Joey Whelan was running 2:13 - 2:15 marathons while balancing running with work when he decided he had one more shot to see how good he could become. With the support of his wife, he quit his job, went all in on running, and eventually broke 2:10. 

Joey talks about what changed when running became his full time pursuit, racing multiple marathons a year, recovering quickly enough to keep coming back, and what each race has taught him. We get into Berlin's brutal heat, winning and setting course records, representing Team USA, training at 100+ miles per week, and the small details he's learning as he tries to close the gap to the next level. 

Now, after winning 11 marathons, running under 2:10 and holding five course records, Joey isn't interested in staying where he knows he can win. He's headed to Chicago to find out how he stacks up against some of the best runners in the country and he's not finished yet. 

This one is about betting on yourself, finding another level, and seeing what happens when you go all in.



Chapters

00:00 Going All In on Running

09:21 Chasing Sub-2:10: Berlin, CIM & Going Full-Time

16:16 Learning to Race Like the Elites

21:17 Racing the Best & Chasing the Majors

28:30 What Every Marathon Has Taught Him

35:54 What Separates a 2:09 Marathoner?

44:46 Recovery, Fueling & Life as a Pro

52:34 Nothing to Lose: What Comes Next

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instagram.com/jpwhelan23/


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Emily Durgin has been a U.S. champion, finished ninth at the 2024 Olympic Trials, and spent years consistently improving and competing at the highest level. Then an injury changed the rhythm of everything.

Emily opens up about the past year and a half of trying to feel like herself again. She shares what it was like racing at 85%, questioning whether her best years were behind her, and eventually deciding that continuing to push through wasn't worth sacrificing a full recovery.

We talk about the mistakes she's made returning from injury, learning when to stop forcing fitness, rebuilding from the ground up, and separating her identity from running while still believing deeply in what she can accomplish.

Emily also looks ahead to 2027 and 2028, why she believes her fastest running may still be ahead of her, and what it means to give herself the chance to go all in one more time.

Chapters

00:00 – Emily’s comeback and injury reset

01:04 – Why she stopped racing through pain

05:23 – The hardest part: being away from competition

07:12 – Starting fresh in Boulder

10:59 – The lesson: stop running through it

12:21 – Why racing means so much more than workouts

17:39 – Redefining success and choosing joy

27:13 – Hill strides and rebuilding form

30:32 – The biggest mistake runners make after injury

34:12 – Faith, friendship, and joy outside running

43:15 – December marathons and the road back

47:41 – Why 2028 is the main goal

50:55 – What she’ll appreciate most when she’s back

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instagram.com/em_durgin/

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Less than a year after signing up for her first HYROX, Courtney qualified for the HYROX World Championships.

In this episode, Courtney shares how she balances a full-time career, family life, and training while chasing her potential. We talk about qualifying for Worlds, running a sub 40 10K, training 15+ hours a week, fueling, recovery, and the mindset that's helped her improve so quickly.

Whether you're training for HYROX, running your next race, or simply trying to fit big goals into a busy life, there's something in this conversation for you.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: From First HYROX to Worlds

02:11 Signing Up for Her First HYROX

03:57 Training, Mindset & Finding Her Potential

07:10 The Mental Side of Racing

10:11 The Road to HYROX Worlds

15:46 Race Day at Worlds

19:01 Lessons From HYROX Worlds

23:02 Running, HYROX & Getting Faster

29:07 Balancing Work, Family & Training

33:04 Fueling, Recovery & Community

44:02 What's Next? Hong Kong & Future Goals

Follow Courtney:

instagram.com/courtney.hybrid.fit/

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instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
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Olympic medalist, author, and lifelong runner Deena Kastor joins The People Run Podcast.

We talk about how her relationship with running has evolved, why joy matters more than chasing personal bests, what keeps her running today, the growth of the running community, writing Let Your Mind Run, and the lessons running continues to teach her decades after standing on the Olympic podium.

