In Part 2 of our conversation with None to Run founder Mark Kennedy, he goes deeper into the mindset, mission, and meaning behind helping beginners become lifelong runners.

Part 2 is for beginner runners who need a reminder that progress takes time — and that every running journey is unique. It’s also for anyone curious about the heart behind None to Run, the lessons learned in building it, and what’s coming next. 

Mark shares thoughtful insights on:

• The most common struggles people face when starting (and sticking with) a running habit
• Why patience and self-kindness matter more than pace or distance
• The deeply personal and diverse journeys runners experience
• Key lessons from building None to Run as both a business and a community
• Exciting plans for the future — including research-backed features and continued personal growth
• The lasting impact that None to Run has had on people’s lives

This episode is a reminder that every runner's path is unique — and that's what makes the journey so powerful.

 👉 Ready to start running?
Download the None to Run app and join thousands of beginners building confidence, one step at a time: https://www.nonetorun.com/

In this episode (Part 1 of 2), Mark Kennedy, the founder of None to Run, shares how his lifelong love of sports led him to create one of the most supportive running apps and communities for beginners.

Mark opens up about:

• His transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship
• The inspiration behind the None to Run app
• Why understanding your audience is key to building a meaningful product
• What it was like launching during a global pandemic
• The ups and downs of building a business that helps people become runners — even if they’re starting from zero

Whether you’re an aspiring founder, beginner runner, or someone curious about building a mission-driven product, you’ll find a ton of insight and inspiration in this conversation.

 👉 Ready to start running?
Download the None to Run app and join thousands of beginners building confidence, one step at a time: https://www.nonetorun.com/

Are you struggling with Couch to 5K? This beginner-friendly running plan offers a gentler approach, with time-based runs and strength training to prepare your run!

Read the blog post here: 3 Flaws in Couch to 5K (And a Better Plan for Beginner Runners)

Get the None to Run app

In this podcast episode, I chat with Alex Hutchinson.

Alex Hutchinson is a National Magazine Award-winning journalist whose work appears in Outside Magazine, The Globe and Mail, The New York Times, The New Yorker, and other publications.

His latest book, came out in February of 2018, is ENDURE: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance. 

He lives in the same neighbourhood as me in Toronto, but is sadly too fast for me to run with!

• How Alex improved his PB in the 1,500 meters when he had been stuck at the same time for years! This is a crazy story, which you’re gonna love.

• What is the central governor theory and why your body works so darn hard not to hurt itself?

• Pain tolerance. How the heck do pro athletes and Olympians push through pain and ways you can push your self more than you thought was possible.

• Tips for optimizing both your physical and mental performance when you just getting started running.

• What we can learn from Olympian about the common cold and some rules for you to decide whether you should run or not when you’ve come down with something.

• Treadmill running – is it actually different than running outside?  If so, what can we do to make it more realistic!

• Running on a low carb diet – what you need to know!

• And more!

Please enjoy my chat with Alex Hutchinson!

Follow Alex on Twitter @sweatscience

Check out Alex’s book - Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance

Alex’s personal website

Alex’s column on Outside Magazine

James Clear is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones.

In this conversation with James, you’ll learn:

• How to overcome a lack of motivation and willpower.

• How to make tiny, easy changes that deliver big results and will make you a better runner.

• The best way to break your bad habits and stick to good ones (like running!).

• How to get back on track when you get off course.

• And much more!

Click here to read the transcript for this episode.

This episode is brought to you by my beginner running plan, None to Run.

Cheers,

Mark

For the show notes and get the full transcript to this episode head over to:

https://www.healthynomics.com/33

Today's show

Firstly, today's episode is sponsored by my beginner running plan, None to Run.

If you can't currently run for more than 5-minutes straight without stopping to catch your breath or you've struggled with running injuries in the past, None to Run was made for you.

To learn more about None to Run, click on the link below:

http://www.nonetorun.com/none-to-run-plan/

Dorothy Beal is a 35-year old mother of 3, a runner (34 time marathon runner) and the creator of Mile Posts. She is a certified Road Runners Club of America and USATF Level 1 certified running coach.

Dorothy has been featured in places, to name a few, like:  Runner’s World Magazine, Fitness Magazine, Competitor Magazine, Women’s Health Magazine, Women’s Running Magazine and more.

Perhaps her best work is on her Instagram account where she sends important messages to her followers about body positivity.

