Ever heard a coach tell you to "just be mentally tough" and wondered what on earth that actually means in the middle of a grueling marathon? In this episode of the podcast, we’re breaking down the lazy branding of sports psychologist buzzwords with Dr. Megan Cannon, PhD. Fresh from her keynote session at Dirt Camp in the Berkshires, Dr. Cannon joins us to reframe sports psychology as true strength and conditioning for your brain, giving endurance runners an actual, mechanical toolkit to handle race-day anxiety and mid-race panic.We dive deep into her formula for mental toughness—the intersection of emotion and attention regulation—and unpack the "MVP" mindset (Mentally Versatile Performance). Plus, Dr. Cannon shares practical, battle-tested strategies from her own wild adventures, ranging from tackling Half Dome at 5-foot-2 to surviving a brutal seven-day summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, proving why having your head where your feet are is the ultimate game-changer for your next starting line.

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, host Letty Lundquist sits down with Massimo Ian, Head of Marketing & Communications at Tracksmith. Massimo shares how his multicultural upbringing in New York City shaped his deep appreciation for community, food, and human connection. He opens up about his early years in running—from using the sport as a coping mechanism while navigating his identity as a closeted youth to healing his relationship with running and body image. Massimo details his career transition from international non-profit work with UNICEF and youth rehabilitation programs in Brazil into the running industry. He discusses the importance of representation, creating welcoming spaces for underrepresented communities in running, and his favorite weekly mindfulness habit: running "unplugged" without a watch, phone, or headphones to stay connected with nature and body feel.

In this episode, veteran sports nutrition coach Erin Sperald dives deep into the clinical reality of Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), exposing how chronic underfueling sabotages athletic performance, immune function, and bone health. Sperald shares actionable strategies for calculating baseline nutritional needs, using carbohydrates as a flexible fuel dial to match training output, and shifting focus away from aesthetics toward long-term health and longevity. Whether you are balancing heavy marathon mileage or struggling with recovery plateau, this conversation provides essential insights to optimize daily fueling and protect your metabolic foundation.

What separates a late-race marathon breakdown from a course PR? In this episode, host Letty Lundquist sits down with RRCA Certified Coach, Abbott 6-Star Finisher, and veteran pacer Dave Masterson to discuss his new book, "Marathon 101" by Dave Masterson: A Professional Pacer's Book Running Your Personal Best. Having paced and finished over 70 marathons, Dave shares his front-row strategies on mastering energy conservation, training your gut for race-day fueling, skipping aid-station chaos, and executing a smart pacing plan.

In this episode, Letty sits down with global runner Inga Dengel to explore her multi-cultural background, her return to distance running, and the unique realities of training in Athens, Greece. From managing multi-generational household dynamics to surviving early-morning heat and stray dog encounters, Inga shares a candid look at building consistency, overcoming recurring injuries through strength training, and finding creative mental space on the run.

Why leave state for a 10K? In this episode, Letti and Ryan dive into their weekend trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Around the Crown 10K Together with Truist! What was supposed to be a fun family getaway turned into an epic mini-marathon experience complete with closed highways, 10,000 runners, and unbeatable community energy. From line dancing at the shakeout run to flying through the inner lanes of Interstate 277 and exploring the US National Whitewater Center, we break down why Charlotte is a top-tier destination race for runners of all levels.

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, Letty sits down with Aniruddh Munde to discuss his personal and athletic journey. Aniruddh reflects on growing up under high academic expectations in India, starting his running journey in Los Angeles, finding freedom through running while coming out, and executing a coached training cycle to achieve a 3:58 marathon PR in Sydney. He also discusses managing perfectionism, using running to build mental resilience, and giving himself grace through injury recovery.

In Part 4 of the Masterclass, the focus shifts from physical training to race-week execution, logistical discipline, and mental strategy. The session outlines a proper 36-to-48-hour carbohydrate loading protocol targeting low-fiber, simple carbs to maximize glycogen stores without digestive bulk. It builds a reverse-engineered race morning countdown from pre-race meals to corral logistics, details early-race pacing mechanics to prevent the trap of "banking time," and equips runners with cognitive tools—like chunking, process cues, and reframing—to push through central nervous system fatigue when hitting the wall in the final miles.

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, Letty sits down with Stephanie Platt to discuss the evolution of her running journey. Stephanie reflects on getting her start in middle school cross country, maintaining her running routine during her husband’s military deployments, and the wild five-week stretch in fall 2021 where she completed St. George, Boston, and NYC. She also opens up about why running serves as non-negotiable mental self-care for mothers and how she is navigating physical setbacks like plantar fasciitis.

In episode 330 of the Marathon Running Podcast, host Letty breaks down her experience running the 2026 Sydney Marathon—which she rates an 11 out of 10—alongside her husband and co-host, Ryan. Traveling with tour group sponsor Destiny 2 Sport, Letti arrived nine days early to adjust to the time difference and explore local sites like the Blue Mountains with friends. Leading up to race day, she attended media events, press conferences, the expo at Olympic Park, and the official opening ceremony at the Sydney Opera House. Despite experiencing stomach cramps and vomiting from accidentally taking a caffeinated gel during the race, Letty persevered alongside a friend, taking in iconic sights like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the lively spectator zones before enjoying a scenic finish at the Opera House and post-race celebrations at Sydney's historic Fortune of War pub.