THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Latest Episodes:

From Not Making Nationals to NXN Runner-Up in One Season | The Yohanes Van Meerten Story Jan 15, 2026

Show notes

Every few years, a high school runner comes along who forces the entire country to look toward one place.

This fall, that place was Flagstaff, Arizona, and the runner was Yohanes Van Meerten.

Yohanes is a prominent high school distance runner from Flagstaff High School in Arizona, who just finished an outstanding junior season. We’re not kidding when we say outstanding: he was the runner up at Nike Cross Nationals, the highest finish ever for an Arizona athlete at the meet.

He also won the Arizona state championship, setting an overall course record and becoming the first runner in state history to run a 5,000m race in under 15 minutes.

He set a course record at the Mt. Sac Invitational, running three miles in 14:10.10. His outdoor PRs include 4:26 in the mile, 9:14 in the 3200m, and 14:28 in the 5,000m.

Yohanes was born in Ethiopia and adopted into the U.S. at age one. His story is unique as he emerged as one of the top national high school runners during his junior year, following the impressive 14:28 performance in the 5000m at Nike Outdoor Nationals last spring.

He’s Arizona’s fastest. He’s one of the nation’s best. And he’s just getting started.

Yohanes is here and ready to tell his story.

Tap into the Yohanes Van Meerten Special.

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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

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Coaching at the Highest Level: Robert Gary on Leading Olympians, NCAA Stars, and Athletes First / Leadership Over Medals: Robert Gary on Building One of the NCAA’s Most Respected Distance Programs Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

Robert Gary is an Olympian, a program builder for thousands of runners, and a coach who puts athletes first.

A two-time Olympic steeplechaser (Atlanta 1996, Athens 2004), 11-time World Cross Country Team member, and Track & Field News Cross Country Runner of the Year, Gary now serves as the Director of Cross Country & Track & Field at Furman University, where he has built one of the most respected distance programs in the NCAA.

Before arriving at Furman in 2012, Gary coached at Ohio State University and has played a significant role on the international stage, including serving as Head Men’s Coach for Team USA at the 2019 IAAF World Championships and leading the U.S. men to a silver medal at the 2013 World Cross Country Championships.

While Gary’s personal performances are elite (7:52.62 for 3,000m, 8:19.26 in the steeplechase, and a 4:01.05 road mile), his impact as a coach may be even more impressive. Under his leadership, athletes and teams have achieved sustained success across cross country and track at the NCAA, national, and international levels.

From racing in the Olympics in the steeplechase to leading Team USA and building one of the strongest distance programs in the country at Furman, Robert Gary has seen every level of the sport.

Tap into the Coach Robert Gary Special.

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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

The 2026 Playbook Of Greatness: Why Long-Term Plans Fail, The Cost of Winning, and How to Build a Life That Actually Feels Good Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Dominic sits down with Alex Ostberg to distill the three biggest lessons from 2025 and set the framework for a better 2026.

They unpack why you sometimes have to “throw out your long-term plans,” how to invest in preparedness without trying to predict the future, and why embracing voluntary struggle is the best training for the inevitable hardships life will bring.

They also talk about a hard truth: you’ve already achieved goals you thought would make you happy — and why joy, fulfillment, and “a string of good days” matter more than chasing the next milestone.If you’re trying to make 2026 your breakthrough year in running, business, or life, this conversation will rewire how you think about goals, uncertainty, discipline, and what success actually costs.

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

From Viral Videos to Endurance Miles: How Anna Sitar Is Redefining Discipline and Growth Jan 09, 2026

Show notes

Most people see Anna Sitar as a creator. Fewer people know she’s quietly stacking endurance goals, like marathons, long training blocks, and now Ironman-level ambitions, to show what happens when you commit to something long enough for it to change how you think, work and live.

Anna is a content creator and influencer known for her lifestyle vlogs, relatable content and warm and engaging personality.

Her dynamic “I Don’t Want It” TikTok series has propelled her to incredible media heights; she has over 11 million followers on TikTik and over 1.5 million on Instagram.

Anna is a Mechanical Engineering undergraduate from Western Michigan University. She moved to Los Angeles in 2019 to pursue her master’s, and it ultimately fueled her career as a content creator.

Anna is the founder and creator of the A N X N A clothing brand, and has worked with companies like Dior, Louis Vuitton, Delta, Amazon and Google.

She is also slowly building up her endurance athlete profile these past few years: she recently completed the New York City Marathon after running the Honolulu Marathon in 2024. According to recent activity, she is training for an ironman, working to become a more well-rounded long distance athlete.

Because of that, Anna’s story is a reminder that running doesn’t have to be about times or podiums to be meaningful. Sometimes it’s just a place to test who you’re becoming next.

Tap into the Anna Sitar Special.

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

Built for Greatness: Marcelo Mantecon on Pressure, Records, and Chasing National Titles in High School Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Marcelo Mantecon is Florida’s all-time 5,000m high school record holder, a Nike Indoor National Champion, and an NXN finalist. And he’s only a junior in high school.

Marcelo joins the show after a soaring spring and fall season for Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami, Florida, that saw him cap it off with a 4th overall finish at the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) on December 6, 2025, with a time of 15:05.

In September, he etched his name into the Florida High School Boys XC record book, running a 14:35.25 at the Southern Showcase in Huntsville, Alabama, becoming the fastest boy to do so at the distance in the state. He then took that even lower in October by running a 14:33 in the New World Fall Spectacular.

As a sophomore last year, he was named Florida’s Gatorade 2024-25 Boys Cross Country Player of the Year. He won the 5000m National Title Indoors in March of 2025 as well.

His PRs include 4:15.83 for the mile, 8:16.86 for the 3000m indoor, 8:49.78 for the 2 mile outdoor, 14:14.38 in the 5000m indoors, and 14:33 in the 5000m for XC.

