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Welcome to the very first episode of Coach’s Corner—a new Running with James series created exclusively for our Patreon community.

In this episode, I sit down with two of our own, Coach Carlos and Coach Lauren, to pull back the curtain on what it really takes to pursue performance while living a full life.

We go beyond workouts and race results and dive into the conversations athletes don’t always have out loud—inner dialogue in the middle of a race, how to respond when things get hard, and the mental battles that show up when life and training collide.

We also talk about the reality of balancing it all—family, work, responsibilities—and what it looks like to stay consistent when everything in life is pulling at your time and energy.

This isn’t about perfection. It’s about perspective, discipline, and learning how to show up as an athlete in the middle of real life.

If you’ve ever felt the tension between chasing goals and managing everything else on your plate… this one’s for you.

“Real athletes. Real conversations. Real life.”

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It’s race weekend in Houston and the energy is unreal 

In this episode of Running With James, we’re coming to you live from HYROX Houston weekend—where the races are already underway and the atmosphere is electric.

We break down what we’re seeing on the floor as judges and spectators, from athlete strategy and standout performances to the small details that are making a big difference out there. There’s something different about seeing it up close—and we’re giving you that behind-the-scenes perspective.

Most importantly, we’re fired up to cheer on the BC FitFam as they take on the challenge. The preparation is done… now it’s time to show up and perform.

In this episode:

• First impressions from the race floor
• What athletes are doing right (and wrong)
• Judging insights you won’t see from the stands
• The atmosphere and energy of race weekend
• Why this one just feels different

Whether you’re racing, spectating, or getting ready for your next HYROX, this episode will get you locked in.

Let’s go, BC FitFam—we’re with you all the way 

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We’re officially one week out from HYROX Houston… and now it’s time to lock in.

After breaking down HYROX 101 (what it is) and HYROX 201 (how to race it), this episode is all about HYROX 301: Race Week—how to taper smart, manage your mindset, and show up ready to perform.

In this episode, we cover:

• How to approach race week training (and what NOT to do)

• Why you don’t get fitter this week—you get fresher

• A simple race plan to keep you controlled and confident

• Race week checklist: gear, nutrition, hydration & logistics

• Managing nerves and staying focused heading into race day

• What most athletes do wrong in the final week

We also talk about everything happening leading into race weekend, including the BC Fitness HYROX Pep Rally and our HYROX Houston Shakeout Run—two opportunities to connect, prepare, and build confidence before you step on the floor.

Whether it’s your first HYROX or you’re chasing a PR, this episode will help you stay grounded, stay ready, and finish strong.

The work is done. Now it’s time to show up. 

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Last week we covered HYROX 101, what the sport is and why it’s exploding in popularity.

This week we’re going deeper with HYROX 201.

With HYROX Houston right around the corner, we break down the strategies that can make or break your race. From pacing the 8 runs to managing the workout stations, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you avoid early mistakes and finish strong.

We discuss:

• Pre-race routines and race morning mistakes

• How to pace the 8 × 1K runs

• Smart strategies for every HYROX station

• Doubles partner tactics

• The mental game when fatigue hits

• What most first-time racers get wrong

Whether you’re racing HYROX for the first time or trying to improve your performance, this episode will help you approach race day with a plan.

Plus we talk about our upcoming BC Fitness HYROX Pep Rally and the Houston Shakeout Run leading into race weekend.

Remember:

HYROX isn’t won by the strongest athlete — it’s won by the athlete who manages the race the best.

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HYROX Houston is around the corner, and in this episode of Running with James, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about one of the fastest-growing fitness races in the world.

From the structure of the race to the strategy behind each station, we dive into what HYROX is, why it’s attracting athletes from all backgrounds, and how you can train and compete at your best.

Whether you’re preparing for your first HYROX event, chasing a new PR, or just curious about the sport, we talk through the key elements of training, pacing, and race-day execution that can make all the difference.

If you want to show up confident, prepared, and ready to perform in Houston, this episode is for you.

