Running Lean

This week on the Running Lean podcast, I’m talking about something I like to call “The Strength You Can’t See.” When we think about getting stronger as runners, we usually picture lifting weights or building bigger muscles — and while that’s definitely part of the equation, it’s not the whole story. Some of the most important strength you can build as a runner isn’t visible at all. It’s deep inside — your core, your stabilizers, yo...

Recovery is the secret weapon of every successful runner — it’s where the real growth happens. If you’re training hard but not giving your body what it needs to bounce back, you’ll end up feeling flat, sore, and maybe even burned out. That’s why this week on the Running Lean podcast I’m sharing The Fat-Adapted Recovery Formula. This simple, three-part approach is designed specifically for runners who follow a low-carb or fat-adapte...

This week marks a huge milestone for the podcast — episode 300! To celebrate, I’m sharing something very special: 20 Principles to Help You Get Leaner, Get Stronger, Run Better, and Live Longer. After nearly six years and 300 episodes, I’ve covered just about everything from fat-burning nutrition to strength training, endurance building, and mastering your mindset. But the truth is, all of that boils down to a handful of timeless p...

A lot of runners I talk to are obsessed with burning calories, cutting carbs, and logging endless miles trying to get leaner. And while running does burn some calories, it’s actually not the most efficient way to change your body composition. The real magic happens when you build lean muscle mass. Today, I’m going to break down exactly how muscle boosts your metabolism, increases your fat-burning potential, improves your running ec...

Zone 2 running gets talked about like it’s the magic bullet for weight loss. It’s often labeled the “fat-burning zone,” and runners everywhere are logging easy miles expecting the pounds to just melt away. But here’s the truth: Zone 2 training is amazing, but not for the reasons you’ve been told. In this week’s episode of the Running Lean Podcast—What Zone 2 Running Really Does (and Doesn’t) Do for Fat Loss—I’m breaking down the my...

So many runners tell me they want to lose weight, get stronger, or train smarter—but they keep stalling because they’re “not ready yet.” They want the timing to be perfect, their schedule to clear up, their motivation to kick in. But here’s the truth: that day never comes. You don’t suddenly wake up one morning feeling 100% ready to change your diet or run your best marathon. Readiness isn’t something you wait for—it’s something yo...

So here’s the deal: runners are some of the fittest people on the planet, and yet so many struggle with weight. You put in the miles, the effort, the discipline… and the scale shrugs. Or, you train for a race and somehow gain weight. That can make you feel a little nuts. We’re going to fix that today by walking through a sane framework: how to think about food, how to plan without feeling restricted, and how to make decisions that ...

Today on the podcast I’m breaking down a hard truth a lot of runners need to hear: Why You’re Not Getting Stronger (Even Though You’re Lifting). If you’ve been showing up, moving weight, and still not seeing results, it’s not because you’re broken—it’s because your plan isn’t sending a strong enough signal. We’ll cover what real intensity feels like, how to progress week after week, why recovery is the secret sauce you keep skippin...

You know what I’m talking about. You’re doing the workouts, logging the miles, tracking your food, getting your strength sessions in… and the results? Nowhere to be found. The scale isn’t budging. Your pace isn’t improving. Your clothes fit the same. And you’re left wondering, “Why am I even doing this? What’s the point?” I want to tell you something right up front — if you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not broken, you’re not weak,...

You’ve probably heard it a million times: “Abs are made in the kitchen.” And while nutrition definitely plays a role in fat loss, the truth is… it doesn’t start there. In this episode of the Running Lean podcast, I’m flipping that outdated advice on its head in: Fat Loss Doesn’t Start in the Kitchen. You’ll learn why focusing only on food is a losing strategy, and how factors like your mindset, sleep quality, stress levels, and tra...

Most people think they need to feel motivated in order to eat healthy, work out, or stick to their running schedule. But here’s the truth—motivation is fleeting. It might get you started, but it won’t carry you through the tough days. What you really need is discipline. In this episode of the podcast, I’m breaking down Why Discipline Will Always Beat Motivation. You’ll learn what each of these really means, how they apply to weight...

There’s no shortage of advice out there about how to lose weight. Just eat less, run more, count your calories, cut carbs, do a cleanse, go vegan, try keto—the list goes on and on. But how much of this advice actually works? And more importantly, how much of it works long term, especially for runners? In this episode of the podcast, I’m digging into some of the most common—and most misunderstood—ideas around weight loss. We’re talk...

Mental toughness is one of the most powerful tools you can develop as a runner — and also one of the most overlooked. Physical training is important, sure. But if you don’t also train your mindset, you’ll keep hitting the same walls over and over again. You’ll quit when things get hard, you’ll doubt yourself when you need confidence most, and you’ll never quite reach your true potential. In this episode of the Running Lean podcast,...

Let’s be real—eating healthy can feel like a total drag sometimes, especially when all your favorite foods seem to be off-limits. But what if I told you that you don’t have to give up everything you love in order to eat healthy, lose fat, and still feel totally satisfied? In this episode of the Running Lean podcast, I’m sharing 10 Food Swaps to Help You Eat Healthier (Without Hating Your Life). These aren’t bland or boring substitu...

We’ve all done it—worn cotton socks on a long run, tried something new on race day, asked a Facebook group to diagnose our injury. Runners are awesome… but we also do some pretty dumb stuff sometimes. The good news? Every dumb mistake is just an opportunity to learn and grow. In this episode of the Running Lean podcast, I’m laying out Dumb Stuff Runners Do (And What to Do Instead)—a light-hearted but brutally honest look at the com...

One of the biggest myths in the running world is that you can’t lose fat and keep running strong at the same time. Well…I’m here to tell you that’s just not true. The key is learning how to fuel your body so you burn fat efficiently and support your training and recovery. In this episode of the Running Lean podcast, I’m breaking it all down for you in How to Eat for Fat Loss Without Losing Performance. You’ll learn exactly what typ...

Summer is here, and that means the heat and humidity are officially in full swing. If you’re training for a race or just trying to stay consistent with your running this time of year, you’ve got to adjust your approach. Trying to run the same way you do in cooler weather can lead to frustration, fatigue, or even dangerous health issues. In this episode of the podcast, I’m talking all about How to Train Smart When It’s Stupid Hot. Y...

Building leg strength is one of the most effective—and most overlooked—ways to improve your running. In this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing the top 5 leg strengthening exercises for runners. These are simple, proven moves that will help you build strength, boost endurance, improve running form, and reduce your risk of injury. You don’t need to spend hours in the gym or lift heavy weights to get results. In fact, I’ll give you ...

If you’ve ever said things like, “I can’t lose weight,” “I don’t have time,” or “I’m just not strong enough,” then you’ve experienced the power of limiting beliefs. These are the deeply held thoughts that shape your actions—and often keep you stuck exactly where you are. In this episode, I’m breaking down what limiting beliefs really are, how they develop, and why they’re so hard to let go of. I’ll explain how you always act in acc...