The Rambling Runner Podcast

Matt Chittim
  • 4.8 (496)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

A podcast about dedicated and motivated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results.

  1. 1d ago

    #747 - The State of Endurance Sports and Race Trends with Bob Bickel from RunSignup

    In this episode, I dive into the latest insights from RunSignup’s midyear report on the endurance race industry and how demographic shifts along with marketing strategies are shaping running events today. Bob Bickel shares comprehensive data on race registration patterns, growth sectors, and innovative marketing approaches, offering valuable lessons for race directors, marketers, and enthusiasts alike. Main Topics: Demographic shifts in race participation, especially younger runners and under-18 registration The influence of race size, timing, and marketing strategies on registration patterns How travel, community engagement, and youth programs are driving growth Effective marketing tactics: team building, referral programs, and community connections Gender and age participation trends, highlighting increased female participation and younger demographics Race categorization and the importance of timely registration data for planning RunSignup’s Knowledge Base and Industry Reports - https://runsignup.com/knowledge-base Read the 2026 Midyear Race Trends Report - https://info.runsignup.com/2026/06/22/2026-midyear-race-trends-update/ Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Jul 1

    #746 - Building Strength for Running Performance with Brodie Sharpe

    In this episode, I dive into the importance of strength training for runners with Brodie Sharpe. We explore how strength training can enhance running performance and discuss the balance between injury prevention and performance improvement. Brodie shares insights from research and personal experience, emphasizing the role of strength training in improving running economy and efficiency. Brodie Sharpe is a runner and a physiotherapist based in Australia who helps injured runners get healthy and stay that way. He is the host of The Run Smarter Podcast and has certifications from The Running Clinic, the Running Repairs Course, Sports Medicine Australia, and Athletics Victoria Run as a running coach. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jun 30

    #745 - Empowerment and Freedom: The Story of The Aruna Project

    In this episode, April Berg of The Aruna Project shares her inspiring journey from college athlete to activist fighting human trafficking. Discover the impactful work of transforming lives through ethical fashion manufacturing and holistic rescue programs. Main Topics The mission and holistic approach of The Aruna Project in combating human trafficking Personal background: college sports, nursing, and how personal experiences shaped April's advocacy The journey from witnessing human trafficking firsthand to relocating to hotspots for outreach Building trust and engaging with women in red-light districts to offer hope and employment Challenges of rescuing women and navigating cultural and safety concerns Strategies for co-creating sustainable employment for survivors of trafficking The importance of partnerships with corporate and athletic organizations How ethical athleisure competes in the global sportswear market Practical ways individuals and organizations can support and collaborate April has generously offered a discount for listers of 20% off of an order at www.arunaproject.com by using code RUNNER20 at checkout. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jun 27

    #744 - Justin Hetherington: From No Running to Ultramarathon Success

    In this episode, Justin Hetherington shares his inspiring journey from childhood struggles and a fear of sports to becoming a dedicated ultra runner. Dive into his insights on mental resilience, race variety, and why pushing limits is a personal growth catalyst. Main topics: Justin's transformation from a non-athlete to ultramarathon enthusiast The psychological aspects of endurance running and overcoming self-doubt Race diversity: trail, ultra, backyard ultras, and their strategic importance The significance of community, mindset, and the influence of role models How perseverance and consistent effort can redefine perceived limits Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jun 20

    #743 - Claire Bartholic: How a Goal Oriented Athlete Can Put Running in the "Friend Zone"

    In this episode, Claire Bartholic shares her inspiring journey from running a sub-3:00 marathon despite starting her running journey later in life to redefining her relationship with running, emphasizing the importance of joy, adaptability, and perspective as athletes age. We explore how athletes can find fulfillment beyond peak performance and embrace new goals at any stage of life. Main topics covered: Claire's transition from competitive running to a more relaxed, enjoyable approach The significance of redefining success and setting micro-goals in later years The mental and emotional aspects of aging as an athlete How to maintain motivation when peak performance is no longer the focus The role of physical activity as a vehicle for overall health and happiness Comparing athletic identity and dealing with the loss of former self Strategies for staying in love with running and avoiding pressure and burnout The value of trying new sports and activities for variety and fun The concept of running as a lifelong, adaptable journey, not just a race to the finish Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jun 17

