Episode Notes "It doesn't matter what you do in this moment. It's all about everything that we put together this entire season. We don't have to have, you know, this "A" workout. You can have a bunch of "B" workouts put together. And again, the accumulation of all those workouts is going to end up with a really great result." Today's guest is Emma Bates, elite marathoner for the USA and one of the three U.S. women's marathoners competing at the upcoming World Championships. Emma said one of the ...
Jul 11, 2022•56 min•Season 1Ep. 31
"We have this misconception that we need to look a certain way to perform on our best. Physical aesthetics and athletic performance don't go hand in hand always." Today's guest is Jessica Isaacs, the Sports Dietitian for the Los Angeles Clippers and a Master Nutrition Coach for BodyBuilding.com. Everyone has questions about diet – from what to eat to lose weight, to build muscle, to think more clearly, to have more energy, to perform better and to sleep better. Our guest, Jessica Isaacs, not onl...
Jun 10, 2022•57 min•Season 1Ep. 31
"One thing that really stood out to me early was someone said, "Be where your feet are." If it's hard to think, like one moment at a time, be exactly where your feet are. Be there. When you put your phone down, stop scrolling IG, and you sit with your family and watch the movie...literally be there . If you can do that, I feel like we'll all be happier." --Tommie Runz This is a special episode featuring UCAN's Boston Marathon panel discussion with some of the most inspirational and accomplished ...
May 24, 2022•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 30
"I think that we don't give ourselves enough credit in many areas for the strength we have cause it doesn't seem like the connection should be made to something else. But if you can be strong in one area, you can translate that to almost any other area of your life." Today's guest is Tommie Runz, a 2:48 marathoner who recently qualified for the upcoming Boston Marathon. Tommie has one of the coolest stories in running today. Five years ago, running became the tool he used to transform his life. ...
Apr 13, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 29
"You know, it's the weirdest thing because sometimes I step back and try to think of how I do it. And it's just a real natural love for running. Like when you hear those things about, you know, this person was born to do this sport or this thing, like I really feel I was born to run." Today's guest is 2017 master's gold medalist at 60m and founder of Equity Design Inc, Maurelhena Walles. Maurelhena is just dripping with cool throughout our conversation with her. The cool factor she brought with ...
Mar 08, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 28
"The biggest thing for me is trusting my fitness, trusting my body and saying, ‘Hey, you know what, if I end up, you know, not making a team or end up not placing where I wanted to place, it’s because I took the approach I wanted to and knew that I could be successful.’” Our guest today is Nathan Martin, the fastest ever U.S. born African American marathoner and 8th place finisher at the 2021 New York City Marathon. You may not assume it (and he intentionally will not boast about it) but Nathan ...
Feb 25, 2022•50 min•Season 1Ep. 27
"I think there's so much value in being a dreamer and a visionary but that could be deflating at times too because you know, those are your visions. Those are three, 10 years out, well in a month from now, if you're not that much closer, that could be really deflating. And that's where having your daily process goals and, and just knocking out those daily wins. That's where keeping track of those can also be a tremendous asset as well." When it comes to sports, there are a lot of highs and lows....
Feb 08, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 26
“You're just a foot away from success. And it's just being resilient and fighting for what you want. It doesn't matter how many times you're knocked down. It's just standing up.” Our guests this week are Saxon and Spencer Panchik, two of the fittest men on the planet today. For most, living up to an older sibling's success is a deterrent when it comes to choosing a sport or similar endeavor. The opposite is true for Spencer and Saxon. It’s actually become a major factor that drives them in their...
Jan 11, 2022•39 min•Season 1Ep. 25
"During the race, to be honest, I don't wear a watch. Rule number one. I don't run for time. I just get to the front and hang on as long as I can." Our guest this week is Abdi Abdirahman, 5-time US Olympian at 10,000 meters and the marathon. I’ve known Abdi for about fifteen years now. If you know anything about this living legend in the sport of running it’s that he brings joy wherever he goes. There’s never a dull moment when he’s around. Just ask any of his peers. In fact, you can find out fo...
Dec 17, 2021•46 min•Season 1Ep. 24
“I think running is a vehicle for conversations, which we've learned with Running Realized. But also, it is a way that runners get stuff done. We are determined, and focused, and committed. And so I think there's a lot of potential there for our community." Today's guest is Tina Muir, former elite marathoner and host of the Running for Real and Running Realized podcasts. Today’s episode with Tina was special for a few reasons. One - Tina has become a very important voice in the running community...
