Sweat Elite Podcast

Sweat Elite
  • 4.0 (133)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. 2D AGO

    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

  2. 4D AGO

    IMO #31 - Thailand Ramble: Tokyo Marathon Takes, Brian Johnson's 8 Steps, Workouts of the Week and more

    I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates. Train with Matt: 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 ramble episode from Phuket during a 10-day Thailand and Bali trip where I've been catching up with friends while doing some work. Part of the trip included visiting Thanyapura Sports Resort to see if it might work as a future Globe Runners Asia training camp location. I talk about some of the longevity content from Brian Johnson and walk through his "eight steps" framework - doing hard things, building a bedtime routine, starting the day with purpose, future-proofing your body, treating food like medicine, killing distractions, removing isolation, and avoiding motivational garbage. From there I discuss Ben Felton racing two half marathons on consecutive weekends and use it as a jumping off point to talk about training and racing more by feel rather than being overly dependent on rigid pacing data. I also cover the Tokyo Marathon, including frustrations with the race tracking app and a breakdown of Jake Barraclough's Tokyo build - his high mileage approach, injury concerns, livestreams during the build up, race plan doubts, and the eventual DNF. I mention other performances from the weekend including Nick Bester running 2:25 and highlight SECA member Merna finishing Tokyo while fasting during Ramadan. Later in the episode I bring back Workouts of the Week with sessions for the 5K/10K, half marathon and marathon, read some hate mail, discuss emails about GLP-1 weight loss drugs and how they might affect fueling for endurance athletes, share Mark from Finland's perspective on the doping crisis in Kenya, and finish by answering a question about Luke's approach to the marathon. Topics 00:00 - Welcome and Agenda 03:43 - Thailand Trip and Training Camp Idea 05:44 - Brian Johnson Longevity Lessons 07:56 - Eight Steps and Key Quotes 18:53 - Ben Felton and Racing by Feel 23:39 - Training Without Data Obsession 27:50 - Tokyo Marathon App Rant 28:40 - Jake Barraclough's Tokyo Build Up 30:54 - Taper Doubts and Volume Fear 33:17 - Race Plan and DNF Breakdown 34:14 - Rethinking Jake's Training 37:16 - Shout out Merna - SECA Member running Tokyo fasted 38:49 - Workouts of the Week Return 40:02 - 5K / 10K Ladder Session 41:04 - Half Marathon Track Alternations 42:30 - Marathon 30K Progression 44:21 - Hate Mail and Ozempic Debate 53:29 - Kenya Doping Context Email from Marc 56:40 - Luke's Osaka Marathon and Training Takeaways 01:00:43 - Wrap Up

    1h 1m

  3. FEB 28

    Josh (Berlari) Fothergill on Running a 2:29 Marathon Off Minimal Training, Running Marathons in Costumes and Huge Social Media Growth

    Episode Summary Runner and content creator Josh Berlari (Josh "Josh Berlari") breaks down the training behind his 2:29 London Marathon (2025) and a near-sub-15 5K, pushing back on rumors of "minimal training." He shares that his peak was about 100 km per week, with a focused 4-5 week speed block before a marathon block that overlapped with fasting during Ramadan. Based in Bali for five years, Josh explains how he built a 140K+ Indonesian-language Instagram following by running in costumes (including a suit and a Go-Jek helmet), while trying to balance entertainment with a serious pursuit of elite performance. He also discusses his full-time e-commerce and digital marketing role selling hearing aids into the US, managing global operations after scaling to seven figures per month. Now coached by Mark Scott, Josh details his build toward Tokyo up to roughly 140 km per week before an ankle injury from stepping into a pothole in heavy rain. He outlines how he's using bike and treadmill cross-training, and why he's keeping Tokyo conservative (around 2:24-2:25), while targeting sub-2:20 this year and longer-term goals that include London, Gold Coast, and Berlin. Links Josh Fothergill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshberlari/ 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 - Minimal Marathon Build 00:31 - Speed Block Before London 01:47 - Fasting Through Training 02:26 - Meet The Runner 04:35 - Costumes And Content 07:20 - Going Global With YouTube 09:38 - Day Job And Hustle 11:58 - Full Time Running Dreams 16:06 - Coached By Mark Scott 18:47 - Tokyo Injury Setback 22:03 - Tokyo Goals And Potential 23:53 - Marathon Time Goals 25:17 - Instagram Origins 26:26 - Back To Back Racing 28:15 - Upgrading Content Gear 29:50 - Costumes Versus Speed 31:39 - Helmet And Suit Lessons 33:38 - Future Content Direction 37:51 - Tokyo Injury And Plan 41:01 - Where To Follow Josh 42:29 - Faith And Online Stereotypes

    42 min

  4. FEB 25

    Doping, Corruption and Athlete Exploitation in Kenyan & Ethiopian Distance Running