If you’ve ever wondered why we keep coming back to running, this conversation is for you.

Enjoy the episode.

Chapters

00:00 Why Running Never Leaves You
02:58 Deena's Current Running Routine and Goals
06:59 Evolving Relationship with Running and Aging
12:00 The Impact of Community and Environment on Running
17:02 The Growth of the Sport and New Major Races
22:05 Deena's Reflection on Her Marathon Journey
26:53 The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Running
33:50 Writing Let Your Mind Run
42:00 The Power of Inspiration and Quotes in Running
45:06 Kindness, Community, and the Future of Running

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instagram.com/deenakastor/

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Sydney Levenfeld never expected running to change the direction of her life.

After being diagnosed with epilepsy in 2020, running became a safe space during a difficult period. What started as a way to cope eventually led to a 3:15 debut marathon in Chicago, a growing belief in what she was capable of, and ultimately a 2:46 marathon PR.

Sydney joins the podcast to talk about finding confidence through running, her rapid marathon progression, learning to love the training process, the workouts that helped her improve, racing Chicago, Boston and Eugene, and the unique pre

race ritual she uses to visualize her goals.

We also talk about leaving teaching, navigating uncertainty in her career, betting on herself, and co-founding Lead Pack Athletics as running became more than something she did it helped shape the person she wanted to become.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sydney Levenfeld's Running Journey
02:07 How Running Helped Build Confidence and Self-Belief
04:03 Sydney's First Marathon and Its Significance
05:52 Overcoming Health Challenges and Running Safely
10:01 Breaking 3 Hours and Improving Marathon Times
11:59 Key Training Strategies and Mental Models
14:07 The Love for Threshold Work and Speed Training
16:03 The Role of Visualization and Rituals in Racing
20:08 Memorable Races and Personal Highlights
24:56 Building Lead Pack Athletics to Address Industry Gaps
29:58 Future Goals and Vision for Running Industry

Follow Sydney:

instagram.com/sydney.b.fitness/

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instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
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What does it take to balance teaching at a university while running a 2:13 marathon?

In this episode, I sit down with Kristoffer Mugrage a professor at Adams State University, sports psychology lecturer, and one of America's top marathoners. We dive into the mindset, consistency, and training principles that have helped him become an elite marathoner while balancing a demanding career outside the sport.

We talk about Boston Marathon, running 120+ mile weeks, altitude training, fueling, sports psychology, managing stress, confidence, and why enjoying the process might be the biggest key to long term improvement.

Whether you're chasing your first marathon or your next PR, Kristoffer shares practical insights that runners of every level can apply.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Kristoffer's quote on planning and belief
02:09 Kristoffer's race experience and mental preparation
04:03 Being in the race tent with elite athletes
06:51 Training progression and early marathon times
10:54 Balancing a busy career with elite training
16:55 Training for mental toughness and pain management
21:58 Common misconceptions about marathon training
24:04 Nutrition strategies and daily calorie intake
36:11 Simplified principles for marathon training
38:05 Altitude necessity and its nuances
43:04 Disparity between easy and speed runs
46:11 Lessons from students and teaching
51:03 What excellence means in running and life
54:04 Closing remarks and future goals

Follow Kristoffer:

instagram.com/kris_muggi/

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instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
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David Mullarkey left the Isle of Man to chase a dream that most people thought was impossible. After moving across the world to compete in the NCAA, spending months without a sponsor, and burning through his savings with only one month of rent left, he finally got the email that changed everything—Under Armour was signing him as a professional runner.

In this conversation, David shares what it was really like leaving home, adapting to life in America, competing in the NCAA, coaching himself after college, racing for Great Britain, and why patience has been the biggest advantage throughout his career.

We also talk about high-mileage training, altitude in Flagstaff, becoming part of Mission Run Dark Sky, why championship racing means more than fast times, and the mindset behind the word “Relentless”—the tattoo he carries as a reminder to keep moving forward no matter what.

