Sweat Elite Podcast

Sweat Elite

Interviews with Elite Athletes, Professional Coaches, Sport Scientists and Thought Leaders in the Sport of Running.

  1. 14 HRS AGO

    IMO #34 - Palestine Marathon - The Reality Of Running In The West Bank

    I recap my experience travelling to and running the Palestine Marathon weekend in Bethlehem, including crossing through Jordan and the West Bank, what it was actually like on the ground in the region, and how different the experience felt compared to many online portrayals. I also announce the new Globe Runners Thailand experience in Phuket and answer listener questions on coaching, shoe tech, injury comeback plans, visas, and the future of running. Links My coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ My Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Join me in Phuket for a running experience of a lifetime: https://www.thegloberunners.com/phuket-running-experience I open this episode by announcing the first Globe Runners Thailand experience taking place in Phuket from September 4-7. The trip will include training sessions, seminars, exploring Thailand, group activities, and a chance to train with a like-minded running community in one of the best environments in the world for a running camp. From there, recording from Jerusalem, I recap the Palestine Marathon weekend in Bethlehem after travelling through Amman and crossing the Israeli border. I talk through the long screening process, what it was actually like travelling through the West Bank, and why the reality on the ground felt very different to what many people might expect from following international media coverage. I also recap the race weekend itself. I jogged the 10K which ended up being around 9.3K, Reem ran 1:38 to place second in the half marathon on a very hilly course, and my athlete Ahmed placed third in the marathon. I also reflect on emotional footage from a Gaza marathon and the broader atmosphere around the event weekend. Later in the episode, I answer a wide range of Instagram Q&A topics including my failed U.S. green card process, detention in Japan over cannabis, rehoming Turbo, thoughts on the future of the running industry, London Marathon potentially moving to two days, altitude training in Font-Romeu, doping speculation, shoe tech and fueling, my injury comeback plans, coaching philosophy, and why Luke left the podcast. Topics 00:00 - Globe Runners Thailand Launch 02:00 - Palestine Marathon Recap 04:02 - China Trip Reality Check 09:50 - West Bank Safety Impressions 13:18 - Crossing the Border Story 17:59 - Race Day Highlights 21:08 - Visa Nightmare Update 29:15 - Running Industry Next 5 Years 31:49 - Font Romeu Altitude Camp Guide 34:41 - Doping Test Speculation 35:52 - Fueling Explains Breakthroughs 37:47 - Sawe Testing And Supplements 40:08 - Injury Comeback Race Plan 42:39 - Luke Podcast Fallout 47:57 - Records Gear And London Changes 51:07 - Training Response Differences 52:18 - Palestine Marathon Border Tips 53:48 - Influencers And Testosterone Talk 55:51 - Return To Run Coaching Advice 57:06 - Gaza Access And Coaching Wild West 59:18 - What Makes A Great Coach 01:01:40 - Wrap Up And Sign Off

    1h 2m
  2. 5D AGO

    Is a 1:57 Marathon Possible? How Much Is Technology vs Performance | Marty Bordignon

