Sofie Schunk is a biomechanical engineer, run coach, and Olympic Trials Qualifier living with type 1 diabetes. In this episode, she opens up about chasing the OTQ, crashing mid race, and coming back six weeks later to qualify. We talk fueling, coaching philosophy, strength training, mindset and what it takes to keep going when life gets chaotic.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Sophie Schunk
01:49 Sofie's Journey into Running
02:57 Navigating Type 1 Diabetes and Sports
05:10 Transitioning from Soccer to Long-Distance Running
11:50 The Shift to Endurance Challenges
14:07 Early Marathon Experiences and Surprising Success
17:44 Running Without a Watch: A New Perspective
20:13 Balancing Life, Work, and Running
23:29 Balancing Training and Coaching Responsibilities
25:47 Managing Expectations and Fitness Levels
26:56 Glucose Monitoring and Nutrition Strategies
32:14 Family and Community Support in Athletics
35:04 The Birth of Embrace the Grind
38:55 Coaching Philosophies and Athlete Management
46:20 Common Challenges in Marathon Training
47:46 Balancing Strengths and Weaknesses in Training
51:09 The Journey to Olympic Trials
55:33 Overcoming Challenges and Setbacks
58:59 Mindset and Motivation in Sports
01:05:02 Inspiring Others and Future Goals
01:12:11 Closing

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Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow Sofie Schunk: 

Instagram - instagram.com/runswithinsulin/
Coaching Website - https://www.letsembracethegrind.com/

Listen, rate, and share if you enjoyed this story. Every episode features everyday runners balancing life, work, and big goals because The People Run.

Dan Marchese has run sub 3 Hr marathons, conquered 100 milers, and still isn’t done. In this episode, we dive into Dan’s transformation from Olympic weightlifting to endurance racing, his tough mindset, strength training for runners, coaching philosophy, and how he’s training to win a Last Man Standing ultra. If you're chasing big goals, this one will light a fire.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Dan Marchese and His Journey
07:24 The Transformation from Weightlifting to Running
13:19 Experiences in Ultra Marathons and Early Races
20:45 The Balance of Strength Training and Running
28:13 Becoming a Coach and Mentorship in Running
34:42 Training for 100-Mile Races: A Weekly Overview
37:19 Building the Mindset for Ultra Running
39:10 Comparing Ultra Marathons and Sub-3 Hour Marathons
41:40 The Mental Game of Endurance Racing
42:10 The Importance of Naps in Ultra Running
45:04 Family Support in Endurance Sports
46:12 Finding Inspiration in Influential Figures
50:11 Creating Content and Sharing the Journey
57:09 Pursuing Passion and Personal Growth
01:02:51 Future Goals and Upcoming Races
01:09:38 Closing

Follow:

IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Guest Dan: 

instagram.com/danmarchese_/

infinitebrandcoaching.myshopify.com/

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Ricardo went from racing triathlons to launching a sock brand built for athletes. This is a story of friendship, racing, and chasing bold ideas.

!!! Note: Visuals switch to a photo after the first third due to a technical issue. Full audio and story still intact.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ricardo and His Journey
02:17 Training for Ironman: A Personal Journey
04:49 Injury and Recovery: Lessons Learned
06:17 Cycling Community and Connections
06:58 The Joy of Cycling and Exploration
09:43 Traveling for Races and Events
12:43 Training for Triathlons: Balancing Disciplines
15:36 Tapering and Recovery Strategies
18:16 Training Philosophy: The 80-20 Rule
20:55 The Journey into Triathlons
23:50 The Journey into Endurance Sports
25:50 Inspiration and Influences in Cycling
28:43 Building a Brand: The Sock Company
31:21 Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship
34:25 Reflections on Personal Growth and Change
37:06 Advice for Newcomers in Endurance Sports
42:32 Outro

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IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow Ricardo & Lite T socks:

instagram.com/litet_socks/

Listen, rate, and share if you enjoyed this story. Every episode features everyday runners balancing life, work, and big goals because The People Run.

Jerry Faulkner has run more than 20 years of sub 2:40 marathons (PR 2:21) and he’s still going. In this episode, we sit down to unpack the mindset, training philosophy, and day today discipline that’s kept him fast for decades. From his early days as a walk on athlete to dozens of marathon wins, Jerry shares the key lessons learned across years of racing, coaching, and staying hungry.

We talk training volume, race strategy, longevity, strength work, support, and the mental frameworks that have allowed him to chase goals well into his 40s  including what’s next.

Whether you’re eyeing your first marathon or chasing a personal best, this is one to soak in.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jerry Faulkner and His Running Journey
06:13 The Running Boom and Community Growth
12:24 Early Running Experiences and Challenges
18:11 Nutrition and Training Insights for Runners
25:36 The Importance of Protein in Running
32:25 Training Philosophies and Strategies
39:04 Running with Purpose: Effort vs. Data
50:34 Strength Training and Nutrition for Runners
57:25 Hydration and Caloric Needs During Training
01:03:22 Finding Joy Beyond Running
01:10:36 Future Goals and Aspirations
01:13:14 Until next time

Follow:

IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Keep up with Jerry:

instagram.com/jdfnyc/

Listen, rate, and share if you enjoyed this story. Every episode features everydayrunners balancing life, work, and big goals because The People Run.

