THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Latest Episodes:

Breaking Barriers: Olympian & American Record Holder Evan Jager's Journey Of Becoming The Greatest American Steeplechaser Of All Time Jun 02, 2023

Show notes

Today on the podcast is the man, the myth, the legend, Evan Jager.

For those who aren't familiar with Evan, he is undoubtedly the greatest American at the 3000m Steeplechase ever. Evan won a Silver Medal in the steeplechase at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, won Bronze at the 2017 World Championships in London; he has the American Record in the 3,000m Steeplechase with a time of 8:00.45, and get this, he holds the top 9 spots on the U.S. Top 10 All-Time 3000m Steeple list.

In high school, he won everything there was to win in Illinois high school competition, claiming titles in XC, 1600m, and 3200m, as well as anchoring the State Record 4x800m. He then went to the University of Wisconsin for one year before deciding to move to Portland to go all-in on his running career, moving with Coach Jerry Schumacher and being one of the original members of the now Bowerman Track Club.

In today's conversation, Evan goes through his upbringing in the sport from winning a Mustang by breaking five minutes in the mile to setting state records along the way. He then discusses his professional career and all the different elements, the highs, and the lows, that have shaped who he is today. We also touch on his past year of being a dad, the craziest BTC workouts he's witnessed, and wether or not he thinks he has the best hair in Track & Field.

I loved this conversation and was thrilled to have made it happen. I hope you all enjoy it 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

-GET YOUR SAMPLE PACK OF 2Before: 2before.com

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The 'Stepping-Up' Fallacy, Why Champions Are Broken, How To Improve Your Luck & Other Anomalies On Running & Excellence With Alex Ostberg May 31, 2023

Show notes

Today's conversation will challenge you. It will stretch you to think on deep topics that ultimately impact the quality and impact of your pursuit within sport and life. While it may be deeper and more philosophical than most of my podcasts, you'll walk away from this conversation thinking about how you view success specifically as it pertains to running completely different.

My close friend and mentor Alex Ostberg is always full of deep insights that contain invaluable wisdom. So it's always a treat whenever I can convince him to come on the podcast.

For those unfamiliar with Alex, he is an eight-time NCAA All-American. He competed at Stanford University for four years before transferring to the University of North Carolina to get his master's degree. Alex holds PRs of 3:58 in the Mile, 7:49 in the 3k, 13:18 in the 5k, and 28:49 in the 10k. He also has a Bachelor's Degree in human biology, a minor in psychology, and a master's in public health.

Alex is an incredibly perspicacious and ebullient speaker who has a wealth of knowledge, experience, and depth. In this conversation, Alex shares his wisdom on why most champions are broken, how to improve your luck, the "stepping-up" fallacy, why "How you do one thing is how you do everything" is a myth, how success is largely the failures you avoid, and much more. I always walk away from my conversations with Alex enlightened and a better version of myself. I'm so confident you'll say the same after listening.

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-GET YOUR SAMPLE PACK OF 2Before: 2before.com

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Alex's Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/aostberg97/?hl=en

National Record Attempt In The Mile On Tap, State Recaps, & Banter | THE CALL ROOM With Connor Burns & Simeon Birnbaum | Episode 9 May 29, 2023

Show notes

Episode 9 of The Call Room With Connor Burns & Simeon Birnbaum! In this episode, Connor and Simeon recap their state championship races, where they racked up even more state titles to their name. We also discussed the Hoka Festival of Miles meet that will be happening this Thursday, June 1, where they will be going after Alan Webb's National Record in the Mile. We also discuss Connor's 5k record being broken by Lex Young, and many fun and light subjects along the way! I hope you all enjoy this episode as much as we did having it (: consider sharing this episode with a friend and tell them to tune into the Festival of Miles race this Thursday to watch history unfold.

ABOUT THE CALL ROOM: Introducing The Call Room With Connor Burns & Simeon Birnbaum.

The Running Effect will document their season in-depth this outdoor track season. Each week, Connor and Simeon will pull back the curtain and show you how they train physically and mentally and handle failure, adversity, and the ups and downs that ensue this season.

Connor Burns ran 3:58.83 in the mile last June, becoming the first high schooler from Missouri to break the four-minute barrier. He is also a reigning national champion in the 3200m and became the fifth-ever high schooler to break four minutes in the mile indoors by running 3:59.11. Most recently, Connor became a national champion indoors in the 2-mile by running 8:43.24. Connor has committed to run for The University of Oregon this fall.

Simeon Birnbaum is the first sixteen-year-old in America to break four minutes in the mile. He did this by running a 3:59.51 while winning a national title in that same race. Simeon also holds a personal best of 1:50.12 in the 800m. Simeon holds the South Dakota state records in the 3200m, 1600m, and 800m. Simeon has committed to run for The University of Oregon this fall.

This season Connor and Simeon are chasing history; we are here to document it in a historic and unprecedented fashion. Over the coming months, Connor and Simeon will dive deep into their outdoor campaign leading into big invitationals, state championships, national record attempts, and national meets. We will go into their training, racing, mindset, and answer your questions along the way!

