
On Coaching with Magness & Marcus
Coaches Steve Magness and Jon Marcus team up to bring you an insider’s view on coaching. Taking you inside the thoughts and conversations that usually occur behind the scenes. They bring a diverse background having both worked with athletes at the collegiate and professional level. They hope to bring a mixture of science, old-fashioned wisdom, and a touch of philosophy to help understand the process of coaching and maximizing endurance performance. For more information visit www.ScienceOfRunning.com
Latest episodes

Feb 6, 2025 • 16min
Bonus Episode: The Biology of Winning and Losing…with a crazy twist!
A special bonus episode! We’re going to try something a bit different. We’re talking the mental side of sport, the biology of winning and losing, and much more. Except…your hosts aren’t Steve and Jon. They are AI. We fed Steve’s book, Win the Inside Game, to the algorithm to make a podcast, and quite frankly,…

13 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 37min
266: Overcoming Choking and Underperformance: The Science and Psychology of Pressure
Dive into the intriguing world of performance anxiety and choking in sports. Discover how stress responses can affect athletes, both positively and negatively. Gain insights into effective strategies for managing pressure, including reframing thoughts and enhancing focus. Learn how unconventional activities and a shift in perspective can break mental blocks. Personal stories and scientific research blend to reveal the path to mental resilience and peak performance.

11 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 1h
265: Consistency wins: How to be consistent in the face of volatility and unpredictability.
Discover the vital role of consistency in achieving athletic success amidst a distraction-filled world. Uncover how modern sports training often clashes with the need for patience and steady effort. Explore strategies that emphasize community and relational progression in competitive settings. Learn how supportive training environments can enhance motivation and resilience. Delve into the mental challenges athletes face and the importance of mentorship in navigating their journeys.

Jan 20, 2025 • 59min
264: The Science of Surging: How to Pull Away from the Pack Mid-Race
Celebrating a decade of insights, the hosts dive into the fascinating world of mid-race surging. They dissect the balance of physiological and psychological factors essential for success, including a clever color-coded pacing system. The conversation covers the importance of metabolic flexibility and innovative training techniques, like flux training and surprise intervals. Additionally, they explore the dual role of adrenaline in performance, stressing its management for optimal outcomes. Embrace the messiness of racing and learn from each surge!

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 2min
263: The Workouts Come Second: Teaching Comes First
The Importance of Teaching in Coaching In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus emphasize the significance of teaching in coaching, arguing that workouts should come second to effectively educating and connecting with athletes. They explore the ways in which a pedagogical approach, akin to old-school coaching legends, fosters…

Jan 6, 2025 • 59min
262: Do drills work? The case for and against
Dive into the debate on the effectiveness of drills in athletic training. Explore how they may function more as warm-ups than skill enhancers, especially for sprinters. Discover the intricacies of muscle mechanics that challenge traditional views. Learn how context influences training success and the worrying decline in youth outdoor activities. Additionally, uncover modern rehabilitation methods that leverage drills for quicker recovery, emphasizing the importance of coordinated movements and intentional practice.

8 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 55min
261: How to Write Training Part 2: Nuance, making adjustments and tweaks
Celebrating the thrill of NCAA cross-country, the hosts dive into how to elevate the sport's appeal. They discuss the evolving landscape of college athletics, highlighting a remarkable shoe-less performance. Flexibility is key in coaching, as real-time training adjustments can enhance athlete recovery. The intricacies of high-intensity training and the necessity of structured cycles are explored. Using an engaging cooking analogy, they emphasize the balance between monitoring progress and supporting athletes during tough days. Individualized approaches to training are championed for optimal performance.

Dec 23, 2024 • 53min
260: How to Write Training Part 1 Getting Started
Discover the art of crafting effective training plans that cater to individual athletes. Learn how understanding an athlete's unique background and goals is crucial for personalized training. Explore the diverse motivations that drive athletes and the vital role of time trials in measuring performance. Consistency emerges as a key theme, revealing how structured routines can enhance athletic capabilities. Balancing intensity and recovery becomes essential in avoiding burnout and ensuring progress. This engaging discussion is packed with insights for coaches and athletes alike!

Dec 2, 2024 • 58min
259: Race Day Meltdown: Strategies and Solutions for Bouncing Back When Everything Goes Wrong.
In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the challenges of handling race day meltdowns. They discuss the emotional and psychological aspects that both athletes and coaches face when things don’t go as planned. Using personal anecdotes and real-life examples, they illustrate the importance of relationship building, understanding…

5 snips
Nov 25, 2024 • 59min
258: Longer Long Run or Faster Long Run!
The Great Long Run Debate: Length vs. Speed In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus dive into the classic debate on long runs: should athletes focus on longer durations or faster paces? They explore the history and benefits of long runs, referencing training methods from legendary coaches like…