    Matt interviews high performance coach Selva Yoga following Selva's earlier public comments on doping in elite distance running. Selva has worked with male athletes holding personal bests ranging from 2:25 down to 2:07 in the marathon, and female athletes as fast as 2:38. He has personally coached athletes from 2:26 down to 2:16 in the marathon. The conversation breaks down how athletes are caught - in and out of competition testing, missed whereabouts filings, and biological passport irregularities - alongside claims of uneven enforcement. Selva alleges corruption within parts of Kenyan athletics, including bribery, advance warning of tests, falsified medical exemptions, age manipulation, and financial exploitation by managers. He also raises serious concerns around coercion and abuse of young athletes, while repeatedly framing his comments as based on accounts shared with him rather than direct proof. Matt and Selva also discuss well known training groups and high profile athletes, with Selva careful not to make direct accusations without evidence. He emphasizes that both Kenya and Ethiopia have strong, clean systems operating alongside problematic ones, and that culture, incentives, and financial structures often shape the level of risk. The episode closes with Selva inviting athletes to connect with his Toronto-based Northern Endurance Project. Links Northern Endurance Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northern.endurance/ 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 Podcast comment sparks debate 01:23 Coach background and philosophy 06:10 Brother Colm and Kipruto ban 07:03 Mafias and drug access 15:09 Sexual harassment by managers 22:22 Athletics Kenya testing reality 24:16 Are Kelvin Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge doping? 31:38 How the truth emerges 33:42 Was David Rudisha clean? 35:12 Coaching ethics and trust 37:24 Good coaches in Kenya 38:22 Renato Canova under the microscope 42:48 How drugs get bought in Kenya 49:35 Blame the system, not athletes 53:41 Wrap up and contact info

    56 min

  5. FEB 21

    IMO #30 - Osaka Marathon Weekend, Social Media, Running To Effort and much more

    I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates. Train with Matt: 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 wished friends luck at Osaka and Tokyo and spoke about returning to YouTube to document a marathon comeback despite not running yet and feeling imposter syndrome. I explained why I moved away from pro-athlete travel content - doping concerns, COVID restrictions, visa limits and tax complications. The channel is shifting toward my own journey. On training, I addressed the effort vs pace debate. Context matters. Effort leads, especially when fatigued. I spoke about avoiding the anxiety spiral by focusing on sensation and adaptation rather than numbers and judgment. I touched on influencer culture, unnecessary products, and doping speculation - urging caution without proof. I discussed coaching as an optional performance tool, like super shoes, and may use a coach in an advisor role. I'll likely train mostly in standard shoes and race in super shoes. Current context: I'm around 79 kg and believe 65-66 kg aligns with a 2:12-2:15 goal. I reflected on running 2:20 off ~105 km per week in 2021. I'm considering cycling and stair climbing to maintain fitness while reducing impact and avoiding ego-driven mileage. I also covered my 10-year Japan ban, alcohol vs cannabis culture, pre-race nerves, speed after 40, Australia's social media ban for under-16s, and moving Workouts of the Week into a paid Supporters Club to build a healthier community. Closed with plans for stairs, weights and a cold plunge. Topics 00:00 - Welcome Back to 'In My Opinion' (Format, cadence, and what to expect) 00:54 - Race Week Shoutouts + Osaka Marathon Feelings 02:16 - Carb-Loading Stories & Filming a Marathon Comeback Series 03:17 - Why I Stepped Away From the 'Pro Athlete Training' Travel Life 04:45 - COVID-Era Australia, Visas, and Getting Stuck at Home 07:26 - US Immigration Reality Check + A Detour Into Money, AI, and the Future 09:37 - Q&A Starts: Training by Effort vs Pace (Ben's tempo run 'contradiction') 11:52 - Email/Inbox Mindset + Running Content Creator Fatigue 14:15 - Brands, Influence, and What Running Really Needs (Nutrition & authenticity) 15:55 - Make It About You: Imposter Syndrome, YouTube strategy 18:33 - More Listener Mail: Helsinki banter + Switching to new questions 19:49 - Fraser's Big Idea: Sensation vs Measurement (escaping the anxiety spiral) 21:53 - Truett/Luke 'hate' discourse: Entertainment vs negativity in the pod 23:53 - Osaka Marathon Q: Can I watch? Japan ban, cannabis vs alcohol, and moving on 26:12 - When Do You Actually Need a Coach? (Ken Rideout example) 26:52 - Supplements, ketones & super shoes: what you actually need 28:33 - Why chase a faster marathon: goals, weight loss & the reset mindset 29:45 - Coaching plans and past drama: finding the right advisor 30:46 - Train in trainers, race in supers? Injury risk & adaptation 32:34 - Influencers, supplements & doping gray zones (L-carnitine, EPO, T) 37:58 - Supporters club + Discord: keeping the community clean and paid 40:46 - Quick-fire training Qs: cycling/stairs, bathroom nerves, speed after 40 52:47 - Wrap-up: more questions, today's workout & how to reach out

    54 min

  6. FEB 18

    Are all the Elite Runners Doping?

