The People Run Podcast

Fitz Mayi
  • 4.3 (3)
  • 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. 1d ago

    #68 Three Years Ago He Started Running. Now He Runs a 32-Minute 10K | João Souza

    At 16 years old, João Guilherme left Brazil for the UK and found himself navigating a new country, school, training, and stretches of living on his own.  Running had only recently entered his life. What started as 20-minute treadmill runs eventually became something much bigger. Three years later,  João is 19, has run 32:17 for 10K, is preparing for his first half marathon in Copenhagen, and is about to begin studying sports science at St Mary’s University surrounded by one of the strongest running environments in the UK. João shares how running gave him confidence and community, the early coach who saw his willingness to suffer before she saw his talent, learning the hard way that every workout shouldn’t be a race, and how a more science-based approach to training has changed his development. With his first half marathon ahead and ambitions of one day representing Brazil, João still has no idea where his ceiling is. He just knows he wants to find out. Chapters 00:00 From Brazil to a 32:17 10K 02:09 Finding Running & Breaking 17 Minutes 04:22 Moving to the UK & Breaking 16 Minutes 05:42 St Mary’s, Coaching & a New Environment 10:17 How Running Changed João’s Life 13:20 Inside João’s Science-Based Training 18:03 Racing the Brazilian U23 Championships 19:13 The Hardest Race He’s Ever Run 22:14 Winning a 32:17 10K & Chasing More 31:48 Preparing for His First Half Marathon Follow João: instagram.com/joao._runs/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

    #68 Three Years Ago He Started Running. Now He Runs a 32-Minute 10K | João Souza

  2. 4d ago

    #67 70 Mile Weeks, 5AM Runs & Fatherhood | Gio Cerisier

    At 25, Gio Cerisier is balancing 70 mile weeks, 5AM runs, a full-time job, marriage, and fatherhood all while chasing the fastest times of his life. Gio shares how a self-funded trip to Flagstaff changed what he believed was possible, his progression from a 17-minute 5K runner to running 69:50 in his first half marathon, and how he rebuilt after hernia surgery. He also breaks down his approach to double-threshold training, fast long runs, and why he refuses to prove his fitness in workouts. But running is only part of the story. Gio opens up about becoming a father while still competing in college, breaking his school steeplechase record just days after his daughter was born, the role faith plays in his life, and his dream of one day representing Haiti. Now, with even bigger goals ahead, Gio is finding out just how far he can take it without losing sight of what matters most. Chapters 00:00 Meet Gio Cerisier 02:00 5AM Runs, Work & Fatherhood 06:03 The Flagstaff Trip That Changed Everything 09:58 From 17-Minute 5K to College Running 15:02 The Breakthrough 20:01 Why Your Environment Matters 25:04 Hernia Surgery & the Comeback 29:50 Double Threshold & Fast Long Runs 35:03 Save It for Race Day 40:00 How Far Can Gio Take This? 45:00 Fatherhood, Faith & Running Follow Gio: instagram.com/gio_venchy/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #67 70 Mile Weeks, 5AM Runs & Fatherhood | Gio Cerisier

  3. Sep 8

    #66 4 Olympics. 2 Sports. What’s Next? | Chirine Njeim

    Chirine Njeim spent most of her life as a ski racer, representing Lebanon at three Winter Olympic Games before eventually walking away from the sport that had defined her. Then she found running. What started as a new challenge quickly became something much bigger, eventually taking Chirine back to the Olympics this time as a marathoner. Chirine joins Fitz to talk about starting over in a new sport, chasing the Rio Olympics, representing Lebanon, taking on seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, and why after four Olympics she’s still asking: what’s next? Chapters 00:00 Chirine’s Athletic Journey 01:13 From Olympic Skiing to Marathon Running 02:38 Growing Up Skiing in Lebanon 04:11 Moving to France at 13 to Chase Skiing 07:00 Her First Olympics & Overcoming Setbacks 11:24 Walking Away From Skiing & Starting Over 13:36 Learning to Train Like a Runner 18:17 The Unexpected Road to the Rio Olympics 24:11 Favorite Races & Marathon Memories 31:45 Fear, Pressure & the Mental Side of Sport 38:32 Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days 43:47 What’s Next After Four Olympics? Follow Chirine: instagram.com/chirine.njeim/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #66 4 Olympics. 2 Sports. What’s Next? | Chirine Njeim

