“The part I also really love is finding the edges: How do we pursue the elite edge of world-class performance? I think as I've gotten further, that part is exciting me more and more as we go on here. But it doesn't have to just be world- class – how do you get people to find out how good they can really be?”

When Chris Miltenberg took the helm at North Carolina in 2019, the Tar Heels distance programs had not won an ACC cross country title since before most of his current athletes were born. Fast forward to today and under Miltenberg's leadership, UNC has not only climbed back to the top of the ACC podium in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track, but they've reestablished themselves as a legitimate national contender too.

Miltenberg has led UNC to top ten finishes at the NCAA cross country, indoor, and outdoor championships, he's coached Parker Wolfe to UNC's first-ever 5000m outdoor national title, signed the program's highest ranked recruiting class, and has built a culture of buy-in, belief, and bold ambition. Most recently, he's coming off an indoor season where Ethan Strand broke the collegiate records in the 3000m and mile before taking the NCAA title. Makayla Paige won the women's 800m to become the Tar Heels' first women's NCAA champion since 2018.

But this isn't just a North Carolina story; Miltenberg's impact has been felt at every stop. At Stanford, he led the Cardinals to a top five program of the year finish and coached national champions like Grant Fisher, Sean McGorty, and Elise Cranny. At Georgetown, he guided the Hoyas to the 2011 NCAA Women's Cross Country title with the team that was led by Emily Infeld.

In today's conversation, we talk about how he's building something sustainable in Chapel Hill, his approach to culture, and what it takes to coach through transitions, setbacks, and expectations. We also dig into athlete development, milestone moments, and why being present is one of the most underrated skills a coach can have.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Chris Miltenberg | @chris.miltenberg on Instagram

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OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

SWIFTWICK: Socks: sometimes you don't think about them until you do – like mile eight of a long run when your heels are on fire or when your sock has mysteriously vanished into your shoe. That's why we're teaming up with SWIFTWICK: the go-to sock brand for endurance athletes who care about performance and longevity. For a limited time, CITIUS MAG listeners get 15% off your first order with the code CITIUSMAG at checkout.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. The super-soft, adjustable uppers allow for a customized fit across your forefoot, while the moisture-wicking lining keeps your feet dry and comfortable. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

LITTLE SESAME: Run a 5K, get free hummus! Move for the planet with the Little Sesame Earth Day 5K. Run, walk, or bike 3.1 miles anytime in April to celebrate Earth Month—and score a free container of our creamy, dreamy hummus. Pledge to move, get outside, and snack sustainably. Sign up now. It’s that easy!

“I think I'm a guy who can win these races on the right day. I just need to prove that. I think the way to prove that, at least to myself, is to finish in the top three… I'd rather focus on getting on the podium in some of these races."

Welcome back Conner Mantz to the CITIUS MAG Podcast for his 9th career appearance on the show. He's back ahead of his return to the 2025 Boston Marathon and he's bringing some serious momentum with him. In the past year alone, Mantz has shattered the American half marathon record in Houston, backed it up with another 57:15 performance at the NYC Half, which is a non-record eligible course, yet quite the performance. He's continued his streak of finishing as the top American in every major marathon since the fall of 2023.

We talk about what's different this time around in Boston after his 11th place finish there in 2023, what he's learned from racing shoulder-to-shoulder with the world's best, and what he takes from another upcoming race with Clayton Young. We also go through some of the top contenders in the field and Conner expresses his thoughts on who's got a shot of winning and what he's taken away from each of those competitors.

We explore where his mindset is heading into Patriots Day 2025 – a day that could crown the next American to break through on Boston's legendary course. It's been more than a decade since we've had an American man win – and Conner Mantz has a shot.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Conner Mantz | @connermantz on Instagram 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

SWIFTWICK: The go-to sock brand for endurance athletes who care about performance and longevity. Check out the Flite XT Mid-Crew — my personal favorite. Great grip, comfy fit, stylish look. For a limited time, CITIUS MAG listeners get 15% off your first order with the code CITIUSMAG at checkout.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

LITTLE SESAME: Run a 5K, get free hummus! Move for the planet with the Little Sesame Earth Day 5K. Run, walk, or bike 3.1 miles anytime in April to celebrate Earth Month—and score a free container of our creamy, dreamy hummus. Pledge to move, get outside, and snack sustainably. Sign up now. It’s that easy!

