The People Run Podcast

Fitz Mayi
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

The People Run Podcast is about the lives behind the miles. Hosted by Fitz Mayi, this show features real conversations with runners at every level from pros to parents, coaches to community builders about training, identity, discipline, setbacks, ambition, and what the sport gives back. Every runner has their own world. This is where we step into it.

  1. #51 The Running Gamer: From Video Games to a 2:37 Marathon | Malik Jordan

    12h ago

    #51 The Running Gamer: From Video Games to a 2:37 Marathon | Malik Jordan

    Malik J, better known as The Running Gamer, found a way to combine two passions that don't often overlap: running and video games. In this episode, Malik shares how a simple challenge led him into the sport, why he nearly walked away from running after college, and how Detroit's running community helped bring him back. We talk about building a unique identity online, racing two 5Ks in less than 12 hours, traveling to Spain for the Seville Marathon with ASICS, and the lessons he's learned chasing faster times. Most importantly, Malik explains why runners get into trouble when they start comparing themselves to everyone else and why trusting your own process matters more than copying the pros. Whether you're training for your first race, chasing a marathon PR, or trying to find your place in the running community, this conversation is a reminder that there is more than one path to success. Chapters 00:00 Back to Back 5Ks & Chasing Sub 17 06:25 The Running Gamer: Combining Gaming & Running 11:10 How Running Changed His Life 15:51 From Spartan Races to a 2:37 Marathon 20:56 Don't Train Like Everyone Else 26:23 Experiencing the Seville Marathon 32:56 NYC Half Marathon Experience 42:12 Berlin, Bigger Goals & What's Next 46:25 The Detroit Running Community Follow Malik: instagram.com/mjordan5.0/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    49 min
  2. #50 The Secret Behind an OTQ and Elite 15 Hyrox Athlete | Alyssa McElheny

    2d ago

    #50 The Secret Behind an OTQ and Elite 15 Hyrox Athlete | Alyssa McElheny

    Olympic Trials qualifier. Elite 15 Hyrox athlete. Most athletes spend their entire careers chasing excellence in one sport. Alyssa McElheny is doing it in two. In this episode, Alyssa shares her journey from spending more than a decade chasing an Olympic Trials qualifier to becoming one of the fastest Hyrox athletes in the world. We talk about finding the sport she was built for, balancing elite marathoning and hybrid racing, and why success often comes from leaning into your strengths rather than forcing a path that isn't meant for you. We also dive into racing across Europe, dealing with pressure when everything is on the line, the lessons learned from years of marathon training, and how a two-minute penalty ended up changing the course of her season. It's a conversation about patience, resilience, self-belief, and what can happen when preparation finally meets opportunity. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another runner. Chapters 00:00 What Is The Secret? OTQ + Elite 15 Hyrox 03:13 The Accidental Path Into Hyrox 07:37 10 Years Chasing An Olympic Trials Qualifier 15:20 The Advantage Of Being The Underdog 24:17 Can You Be Great At Both? 32:12 The Threshold Effect: High Rocks Training Benefits 33:15 Comparing Endurance Sports: High Rocks vs. Marathon 37:11 Training Challenges: Overcoming Weaknesses in High Rocks 38:18 The Art of Photography: Capturing Athletic Momentselite 39:07 Culinary Adventures: Food and Travel in Competition 41:18 Traveling with Purpose: Balancing Competition and Exploration 44:22 The People Behind The Performance 52:07 All Eyes On Hyrox Worlds Follow Alyssa: Instagram: instagram.com/alyssamcelheny/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    55 min
  3. #49 How Zach Bitter Thinks About Training

    Jun 4

    #49 How Zach Bitter Thinks About Training

    In this episode of The People Run Podcast, I sit down with Zach Bitter, one of the fastest 100 mile runners in history, to talk about training, longevity, recovery, and what it really takes to improve over the long term. We dive into why Zach has incorporated cycling into his training, how he thinks about consistency versus hero workouts, and why many runners may be overemphasizing mileage at the expense of quality. Zach also shares his thoughts on recovery, gut training, super shoes, the evolution of endurance sports, and what he’s learned after years of competing and coaching at the highest level. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, a marathon, an ultra, or simply trying to stay healthy and consistent, this conversation is packed with practical insights that apply far beyond running. Chapters 00:00 Why Zach Bitter Replaced Miles With the Bike 05:23 Super Shoes, Gut Training, and the New Era of Training 13:05 How Fast Can a Human Run 100 Miles? 17:37 Why Zach Loves Running in Circles 20:40 The Risk of Chasing Personal Bests 26:50 When Do Runners Actually Peak? 28:44 Why Fitness Is Built in Layers 33:14 The Only Workouts Zach Cares About 38:15 Balancing Training, Work & Family 41:19 The Problem With Chasing Volume 49:20 Why Running Advice Gets Lost Online 54:16 Where Is Running Technology Headed Next? 01:05:38 Has Zach Solved the Puzzle Yet? Follow Zach: Instagram: instagram.com/zachbitter/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    1h 10m
  4. #48 Inside Cooldown | How Bailey Ness Built One of America’s Biggest Run Clubs

