The Active You

In Episode 10 of The Active You, we sit down with Luke Rogers, a former basketball player turned runner and Runner’s Roost store coach. Luke shares how an ACL injury helped lead him into running and what it was like starting from the very beginning. Running did not come easy at first, but through consistency, patience, and showing up every day, he learned that you do not have to be a naturally gifted runner to become a great one. We talk about coaching at Runner’s Roost, helping runners build confidence, the common things runners overlook, and what it was like training John and helping him work toward a PR. Luke also shares why easy runs should actually be easy, why sleep, recovery, eating right, and core work matter, and how altitude training challenged his mindset. We also get into poker and how running teaches you to play the long game. Whether you are a new runner, getting back into it, or chasing your next goal, this episode is all about hard work, consistency, and trusting the process.

n Episode 11 of The Active You, we sit down with longtime Mizuno representative and running industry veteran, RunBird Riley. With nearly 16 years at Mizuno, Riley has helped countless runners find the right shoe, understand the latest technology, and most importantly, enjoy the process of running. We also dive into a fun piece of running history as John and Riley share how they first connected years ago through the Running Shoe Geeks Facebook community before eventually meeting in person at Runner's Roost. What started as online conversations about running shoes turned into a friendship built around a shared passion for running and helping others stay active. Throughout the episode, Riley shares insights from his years in the industry, how running shoes have evolved, and why he believes the best running shoe isn't necessarily the most expensive, the most advanced, or the most popular. Instead, it's the shoe that you enjoy running in. From shoe fitting and technology to building confidence in runners of all experience levels, this conversation highlights the importance of finding gear that works for you and embracing an active lifestyle on your own terms. We even crack open a few beers Riley brought from Pennsylvania while talking running, community, shoe geek culture, and what keeps people coming back to the sport year after year. Whether you're training for your next race, just getting started, or simply curious about the world of running shoes, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

Episode 9 of The Active You is all about the lifelong impact of movement, resilience, and finding your way back through running. In this episode, we sit down to talk about growing up in an active family, from having a dad who was a track coach and part of the original Bell Watling group, to a mom whose own running story became a powerful example of strength while battling cancer. We dive into early running memories, high school and college experiences, Turkey Trots, races, marathons, half marathons, and what it means to carry an active lifestyle from childhood into adulthood. We also talk about the difficult shift from being an active person to navigating Lyme disease after being diagnosed in 2022. This episode shares the story of figuring out what was really going on, the years of struggle and treatment that followed, and how running and staying active played a meaningful role in recovery. We also discuss the support of Lyme WNY, the importance of awareness, and key facts and statistics about Lyme disease. This is a conversation about family, running, health, community, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Support Lyme WNY here: https://www.lymewny.com

Episode 8 of The Active You features a powerful conversation with Max founder of Mind Over Foundation and Nick founder of Mind Over Foundation from Mind Over Foundation.

We talk about what it really means to choose being active, not just physically but mentally. From pushing your limits to building resilience, this episode dives into how movement, discipline, and community can help you navigate life’s challenges.

Max and Nick share their personal journeys, how they’ve overcome obstacles, and how surrounding yourself with the right people can make all the difference. We also talk about building a community of like-minded individuals who push each other to grow and succeed.

If you’re looking for motivation, perspective, and a reminder of why you started, this episode is for you.

Want to get involved? Check out their upcoming event on May 9–10 and learn more here: https://mindoverfoundation.com/

Take us with you on your next run, walk, or workout.

We dive into how he built the brand, what goes into running a business in the gear and performance space, and why taking care of your equipment matters more than most people think. Whether it’s your running shoes, ski gear, or soccer equipment, proper care can extend the life of your gear and keep you performing at your best.

We also talk about what we’ve been running in lately and what’s ahead for Revive and Revel, including some exciting things on the horizon.

If you’re serious about getting the most out of your gear and your training, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Shop the shoes from the show here:

https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/episode7

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Episode 6 of The Active You is packed with everything from miles to mindset. We kick things off talking about what we’ve been running in, including the New Balance 1080v15 and the Ellipse, a great option for younger runners or anyone looking for solid performance at a more approachable price point.