Nov 03, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 23
What stands out about Coach Greg McMillan’s philosophy is how it truly caters to the individual. And for someone who coaches thousands of runners, both elite and recreational, he clearly has a process that’s working. What we think you’ll love most about this episode is the idea of being flexible with your training. Not doing exactly what’s written down on your training plan is probably the hardest thing for runners, but it’s this small change - the ability to adapt your training based on how you...
Oct 26, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Our guest today is Makenna Myler, a professional runner with Asics. If you follow track and field closely, you may have heard her story thanks to a viral TikTok video of her running a 5:25 mile while pregnant. What we’re excited for runners and non-runners to discover about this rising star is that she’s more than a viral video. In fact, she’s a newly minted mom who has so much insight to share about how our decisions affect who we are becoming and why we should care about being intentional abou...
Oct 15, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 21
"I've driven races where my power steering has gone out and the diver cooling system went out and it's 130 degrees, and if you did that for about five minutes, you'd say I gotta quit. But I had to do it for an hour. And the only way to get through it is just keep taking breaths and focusing on, 'What's the next step? What's the next step? What's the next step? '" Today's guest is Matt Plumb, a professional race car driver. If I asked you about car racing, you’d probably mention your favorite sce...
Sep 29, 2021•57 min•Season 1Ep. 20
"We need to improve her overall strength. Hip stability, her shoulder stability, and her abdominal strength are the three main areas that I'm going to approach and attack. And really with any sport, I'm going to go with those three main areas. You need good hips. You need good abdominal stability. You need good shoulders to build your scapular stability, to hold everything in place." Today's guest is David Donatucci, the General Manager of Arise Center for Athletic Development in Jupiter, Florid...
Sep 22, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 19
"I think you really need to find people that are in your corner. No matter if you're an athlete or not, just find somebody that helps you see the best in you. And like I said, holds you accountable." Today's guest is Carrie Tollefson, 2004 Olympian in the 1500 meters and multiple time champion in both cross country and track and field. Carrie gave us insight about the role her parents played in her becoming a successful elite runner. She credits her mother for her drive and her father who helped...
Sep 02, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 18
"An Olympic athlete...their body needs to feel good, but as far as equipment goes, they just need their spikes, and they're fine. I have to have multiple different parts different things, different hinges, equipment in case something goes wrong. I'm literally bringing a suitcase with me, filled with spare parts in case something breaks while in Tokyo." Today's guest is Ezra Frech, the youngest athlete on the US Paralympic track and field team. Ezra was born missing his left knee and left fibula,...
Aug 23, 2021•49 min•Season 1Ep. 17
“Now that I've been running for over a decade, I could just keep adding things and adding things. And by the end of the day, I would be training 24/7, adding all these new exercises. And I do gain a lot of confidence from doing these things, but then I like to assess what's actually helping me." We're joined by Joe Klecker, 2021 U.S. Olympian in the 10,000 meters. Joe has an amazing story and it was so fun exploring his journey to making the 2021 Olympic team. One of the things that stands out a...
Jul 26, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 16
“I just always had these mini-goals. So it wasn't about where I would be in 2012 after 2008. It was, ‘Okay, this is 2009. How can I get mentally tougher? How am I going to win this world championship? How am I doing in practice from week one to week two?’ Those are the things we have to be very mindful of. It's making your small goals feel as good as the big goals.” Our guest this week is Sanya Richards-Ross, a 4-time Olympic gold medalist, the American Record holder for 400 meters and so much m...
Jul 16, 2021•48 min•Season 1Ep. 15
“I call it an explorative mindset for racing… ‘Let's see what I can do,’ rather than, ‘This is what I need to do.’” - Katie Zaferes Today's guest is Katie Zaferes, a two-time Olympic Games qualifier and 2019 ITU World Triathlon Series Champion. For Katie, the road to Tokyo has been anything but smooth. We not only explore her mindset as a world class triathlete, we also talk about what’s been going on in her life since the onset of the pandemic, including the unexpected passing of her father ear...
Jul 08, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 14
“When you get to that elite level, it comes down to who wants it more. And the people that stand on the podium, the people that earn their Games bids in my eyes, are the people that wanted it the most. And yeah. I want it. But I'm going to do my damn best to earn it as well. And now that I'm taking things a lot more personally than before, I'm excited. I'm fired up.” Today's guest is Fee Saghafi , 2x CrossFit Games competitor. Fee has so much energy to share and we’re so excited for you to get s...
