Ali on the Run Show

860. Sinclaire Johnson, HOKA Athlete

"This seems like a no-brainer. There's this company that really values what we're doing, and they don't really want to change that. All they want to do is find a way to support us." Professional middle-distance runner Sinclaire Johnson returns to the Ali on the Run Show today — this time as a HOKA-sponsored athlete. Sinclaire is the American record holder in the mile on the track and on the roads, both of which she set last year, in addition to making two 2025 world teams and running multiple personal bests. After spending her entire career thus far as a Nike athlete, Sinclaire is excited about big changes ahead with HOKA. In this conversation, she talks about why she made the sponsor switch now, and what that means for her home base, her coaching (she's coached by fiancé Craig Nowak; listen to their Love on the Run episode here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?i=1000550929404]), and her next steps. Sinclaire will kick off her indoor season — in her new racing kit! — this weekend at New Balance Indoor Grand Prix [https://www.nbindoorgrandprix.com/]. FOLLOW SINCLAIRE @sinclairejohnson [https://www.instagram.com/sinclairejohnson/] SPONSOR: * Lagoon: Click here [https://lagoonsleep.com/ALI] to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. In this episode: * What's making Sinclaire happy today (2:20) * What Sinclaire's watching right now (6:00) * An update on wedding planning (7:35) * Why Sinclaire decided to sign with HOKA this year after a long career as a Nike-sponsored athlete (13:05) * Recapping Sinclaire's year of big changes and reflecting on her coaching change in 2025, from Union Athletics Club's Pete Julian to fiancé Craig Nowak (28:30) * Sinclaire's "big training risks" from 2025 (34:40) * Sinclaire's "failures" from 2025 (35:50) * Sinclaire's biggest successes in 2025 (40:05) * How 2025 was a year of growth for Sinclaire (52:15) * How Sinclaire is feeling heading into her indoor season opener at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix, where she'll be racing the mile (55:00) * Sinclaire's hopes, dreams, and plans for 2026 (59:00) Follow Ali: * Instagram @aliontherun1 [https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1] * Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/509827249645825/] * Support on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/aliontherun] * Subscribe to the newsletter [http://aliontherun.substack.com/] SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?mt=2]. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

859. Hope Walz, Runner & Activist

"I'm a firm believer that there are more good people than bad. No matter what, I believe that." Hope Walz is a runner who works the night shift at a homeless shelter in Bozeman, MT. She is also the daughter — and running buddy — of Minnesota governor Tim Walz. This conversation was recorded the day after Governor Walz, Kamala Harris's running mate in the 2024 presidential election, announced that he wouldn't be seeking reelection in Minnesota. Hope talks about what that day (which started with a run, of course) was like from her vantage point. She talks about growing up in a political family and about the role running has played throughout her life, including on the campaign trail with her family in 2024. Plus: a very special guest pops into the Zoom room! FOLLOW HOPE @hopewalz [https://www.instagram.com/hopewalz/] SPONSOR: * Shokz [https://shokz.com/?utm_source=ALI&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=aliontherun]: Use code ALI for $10 off your next headphone purchase. In this episode: * What's making Hope happy today (3:50) * What it was like running with dad Tim Walz the day he announced he wouldn't be seeking reelection as governor of Minnesota (5:35) * What Hope's relationship with the news is like, and how she protects her peace online (10:00) * Hope's role in big family decisions, and her earliest memories of being raised in a political family (12:25) * How Hope manages public scrutiny toward her family and herself (20:45) * How Hope found out her dad would be running alongside Kamala Harris as the vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election (22:05) * "My dad's here if you wanna say hi!" (26:15) * What it's like when your dad runs for Vice President of the United States (27:45) * What it's like having a Secret Service detail (34:40) * On the run on the campaign trail (37:10) * How Hope maintains hope in an increasingly intense, scary, and divided world (40:30) * Why running is a privilege, and why Hope wanted to talk about that publicly (43:30) * Hope's take on the running community, and how running first came into her life (46:15) * How Hope is feeling after her dad's big announcement (56:40) Follow Ali: * Instagram @aliontherun1 [https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1] * Subscribe to the newsletter [http://aliontherun.substack.com/] * Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/509827249645825/] * Support on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/aliontherun] SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?mt=2]. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

