For The Long Run

The media often only shows one side of a story where the “fastest woman on the planet” has to return her Olympic medals. Marion Jones competed in track and field and became a household name in the early 2000’s, working with major brands and competing in 5 events at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. In 2007, Marion confessed that she had lied about taking performance enhancing drugs and was sentenced to six months in jail after a scandal involving over 20 professional athletes. Marion used her resolve to make an impressive comeback to competitive sports, publish her book “On The Right Track,” and launch her campaign to help youth make better decisions. Listen to hear about: Marion’s early days as an athlete who loved training even more than competing The shift from professional athlete to entrepreneurial coach and the parallels between sport and business Marion’s story of having her Olympic medals taken away due to performance enhancing drugs How Marion decided to take what was a failure and turn it in

You could get an edge on your next running goals by learning a bit about running physiology. Jonah Rosner is an applied sport scientist and strength and running coach living in Brooklyn, NY.  Jonah spent the past 7 years working with athletes and teams from all major American Professional Team sports, and at 25 was one of the youngest sport scientists in NFL history.   He currently collaborates with Nike to run the Nike Running Performance Lab NYC. Listen to hear about: Jonah’s transition as a sport scientist from the NFL to running Why runners need to understand the physiology of running How to increase your running economy Tips for the average marathoner to get faster Building in consistency with progressive mini-goals over time Stay connected: Jonah Rosner on Instagram: instagram.com/rosnerperformance  Jonah’s website: rosnerperformance.com  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt

Feeling stuck and hoping to have more perfect days in 2025? This one’s for you. Eric Hinman is a hybrid athlete, 5x Ironman, serial entrepreneur, and brand builder based in Denver. Eric believes in the long-term vision of the brands he partners with. His portfolio of angel investments in the wellness space includes companies such as Ten Thousand, HVMN, Beam, Slate, Ice Barrel, The Real Cereal Co, Kane Footwear, MASA Chips and more. Listen to hear about: How Eric went from selling insurance door to door to becoming a popular wellness creator How competing in Ironman races changed Eric’s views of success Behind the scenes of investing in brands and start-ups Why you need to figure out your perfect day and shift your environment to make it possible Balancing passions like biking, Crossfit, and running and recovering from it all Eric’s focus on community and shared experiences Stay connected: Eric on Instagram: instagram.com/erichinman  Eric’s website: EricHinman.com  For The

What if your favorite running snack could also positively change the world? Salma Fotovat is a co-founder of Riverside Natural Foods, home to one of our favorite snack brands, MadeGood. Salma is passionate about where food comes from and leads the sourcing and impact initiatives at Riverside. Running has brought connection, perspective, and gratitude to her life and she strives to inspire others to stay active and prioritize their mental and physical health. Listen to hear about: How running came to Salma at one of the hardest points of her life The parallels between endurance sports and entrepreneurship How Salma’s parents encouraged her and her siblings to create the inspiring food brand Riverside and later MadeGood How Salma aims to have a net positive brand for the environment Stay connected: Salma on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/salmafotovat MadeGood on Instagram: instagram.com/madegoodfoods  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Insta

What’s the big, scary goal that you’re going to choose for 2025? Mike "Sully" Sullivan is a retired Special Forces Colonel with 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, including six combat tours in Afghanistan and leadership roles in elite Special Operations units. Sully is the current Chief of Staff of the veteran support group Team Red, White & Blue, the founding member of Team RWB Fayetteville, a career high school math teacher, and father of three children. Listen to hear about: Team RWB’s impact on veterans and how running fits in How Sully’s military experience gave him the mental toughness to pursue ultramarathons The interaction of health, community, and behavior change How and why to set big, hairy, audacious physical goals Stay connected: Sully on Instagram Sully on LinkedIn Sully on Facebook Sully on X Sully on Threads Team RWB’s website For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The

