THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST Run Fast, Eat Slow: Elyse Kopecky On How Real Food And Cooking Can Transform Your Running
Dec 10, 2025
Elyse Kopecky, a chef and three-time New York Times bestselling author, discusses her journey from NCAA runner to culinary innovator. She shares how her cookbooks sparked a real-food revolution and the surprising success of her Superhero Muffin Mix. Elyse emphasizes the importance of cooking for athletes, highlighting how nutritious meals improve performance and well-being. With tips on meal prep and ingredient awareness, she encourages both young athletes and families to embrace cooking as a lifelong skill. Her story inspires balance in life, love for food, and passion for running.
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Cook Real Food First
- Learn to cook real, nutrient-dense food from scratch to improve athleticism, longevity, energy, and sleep.
- Prioritize cooking before trying other wellness hacks because they won’t work as well without good food.
Unexpected Bestseller Journey
- Elyse never imagined the cookbooks would become New York Times bestsellers and spark a broader community and products.
- What began as a cookbook project evolved into retreats, speaking, and a food brand for Run Fast, Eat Slow.
Choose Whole-Food Snacks
- Use nutrient-dense homemade options rather than packaged bars and drinks that can disrupt gut health.
- Bake or prepare whole-food snacks (like Superhero Muffins) to control ingredients and digestion around training.
