THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Back on the podcast is my good friend, Sam Parsoni. And today, here's here to spill the tea. He's not holding back. You the listener will be blessed being a fly on the wall for a conversation that is normally reserved for private-conversations. Sam is a free-agent and goes IN-DEPTH on the realities of the sport, the ins and outs of contracts, how companies take advantage of athletes, his hope for the future, all the updates on Tinman Elite, and more. If you don't know who Sam Parsons, you've probably been sleeping under a rock. Or you just didn't recognize that name because I exclusively call him Sam Parsoni. But to bring you up to speed, he's represented Germany at the 2019, 2022, and 2023 World Athletics Championships. Sam had a terrific high school career, running 1:58 in the 800, 4:12 in the Mile, 9:00 in the 3200, and 14:47 in the 5K. He qualified for Nike XC Nationals as a senior. At NC State, Sam ran 3:44 in the 1500, 13:52 in the 5K, and 28:43 in the 10K. He was a 4-time participant at the NCAA XC Championships, finishing as high as 51st at the 2016 Division 1 XC Champs with a time of 30:33. Sam signed his first pro deal in 2018 with Adidas.  Sam currently holds PRs of 3:36.22 in the 1500m, 3:54 in the Mile, 7:39 in the 3k, 13:12 in the 5k, and 28:43 in the 10k. In today's conversation, we cover all of Sam's updates, how much I need to pay him to rock a singlet of my choosing, the ins and outs of pro-contracts, and so much more. This one is packed with info and discussion that you won't find anywhere else. Do not miss it! Tap into the Sam Parsons 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.  Tap into the Sam Parsons 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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

He's coming for it all.  2025 is the year of Hobbs Kessler.  Back on the podcast today is 21-year-old mid-distance Olympic star Hobbs Kessler, who is gearing up for the Wanamaker Mile at the Milrose Games in New York City on February 8, 2025. (Hobbs came in 2nd last year at this race with a time of 3:48.66; fellow American star Yared Nuguse took the win.) Hobbs was most recently on the episode right after placing 5th in the 1500m in Paris, running a 3:29.45, in the most stacked and competitive 1500 race of all time. He also ran the 800m in the Olympics, but was eliminated in the semifinals.  Hobbs competed for Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan (the school he attended for academics did not offer competitive sports). It was in high school that Hobbs ran an indoor mile record of 3:57.66. Hobbs then ran a 3:34.36 in the 1500m while still in high school, which was faster than the NCAA record at the time; this catapulted him to his first Olympic Trials in 2021.  While Hobbs' father was his high school coach, he delegated most of the planning for his son's training to Michigan coach Ron Warhurst, whom he still trains under as a member of the Very Nice Track Club in Michigan. This 21-year-old is chock full of professionalism and has a laundry list of accomplishments.  In today's conversation, we dive into Hobbs's fall training, his mindset for the Millrose games and the 2025 season, how he views breakthroughs, advice to make your 2025 your best year yet, why 2025 is the year of Hobbs Kessler, and so much more.  We can't wait for you to hear this episode. Lace-up your shoes, throw in your AirPods, and enjoy this conversation with the legend Hobbs Kessler.  Tap into the Hobbs Kessler 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -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

Today's discussion on the podcast is one of depth around the hot topic of NCAA roster limits and how they will fundamentally change the nature of the NCAA forever. In my opinion, there's no better person to have this conversation with than Liberty University's Assistant Track Coach and Meet Director, Mark Fairley. Coach Mark recently written a letter to Congress in hopes of standing before a Federal Judge in April as an advocate for the removal of the NCAA's new proposed changes to roster limits. Coach Mark discusses his involvement and how he has educated his own athletes at Liberty on this issue, getting many to participate and get their voices out there. Coach Mark is a native of Dubuque, Iowa, and has worked his way up the ranks since joining as an interim assistant. Coach Mark found success as an athlete in the world of triathlon, earning his professional racing license in 2019. Coach Mark was a standout athlete at Central College, where he captured the men's steeplechase national title at the 2018 NCAA Division 3 Outdoor Championships as a senior. He has the school record in the steeplechase with a time of 8:57.39. His other PRs include a 4:16.42 in the mile; 8:23 in the 3K and 14:42.67 in the 5K. He was the Central Region Men's XC and Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Coach Mark graduated from Central College with a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science. He has a Master's Degree in sport management and is working toward a second in biblical studies. In today's conversation, we go through Coach Mark's individual accolades and accomplishments, how he rose in his coaching career, and then tackle the hot topic of roster-limits. He takes me through the 2.8 billion dollar NCAA settlement, revenue-sharing, and roster-limits. We discuss all of this at length and what it means for the next era of the NCAA. Tap into the Coach Mark Fairley 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -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