Dakotah Lindwurm is an Olympic Marathoner from Minnesota who runs for PUMA and Minnesota Distance Elite. She made the podium at the Olympic Trials, came in 12th in Paris 2024, and has a 2:24 marathon personal best. Listen to hear about: How Dakotah’s changed since her last FTLR appearance before Boston 2023 Big lessons from tough runs Her Paris 2024 Olympic race strategy and experience Dakotah’s hopes for younger athletes and her “why” Brand partnership support and running for PUMA (plus her top shoe picks) NYC Marathon insights and excitement for the 2024 race Hear Dakotah’s 2023 episode of For The Long Run: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qPCWTQGXSFAxG3HBKX3R0?si=b8a89a60e7be4504 Stay connected: Dakotah on Instagram: instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠ Looking for helpful, valuable resources t

Hear straight from pro runners on their biggest challenges and joys of the sport. Jon moderated this panel discussion at Boulderthon on September 28, 2024 with athletes Scott Jurek, Molly Seidel, Rory Linkletter, Maor Tiyouri, and Dakotah Lindwurm. Listen to hear about: Why each athlete chose running (and why their Whys can change) How they keep moving forward when times get hard How to get comfortable being uncomfortable The goals of these runners and how they’ve changed over time Pushing past post-race blues Hear past For The Long Run episodes with these athletes: How Olympic Medalist Molly Seidel Navigates Injury and Mental Health Struggles Running and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Maor Tiyouri’s Story Rory Linkletter: How an Olympic Runner Thinks About Training and Racing Olympian Dakotah Lindwurm: Running 26.2 Miles and Smiles Stay connected: Scott Jurek on Instagram: instagram.com/scottjurek  Molly Seidel on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly  Rory Link

Are you one of those runners who started off absolutely hating the sport? Jeremy Miller is an athlete and content creator based in Austin, TX. He has completed several marathons and ultras with a 2:44 marathon personal best. Jeremy is also known for his unique athletic feats, like running a sub-5-minute mile and deadlifting 500 pounds on the same day, and running a 62-mile race around a one-mile loop in a parking lot. He’s also the co-founder of Switchback, a running nutrition brand. Listen to hear about: How Jeremy went from seeing running as punishment to running a 100 miler Jeremy’s journey to becoming a full-time content creator (and from 2k to 100k Instagram followers in 6 months) The realities and evolution of working with brands as a content creator The 100 mile race recap, Boulderthon 2024, and future goals Why Jeremy believes the limiting factor in life is your own mind Stay connected: Jeremy’s website: https://www.jeremymiller.io Jeremy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremym

Olympic Marathoner Molly Seidel calls herself a “running nerd to the core,” but that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. Molly is an Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon who lives in Flagstaff, AZ. Listen to hear about: How injuries an (including emergency appendectomy) affect her mental health Learning how to define herself beyond just running The problem with short term gains over long term sustainability Molly’s love of friendly competition and racing other women The growing pains of running becoming more mainstream Our 2021 episode with Molly: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pIO6UE11YUaJAXaeyANn3 Stay connected: Molly on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠⁠⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠⁠⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠⁠⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠⁠⁠ This episode is supported by: PUMA: PUMA deeply cares about the running community and is committed to creating

Is building a media company a bigger test of endurance than a 250 mile race? Jason Bahamundi is an 8x Ironman and 8x 100 Mile finisher, plus a finisher of the inaugural Cocodona 250. But he thinks his biggest endurance feat so far is founding his sports publication, Run•Tri•Bike. Jason believes that there is a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body, despite the obstacles they may encounter along the way. Listen to hear about: The evolution of running culture alongside social media Personal takes on Boston Marathon Qualifying Times Navigating burnout in Ironman training and in business How healing from disordered eating opened Jason up to connection with others The evolution of Run•Tri•Bike and connecting with everyday athletes Stay connected: Jason Bahamundi on Instagram: instagram.com/cooktraineatrace RunTriBike Magazine: runtrimag.com For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠⁠ Join the Fo

At just 9 years old, Sebastian Salsbury ran his first ultramarathon race. He knew even then that he had to become one of the best in the sport someday. Now, Sebastian is an 18-year-old professional trail runner in Santa Barbara, CA who’s found a second family in the trail running community. He believes that anyone at any age can start running. Listen to this episode to hear about: What it was like to be raised in the mountain ultra community Transitioning to competitive running in middle school Being coached by Hayden Hawks and crewing him at Western States The importance of having non-runner friends Working with brands as an athlete The lure of the 100-mile distance Stay connected: Sebastian on Instagram: instagram.com/sebrunsfar Follow Sebastian Salsbury on Strava For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠ This episode is supporte

What sounds more challenging: Running a hard 10k, or sitting still for three days without exercise? Dr. Lara Pence is a licensed clinical psychologist working with elite and professional athletes. She helps them not only improve their performance in sport but also connect more deeply with the entire life experience. Lara’s also the founder of The Coaches Collective, a program for ambitious sport coaches looking to increase their skills in human behavior and psychology. Listen to this episode to hear about: Common identity challenges runners face in everyday training and injury The intersection of therapy and endurance sports Dr. Pence’s clinical experience with athletes with disordered eating Superficial connections in society and the need for deeper relationships Why athletes need to slow down and rest (and even get bored) Stay connected: Dr. Lara Pence on Instagram: instagram.com/drlarapence  The Coaches Collective: drlarapence.com/coaches  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: insta

How does a runner go from self-described bench warmer to podium finisher at one of the most renowned 100 milers in the world? Zoë Rom is a writer and journalist based in Carbondale, CO. She’s the host and producer of The Trailhead Podcast and Your Diet Sucks, and author of the book “Becoming a Sustainable Runner.” And she was the second female finisher at the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 Run! Listen to this episode to hear about: A race day recap of Zoë’s 2nd female finish at Leadville The difference in her mindset compared to her previous Leadville DNF: embracing her multifaceted self, creating space, sharing goals, and running purely for herself Mental strategies and flexible plans that helped her roll with the punches What it felt like to know she was in second place mid-race, and mutual support with women’s first place runner Mary Denholm Goals for the future and why a clear vision matters Stay connected: Zoë on Instagram: instagram.com/carrot_flowers_z  Zoë’s book with Tina Muir, Becoming a

What does it take to win the Leadville Trail 100 Run during your first-ever year of competing on trail? Mary Denholm cracked the code after racing almost exclusively on roads from 2015-2024. During that time, she took her road marathon personal record from 3:39 to 2:36 and qualified twice for the Olympic Marathon Trials. Mary decided to shift to ultrarunning in early 2024, and on August 17th, she won Leadville’s legendary 100 mile race. Listen to this episode to hear about: How and why Mary transitioned from road to trail Strength training and injury recovery leading up to Leadville Mary’s recap of her Leadville victory Tips for taking care of yourself during training and racing Stay connected: Mary on Instagram: instagram.com/eatrunandbemary For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: Boulderthon: Our favo

This episode is with Carolina Rubio-MacWright: mom and ultrarunner who recently completed the 2024 Western States 100 miler. She describes herself as a dreamer who is happier in the woods and passionate about building a better world than we have now. Carolina immigrated to the United States from Colombia, and now works as an immigration lawyer in New York.  In this episode we talk about: -representation and diversity at the Western States 100 miler -running for freedom and joy -from beginner trail runner to 100 mile finisher -the power of community and connection  -increasing diversity in trail running; being a changemaker  -the reality of creating change: longer timeframes, collective efforts and ripple effects  We mentioned For The Long Run Episode 250. Jad Daley: The Marathon Owes You Nothing. Find out more about Carolina Rubio-MacWright and her Touching Land program. Follow Carolina on Instagram @carustol and For The Long Run @forthelrpod  If you want to join us for exclusive deals, giveaways, and communi

