For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

The media often only shows one side of a story where the “fastest woman on the planet” has to return her Olympic medals. Marion Jones competed in track and field and became a household name in the early 2000’s, working with major brands and competing in 5 events at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. In 2007, Marion confessed that she had lied about taking performance enhancing drugs and was sentenced to six months in jail after a scandal involving over 20 professional athletes. Marion used her resolve to make an impressive comeback to competitive sports, publish her book “On The Right Track,” and launch her campaign to help youth make better decisions. Listen to hear about: Marion’s early days as an athlete who loved training even more than competing The shift from professional athlete to entrepreneurial coach and the parallels between sport and business Marion’s story of having her Olympic medals taken away due to performance enhancing drugs How Marion decided to take what was a failure and turn it into a way to improve others’ lives Reframing failure and rebranding your life after adversity Stay connected: Marion on Instagram: instagram.com/themarionjones  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com PSST! Did you hear the secret giveaway challenge we’re hosting with MadeGood? It’s mentioned in the episode. Good luck! This episode is supported by: Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com. MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Emich Kia of Denver: Family-owned and reliable dealer for buying or leasing an EV! I test drove the EV6 and it's a game-changer with 300+ mile range, super-fast charging, a sporty feel perfect for driving up into the mountains. Tell Emich Kia of Denver I sent you.  Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair. Visit Leadville: So you think you know Leadville? Lake County has so much more to offer year-round than just the 100 miler in the summer. If you’re thinking of getting away, highly recommend booking a trip to Leadville to get up into the mountains, eat yummy food, and play outside. Check out more of what Leadville has to offer here!

In this conversation, Jonah Rosner, an applied sport scientist and running coach, shares his impressive journey from working with NFL athletes to focusing on running performance. He discusses the importance of understanding running physiology for improved economy and speed. Jonah offers practical tips for marathoners, emphasizing consistency and setting progressive mini-goals. He also highlights the role of proper nutrition and recovery in maximizing performance, advocating for self-experimentation to find what works best for individual runners.

Feeling stuck and hoping to have more perfect days in 2025? This one’s for you. Eric Hinman is a hybrid athlete, 5x Ironman, serial entrepreneur, and brand builder based in Denver. Eric believes in the long-term vision of the brands he partners with. His portfolio of angel investments in the wellness space includes companies such as Ten Thousand, HVMN, Beam, Slate, Ice Barrel, The Real Cereal Co, Kane Footwear, MASA Chips and more. Listen to hear about: How Eric went from selling insurance door to door to becoming a popular wellness creator How competing in Ironman races changed Eric’s views of success Behind the scenes of investing in brands and start-ups Why you need to figure out your perfect day and shift your environment to make it possible Balancing passions like biking, Crossfit, and running and recovering from it all Eric’s focus on community and shared experiences Stay connected: Eric on Instagram: instagram.com/erichinman  Eric’s website: EricHinman.com  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair.

Salma Fotovat, co-founder of Riverside Natural Foods and MadeGood, is a beacon of passion for sustainable food sourcing. She shares how running became her refuge during tough times and highlights its parallels with entrepreneurship. Salma reflects on her family's influence in creating their brands and her commitment to a net-positive environmental impact. The conversation dives into the mental health benefits of running and the importance of accessible nutrition, showcasing how fitness and wholesome food can transform lives together.

What’s the big, scary goal that you’re going to choose for 2025? Mike "Sully" Sullivan is a retired Special Forces Colonel with 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, including six combat tours in Afghanistan and leadership roles in elite Special Operations units. Sully is the current Chief of Staff of the veteran support group Team Red, White & Blue, the founding member of Team RWB Fayetteville, a career high school math teacher, and father of three children. Listen to hear about: Team RWB’s impact on veterans and how running fits in How Sully’s military experience gave him the mental toughness to pursue ultramarathons The interaction of health, community, and behavior change How and why to set big, hairy, audacious physical goals Stay connected: Sully on Instagram Sully on LinkedIn Sully on Facebook Sully on X Sully on Threads Team RWB’s website For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 at www.puma.com.  Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40. My favorites are the sours. Find them at www.gobrewing.com.  Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Get 10% off with code LONGRUN10 at www.hyperice.com.  MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F

Dakotah Lindwurm is an Olympic Marathoner from Minnesota who runs for PUMA and Minnesota Distance Elite. She made the podium at the Olympic Trials, came in 12th in Paris 2024, and has a 2:24 marathon personal best. Listen to hear about: How Dakotah’s changed since her last FTLR appearance before Boston 2023 Big lessons from tough runs Her Paris 2024 Olympic race strategy and experience Dakotah’s hopes for younger athletes and her “why” Brand partnership support and running for PUMA (plus her top shoe picks) NYC Marathon insights and excitement for the 2024 race Hear Dakotah’s 2023 episode of For The Long Run: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qPCWTQGXSFAxG3HBKX3R0?si=b8a89a60e7be4504 Stay connected: Dakotah on Instagram: instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠ Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the ⁠Tread Lightly Podcast⁠! This episode is supported by: Made Good: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the Tread Lightly Podcast! PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR24 at www.puma.com. Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40 at gobrewing.com. My favorites are the sours.