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-FESTIVAL OF MILES: ⁠⁠https://festival-of-miles.runnerspace.com/⁠⁠

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Connor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connor_burnsy/?hl=en

-Simeon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simeonbirnbaum/?hl=en

The Road To Hayward: Lex & Leo Young + Teammate Brayden Seymour On Chasing History & Having Fun In The Process + Lex Speaks Before Setting A HS NR May 27, 2023

Show notes

Today on "The Road To Hayward" are Lex and Leo Young and their teammate and friend Brayden Seymour.

For those unfamiliar with these three, Lex and Leo Young are the fastest high school twins in the world. Over the past four years of high school, they have broken national records, won championships, and forever cemented their legacy as some of the greatest high school runners ever. Their teammate Brayden Seymour has witnessed their greatness unfold and, through training with them, has become a national-class runner, claiming some All-American titles and making a name for himself in this sport. Lex and Leo are committed to run for Stanford University next year, and Brayden is committed to run for Furman University.

Lex and Leo have been on the podcast many times, so we thought it would be fun to change things up a bit and include Brayden, who is a stud himself and has a unique inside look at the success of Lex and Leo. In today's episode, we chronicle their friendship, recent training and racing, beef within the sport, how they're preparing for Nike Outdoor Nationals, and many hilarious topics that left us four laughing.

If you want to hear an inspiring, unique, and fun discussion with three of the top high school runners, this conversation is for you.

+ Lex speaks extensively about his preparation leading into a 5k HS National Record attempt which he ended up successfully doing, running 13:34.96. It is very cool to listen back and hear him call his shot and deliver on it.

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-Nike Outdoor Nationals Info: ⁠⁠https://nikeoutdoornationals.runnerspace.com/⁠

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

The Renaissance Athlete: How Zach Litoff Is Bridging The Gap Between Running & Art May 26, 2023

Show notes

Today on the podcast, I have the privilege of speaking with artist and accomplished runner Zach Litoff!

Zach is the man behind the cover art for The Running Effect and has worked with clients such as Nike and New Balance. He started Litoff Studio's where he carries his passion for the intersection of art and running, leading the charge in this arena. When he's not cooking up some incredible piece of art, you can find Zach cruising at a nice clip running 75-mile weeks in the Bay Area.

Zach ran for Santa Clara University, where he was the first-ever athlete from that school to make the NCAA Track & Field Outdoor Championships. From a kid who didn't break 16 minutes in the 5k in high school, Zach's journey has been unorthodox and special. He uses his story, passion for the sport, and incredible art to inspire others.

I loved this conversation and all the different topics discussed. We go through Zach's careers in art and running and all the fun things he's up to! If you want a fun, light-hearted, and inspiring conversation, this podcast is for you!

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-GET YOUR SAMPLE PACK OF 2Before: 2before.com

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Zach's Instagram: ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/litoffstudios/

The Road To Hayward: Record Breakers & Future Teammates Irene Riggs & Sophia Kennedy May 24, 2023

Show notes

Today on the podcast series "The Road To Hayward" is Irene Riggs and Sophia Kennedy, friends and future teammates at Stanford University this fall!

Irene Riggs and the word "history" belong in the same sentence. Over the past year, Irene has made history in her home state of West Virginia and on the National Stage. Irene became the first athlete from West Virginia ever to win a national cross country title, and she did so in remarkable fashion, overcoming cold, windy conditions at NXN to produce the No. 2 all-time mark of 16:40.9 at Glendoveer Golf Course in Oregon. She also ran the second-fastest high school girls' 5K cross country race in history with her 16:02.1 effort at the Nike Southeast Regional. Irene also made her first U.S. National Team by winning the 2023 USATF U20 XC title. This track season, Irene ran 9:45.97 in the 3200m at the Spire Scholastic Showcase Meet, became the Nike Indoor National Champion in the Mile, winning in 4:38.23, and won the Arcadia Invitational 3200m in a meet record time of 9:52.66.

Irene is also a fantastic selfless individual off the grass and track. She is the Vice President of the student body at her school, a student council representative at Morgantown, and has spent hours doing community service. Through these accomplishments, Irene became the 2022-2023 Gatordate National Girls Cross-Country Player of The Year.

Sophia Kennedy has slowly cemented herself as one of the greatest runners in Indiana state history. Last fall, Sophia placed seventh at the Nike Cross Nationals, a week after taking second at the Champs Sports Midwest Region Championships. Sophia is a two-time qualifier for the Eastbay National Cross Country Championships, placing seventh in 2021. Sophia, the daughter of U.S. distance great Bob Kennedy, was fifth in the two-mile at the 2021 Brooks PR Invitational and eighth in 2022. Running for Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, Sophia was second in the 3,200 at the 2022 Indiana state track finals and third in the state in cross country this fall. This indoor season, Sophia placed fourth in the Mile at Nike Indoor Nationals, running 4:45.60. She also ran an outdoor mile in 4:49 and a 3200 in 10:07, where she split 5:08 and 4:59.