Records show you how fast he is. We’re here to dissect how he thinks; the discipline behind the breakthroughs, the pressure of carrying expectations, and what it takes to chase national greatness while still being a high school junior.

Tap into the Marcelo Mantecon Special.

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

The 2026 Special With Life In Stride: Banter, Unheard Of Stories, Running Ins & Outs In 2026, & The Inside Scoop On Running A Top Podcast Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

TRE x LIS

The crossover that you knew you needed going into 2026.

This one is full of banter, hot takes, unheard of stories, and wisdom from a year of reflection.

Don't miss the opportunity to have your next run fly by with the boys.

Enjoy & gear up for a massive 2026.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season, and I'm rooting for you this year.

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

What Happens When Two Generational Talents Grow Together? Ethan Strand & Parker Wolfe on Confidence, Competition, and the World Stage Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

Are we watching the rise of the greatest distance running teammate duo in history?

Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe are well on their way to grabbing that title, and their next stop is with Team USA for the World Cross Country Championships.

Parker recently won his first professional national title at the 10,000m XC championship in December; Ethan won the 2,000m in electric fashion. Both runners are from the University of North Carolina and now run professionally for the Swoosh Track Club under coach Mike Smith.

Ethan is the NCAA Men's Indoor 3000m record holder, having run a 7:30.15 back in 2024; his mile PR is also a sizzling 3:48.32. Parker won the 2024 5,000m Outdoor NCAA Championship, and ran his impressive 29:16 at the Glendoveer Golf Course in Portland recently to secure first in a competitive USATF championship field. Parker has PRs of 3:48 in the mile on the road, 3:34 in the 1500m, and 13:10 in the 5,000m.

The boys are back to show how elite confidence is built, how teammates become rivals, and how records are meant to be broken.

Tap into the Parker Wolfe/Ethan Strand Special.

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

How Elite Programs Stay Elite: Kelly Christensen on Building a Back-to-Back National Champion Dec 27, 2025

Show notes

Anyone can catch lightning in a bottle once.

Kelly Christensen is proving that he can repeat success over and over, as he just won back-to-back national high school cross country titles at NXN, and is clearly on the Mount Rushmore of high school distance coaches.

The Niwot boys cross country team just won a second consecutive national title on December 6 in Oregon. Their 61 points set a record for the best team score ever recorded at Nike Cross Nationals, which began in 2004.

The boys were led by Quinn Sullivan (5th with a time of 15:09), Hunter Robbie (6th), Ryder Keeton (33rd), Jude Ritzenhein (40th), and Gabe Marshall (60th). The girls team came in second.

Heading into this season, Coach Kelly had guided the Cougars to 12 total state championships. You can add to that number after another dominating season this year.

He recently was recognized on a national level by being named MileSplit's Coach of the Month in November 2025 for his program's continued excellence.

If you want to understand how elite programs stay elite, Kelly Christensen is back on the Running Effect. No fluff or preamble: he’s opening up about another dominant and historic season for the Niwot Cougars.

Tap into the Coach Kelly Christensen Strand Special.

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

Dr. Bill Evans On What Supplements ACTUALLY Work, Why Scientifically Anyone Can Become An Olympian, And Other Phenomena Of Sports Science Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

There’s evidence-based training, and then there’s actually understanding the evidence.

Dr. Bill Evans is here to explain how exercise physiology, 80–20 training, and smart periodization translates into real performance gains for runners at every level.

Dr. Evans has his PhD in Exercise Physiology and is an Assistant Professor of Exercise Science. He has experience as a Senior Scientist/Consultant at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory.

He also serves as an Assistant Cross Country Coach at the collegiate level with Elon University, giving him practical coaching experience with competitive runners.

Dr. Evans is the founder/co-lead coach of The Endurance Lab, a personalized running coaching service focused on evidence-based training tailored to individual goals. His lab also integrates strength training and injury-prevention work into the mix to really give athletes a full-spectrum model.

Dr. Evans never competed at the collegiate level because of a back injury, but has an impressive portfolio nonetheless: he owns PRs of 1:57 in the 800m, 3:58 in the 1500m, and 15:21 in the 5,000m. He also recently ran a 2:37 marathon.

From the lab to the track to the marathon start line, Dr. Bill Evans lives the science he teaches. His insights will change how you think about training, and how you train going forward.

Tap into the Dr. Bill Evans Special.

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

Alex Ostberg on Why Cooldowns Are Overrated, Why Not All Miles Are Equal, and the Psychology of Winning Dec 21, 2025

Show notes

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

What if the habits you’re most proud of, like discipline, the mileage, and the wins, are quietly working against you?

Alex Ostberg returns to the show to sit down with Dominic and unpack the ideas behind his four most recent Substack essays, each challenging a deeply held assumption in running and high performance.

They tackle the popular mantra “the way you do one thing is the way you do all things.” Alex argues that greatness isn’t about equal intensity everywhere, but intentional trade-offs, seasonal focus, and knowing what deserves obsession.

From there, they discuss training load and why not all miles are created equal. Alex explains why injury risk is less about total mileage and more about how that load is built.

The guys then take aim at a sacred post-workout ritual in Cooldowns Are Overrated. He reframes recovery around what actually matters most: refueling, rehydration, nervous system reset, and social decompression, rather than mindless extra miles on tired legs.

Then they talk about the psychology of success in When Winning Stops Feeling Good, exploring why anticipation often feels better than achievement, and how rising expectations can quietly drain joy from performance.

If you want to train smarter, think deeper, and understand the real costs (and rewards) of chasing excellence, this episode will change how you run, recover, and define success.

Tap into the Alex Ostberg Rundown Special.

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