The People Run Podcast

#46 The Heart of the Race | Pro Runner Kasey Knevelbaard

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Under Armour pro runner Kasey Knevelbaard for a conversation on racing, mindset, gratitude, and what it really means to chase your potential in today’s golden era of running. From Team Mission Run Dark Sky and life as a professional runner to racing internationally, injury prevention, shoe innovation, and learning how to stay present in competition, this episode goes far beyond splits and training plans. Chapters 00:00 Chasing The Best Version of Yourself 03:11 Why Running Times Keep Getting Faster 05:57 The Pressure of Competing In A Golden Era 09:01 Mental Performance & Letting Go of Outcomes 17:58 Finding The Heart Of The Race 20:41 Small Town Runner to NCAA 28:42 Training With The Best in Flagstaff 35:25 Why Pro Running Still Feels Like a Dream 38:49 Why Racing Different Distances Matter 44:18 Durability, Ego & Staying Healthy 54:48 Racing the World with Gratitude 01:04:13 Inside Running's Innovation Era Follow Kasey: Instagram: instagram.com/kaseyknevelbaard/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaseyknevelbaard/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#45 The Long Way to a 2:15 Marathon | Paxton Smith

Paxton Smith accidentally qualified for the Olympic Trials in his first marathon but the real journey started after that. In this episode, Paxton shares the long process of chasing a 2:15 marathon while balancing full-time teaching, coaching, high mileage training, and life in Miami after running at the University of Colorado. Chapters 00:00 Accidental First Marathon OTQ 05:39 Chasing the Dream at Coloarado 08:30 From Boulder to Miami, Teaching, Coaching & High Mileage 11:57 Failing Forward Toward 2:15 Marathon 20:54 Japanese vs. Kenyan Running Culture 23:27 Inside Iten: The Home Of Champions 25:48 What Kenya Taught Him 27:30 Breaking the Barrier to 2:15 31:09 The Army Behind the Breakthrough 33:47 Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Training 35:04 Elite Training, Coaching & What Comes Next Follow Paxton: Instagram: instagram.com/paxtonsmith18/ [https://www.instagram.com/paxtonsmith18/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#44 How Running on Blades Set Her Free | Tanya Khvitsko-Trimb

Born in Belarus in the aftermath of Chernobyl, Tanya Khvitsko-Trimb grew up between orphanages, boarding schools, and years of hiding her prosthetic legs from the world.  In this episode, Tanya shares her journey from Belarus to the United States, getting her first running blades, discovering freedom through running, and eventually chasing big goals like the Boston Marathon. We also talk about identity, motherhood, recovery from injury, what people misunderstand about disability, and why she wants to be seen as more than just “inspiring.” This is one of the most honest and powerful conversations we’ve had on The People Run Podcast. Chapters 00:00 Growing Up After Chernobyl 05:03 Finding a Future In America 10:14 The Day Running Found Her 15:08 Running on Blades 17:32 The Cost of Competing 20:54 Boston, Falling, and Getting Back Up 29:13 Running as Gratitude 32:04 More Than an Inspirational Story 35:43 The Reality Behind the Story 39:31 Freedom Through Running 42:17 Healing, Patience, and Running 45:14 Effort Over Excuses Follow Tanya: Instagram: instagram.com/tanyakhv/ [https://www.instagram.com/tanyakhv/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#43 How A Civil Engineer Reached HYROX Worlds | Aycan Kara

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Aycan Kara a civil engineer who started running and lifting in her late 20s and is now preparing for the HYROX World Championships. Aycan shares her journey from growing up in Turkey to discovering fitness after moving to the United States, how consistency changed her life, and what it’s been like balancing HYROX training with a full-time engineering career. They talk about overcoming gym intimidation, racing HYROX doubles with her boyfriend, training for her first marathon, chasing big goals while staying realistic, and the emotional story of racing alongside her dad in Turkey a moment that inspired her entire family to become more active. Chapters 00:00 From Turkey To Hyrox Worlds 06:17 Learning Fitness One Step At A Time 12:30 The Hyrox Lesson That Changed Everything 16:51 Balancing Engineering & Elite Training 18:10 Starting Hyrox Together 23:26 How To Start Hyrox The Right Way 25:11 Racing Alongside Her Dad 30:41 A Year Of Big Firsts 37:33 Facing Hyrox Worlds 42:16 Im Not Special, I Stayed Follow Aycan: Instagram: instagram.com/aycan.fit/ [https://www.instagram.com/aycan.fit/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#42 Running Was Never Mine To Lose | Nell Rojas

Professional runner Nell Rojas joins The People Run Podcast for an honest conversation about identity, recovery, and rebuilding her relationship with running. After stepping away from racing while battling Lyme disease and multiple co-infections, Nell opens up about the physical and mental toll of losing the thing that once defined her, learning how to slow down, and finding perspective through it all. We talk about the road to finally getting answers, how chronic illness changed her relationship with running, fear and validation in elite sport, signing with Altra during recovery, coaching athletes through breakthrough moments, and what it really takes to compete at the highest level. This episode is about more than racing. It’s about purpose, perspective, and learning who you are when running gets taken away. This is The People Run. Chapters 00:00 Where Running Left Nell Rojas 03:28 When Her Body Started Breaking Down 12:25 The Long Road to Answers 15:04 A  Different Relationship With Running 18:03 Coaching Through Recovery 21:33 Missing Running & Learning Patience 27:48 Finding New Opportunities 32:05 What it Takes To Compete At The Top 37:21 This Is Part Of The Process 43:07 Why Running Still Matters Follow Us: IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/ Follow Nell: IG: instagram.com/nell_rojas_running/ [https://www.instagram.com/nell_rojas_running/] Photo Credit to Joe Friend Subscribe to The People Run Podcast for more real stories from everyday runners, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode with a friend who needs some inspiration.