Mitch Ammons is living proof that small, steady habits can transform a life.

Just a few years removed from barely jogging half a mile after rehab, the Austin realtor has run 2:16:01 in the marathon, joined Bat City Track Club, won his hometown half in 1:08:32, and even stood on the start line in Boston’s Professional Open Men’s Field–all without ever running in college.

What’s his secret? Nothing flashy.

Mitch leans on simple, controllable routines, like stacking threshold-heavy weeks, looped courses to calm race-day chaos, and dialing in a fueling plan he trusts.

In training, he’s learning to check his old “race every rep” instinct, following coach Jeff Cunningham’s mantra to stay in control and always leave one in the tank.

And the big dreams still burn for him, like dipping under the 2:16 Olympic Trials Qualifier, a mark he missed by seconds on a circular “micro marathon.”

He’s also caught the ultra-marathon bug.

From a last-man-standing test of grit, to his first-ever DNF after an ankle sprain, to the belief that marathon fitness carries into the 50K distance and beyond.

Running is both anchor and amplifier for Mitch, as he believes PRs matter no matter the level, and embraces being “a little nuts.”

Because in the end, loops, thresholds, and habits aren’t just for racing...they’re for living.

Tap into the Mitch Ammons Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review!

I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

As the Toledo Marathon looms just six days away, Dominic hits record for a rare solo jam session on grit, growth, and chasing what matters most.

From winging his first marathon off just two weeks of training to preparing for Toledo with modest mileage and plenty of gym sessions, he’s here to share the highs, doubts, and lessons running continues to teach him. 

Along the way, he opens up about why the marathon holds such a special place in his story, how Garmin has leveled up his training with their newest watch, and what it’s like to squeeze in a trip to Meta’s HQ just days before race day. 

More than splits or gear, this is about grit, growth, and finding meaning in the grind.

So whether you’re running your first 5K, gunning for a PR, or simply looking for a reminder that hard things are worth doing, this is a fresh take from the man behind The Running Effect.

Tap into the Solo Episode Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

We’re going full scientist mode today, because Jonah Rosner is back on the show.

If you don’t know Jonah, he’s the applied sport scientist who went from the Houston Texans to the streets of Brooklyn, translating lab data into PRs for everyday runners.

He’s walked the talk—he ran 2:57:22 at the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024—and he’s been on a tear since on social media. He has unpacked what 99% of runners are missing, and then he dropped a durability framework with Stryd (plus a free 10-week plan) to help you fade less and finish stronger in races.

In June he launched Brooklyn Running Company’s Beginner’s Pre-Run Fuel Playbook to make pre-run nutrition stupid-simple. Jonah continued breaking down exactly how he used caffeine to run 2:57, and expanded the fueling playbook with a Science in Sport piece on in-race carbs.

If you coach, this is a blueprint you can deploy this week. If you’re building for a fall race, this is the clarity you’ve been hunting: what to measure, what to ignore and what to change by your next long run.

Grab a notebook. By the end, you’ll have a simple checklist to move the ceiling on your performance—and a plan to chip away at it, session by session.

Let’s get surgical about speed.

Tap into the Jonah Rosner Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

Nico Felich is the kind of guy who’ll jog up to the mic fresh from a shakeout run, then drop a line that makes you want to sprint out the door and chase your life.

In his first-ever podcast sit-down, Nico shares how a quiet college kid making dorm-life vlogs turned into a full-time creator inspiring tens of thousands to run.

He’s here to talk about walking away from the 9–5 grind, keeping your passion intact when your sport becomes your job, and why goals should guide your path—not define your worth.

From tiptoeing across the Knife Edge on Colorado’s Capitol Peak to grinding out 70–80 mile weeks in the lead-up to his first 50-miler, Nico is chasing longevity, better storytelling, and real joy in life.

Our guy is a sub-3 marathoner, a BPN athlete, and someone who splits his time between Kansas City and Phoenix.

He’s aiming for Jimmy Chin–level filmmaking (someone who can keep up with the athletes he films) and he wants you to catch the bug too.

Tap into the Nico Felich Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review!