Hear straight from pro runners on their biggest challenges and joys of the sport. Jon moderated this panel discussion at Boulderthon on September 28, 2024 with athletes Scott Jurek, Molly Seidel, Rory Linkletter, Maor Tiyouri, and Dakotah Lindwurm. Listen to hear about: Why each athlete chose running (and why their Whys can change) How they keep moving forward when times get hard How to get comfortable being uncomfortable The goals of these runners and how they’ve changed over time Pushing past post-race blues Hear past For The Long Run episodes with these athletes: How Olympic Medalist Molly Seidel Navigates Injury and Mental Health Struggles Running and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Maor Tiyouri’s Story Rory Linkletter: How an Olympic Runner Thinks About Training and Racing Olympian Dakotah Lindwurm: Running 26.2 Miles and Smiles Stay connected: Scott Jurek on Instagram: instagram.com/scottjurek  Molly Seidel on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly  Rory Linkletter on Instagram: instagram.com/rory_linkletter  Maor Tiyouri on Instagram: instagram.com/maor_tiyouri  Dakotah Lindwurm on Instagram: instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  2Before: Get a performance boost with New Zealand Blackcurrant berries. Use code FTLR for 30% off of multi-serve and 20 packs over at 2Before.com.  Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40. My favorites are the sours. Find them at gobrewing.com. Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT at this link for 15% off your pair.

Are you one of those runners who started off absolutely hating the sport? Jeremy Miller is an athlete and content creator based in Austin, TX. He has completed several marathons and ultras with a 2:44 marathon personal best. Jeremy is also known for his unique athletic feats, like running a sub-5-minute mile and deadlifting 500 pounds on the same day, and running a 62-mile race around a one-mile loop in a parking lot. He’s also the co-founder of Switchback, a running nutrition brand. Listen to hear about: How Jeremy went from seeing running as punishment to running a 100 miler Jeremy’s journey to becoming a full-time content creator (and from 2k to 100k Instagram followers in 6 months) The realities and evolution of working with brands as a content creator The 100 mile race recap, Boulderthon 2024, and future goals Why Jeremy believes the limiting factor in life is your own mind Stay connected: Jeremy’s website: https://www.jeremymiller.io Jeremy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremymille.r/   Jeremy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BreeJeremy?sub_confirmation=1  Jeremy on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremymillerfit The Jeremy Miller Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jeremy-miller80  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the Tread Lightly Podcast! This episode is supported by: 2Before: Get a performance boost with New Zealand Blackcurrant berries. Use code FTLR for 30% off of multi-serve and 20 packs over at 2Before.com. Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT at this link for 15% off your pair. Made Good: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40 at gobrewing.com. My favorites are the sours.

Olympic Marathoner Molly Seidel calls herself a “running nerd to the core,” but that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. Molly is an Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon who lives in Flagstaff, AZ. Listen to hear about: How injuries an (including emergency appendectomy) affect her mental health Learning how to define herself beyond just running The problem with short term gains over long term sustainability Molly’s love of friendly competition and racing other women The growing pains of running becoming more mainstream Our 2021 episode with Molly: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pIO6UE11YUaJAXaeyANn3 Stay connected: Molly on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠⁠⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠⁠⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠⁠⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠⁠⁠ This episode is supported by: PUMA: PUMA deeply cares about the running community and is committed to creating great gear. Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLROCT at ⁠⁠www.puma.com⁠⁠. Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Get 10% off with code LONGRUN10 at ⁠⁠⁠hyperice.com⁠⁠⁠. MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F⁠⁠⁠  Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT for 15% off your pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alnk.to/3ybGCzH⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Is building a media company a bigger test of endurance than a 250 mile race? Jason Bahamundi is an 8x Ironman and 8x 100 Mile finisher, plus a finisher of the inaugural Cocodona 250. But he thinks his biggest endurance feat so far is founding his sports publication, Run•Tri•Bike. Jason believes that there is a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body, despite the obstacles they may encounter along the way. Listen to hear about: The evolution of running culture alongside social media Personal takes on Boston Marathon Qualifying Times Navigating burnout in Ironman training and in business How healing from disordered eating opened Jason up to connection with others The evolution of Run•Tri•Bike and connecting with everyday athletes Stay connected: Jason Bahamundi on Instagram: instagram.com/cooktraineatrace RunTriBike Magazine: runtrimag.com For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠⁠ This episode is supported by: Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR for 15% off your pair at ⁠⁠https://alnk.to/3ybGCzH⁠⁠. MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F⁠  PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLROCT at ⁠www.puma.com⁠. Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Get 10% off with code LONGRUN10 at ⁠⁠hyperice.com⁠⁠.