Sweat Elite Podcast

Sweat Elite

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

  1. 9H AGO

    Running a 2:09 Marathon off a 98%+ Treadmill Build-Up - Tom Nobbs

    Matt is joined by Canadian 2:09 marathoner Tom Nobbs, fresh off a huge breakthrough performance at the McCurdy Marathon. Tom ran 2:09 on a low-key, looped course to become the fourth fastest Canadian marathoner of all time and he did 98%+ of the build up on a treadmill! He joins the show to break down the training, racing, and mindset behind the result. 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 opens the episode by welcoming Tom Nobbs to the podcast just days after his outstanding 2:09 marathon at McCurdy. Tom explains why the performance was especially meaningful given the unusual lead-in - it was his fourth marathon in around two and a half years, his first back-to-back marathon build since the Marathon Project, and a winter training block completed almost entirely on the treadmill. Tom shares how that treadmill-heavy buildup created a lot of uncertainty around race-day pacing and fitness translation. Once the pacer stepped off early, he was left to run roughly 22 miles alone on a looped course with confusing lap splits, forcing him to rely heavily on feel and effort rather than clean external feedback. That ability to stay composed and trust the work became one of the defining parts of the race. The conversation then turns to Tom's progression from 2:15 to 2:12 to 2:09. Rather than simply piling on more mileage, he credits much of that jump to improved speed, better quality, and specific Canova-style sessions such as 12 x 1K plus 6 x 400, along with frequent strides and faster running around 5K to 3K pace. Matt and Tom discuss how those layers of speed have helped raise his ceiling while still supporting marathon performance. They also get into body weight, fuelling strategy, and how Tom thinks about food through a marathon build, as well as race shoes, including the Puma Fast-R 3. Tom speaks about coaching with Team Run Run, his philosophy around helping athletes improve, and the value of putting bold goals out publicly rather than hiding from them. Later in the episode, they touch on Connor Mantz dropping Boston, the pros and cons of pros racing too often, and Tom's own plans moving forward, which include returning to shorter races on the track and over 10K before deciding on a possible fall marathon. Timestamps: 00:00 - Meet Tom Nobbs 01:04 - Fresh Off 2:09 02:16 - Why This Build Worked 03:54 - Treadmill Winter Grind 06:01 - Race Day Chaos 09:39 - Running Solo Confidence 12:57 - From 2:15 to 2:09 15:50 - Monster Canova Sessions 17:19 - Heat and Treadmill Doubts 21:43 - Strides and Speed Layer 26:42 - Predicting a 5K Return 28:17 - 5K Time Expectations 28:42 - Weight and Food Mindset 30:47 - Fueling and Carb Strategy 35:06 - Race Shoes and Sponsorship 36:56 - Sharing Big Goals Online 43:02 - Starting YouTube Content 44:37 - Coaching Career and Philosophy 48:01 - Pros Racing Too Often 52:27 - Wrap Up and Next Races