The NXN Champion returns to the podcast today! Last month, Jane won NXN in dominant fashion, running a course record time of 16:32 in Portland, Oregon. She won by over 40-seconds in muddy, rainy, cold conditions.   Two weeks earlier, she recorded the fastest 5K ever in high school girls XC, running a 15:50 in the NXR Southwest race this past November. She's only the second girl to break 16 on a XC course.  The Timpview senior is headed to BYU next season.  She has PRs of 9:45.44 in the 3200, 4:35.69 in the mile, 4:17 in the 1500, and 2:07.85 in the 800, winning 2 state titles and 1 national title. Her mom, Sarah, ran in high school. Her dad, John Hedengren, ran in high school and was an All American runner at BYU. Her brother Isaac currently runs for BYU. In today's conversation, Jane takes me through her 2024 XC season and shares many of the setbacks she experienced for the first publically in today's conversation. She walks through how she maintained self-belief through it all and exclusiveinsights on her training, mindset, and more from her 2024 season.  Tap into the Jane Hedengren 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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

Today's conversation is one of my favorite in recent memory. I have the privilege of speaking with 26-year-old track and field star Gabbi Jennings. Gabbi is from Slidell, Louisiana, where she attended First Baptist Christian School. Gabbi notched 44 state titles in Track and Cross Country during her time there. Yes, you read that right. FORTY FOUR. Gabbi then competed at Furman University and was a three-time All-American. During her time at Furman she had PRs of 2:04.66 in the 800m; 4:12.60 in the 1500m; 4:37.46 in the Mile; 15:33.59 in the 5k in track; and 16:55.1 in the 5k in Cross Country.  Among her notable achievements in college include qualifying for the NCAA East Preliminaries in an unprecedented four events (800m, 1500m, 5k, 3k Steeplechase). Gabbi came in 20th at the 2019 NCAA Cross Country Championships and qualified for the NCAA Indoor Track Championships in the Mile. She graduated with a degree in Communication in 2020. Gabbi would go on to sign a professional contract with Team Boss and eventually Adidas. In 2022, at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, she came in 4th in the Steeplechase, running a new PR of 9:25.05. She also represented the United States in 2022 at the NACAC Championships winning the gold in the Steeplechase. Most recently, she ran a 9:07.70 in August at a Diamond League event in Rome.  In today's conversation, Gabbi and I dive deep into her backstory, how she won 44 state-titles, what winning her first one as a 5th grader meant, her years at Furman and how they shaped her, how she's striving for more in this next stage of her professional career, learning under Emma Coburn, her thoughts and ambitions for the future, and much more. This one was fun, deep, full of wisdom, all the things that make a great podcast. Lace-up your shoes, throw in the AirPods, and be blessed by the stories and wisdom of Gabbi Jennings. Tap into the Gabbi Jennings 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -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

Today's podcast is a simple, yet deep conversation that covers five ways you can take your running to the next level in 2025.  To have this conversation with me and share these five things is Coach Paul Stafford. Paul is an extremely successful athlete himself having been All-ACC in Cross Country and All-PAC 12 in the 5k. He spent stints at both Flordia State and Colorado. He holds PRs of 4:08 in the Mile, 13:56 in the 5k, 29:12 in the 10k, and 44:54 in the 15k, which will be the Puerto Rican National Record after it gets ratified.  Paul is the Founder and Head Coach at Blue Collar, which can be described as the most innovative online coaching firm in the United States, providing adaptive coaching for athletes of all ages and abilities. Blue Collar is also the leading pioneer in training camp experiences across the United States.  In today's conversation, Paul takes me through these five points at depth. They include insights on training by effort and intention, resisting greed, holding yourself to high expectations, and so much more. This one is full of wisdom that you can apply directly into your running TODAY. Tap into the Paul Stafford 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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