  4. Sep 5

    #65 Behind the Lens: The Side of Sport We Don’t See | Audrey Helle

    What does a photographer see that the rest of us miss? Fitz sits down with Audrey Helle, a Sport editorial photographer, to talk about the way she sees athletes through her lens from HYROX and track to boxing and other high-intensity sports. Audrey shares why she shoots primarily in black and white, how she uses harsh light to her advantage, why she scouts venues before shooting, and how she looks for the vulnerable, emotional moments athletes don’t always want people to see. They also talk about how street photography shaped her eye, the people who pushed her to take photography seriously, why so much sports photography can start to look the same, and why she believes an athlete’s story exists far beyond the finish line. From documenting training and injuries to capturing the moments before warm-up and after recovery, Audrey explains why the unseen parts of sport are often the most important to photograph. A conversation about sports photography, HYROX, visual storytelling, emotion, and seeing the moments everyone else misses. Chapters 00:00 Seeing What Athletes Don’t See 03:02 Composition, Light & Planning the Shot 06:57 Why Audrey Shoots in Black & White 12:07 Finding the Perfect Shot 17:23 Becoming a Photographer 19:54 Telling an Athlete’s Story 25:29 Anticipating the Moment 33:43 Gear, Preparation & Photographing New Athletes 40:11 Beyond the Finish Line: The Full Athlete Story Follow Audrey: instagram.com/audrey_elle.h/ audreyhelle.myportfolio.com Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #65 Behind the Lens: The Side of Sport We Don’t See | Audrey Helle

  5. Sep 1

    #64 A Brain Aneurysm Nearly Took His Life. Now He’s Running NYC | Polow Lynn

    In 2023, Polow suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm while out on a run. He woke up in the hospital days later, spent weeks in the ICU, and had to relearn how to walk before he could even think about running again. The first attempts back were brutal tears, panic, fear that it could happen again, and the question of whether he would ever feel like himself as a runner again.  Eventually, he kept showing up. Polow talks about the emotional side of recovery, survivor’s guilt, therapy, the first runs he couldn’t finish, and the moment running finally started to feel normal again. He also shares how the experience completely changed his relationship with training, ego, sleep, recovery, and what it means to actually take care of himself.  We also get into Run N Brunch, the Atlanta running community he built around making sure nobody feels left behind, his return to 13.1 at SeaWheeze, and why his next challenge means more than any race he has done before.  Now, Polow is training for the New York City Marathon in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. For him, getting to that start line is about much more than 26.2 miles. “It means I made it.” Chapters 00:00 Surviving a Brain Aneurysm & Returning to Running 01:57 The Fear of Running Again 03:58 The Day Everything Changed 08:00 Waking Up in the ICU 11:56 Learning to Walk Again 16:07 When Running Finally Felt Normal Again 19:59 Working From a Place of Rest 24:03 Building Run N Brunch & Running for the Back of the Pack 28:08 Leaving Ego Behind & Returning to Racing 33:04 The Road to the NYC Marathon Follow Polow: instagram.com/polizzy/ Support Polow’s NYC Marathon: Polow is running the NYC Marathon in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. You can support his fundraising efforts here: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/polow-lynn Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #64 A Brain Aneurysm Nearly Took His Life. Now He’s Running NYC | Polow Lynn

