He broke the barrier—and the sport felt it.

Quentin Nauman is back on the pod in the final episode of our Festival of Miles series—a fitting finish to a week that reminded us just how far the sport is moving.

Just days ago at the HOKA Festival of Miles, Quentin lined up against the top high school milers in the country and ran 3:58.65—joining the elite ranks of sub-four athletes and pushing the ceiling of what high school runners can do.

It wasn’t just a win. It was a cultural moment in high school track.

This year has been something different. Sub-four miles are no longer mythical, they're happening. But Quentin’s not just following the wave. He’s setting it.

Earlier this season, he became the first high school athlete in U.S. history to run sub-1:50 in the 800 and sub-4:00 in the 1600 at the same meet. That’s not progression. That’s a shift in what young athletes believe is possible.

What’s fueling this surge in high school distance running? What does it mean to carry the weight of a generational leap? And where do we go from here, now that the old limits are falling?

This isn’t just a fast kid running fast. This is a flashpoint in the evolution of the sport and Quentin Nauman is right in the middle of it.

In today's conversation, Quentin takes me through a race that will define him and his legacy for years to come. We dive into the BTS of the 2025 FOM and Quentin's legendary performance, where he won in 3:58 in a 54 close; we talk about the rest of his season, his ambitions for the future, including breaking Alan Webb's record, and more.

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Recorded live. Fueled by the energy of the crowd. Powered by HOKA.

Straight from the Big River Running Company in Missouri on June 4th, this special episode of the podcast captures the excitement, energy, and anticipation just one night before the iconic HOKA Festival of Miles.

We sit down with four of the sport’s most compelling figures: Olin Hacker – NCAA champion turned pro who thrilled fans with his powerful closing speed in previous Festival races; Krissy Gear – Steeplechase star known for her fearless racing style, who brought the heat to this meet with memorable performances in the past; Brandon Miller – A local favorite and middle-distance standout whose past runs at the Festival showcased both talent and heart in front of his hometown crowd; and Colleen Quigley – Olympian and St. Louis native who’s been a longtime supporter and star attraction of the Festival, using this stage to inspire the next generation.

Whether you're a die-hard track fan or just tuning in, this episode sets the stage for one of the most exciting nights in distance running.

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What does it take to run for 28 hours straight?

To go beyond exhaustion—when your body gives out and only your will is left?

Alyssa McClellan knows.

She’s a former elite CrossFit athlete, a mother of four, and an ultra-endurance machine. At the Go One More Last Man Standing Ultra, Alyssa ran nearly 120 miles in just under 28 hours, outlasting every other woman and placing fourth overall. No pacers. No excuses. Just pure grit.

But her story doesn’t start there.

Before ultra running, Alyssa competed at the highest levels of CrossFit, ranking 252nd in the world and 156th in the U.S. at the 2018 Open. Her numbers speak for themselves: 320-pound back squat; 236-pound clean and jerk; 340-pound deadlift and 196-pound snatch.

Now, she’s bringing that same fire to the ultra scene—trading barbells for blisters and short bursts for soul-crushing distance. And she’s doing it all while raising four boys.

This episode goes deep into the pain cave—the place where most people quit and Alyssa keeps going. We talk aboutmental toughness, comebacks, and what it really means to show up, suffer, and choose to keep moving.

No fluff. No finish line. Just raw endurance.

Let’s go.

In today's conversation, Alyssa takes me through her 28 hours of pain, how she kept pushing when things got difficult, training for these endevours as a wife and mother, her ambtions for the future, and so much more.

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From rock bottom to 100 miles — today’s guest redefines what it means to fight back.

Meet Sean Rhodes: former alcoholic, now ultramarathoner, mental health advocate, and the driving force behind a mission that’s bigger than any finish line.

In May 2025, Sean didn’t just run a 100-mile race — he built one. The Stoney 100 was raw, solo, and powered by purpose: raising awareness for mental health and backing recovery-focused nonprofits like Quest in Recovery and Charleston Hope.

His stats are legit: he has run 37:00 in the 10k, 1:23 in the half marathon, 2:59 in the marathon, and 21:27 for 100 miles.

But forget the numbers for a second. What really matters is the journey — the comeback, the community, the cause.

This isn’t just a running story. It’s about resilience, redemption, and the grit to turn pain into purpose.

Strap in. This one’s got heart.

In today's conversation, Sean takes me through his 100-mile pursuit, flipping his life around and his life transformation, the key to unlocking discipline, how to keep going when your mind is giving out, how to put on muscle while still being a runner, his future goals, and so much more.

Tap into the Sean Rhodes Special.

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He’s gone from a four-hour marathoner to a 2:32 powerhouse — today, we’re sitting down with the unstoppable Eric Floberg.

