Outside Podcast Running as Art, With Olympian and Filmmaker Alexi Pappas
Sep 10, 2025
Alexi Pappas, Olympic distance runner turned filmmaker and actor, blends sport and art in surprising ways. She talks about turning personal loss into creative fuel, treating running as an artistic practice, and how improv sharpened her mental game. Conversations explore joy, visibility, and embracing failure while moving between athletic and creative identities.
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Olympics And A First Film Year
- Alexi Pappas ran for Greece at the 2016 Olympics and set a national record in the 10K during Rio.
- She also wrote, directed, and starred in her first feature film, Tracktown, that same year.
Midrace Surge And Humbling Payoff
- Alexi described a humbling 25K where she surged mid-race and paid for it later with severe suffering.
- She framed the pain as a choice she made and an opportunity for growth by honoring the effort.
Use Accessories To Shape Race Intention
- Use race accessories like glitter to communicate intention and create psychological abundance during depletion.
- Choose glitter (or costumes) based on your why: visibility, fun, or connection with others.