    56 min
  2. 4D AGO

    Doping Is The Only Way To A Sub 2:20 Marathon

    In this week's episode of the Sweat Elite Podcast, Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) reveal that they have both been doping to sub 2:20 marathons. They also talk about Emma Bates' UCAN sponsorship drama, an inbound message from Hugo Fry, Ben Is Running's Berlin Half Marathon result, Cole Gibbons' stress fracture, and much more. The episode covers a mix of humour, controversy, racing updates, and behind-the-scenes insights into elite and sub-elite running. 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 an April Fools prank, jokingly "confessing" to doping before quickly revealing the joke and shifting into the main discussion. The light start transitions into a more serious check-in with Mick, who shares an update on a long-delayed hospital stress test following previous chest pain and concerns around heart health. The conversation then turns to the Emma Bates and UCAN sponsorship situation. They break down Bates' claim that she was dropped due to pregnancy, contrast it with UCAN's statement that discussions had already been underway, and highlight how quickly social media can form one-sided narratives without full context. This leads into a broader discussion around online reactions, accountability, and the dangers of pile-on culture. They also revisit commentary around running creators, with Mick acknowledging that Hugo Fry reached out privately to explain his financial situation and background. That added context shifts Mick's perspective, with Hugo planning to share more publicly in a future video. On the racing side, Mick recaps a tough half marathon run in heavy wind and rain, finishing around 68:40 for second place while importantly coming through healthy with no hamstring issues. Luke and Matt also highlight Ben Felton's strong 1:04:50 PB in Berlin and discuss an unusual race moment where a pacemaker nearly crossed the line first, sparking conversation about race dynamics. Matt shares updates from China, including exploring local running culture, testing Chinese super shoes, and the possibility of visiting factories to better understand production, distribution, and pricing. This opens into a broader reflection on journaling, maintaining real-world friendships, and staying grounded beyond social media. The episode also touches on Cole Gibbons withdrawing from the London Marathon with a stress injury, and a wider discussion around criticism directed at influencers. They reference Mary McCarthy's comments on gendered criticism in running and examine how online negativity often escalates beyond reasonable discussion. They close by encouraging listeners to join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed for deeper training conversations, additional episodes, and access to the Discord community. Timestamps: 00:00 - The Sub 2:20 Doping Confession 02:18 - April Fools Reveal 03:16 - What Matt Is Doing in China and Mick's Stress Test 05:17 - Emma Bates UCAN Controversy 11:14 - Hugo Fry's Inbound Message 16:23 - Mick Half Marathon Recap 18:06 - Ben Felton Berlin Half PB 20:40 - Petros and Pacemaker Drama 21:59 - Training Update Check-In 22:43 - Gold Coast Marathon Plans 25:05 - China Trip Shoe Mission 28:44 - Testing Chinese Super Shoes 32:17 - Journaling and Real Friends 35:13 - Cole Gibbons Injury Talk 36:53 - Mary McCarthy Runner App Debate 39:39 - Online Hate and Influencer Pile-Ons 46:05 - Wrapping Up and Supporters Plug

    48 min
  3. MAR 27

    The Stephen Scullion Interview - The Fastest Fox E2

    In this week's episode of the Sweat Elite Podcast, Michael Fox and Matt launch a new weekly series - The Fastest Fox - with Mick Fox returning to the show. They discuss Mick's hamstring comeback, his first race back, training philosophy, marathon goals, content creators in running, and much more. 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 Michael Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Michael Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/ Mick and Matt open the first episode of the new weekly Fastest Fox series with Mick Fox, covering Mick's recovery from a hamstring injury and the emotion of getting back to proper running after recently being limited to 5K runs at around 8-minute pace. Mick shares how meaningful it felt to return to one-minute reps at sub-5 mile pace and previews his first post-injury half marathon, where the main goal is to race freely, avoid obsessing over splits, and come away healthy. The conversation also explores how age-related decline is often less about age itself and more about life pressures like family, poor sleep, and limited training time, with Irish runner Gary O'Hanlon mentioned as an example of what is still possible later in a running career. Luke and Matt then discuss Steven Scullion's recent Spencer Matthews interview, including thoughts on keeping training simple, the role of lactate and zones, honesty around shoes, and the pros and cons of overcomplicating performance. Later in the episode, they talk through how YouTube and content incentives can push runners toward racing too often, reference creators like Jake Barraclough and Hugo Fry, debate Ben Felton's shift away from the "Road to Rotterdam" idea, and reflect on how often they would race a marathon themselves. They finish by sharing marathon goal times, discussing the balance between high mileage and speed blocks, and teasing next week's deeper conversation on nutrition products, coaching, and the private feed. Timestamps: 00:00 - Fastest Fox Returns 00:32 - Hamstring Comeback Joy 01:52 - Half Marathon Plans 03:16 - Race Day Mindset 04:45 - Back To Training Build 06:39 - Age Family And Sleep 09:24 - Steven Scullion Takeaways 15:08 - Marathon A Month Lessons 17:03 - Weather And Run Struggles 18:35 - Running Content Roundup 21:14 - Jake In Japan Strategy 23:48 - Racing for Content 25:13 - Monthly Racing Pros 27:42 - Ben Felton Debate 29:46 - Why Skip Rotterdam 31:30 - Trusting the Coach 36:26 - Marathon Time Goals 38:05 - Chasing Irish Masters 40:01 - Speed vs Mileage 44:49 - Nutrition and Session Timing 45:58 - Wrap and Private Feed

