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Dylan Truesdale served as an Army Ranger before eventually leaving the military. Later, a devastating car crash changed the course of his life. He lost his right eye, suffered lasting damage to his remaining vision, and had to rebuild from a point where even basic movement looked completely different. What followed wasn’t a straight-line comeback. It was a decision to find out what he was still capable of. That decision eventually led Dylan to ultramarathons, a 3:03 marathon, HYROX, heavy strength training, and a life built around doing difficult things with purpose. In this conversation, he talks about becoming an Army Ranger, the crash and recovery, running his first ultra with limited vision, why he wakes up at 3:30 AM, how he balances strength and endurance, and the mindset behind “nobody’s coming.” Pasted text Pasted text Pasted text The conversation also turns to the mission behind his next challenge: attempting to ruck 100 miles in 24 hours to raise money for veterans. Dylan opens up about PTSD, his own mental-health crisis after leaving the military, the veterans he has lost, and why carrying that weight has become about far more than completing another endurance event. Content Note: This episode includes discussions of PTSD, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, and suicide loss. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Chapters 00:00 Perseverance 01:14 Why He Joined the Army 04:26 Becoming an Army Ranger 14:39 The Crash That Changed Everything 22:22 “The Baddest Motherfer Ever”* 28:03 From Recovery to Ultra Running 35:42 His First Ultra: Heat, Falls & Getting Lost 41:30 “Nobody’s Coming” 43:00 How He Trains, Works & Lives at 3:30 AM 49:05 6'5", 200 Pounds & a 3:03 Marathon 58:40 100 Miles in 24 Hours for Veterans 1:01:16 PTSD, Suicide & Why the Mission Matters 1:08:42 What Comes Next SUPPORT DYLAN'S 100-MILE RUCK FOR VETERANS Dylan Truesdale is taking on a 100-mile ruck in under 24 hours, with a goal of raising $100,000 to support veterans. If you'd like to support his mission or learn more about the fundraiser, you can find the link below. Donate or learn more: donate.mission22.org/campaign/814545/donate Follow Dylan: instagram.com/dylanctruesdale/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What does it really take to become one of the best Marathoners in the world? Zouhair Talbi joins The People Run Podcast for a conversation about the years of work, belief, sacrifice, and environment behind competing at the highest level of distance running. Fresh off winning the Great North Run in 59:47, Zouhair reflects on his journey from Morocco to becoming one of America's top distance runners, and why his ambitions now extend far beyond his accomplishments so far. We talk about the mindset required to compete against the world's best, how training alongside Olympians changed his perspective, and the Boston Marathon performance that helped him see what was possible. Zouhair also opens up about the difficult years of training alone, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why his current training is the product of 17 years of consistent work rather than one breakthrough season. With the New York City Marathon ahead, he shares what he's chasing next, what success means at this stage of his career, and the legacy he hopes to leave for the next generation of runners. A conversation about running, ambition, and everything that goes into pursuing something bigger. Every runner has a story. Chapters 00:00 Winning the Great North Run  06:46 Learning How to Race the World's Best  12:44 From American Elite to World-Class Ambitions  15:26 What Separates the World's Best Runners?  22:13 Boston Marathon: The Fight Through Mile 23 25:00 What Boston Taught Him About Belief  28:28 17 Years Behind a 130-Mile Week  32:00 Consistency, Recovery & Training Around Life  34:42 Why You Need People Around You  36:54 New York City Marathon & the Bigger Picture 44:58 The Legacy He Wants to Leave Follow Zouhair Talbi: instagram.com/zouhairathle/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

João returns to The People Run after making his half marathon debut at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, running 1:11:58. We talk about why the race became the hardest effort of his life, fighting through the final kilometers, losing his bib mid-race, finishing second in his age group, and what he learned about himself when things started to hurt. João also shares what life has been like since moving to the UK to study sports science at St. Mary’s, why he chose recovery over another race, and what comes next as he turns his focus back toward the shorter distances. Chapters 00:00 Running 1:11:58 in His First Half 03:26 How Long Can I Hurt For? 06:12 The Result and What Made Him Proud 09:54 Losing His Bib & Copenhagen Atmosphere 15:00 Recovery, Restraint & the Next Training Block 18:50 Life at St. Mary’s & What Comes Next Follow João: instagram.com/joao._runs/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

