In this episode, I sit down with Matt Choi: content creator, endurance athlete, and one of the most inspiring voices in the running community. Matt's journey is anything but linear. From playing college football to losing his job during the pandemic, he found running as a form of therapy and self discovery. What started as a casual four mile run turned into marathons, ultramarathons, and a thriving online community built around pushing limits and doing hard things.

We dive deep into running for beginners, fueling your body, strength training for runners, and recovery. Matt breaks down how to start running if you've never done it before, the walk jog method that actually works, how to choose the right shoes, and why you don't need to have it all figured out to just start. We talk about fueling during long runs, the importance of electrolytes, carb loading before races, and why eating enough is non negotiable if you want to avoid injury.

We also get into the mental side of running: why it's more about mindset than mileage, how running became therapy for both of us, and what it takes to show up even when it's hard. Matt opens up about the New York City Marathon controversy, how he handled the backlash, and what he learned from taking accountability in a very public way. We also talk about his next challenge: transitioning into triathlons and taking on a 70.3 Ironman.

This conversation is raw, real, and packed with practical advice for anyone who's ever thought about lacing up their shoes and just going. Whether you're training for your first 5k or your tenth marathon, this episode will remind you that you don't need permission to start, you just need to show up.

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About Matt Choi:

Matt Choi is a content creator, endurance athlete, and former college football player known for his authentic approach to running and fitness. After losing his job during the pandemic, Matt discovered running as a form of therapy and self challenge. He's completed over 40 marathons, multiple ultramarathons including the Leadville 100, and has built a loyal community by sharing his journey of pushing limits and doing hard things. Matt is currently training for triathlons and continues to inspire thousands to start running and chase their goals.

Find Matt:

Instagram: @matchchoi_6

TikTok: @matchchoi_6

YouTube: Matthew Choi

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Topics discussed:

00:00:00 From College Football to Running: Matt's Origin Story

00:04:57 The Murph Challenge & First Intro to Distance Running

00:10:38 First Marathon Attempt & Learning Through Failure

00:15:33 Getting a Coach & Breaking Sub-3 Hours

00:22:36 Shoe Guide: What Runners Need to Know

00:31:59 Fueling for Runners: Gels, Timing & Race Day Nutrition

00:40:37 Strength Training for Runners

00:47:48 Recovery Essentials: Sleep, Massage & Staying Ahead of Injuries

00:52:24 Leadville 100 & The NYC Marathon Controversy

00:54:25 The NYC Marathon Ban: What Happened & Moving Forward

01:04:21 Next Challenge and Goals

01:11:20 What Empowerment Means & Final Thoughts

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