The People Run Podcast

Matthew Paulson was focused on lifting heavy when he decided to run his first marathon in 2023. After a humbling 3:51 finish, he returned with a different commitment to running and eventually ran 2:29 in Berlin.In this episode, Matthew shares how his training evolved from all out mile repeats and punishing hill sessions to a more deliberate approach with a coach. We discuss building toward 100 mile weeks, keeping easy runs easy, and racing shorter distances to become a faster marathoner.He also takes us through Berlin: the nerves before the start, a pacing mistake, and the painful final miles of breaking 2:30.Plus, we talk about how his strength training has changed, fitting running around his work as a physical therapist assistant, and what he wants to improve as he works toward faster times.Chapters00:00 Heavy Lifting, a 3:51 Debut, and a 2:29 Marathon02:55 Hockey, Work Ethic, and a 500-Pound Deadlift06:05 Giving the Marathon Another Shot08:57 Self-Coaching to His First Boston Qualifier16:58 Running 2:39 at Boston and Finding a Coach21:09 Easy Days and a More Structured Approach27:11 Track Racing and a 1:12 Half Marathon33:52 Building to 100-Mile Weeks Before Berlin38:07 Berlin: Pushing the Pace and Holding On for 2:2944:11 Chasing Sub-2:20 and Developing More Speed47:59 How His Lifting and Nutrition Changed56:03 Training Smarter Around Work and Life59:52 Learning What Works for YouFollow Matthew:nstagram.com/mattyjogs/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Eloi Boisteau could barely swim a length of the pool when he committed to his first IRONMAN 70.3. One year later, he finished in 4:48.In this episode, Eloi shares how watching a friend race led him to take up triathlon, learn to swim, and build a training routine around school. We talk about the doubts, sacrifices, and support behind that first finish and what a difficult race at Mont Tremblant taught him about pacing and expectations.We also get into his 24-hour challenge covering 100 kilometers on a frozen lake in Quebec, his 2:58 marathon debut, and his pursuit of a 2:45 marathon and a Boston qualifier.Through it all, Eloi reflects on being willing to start at something you’re bad at and how that decision changed his life.Chapters00:00 One Year to His First IRONMAN 70.303:34 Learning to Swim From Scratch05:38 Fitting Training Around School and Life12:09 Mont-Tremblant: When the Race Doesn’t Go to Plan20:17 Stepping Up to a Full IRONMAN22:10 Running 100 Kilometers on a Frozen Lake30:37 Discovering His Potential as a Runner33:39 Chasing a 2:45 Marathon and Boston39:05 Marathon Training and Working Through a Setback46:05 How Triathlon Changed His LifeFollow Eloi:instagram.com/eloiboisteau/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Seb Hansen broke three hours in his tenth marathon. A little over two years later, he ran 2:27:15 in Berlin.In this episode, we explore what changed: his ambition, his training, and how much of his life he was willing to dedicate to getting faster.Seb breaks down weeks reaching 170 kilometers, adding double threshold sessions, and fitting the work around a full-time job. We discuss fueling, recovery, and why he’s become more comfortable adjusting workouts instead of forcing every target pace.He also shares what he learned training in Iten, Kenya, how he fought through Boston to finish in 2:30:14, and what being selected for Puma Project3 meant to him.Then we get into Berlin: controlled pacing, a strong second half, and finally breaking 2:30 before looking ahead to another marathon in Valencia and a sub 2:25 goal.Chapters 00:00 Breaking Three Hours and Discovering His Potential 05:28 The Mileage and Mindset Behind His Progress 11:22 Fitting 100-Mile Weeks Around a Full-Time Job 16:01 Training, Fueling, and Recovering 20:05 Double Threshold and Learning When to Back Off 26:06 Training in Kenya: Lessons From Iten 30:53 Boston: Hanging On for 2:30:14 35:27 Puma Project3 and Breaking 2:30 in Berlin 47:41 Valencia, Recovery, and Chasing Sub 2:25Follow Seb:instagram.com/sebaruns/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What are run clubs really building?Chris, known as Punk on the Run, moved from Canada to Fort Lauderdale without knowing anyone. He wanted people to run with and a place where the connection continued after the miles. That idea became Lauderdale Run Club.In this episode, we talk about building a club’s identity, bringing brands into the community, and what giving back actually looks like. Chris shares his perspective on gatekeeping, running influencers, and the motivations behind the run club boom.We also get into his background in fashion photography, a 100 mile relay through the Florida Keys with strangers, and how becoming a father has changed what he wants from running.Every runner has a story.Chapters 00:00 Starting Lauderdale Run Club05:11 Creating Races and Events07:11 A 100 Mile Relay with Strangers15:20 Photography and