“I Am a Runner”: Living and Racing With Cystic Fibrosis | Katie Katie O’Grady has spent much of her life trying to answer one question: How far can she go? Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six years old, Katie found running alongside her dad and discovered a talent that would eventually earn her a college scholarship. But repeated infections, pneumonia, hospital stays, and the loss of her mother continually interrupted the running career she wanted to pursue. Through it all, Katie never stopped seeing herself as a runner. In this conversation, Katie shares what it felt like to repeatedly lose fitness and start again, the doctor who saw her as an athlete while she was hospitalized, and the medication that allowed her to take a deep breath in a way she hadn't before. We also talk about her journey to the Boston Marathon, training under Nell Rojas, her 3:19 marathon and recent half-marathon PR, learning when to back off, and the voice of her late mother that she still hears during difficult miles. At the heart of it all is Katie's pursuit of her potential not simply a number on the clock, but the opportunity to keep discovering what her body can do. Every runner has a story. This is Katie's. Chapters 00:00 The Question of Potential  01:20 Finding Running and Discovering Her Talent  05:15 Losing Her Mother and Rebuilding in College  08:49 The Cycle of Illness and Starting Over  10:17 “I Am a Runner”  11:55 A Doctor Who Saw the Runner  14:41 Taking a Deep Breath for the First Time  19:33 Racing, Training, and Recovery  25:51 A 3:19 Marathon and the Joy of Running  29:02 Potential, Indianapolis, and the Future 37:04 Why Katie Wants to Keep Running Forever Follow Katie: instagram.com/katies_race_to_breathe/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

Fran Kilinski is all in on the pursuit of HYROX Elite 15. At 32, Fran is chasing a place among the sport’s elite while navigating the demands of training, racing, and life outside competition. He’s even left his second job to give himself more room to pursue that goal. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, we get into his journey through running and HYROX, what it takes to compete at this level, the decisions he’s made along the way, and what he’s learning as he pushes toward Elite 15. Every runner has a story. Chapters 00:00 Going All In on HYROX Elite 15  04:04 Balancing Work, Training & Recovery  08:49 Where Fran Needs to Improve  12:54 Zone 2, Speed Work & Running Training  20:02 Are We Too Afraid of Fatigue?  26:00 HYROX Growth & the Future of the Sport  43:46 Finding Community Through Fitness  48:09 HYROX World Championships in Sweden  58:00 Race Goals & the Next Challenge  01:03:53 Running PRs & Life Beyond Racing Follow Fran: instagram.com/fran_kilinski/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

Adriana Prince is a full time middle school teacher, a 2:54 marathoner, and a runner who regularly logs 70-90 miles a week. But what makes her story interesting isn't just how much she runs. It's how much she loves doing it. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Adriana shares how she found her way into running, stepped away from competitive racing, and rediscovered the joy that eventually led her to a sub three hour marathon. We get into her early morning routine, balancing training with teaching, learning when to back off, and the role faith and community play in her life. Now, with the Chicago Marathon approaching, Adriana is preparing to chase a new personal best. We talk about what's changed in her training, what she's learned from previous races, and what she hopes to take away from Chicago beyond the finish time. Chapters 00:00 Why Adriana Loves Running 04:20 From Casual Runner to Competitor 10:05 From 3:14 to 2:54 19:43 What the 2:54 Finish Meant 21:55 13 Miles Before Teaching 31:00 Workouts, Treadmills & Tough Days 40:04 Running as Worship 43:12 When Running Stops Being Fun 48:19 Chicago Marathon: Chasing Sub-2:50 52:52 What Makes a Successful Race Weekend? Follow Adriana: https://wwwinstagram.com/runningthelife_/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

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

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

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/

Less than a year after signing up for her first HYROX, Courtney qualified for the HYROX World Championships. In this episode, Courtney shares how she balances a full-time career, family life, and training while chasing her potential. We talk about qualifying for Worlds, running a sub 40 10K, training 15+ hours a week, fueling, recovery, and the mindset that's helped her improve so quickly. Whether you're training for HYROX, running your next race, or simply trying to fit big goals into a busy life, there's something in this conversation for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: From First HYROX to Worlds 02:11 Signing Up for Her First HYROX 03:57 Training, Mindset & Finding Her Potential 07:10 The Mental Side of Racing 10:11 The Road to HYROX Worlds 15:46 Race Day at Worlds 19:01 Lessons From HYROX Worlds 23:02 Running, HYROX & Getting Faster 29:07 Balancing Work, Family & Training 33:04 Fueling, Recovery & Community 44:02 What's Next? Hong Kong & Future Goals Follow Courtney: instagram.com/courtney.hybrid.fit/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/