Alex Lyons competed at American University for Matt Centrowitz Sr. and Sean Graham, for two years before transferring to the University of Illinois to focus on academics.

He coached at the high school level for ten years in the state of Illinois at Lyons Township HS and Downers Grove North HS. Alex moved to Utah in 2023 and started coaching at Olympus HS in Salt Lake City in January of 2024. During his stint in Illinois, Alex coached a girl who broke the state meet record in the mile. He has had 14 former athletes go on to compete at the NCAA Division One level.

Alex is a USATF Level 1 and 2 certified coach (in endurance) and a graduate of the Altis Mentorship Program. Recently Alex started Lyons Performance Consulting where he works with coaches at every level to improve their programs. Alex is also a licensed massage therapist. We asked good friend of the show, Jay Johnson, to share his thoughts on Alex and they are as follows:

"I've coached for 25 year, at all levels of the sport, and I can say with confidence that Alex Lyons is one of the sharpest minds and clearest thinkers in distance running. Alex is one of the few coaches who truly understands both the science of coaching and the art of coaching. Perhaps the strongest endorsement I can offer is this: as a father of both a high school and middle school athlete, I would trust Alex completely to guide my own children's training.

If you're a parent with the opportunity to have Alex work with your son or daughter, you won't regret it. Alex's expertise and approach to coaching will set them up for success in high school and beyond.

If you're a coach - at any level - looking to accelerate your professional development, spending time with Alex is invaluable. Whether you're trying to get your team on the podium or simply want to deepen your understanding of the sport, an hour or two on a call with Alex will do more for your coaching than attending a typical coaching clinic (and I say this as someone who puts on coaching clinics)."

Alex truly is "so damn good" as Dave states on the show and this pod is a good representation of just how smart Alex is. We hope you enjoy the show!

Also, if you want to send in any questions for our next show or send us any message, please reach us at justathleticspodcast@gmail.com.

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