This episode is with Molly Hurford, an extremely multifaceted human. Molly is a long-time sports journalist, author, the co-founder of the Consummate Athlete podcast with her husband, and most recently started her own publishing company “Strong Girl Publishing” to inspire girls and young women to stay active and enjoy reading. She is also a seasoned endurance athlete, participating in cycling, Ironman triathlon, trail and ultrarunning, and is mom to an adorable little Dachshund named DW.  In this episode we talk about: -how to juggle many jobs and passions -enjoying the outdoors; finding endurance sports and ultrarunning -increasing women in sports -biking racing and becoming a cycling fan -training for and racing the Leadville 100 -problem solving on the run -Consummate Athlete podcast and coaching Check out the Consummate Athlete and Strong Girl Publishing. Follow Molly on Instagram @mollyjhurford Consummate Athlete @consummateathlete Strong Girl Publishing @stronggirlpublishing and For The Long Run @forthe

This episode is with runner and entrepreneur Albie Masland. Albie is a husband, father and friend, a builder, dreamer, doer, entrepreneur and endurance athlete. A former college lacrosse player, Albie found distance running as an outlet for disappointment and failure, and to help balance out his other identities and life priorities. In 2012, and with little training, Albie ran across the United States, from California to Washington, D.C. In this episode we talk about: -running to overcome failure and life challenges ‘ -running across America on a whim -founding the brand “Levitate”: helping people do more with cannabinoids and functional mushrooms -the importance of being relentless and curious -the intersection between endurance and entrepreneurship  Shop Levitate and get 25% off your first purchase with code FTLR25. Follow Albie on Instagram @albie_tross Levitate @get.levitate and For The Long Run @forthelrpod  If you want to join us for exclusive deals, giveaways, and community connection with other listen

This episode is with Dr. Grant Lipman, founder of GOES Health, a wilderness medicine resource designed to democratize outdoor health through an app. Dr. Lipman is fascinated by how humans adapt and perform in extreme environments, including athletes at altitude. He also enjoys trail running with his dog, climbing mountains and skiing.  Topic timestamps: 3:20 Introduction to Dr. Grant Lipman and this episode 8:40 Altitude: the effects on the body and performance; acclimatization and training 20:35 Heat/ cooling: hydration; performing in hot conditions; cooling strategies 31:10 Anti Inflammatories: potential risks; pain management during races  35:20 Blisters: prevention and treatment with paper tape 39:40 GOES app: an outdoor medicine resource; GOES founding story 51:50 What did we miss? Sodium supplementation; ice baths, sauna and heat Check out GOES and reach Dr. Lipman at drgrant@goes.health  Here are the links to the studies Dr. Lipman referenced: Ibuprofen prevents altitude illness  High altitude sleep te

This episode is with sports fanatic and entrepreneur Jamie Mittelman. Jamie describes herself as a 36-year old from Boston who grew up obsessed with sports and decided to make a career out of it. She is a lifelong athlete who played soccer in college, before mixing her passion with her profession, and founding Flame Bearers to share unsung stories of resilient women. In this episode we talk about: -blending passion with profession  -Flame Bearers: Jamie’s media, production, and content company, telling stories of female athletes -elevating women in all sports, of all backgrounds, in the Olympics and Paralympics -athlete representation, sponsorship, compensation, and networking -3 ways to support women's sports and athletes: (1) Watch women’s sports (2) Buy women’s swag; support female athletes’ businesses and side hustles (3) Call out gender inequities Check out Flame Bearers on Instagram and YouTube @flamebearers and https://flamebearers.com/  We mentioned: For The Long Run Episode 263. Dani Aravich: Fig

This episode is with Olympian and professional marathon runner Rory Linkletter. He is a father of two, avid sports fan, passionate runner, and a Christian. Rory is currently training for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where he will represent Team Canada in the marathon. He ran a 2:08:01 marathon to qualify for the Olympics by only 9 seconds!  In this episode we talk about: -the importance of trusting the process -qualifying and training for the 2024 Olympics -running professionally for PUMA: shoe development, athlete and community support, brand marketing  -athletes as influencers and content creators -mixing running with faith as a Christian -athlete and male mental health and therapy Check out Rory’s YouTube channel @LinkletterRory and Strava at Rory Linkletter Follow Rory on Instagram @rory_linkletter and For The Long Run @forthelrpod  If you want to join us for exclusive deals, giveaways, and community connection with other listeners of the show, head to the link in the show notes to join our brand new