    48 min
  4. MAR 24

    How to Run a Sub 2:15 Marathon w/ Coach Kyle Weise

    In this Sweat Elite Podcast Training Talk episode, Matt interviews Kyle Weise who is helping guide Matt's return to running and long-term goal of breaking his marathon PB over the next 12–18 months. Kyle shares his background, starting running in late 2012, racing ultras early including a 100K at age 19, studying exercise science, working as a physio, and transitioning into coaching while building a Gold Coast-based squad alongside remote athletes. Kyle's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3517976/ Kyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_weise/ Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Supporters Club: https://www.sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox The conversation explores common mistakes runners make, including chasing short-term results, copying elite sessions by distance rather than effort or time, over-relying on data, and failing to properly cycle training. Kyle explains his preference for time-based prescriptions, capping most marathon long runs around 2:45–3:00, and balancing speed development with aerobic base and threshold work. Kyle outlines his own marathon journey, including a PB of 2:31:50, and reflects on why he fell short of sub-2:30, pointing to limitations in leg strength and cramping. They also discuss Matt's sacral stress fracture, why imaging often lags symptoms, and a cautious return-to-run process built around walk-run progressions. The episode finishes with thoughts on using a 5K-focused speed block before returning to the marathon, managing content consumption, highlighting athletes like Jimmy Whelan, and how patience and long-term consistency ultimately separate runners who reach their potential. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome  01:06 Kyle's running origin story 02:34 From physio to coaching 05:37 Patience and long term gains 09:30 Stop copying elite workouts 12:19 Time vs distance mindset 14:06 Marathon long run limits 16:51 Kyle's marathon journey 19:34 Why the sub 2:30 faded 21:46 Matt's comeback and marathon principles 25:45 Marathon Pace Myths 26:36 Rebuild Then Speed 28:17 Stress Fracture Scans 30:16 Symptoms vs Imaging 33:02 Return to Run Plan 34:38 Back to Consistent Training 37:11 Sydney Timing and 5K Goals 39:38 Benchmarks vs Race Execution 44:00 Testing Speed for Marathon 46:38 Time Goals and Mindset 49:07 Racing Without Splits 50:47 Race Not The Clock 52:29 Marathon Goals And Variables 54:15 Curating Running Content 57:58 Social Media Noise And Sponsors 01:01:12 Who To Follow From Zero 01:05:00 Tall Poppy And Jealousy 01:07:30 What Makes Runners Great 01:12:02 Where To Follow Kyle

    1h 13m
  5. MAR 21

    IMO #32 - Marathon Mindset Tools, Mileage Plateaus, Easy Runs & Strava Ego, Sleep Supplements & more

    I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates, including my return from injury, training in Bangkok, travel disruptions, Globe Runners plans, and listener questions on performance, recovery and mindset. Train with me: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 I recorded this In My Opinion episode from Bangkok, where I ended up extending my stay to meet more people, coach athletes and attend Hyrox. Travel plans shifted a bit with flights becoming more expensive and disrupted, partly due to the ongoing situation involving Iran and rising oil prices, which made things a bit unpredictable. I talk through my return to running after injury, following Kyle Wees's 18-day run-walk progression alongside cross training on the bike and stair climber. The focus is on staying patient and only going down the scan route if symptoms return. I've been running at Lumphini Park and catching up with athletes in person, including Chris Weeks, which has been a nice change from purely online coaching. I share some observations from being in Thailand - the low cost of living, the culture, and the interesting contrast around cannabis being widely visible despite reports of legal tightening. I also reflect on solo travel, meeting new people, and some of the connections made at places like ice bath venues. There's an update on Globe Runners, with thoughts around building future training camps in Thailand and applying lessons from past Sweat Elite trips, particularly around timing and structure. I also touch on how regional instability can impact travel and planning. From there I move into listener Q&A, covering topics like training alone versus with a group, how to break through plateaus, and why slowing down easy runs can often be the lever athletes need. I also discuss mindset around mileage, managing ego with Strava, and building confidence in your own strengths. Other topics include marathon mindset tools, sleep and supplements like magnesium, thoughts on cannabis use, when to change training, altitude race timing, and practical travel-to-race logistics. I also answer questions on weight loss during marathon prep and share some broader thoughts on skepticism around elite performances and doping. I wrap up by highlighting Australian runner Jimmy Whelan, bringing back Workouts of the Week, and finishing with some final thoughts on fueling and consistency. Topics 00:00 - No Edit Podcast Setup 00:25 - Bangkok Plans Shift 01:17 - Return to Running Plan 03:46 - Lumpini Park and Coaching Shoutouts 04:39 - Thailand Costs and Culture 07:17 - Hyrox Weekend and Flight Chaos 08:18 - Solo Travel and Ice Baths 10:42 - Globe Runners Training Camps 13:57 - War Talk and Travel Disruptions 18:35 - Q&A Training Solo vs Group 24:06 - Mileage Plateaus and Pulling Levers 26:45 - Easy Runs and Strava Ego 29:35 - Personal Mileage Beliefs 30:23 - Strengths and Potential 31:33 - Marathon Mindset Tools 32:29 - Sleep Supplements and Cannabis 35:29 - When to Change Training 36:49 - Altitude Race Timing 38:26 - Race Day Travel Tips 39:45 - Weight Loss While Training 40:36 - Doping and Enhanced Games 48:22 - Jimmy Whelan Spotlight 52:04 - Workouts of the Week 56:42 - Fueling and Final Wrap

