Aisha Praught Leer’s Three Key Elements of Creating a High-Performing Team
From cheerleader to two-time Olympian - discover the 'secret sauce' that transformed an accidental runner into a world champion.Aisha Praught Leer is a two-time Olympian and holds seven national records for Jamaica, most notably as a gold medalist in the steeplechase at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She is a founding member of Team Boss in Boulder, CO, and a community organizer, an advocate for the world's best athletes as a member of the World Athletics' Athletes Commission, and works full-time in tech. Jon chats with Aisha about:having a process vs. outcome focusthe three key elements of creating high-performing teams training and racing with elite athletes like Emma Coburn and Usain Boltthe transition to corporate work (making 150 cold calls per week)training in altitude and the local running community in BoulderStay connected:Follow Aisha:https://www.instagram.com/aishapraughtleer/This episode is supported by:Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it’s meant to last!AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link!Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.For November: Use code FTLR 2026 for 10% off any race for 2026. You’re not going to want to miss Boulderthon in 2026!
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Amanda Brooks on Coaching the Middle Pack: Turning Running Punishment into Purpose
From faking knee pain to avoid running to coaching over 1,000 runners - Amanda Brooks knows exactly what it's like to be in the middle of the pack, because that's where most of us actually are.Amanda Brooks has been a running coach for over 13 years, working with thousands of runners to find more enjoyment in the process. She’s also known for the thousands of reviews on her site and her highly rated book, "Run to the Finish," geared towards the middle of the pack.Jon chats with Amanda about:when do you become a “real” runner?finding motivation to run when you’ve lost it (not race goals)time management strategies when running with a full time jobstereotypes that runners NEED to breakwhat Amanda considers when trying a new shoeindustry and shoe predictions for 2026Stay connected:Follow Amanda:instagram.com/runtothefinishwww.runtothefinish.comHer Book, “Run to the Finish:”https://a.co/d/i9rM7OFThis episode is supported by:PUMA: Get your pair at your local Fleet Feet or your favorite local running shop!Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link!Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it’s meant to last!AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.
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Sara Vaughn on Boulder Living, Marathon PRs, and Running for Something Bigger
At 35, Sara Vaughn was just getting started—landing her first professional contract and proving that sometimes the best chapters come when you're brave enough to rewrite the story.Sara Vaughn is mom of 4, placed 6th in the NYC Marathon in 2024, is a top American and 2X top 10 at the Chicago Marathon.Jon chats with Sara about:living the fullest Boulder lifestyleher marathon training structurethe winning mindset to have at the start linepost-race recovery techniquesthe go-to PUMA shoes that have lead to PRsStay connected:Follow Sara:https://www.instagram.com/saravaughn_realtor/https://www.instagram.com/vaughnchildcarefund/This episode is supported by:PUMA: Get your pair at your local Fleet Feet or your favorite local running shop!Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it’s meant to last!Eternal: Eternal is a performance health company for runners, endurance, and anyone serious about their training, with expert guidance to keep you healthy and performing your best.AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR2026 for 10% off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
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Sara Hall on Longevity, Mindset, and Finding Joy in the Process
After 21 years as a professional runner, Sara Hall reveals the mental shift that saved her career when she was ready to quit in 2009 - and why she refuses to use the 'grandma emoji' at age 42.Sara Hall is a professional distance runner for ASICS. Her personal best time for the marathon is 2:20:32 set at the Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona on December 22, 2020, making her the third-fastest American woman in history. She is the second-fastest American woman ever to run the half marathon, running 1:07:15 on January 16, 2022–an American record at the time.Jon chats with Sara about:her 21-year professional running careerhaving an identity beyond athleticstraining experiences in Ethiopia and lessons learnedhumanitarian work focusing on extreme poverty and the orphan crisis in Ethiopiawhat’s next after her running career and how to transition to the next chapterStay connected:Follow Sara:https://www.instagram.com/sarahall3/This episode is supported by:Eternal: This episode is sponsored by Eternal: a science-backed, preventative health company offering integrated primary care, advanced testing, and personalized health planning for active people. Whether you’re chasing a PR, recovering from injury, or simply optimizing long-term health, Eternal gives you the full picture and a plan of action.AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at amazfit.com and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it’s meant to last!Visit Leadville: So you think you know Leadville? Lake County has so much more to offer year-round than just the 100 miler in the summer. If you’re thinking of getting away, highly recommend booking a trip to Leadville to get up into the mountains, eat yummy food, and play outside. Check out more of what Leadville has to offer here!
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Eternal CEO Alex Mather on Longevity and the Future of Athlete Care
If you don’t invest in your weaknesses now, they will haunt you down the road.This conversation originally aired on Episode 13 of Long Run Labs, my new podcast on the business of the outdoor industry.Alex is the Founder and CEO of Eternal. Before founding Eternal, Alex was the founder and CEO of The Athletic, a subscription sports media company founded in 2016. The Athletic reached 1M paid subscribers faster than any publishing company in history and sold to The New York Times in 2022 for $550M. Prior to The Athletic, Alex ran Product & Design for Strava, helping the platform go from 800 users to 10s of millions. Originally from Philadelphia, Alex lives in Presidio Heights with his wife, two kids, and golden retriever. Jon chats with Alex about:Alex's Journey as a Runner and Endurance AthleteBuilding Strava's Growth and CommunityThe Athletic's Creation and Success StoryFounding Eternal and Its MissionLeadership Philosophy and Team BuildingStay connected:Follow Alex:https://x.com/amatherhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/alexemather/This episode is supported by:Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link!Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it’s meant to last!Eternal: Eternal is a performance health company for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone serious about their training. Eternal just added PCP capabilities for those in NY and CA to answer the question of, “so, does this mean you’re my doctor?”PUMA: Get your pair at your local Fleet Feet or your favorite local running shop!AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at amazfit.com and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.
About For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running
Exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Running is a sport that has the power to unite us all and we are here to share conversations about how running has shaped the lives of people within our community, as well as how running has created community in itself.
From pro runners and Olympians to ultramarathoners running their first big race to business owners who use running to improve their entrepreneurial journey, we believe in creating community and expanding the running world for all.
Hosted by running enthusiast, Jonathan Levitt.
South Africa