    Luke and Matt kick off with some light banter before Luke's travel day into Japan for the Osaka Marathon - a small delay, a tight connection, business class, melatonin sleep, and ANA staff going above and beyond to get them through. That opens a broader chat on Japan's world-class service, its strict rule-following culture, and why Japan feels "cheap" right now with the yen and day-to-day costs. The episode then pivots to Jake Barraclough's "Ran To Japan" video and his blunt take on doping in pro running - how hard it is for major names to get caught, the risks for whistleblowers, and how brand protection, TUEs, and enforcement can shape what the public does (and doesn't) see. Luke and Matt keep the language careful while still digging into the bigger system-level questions. On the racing side, Luke and Matt talk about Truett Hanes' Austin Marathon hype - and the contrast with the women's winner Kellen Taylor running a women's OTQ-level performance that didn't get the same attention. They also recap Barcelona Half - Hugo Fry's standout 1:03:35, plus Ben is Running and Victor Smang's results and what it suggests for Ben's Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan. They close with a broader YouTube chat - raw vlog energy vs cinematic edits - and a few hints at Matt ramping back into regular uploads alongside coaching. Links Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ 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 Gray beard banter & getting older 01:02 Luke arrives into Japan: delays, connections 06:54 Why Japan feels "cheap" right now: yen, costs, exchange rate chat 08:07 Jake Barraclough "Ran To Japan": blunt talk on pro running doping 15:21 Big names, brand protection, TUEs, and why enforcement is messy 38:24 Austin Marathon: Truett Hanes  44:34 Barcelona Half recap: Hugo Fry 1:03:35  53:07 Ben is Running & Victor Smang: results, pacing, and the Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan 58:35 YouTube talk: raw vlogs vs cinematic edits + Matt's return to uploading 01:07:09 Training updates + supporter club wrap

    1h 9m

  7. FEB 12

    Alex Harvey - Progression Skepticism, Training Evolution & Marathon Goals

    In this detailed conversation, Alex Harvey discusses his recent impressive half marathon in Japan, the skepticism around his progression, and his transparent use of Strava to share his full training. Alex breaks down his early marathon times and steady improvement through consistent training. He covers marathon challenges (fueling and getting intensity right), how business and family life fits around training, and his aspirations heading into Tokyo Marathon. He also shares why racing without a strict time goal can be valuable, plus how context-specific training has helped him progress. We also get into his preference for training alone, keeping training efficient, and his approach to diet - along with why he largely avoids strength training and cross training. Follow Alex Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexxharvey/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/46089368/ Work With / Follow Matt Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Shareholders Club / Private Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Introduction and Recent Achievements 00:10 Addressing Skepticism and Progression 02:42 Early Running Experiences 03:51 Transition to Serious Training 05:05 High School and Early Twenties 07:35 Inspiration to Start Running 09:38 Recent Race Highlights 12:59 Training Philosophy and Volume 17:48 Training Alone and Flexibility 19:42 Speed Work and Coaching 24:28 Long Runs and Marathon Preparation 25:03 Training in the Heat: Adapting to Queensland's Climate 26:02 Key Training Sessions: Building Endurance and Speed 27:09 Mental Strategies for Pacing and Performance 30:21 Fueling Challenges and Solutions 33:34 Balancing Life: Business, Family, and Running 38:28 Speed and Distance: Exploring Potential and Preferences 41:59 Diet and Weight Management for Optimal Performance 44:45 Cross Training and Strength Training Insights 47:16 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow

    48 min

  8. FEB 11

    Should all Influencers log on Strava?

    This episode of the Sweat Elite podcast delves into recent interactions with athlete Luke Hugo Fry and his preparation for the Boston Marathon, including his feedback on the podcast's take on his training. The hosts discuss the implications of Strava usage and social media for athletes, emphasizing the mental aspects of training comparisons. The episode also highlights content creator influences, comparing runners' unique training styles like Hugo Fry's authentic approach against Ben is Running's more data-focused methods. There are mentions of elite athletes such as Keely Hodgkinson and her training style, along with critique on the potential over-analysis of training data. The episode also includes predictions for Truett Hanes' upcoming Austin Marathon performance and reflections on the benefits of speed work in marathon training. Finally, an update on personal training and racing plans, including Luke's Osaka Marathon preparation, wraps up the episode. Links Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ 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 Luke Hugo Fry's Feedback on SE Podcast 01:49 The Strava Comparison Debate 04:33 Keely Hodgkinson's Training Style 09:24 Hugo Fry's Authentic Approach to Training 11:44 Analyzing Ben Felton's Running Goals 15:49 The Role of Data in Marathon Training 25:16 The Hybrid Approach to Running 26:49 Training in Kenya and Ethiopia 28:39 Team Makou's Training Insights 32:26 Creatine and Weight Loss in Marathon Training 37:24 Truett Hanes Austin Marathon Predictions 43:06 Eric Flober Winter Half Marathon Video 46:11 Osaka Marathon Preparation 48:37 Join the Shareholders Club

    50 min
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4
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133 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Sweat Elite
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Sweat Elite
  • Show Website
    Sweat Elite Podcast

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