    59 min
  6. MAR 17

    Marty Bordignon on his 2:46 Osaka PB, Training by Feel, Weight Strategy, and Chasing Big Goals at Gold Coast

    In this Sweat Elite Training Talk episode, Matt interviews Gold Coast runner Marty Bordignon after his Osaka Marathon PB of 2:46:05, a roughly four-minute improvement, paced evenly with a 1:22 high / 1:23 low split. They discuss Marty's summer heat-based build, coached by Kyle Weise, with a strong focus on effort over numbers, plus reflections on wanting a faster result and lessons for future races like Gold Coast. Marty's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/18059049/ Marty's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlawrence9/ Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox Marty outlines a conventional training week of intervals on Tuesday, threshold on Friday, and a long run on Sunday. He explains a 16-week marathon build that began with a six-week weight reduction phase at around 80 km per week, before increasing fueling and building toward peak mileage of around 150 km per week. The conversation covers whether more speed work and strides could help marathoners, the role and risks of weight management, semaglutide appetite suppression, tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and the pros and cons of posting ambitious running goals publicly. They also touch on the running content and podcasts they enjoy, including How Bad Do You Want It. Timestamps: 00:00 New Guest Intro 00:55 Osaka Marathon Recap 03:30 Why He Started Running 05:47 Inspiration And Mindset 07:53 Was He In 244 Shape 12:31 Osaka Training Structure 16:04 Speed Work For Marathoners 22:32 Weight Cut And Fueling 25:50 Ozempic Debate In Running 29:58 Tall Poppy Syndrome 34:02 Tall Poppy Talk 34:38 Gold Coast Build Plan 35:38 How Bad Do You Want It 36:19 Effort Over Numbers 37:58 Heart Rate Obsession 41:25 Finding Running Joy 43:18 Running Is Black And White 44:54 Wanting It Most 45:53 Scholarship Race Story 48:02 Favorite Run Creators 54:28 Ben Felton Marathon Debate 58:35 Podcasts And Wrap Up

    1h 1m
  7. MAR 13

    Michael Fox - Overweight to 2:19 Marathon, High-Mileage Training, and Parenting Through Marathon Pursuit