Brand Relationships19:51 Building the Club’s Identity22:43 Giving Back to the Community29:59 Punk on the Run: The Name and His Running Start34:20 Racing and Preparing for a 50K36:25 Fatherhood and Changing Priorities41:59 Gatekeeping, Starting Over, and Opening DoorsFollow Punk on The Run:instagram.com/punkontherun/Lauderdale Run Club:instagram.com/lauderdalerunclub/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Olympian Ruben Sança has spent nearly three decades competing at a high level, all while balancing a full-time career, family, and demanding training.Originally from Cape Verde, Ruben shares his journey from a childhood marked by asthma to representing his country at the Olympics.We discuss how he manages high-mileage training alongside his role as an executive director, the importance of patience and consistency, adapting as he approaches 40, and why he believes his best running may still be ahead.We also look ahead to the New York City Marathon, his ambitions for another Olympics, and the work he's doing to support the next generation of runners in Cape Verde.Every runner has a story.Chapters00:00 Balancing Olympic-Level Training and a Full-Time Job06:18 Cape Verde to the Olympics10:38 Building Fitness and Finding What Works17:50 High Mileage, Treadmills, and Injury Management20:28 UMass Lowell: Coaching and Untapped Potential25:30 Competing and Improving With Age31:16 Balancing Career, Family, and Running36:25 Why He's Running the NYC Marathon42:06 Olympic Dreams and Inspiring the Next GenerationFollow Ruben:instagram.com/rubenpsanca/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/Photo Credit: Emily Maye

From hiding his prosthetics growing up to running a 2:58 marathon and finishing the Leadville 100, Brian Reynolds has spent years discovering what he's capable of.After losing both legs below the knee to meningitis at age four, Brian never imagined endurance running would become part of his life.In this episode of The People Run Podcast, we talk about his first steps into endurance sports, the challenges of running with prosthetics, and the years of training, fueling, and adaptation it took to break three hours in the marathon.We also get into his four attempts at Leadville 100, the technical challenges of Hope Pass, and the community of friends and family who helped him finally reach the finish line.Beyond the accomplishments, Brian shares how running changed his relationship with himself, why access to adaptive sports equipment matters, and what he hopes other athletes can take from his journey.Chapters00:00 Life Before Running: Brian's Transformation 03:18 Finding Endurance Through the Grand Canyon 07:44 Learning to Run and His First Marathon 14:11 The Long Road to a Sub-3 Marathon 21:00 Records, Training, and the Work Nobody Sees 27:27 Leadville 100: Four Attempts to Finish 33:16 The Final Miles and His Crew 39:54 Inspiration, Family, and What's NextEvery runner has a story.Follow Brian:instagram.com/brianreynoldsrunner/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Dylan Truesdale served as an Army Ranger before eventually leaving the military. Later, a devastating car crash changed the course of his life. He lost his right eye, suffered lasting damage to his remaining vision, and had to rebuild from a point where even basic movement looked completely different. What followed wasn’t a straight-line comeback. It was a decision to find out what he was still capable of.That decision eventually led Dylan to ultramarathons, a 3:03 marathon, HYROX, heavy strength training, and a life built around doing difficult things with purpose. In this conversation, he talks about becoming an Army Ranger, the crash and recovery, running his first ultra with limited vision, why he wakes up at 3:30 AM, how he balances strength and endurance, and the mindset behind “nobody’s coming.” Pasted text Pasted text Pasted textThe conversation also turns to the mission behind his next challenge: attempting to ruck 100 miles in 24 hours to raise money for veterans. Dylan opens up about PTSD, his own mental-health crisis after leaving the military, the veterans he has lost, and why carrying that weight has become about far more than completing another endurance event.Content Note: This episode includes discussions of PTSD, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, and suicide loss. Please take care while listening.If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.Chapters00:00 Perseverance01:14 Why He Joined the Army04:26 Becoming an Army Ranger14:39 The Crash That Changed Everything22:22 “The Baddest Motherfer Ever”*28:03 From Recovery to Ultra Running35:42 His First Ultra: Heat, Falls & Getting Lost41:30 “Nobody’s Coming”43:00 How He Trains, Works & Lives at 3:30 AM49:05 6'5", 200 Pounds & a 3:03 Marathon58:40 100 Miles in 24 Hours for Veterans1:01:16 PTSD, Suicide & Why the Mission Matters1:08:42 What Comes NextSUPPORT DYLAN'S 100-MILE RUCK FOR VETERANSDylan