Karis Myers is an Olympic Trials marathon qualifier with a story that goes far beyond the finish line. In this conversation, she reflects on the mental battles behind the miles  from navigating injury setbacks to reshaping her relationship with training, identity, and rest.

We talk about letting go of perfection, pulling back without guilt, and learning to train smarter. Karis shares the mindset shifts that helped her grow as both an athlete and a person, and why longevity matters more than any one result.

This one’s raw, real, and full of takeaways for any runner chasing their own path.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Karis: The Dual Athlete
03:09 The Journey from Soccer to Running
06:30 Training Evolution: From Grind to Smart Training
11:29 Injury Struggles and Recovery Lessons
16:01 Mental Health and the Joy of Running
19:42 The Importance of Recovery and Fueling
26:27 Balancing Work and Passion
31:53 Adapting Training to Life's Demands
37:11 Balancing Life Beyond Running
44:57 Daily Routines and Work-Life Balance
49:18 The Running Mecca: Boulder Insights
55:40 Training Philosophy and Olympic Aspirations
01:06:43 Outro

Follow:

IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow Karis:
IG: instagram.com/karisjochen/
Substack - open.substack.com/pub/karismyers?r=cv73m&utm_medium=ios

In this episode of the People Run Podcast, Fitz Mayi talks with Sean Meehan about the intersection of running and cycling, exploring everyday runners' experiences, the challenges of moving, and the beauty of Colorado's outdoor scenery. They discuss Sean's transition from soccer to cycling, his adventures in Spain, and the importance of nutrition and hydration for endurance sports. Sean shares his journey into running, including training for his first marathon, Grandma's Marathon, and the lessons learned along the way. The conversation wraps up with insights into future cycling races and the joys of bikepacking.

Follow:

IG: @thepeoplerunpodcast

YT: www.youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music @mech__beats

In this episode of the People Who Run podcast, Fitz Mayi interviews Julia Meyer, a passionate runner and founder of Point B Movement. They discuss Julia's journey into running, the importance of community, and her experiences with various races, including the South Bend 400. Julia shares insights on training, recovery, nutrition, and the significance of respecting the marathon distance. The conversation also touches on common running myths and offers advice for new runners looking to improve their performance.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Julia Meyer and Her Journey
02:58 How Julia Got Into Running
07:49 The Evolution of Julia's Running Experience
13:46 Respecting the Marathon Distance
17:19 Founding Point B Movement
27:41 The South Bend 400 Experience
30:11 Building a Diverse Team for the Marathon
31:14 Pacing Strategies and Race Dynamics
32:47 Logistics and Nutrition for Long Races
35:42 Highs and Lows of Racing
40:59 Busting Running Myths
48:10 Finding Joy in Running
50:57 Advice for Aspiring Runners
54:01 Outro

Follow:

IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow Julia & Point B Movement:

IG: instagram.com/querida.julia/ , instagram.com/pntbmvmt/

Listen, rate, and share if you enjoyed this story. Every episode features real runners balancing life, work, and big goals because The People Run.

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz Mayi interviews Ozzie, who shares his inspiring journey from being a non-runner to completing a marathon. Ozzie discusses the health awakening that motivated him to change his lifestyle, the importance of family support, and the challenges he faced during his training and the marathon itself. He emphasizes the power of community in running, the lessons learned from overcoming obstacles, and his future goals as he prepares for his next marathon. Ozzie's story is a testament to personal growth and the transformative power of running.

In this episode of the People Run podcast, host Fitz engages with Mark Changcoco, a dedicated runner from Orlando, discussing various aspects of running, including training routines, race experiences, shoe preferences, and the transformative power of running on health. 

Mark shares his journey from gym workouts to consistent running, emphasizing the importance of early morning runs and the impact of running on his overall well-being. The conversation also delves into the challenges of running in hot weather, the significance of consistency in training, and the evolution of Mark's running journey during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this engaging conversation, Mark Changcoco and Fitz discuss various aspects of running, including health, nutrition, and the impact of alcohol on performance. They share personal experiences with marathons, the importance of sodium for hydration, and the joys of traveling for races. 

The duo also delves into coaching philosophies, the solo runner experience, and the significance of proper footwear. Throughout the discussion, they emphasize the importance of consistency in training and the mental shifts that occur on race day.

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, host Fitz Mayi talks with Ollie Smyth about his journey as an everyday runner. They discuss Ollie's late start in running, his experiences with the six world majors, and the importance of community and proper training. Ollie shares insights on injury management, the psychological aspects of running, and the balance between running and personal life. 

The conversation highlights the evolution of running culture across different countries and the significance of enjoying the journey rather than just focusing on race times.

Follow:

IG: @thepeoplerunpodcast

YT: www.youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast

Music @mech__beats