    Jun 2

    #48 Inside Cooldown | How Bailey Ness Built One of America’s Biggest Run Clubs

    Bailey didn’t plan on building one of the biggest run clubs in America. What started as an idea for a running clothing brand eventually turned into Cooldown a community now spanning 18 cities and helping reshape modern run culture. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Bailey shares how Cooldown accidentally exploded, why run clubs became the new social space, and what it actually takes to build community across cities while keeping the same vibe everywhere. We also talk about the current running boom, modern run culture, brand partnerships, and what’s next for Cooldown. From handing out gels during her first marathon to building one of the most recognizable run communities in the country, this was a fun one. Chapters 00:00 How It Started 05:49 City by City 11:14 Building The Culture 17:15 The Cooldown Experience 23:09 Partnerships 26:13 What It's Taught Her 29:13 What's Next for Cooldown Follow Cooldown : Instagram: instagram.com/cooldownrunning/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    32 min
  5. #47 How Kara Built a Life Through Running | Kara Dudley

    May 29

    #47 How Kara Built a Life Through Running | Kara Dudley

    Kara never planned for running to become her life. Before coaching runners, building a community, and becoming one of the first women to complete all seven World Marathon Majors, she was pursuing dance and theater in New York City while trying to figure out where life was taking her. In this episode, Kara shares the leap from corporate life into coaching full time, the relationships and breakups that shaped her running journey, how she unexpectedly became faster over time, and why running eventually became about freedom more than performance. We also talk about race anxiety, building confidence, mental performance, balancing coaching while training at a high level, creating community through running, and what it really feels like to build a life around something you genuinely love. This is one of the more honest conversations we’ve had about identity, growth, and what running can become when it turns into more than just training. Chapters 00:00 The Turning Point: From Dance to Running 06:20 The Coaching Leap 12:13 Finding Her Voice 16:08 Chasing Seven Stars 20:56 Freedom & Getting Faster 28:27 Inside Her Training 31:03 Lessons From The Marathon 39:51 The Mental Side of Racing 47:47 Building Something Bigger 53:09 Community & Connection 57:46 Betting On Herself Follow Kara: Instagram: instagram.com/karagracedudley/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    1h 1m
  6. #46 The Heart of the Race | Pro Runner Kasey Knevelbaard

    May 26

    #46 The Heart of the Race | Pro Runner Kasey Knevelbaard

    In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Under Armour pro runner Kasey Knevelbaard for a conversation on racing, mindset, gratitude, and what it really means to chase your potential in today’s golden era of running. From Team Mission Run Dark Sky and life as a professional runner to racing internationally, injury prevention, shoe innovation, and learning how to stay present in competition, this episode goes far beyond splits and training plans. Chapters 00:00 Chasing The Best Version of Yourself 03:11 Why Running Times Keep Getting Faster 05:57 The Pressure of Competing In A Golden Era 09:01 Mental Performance & Letting Go of Outcomes 17:58 Finding The Heart Of The Race 20:41 Small Town Runner to NCAA 28:42 Training With The Best in Flagstaff 35:25 Why Pro Running Still Feels Like a Dream 38:49 Why Racing Different Distances Matter 44:18 Durability, Ego & Staying Healthy 54:48 Racing the World with Gratitude 01:04:13 Inside Running's Innovation Era Follow Kasey: Instagram: instagram.com/kaseyknevelbaard/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    1h 11m
  7. #45 The Long Way to a 2:15 Marathon | Paxton Smith

    May 22

    #45 The Long Way to a 2:15 Marathon | Paxton Smith

    Paxton Smith accidentally qualified for the Olympic Trials in his first marathon but the real journey started after that. In this episode, Paxton shares the long process of chasing a 2:15 marathon while balancing full-time teaching, coaching, high mileage training, and life in Miami after running at the University of Colorado. Chapters 00:00 Accidental First Marathon OTQ 05:39 Chasing the Dream at Coloarado 08:30 From Boulder to Miami, Teaching, Coaching & High Mileage 11:57 Failing Forward Toward 2:15 Marathon 20:54 Japanese vs. Kenyan Running Culture 23:27 Inside Iten: The Home Of Champions 25:48 What Kenya Taught Him 27:30 Breaking the Barrier to 2:15 31:09 The Army Behind the Breakthrough 33:47 Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Training 35:04 Elite Training, Coaching & What Comes Next Follow Paxton: Instagram: instagram.com/paxtonsmith18/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    45 min
  8. #44 How Running on Blades Set Her Free | Tanya Khvitsko-Trimb

    May 19

    #44 How Running on Blades Set Her Free | Tanya Khvitsko-Trimb

    Born in Belarus in the aftermath of Chernobyl, Tanya Khvitsko-Trimb grew up between orphanages, boarding schools, and years of hiding her prosthetic legs from the world.  In this episode, Tanya shares her journey from Belarus to the United States, getting her first running blades, discovering freedom through running, and eventually chasing big goals like the Boston Marathon. We also talk about identity, motherhood, recovery from injury, what people misunderstand about disability, and why she wants to be seen as more than just “inspiring.” This is one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on The People Run Podcast. Chapters 00:00 Growing Up After Chernobyl 05:03 Finding a Future In America 10:14 The Day Running Found Her 15:08 Running on Blades 17:32 The Cost of Competing 20:54 Boston, Falling, and Getting Back Up 29:13 Running as Gratitude 32:04 More Than an Inspirational Story 35:43 The Reality Behind the Story 39:31 Freedom Through Running 42:17 Healing, Patience, and Running 45:14 Effort Over Excuses Follow Tanya: Instagram: instagram.com/tanyakhv/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    48 min
See All (55)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The People Run Podcast is about the lives behind the miles. Hosted by Fitz Mayi, this show features real conversations with runners at every level from pros to parents, coaches to community builders about training, identity, discipline, setbacks, ambition, and what the sport gives back. Every runner has their own world. This is where we step into it.

Information

  • Creator
    Fitz Mayi
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The People Run Podcast
  • Show Website
    The People Run Podcast

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