I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

• The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

• BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

• Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

• THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

• My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

• Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

What does it mean to be a prodigy who has to start over? 

Drew Hunter knows. 

Once hailed as the future of American distance running (he was the high school phenom who turned pro at 18 instead of going to college), his path has been anything but straightforward. 

The early years brought headlines and expectations, but also injuries, setbacks, and the sobering reality that talent alone doesn’t guarantee success.

After years of stop-and-start progress and searching for the right formula, Drew has redefined what it means to succeed in the sport. Now at 28, he’s racing better than ever.

Based in Boulder, Colorado, training under his parents, coaches Joan & Marc Hunter, he’s shifted to a higher-mileage, consistency-first approach that has unlocked his best performances yet. Stepping away from Tinman Elite (the team he co-founded that helped change the way fans engage with professional running online) was another turning point, allowing him to focus less on hype and more on purpose, balance, and longevity.

The results tell the story: a 1500m personal best of 3:33.41 in Los Angeles, a 10,000m best of 27:24.49 in California, a fourth-place finish at the USATF Outdoor 5000m, a gold medal at the NACAC 5000m 

Championships, and a podium at the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City. 

And in true Drew Hunter fashion, his very first U.S. title came back in 2019 — out of the B heat indoors.

Tap into the Drew Hunter Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Kim Gottwald is back on the pod, this time in person at BPN HQ in Texas.

If you haven’t heard of Kim yet, you will. He’s making a name for himself in the ultra-endurance world, and he’s the founder of Rappid Runs.

He co-won the Go One More Backyard Ultra at Bare Ranch, pushing 234 miles over 56 brutal loops before a storm shut it down. Kim is someone who offers raw honesty and dark humor. And he’s flipping the script on what an ultrarunner looks and sounds like, all while blowing up on TikTok.

In this episode, we get tactical. Kim breaks down last-man-standing strategy, why Texas heat gives him an edge, how cold might be better for going deep, and what hour 50 of an ultra really feels like. We get into the gear that holds up, the super shoes and cooling vests, and where he draws the line with tech.

He also unpacks why he believes HYROX work builds ultra durability, how he handles nutrition deep in a deficit, and what his BPN stack actually looks like.

Berlin Marathon is up next, Last Soul Ultra is in October, and Kim is here to show how faith, discipline, and real connection are fueling his “don’t surrender” mission into 2026.

In today's conversation, 

Tap into the Kim Gottwald Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

How do you build a running shoe brand that feels rebellious, authentic, and different in a market dominated by giants? 

For Bryan Poerner, President & CEO of Diadora USA, the answer lies in blending a punk-inspired do-it-yourself ethos with Italian craftsmanship and a deep respect for the running community. 

From his roots as a Division III steeplechaser to leading Diadora’s return to the U.S. performance market, Bryan’s journey has been anything but conventional.

His path is marked by defining career highlights. In 1998–1999, he set the Stockton University steeplechase record (9:31.0) while completing his business degree. He then spent more than a decade at PUMA, rising from regional specialty sales to managing national accounts, before channeling his entrepreneurial side in 2007 to launch TRKFLD, a Philadelphia-based accessories brand. 

Under his leadership, Diadora has transformed from a heritage name with history into an edgy new player in the run-specialty world. In November 2023, he made national headlines by pushing profit-sharing as a model for the future of runspecialty. 

Rather than chasing mass-market share, Bryan and his team have doubled down on a “best, not biggest” philosophy that prioritizes authenticity and community over volume. Today, Diadora under his guidance represents not just a heritage brand reborn, but a bold challenger reshaping the future of running.

In today's conversation, Bryan takes me deep into the process of helping to build Diadroa and his background in the sport in DIII. We dive into trying to build the next great running shoe company and how and why it's centered around performance. 

Tap into the Bryan Poerner Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

The road to greatness rarely runs smoothly. 

For Parker Wolfe, the path has twisted through injury, disappointment, and resilience. Over the past year, the NCAA champion, Olympic Trials finalist, and now Nike pro has faced some of the toughest setbacks of his young career.