    Hope you like the new thumbnail :) Marty is back with 9–10 weeks to go until the Gold Coast Marathon, diving into a London Marathon debrief, the rise of supershoe tech, and where performance gains really come from. They discuss Adidas' Evo 3 hype, extreme pricing, and whether improvements are driven more by shoes, fueling strategies, bicarb, and training rather than technology alone. Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Marty's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/18059049/ Marty's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlawrence9/ Marty's Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7ew25sLDQD4LX9veQC9qRP?si=oGyi_93FT56WRgEjeIv1dQ Phuket Running Experience: https://www.thegloberunners.com/phuket-running-experience/ Supporters Club: https://www.sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox The episode breaks down the London Marathon races, including Sawe's decisive finish, Kjelcha potentially missing a late bottle, and how the course compares to other fast majors. They also touch on the women's race, with Tigst Assefa taking the win over Hellen Obiri, and discuss how conditions and execution shaped performances across the field. The conversation expands into where to draw the line between legal performance enhancements and banned substances, referencing ongoing doping discussions, additional testing protocols, and broader debates around fairness in sport. They also explore emerging technology trends, from advanced footwear to Neuralink and future performance implications. Marty shares updates on his own build toward Gold Coast, currently running around 135 km per week, key workouts, and a mindset shift from launching his own podcast. He outlines an aggressive goal of sub-2:40, while the discussion closes with plans around future races like Valencia or Shanghai, and updates on the GlobeRunners Thailand training camp. Timestamps: 00:00 Marty Returns 00:15 Adidas Evo 3 Hype 02:24 How Fast Can Humans Go 03:33 Bottle Missed at 40K 05:33 Fueling and Kenyan Gains 07:45 Tech Limits and Fairness 09:29 Banned Substances Debate 11:19 Chinese Super Shoes 13:14 Neuralink and Pain Control 15:53 Robots Are Coming 17:49 London Marathon Recap 20:35 Boston Times Context 26:12 Doping Talk and Testing 34:26 Bicarb and Nitrates 36:01 Bicarb Performance Boost 37:10 Beetroot Loading Protocol 38:27 Legal Supplements Mindset 39:18 High Carb Fueling Experiments 40:22 Starting A Running Podcast 45:10 Skepticism And Placebo Tools 47:54 Electrolytes Expensive Salt 52:05 Gold Coast Training Build 57:02 Comrades And Content Ideas 58:14 Gold Coast Time Goals 01:03:02 GlobeRunners Thailand Camp 01:05:35 Valencia Vs Shanghai Plans 01:06:50 Final Wrap And Next Episodes

    1h 7m
  3. MAY 1

    2:09 Marathoner Tom Nobbs Reflects on Watching the Boston Marathon and Prepares for a 10K in One Month

    Matt is joined again by Canadian 2:09 marathoner Tom Nobbs to break down the Boston Marathon, Canadian distance running, post-marathon recovery, and Tom's build toward the Ottawa 10K. Our apologies that this episode has been published about a week after it was originally planned to. Train with Matt Fox here: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt Fox here: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Tom Nobbs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nobbs.not.knobs/ Tom Nobbs Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/28521910 Matt and Tom open the episode by discussing the Boston Marathon broadcast, including the improved leaderboard, live tracking, and commentary, while also noting the challenges of covering a marathon live with long gaps, tactical changes, and commercial breaks. They then break down the Canadian performances in Boston, including Rory Linkletter's outstanding 2:06:04 PB, Ben Preisner running around 2:11 while managing injury issues, and Jacob Thompson breaking 2:10. Matt and Tom also debate whether fast Boston times should be treated as "true" PBs when conditions, tailwind, and course profile play such a major role. The conversation shifts into post-marathon recovery, including disrupted sleep, nervous system stress, and the importance of getting carbohydrates and protein in quickly after a race. Tom also shares his own recovery approach, including carbs, protein, creatine, and ketones. From there, Tom outlines his preparation for the Ottawa road 10K, where he is aiming to improve his 28:58 PB and push toward sub-28:30. He and Matt discuss high-volume double-threshold training, hill reps, long-run structure, time-based training versus mileage chasing, and why 10K speed can set the ceiling for marathon performance. Later in the episode, they talk about filming YouTube training content, using video as accountability, sponsorship considerations, and wider Boston takeaways including high carbohydrate intakes, half marathon fitness as a predictor, tailwind and air-resistance effects, and the role of supershoes on Boston's downhill sections. Timestamps: 00:00 - Boston Marathon Broadcast 01:02 - Commentary and Coverage 01:35 - Rory Linkletter Breakdown 04:04 - Rory Podcast and PBs 04:34 - Post Marathon Sleep Issues 06:43 - Recovery Fueling Tips 09:29 - Four Part Recovery Stack 11:37 - Ottawa 10K Plans 13:56 - VDOT and Speed Gaps 16:33 - Mile Time Debate 17:44 - 10K Training Block 21:01 - Mileage Versus Time 24:00 - Long Run Strategy 26:40 - Hill Sprints Breakdown 29:55 - Tempo Plus Sprints Logic 30:57 - Strava Transparency 31:20 - Launching YouTube Content 33:21 - Filming As Accountability 34:55 - Elite Running Video Styles 37:17 - Sponsors And Brand Value 40:47 - Boston Takeaways Framework 41:15 - 10K Speed Sets Ceiling 43:52 - Fueling And Carb Limits 47:00 - Half Marathon Predictors 49:26 - Wind And Course Effects 51:48 - Supershoes On Boston 54:14 - Wrap Up And Final Notes