THE COACH ED EYESTONE SPECIAL Today on the podcast is Ed Eyestone, not only one of the best distance coaches in the history of collegiate and professional running, but also a well-rounded person who loves theater and reading and has evolved a ton through his years of miles. Ed is a BYU athlete and coaching legend. Even though he was cut from his high school baseball team, he won a state XC championship at Bonneville High.  Ed holds PRs of 13:32 in the 5k, 27:41 in the 10k (then a 10k record!), and a speedy 2:10:59 in the marathon. Ed has a plethora of accolades as an individual, which include being an 8-time member of the U.S Cross Country National Team; a 5-time US Road Runner of the Year as a Professional Runner. Ed is one of four men to claim the collegiate triple crown: winning the Cross Country, 5k and 10k titles. Ed Attended BYU as a student and received a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Minor in Spanish. He then went on to acquire a Master's Degree in exercise Science. Ed went on to have a decorated running career after he graduated; he competed in the Olympic Marathon in 1988 in Seoul, Korea (29th place, 2:19:09), and then in the Olympic Marathon 1992 in Barcelona, Spain (13th place, 2:15:23). Ed is a very multifaceted individual. He served as a writer for Runner's World and a TV Commentator on ESPN after he stopped running competitively at 39. (He was a Reebok-sponsored runner for a few years. Ed also has a passion for theater and reading. As a coach, Ed returned to BYU in 2000 as an Assistant Coach and then took over as Head Track Coach in 2013. Prior tocoming back, he coached at Weber State University. There is a laundry list of accolades to list as far as his BYU coaching career goes.  To name a few: he was named "Coach of the Year" for NCAA D1 for Cross Country twice (2019, 2024); he is a BYU Hall of Fame inductee; he was named head coach of Team USA at the 2017 IAAF World Cross Country Championships; and won cross country NCAA Division 1 titles in 2019 and most recently in December of 2024. There are many more achievements, but suffice it to say he has had success wherever he has gone as a coach. In terms of Olympic athletes, Coach Eyestone has overseen James Corrigan and Kenneth Rooks in the steeplechase, as well as Conner Mantz and Clayton Young during the 2024 Paris Olympics marathon.  He has also coached Jared Ward and Casey Clinger. In today's conversation we go in depth into Coach Eyestone's career,  Tap into the Coach Eyestone 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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

Today's podcast will give you three tangible ways you can improve your mental performance in 2025.  Body follows mind. Yet we as athletes rarely focus on (or know!) how we can improve our mental game.  Luckily for you all today I have the privilege of sitting down with my good friend, Shannon MAPP, NCCP! If you're not familiar with Shannon, she's the mental performance counselor who works closely with NAU, NAZ Elite, UA Dark Sky Distance, and a plethora of top professional runners. As an athlete and a coach, Shannon has always been fascinated by the psychology of well-being and achievement.  Her interest regarding the power of the mind to impact an athlete's performance and overall experience drove Shannon to complete an undergraduate degree in psychology, and then a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania. Through listening to this podcast episode, you'll walk about with three big practical tools on improving mental performance that you can directly apply today. You'd be a fool not to listen. Free wisdom that many people pay for.  Tap into the Shannon Thompson 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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

Today's podcast is a special one.  It's a conversation with a friend, Brooks Bash.  But this is no ordinary conversation.  Brooks announces his next challenge for the first time publicly. And this is the craziest of them all, which is a wild statement about a guy who ran from LA to Vegas and has done 100 Marathons in 100 Days.  But I'm not going to tell you here what that challenge is because that would be textbook bad marketing, and you'd miss out on the loveliest of conversations on the podcast.  In addition to these feats, Brooks is the Founder of a company named Earthy, which is, in my unbiased opinion, one of the best up-and-coming products in the health and wellness world. In today's conversation, I tackle with Brooks this upcoming challenge, his thought process behind it, how he's preparing for it, his reflections on running from LA to Vegas, dealing with burnout, running a start-up, and so much more.  Brooks is insane. This conversation is insane. Don't miss it.  Tap into the Brooks Bash 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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

Today on the podcast, Kimberley May is one of the fastest females in NCAA history! Kimberley runs for Providence University and has had a DOMINANT last 365 days.  She has personal bests of 2:04 for the 800m, 4:27.3 for the Mile, 8:54 for 3000m, and 15:26 for 5000m. Prior to her time at Providence, she attended Avondale College Secondary School, where she was a three-time Cross Country MVP recipient. She also earned second place at the New Zealand Track Nationals in the 800m, 1500m, and 1500m and was selected for the 2021 New Zealand National Secondary School Track Team. In today's conversation, Kimberley takes me through her remarkable last year, what went into her breakthroughs, how you can take your running to the next level in 2025, what the international recruiting process is like, her ambitions for the future, and so much more.  This one is a good one. Throw in those airpods and hit the pavement with Kimberley.  Tap into the Kimberley May 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.  If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!  S H O W N O T E S -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