THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Mark Dowdle, ultramarathoner known for backyard ultra wins and year-long mileage challenges. He discusses shifting from competing to controlling process. He breaks down the mental tests of multi-day races and how tiny choices build trust. Conversations touch on faith, knowing when to quit, handling hallucinations, and why self-exploration beats chasing others.

Braelyn Combe, a Santiago High School senior and 2026 Nike Indoor Nationals mile champion known for a devastating finishing kick, talks about her rise from missing NXN to national wins. She discusses that 29-second 200m sprint, targeted strength training and weight-room gains, and her plan and confidence aiming for a sub-4:25 mile this summer.

Frankie Ruiz, Miami-based coach, race director, and community leader who co-founded the Life Time Miami Marathon and leads Belen Jesuit to 17 state cross-country titles. He talks about building Miami’s running culture, the 1Team philosophy and how a coaching team coordinates year‑round development. Conversations also cover Marcelo Mantecon’s competitive edge, summer training strategies, and social media’s effect on youth runners.

Josh Kerr, world-class middle-distance runner and world indoor 3000m champion, outlines Project 222, his plan to break the 3:43 mile record with a 3:42 attempt. He discusses custom spike tech, why a legit, record-eligible race in London matters, and how he is documenting training, branding, and mindset in the five-week build toward history.

Dr. Brad Wilkins, a sports physiologist who modeled Nike’s Breaking2 and studies human endurance limits. He discusses what VO2max actually measures, why wearables can mislead, the real value of interval intent, altitude and heat adaptations, and why the brain often stops before the body. Short, sharp takes on training priorities versus tech and recovery tricks.

Alex Ostberg, Nike pro running coach and newsletter author, explains why a donut can be legitimate post-run fuel and when junk carbs make sense. He breaks down how to respond after a bad race without overreacting. He outlines why volume often beats extra intensity and shares five practical rules to raise mileage safely while avoiding the durability lag.

Isaiah Photo, content creator and competitive runner known for viral stunts and a 2:41:54 marathon PR, describes his 75-day transformation—muscle gain, fat loss, and disciplined routines. He talks about daily 5am habits, ice baths, strict diet rules, strength work, recovery strategies, and how he balances family life while chasing Boston marathon goals.

Grant Fisher, 28, elite American distance runner and Olympic medalist, shares the pivotal college conversation that reshaped his commitment. He walks through rebuilding his training, switching coaches and cities before Paris. Listen to stories about peak stretches, durability, managing setbacks, and why he’s betting on himself for future track and road goals.

Adriaan Wildschutt just became the first South African in history to win the NYC Half Marathon, and it looks like he’s in the middle of a memorable career.Adriaan holds five South African national records. He ran a sizzling 59:13 half marathon debut. He was 13th at the World Cross Country Championships, which was the best finish a South African man has ever had at that event. This guy is notbuilding toward something. He's already in the middle of it. Adriaan’s NYC Half Marathon victory on March 15 was both historic and revelatory. If the running world didn’t know him before, they do now. At the Valencia Half Marathon in October 2025, he debuted with a 59:13. And at  the World Athletics Championships in August 2025, he secured a 10th-place finish in the 10,000m in Tokyo.To cap it off, he holds the South African national records in the 10,000m (outdoor): 26:50.64, the 5,000m (outdoor): 12:56.76, the 3,000m (outdoor): 7:32.99, the Half Marathon: 59:13, and the 5,000m (indoor): 12:56.67.Historic, revelatory, and long overdue for the recognition, If the running world didn't know Adriaan Wildschutt before Sunday, they do now.Tap into the Adriaan Wildschutt Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word“PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run  -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Ryan Waite, BYU assistant coach and five-time All-American runner, shares the behind-the-scenes of Carter Cutting’s NCAA Indoor Mile win. He discusses scouting prelims, using championship races as simulations, race-specific pacing lessons, and the mental preparation that turned a qualifier into a champion. Short, tactical, and full of racing candor.