  6. Aug 25

    #63 100 Mile Weeks, 12-Hour Shifts & Running a 2:28 Marathon | Madey Dickson

    Madey is a 2:28 marathoner chasing even bigger goals while working full time as a nurse and regularly training up to 100 miles per week. In this episode, we talk about how she balances 12 hour hospital shifts with high level marathon training, 4 a.m. runs, and the discipline required to make it all work. Madey shares how working in healthcare has changed her perspective on running, why she refuses to take her health for granted, and how she’s learned to race more aggressively and “close the gap.” Fueling 100 mile weeks, body image in distance running, recovery, relationships, the sacrifices behind chasing big goals, and why she wants other nurses and everyday runners to see that a demanding career doesn’t mean giving up the things you love. A conversation about running fast, making time, and appreciating the opportunity to do both. Chapters 00:00 Meet Madey: Nurse, Runner & 100-Mile Weeks 03:51  Managing Fatigue, Recovery & Fueling 09:18  Mental Toughness & Race-Day Mindset 16:22  From the Mile to a 2:28 Marathon 22:23  How Working in Healthcare Changed Her Running 24:42 4 A.M. Runs, Friends & Strength Training 28:57 Getting Faster & Building Confidence 36:50 Chasing the Olympic Trials & Staying Healthy 39:52 Two Full-Time Jobs: Work, Running & Sacrifice 43:33 The Bigger Why Behind Her Running Follow Madey: instagram.com/madeydickson/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #63 100 Mile Weeks, 12-Hour Shifts & Running a 2:28 Marathon | Madey Dickson

  7. Aug 22

    #62 He Quit His Job to Chase Sub-2:10 & Race the Best | Joey Whelan

    Joey Whelan was running 2:13 - 2:15 marathons while balancing running with work when he decided he had one more shot to see how good he could become. With the support of his wife, he quit his job, went all in on running, and eventually broke 2:10.  Joey talks about what changed when running became his full time pursuit, racing multiple marathons a year, recovering quickly enough to keep coming back, and what each race has taught him. We get into Berlin's brutal heat, winning and setting course records, representing Team USA, training at 100+ miles per week, and the small details he's learning as he tries to close the gap to the next level.  Now, after winning 11 marathons, running under 2:10 and holding five course records, Joey isn't interested in staying where he knows he can win. He's headed to Chicago to find out how he stacks up against some of the best runners in the country and he's not finished yet.  This one is about betting on yourself, finding another level, and seeing what happens when you go all in. Chapters 00:00 Going All In on Running 09:21 Chasing Sub-2:10: Berlin, CIM & Going Full-Time 16:16 Learning to Race Like the Elites 21:17 Racing the Best & Chasing the Majors 28:30 What Every Marathon Has Taught Him 35:54 What Separates a 2:09 Marathoner? 44:46 Recovery, Fueling & Life as a Pro 52:34 Nothing to Lose: What Comes Next Follow Joey: instagram.com/jpwhelan23/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #62 He Quit His Job to Chase Sub-2:10 & Race the Best | Joey Whelan

  8. Aug 18

    #61 Emily Durgin: When Will I Feel Like Myself Again? | Injury, Recovery & 2028

    Emily Durgin has been a U.S. champion, finished ninth at the 2024 Olympic Trials, and spent years consistently improving and competing at the highest level. Then an injury changed the rhythm of everything. Emily opens up about the past year and a half of trying to feel like herself again. She shares what it was like racing at 85%, questioning whether her best years were behind her, and eventually deciding that continuing to push through wasn't worth sacrificing a full recovery. We talk about the mistakes she's made returning from injury, learning when to stop forcing fitness, rebuilding from the ground up, and separating her identity from running while still believing deeply in what she can accomplish. Emily also looks ahead to 2027 and 2028, why she believes her fastest running may still be ahead of her, and what it means to give herself the chance to go all in one more time. Chapters 00:00 – Emily’s comeback and injury reset 01:04 – Why she stopped racing through pain 05:23 – The hardest part: being away from competition 07:12 – Starting fresh in Boulder 10:59 – The lesson: stop running through it 12:21 – Why racing means so much more than workouts 17:39 – Redefining success and choosing joy 27:13 – Hill strides and rebuilding form 30:32 – The biggest mistake runners make after injury 34:12 – Faith, friendship, and joy outside running 43:15 – December marathons and the road back 47:41 – Why 2028 is the main goal 50:55 – What she’ll appreciate most when she’s back Follow Emily: instagram.com/em_durgin/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

    #61 Emily Durgin: When Will I Feel Like Myself Again? | Injury, Recovery & 2028
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Ratings & Reviews

4.3
out of 5
3 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
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The People Run Podcast
  • Show Website
    The People Run Podcast

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