The Running Explained Podcast

This episode of the Running Explained Podcast dives into one of the most overlooked parts of running performance: the mental and emotional side of injury. Coach Nick is joined by journalist and runner Cindy Kuzma and mental performance coach Carrie Jackson to unpack what really happens when runners get injured and why it is far more than just a physical setback.Together, they explore how injuries impact identity, confidence, and motivation, and why so many runners struggle to slow down or step away from training. The conversation highlights the emotional complexity of injury, including surprising feelings like relief, frustration, and even grief, while also addressing the challenge of rebuilding trust in your body during recovery.00:00 Introduction to the Conversation02:29 Understanding Injuries in Runners05:26 The Emotional Impact of Injuries08:21 Mental Challenges of Injuries10:54 Building Resilience Before Injury13:56 The Struggle to Slow Down16:42 Identity and Injury19:56 The Role of Comparison in Running22:41 Identity Loss and Its Impact on Athletes24:46 Identity and Athleticism29:23 Navigating Injury and Recovery38:47 Mental Tools for Injury Management45:59 Staying Connected to Your Athletic Identity51:21 The Importance of Coach-Athlete Communication During Injury53:19 Finding Joy and Purpose in Sport54:44 Understanding Injury as Part of the Athletic Journey56:21 Transforming Adversity into Growth58:14 Building a Supportive Community for Injured Athletes59:53 Advice and Insights from Experienced Coaches01:05:43 Breaking Stigmas in Mental Health and Sports01:08:23 Connecting with Coaches and ResourcesCarrie Jackson is a performance and mental training expert, a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, listed provider in the USOPC Mental Performance Directory, and the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance. She’s one of the world’s foremost authorities on the mental and emotional challenges of recovering from injury. She co-authored the book Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries, and is the co-host of the widely regarded podcast The Injured Athletes Club.Cindy is a freelance journalist with bylines in Runner’s World, SELF, The New York Times, and more. She’s the coauthor of both Breakthrough Women’s Running: Dream Big and Train Smart (with Neely Spence Gracey) and Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries (with Carrie Jackson); she co-hosts the Injured Athletes Club podcast and is on the leadership team of Starting Line 1928, an oral history project documenting the lived experiences of female distance running pioneers. She lives and runs in Chicago.Cindy Website Carrie Website -Rebound Amanda IGNick -IGEmail - Hello@runningexplained.com🚨 1:1 COACHING SPOTS OPEN NOW 🚨Ready to finally train with a plan that’s built around YOU?✅ Personalized training✅ Weekly support + adjustments✅ Strategy, structure, and accountability✅ Expert coaching to help you actually hit your goalsNot ready for a 1:1 Coach📝PDF Training Plan Templates available🤝Group Coaching, Strength Training and Unlimited access toall Training Plans available in The Run Club AppNot sure talk our Training Plan Quiz to find the right trainingplan for you!https://www.tryinteract.com/share/quiz/688249e4b0197d00157fba4cLearn more about all of this at Running Explained

Gabi (Gabby) Rooker, a physician assistant turned Nike pro marathoner who started as a gymnast, shares her late‑start journey to a 2:24:29 marathon. She discusses finding community, transitioning sports, coaching with her husband, injury and surgery recovery, balancing medical work with elite training, and navigating fertility decisions while chasing big races.

Olivia Witherite, founder of On-Base Collective and ATHLOS content lead, is a social media strategist in the running world. Ashley Mateo, founder/editor of RUNHER Magazine and certified running coach, produces long-form storytelling about women in running. They discuss women-led storytelling, print versus social formats, fair pay and representation, influencer responsibility, community support, and the future of women’s sports media.

Dr. Vicky (Victoria) Sekely, a physical therapist and certified run coach who helps runners rehab and return safely. She discusses PT approaches to returning to running, the limits of gait analysis, why strength work must progress beyond bands, and the role of social media and influencer culture in fueling injury trends. Practical, straight-talking guidance on safe progression and responsible running culture.

Stephanie Roth Goldberg, psychotherapist and eating disorder specialist who is also a marathoner and mom, discusses the intersection of endurance running and disordered eating. Short talks cover how patterns start, how coaching and social media can push athletes toward harm, warning signs to watch for, and when to involve therapists or dietitians. Practical markers and recovery pathways are explored.

Brad Stulberg, New York Times bestselling author and performance coach focused on human flourishing, describes caring deeply as central to sustainable excellence. He talks about choosing values-aligned goals, embracing discomfort, building supportive communities, the humble badass paradox, and rethinking balance through seasons of life.

In this episode, Brooks Professional Runner Erika Kemp shares her journey in the world of running, discussing her record-breaking achievements and the lessons learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of community, the highs and lows of racing, and the need for balance in life as a competitive athlete. Erika also reflects on her experiences at the World Championships and the significance of embracing diversity in the sport. Throughout the conversation, she offers valuable insights for aspiring runners and encourages listeners to focus on their unique journeys.(00:00) Meet Erika Kemp: A Professional Runner for Brooks(03:37) Erika's Journey: From Multi-Sport Athlete to Marathoner(08:26) Transforming the Relationship with Running(16:00) The Experience of Being a Competitive Runner(21:58) Reflections on the 2025 World Championships(28:15) Preparing for the Boston Marathon(36:26) Finding Balance in Running and Life(44:51) Embracing Individual Journeys in RunningErika Kemp is a Professional Runner for Brooks who currently holds the Marathon record for fastest American-born Black woman running a 2:22. She is a two-time U.S. champion (15k and 20k distances) who currently trains out of Providence, R.I. She is currently training for the Boston Marathon this April.Instagram - https://instagram.com/imtinyrik/?hl=enAmanda - ⁠@amanda_katzz⁠Nick - ⁠@nklastava⁠Email - Hello@runningexplained.com🚨 1:1 COACHING SPOTS OPEN NOW 🚨Ready to finally train with a plan that’s built around YOU?✅ Personalized training✅ Weekly support + adjustments✅ Strategy, structure, and accountability✅ Expert coaching to help you actually hit your goalsNot ready for a 1:1 Coach📝PDF Training Plan Templates available🤝Group Coaching, Strength Training and Unlimited access to all Training Plans available in The Run Club AppLearn more about all of this at www.runningexplained.com