Truesdale is taking on a 100-mile ruck in under 24 hours, with a goal of raising $100,000 to support veterans.If you'd like to support his mission or learn more about the fundraiser, you can find the link below.Donate or learn more: donate.mission22.org/campaign/814545/donateFollow Dylan:instagram.com/dylanctruesdale/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What does it really take to become one of the best Marathoners in the world?Zouhair Talbi joins The People Run Podcast for a conversation about the years of work, belief, sacrifice, and environment behind competing at the highest level of distance running.Fresh off winning the Great North Run in 59:47, Zouhair reflects on his journey from Morocco to becoming one of America's top distance runners, and why his ambitions now extend far beyond his accomplishments so far.We talk about the mindset required to compete against the world's best, how training alongside Olympians changed his perspective, and the Boston Marathon performance that helped him see what was possible.Zouhair also opens up about the difficult years of training alone, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why his current training is the product of 17 years of consistent work rather than one breakthrough season.With the New York City Marathon ahead, he shares what he's chasing next, what success means at this stage of his career, and the legacy he hopes to leave for the next generation of runners.A conversation about running, ambition, and everything that goes into pursuing something bigger.Every runner has a story.Chapters00:00 Winning the Great North Run 06:46 Learning How to Race the World's Best 12:44 From American Elite to World-Class Ambitions 15:26 What Separates the World's Best Runners? 22:13 Boston Marathon: The Fight Through Mile 2325:00 What Boston Taught Him About Belief 28:28 17 Years Behind a 130-Mile Week 32:00 Consistency, Recovery & Training Around Life 34:42 Why You Need People Around You 36:54 New York City Marathon & the Bigger Picture44:58 The Legacy He Wants to LeaveFollow Zouhair Talbi:instagram.com/zouhairathle/The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

João returns to The People Run after making his half marathon debut at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, running 1:11:58.We talk about why the race became the hardest effort of his life, fighting through the final kilometers, losing his bib mid-race, finishing second in his age group, and what he learned about himself when things started to hurt.João also shares what life has been like since moving to the UK to study sports science at St. Mary’s, why he chose recovery over another race, and what comes next as he turns his focus back toward the shorter distances.Chapters00:00 Running 1:11:58 in His First Half03:26 How Long Can I Hurt For?06:12 The Result and What Made Him Proud09:54 Losing His Bib & Copenhagen Atmosphere15:00 Recovery, Restraint & the Next Training Block18:50 Life at St. Mary’s & What Comes NextFollow João:instagram.com/joao._runs/Follow The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

“I Am a Runner”: Living and Racing With Cystic Fibrosis | KatieKatie O’Grady has spent much of her life trying to answer one question: How far can she go?Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six years old, Katie found running alongside her dad and discovered a talent that would eventually earn her a college scholarship. But repeated infections, pneumonia, hospital stays, and the loss of her mother continually interrupted the running career she wanted to pursue.Through it all, Katie never stopped seeing herself as a runner.In this conversation, Katie shares what it felt like to repeatedly lose fitness and start again, the doctor who saw her as an athlete while she was hospitalized, and the medication that allowed her to take a deep breath in a way she hadn't before.We also talk about her journey to the Boston Marathon, training under Nell Rojas, her 3:19 marathon and recent half-marathon PR, learning when to back off, and the voice of her late mother that she still hears during difficult miles.At the heart of it all is Katie's pursuit of her potential not simply a number on the clock, but the opportunity to keep discovering what her body can do.Every runner has a story. This is Katie's.Chapters00:00 The Question of Potential 01:20 Finding Running and Discovering Her Talent 05:15 Losing Her Mother and Rebuilding in College 08:49 The Cycle of Illness and Starting Over 10:17 “I Am a Runner” 11:55 A Doctor Who Saw the Runner 14:41 Taking a Deep Breath for the First Time 19:33 Racing, Training, and Recovery 25:51 A 3:19 Marathon and the Joy of Running 29:02 Potential, Indianapolis, and the Future37:04 Why Katie Wants to Keep Running ForeverFollow Katie:instagram.com/katies_race_to_breathe/Follow The People Run Podcast:instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/Music: instagram.com/mech__beats