

THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST
Dominic Schlueter
The Running Effect tells the best stories in running—and turns them into insight, inspiration, and tools to help competitive runners become greater.
Every week, host Dominic Schlueter sits down with the fastest, smartest, and most inspiring people in the sport—from Olympic medalists to breakthrough athletes—to unpack the stories, lessons, and mindset behind elite performance. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or looking to understand how greatness is built, The Running Effect will make you a deeper fan of the sport—and a better runner.
Every week, host Dominic Schlueter sits down with the fastest, smartest, and most inspiring people in the sport—from Olympic medalists to breakthrough athletes—to unpack the stories, lessons, and mindset behind elite performance. Whether you’re chasing a personal best or looking to understand how greatness is built, The Running Effect will make you a deeper fan of the sport—and a better runner.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2023 • 34min
High School Superstar Bethany Michalak On Running 4:37 In The Mile, Placing 3rd at NXN, & Her Future Ambitions
Today on the podcast is one of the biggest stars in the country currently, Bethany Michalak!
For those unfamilar with Bethany, she holds PRs of 4:37 (Mile), 9:57 (3200m), 16:49 (5k XC). She placed 3rd at NXN last year, was 3rd at the 2023 Brooks PR invite in the Mile, and helped her team win a state title and get 7th at NXN last year. She also won two individual state titles as just a Freshman. Bethany is committed to run for NC State next year.
In today's conversation, Bethany goes through her story, early success, breakout Junior year, choosing NC State, ambitions for her future, and much more! This conversation was absolutely fantastic, and very inspiring to hear the inside scoop on Bethany's journey. Through Bethany's story and ebullience, I'm confident you'll walk away from this conversation a better version of yourself.
Tap into the Bethany Michalak special.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S
-2Before: Code: "THERUNNINGEFFECT30" for 30% off: https://2before.com/
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Oct 8, 2023 • 36min
Chasing The Dream: Patrick Koon's Journey From Running At 4yrs Old To Commiting To Stanford
Today on the podcast is the one and only Patrick Koon!
If you're not familiar with Patrick, he has been on an absolute tear over the past few years. He holds PRs of 8:44.95 (3200m), 14:11.92 (5k), and 4:14.3 (Mile). He's a 2xFHSAA 3A XC state champ and 2xFHSAA Track State Champ. He was a 2021 Footlocker National Qualifier and holds State Records in the 3200m and 5000m. Patrick was also the 2022-2023 Flordia Boys Cross Country Player Of The Year. Patrick is committed to run for Stanford University next Fall.
In today's conversation, Patrick details his career and all that has happened to get him to this present moment. He goes through the ups, downs, and everything in-between. We dicuss his start in the sport, running fast early in high school and any pressure that came with it, trying to be one of the leading guys in the class of 24', his plans for a historic senior year, and much more.
Simply put, Patrick Koon is Him. Tune in to hear from one of the brightest young stars in the nation before you see his name on top of the results list all year.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S
-2Before: Code: "THERUNNINGEFFECT30" for 30% off: https://2before.com/
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Oct 6, 2023 • 43min
North Carolina's Parker Wolfe On His Pursuit Of Trying To Become One Of The Best To Ever Do It
Today on the podcast is one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the NCAA Parker Wolfe!
Parker is an extraordinary athlete and scholar, having achieved first-team All-America status in three sports during the 2022-23 academic year: cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field. He holds impressive records, such as setting a school record and an American Junior Record (U-20) in the 5,000 meters. In the 2022 NCAA Indoor Championships, he secured fifth place in the 5,000 meters, earning first-team All-America honors once more. Parker's success extended to the outdoor track & field season, where he achieved a second-place finish in the 5,000 meters at the Wake Forest Invitational, improving his standing in UNC's all-time performers list. He also gained first-team All-America accolades for the third time in the 2022-23 academic year, excelling in the outdoor 5000m event. In cross country, Parker's accomplishments are equally impressive, being named the 2022 ACC Men's Cross Country Athlete of the Year and earning All-America honors. He has consistently demonstrated his athletic prowess and dedication to both sports and academics throughout his career.
In today's episode, Parker goes through his journey and story in the sport, running for UNC, the journey to get the program where it is today, being coached by Coach Milt, his future ambitions, and much more! Whether you're a running enthusiast or someone looking for inspiration and determination in achieving your goals, this conversation is bound to leave you with a fresh perspective and newfound motivation.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S
-CLEAN ENERGY: https://cleansmoothie.com/
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Oct 5, 2023 • 58min
Creating A Footwear Revolution With Galahad Clark | The History Of Running Shoes + Inside The Shoe That Increases Foot Strength By 60%!
Today on the podcast is the one and only, Galahad Clark!
Galahad Clark is a seventh-generation cobbler. His ancestors founded Clark's shoes, and he is now the driving force behind Vivobarefoot, which makes shoes that allow the wearer to enjoy the same range of movement and sensation as if they were barefoot. In 2022, Vivo's 10th year of business, they sold 773k pairs of shoes.
In today's conversation, Galahad takes me through the history of shoes, the origins of Vivobarefoot, the science of your feet and how to strengthen them, and much more! You'll walk away from this conversation with a greater understanding of how your feet work, inside the shoe industry, how shoes came to be, and the future of footwear.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Oct 4, 2023 • 47min
Virgina's Nate Mountain On Humble Beginnings & His Rise To The Top Of The NCAA
Today on the podcast is the legend, Nate Mountain!
Nate is the only guest in the history of this podcast thus far that I've personally competed against. If you're curious of the result, he smoked me...
Nate is a remarkable track and field athlete who has excelled in various events throughout his collegiate career. In the 2023 outdoor season, he achieved All-American status by finishing fourth in the 3000m Steeplechase at the NCAA Championships and claimed the ACC Champion title in the same event. Nate demonstrated his versatility with notable performances in the 1500m and 5000m, setting personal bests and consistently contributing to his team's success. His impressive track record also includes achievements in indoor events, such as running a sub-four mile and earning second-team All-ACC honors in the mile. Nate's dedication to both athletics and academics is evident through his inclusion in the ACC Honor Roll and All-ACC Academic Team, showcasing his commitment to excellence both on and off the track. With a background marked by numerous high school records and championships, Nate's talent and determination continue to shine as he pursues his studies in Commerce while representing his university with distinction.
If you're from Ohio, this is a must-listen-to episode. Nate and I are OH boys, and that bleeds through in our conversation about the good ol days. We dive deep into Nate's journey in the sport, times at UVA, and much more! I hope you all enjoy this one as much as we did having it.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S
-2Before: Code: "THERUNNINGEFFECT30" for 30% off: https://2before.com/
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Oct 2, 2023 • 53min
PROJECT 2:59 Episode 8: Training Updates + Should You Train Through Sickness?, Doing Hard Things & Fueling For The Marathon
Alex, a seven-time All-American and marathon training coach, recaps the past week of training and discusses the importance of doing something hard everyday and all things fueling for the marathon. They explore topics such as training through sickness, challenges faced during training, and the science of marathon fueling. They also discuss the dangers of running through pain, the central governor theory and fueling for performance, and express cautious optimism for the upcoming marathon.