    56 min
  4. APR 30

    London Marathon Shockers: Sub 2:00, Mixed Results, and an Irish Legend

    Matt and Mick break down the London Marathon chaos, training consistency, and the reality behind elite and everyday running. LINKS Matt Coaching: www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Matt Instagram: www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Mick Instagram: www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Mick Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/ Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) and Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) talk through the idea of filming a "day in the life" series to show how everyday runners, especially parents, can still train at a high level and improve their marathons. They then dive into the London Marathon, breaking down the shock of two men going under two hours and multiple athletes dipping under the previous world record, while many sub-2:20 runners struggled late in tough conditions. They unpack how weather, pacing, and race dynamics can completely shift outcomes across the field. They also analyze the women's race and the context around women-only world records, before getting into prize money, sponsorship dynamics, and how negotiations can shape race execution. The conversation moves into broader topics like influencer narratives around heart rate training and fueling, questioning what's real versus what's being pushed, while highlighting standout performances including Ireland's Peter Lynch running 2:06:08 for a national record and Vinny Morey's surprise 2:05:54 debut at Glass City. They finish by pointing listeners toward a more training-focused companion episode. CHAPTERS 00:00 - Podcast Return 00:17 - Family Filming Chaos 00:48 - Everyday Runner Series 02:01 - London Marathon Shockwaves 02:59 - Weather And Midpack Struggles 05:14 - Women Race And Records 07:26 - Prize Money And Sponsorships 09:30 - Is London Really Fast 13:18 - Sub Two Reaction Stories 16:23 - Disneyland Race Tracking 21:27 - British Champs Breakdown 25:01 - Sam Griffiths Spotlight 27:04 - Heart Rate Racing Debate 28:28 - Influencer Honesty Debate 30:27 - Heart Rate Pacing Skepticism 31:31 - Brands and Authenticity 34:21 - Influencer Obligations Pre Race 36:32 - Peter Lynch Irish Record 38:28 - Why Irish Athletes Overlooked 43:31 - Progress and Tech Arguments 49:21 - Vinny Morey Surprise 205 54:50 - Wrap Up and Next Episode

    56 min
  5. APR 26

    The Reality of Balancing Marathon Training, Fatherhood & Full-Time Physiotherapy - Coach Kyle Weise

    Matt and Kyle recap the Boston Marathon, discussing standout performances, strong Australian results, and how favorable tailwinds can make Boston far faster than many expect despite the course profile. They break down race execution, fast early splits, and why Boston can sometimes race more like a flat fast marathon than people assume. Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Kyle's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3517976/ Kyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_weise/ Supporters Club: https://www.sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox The conversation then shifts to Kyle's Gold Coast Marathon build, balancing fatherhood and full-time physiotherapy work while preparing for a strong marathon performance. They discuss recent 10K racing as a turning point for confidence and fitness, current weekly mileage, a key 4 x 2K workout, and how shorter races can be used as valuable marathon build checkpoints without needing to be in PB shape. They also cover influencer culture versus elite running performance, tall poppy syndrome, and why attention and actual results often do not align. Kyle explains how to manage niggles, when to seek professional help, and applies that thinking to Matt's calf issue during his return from a sacral stress fracture. The episode finishes with thoughts on doubles versus singles, training cycles beyond the traditional seven-day week, group training benefits, and why learning how to race matters just as much as fitness itself. Timestamps: 00:00 Boston Marathon Recap 02:50 Tailwinds and Fast Times 04:04 Gold Coast Training Update 07:37 Balancing Kids and Mileage 10:06 Recent Workouts and 10K Plans 12:28 Influencers vs Elite Runners 18:50 Handling Niggles and Injury Risk 24:19 Return to Running Philosophy 27:37 Calf Strain Check In 29:24 Hiking And Fatigue Risks 30:09 Doubles Versus Singles 33:57 Easy Run Time Limits 37:04 Beyond The Seven Day Week 40:39 Group Training Versus Solo 43:38 Racing Without PB Pressure 49:59 Short Races In Marathon Builds 53:09 Wrap Up And Next Episode

    54 min
  6. APR 23

    Running Robots - What Actually Happened in China? Boston Marathon Recap and London Marathon Preview

    Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner). Boston Recap, London Forecast, and Why Runners Overthink Data (Plus a Robot Race Detour) In this week's episode of the Sweat Elite Podcast, Mick Fox and Matt return with another episode of the Fastest Fox series. They break down Boston Marathon results, preview London Marathon conditions, discuss why so many runners overcomplicate training data, and somehow end up deep in a conversation about robot racing in Beijing. Train with Matt Fox here: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt Fox here: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Mick Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Mick Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/ Mick Fox and Matt open the episode with some light banter around balding, hats, and race-week nerves before moving into what has been a rare gift for marathon runners - genuinely ideal weather conditions. They discuss Boston's unusual tailwind and cool temperatures, and how much weather often matters more than course profile itself. London also looks promising, leading into excitement around another major weekend of racing. They recap the Boston Marathon in detail, covering John Korir's win, the depth of the men's field, and standout performances from athletes like El Bilal, Charlie Hicks, Rory Linkletter, Clayton Young, and Abdi Nageeye, whose 2:08 for 21st place shows just how deep the race was. On the women's side, they touch on Hellen Obiri's win and Emily Sisson's strong late-race move into ninth place. The conversation moves into reflections on Ryan and Sara Hall, Boston's unusual 1897 short-course history, and how much marathon racing has changed over time, especially around fuelling and preparation. Mick and Matt compare older-school approaches to the modern obsession with precision and metrics, questioning whether some athletes now rely too heavily on devices instead of learning how to truly run by feel. That opens up a wider discussion around influencers, Strava culture, and the tendency for runners to overanalyse pace, heart rate, and training numbers. They argue that too much data can create unnecessary anxiety, especially for everyday runners trying to compare themselves to elite-level content online. Simplicity, consistency, and self-awareness remain the bigger performance drivers. They also preview the London Marathon, touching on British and Irish athletes to watch, and discuss the value of documenting the life of the everyday runner rather than only chasing polished elite content. Mick highlights creators and relatable runners who make the sport feel more accessible and honest for regular people balancing training with normal life. In true Fastest Fox fashion, the episode takes a sharp turn into a discussion about robot racing in Beijing, AI, and what life could look like if robots become increasingly normal in everyday society. From convenience to discomfort, they debate where technology helps and where it starts to feel like too much. They close by circling back to London Marathon hype and the reminder that sometimes the best race plan is simply trusting your effort and racing without overthinking it. Timestamps: 00:00 - Balding Banter 01:04 - Boston Marathon 02:50 - Weather Beats Courses 04:37 - Boston Winners Talk 06:10 - Ryan and Sarah Hall 09:36 - Old School Racing 13:13 - Boston Standout Runs 20:20 - London Marathon Preview 24:27 - Influencers vs Real Amateurs 29:58 - Fly on the Wall Filming 34:09 - Shoutout to Tony 34:45 - Finding Relatable Runners 34:55 - Michael Sison Recommendation 37:30 - Robot Race Rant 39:10 - Flying to Beijing for Robots 44:02 - AI Convenience vs Fear 45:42 - Robots Running in China 51:45 - London Marathon Hype 52:20 - Race Without a Plan 56:17 - Heart Rate Obsession 58:53 - Influencers and Watch Data 01:01:05 - Old School Feel Training 01:04:38 - Strava and Social Burnout 01:07:08 - Wrapping Up and Private Pod