    #742 - Dr. Kathryn Zioto: Double Boston, Grit, and Finding Joy in the Process

    Prepare to be inspired by Dr. Kathryn Zioto, a remarkable athlete balancing a busy medical career, motherhood, and ultra-distance running. In this episode, she shares her incredible journey, including running the double Boston Marathon, her insights on mental resilience, and how her diverse background in figure skating, road, and trail running shapes her approach to challenges. Discover how prioritizing joy, process, and support keeps her motivated to pursue ambitious goals. Main topics: Kathryn’s journey from figure skating to ultra running The wild story involving a airplane emergency that led to her first trail race Her experience running the double Boston Balancing athletic pursuits with a demanding career and family life Mental toughness and the role of patience and delayed gratification The group dynamics and pacing during her ultramarathon efforts How her professional background informs her resilience and self-talk The importance of love for the process in long-term consistency Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jun 1

    #741 - Hildee Weiss - Embracing My Inner Athlete: A Mom's Journey from Couch Potato to Runner at 46

    Discover Hildee Weiss's inspiring story of late-life fitness, self-belief, and overcoming self-doubt to become an active runner and author. In this episode, Hildee shares her candid journey from a sedentary lifestyle to embracing health, all while balancing a large family and personal challenges. Main Topics Covered: Hildee Weiss's motivation to write her memoir about her fitness transformation How self-belief and confidence evolve through the physical activity journey The challenges of starting fitness in midlife, especially after pregnancy and raising five kids Overcoming setbacks, including surgery and re-engaging with running and cross-training The importance of mindset shifts: from "I have to" to "I get to" in fitness routines Strategies for cultivating self-confidence and resilience as a parent and individual The role of community, coaching, and persistence in achieving fitness goals Future plans for trail running, races, and personal redemption Embracing My Inner Athlete - Hildee Weiss’s memoir, out June 9th Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. May 29

    #740 - Kelsey Boyer: Competitive Snowboarder to Endurance - Overcoming Serious Brain Injury and Running a Marathon

    In this episode, Kelsey Boyer shares her inspiring journey from competitive snowboarding and traumatic brain injury to embracing marathon running and advocacy. Her story highlights resilience, self-advocacy, and the power of neuro-recovery. Key Topics Kelsey's background as a competitive snowboarder and early involvement in the sport The severity and impact of her brain injury, including the emergency surgery The challenges of navigating medical diagnoses and the importance of self-advocacy Recovery journey from initial hospital release to intensive brain rehab The emotional and physical toll of sustaining a brain injury at age 23 Debunking misconceptions around traumatic brain injuries and "mild" concussions The significance of education, prevention, and safety gear in brain health Transitioning back to snowboarding and coaching after recovery Setting the goal to run her first marathon, driven by a desire for challenge and community impact The process of training with a brain injury and managing stress and nutrition Developing a new relationship with endurance sports and embracing the beginner mindset The importance of vulnerability, community support, and redefining athletic identity Advocacy work through the nonprofit Save a Brain and the Running for Brains campaign The role of neuroplasticity and dedicated rehab in her journey to regain athletic ability Links: Save a Brain Website — Learn more about brain injury advocacy and helmets Save a Brain Instagram — Follow updates and campaigns Cognitive FX Brain Rehabilitation — Innovative neurotherapeutic facility Podcast: The Save a Brain Headquarters — Neuroscience insights and recovery stories Running for Brains Campaign — Donate and support helmet safety for children Kelsey's Instagram Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.8
out of 5
496 Ratings

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A podcast about dedicated and motivated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results.

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