• Dorothy's favourite marathon (she has run 34!).
• How Dorothy got into running.
• Body positivity and the message Dorthy is sharing with her community (and daughter).
• How strength training he helped Dorothy become more confident and improved her running.
• Balancing a busy family life (Dorothy has 3 kids), career and running.
• Dorothy's favourite books and podcasts.
• Tips to help you find motivation when you need it most.
• And much more!

The show notes for this episode with be at healthynomics.com/33 - there you'll also be able to download the transcript to this episode.

For the show notes, to WIN a copy of each of Mark Remy's books and get the full transcript to this episode head over to:

https://www.healthynomics.com/32

None to Run Plan (for real beginners):

http://www.nonetorun.com/challenge

Today's show

Mark Remy is a runner and writer based in Portland, Oregon. He has been a columnist and writer at Runner’s World since 2007. Mark has been running since 1994 and has run 27 marathons, including Boston eight times.

In 2015, Mark launched Dumb Runner, which is a website for runners who enjoy laughter and pie (his words!). Most of the online advice for beginner runners make running too complicated. Dumb Runner, well, "dumbs" everything down because Mark believes running should be simple.

If that wasn’t enough, Mark has also written four books on running and one training journal. Keep reading because I am giving away a copy of each to one lucky person.

I highly recommend you check out Mark’s writing. Here a few articles/posts that I recommend you start with:

The Only 3 Things You Need to Know to Begin Running (Really)

Training for Runners: FAQ

5 Stretches You Should Never Do

Mark’s Newsletter– Entertaining and educational. Sign up!

• How running has impacted Mark’s life.
• The shower beer (try it).
• Stretching – was it only cool in 1981?
• The only 3 things you need to know to begin running (Really)
• How to pick a training plan.
• And more!

For the show notes and the full transcript to this episode head over to:

https://www.healthynomics.com/31

None to Run Plan (for real beginners):

http://www.nonetorun.com/challenge

Today's show

• Why runner s need to think of themselves more like athletes and develop their athleticism.
• The best ways for runners to incorporate strength training into their running.
• How to read the early signs of injury.
• How to stay active when you are injure and can't run.
• Stretching - where does it fit into the running equation.
• Nate's favourite resources / books.
• And more!

For the show notes and the full transcript to this episode head over to:

https://www.healthynomics.com/30

To join the April 2017 None to Run Challenge:

http://www.nonetorun.com/challenge

Today's show

Shannon is both an athlete and a coach.  She competed in the equestrian sport of Three Day Eventing for fifteen years. Like a triathlon on a horse!

She then got interested in the sport of running and has raced distances ranging from the 800m to ultra trail events.

An interest in the psychology of achievement led her to completing an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania.

Through Hypo2 Sport and B78 Coaching, Shannon now coaches athletes in several different sports to improve their performance.

• How to approach setting goals for your running.
• How to get the best out of any run.
• How to combat negative thoughts so you can run feeling energized and motivated.
• Ways to become a more patient runner.
• How to enhance your mental toughness.
• How to develop a game plan for every run or race.
• The importance of mindfulness.
• Strategies to help you cope with and come back from an injury or setback.
• Shannon’s recommended books
• And much more!

Enjoy the show.

Cheers,

Mark

For the show notes and the full transcript to this episode head over to:

https://www.healthynomics.com/29

To join the April 2017 None to Run Challenge:

http://www.nonetorun.com/challenge

A cross-country All-American at Stonehill College, Mario has coached both elite and age-group runners and was the men’s marathon coach for Costa Rica at the 2012 Olympics.

Most recently Mario helped start Ekiden, a company that leverages technology to bring a great human coaching experience to more runners. He shares his thoughts on running and other topics that interest him in the morning shakeout, his weekly email newsletter to which I subscribe to and look forward to reading each week.

In this episode we talk about:

• Mario’s photography hobby and coffee habit.
• Lessons Mario has learned during his time as a runner and coach that applies to runners of all levels.
• Some specific running workouts that beginners can do to break up the monotony of slow running.
• Ways you can recognize when progress is being made, besides running speed.
• Mario’s non-negotiable aspects of a good running training program.
• Mario’s favourite strength exercises and a simple routine to elicit athleticism and make you a better runner.
• The benefits of having a running coach.
• Mario’s favourite running books.
• And more!

Enjoy the show!