We love the idea of a breakthrough—the dramatic finish, the record-shattering time, the race where it finally clicks.

But what if that moment you’re chasing isn’t about magic… but mindset?

Returning to the show today is Alex Ostberg, former NCAA standout and the thoughtful voice behind The Rundown. In this episode, we dive into the psychology of high performance and unpack four of Alex’s most powerful recent essays.

We begin by debunking the myth of overnight success, revealing how real progress is built quietly—through patient, consistent effort. From there, Alex explores how belief isn’t just motivational—it’s foundational. Because if you don’tbelieve you’re capable, your body won’t act like it is.

We then tackle what it means to find “the edge” as a runner—and why growth begins the moment you step beyond your comfort zone. Finally, we discuss the internal narratives that unfold on race day, and how the stories we tell ourselves can shape—or sabotage—our performance.

This episode is more than a conversation about running. It’s about mindset, identity, and learning how to rewrite your limits from the inside out.

In today's conversation, Alex tackles key subjects like breakthroughs, the central governor theory, breaks down scientific studies that you can apply directly to your running/life, how to deal with pre-race nerves, pressure, anxiety, and more.This episode is VALUE packed and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

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Some people push the limit. Kim Gottwald treats it like a starting line.

Meet Kim Gottwald: ultra-endurance athlete, viral content creator, and founder of Rappid Runs, a running apparel brand built for the brutal reality of long-distance races.

If his name isn’t on your radar yet, it will be. Kim just co-won the Go One More Ultramarathon in Texas, racking up a mind-bending 378 kilometers (234 miles) before the race was shut down for extreme weather.

But here’s what really sets Kim apart: it’s not just his mileage. It’s his grit. His no-filter honesty. His ability to blend raw toughness with sharp humor.

He’s run 100K on an 800-meter loop in Cologne. He has blown up on TikTok for telling it exactly like it is. He’sredefining what an ultra athlete looks and sounds like.

In this episode, we’re talking last man standing races, the mental warfare of endurance, and what it actually feels like to hit hour 50 of a run with no finish line in sight.

Whether you're a hardcore runner, an intrigued outsider, or just into seeing what the human body—and mind—can reallydo, you’re in for a ride.

Strap in. Kim Gottwald is here.

In today's conversation, Kim takes us deep into the untold stories behind his 234-mile effort — from hallucinations and heartbreak to the mindset shifts that kept him moving through the dark, the mental tools he used to survive it, what it really takes to go beyond your limits when your body is begging you to stop, and his thoughts on lining up again in 2026.

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Charlie Vause didn't just make waves this past season — he tore through the high school cross country scene like a storm, and today, we're fired up to welcome him back.

Charlie, a senior at Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico, returns to the podcast after emerging as a standout in U.S. high school cross country during the 2024–2025 season. His achievements include winning the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) and being named the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year.

Vause has committed to run at Brigham Young University (BYU) after serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was honored as the 2025 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year, presented by Olympian Grant Fisher, recognizing his athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character.

Vause clinched the national title at the 2024 Nike Cross Nationals with a time of 15:28.1, finishing 2.5 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

He has PRs of 14:30 5k, a 4:01 converted Mile, 1:51.86 in the 800m, 8:51 two mile.

In today's conversation, Charlie takes me through the last six months after winning NXN, his track season, handling newfound pressure and expectations, his goals for Festival of Miles, and why he shows up when it matters the most.

This is Charlie's last chance at the 4:00 minute barrier. Expect him to put on a show.

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Quentin Nauman—remember that name.

Just a few weeks ago, he became the first high school athlete in U.S. history to run both sub-1:50 in the 800m and sub-4:00 in the 1600m... at the same meet. (Quentin clocked 1:49.41 in the 800m and 3:59.60 in the 1600m at the Iowa State Track and Field Championships.)

Let that sink in.

From sweeping the Drake Relays to dominating cross country with a 14:59 course record, Quentin has built a résumé that rivals the legends—and he’s still not done.

This next week, he heads to the HOKA Festival of Miles, not just to compete—but to win.

In April 2025, Nauman achieved a rare trifecta by winning the 800m, 1,600m, and 3,200m races at the prestigious Drake Relays. He became the first Iowa high school boy to sweep all three distance events in the same weekend, setting a state record of 4:05.17 in the 1,600m.

Quentin’s prowess isn't limited to track. In November 2024, he won the Class 3A Iowa state cross country title with a state record time of 14:59. As a sophomore in 2024, The Oregon commit placed fifth in the boys' 800m at the HOKA Festival of Miles with a time of 1:51.09.

So whether you’re lacing up for a workout or just love the grind behind the glory—get ready. This is Quentin Nauman, and this is what the next generation of running looks like.

In today's conversation, Quentin takes me through the impact that Jackson Heidesch had on him two years ago, how he'scarrying on the legecy, what he wants to do in the next 12 months of his HS career, why he thinks he can be one of the greatest to ever do it, and his thoughts leading into the 2025 HOKA Festival of Miles meet.