    1h 8m
  7. APR 21

    2:46 Marathon to 2:07 Marathon in 5 years - Ethan Shuley

    Ethan Shuley on His Rapid Marathon Rise to 2:07 in Osaka, Training in Japan, and What's Next Matt Fox speaks with runner and YouTuber Ethan Shuley about his rapid rise from a 2:46 marathoner to 2:07 in Osaka. Ethan shares how injuries, ultras, Japan's running culture, high mileage, better fueling, and more structured coaching helped drive one of the most interesting marathon progressions in the sport right now. Matt coaching www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt Matt Instagram www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox Matt Strava www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt matt@sweatelite.co Ethan Shuley Instagram www.instagram.com/ethanshuley Ethan Shuley Strava www.strava.com/pros/13986450 Ethan Shuley joins Matt Fox to unpack one of the most dramatic recent jumps in marathon running - from 2:46 at Provo Marathon off minimal training to 2:07 at Osaka. Ethan explains his background as a strong high school runner in Kentucky, injuries at BYU, two years living in Ukraine on an LDS mission, and how moving to Japan after studying Japanese opened the door to a completely different running culture. The conversation dives into Ethan's return to serious training through ultras, mistakes that taught him key lessons, self-coaching, Strava pressure, and how more structured marathon preparation changed everything. Ethan talks through breakthrough races at Nara, Kobe, and Osaka, including mileage progression, shoe adaptation, first-time bottle fueling with Maurten and gels, and the practical details that helped him close the gap to 2:07. Matt and Ethan also discuss the differences between Japanese and American distance running systems, why Japan has such depth in the marathon but less focus on middle distance, the pressure of sharing training online, YouTube filming challenges, sponsor considerations, and what comes next with pacing duties at Gold Coast and a target race at the Launceston Half. Topics: 00:00 - Meet Ethan Shuley 01:17 - Post Osaka Life Changes 02:44 - Early Running Background 05:15 - Ukraine Mission Years 06:27 - First Marathon Breakthrough 08:10 - Ultras Spark Comeback 09:41 - Why Japan Matters 12:31 - Ultra Mistake Lessons 14:15 - Self Coaching Training Philosophy 18:17 - Mileage Strava Pressure 22:41 - Injury Nara Turning Point 25:45 - Getting A Coach 28:21 - From 2:11 To 2:07 31:00 - Shoes Fueling Race Details 32:33 - Marathon Bottles and Carrying 33:01 - Fuel Plan for 2:07 33:51 - Japan vs US Carb Mindset 37:15 - Next Races and Goals 39:35 - Strava Privacy and Sharing 40:18 - YouTube Filming Challenges 42:36 - No Vlogging Style 43:49 - Creative Influences 50:03 - Sponsors and Staying in Japan 54:17 - Japan Training System Debate 57:11 - Japan Culture Rule Stories 01:00:55 - Dating Apps and Wrap Up

    1h 2m
  8. APR 20

    IMO #33 - How To Race Boston Marathon & London Marathon, Chinese Shoe Brand Updates, Palestine Marathon and more

    Some final thoughts ahead of Boston and London Marathon weekend, including why I believe effort matters more than obsessing over numbers, how I would approach Boston tactically, and why fueling properly can make a huge difference on race day. I also talk about what I'm doing in Hong Kong, coaching while travelling, Chinese shoe brands, and a few workouts you can use in your own training. Links Matt coaching: www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Matt Instagram: www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Recording this one from Hong Kong, I go through my last-minute thoughts for Boston and London Marathon runners and explain why I think most athletes race better when they stay locked into effort rather than rigid pace or heart rate targets. I talk through the Boston course, the likely weather, how I'd think about carb loading in the final days, and why arriving at the key hills under control matters so much more than chasing a split too early. I also get into fueling in more detail, including the importance of drip feeding carbohydrates and caffeine throughout the race rather than waiting until you are already in trouble. From there, I talk a bit about what I'm doing in Hong Kong, the running-related app project I'm involved in, and some of the Chinese shoe brands and factories I've been looking into, including the balance between affordability, durability, and performance. Elsewhere in the episode, I touch on London logistics, some thoughts on the pro scene, my own recent body composition results and return from injury, coaching while travelling, a possible Beating Bester rivalry idea, and a few practical workouts for 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon runners. Topics 00:00 - Hong Kong Coffee Intro 00:55 - Effort Over Numbers 03:02 - Boston Weather And Carbs 04:29 - Why I'm In Hong Kong 05:58 - Chinese Super Shoes Deep Dive 09:06 - Boston Course And Pacing 12:43 - Fueling Plan During Race 16:00 - Heartbreak Hill Execution 17:11 - London Marathon Notes 22:56 - Pro Field And Podcasts 24:44 - Palestine Trip Plans 26:45 - Shoe Prices And Durability 29:23 - Weight Loss And DEXA 31:50 - Body Scan Reality Check 32:49 - Calf Niggle And Shoe Testing 34:16 - Beating Bester Rivalry Idea 39:56 - Coaching While Traveling 45:49 - Rapid Fire Q And A 52:00 - Workouts Of The Week 57:42 - Coaching Versus AI Guidance 58:28 - Wrap Up And Boston Pep Talk

    59 min
4.6
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Interviews with Elite Athletes, Professional Coaches, Sport Scientists and Thought Leaders in the Sport of Running.

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