We dive into how training helps calm race day nerves, why recovery matters more than you think, and the role things like massages and healing play in staying consistent. We also talk about why slow miles still count, how hills can make you a stronger runner, and why showing up matters.

We get into the balance between running solo and running with a group, the accountability that comes with it, and how having a routine can elevate your training. Plus, we touch on testing your nutrition before race day, running with or without headphones, and dialing in what works best for you.

To wrap it up, we cheers with some incredible beers from Chandler St. Breweries and talk about what we’ve been loving lately.

Whether you’re training for a race or just trying to stay consistent, this episode is full of tips to help you keep moving forward.

Shop the shoes from the show here:

https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/episode6

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Episode 5 of The Active You is all about getting back outside. With winter winding down, we’re talking about the return of sunlight, why getting natural light in the morning matters, and how it helps regulate your circadian rhythm and overall energy.

We dive into the science behind blue light, what “blue hour” actually means, and why those early morning rays can make a big difference in how you feel throughout the day. We also touch on staying safe in the sun and what to know with the upcoming burn ban in Western New York.

On the fun side, we’re getting excited for everything that comes with spring. Fishing season is around the corner, golf is back (and yes, we’re still saying trail shoes make great golf shoes), and hiking season is almost here. We break down what we look for in a great trail shoe including grip, durability, comfort, and versatility, plus some upcoming models we’re excited to test.

We also recap what we ran in, featuring the Nike Vomero Premium, and talk about why it’s quickly becoming a favorite for both of us.

To round things out, we hit on a huge win for the Sabres and highlight top performances from the LA Marathon.

Perfect for your next run, walk, or time outside

Shop the shoes from the show here:

https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/episode5

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In Episode 4 of The Active You, we dive into what it really takes to stay active for the long run. From recovery strategies to fueling your body the right way, we talk about why rest, nutrition, and consistency matter just as much as the miles you put in.

We also touch on some Olympic moments that inspired us and discuss a couple of the shoes we took out for a run tonight, including the Nike Vomero Premium and the PUMA MagMax 2 Nitro.

If you're looking to stay healthy, run stronger, and enjoy the process of staying active, this episode is for you. Lace up, head out for your run, and take us with you.

https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/episode4

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In Episode 3, we’re diving deep into one of our favorite topics, running shoes. From super trainers to race-day rockets, we break down the shoes we’re loving right now and the ones we cannot wait to log miles in.

If you’re searching for your next daily trainer, marathon shoe, or performance upgrade, this episode is packed with honest thoughts from real runners in the active community.

👟 Shoes We’re Loving Right Now

We talk about:

• ASICS Superblast – A versatile super trainer that blends max cushioning with surprising speed.
• ASICS Metaspeed Ray (Tokyo edition) – A lightweight, race-ready carbon-plated shoe built for serious PR attempts.
• PUMA performance trainers – Why Puma is stepping up in a big way in the performance running space.
• Saucony Endorphin Azura – A modern shoe with serious vintage Saucony vibes.
• RAD UFO – A unique entry into the performance running shoe world that caught us by surprise.

🚀 Shoes We’re Excited to Run In

We also share what’s coming next in our rotation:

• Mizuno Wave Sky – Known for its plush cushioning and smooth ride for long miles.
• Mount to Coast H1 – A distance-focused shoe that’s building major buzz in the endurance community.
• Paramount Max – A max-cushioned option we’re excited to test on long runs and recovery days.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, building base miles, joining your local run club, or just love staying up to date on the latest performance running shoes, this episode is for you.

If you’re part of the active lifestyle community and love geeking out over foam compounds, stack heights, and race-day feel — welcome home.

Shop the shoes from the show here:

https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/episode3

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We took The Active You on the road to San Antonio for The Running Event, the biggest event in the run specialty world and we’re bringing you along for the ride.

In this episode, we talk about:

👟 The FREE shoes we got our hands on

🏃‍♂️ Running with RAD Running

💙 What we’re excited about from Brooks Running

🎥 Behind-the-scenes moments from the expo floor

🌮 The tacos, laughs, and everything in between

If you love running shoes, new gear, industry insight, and being part of the active community, this episode is for you.

Shop the shoes from the shoe here; https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/the-active-you-episode-2

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👇 Drop a comment: What shoe are you most excited about in 2025?