858. The 2026 State of the Ali on the Run Show

"I needed you all to know that I was drowning, and I was scared." It's tradition: Happy New Year, and welcome to the annual State of the Ali on the Run Show episode! In this solo episode, I'm recapping 2025: the personal highs and lows, the professional highs and lows, and the beauty and chaos in between all of it. Last year, the Ali on the Run Show surpassed 25 million downloads. There were 82 episodes of the show with more than 70 guests (32 first-timers, and 38 recurring and returning guests), plus 11 solo episodes and six live shows. (The guest with the most podcast appearances in 2025: Cousin Jackie [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?i=1000712736776]!) Thank you for being her for the rollercoaster ride that was 2025, and for sticking around to see what 2026 has in store. This show may have my name in the title, but none of this exists without all of you. Thank you for choosing to be a part of this community. SPONSOR: * Lagoon: Click here [https://lagoonsleep.com/ALI] to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and take advantage of Lagoon's holiday sale, happening now! In this episode: * The 2025 Ali on the Run Show by the numbers (2:25) * My 2025 personal and professional highlight reel — and lowlight reel (36:25) * My key 2025 takeaways (1:05:45) * Revisiting my 2025 goals (1:18:40) * Looking forward on the Ali on the Run Show (1:23:35) * The 2026 Ali on the Run Show mission statement (1:41:30) * Answering listener questions about the show and beyond (1:44:05) Follow Ali: * Instagram @aliontherun1 [https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1] * Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/509827249645825/] * Support on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/aliontherun] * Subscribe to the newsletter [http://aliontherun.substack.com/] SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?mt=2]. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

857. Jackson Olson, Savannah Bananas Infielder & Runner

"I think there are a lot of athletes out there that are just so scared to show who they truly are and what they like because of their teammates and their coaches. And they're trying to get to the next level, and they're like, 'Oh well, if I like this then I'm not gonna get to the next level.' It's actually the opposite. You're probably gonna play better if you show who you truly are, because you're more free." Everyone loves Jackson Olson [https://www.tiktok.com/@jacksonolson_?lang=en]. The Savannah Bananas infielder is on a mission to make baseball more fun — and he's doing just that. Jackson has made a name for himself playing Banana Ball, which is like the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters. The exhibition-style games include full-on performances with choreography, lip syncing, and walk-ups designed to delight the sold-out stadium crowds. In this conversation, Jackson talks about his road to the Bananas, and his road to becoming a runner. This fall, Jackson ran his first race — the Disney Wine & Dine 5K — and now he's training for a 10K in January while figuring out how running fits into his busy baseball season. Plus, talking Taylor Swift, Disney World, and how Jackson found his voice and his confidence. FOLLOW JACKSON @jacksonolson_ [https://www.instagram.com/jacksonolson_/] SPONSOR: * New Balance: Click here [https://rstyle.me/+GU2v9sKwkn_HDuMTcvoCBA] to get your hands on the fan favorite Rebel v5! In this episode: * On identifying as a runner (2:40) * Jackson shares the journey to his first 5K, and his impressions of the running community (5:00) * Why Jackson turned down an offer to go pro out of college (13:55) * How Jackson learned to embrace his Disney-loving Swiftie side (20:40) * How Jackson became a Savannah Banana (29:30) * All about the theatrics behind the Bananas, including how Jackson pulled off his "Life of a Showgirl" walkup the day after The Life of a Showgirl was released (34:45) * What it was life living out a childhood dream: playing at Yankee Stadium (43:25) * Taylor Swift talk! (48:30) * Will we see Jackson on Dancing With the Stars? (58:00) * How Jackson is feeling heading into this season with the Bananas (1:02:00) Follow Ali: * Instagram @aliontherun1 [https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1] * Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/509827249645825/] * Support on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/aliontherun] * Subscribe to the newsletter [http://aliontherun.substack.com/] SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?mt=2]. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

856. A Holiday Message from Ali, 2025 Edition

"I felt your hands on my back. And I needed them." I love you. I appreciate you. In this short solo episode, I'm wishing you the happiest holidays and reflecting a bit. This year, for me, was at times wonderful and filled with joy. But mostly, I will remember 2025 as the year my breast cancer recurred and spread, reentering my life as a Stage IV, incurable diagnosis. Here's where I'm at — and what I wish for you — as we close out this year. Follow Ali: * Instagram @aliontherun1 [https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1] * Join the Facebook group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/509827249645825/] * Support on Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/aliontherun] * Subscribe to the newsletter [http://aliontherun.substack.com/] SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/ali-on-the-run-show/id1204523870?mt=2]. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!