It started as a way to become a better version of himself after gaining more weight than he felt comfortable with. Now, he's a 3:28 marathoner pursuing a Boston Qualifier in the near future.

As a kid, pursuing fast times in marathons, half marathons (he's a sub 1;28 guy), and 5Ks (he's also an 18:46 guy) wasn't something he ever thought he'd do. But once he started back in 2020 just for health, he soon became quite the fan of the sport.

Now, not only is he pushing himself to do hard things, he's also inspiring his wife, who finds joy chasing her own PRs, and his kids, one of which is doing triathlons at 7 years old and another who can ride a bike without training wheels at just 3.

Niko's a perfect example of when you make the choice to get consistent and put out that energy, not only will you change your own life, you'll inspire those around you to chase theirs.

If this episode inspired you to do something hard today, let me know in the comments and share it with a friend. Thanks for listening to Niko's story on Through Their Stride.

In this episode, I sit down with marathon coach and "Busy Runner" Justin Cannon to unpack how he went from a 4:34 debut marathon to a 3:06 in his very next race and then to a PR of 2:39. That kind of leap didn't just change his PR; it changed his entire mindset, making him want to "get greedy" with his goals and see how far he could really go.

We dig into what shifted his entire mindset between each marathon, how he balances big dreams with real-life responsibilities, and why that transformation pushed him to start coaching and helping other runners chase their own breakthroughs. If you've ever wondered what's possible when you stop playing it safe and start getting a little greedy with your potential, this conversation is for you.

#marathons #marathontraining #running #chaseyourdream #runningpodcast 

As life piles on, it can be easy to escape into bad habits. But sometimes, all it takes is seeing your own child muscle up the courage to do hard things for you to start chasing your dreams again.

For Jim LeRoux, that's exactly what happened. Jim was a well-respected competitive runner in high school, but college studies, family building, and the grind of everyday life led him to become a tad overweight, out of shape, and with unhealthy blood pressure numbers. He had a hard time finding the motivation to chase that childlike self again, but when his own daughter picked up cross country, it reawakened something inside of himself.

Seeing his own daughter chase fast times and first place finishes made him want to get back into shape so that he could run with her. He's done just that, and now has impressive times of sub-19 5Ks, sub-40 10Ks, and even a marathon PR under 3:15.

Jim's story proves that if you say yes to committing to your own promises, anything is possible. I hope this one inspires you to take on something hard and show up for yourself even when no one is watching.

#running #dohardthings #motivation #texasrunners #runningpodcast 

In this episode, I'm joined by Heather Rosemand, also known as @heatherrunstexas on Instagram, for an honest conversation about healing, growth, and what it looks like to rebuild your life one step at a time.

Heather shares how she got out of an unhealthy relationship, changed her relationship with alcohol, and found something life-giving through running. We talk about the role running has played in her healing, how it helped create a stronger version of herself, and how it's connected her to a community that continues to support and inspire her.

This episode is about choosing yourself, doing hard things, and discovering that a new life really can begin with one brave decision.

#running #runningpodcast #runningmotivation #changeyourlife 

Andie Cozzarelli's journey back to the Olympic Trials marathon standard is one of the most powerful stories I've heard.

After debuting in the marathon at the 2016 Olympic Trials and not finishing, Andie spent years fighting to get back. The road was anything but smooth, filled with setbacks, hard lessons, and moments that tested her patience and belief. But in 2026, she broke through in a big way, winning the Glass City Marathon in 2:36:59 and earning the OTQ standard.

We talk about what it took to stay in the fight, how learning to truly listen to her body changed her approach, and how those experiences now shape the way she coaches others. This conversation is about perseverance, perspective, and what it means to keep showing up for others.

#running #olympictrials #OTQ #marathontraining #runmotivation #runningpodcast 

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Arizona-based runner Aly Kozar (@runswithheart on Instagram) to talk about what it means to keep showing up when life doesn't go according to plan.

Aly shares the ups and downs of her marathon journey, how she's learned to get back up after hard seasons in running and in life, and the deeper personal road of walking through infertility and PCOS. Our conversation centers on resilience, perspective, and the growth mindset that has helped her keep moving forward with hope, honesty, and positivity.

This is an episode about endurance in every sense of the word, whether it's chasing finish lines or learning how to keep going when the path is unclear.

#running #motivation #PCOS #infertility #runningmotivation #runningpodcast 

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Robert Jackson for a conversation about running, grief, and what it means to keep moving forward after loss. Robert shares how running became a place to process sorrow after losing family members, and how the sport has helped carry him through some of the hardest seasons in life.

We also talk about his marathon journey, Boston, the people who have helped shape him as a runner, and the role his support system has played along the way. This one was especially personal for me too, because after losing my mom earlier this year, I was able to connect with Robert as a runner and as someone who understands that grief can change the meaning behind every stride.

If you've ever used running to work through something heavy, or if you just love hearing honest runner stories, this is a conversation I think will stay with you.

What does it mean to run for something bigger than yourself?

In this episode, I sit down with Carlie Bixler, a marathoner and key part of the Run Uplifted community in Georgetown who's taking her running all the way to the Copenhagen Marathon as a charity runner for #StacheStrong, raising money for brain cancer research.

Carlie shares how her perspective on running has been shaped by the people in her life, from family members affected by cancer to her mother's ongoing recovery from a brain aneurysm. Her story is a powerful reminder that running can be about so much more than pace and performance. When you run for others, you learn more about resilience, gratitude, and showing up while you still can.

We talk about community, purpose, and what it looks like to run with meaning behind every mile. If you've ever needed a reason to keep going, this one hits.

• Find more about Run Uplifted: https://www.upliftedmovementpt.com/run-uplifted
• Donate to Carlie's endeavors: https://www.givengain.com/project/carlie-raising-funds-for-stachestrong-113543
• Follow Carlie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlierunsamarathon/

#running #podcast #runner #runningmotivation #texasrunners

When taking on something bigger than yourself, Six Star World Marathon Majors finisher Dorina Carrillo has two pieces of advice. Make sure it's something you're passionate about and do it with all your heart.

Dorina first got into running in 2012 as a way to do something hard while her mom was battling breast cancer. After her mom's passing, she stepped away from the sport. But in 2016, a friend helped her find her way back. What started as a personal challenge turned into something much bigger.

Since returning to running, Dorina has completed all six World Marathon Majors, raised thousands of dollars for cancer research, and inspired countless others to take their first steps into the sport.

This conversation dives into grief, motivation, community, and how running can become a powerful outlet for healing and impact.

If this episode resonates with you, don't forget to leave a review on Spotify, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As an adult, you get the privilege of choosing a running coach rather than having one assigned to you. And one of the best coaches to choose from is Jeff Cunningham.

In this episode, Jeff Cunningham, founder of Cunningham Running and Bat City Track Club, as well as host of The Consistently Good Podcast, discusses what it's like preparing 15 runners for the Boston Marathon, the philosophy that guides his coaching, and why he values staying grounded and living in reality when it comes to the process of training. It's a great look into the mindset of a coach who cares deeply about the athletes he works with and the journey they take to get to the start line.

Listen to The Consistently Good Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ZePWjQ89Yg094167R1bpo
Learn more about Cunningham Running:  https://www.cunninghamrunning.com/about