The first-ever Grand Slam Track event in Kingston is in the books and twelve athletes are walking away $100,000 richer. That’s $1.2 million in prize money handed out across one weekend.

The weekend closed the way it began: with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone doing Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone things — cruising to a 50.32 in the 400, winning her race group, and reminding the world why she’s the face of this sport. First signee. Final champion. Signature Sydney.

Grant Fisher snuck into Slam Champion status with a gritty 3rd in the 3k after winning the 5k on Friday — edging Hagos Gebrhiwet by a single point. Sasha Zhoya won the men’s short hurdles group by winning the 100 flat — proving that versatility, not just velocity is the new currency for the big money.

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden doubled up in the sprints. Emmanuel Wanyonyi did just enough to hold off Marco Arop in the standings. Ejgayehu Taye ran 14:54 to sweep her distance group. And Alison dos Santos? Leaned like his life depended on it to close a 400m thriller by two hundredths.

Oh — and Jamaica got its moment too. Danielle Williams, world champ turned home crowd hero, claimed her slam title in the short hurdles with a win in the flat 100. First Jamaican Slam Champion. First Challenger to knock out the Racers. Crowd went bananas.

Every race meant something. Every move on the track changed the leaderboard. And from the pacing to the prize money, it actually felt like a sport you could follow.

Next stop? Miami, May 2–4. New city. New matchups. Same $100K at the finish line.

Chris Chavez, Aisha Praught-Leer, Eric Jenkins and Anderson Emerole unpack all the action from Day 2 of Grand Slam Track: Kingston.

Kenny Bednarek — Mr. 2x Olympic Medal, now Mr. Slam Champion — swept the short sprints and made it look easy. 100m? Win. 200m? Win. $100k? Yes please. Not bad for a weekend in Jamaica.

Gabby Thomas? She didn’t just win. She leveled up. A massive 400m PR (49.14!) — behind only a world-leading time from Salwa Eid Naser — locked down the Women’s Long Sprints crown. Two races. One trophy. Another six-figure payday.

But it wasn’t just the Americans cleaning up. Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain edged out the 400m crew to win the Men’s Long Sprints Slam. Diribe Welteji outkicked Nikki Hiltz to take the Women’s Short Distance title in a spicy 1500m.

And oh yeah — there was that absolutely loaded men’s 1500 field where 800m Olympic champ Emmanuel Wanyonyi stepped up in distance and beat the entire Paris medal stand.

Tonight was the night that we believe fans started to rock with the brand-new league format. Fast, fresh, and fun. It’s a modern take on track with real stakes — and real checks — on the line.And it’s only Day 2.Let’s talk about the money. The medals. The matchups. And why this might be the shake-up the sport’s been waiting for.

Chris Chavez, Aisha Praught-Leer, Eric Jenkins and Anderson Emerole recap all the action from Day 1 of Grand Slam Track: Kingston

Highlights include:

– Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone captured the victory in the Women's Long Hurdles 400m Hurdles in 52.76 winning the race by nearly two seconds.

–Alison dos Santos defeated Jamaican favorite Roshawn Clarke to win the Men’s Long Hurdles 400 Meter Hurdles in 47.61.

–Nikki Hiltz set a new personal best and a world-leading time in the Women’s Short Distance 800 Meters in 1:58.23. They edged out Deribi Welteji by .06 seconds in what was a thrilling finish that saw six of the eight runners in the field break 2:00.

We’re talking paydays. Primetime. Professional track.

Welcome to Grand Slam Track, launching this weekend in Kingston, Jamaica—the first stop in a brand-new, big-budget, athlete-first pro league created by Michael Johnson.

You want Olympic stars? Try Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Gabby Thomas, Grant Fisher, Cole Hocker, Fred Kerley, Mary Moraa—the best of the best, signed and showing up.

You want stakes? How does $100,000 per event winner sound? Yeah.

And you want drama? It's all baked in: Racers vs. Challengers. One weekend. Two events per athlete. Only one Slam Champion.

This all kicks off in Kingston, which is basically sprinting’s holy land. If anyone’s gonna test Fred Kerley or Kenny Bednarek on their 100m trash talk, it’s the Jamaican crowd… and Oblique Seville.

We’ve got Gabby vs. Marileidy. Yared vs. Kerr vs. Hocker. Elise Cranny sweating it out after a 30:36 in SoCal, now lining up in 88-degree heat for the 5000m. Sydney McLaughlin opening her season in April. And a 1500m/800m field on the men’s side that looks more stacked than your TikTok algorithm.

So let’s get into it: the matchups, the payouts, and the storylines that’ll define Grand Slam Track.

It’s officially that time again: The spreadsheets are out and the ranking formulas are loaded. Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia have returned with the kind of number crunching that would make a tax accountant blush.

Yes — we’re talking about The Ten, and more broadly, the increasingly anxiety-inducing state of the 10,000 meters heading into the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

Because apparently World Athletics took one look at the event and said, ‘What if we made this harder, more confusing, and fully dependent on vibes, shoe tech, and whether your country’s federation knows how to read the rankings page?’

So here we are. The women’s standard dropped to a vicious 30:20.00. The men’s remains at a world-class 27:00.00. And unless you’re from Kenya or Ethiopia—or somehow running 10Ks on the road in super shoes fast enough to melt tarmac—you’re probably counting on the whims of the World Rankings gods to punch your ticket to Tokyo.

In the U.S., Weini Kelati is still the queen of consistency. Parker Valby and Karissa Schweizer skipped The Ten entirely. Elise Cranny has re-entered the picture and Jessica McClain quietly garnered some valuable points by PR’ing by half a minute.

On the men’s side, it’s a little simpler: Grant Fisher, Nico Young, Graham Blanks, and Woody Kincaid are qualified. All they have to do is battle at USAs.

There’s still time. A 10K at Mt. SAC is coming. Maybe Pre will host a last-minute 10K.  So let’s break down who’s up, who’s down, who’s close and who’s hoping UK Athletics doesn’t screw them over again.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

In the fall of 2020, while much of the world was still stuck inside wondering when things might go back to normal, Tim West was lacing up his racing shoes, logging miles, and building something new – not a tech startup, not an app, but a running brand, out of his basement. He quickly recruited his brother Nick on his vision. They didn't spend money on big splashy ads or influencer campaigns. Instead, they listened, they ran, and they asked questions. They built gear starting with socks that runners actually wanted. Over the next few years, what started as a side project for the two brothers and their designer turned co-founder Ardith  Singh, grew into one of the most exciting new names in running: Bandit Running – a Brooklyn-based company that makes premium performance apparel and centers community at the heart of everything it does. 

But Nick West didn't come from the fashion world. Him and his brother Tim were working in e-commerce at Jet.com. They grew up immersed in the New Jersey skate and surf scene where the coolest brands weren't built in boardrooms. They were built by friends on the street and from the ground up. That ethos is what stuck with them.

Today, Bandit makes everything from race day singlets to streetwear inspired track pants. They host events that pack the sidewalks of New York. They've launched the unsponsored project celebrating professional runners who don't get the financial support from the major shoe brands and they're building a brand-first model that doesn't just sell apparel; it tells stories. So how did a couple of brothers go from zero marketing budget to a brand that's evolving what running looks and feels like?

That's what we find out in this episode. It's 10 a.m. in Brooklyn and Nick West is refreshing his phone again and again. We're sitting in the Bandit Running headquarters. The coffee's still hot, and the 2025 spring collection, nearly a year in the making, is officially live to the public. This drop: It's the result of 11 months of long days, late nights, and that's just how those days go.

On a previous drop, there was even a 2:30 a.m. production shoot involving a whiteboard, an iPhone, and Nick himself modeling shorts that he didn't expect to be in. These are the kind of stories that don't make the product page on the website, but at Bandit, they're kind of the point because this isn't just an apparel company.