Whether it’s a foot injury that threatened to derail his season, or the heartbreak of missing the Paris Olympics, he keeps finding ways to perform.

After returning from a spring foot injury, Parker lined up at the 2025 U.S. Championships and finished 6th in the 5,000m (13:28.20). Months earlier, he defended his ACC 5k/10k double, setting a championship record of 13:13.49 in the 5,000m. His PRs—3:34 (1500m), 3:54 (mile), 7:30 (3k), and 13:10 (5k)—back up what the results already show: Parker Wolfe isn’t just surviving adversity, he’s thriving off it.

Parker is here to open the book on his past year: the setbacks that nearly broke him, the mental battles behind the results, and the resilience it takes to chase greatness when nothing goes according to plan.

This isn’t the story from the headlines. It’s the inside look at how setbacks don’t define champions—they refine them.

In today's conversation, Parker walks me through the past year of adversity, opening the next chapter with NIKE and Coach Mike Smith, his ambtions for his future career, reflecting on his time at UNC, and more. 

Tap into the Parker Wolfe Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Coach Ian Moini is not just building a strong running program at UNC, he’s building a pipeline of success.

In just his mid-20s, Ian has gone from standout athlete to one of the youngest and most effective associate head coaches in NCAA distance running. 

Since his last appearance, North Carolina’s distance squad has leveled up in a big way: ACC titles, school records, and a national 5,000m championship led by Parker Wolfe. Behind all of that? Ian — shaping the training, the mindset, and most importantly, the culture.

But here’s what makes Ian different: he’s a master recruiter. He knows what college coaches are looking for, because he isthe coach they’re trying to beat. His track record isn’t just about fast times, it’s about finding the right athletes, building trust, and helping them grow into something bigger than themselves.

And he’s lived it from every angle. From winning New Jersey state titles in high school, to breaking 4:15 in the mile at UNC, to grinding as a volunteer coach while still a student at Eastern Michigan, Ian’s journey is all about work ethic, humility, and pushing people to unlock their full potential.

A lot’s changed since he was last on, but one thing hasn’t: Ian sees the big picture. He knows that long-term success takes more than talent, it takes the right environment, the right support, and the right belief.

If you’re serious about running in college, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In today's conversation, Coach Ian Moini takes me deep into the world of how to get recruited to run at the next level, whether you're the top recruit in the nation or just someone who wants to run at the next level. We tackle every question in the book, common misconceptions, and inside stories from one of the best recruiters in the country. 

Tap into the Coach Ian Moini Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Part coach, part storyteller, and part entertainer, Zack Telander shows that serious training doesn’t have to be boring—or stuck in one lane.

A former Division I lacrosse player at the University of Vermont (2011–2013), Zack built his athletic base in a team sport before transitioning into Olympic weightlifting as both an athlete and coach. But recently, his followers have been watching a different kind of streak: he’s running a mile every single day—and documenting it on Instagram. (As of recording this, he’s on day 79.) 

What started as a personal challenge has become a running narrative (pun intended) on his feed, showing how a committed weightlifter can integrate daily running without losing strength or swagger. His posts blend mileage updates with reflections on training discipline, recovery, and mindset.

On YouTube, where he has about 245K subscribers as of August 2025, Zack’s content mixes deep coaching insights, technical breakdowns, and the occasional cultural hot take—plus personality-driven pieces like his snatch session with Alec Blenis. Off-camera, he’s USAW Level 1 & 2 and NSCA-CSCS certified, with coaching stints at Texas A&M (Rugby S&C; Weightlifting Club) and experience training everyone from beginners to national-level lifters.

We’ll dig into how his daily runs fit into a strength athlete’s world, how running and lifting can sharpen each other, and why Zack believes community and healthy skepticism are key to long-term athletic growth.

In today's conversation, Zack dives deep into his running journey, thoughts on how runners can get the most out of their life and running pursuits, where he wants to take his running, his unorthodox beginnings in the sport, and so much more. 

This one is fun, but also deep. The perfect mix for your next run. 

Tap into the Zack Telander Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W  N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run 

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz