The People Run Podcast

What started as an idea has now turned into twenty episodes of stories, lessons, and incredible people.

From elite runners to parents balancing miles and life, I’ve learned something from every guest and this episode is a reflection on that journey.

In this special episode, I share 10 lessons learned through the first 20 episodes of The People Run Podcast, from mindset and training to community and gratitude.

Thank you to everyone who...

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Mak Foss a Michigan runner chasing big marathon goals while juggling 5 a.m. runs, a full-time job, and building a community through her Society Track Club.
Mak opens up about the nerves that come with racing, how she’s preparing for the Indianapolis Marathon, and why community and connection matter more than pace. From the lessons she’s learned about embracing failu...

At just 26 years old, Ant DiAndrea has already completed 19+ ultras, including several 100 milers, and raised over $10,500 for orphans and inner city kids. But his story runs much deeper.

At age 10, Ant’s life was forever changed by tragedy. Instead of letting it define him, he chose to rebuild with purpose leaning on running, faith, and community. From the 48 hour “Dreadmill” challenge, to crewing with his wife at every race, to cl...

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, I sit down with Sota Maehara runner, coach, and YouTube creator known for breaking down training science into simple, actionable lessons for everyday runners.

Sota shares his journey from Japan to Australia, how he ramped up his training during COVID, and the lessons that shaped his running career. 

We dive into:

• ✅ The benefits of tempo runs vs. cruise intervals
• ✅ Smart long run strategies...

What’s it like to start track at 29 and still hit elite level times? 🇪🇸 Jaime  known as The Corporate Runner  joins me to share his unique journey from soccer in Spain to racing 800s in 1:55 and 5Ks in the 16s, while balancing career, travel, and now life in NYC.

We dive into:

• The big differences between running culture in Europe vs. the U.S.
• Why you need a license to run official races in Spain.
• How New York’s social run scene r...

There’s more nutrition “advice” out there than ever… but how much of it actually helps runners?

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Carla Duenas, a registered dietitian and endurance athlete, to cut through the noise and set the record straight on what really fuels performance.

Carla shares the science and the practical takeaways behind:

• Why carbs aren’t the enemy  and how to use them the right way
• The tr...

Every runner wants to stay healthy, strong, and consistent but injuries often get in the way. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Dr. Hunter Etheridge, a physical therapist, running coach, and lifelong athlete, to break down how to prevent injuries and run pain-free.

From running form cues to overlooked muscles like the glute med, soleus, and posterior tib, Dr. Hunter shares practical strategies to build d...

What happens when life doesn’t slow down and you still choose to run anyway? 

In this episode, Meelo shares how he went from a strength focused athlete who hated running to a fatherhood finding meaning, discipline, and growth through the miles. We talk about his early struggles, how he ran his first marathon on grit alone, and what shifted in his mindset to keep going. From carving out time and long workdays, to embracing the 10-min...

What does it really mean to train your mind like an athlete?

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, sports psychologist Maggie Goodman breaks down the mental tools that fuel performance from everyday runners to competitive athletes. We dive into self talk, imagery, body image, stress recovery, and how to build a process focused mindset that holds up through setbacks, injury, and race day pressure.

If you’ve ev...

Sofie Schunk is a biomechanical engineer, run coach, and Olympic Trials Qualifier living with type 1 diabetes. In this episode, she opens up about chasing the OTQ, crashing mid race, and coming back six weeks later to qualify. We talk fueling, coaching philosophy, strength training, mindset and what it takes to keep going when life gets chaotic.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sophie Schunk
01:49 Sofie's Journey into Run...

Dan Marchese has run sub 3 Hr marathons, conquered 100 milers, and still isn’t done. In this episode, we dive into Dan’s transformation from Olympic weightlifting to endurance racing, his tough mindset, strength training for runners, coaching philosophy, and how he’s training to win a Last Man Standing ultra. If you're chasing big goals, this one will light a fire.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dan Marchese and His Journey...

Ricardo went from racing triathlons to launching a sock brand built for athletes. This is a story of friendship, racing, and chasing bold ideas.

!!! Note: Visuals switch to a photo after the first third due to a technical issue. Full audio and story still intact.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ricardo and His Journey
02:17 Training for Ironman: A Personal Journey
04:49 Injury and Recovery: Lessons Learned
06...

Jerry Faulkner has run more than 20 years of sub 2:40 marathons (PR 2:21) and he’s still going. In this episode, we sit down to unpack the mindset, training philosophy, and day today discipline that’s kept him fast for decades. From his early days as a walk on athlete to dozens of marathon wins, Jerry shares the key lessons learned across years of racing, coaching, and staying hungry.

We talk training volume, race strategy, longevit...

Karis Myers is an Olympic Trials marathon qualifier with a story that goes far beyond the finish line. In this conversation, she reflects on the mental battles behind the miles  from navigating injury setbacks to reshaping her relationship with training, identity, and rest.

We talk about letting go of perfection, pulling back without guilt, and learning to train smarter. Karis shares the mindset shifts that helped her grow as both a...

In this episode of the People Run Podcast, Fitz Mayi talks with Sean Meehan about the intersection of running and cycling, exploring everyday runners' experiences, the challenges of moving, and the beauty of Colorado's outdoor scenery. They discuss Sean's transition from soccer to cycling, his adventures in Spain, and the importance of nutrition and hydration for endurance sports. Sean shares his journey into running...

In this episode of the People Who Run podcast, Fitz Mayi interviews Julia Meyer, a passionate runner and founder of Point B Movement. They discuss Julia's journey into running, the importance of community, and her experiences with various races, including the South Bend 400. Julia shares insights on training, recovery, nutrition, and the significance of respecting the marathon distance. The conversation also touches on common ...

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz Mayi interviews Ozzie, who shares his inspiring journey from being a non-runner to completing a marathon. Ozzie discusses the health awakening that motivated him to change his lifestyle, the importance of family support, and the challenges he faced during his training and the marathon itself. He emphasizes the power of community in running, the lessons learned from overcoming obstacle...

In this episode of the People Run podcast, host Fitz engages with Mark Changcoco, a dedicated runner from Orlando, discussing various aspects of running, including training routines, race experiences, shoe preferences, and the transformative power of running on health. 

Mark shares his journey from gym workouts to consistent running, emphasizing the importance of early morning runs and the impact of running on his overall well-being...

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, host Fitz Mayi talks with Ollie Smyth about his journey as an everyday runner. They discuss Ollie's late start in running, his experiences with the six world majors, and the importance of community and proper training. Ollie shares insights on injury management, the psychological aspects of running, and the balance between running and personal life. 

The conversation highlights the evo...