On this episode of Running Times, Takia McClendon, talks about founding City Fit Girls, an all levels running and fitness community for cis and transgender women, and her role as a USATF Run Coach.

With a degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from West Chester University, Takia changed career paths after starting a Philly food blog critiquing grocery stores. It turned into a job where she had access to health and wellness resources.

Takia is currently part of the Well City Challenge which gives her the chance to help tackle the increasing rate of bad mental and physical health in millennials. She created the program Strides for this challenge that will combat this crisis in fitness, mind, and body. If her program is selected, she will be awarded $10,000 to execute her plan. 

The Running Times theme song is brought to you by StudioD productions.

To close out this season, host Michael Gagliardi, AKA Gagz, and Christopher Plant talk about accomplishing Season 1, what they’d like to see for next season, and what they love about producing the Running Times podcast. Follow Gagz on Instagram and stay tuned for Season 2.

In the season finale of Running Times with Gagz, Eddie Gieda returns to chat with Gagz about Season 1 and to update the listeners on his very personal - albeit public - quest. Eddie is a high-mileage endurance runner who uses running to process grief and loss. Eddie and Gagz wax poetic as they reflect on the three C’s of running: community, comradery, and competition. 

Danielle Kocher also stops by to talk about her company Plants on Fire. Plants on Fire is “simple plant-based nutrition for active people. There's no added sugar, no fake sh*t.” Plants on Fire produces protein balls, each containing six grams of protein, in three flavors: Cookie Dough, AB&J, and Snickerdoodle. Danielle and Gagz talk about running, how and why she started her company, and introduce a contest giveaway featuring Plants on Fire.

Plants on Fire is hosting a big holiday giveaway for a chance to win a double variety pack of protein balls! To enter, follow Plants On Fire and Gagz on Instagram, comment on their IG giveaway post, and tag a friend. Also, share the post to your story and tag Plants On Fire and Gagz for an additional entry!

Thank you for listening to Running Times Season 1 and stay tuned for Season 2!

In this inspiring episode of Running Times, Gagz sits down with running prodigy, Nate Viands, and his father, Scott.

Just before Nate’s 4th birthday, he was diagnosed with Leukemia and underwent strenuous chemo treatments for the next 18 months. Now, at age 10, and 6 years in remission, Nate is not only winning races outright, he is breaking world records! To top it off, Nate is also a sponsored skateboarder and enjoys recreational bmx biking when he’s not shredding trails or skate ramps. Follow Nate on Instagram at @3south.

This week, Gagz sits down with Keilynn Hopkins to talk about the FKT she set this summer and how she uses trail running as a coping mechanism. Keilynn set an FKT (Fastest Known Time) while completing a self supported out and back run along the Appalachian Trail. She began at the Pennsylvania border, ran through New Jersey to the New York border and then ran back to the Pennsylvania border, completing roughly 144 miles total. You can read her account of the journey on her blog, Nature or Bust.

Gene Dykes started breaking world records for marathon running at 70 years old and he has no intention of slowing down. In this Running Times episode, Gagz and Gene Dykes discuss his life long running journey and late start into hardcore training, the joy of running 200 mile ultramarathons, and the importance of accomplishing small goals during every run. For more information on Gene Dykes and his running accomplishments, go to https://www.ultrageezer.com.

Rebecca Barber is a seasoned distance and ultra runner who has been tackling the Philly Marathon for over 10 years. In this Running Times interview, Rebecca and Gagz talk about her long history with marathons, the importance of crew, and how she founded the Rocky 50K.

David April is one of the founders of Fishtown Beer Runners: whose mission is to test the scientific study that beer and water have similar rehydration effects. Gagz and David talk about how and why he started running, the conception of Fishtown Beer Runners, and their plans for the future.