In S5Ep12 of the PRP, Adam heads to O’Toole’s to break bread with longtime Michigan running mainstay, data deep diver, impassioned RFB co-organizer and steadfast steward of the sport Danny Johnston, who has been preparing for the Indianapolis Half Marathon. Lauren Wolf, fellow RFB co-organizer, clarinet connoisseur and proud data sorceress joins the show to offer her take on volunteering, larping and of course, the ever-expanding RFB offspring universe.

Together, the crew digs into the story of RFB’s rise—from a casual Monday beer run between friends to one of Michigan’s most welcoming community fixtures. Danny & Lauren reflect on what it means to show up not only as a runner but as a volunteer, guide and advocate. More often than not, they note, supporting someone else’s finish line can be more joyful, and far more fulfilling, than chasing your own.

Things get vulnerable when Danny deep dives into his thoughtful Runner Language Research Project—what began as curiosity has grown into a full exploration of how we speak about the sport we love. He explains how tiny phrases like “just a 5K” or “only eight miles” can unintentionally shrink accomplishments and quietly gate keep newcomers while simultaneously robbing experienced runners of the credit they deserve. He reminds us that language influences not just who feels included, but how we see ourselves.

His mission isn’t to scold but to soften the edges of the sport and widen the on-ramp for anyone who hasn’t yet realized they belong. It’s a call to celebration over comparison, intention over ego and stewardship over splits. A reminder that every run counts, every effort matters—and that your “hard” is still worthy, even on the days you don’t feel impressive.

From clarinet solos to crag lessons, analytics to alleyway 5Ks, this episode highlights what truly makes running magical: the humans. The ones who cheer loud, volunteer hard, carry the vibes (not the boats) and keep the joy alive. A celebration of showing up, lifting up and growing better together.

Exposure therapy, echo chambers and nanner haters oh my! This and more in this laughter-filled, perspective-shifting & data-backed episode of the PRP!

Recorded Monday November 3rd @ 5:00PM EST

In S5Ep11 of the PRP, Adam heads to the desert with beloved community leader, running culture connoisseur, artistic trail blazer and newly minted ultra runner Tommie Runz, who’s been preparing for the Javelina Jundred — his first official 100-mile ultra marathon. Dawnta Campbell, talented distance runner, self-care sage, blossoming trail baddie & certified mantra machine joins the show to offer her unique perspective on running, representation and what it means to move through life with intentional energy & grace.

Together, the trio unpacks Tommie’s evolution from Runz to Trailz; a shift that’s been less about performance and more about peace, intuition and the quiet confidence that comes from letting the miles unfold instead of forcing them. Road racing once thrived on precision & pressure; trail running, by contrast, invites surrender—permission to breathe, to feel, to move without expectation. It’s a new chapter for Tommie, one guided not by pace or splits, but by curiosity and trust in where the path leads.

But this one moves past the metrics and into the soul of the sport. The conversation digs into the heart of race, culture, and belonging — what it means to show up as a Black runner in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind, and how the act of running itself can be both liberation & labor. Tommie & Dawnta explore the evolution of representation — the beauty of showing up as yourself in spaces and the power it holds when others recognize a piece of their own story in yours. Because it’s not just about being “welcomed” to the start line — it’s about helping redefine who the start line belongs to and is created by.

Through reflection & laughter, the crew explores how running can evolve from a personal pursuit into a communal act of stewardship. From road miles to ridge lines, Tommie’s story is proof that growth isn’t just about finding new terrain — it’s about discovering new layers of self within it. The lessons? Run when it’s joyful. Rest when it’s heavy. Keep showing up. Keep building. And most importantly, keep sharing. 

Cactuses, batteries and salty shorts oh my! This and so much more in this important, encouraging & iconic episode of the PRP!