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 13
“If you work like everyone else, you'll be like everyone else. And a lot of people don't think about it, but it just makes total sense. If you do what everyone else does, why would you expect a different outcome?” Our guest today is former NFL Linebacker Sam Acho. Sam is not only a phenomenal athlete, he’s a truly inspiring human being. Our conversation gave us a chance to unpack what it took for him to become a professional football player. What we discovered during this conversation was how th...
Jun 14, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 12
“I just want to know how it feels. I ran my first 100-mile race because I was coaching some athletes, and one had signed up for a hundred-mile race, but I had never run a hundred-mile race, and I'm like, well, how am I supposed to coach somebody to do this if I don't know what it feels like. So that's why I signed up for my first one and loved it.” We are joined by Coree Woltering, one of the most inspirational and remarkable ultra distance runners in the world today. I have to admit that I'm re...
Jun 07, 2021•38 min•Season 1Ep. 11
“Losing my arm wasn't even the worst part. It was my kidney failure that was the worst part. But all of it together was the best thing that could've ever happened to me.” - Sgt. Michael Smith Today's guest is Michael Smith, Sgt. 1st Class US Army, Triathlete and Paralympic Hopeful. I’m going to get straight to the point and just say it -- Michael Smith is a lion! Anyone who can say what he just said in the opening quotation to this episode, can’t be anything but a lion. Michael’s story is one of...
May 31, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 10
“The little things that I could sort of blow off and not pay attention to when I was 35, I absolutely have to pay attention to now. So that’s I think the only thing for me that's changed in the last 15 years is I can't screw around with the small stuff anymore. It's all big stuff.” - Dede Griesbauer Today's guest is Dede Griesbauer, one of the most remarkable triathletes competing today. After speaking with Dede, it’s very clear that her longevity in the triathlon is fueled by her passion for th...
May 24, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 9
“ What can I do now? I personally am like, I can get faster, I can get stronger. I can get more intelligent, mentally I can get stronger. I can become a better teammate, a better friend, a better leader. And that's motivation within itself, the opportunity to improve.” - Maggie Steffens Today's guest is Maggie Steffens, Captain of the U.S. Women’s Olympic Water Polo team. Our conversation with Maggie was a blast. We touched on everything from how she handled the mental challenge created by the p...
May 10, 2021•44 min•Season 1Ep. 8
“Every PR I've set has been behind the wheelchair with my brother, you know, and absolutely, I'm 100% a better athlete because of him. He was already something that motivated me my entire life and every area of my life. Kyle talks about wanting to leave things better. He made me want to be a better person.”—Brent Pease Our guests today are Kyle and Brent Pease, two brothers who do triathlons, including the ironman distance, as a tandem. Brent and Kyle are many things: brothers, Ironman triathlet...
May 03, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 7
"What are the other aspects of my life where I can really try to make these small… And it’s marginal gains, right, these little fractions of a percent. But they add up. And when you're at that level and everybody's super fit, it's those little details that are gonna make a difference." Today's guest is Tim O’Donnell , the fastest American in history at the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. So do you want to know how to run a sub-8 hour Ironman in Kona? Easy. You chase happiness the en...
Apr 26, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 6
“I always tell people that your consistency is going to put you on the right side of that thousandth of a second, you know? It comes down to that. And so every little thing compounds. Don't ever think that thing you consider at that moment is not going to matter.” - Mechelle Freeman Today's guest is Mechelle Lewis Freeman, former Olympic sprinter and current relays coach for the United States. Mechelle is a true inspiration having become one of the fastest women in the world at the pinnacle of h...
Apr 19, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Today's guest is Scott Panchik , 8x CrossFit Games competitor. Scott is one of the fittest people on the planet and after speaking with him for about an hour or so, it’s apparent that he didn’t get there by accident. The origin of his mindset and approach to competition, to health, to family and to business stems from his ability to embrace suffering. In fact, he has this saying that I absolutely love, “suffering for the greater good of wellness.” It doesn’t get any clearer than that when it com...
Apr 12, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 4
“For me, it's trying to be really present with what I'm doing at the time and not bringing the other things into what I'm doing at the moment. So, if I'm with my kids, I'm not also doing core work and multitasking.” - Sara Hall Hey, what's up everybody, it's Jon here. Thanks for tuning into Fueling the Pursuit presented by UCAN. Today's guest is Sara Hall, the fastest active women’s marathoner in the US today. Sara has been competing at a high level in running since her high school days back in ...
Apr 05, 2021•41 min•Season 1Ep. 3
