned that she had a Haglund’s Deformity which impacted her Achilles tendon. After exhausting every other option, she had surgery last month. In this episode, she shares about the operation and her plans for the future, especially her role as an e...

Andrea Lytle Peet went from completing a half Ironman to needing a cane to walk, less than six months later. She was ultimately diagnosed with ALS, at the age of 33. Doctors told her that she had two to five years to live, and that before she died, she would lose the ability to walk, talk, move, eat and breathe.

Now, ten years later, she is the first person with ALS to have completed a marathon in all fifty states and...

Cheering on others as they pursue their goals means more to Lorna Mann than her own accomplishments. It’s a mindset that she attributes to the encouragement of Charlie Dark and the Run Dem Crew. Now she mentors others, helping them to discover their full potential.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode397.

Thank you to Tracksmith, AG1...

Tiffany K. Martin believes that “health” is about much more than the traditional elements of healthcare. She recognized that the existing system doesn’t adequately address the needs of many people, and so she founded Elevated Health and Community to provide resources for those who need them the most. Elevated’s “Not Just for Runners” event includes a 5K and one-mile run/walk/roll that are designed to ensure that everyo...

Roberto Mandje believes in meeting people where they are, which is also where he believes running will meet you. His philosophy stems from his multi-cultural upbringing and his professional running career, when he competed in the 2004 Olympics, the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, and twice in the XTERRA Trail World Championship. 

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforrea...

Mikah Meyer is the first person to experience all 419 U.S. National Park Service sites in a single journey. He also made a different kind of history along the way, becoming the first openly gay man featured in an outdoors recreation campaign, for REI. Now he advocates for greater inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community in the outdoor space. His documentary short film, "Echoes in the Canyon," will have its world premiere late...

Fiona O’Keeffe raced into the record books in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials this year. In her debut at the distance, she smashed the previous record, set by Shalane Flanagan in 2012, by over three minutes. She also became the youngest woman to claim victory. She’s focusing on her performance, but she’s also embracing the opportunity to champion environmental advocacy, leveraging her running platform to inspire chang...

As a runner and fitness professional herself, Erin Bailey understands how difficult it can be for athletes to represent themselves on social media and in their brand relationships. Her talent agency, Momentum Management, helps them present themselves authentically and forge business relationships that align with their values.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episod...

Many people define themselves in one way: “I am a runner.” “I am a DJ.” “I am an artist.” Matt Green, on the other hand, describes himself as a “multi-hyphenate.” The co-founder of the  District Running Collective (DRC) combines his talents to explore different ways of impacting the world.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode391.

Thank you to Pre...

Whether it’s serving as Race Director of the Front Runners New York LGBT Pride Run, leading the Global Parkinson’s Genetic Program at the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, or advocating for non-binary inclusion in races, J Solle supports and raises up others. 

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode390.

Photo credit (podcast player i...