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to become a professional runner, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and David's background
01:24 Growing up in Isle of Man and early dreams
04:14 Signing with Under Armour and turning pro
06:50 Transitioning from NCAA to professional athletics
11:55 Training at altitude and its effects
18:54 Representing Great Britain and major competitions
22:50 The importance of patience and long-term goals
30:01 Daily training routine and managing workload
40:06 Mental resilience and overcoming setbacks
45:01 Future goals and upcoming races

Follow David:

instagram.com/david.mullarkey/


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instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
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He Couldn’t Swim 15 Feet. Now He’s Racing 140.6 Miles | Casey Watson

Born With One Arm. Couldn’t Swim 15 Feet. Now He’s Racing 140.6 Miles.

Casey Watson once jumped into a pool believing his marathon fitness would carry him through a lap. Fifteen feet later, he was standing up, out of breath, and realizing he had no idea how to swim.

That moment became the start of something much bigger.

In this episode, Casey shares how he taught himself to swim, adapted a bike he could race safely, survived the fear of open water, and went from finishing his first triathlon to standing on podiums at 70.3 races and the Boston Marathon.

Now he is preparing for the biggest challenge of his life: 140.6 miles at Challenge Roth in Germany.

This is Casey Watson on The People Run Podcast.

Chapters

00:00 From 15 Feet to a 2.4-Mile Triathlon Swim

07:59 Building a Triathlon Bike He Could Ride

13:39 Surviving the Swim, Taking Third in His First Triathlon

26:26 His First 70.3: Breaking Six Hours and Winning His Division

33:40 Why He Has to Work Twice as Hard

43:07 Training for Triathlon Without Losing Family Time

46:28 What His Kids See When He Races

48:37 Racing Boston Marathon Alone at the Front

52:50 Challenge Roth: 140.6 Miles in Germany

Follow Casey:

instagram.com/healthy_living4god/


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This week on The People Run, I’m joined by Olivia, a former British Army soldier, fitness presenter, runner, and HYROX athlete.

We talk about the rise of run clubs, why HYROX has exploded in popularity, and what so many people are really searching for when they sign up for races, join a community, or take on hard challenges.

Along the way we discuss Olivia’s path from the Army into fitness media, how running became more than exercise, racing around the world, the culture surrounding HYROX, social media authenticity, and why community might be the most underrated part of endurance sports.

Chapters

00:00 HYROX, Half Marathons & Why Everyone's Obsessed

08:49 The Accidental Path: Army, Media & Staying Busy

12:51 How Running Became Her Identity

19:31 Why We Fly Across The World To Run

25:36 Preparing For HYROX

31:07 HYROX: Online vs Reality

39:40 What's The Point? Social Media & Authenticity

45:41 Why We Keep Doing Hard Things

Follow Olivia:

instagram.com/oliviacoxlondon/


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At 13 years old, Sean Casey was told he may never walk again.

After being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Sean went from playing football with his friends to spending 94 days in the hospital, learning how to walk, use his hands, and rebuild his life from the ground up. Just as he recovered, he faced another serious illness that put him back in the hospital.

Today, Sean is running marathons, chasing a sub-3, and taking on one of the toughest races in the world: Leadville 100.

In this episode, Sean shares his journey through paralysis, recovery, identity, endurance sports, and why movement is something he'll never take for granted again.

Chapters

00:00 From Football to Paralysis

06:38 The Recovery Nobody Sees

17:09 How Running Changed Everything

22:09 Why Leadville Became the Dream

27:47 100 Miles of Chosen Suffering

31:41 Tokyo, Failure & The Sub-3 Chase

41:25 What Makes Someone Strong?

42:28 Defining Strength: Consistency Through Adversity

42:58 Preparing for Leadville: Lessons Learned

44:21 The Leadville Dream and Community Impact

47:38 Authenticity in Running: Staying True to Oneself

Follow Sean:

instagram.com/takethestairs1/


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instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/