Sep 30, 2023 • 35min
The Story Of NCAA 200m Champion Udodi Onwuzurike | Running For Stanford/Nigeria, Becoming World Champ, & More
Today on the podcast is NCAA Champion from Stanford Udodi Onwuzurike!
Udodi is a highly accomplished track and field athlete known for his exceptional speed and numerous accolades. He has made a significant impact in both collegiate and international competitions. In 2023, he became the NCAA Outdoor 200 Champion and earned the title of Pac-12 Men's Track Athlete of the Year. Udodi is a five-time All-American and holds various records, including the Pac-12 200 Record and multiple Stanford records in both indoor and outdoor events. His personal bests include an impressive 9.92 in the 100 meters and a remarkable 19.76 in the 200 meters. Udodi's achievements extend to the international stage, where he won the World U20 200 championship in 2021 and contributed to Nigeria's bronze medal in the 4x100 relay at the Commonwealth Games in 2022. His outstanding athleticism is complemented by his academic excellence, as evidenced by his Academic All-American and USTFCCCA All-Academic honors, making him a well-rounded student-athlete.
In today's conversation, Udodi shares his story of upbringing in the sport of Track & Field, going to Stanford, the misconceptions of Stanford not being a sprint school, handling the balance of athletic and academic rigor, winning NCAAs, plans for Paris, and much more! This was a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the spring world. I hope you all take the time to listen and learn from the legend himself!
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S
-2Before: Code: "THERUNNINGEFFECT30" for 30% off: https://2before.com/
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Sep 28, 2023 • 52min
Unlocking Peak Performance: Harnessing the Power of Your Mind With Mental Performance Expert Shannon Thompson
Today's podcast is an exploration into the world of mental performance and simple practical ways in which you can improve it to ultimately improve yourself as a runner and in everyday life. We go through this exploration with the one and only Shannon Thompson, MAPP, NCCP. This conversation particularly centers around "the race" and tools to tackle it mentally to reach your fullest potential.
Shannon is 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.
In this conversation, Shannon goes deep on the benefits of focusing on mental performance, perspective, and a deep-dive into a mental model for racing. I am 100% confident that you'll learn new things about mental performance by listening to this episode and be able to implement easy practices into your daily routine that will help you become a better runner and version of yourself.
Through listening to this podcast episode, you'll walk about with practical tools on improving mental performance that you can directly apply today.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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 you really enjoy the podcast, consider sharing it on social media to spread the word!
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." 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.
The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.
S H O W N O T E S:
-2Before: Code: "THERUNNINGEFFECT30" for 30% off: https://2before.com/
-Shannon's Website (info on the course mentioned on there): shannonthompsonmpc@wordpress.com
-Subscribe to Shannon's Email List: https://qfreeaccountssjc1.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WlpWhWLCQki6x0
-GET 15% OFF VIVOBAREFOOT SHOES WITH CODE "THERUNNINGEFFECT15%": https://www.vivobarefoot.com/us/
-My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en

Sep 26, 2023 • 57min
How Fueling Can Help You Cut Minutes Off Of Your Time: Inside The Fuel That Eliud Kipchoge & Keely Hodgkinson Use With Brian Livingston
Brian Livingston, West Coast Marketplace Lead for Maurten, discusses the importance of fueling, debunking the myth of carbs being bad for you. He explores the science of digestion, talks about the impact of fueling on recovery, and even dives into how your brain burns calories. Plus, he shares interesting insights on baking soda and its relation to lactic acid. If you want to learn all there is to know about fueling, this episode is for you!

Sep 24, 2023 • 51min
PROJECT 2:59 Episode 7: The Science Of Building/Losing Fitness, Dealing With Doubts, & Building Momentum
In this podcast, they discuss managing pain, building and losing fitness, dealing with doubts, and ways to build momentum beyond training. They also explore setbacks and injury in running, discuss the useful features of the Final Surge platform for traveling, and delve into the protocol for dealing with injury and staying on track with training. The fallacy of a problem-free life is discussed, and they examine the science of building and losing fitness, sharing personal experiences and examples of maintaining fitness even with setbacks.