    Episode Summary Irish runner and content creator Michael Fox joins Matt to discuss his unconventional path in the sport. After early success as a teenage 800m/1500m runner, Mick drifted away from athletics in his 20s - moving to Australia, gaining around 30 kg, dealing with injuries, and switching focus to cycling before eventually finding his way back to running. He recounts his return to the sport and debut at the 2018 Dublin Marathon in 2:40, followed by several frustrating blow-ups while trying to improve. During COVID lockdown he leaned heavily into high mileage, including multiple 100-mile weeks, which helped unlock a new level of endurance and led to major progress - improving to 2:33 at Belfast and eventually running 2:19 for the marathon, though not without more setbacks along the way. Mick discusses becoming somewhat mileage-obsessed, then later working with a coach to incorporate faster work and more half-marathon focused training to complement his endurance. He also shares how he balances training with running a full-time sports massage business, raising three kids, and operating on limited sleep, crediting his wife's support and occasional altitude camps as key pieces of the puzzle. The conversation also touches on social media dynamics in running, outspoken opinions online, content creation, and dealing with backlash - including reactions to his gel-fueling videos. Mick explains his process for creating content, why he continues posting despite criticism, and his recent efforts to cut back caffeine and energy drink dependence. He closes by outlining his ambitions to push his marathon PB closer to 2:16. Mick Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709 Mick Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics: 00:00 - Foxes On The Pod 01:04 - Early Track Years 02:15 - Drifting From Running 02:34 - Australia Weight Gain Reset 03:37 - Marathon Spark 2018 04:03 - 800m Times And Racing 05:34 - First Running Motivation 07:21 - Debut Marathon Two Forty 09:11 - Covid Mileage Breakthrough 11:58 - Training Lessons And Volume 15:46 - Speedwork And Half Focus 18:00 - Balancing Family And Training 21:37 - Outspoken Online Persona 23:03 - Favorite Creators And Takes 30:02 - Hugo Fry Transparency Debate 33:47 - Gel Video Backlash Story 40:03 - Growing Instagram Following 40:12 - How He Makes Content 40:36 - Why He Posts Anyway 42:29 - Caffeine Detox Story 46:55 - Marathon Goals And Limits 49:15 - Work Schedule Reality 52:26 - Altitude Camp Dreaming 54:13 - Kenya Training Fantasy 58:49 - Friendly Rivalry Talk 59:30 - Matt's Sub 215 Ambition 01:04:17 - Valencia Entry Tips 01:06:09 - Comeback From Injury 01:08:25 - Handling Online Backlash 01:13:14 - Wrap Up And Where To Follow

    1h 16m
  8. MAR 6

    Tokyo Marathon Weekend, Sub-3 Pursuit, and Building a Running YouTube Channel in Thailand - This Messy Happy

    Ben and Mary Bridges (Messy Is Happy) recap Tokyo Marathon weekend, celebrating Mary's 3:00:01 PB and discussing her rapid progression from 3:13 (Chicago 2024) to 3:04 (Shanghai) to nearly breaking three hours. They attribute the improvement to consistent training, gradually building to ~100 km weeks, and focused mindset work. Ben reflects on his emotional on-camera reaction at the finish and shares his own marathon journey, progressing from 2:50 at the 2019 London Marathon to 2:44 in Chicago, with a long-term goal of running in the 2:30s. He also recounts his Chicago trip where he raced well despite being jet-lagged and unwell. They explain the niche they are building with This Messy Happy across YouTube and Instagram - combining coaching-focused content, relatable storytelling around their own running journeys, and light comedy reels. They also discuss how the value of traditional tutorial-style content is shifting as tools like ChatGPT become more widely used. Looking ahead, they outline a "Six in 26" idea for 2026 - a travel-heavy year attempting six marathons while documenting the experience. The conversation also touches on leaving teaching jobs in Thailand to pursue content creation and coaching full time, creators who inspire their work, and Thailand's rapidly growing running scene known for its celebratory atmosphere and safe places to run. Links Messy Is Happy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thismessyhappy/ Messy Is Happy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisMessyHappy Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Tokyo Weekend Recap 00:51 Three Hour Breakthrough 02:12 Training Behind Progress 03:34 Raw Finish Reaction 05:02 Channel Mission Explained 09:29 Future Content Direction 11:01 Ben Marathon Journey 12:26 Chicago Travel Chaos 15:13 Leaving Teaching Behind 17:24 Creators They Follow 20:46 Authentic Brand Deals 21:30 Merch Funds Independence 22:06 Staying Relevant on YouTube 22:41 Entertainment Beats Advice 23:52 Viral Running Comedy Reels 25:59 Wordless Humor vs Dialogue 27:01 Defining Content Goals 28:05 Photo Album Mindset 30:12 North Star Over Views 31:29 Upcoming Races and Targets 33:43 Running Culture in Thailand 36:43 Living Safe in Thailand 38:01 Where to Follow Next

    39 min
4
out of 5
132 Ratings

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

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