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He’s back. Not just on this show — but back in the sport, back on the world stage, and back to blow your mind with what’s possible when talent meets resilience.

Returning to the show is none other than Cordell Tinch — the hurdler whose journey reads like a Hollywood script. A former cell phone salesman turned world-class athlete. The guy who stepped away from the sport, then came back to dominate Division II track with three national titles in one weekend — and now he’s out here running 12.87 in the 110 hurdles, tied for the fourth-fastest time ever."

From selling phones in Green Bay to beating world champions on the Diamond League circuit — Cordell's story is a masterclass in self-belief, raw talent, and grinding when no one's watching.

In June 2023, Tinch clocked a world-leading 12.96 seconds in the 110m hurdles at the Arkansas Grand Prix. He furtherimproved to 12.87 seconds at the Shanghai-Keqiao Diamond League in May 2025, tying him for the fourth-fastest time ever in the event.

At the 2023 NCAA Division II Outdoor Championships, Tinch made history by winning the 110m hurdles, long jump, and high jump—becoming the first athlete in Division II history to secure three individual titles at a single championship.

In today's conversation, Cordell takes me through his past two years as a pro, being friends with Tyrese Haliburton, what his story means to him, why he thinks he can beat Grant Holloway at the highest level, his ambitions for the season, and wisdom to anyone willing to hear it.

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Today’s guest is a true game-changer in the world of track and field — a visionary whose passion, leadership, and creativity have helped transform one of the sport’s most electric meets: Tim Cornell.

Since 2021, Tim has served as the Meet Director for the HOKA Festival of Miles, one of the most electric and meaningful meets on the track and field calendar. Under his guidance, the event has grown tremendously — not just in performance level, but in heart, energy, and community spirit.

Tim has made it his mission to create more than just fast races. Through his thoughtful integration of local stories and a true celebration of athletes — from elite pros to rising high school stars — he's cultivated a meet that captures what makes the running community so special.

In today's conversation, Tim takes me through why the 2025 edition of the HOKA Festival of Miles is the best one yet, hebreaks down both fields, the behind the scenes of making this meet all that it is, the mission behind the meet, and so much more.

I've known Tim for two years now, and he's not just a remarkable meet director, but an incredible person. I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much we did having it!

Tap into the Tim Cornell Special.

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From a late start in high school track to becoming one of the fastest milers in NCAA history, today’s guest has rewritten the blueprint for distance running success.

Gary Martin’s rise has been nothing short of electric. After a quiet freshman year at the University of Virginia, he exploded onto the national scene during the 2024 cross country season—capturing the ACC Championship with a course record and finishing 13th at nationals to earn All-American honors.

But that was just the beginning.

On the track, Gary has been rewriting record books: a 7:36 meet-record win in the 3000m at ACC Indoors, a Virginia school record in the 5000m, and a 3:48 mile at the 2025 Millrose Games—the second-fastest indoor mile in NCAA history. He didn’t stop there, anchoring UVA’s distance medley relay team to an NCAA-record time of 9:14.

And long before college glory, Gary made headlines as a Pennsylvania high schooler when he ran 3:57.98 without a pacer—becoming the first from his state and just the 14th U.S. high schooler ever to break four minutes.

With PRs of 3:33 in the 1500m, 3:48 in the mile, 7:36 in the 3K, and 13:16 in the 5K, Gary’s resume is as fast as it is fearless.

In today's conversation, Gary takes me through his training, recent record-breaking races, his mindset going into NCAA if he'll end his NCAA eligibility to go pro, his take on PA distance running, MJ v Lebron, and his thoughts going into Eugene next month.

This one was an absolute blast. Don't miss an inside look at one of the best runners in the country.

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Racing by feel and winning with heart.

Margot Appleton has emerged as one of the premier collegiate distance runners in the U.S., blending tactical brilliance, relentless drive, and a flair for dramatic finishes.

In 2019, as a high school junior, Appleton stunned the field at Boston's Mayor's Cup 5K, finishing second overall in 17:14—outpacing the reigning Foot Locker national champion. This performance marked a significant breakthrough in her running career.

Most recently, at the 2025 Penn Relays, Appleton delivered a sensational anchor leg in the Distance Medley Relay (DMR), clocking a 4:21.46 split. Overcoming a significant deficit, she surged past top competitors to secure Virginia's first women's DMR win at the event since 1982. Her 1500m time of 4:05.68 at the 2025 Raleigh Relays ranks as the fourth-fastest in collegiate history.

Appleton holds Virginia school records in the indoor mile (4:25.03), indoor 3000m (8:46.23), and outdoor 5000m (15:18.21). Appleton has earned First Team All-American honors in both the 1500m and 5000m events, including a 4th-place finish in the 5000m at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championships.

In today's conversation, Margot takes me through her successful, consistent career at UVU, being a leader on the team, what it would mean to her to win an NCAA title, what her training looks like, training without a GPS watch, and so much more.

Tap into the Margot Appleton Special.

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