Others may know Sophia's dad, Bob Kennedy, a two-time Olympian who set American Records and won four NCAA titles while at Indiana University.

In today's episode, we go through how they met each other, the decision to go to Stanford, exclusive insights and stories from NXN and NIN, how their outdoor season is going, how they're preparing for Nike Outdoor Nationals, and top things off with some listener questions!

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-Nike Outdoor Nationals Info: https://nikeoutdoornationals.runnerspace.com/

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Beyond The Finish Line: Olympian Andrew Wheating's Unfiltered Tales Of Triumph & Tribulation May 22, 2023

Show notes

Every few months, I have a conversation that blows me away; today is one of those conversations. From the minute Andy hopped on the call, I knew we were in for a good one.

Today on the podcast, I have the great privilege of speaking with the one and only Andrew Wheating. Andy is currently the Operations and Content Manager at the On Athletics Club. But long before Andy was working for On to push forward the sport, he was running world-class times and making history on the track. From 2008 to 2012, he won three NCAA titles, made two Olympic teams and a World Championship team, and ran personal bests of 1:44.56 for 800, 3:30.90 for 1500, and 3:51.74 for the mile.

I ask my guests before every conversation, "What will make this a home-run for you?" and Andy replied something to the extent of "I'm an open book so don't back from asking anything you're curious about." Well, I took that to heart and asked Andy many deep questions surrounding his career and life. This made for a raw and impactful conversation that blew my expectations out of the water. Andy's ability to share stories in an engaging and reflective way I've rarely seen replictaed.

So I hope you all enjoy today's conversation as much as I did having it.

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-GET YOUR SAMPLE PACK OF 2Before: 2before.com

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

NCAA Star Yaseen Abdalla Shares Invaluable Wisdom & Insights From His Storied Career May 20, 2023

Show notes

The most listened-to man in the history of The Running Effect makes his return to the podcast. His name is Yaseen Abdalla.

For those who aren't familiar with Yaseen, he went from a 24:42 5k in high school to NCAA Champion at the University of Texas. His story is nothing short of inspiring and impactful. Yaseen is a man who works harder than almost everyone I know and has a smile on his face while doing it. Yaseen has become one of the top runners in the NCAA due to this work-ethic and unbreakable belief in himself that he can and will prevail.

In his second appearance on the podcast, he brings many nuggets of wisdom. I mean, the man does not miss. Every time I speak with Yaseen, he's always bringing the fire. In this episode, he shares his thoughts on quick fixes, why the long road is always better, his performance at SECs, how to rebound from disappointing performances, and he closes out the episode by directly sharing a message with you all.

Someone once DMd and said they listen to the Yaseen podcast 3-4 times a week, so I hope round two is worthy of that kind of attention. So tap in and enjoy the Yaseen Abdalla Special.

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-GET YOUR FREE SAMPLE PACK OF LMNT: drinklmnt.com/therunningeffect

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Yaseen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaseenaabdalla/?hl=en

Track DQs, Hamstring Strains, Crazy Workouts, & Beef? | THE CALL ROOM With Connor Burns & Simeon Birnbaum | Episode 8 May 18, 2023

Show notes

Episode 8 of The Call Room With Connor Burns & Simeon Birnbaum! In this episode, Connor recaps the craziest race of his career, where he played rock-paper-scissors mid-race, Simeon talks through his hamstring strain, and they both go through their recent training and workouts. Is there beef with L&L, coaches, and Galen Rupp? You'll have to listen to find out! This episode is yet another great one. I hope you all enjoy it!

ABOUT THE CALL ROOM: Introducing The Call Room With Connor Burns & Simeon Birnbaum.

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-FESTIVAL OF MILES: ⁠https://festival-of-miles.runnerspace.com/⁠

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Connor's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connor_burnsy/?hl=en

-Simeon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simeonbirnbaum/?hl=en

Road To Glory: The Story Of Hobbs Kessler's Meteoric Rise In Track & Field May 16, 2023

Show notes

I have the great privilege of welcoming Hobbs Kessler to the podcast today.

Hobbs competes professionally for Adidas, having turned professional directly after high school. He holds the North American U20 record in the 1500 meters, having run 3:34.36 at the Portland Track Festival in May 2021. He also holds the American high school record for the indoor mile, with a time of 3:57.66 set in February 2021. He was named the 2021 Gatorade National Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Hobbs competes for The Very Nice Track Club based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hobbs is one of the greatest runners of our generation.

Hobbs is also an outstanding rock climber. Growing up, he represented the United States many times growing up.

In today's episode of the podcast, Hobbs takes us through his incredible story and rise to the top of distance running. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and hearing more in-depth about the races that have shaped his career. Going through Hobb's incredble story and lessons he's learned along the way was incredibly enjoyable and inspiring.

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W N O T E S

-GET YOUR FREE SAMPLE PACK OF LMNT: drinklmnt.com/therunningeffect

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Hobb's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hobbs_kessler/?hl=en