Recorded Friday October 24th @ 3:00PM PST

In S5Ep10 of the PRP, Adam symposiums with radiant force of resilience, defiant survivor, corky community catalyst and proud Detroit Machine, Sarah Nitz, who has been preparing for the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon on Sunday October 19th, 2025. Coach Bambi, founder of Machine Athletics, culture missionary, and queen of conviction returns to show to offer her signature blend of mentorship, motivation, and trademark Machine-made wisdom.

Sarah & Coach dive into a moving exchange about strength, stewardship, and the evolution of self through adversity. A proud member of both Machine Athletics and WeRun313, Sarah opens up about her journey from cancer diagnosis to comeback — how running became both a refuge and a reminder that healing isn’t about returning to who you once were, but embracing who you’ve become. Coach then ties in the power of belief — reminding us that strength starts in the mind. For Sarah, belief wasn’t just mindset—it was survival. That same faith now fuels her running, her purpose, and the light she gives back to others.

The squad then explores the spiritual side of sport — how faith, community, and self-compassion can coexist with grit, ambition, and the drive to grow. They talk about what it means to mourn old versions of yourself, to release what no longer serves you, and to run lighter — not just physically, but emotionally. From surviving to thriving, Sarah’s story becomes a living blueprint for resilience & grace: proof that desire doesn’t age, and passion doesn’t need a finish line.

Things get even more vulnerable when the crew unpacks mindset and attitude. What does it really mean to trust the process, embrace imperfection, and remember that rest isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. Oh the places we’ll go when we embody the truth that running is a luxury, a practice of gratitude, and a celebration of what it means to simply be alive and moving forward.

Where my OLG’s at?! Make me or break me coach! Dog aid?? Runnymoons?! Whale watching?! YOU HAVE TO GO GET IT. Puzzle pieces, self belief & tracking marathons in bars oh my!

This and so much more in a deeply inspiring, joy-charged, and perspective-shifting edition of the PRP.

Recorded Tuesday October 14th @ 6:00PM EST

In S5Ep9 of the PRP, Adam saddles up with distance-running drip lord, group run superconductor, enlightened suffer-well philosopher and consistently inconsistent marathon dreamer Jeff Tyrone Vito, who had been preparing for the Chicago Marathon on Sunday October 12th, 2025. Elliot Osoteo, proud Pinoy pacer, charismatic community conduit, and all around empathy engine of the Must Be Nice Collective, returns to the pod to reflect on finding purpose through loss, community through art, and joy in the slow miles that lead to self empowerment.

The lads crack open conversations about structure, struggle, and showing up—especially when the mind tries to talk you out of your own potential. Vito reflects on stepping into Saddler’s Saddles—his first time trading full running independence for coaching guidance—and discovering that sometimes the real growth comes from letting someone else hold the map while you find your own rhythm. From battling self-doubt to embracing accountability, he shares how finding more structure in training has opened up more freedom in life—reminding us all that forcing the process kills the joy, and at the end of the day, isn’t joy the whole point? In other words, the less he tries to control the recipe, the more the universe seasons it just right.

Things get vulnerable when Elliot opens up about running the Detroit Free Press Marathon on the one-year anniversary of his mother’s passing. Instead of being paralyzed by grief, he’s learned to run with it—letting memory fuel movement and presence soften pain. Together, the duo explores how identity can warp when you cling too tightly to performance, how slowing down can really be a form of strength, and why documenting the sport is its own kind of stewardship. You don’t have to be the one pinning on the bib to build the culture—often times the lens, the support, or the vibe is the contribution.

Must Be Nice mischief?! Saddler-certified?? Confusing showers?? Vito’s vengeance? Married to the game? Booty call bedtimes?? Quiche, honey croissants and crumb-covered naps oh my!

This and so much more in this hilarious, heartfelt and sneakily profound episode of the PRP.

Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Recorded Wednesday October 1st @ 10:00AM EST

In S5Ep8 of the PRP, Adam symposiums with decades-long distance runner, decorated Wayne State alum, physical therapy powerhouse, multifaceted running coach and proud mama bear, Dr. Lauren Couls, who has been preparing for the Red Moon Trail 25K on August 9th, 2025. Jen Rock Buslepp, Wayne State hall of famer, Olympic Trials qualifier, mama bear extraordinaire and blossoming photographer joins the show to offer her take on running burnout, mom brain and of course, the Ninja Turtles.

Buckle up as the squad unpacks how Lauren’s PT and coaching approach has evolved—from prescribing fixes to fostering lightbulb moments. By guiding athletes to discover answers for themselves, she sparks lasting growth and resilience; shifting runners’ perspectives on body mechanics and training strategies in the long run (pun intended) instead of just slapping bandaids on injuries.

Things get vulnerable when the trio digs into the hard questions around coaching, healing, and stewardship. What happens when your body says pause but your identity screams run? How do you balance competitiveness with compassion—for yourself and others? And how can each of us support this community, even when we’re not the ones pinning on the bib?

For both Lauren & Jen, that journey has meant evolving from high-level competitors to coaches, healers, and now moms. Deconstructing their identities as runners, then slowly rebuilding them hasn’t always been easy, but that process has sharpened their perspective, deepened their empathy, and made them more attuned to what really matters. Together, the crew explores what it means to grow with the sport rather than against it: redefining success, embracing rest, finding identity beyond medals and splits, and guiding athletes to run not just stronger but smarter - all while cultivating a deeper relationship with the sport and, in turn, with themselves.

Ummm, triple stroller Guinness World Record?!? Hootie & the Blowfish singalongs??? Gilligan's Island & Andy Griffith (yeah we old)! Jesus, is that you? Tornadoes, Facebook pokes and bilateral FAI, oh my!

This and so much more in a laughter-filled, wisdom-packed, and deeply heartfelt running mama edition of the PRP.

Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Recorded Thursday August 7th @ 4:00PM EST

In S5Ep7 of the PRP, Adam chops it up with blossoming ultra running besties, self-taught watershed endurance scholars, certified Brighton Running Lab rats and brave-as-hell first-time 100 milers Kennedy Hyde & Sidney Jonckheere who have been preparing for the Huron 100 on Saturday June 7th, 2025.

Tap in to follow the hilarious and inspiring journey of two trail sisters-in-the-making who’ve swapped college classrooms for single track sermons and late-night study sessions for long-run snack prep. Kennedy—former soccer star, proud dog mama and modern-day trail Magellan—might not always know where she is, but definitely knows why she’s out there. Syd—aspiring garden guru, grounded gummy worm analyst, and intentional electrolyte sommelier—is lacing up with a quiet fierceness and the kind of grace you only get from honoring your pace, fueling with intention, and refusing to let doubt outrun joy.

The squad deep dives into what it means to show up for one another through the highs, lows, bonks, and breakthroughs. No coaches, no rigid plans—just two young women listening to their guts (and occasionally their knees), setting audacious goals and giving each other permission to chase big dreams without apology.

Things get vulnerable when Sid & Kenny reflect on what it means to show up exactly as you are and explain how the trail & running communities have become a primary space for them to explore identity, challenge old definitions of success, and lean into their individuality. The two also discuss the freedom that comes with taking the pressure off, trusting your own rhythm, and letting running be a practice in presence rather than perfection. From bug bites to body image and real food to raw feelings ft. a healthy does of trail trash talk, these two kindred spirits remind us all that the real finish line is feeling connected—to the run, to your people, and most importantly to who you’re becoming.

WTF is Hazel Nut Cream? Just how hard is Ken ridin’ the Bull? Errr did Koda just fart? Who the hell is Bubbs?! Garden alarms?! Potato shapes, pickleball feuds & patella tendons oh my!

This and so much more in this heart-filled, food-forward, sisterhood-celebrating edition of the PRP.

Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Recorded Monday June 2nd @ 6:00PM EST

In S5Ep6 of the PRP, Adam goes to stoke city with electric long distance runner, heart-first honcho of hype, belief bolstering coaching phenom and the undisputed master of the mid-run monologue Chris Sadler, who has been preparing for the Bayshore Marathon on Saturday May 24th, 2025. Kendra Nylen, certified strength queen, dignified Gilmore Girls scholar and Chris’s proud fiancee joins the show to offer her take on all things banana accoutrements, Spartan spirit and of course, what it takes to keep up with a household full of Sadlers.

The trio wades deep into the rhythm of the long run—where love lingers, legacy builds, fingers freeze and weekend miles turn into moving pictures with dope music & motivation. Chris reflects on his coaching journey and shares insight about how this experience has added unmeasurable depth and direction to his own running story. With a mentoring ethos built on joy, character, and contagious hype, tap in to learn how Sadler’s Saddles are empowering one another as teammates through athlete spotlights, cold weather grind reels and a relentless commitment to showing up for each other with authenticity and pulse you can feel through the pavement.

Things get vulnerable when Sadler ruminates about the return to his marathon roots, the deeply meaningful value of having Kendra by his side, and the full-circle feels of racing Bayshore again with new goals, ALL the homies and fresh perspective. From sharing your stoke to protecting your peace, Chris reminds us that the true measure of a running journey isn’t found in finish lines or stats—it’s in the belief you help spark in others as they chase their own unhinged dreams in the vast world of running. 

Who are the OTQ boys & how is the Life in Stride Podcast dishing out so much heat?! Did Bailey the 17 year old labroador just get a bark-out?! Stewards of stoke?! John Wooden drops in from the ethosphere?? Yooo, where the photographer at? Power train control modules? Expedited bromancing??  Bouje drizzlin? Race cruxes, proposal stories and banana saddles oh my!

This and so much more in this joy-forward, mentor-driven, laugh-heavy episode of the PRP.

Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Recorded Tuesday May 20th @ 5:00PM EST

In S5Ep5 of the PRP, Adam prattles with blossoming long distance runners, local food & agriculture champions, community cultivators and proud park-hopping pals Meg Goldwyn & Laura Matney, who have been preparing for the Glass City Half Marathon on Sunday April 27th, 2025. 

Tap in to learn how two remarkable human beings are leveraging their passion for fresh produce & funky vibes to build a healthier, more connected Ann Arbor. Meg—Argus Café Store Manager and certified dog mom of the decade is newer to the sport but fully aboard the endorphin express. Laura, General Manager at Argus Farm Stop and lifelong endurance adventurer with a flair for fungi, brings years of grit and community organizing insight to the convo. 

The squad unpacks how Argus Farm Stop’s unique model supports local farmers, feeds neighbors, and keeps the lights on (literally) in a way that blends business, service, and sustainability into one delicious, community-enhancing mission. But it’s not just about the veggies—it’s about the vision. At the heart of it all is a guiding question: “How does what we do every day serve the local food economy?”

Things get vulnerable when the duo deep dives on the power of shared knowledge—how pulling back the curtain on their systems, lessons, and even missteps can spark change across the local & national food landscape. Whether it’s telling tales at a farm stop conference, spreading the gospel of pawpaws, or dropping hot tips on turning smoothies into waffles (yes, that's a thing), Meg & Laura live to connect dots and people alike. From park bagging all 162 green spaces in Ann Arbor to gap-trail biking and glacial terrain escapades, this lovely duo reminds us that movement and nourishment go hand in hand—and that the spiritual symbiosis of running, food, and community might just be the perfect fuel to keep us joyful, curious, and snack-happy as we traverse through this wild ride called life.

What’s in tarnation is an L3C? Laminated life mantras? Sommelier say whaaa?? WTF is a wild ramp?! Volun-told you so? Old socks, banana relatives & Shaq gummies oh my!

This and more in this nourishing, laughter-filled, and deeply mission-driven episode of the PRP.

Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Recorded Friday April 25th @ 9:00AM EST

In S5Ep4 of the PRP, Adam chops it up with decades long run for fun enthusiast, flashy but low key drip queen, down right knee-slapping pun machine and recent Boston Marathon finishing Bandit Quinn Mizikar who has been preparing for the Risk it for the Biscuit 5K on May 4th, 2025. Sarah Krawczyk & Michelle Kay, serial PRP offenders, Bandit Racing Team icons and same-page poets return to the show to offer their take on the joy of running, the strength of friendship, and the healing power of honoring someone you love.

While Quinn takes the official guest seat, she shares the mic generously with Michelle and Sarah to help spotlight the upcoming third annual Risk it for the Biscuit 5K—a race founded in loving memory of Michelle’s late husband and Sarah’s longtime friend, Stephen Kay. Tap in to learn more about the Stephen Kay Foundation and hear how what started as a way to process grief has become a joyful & uplifting tradition—inviting runners from all over Michigan to celebrate Stephen’s legacy by doing what he loved most: living fully, running freely, and showing up for others with heart & humor.

The Bandit trio unpacks their collective Boston reflections, the power of staying calm at the starting line, and how letting go of pressure can unlock something truly special. From garden hauls and parenting wins to banana cravings, getting puked on, and the mystical powers of a going straight to Rick’s, this one is equal parts therapy session, hype squad and communal tribute.

Things get vulnerable when Michelle shares an update on her ongoing journey with grief and reflects on how organizing this event has helped her transform a part of Stephen’s memory from something sorrowful into something celebratory—a space filled with honor, laughter, mugs, joy, and just the right amount of race-day chaos.

What in the world is an OBERON LITE?! Nanner nubs?! Can you learn from anyone if you just let them teach you? Can you feel that Ferry magic?! Why is Sarah always channeling her inner Des?! Cedar point, Strava monsters & Boston cream pie oh my!!

This and so much more in a warm, therapeutic and deeply human episode of the PRP.

Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Recorded Saturday April 26th @ 9:30AM EST

In S5Ep3 of the PRP, Adam breaks bread with emerging marathon powerhouse, visionary pixel virtuoso, proud professorial papa bear and straight up Boston-bound baller Malik Jordan, who has been preparing to represent the Detroit running community at the 129th Boston Marathon on Monday April 21st, 2025. Asia Rawls, distinguished community cultivator, established culture missionary and founder of Machine Athletics returns to the show to offer her perspective on the power of mentorship, the art of internal investment, and the ongoing machine-building process of body, mind and spirit.

Malik and Coach Asia regale the PRP listenership with a vibrant discussion around how running can shift from a test of speed to a tool for self-expression and healing. Once a part of his past, running has now become a powerful force in Malik’s present - reshaping his mindset, unlocking creative clarity, and cultivating a greater sense of purpose both on and off the pavement. Together, the trio digs into the nuances of the transfer of positive energy, the spiritual nature of the long run, and the importance of protecting your focus and your personal relationship with the sport - especially when you’re juggling passion, pressure, parenthood, and a growing list of people looking up to you.

Things get vulnerable when Coach schools the lads on the art of internal investment, reflecting on how the sacred bond between coach and athlete can unlock deeper layers of self-reflection and growth. From picking the right race, to training in a sustainable way, to finding the right mindset, tune in to learn why Machine Athletics always starts by understanding the runner before ever understanding the run.

Wait wait wait, we got Coach Oprah in the house?! What exactly does it take to become a certified Machine?? Stairway sufferfests?? Who’s grabbing who by the ear?! Lofi love?? Did someone say long-run euphoria? Recess hit lists?!?! Babies, Boston & Big Bam oh my!

This and so much more in a heartfelt, energizing, and perspective shifting edition of the PRP!

Sponsors

⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Recorded Wednesday April 16th @ 6:30PM EST