In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, hosts Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava welcome sports dietitian Holley Samuel to discuss the critical role of nutrition in preparing for spring races. They explore the challenges of early season training, the importance of proper fueling, and the impact of new nutrition guidelines on runners. Holley shares insights on identifying under-fueling, practical fueling strategies for different types of runs, and the significance of recovery. The conversation emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to nutrition, moving away from rigid diets and focusing on individual needs and performance.This episode is sponsored by Wahoo and their KICKR Run Treadmill.  Hit the link to learn more about this revolutionary rethink of treadmills from: Dynamic Pacing (no controls just run) Terrain simulation (even side to side) Unmatch Connectivity (simulate routes from Strava and other third party apps).  Go ahead and use code EXPLAINED and Run you Run!(00:00) Today's Guest Holley Samuel(05:09) The Importance of Nutrition in Training(15:36) Understanding Low Energy Availability(23:26) The Role of Professionals in Nutrition Guidance(32:38) Challenging the Skinny Equals Fast Narrative(35:14) The Importance of Proper Fueling(40:38) Redefining Success in Athletics(42:56) Pre-Run Nutrition Strategies(53:48) Fueling for Longer Runs(58:55) Rapid Fire Insights and AdviceHolley Samuel is the founder and owner of Holley Fueled Nutrition, a sports nutrition practice team of dietitians dedicated to helping runners learn how to fuel their bodies. She is a sports dietitian, certified personal trainer, runner, and lives in New Hampshire with her husband, son, and chocolate lab. Fueling people to perform at their highest level in sport and in life is her passion.Holley's WebsiteHolley's InstagramAmanda's InstagramNick's InstagramEmail - Hello@runningexplained.com🚨 1:1 COACHING SPOTS OPEN NOW 🚨Ready to finally train with a plan that’s built around YOU?✅ Personalized training✅ Weekly support + adjustments✅ Strategy, structure, and accountability✅ Expert coaching to help you actually hit your goalsNot ready for a 1:1 Coach📝PDF Training Plan Templates available🤝Group Coaching, Strength Training and Unlimited access to all Training Plans available in The Run Club AppLearn more about all of this at RunningExplained.com

In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, hosts Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava welcome Alison Mariella Désir, author of 'Running While Black'. They discuss the importance of freedom of movement, the challenges faced by Black and Brown runners, and the significance of creating inclusive running communities. Alison shares her journey into running, the founding of Harlem Run, and her experiences as a mental health therapist. Alison also chats about her PBS TV Show: Out and Back. The conversation also touches on accountability and allyship within the running industry, emphasizing the need for empathy and curiosity in understanding diverse experiences.(00:00) Introduction to Alison Mariella Désir(03:31) Freedom of Movement and Safety in Running(06:26) Allison's Journey to Running and Community Building(10:27) The Impact of Harlem Run and Inclusivity in Running(16:08) Understanding Surveillance and Safety in Running While Black(19:12) Empathy, Curiosity, and Conversations about Race(23:00) Allison's PBS Show: Out and Back(29:45) Climbing Kilimanjaro and Community Empowerment(34:07) Overcoming Fear and Taking Action(36:45) The Role of Accountability in Achieving Goals(38:33) The Therapeutic Journey: Insights from Therapy(46:55) Accountability and Allyship in the Running Community(54:10) Empowerment and Community EngagementAlison Mariella Désir is multi-talented: a founder, a doer, an activist, a connector, a visionary and an unapologetically straightforward communicator with a passion for movement, mental health, and racial equity. Alison got her start in the running and outdoor industry unintentionally, after seeing a Black friend train and complete a marathon. Inspired, Alison went on to run her first marathon and discovered that she had found a powerful tool to manage her depression. She’s been working to share the transformational power of running and movement ever since.WebsiteInstagramPBS ShowAmanda IGNick IGEmail - Hello@runningexplained.com🚨 1:1 COACHING SPOTS OPEN NOW 🚨Ready to finally train with a plan that’s built around YOU?✅ Personalized training✅ Weekly support + adjustments✅ Strategy, structure, and accountability✅ Expert coaching to help you actually hit your goalsNot ready for a 1:1 Coach📝PDF Training Plan Templates available🤝Group Coaching, Strength Training and Unlimited access to all Training Plans available in The Run Club AppLearn more about all of this at www.runningexplained.com

Practical tactics for making a running routine stick beyond New Year’s hype. Short-term commitments, habit stacking, and prepping the night before to remove friction. Emphasis on realistic, life-friendly goals, front-loading workouts, and prioritizing consistency over metrics. Tips on process goals, flexibility, and using community accountability to stay motivated.