In this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast, Nick West joins me on how he and his team built Bandit Running, a company rooted in connection, performance, and that little bit of rebellion that every runner knows by heart. It's a brand built by runners, forerunners, driven by storytelling, community, and the belief that there's a better way to build a business in this space.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Nick West | @nicholas_west on Instagram 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. . Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

“I also learned that I just love working with athletes who truly have that passion about seeing how good they can be. The outcome isn't as important to me as I thought. It's just, ‘Let's go see how good we can be and see where that lands us...’ Stepping away from college and taking this really windy journey to where I am now, I've been able to work with all different levels of athletes and it's been equally rewarding to those who run their first mile without stopping all the way to the world stage. It's been a non-conventional path, but I've been loving it.”

My guest for today’s episode is someone who’s seen—and shaped—American middle-distance running from just about every angle. Juli Benson was a 1996 Olympian in the 1500 meters, a world-class competitor in her own right, and now she’s one of the most respected coaches in the sport.

Over the past two decades, Juli’s coaching journey has taken her from college programs like Georgetown, Air Force, and Penn to working with World Champions, Olympians, and emerging pros. She coached Jenny Simpson to her gold medal at the 2011 World Championships. She guided Kevin Sullivan back to the global stage. And today, she’s the coach behind Nikki Hiltz, helping them chase a 2028 Olympic dream of their own.

In this episode, we get into it all:

 – What makes Nikki tick and how their partnership is evolving

 – The differences between coaching NCAA athletes vs. pros

 – How Juli learned to balance intensity with recovery—the hard way

 – Her reflections on being a woman in the coaching world before there were many to look up to

 – And what it’s like now to see coaches like Shalane Flanagan, Diljeet Taylor, and Laurie Henes rise to national prominence

We also talk about Juli’s time at Air Force, the unique challenges of coaching across every level of the sport, and what it’s meant to mentor everyone from Olympic finalists to first-time runners.

This is a conversation about resilience, evolution, and quiet excellence—and it’s one of my favorite coaching deep-dives we’ve done yet.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Juli Benson | julibensontraining.com

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.

World Indoor Championships are officially behind us so we have lots to unpack. Overall, the meet lacked in star power but was still able to produce some memorable moments. Three days. 516 athletes, one championship record, three world leads, 32 national records.

We had drama. We had dominance.We had Jakob Ingebrigtsen running off with two gold medals and made it look like a tempo run. We had Gudaf Tsegay breaking a championship record and redefined what a full send means. We had Grant Holloway and Mondo Duplantis pulling off three-peats to cement their greatness.

And then there’s Josh Hoey — who went from “Is he actually good?” to world indoor 800m champion all within the past 12 months. A personal highlight was Claire Bryant shocked the field in the long jump. Surprise global medals all around — the kind that make the sport so damn fun.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

KETONE-IQ: Level up your training with Ketone-IQ – a clean shot of energy with no sugar or caffeine. Or try the new Ketone-IQ + Caffeine, combining 5g of ketones with 100mg of green tea caffeine for a smooth, sustained boost. It’s used by pro runners like Des Linden and Sara Hall. Proven to enhance endurance, focus, and recovery, ketones are 28% more efficient than glucose. No crashes, no bonking—just next-level performance. Take the shot. Feel the difference. Save 30% off your first subscription order & receive a free six pack of Ketone-IQ with KETONE.com/CITIUS.

RUNNA: Runna is the #1 rated personalized running app designed to help you crush your goals no matter the distance. Runna is trusted by hundreds of thousands of runners around the world and makes expert coaching accessible with personalized training plans that fit every goal, fitness level, and schedule. Whether it's someone's first 5K or it's someone chasing a marathon PB, they are here to help runners train smarter, stronger, and love every step of the way. Sign up for Runna today and get your first two weeks free using the code CITIUS.

OLIPOP: Big name sodas are rolling out bold new flavors in 2025, but the real buzz is happening in the prebiotic pop aisle. If you haven't already jumped on the Olipop train yet, now's the time. BuzzFeed just came out with an article that recently named Olipop the best overall soda for flavor — and with a lineup that includes classic root beer, vintage cola and cherry vanilla, it's easy to see why. Try Olipop today and save 25% on your order using code CITIUS25 at checkout at DrinkOlipop.com.