Based in Chicago, Eric has become a standout in the running world for his incredible marathon transformation — going from a 3:59 debut to a blazing 2:32:44 personal best. But his impact doesn’t stop at the finish line.

Eric is also a master storyteller. Through his cinematic running videos, he’s built a powerful connection with a global audience. With over 250,000 YouTube subscribers and more than 100,000 Instagram followers, he’s proving that running isn’t just about racing — it’s about meaning, movement, and message.

He’s clocked impressive PRs across the board — 16:15 in the 5K, 1:12:24 in the half, and of course, that 2:32 marathon. But what makes Eric’s story really stand out is how he balances elite-level training with family life, filmmaking, and authenticity in everything he shares.

Today's podcast is a conversation between two friends. We discuss BPN's Last Man Standing, running a 2:32 Marathon, Packers vs Bears, filmaking, work / life balance, training insights, and so much more.

This one is fun. A chill, convo. Perfect for your next run.

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We love the idea of a breakthrough—the dramatic finish, the record-shattering time, the race where it finally clicks.

But what if that moment you’re chasing isn’t about magic… but mindset?

Returning to the show today is Alex Ostberg, former NCAA standout and the thoughtful voice behind The Rundown. In this episode, we dive into the psychology of high performance and unpack four of Alex’s most powerful recent essays.

We begin by debunking the myth of overnight success, revealing how real progress is built quietly—through patient, consistent effort. From there, Alex explores how belief isn’t just motivational—it’s foundational. Because if you don’tbelieve you’re capable, your body won’t act like it is.

We then tackle what it means to find “the edge” as a runner—and why growth begins the moment you step beyond your comfort zone. Finally, we discuss the internal narratives that unfold on race day, and how the stories we tell ourselves can shape—or sabotage—our performance.

This episode is more than a conversation about running. It’s about mindset, identity, and learning how to rewrite your limits from the inside out.

In today's conversation, Alex tackles key subjects like breakthroughs, the central governor theory, breaks down scientific studies that you can apply directly to your running/life, how to deal with pre-race nerves, pressure, anxiety, and more.This episode is VALUE packed and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

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Some people push the limit. Kim Gottwald treats it like a starting line.

Meet Kim Gottwald: ultra-endurance athlete, viral content creator, and founder of Rappid Runs, a running apparel brand built for the brutal reality of long-distance races.

If his name isn’t on your radar yet, it will be. Kim just co-won the Go One More Ultramarathon in Texas, racking up a mind-bending 378 kilometers (234 miles) before the race was shut down for extreme weather.

But here’s what really sets Kim apart: it’s not just his mileage. It’s his grit. His no-filter honesty. His ability to blend raw toughness with sharp humor.

He’s run 100K on an 800-meter loop in Cologne. He has blown up on TikTok for telling it exactly like it is. He’sredefining what an ultra athlete looks and sounds like.

In this episode, we’re talking last man standing races, the mental warfare of endurance, and what it actually feels like to hit hour 50 of a run with no finish line in sight.

Whether you're a hardcore runner, an intrigued outsider, or just into seeing what the human body—and mind—can reallydo, you’re in for a ride.

Strap in. Kim Gottwald is here.

In today's conversation, Kim takes us deep into the untold stories behind his 234-mile effort — from hallucinations and heartbreak to the mindset shifts that kept him moving through the dark, the mental tools he used to survive it, what it really takes to go beyond your limits when your body is begging you to stop, and his thoughts on lining up again in 2026.

Tap into the Kim Gottwald Special.

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Charlie Vause didn't just make waves this past season — he tore through the high school cross country scene like a storm, and today, we're fired up to welcome him back.

Charlie, a senior at Rio Rancho High School in New Mexico, returns to the podcast after emerging as a standout in U.S. high school cross country during the 2024–2025 season. His achievements include winning the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN) and being named the Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year.

Vause has committed to run at Brigham Young University (BYU) after serving a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He was honored as the 2025 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Player of the Year, presented by Olympian Grant Fisher, recognizing his athletic excellence, academic achievement, and exemplary character.

Vause clinched the national title at the 2024 Nike Cross Nationals with a time of 15:28.1, finishing 2.5 seconds ahead of the runner-up.

He has PRs of 14:30 5k, a 4:01 converted Mile, 1:51.86 in the 800m, 8:51 two mile.

In today's conversation, Charlie takes me through the last six months after winning NXN, his track season, handling newfound pressure and expectations, his goals for Festival of Miles, and why he shows up when it matters the most.

This is Charlie's last chance at the 4:00 minute barrier. Expect him to put on a show.

Tap into the Charles Vause Special.

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