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This week on Running with James, we sit down with BC Athlete, keynote speaker, motivator, and author Terry Williams for a powerful conversation about rhythm, growth, and sustainable performance.

As hometown race season heats up, we explore what it really means to push your limits without losing yourself in the process.

Terry shares the philosophy behind his book Life in Rhythm and the framework he now brings to audiences nationwide — including his “Yellow Light Lifestyle” message from the lululemon run club tour:

• Green Light (20%) — Push the pace. Go after it.
• Yellow Light (80%) — Show up with discipline, but don’t force it.
• Red Light — Rest. Recover. Reset.

We talk about:

• Becoming your best without burning out
• Seeking purpose beyond performance
• Choosing growth instead of comparison
• Dwelling in confident cadence
• Why most athletes confuse intensity with progress

This one isn’t just about racing.

It’s about building a life and training rhythm you can sustain.

If you’re chasing performance, purpose, or simply trying to stay consistent through race season, this episode will hit home.

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In today’s episode of Running with James, we break down one of the hottest topics in hybrid and endurance racing right now:

The release of the new Puma Deviate Nitro Elite HYROX race shoe.

With major brands officially stepping into the HYROX-specific market, what does this mean for race day strategy? Is a dedicated HYROX shoe necessary? And how should athletes think about choosing between a carbon-plated racer, a hybrid trainer, or a more traditional run shoe?

We dive into:

• What makes the Puma HYROX drop significant for the sport
• Race day shoe vs training shoe — why they shouldn’t always be the same
• Carbon plate benefits (and when they’re overkill)
• Grip, stability, and compromised running in HYROX
• Our personal favorite race day shoes right now
• What we actually train in week to week

If you’re preparing for HYROX, a marathon, or just trying to dial in your gear, this episode will help you make smarter decisions — not just trend-driven ones.

Because the right shoe won’t fix bad training…

But the wrong shoe can definitely slow you down.

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We talk about the 80% all the time — the easy miles, aerobic base, discipline, and patience.

But this week on Running with James, we’re talking about the 20%.

The hard stuff.

The uncomfortable reps.

The moments that separate the novice from the great.

In Part 4 of Coach’s Clipboard, we break down why 80/20 only works if you respect the 20% — the intensity that sharpens you, exposes your weaknesses, and teaches you how to execute under pressure.

Inside this episode:

• Why the 20% builds competitors, not just fitness
• Getting comfortable being uncomfortable
• How to train hard without training reckless
• Why composure under fatigue determines race-day results
• The difference between surviving workouts and training to race well

Pressure doesn’t create weakness — it reveals it.

If you want to race well, you have to learn how to stay composed when it burns.

Train easy enough to go hard.

Train hard enough to matter.

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In this episode of Running with James, we’re talking about intentional effort—why every run, lift, and workout should have a purpose. Not every day is meant to be easy, and not every hard effort is smart just because it looks good on Strava.

We break down:

•Why “going easy all the time” can stall progress

•How to assign a goal to every effort

•The danger of vanity runs and chasing numbers for likes

•How Garmin data can help—or hurt—when it starts bullying your mindset

If you want to train smarter, race better, and stop letting ego dictate your effort, this episode will help you reset your approach and run with intention

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In this episode of Coach’s Clipboard, James pulls back the curtain on one of the most common mistakes he sees with runners and hybrid athletes:

Training more… and getting worse.

From extra miles and unnecessary intensity to skipping recovery and chasing fatigue, this episode breaks down why “more” often leads to stalled progress, injury, and burnout.

You’ll hear real coaching conversations, athlete patterns that show up every season, and the difference between productive fatigue and destructive overload.

This is the stuff coaches talk about off the clock — the conversations that don’t make Instagram.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, constantly tired, or confused about why your fitness isn’t translating on race day, this episode is for you.

Topics covered:

• Why adding volume isn’t the same as adding progress
• The warning signs you’re overtraining (before injury hits)
• The difference between being tired and being under-recovered
• How smarter training beats harder training every time

This isn’t about doing less.

It’s about doing what actually works.

Support the show

Become a member and support the show:
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