Runner Rising with Nicole Dobransky

As a run coach, the number of followers you have doesn't matter if none of them are actually turning into paying athletes. On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, we talk about what has changed on social media and why "I have open spots" posts or your own personal PRs and finish line pics aren't enough for most run coaches to fill their roster. I share how one client in particular, with over 20,000 followers was getting fewer inquiries and what we did to get her 7 consults with one post.Understanding how to write sales copy as a run coach and sell your coaching is the most valuable skill that allows you to feel calm and confident in filling your athlete roster. Join the Followers to Athletes FREE Webinar, on April 21st at 11 AM PST & learn why your social media isn’t converting into paying athletes — and the exact 3 types of posts that help run coaches consistently fill their roster without posting like an influencer. https://runnerrising.com/from-followers-to-athletes-free-webinar-for-run-coaches/ 

How do I manage to grow two online businesses at once, while being a mom of 3 young kids and marathon training myself ?Well on this episode of the Runner Rising podcast I'll share exactly how I do it - from when I do athlete check ins, to when I write social media posts, how I fit in my runs and how often I drink coffee with my husband (spoiler: it's a lot).I also share how my schedule has changed over the years since I started coaching almost 10 years ago & in different phases of life.

In the last month, my run coaching account reached 1 million views and I enrolled 23 new athletes into my group coaching program. On today's episode of the Runner Rising podcast, I am sharing the 3 reasons why that happened - and I bet they aren't the "go viral" tips you're expecting.

Do you want to earn more income and help more runners, but you're starting to reach a cap on your time? You care about your 1:1 athletes and want to want to give them the time and attention they deserve, , but you don't have time to double the number of athletes you coach, so it seems impossible to double your income. Group coaching could be the right next step for you. On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, originally aired in Feb 2025, you'll hear firsthand how my group coaching programs have been structured , the pros and cons to group coaching, ideas for your group coaching programs, and questions to ask yourself to determine if you're ready.To schedule a call to discuss if my 1:1 business coaching is the right fit to help you launch YOUR group coaching offer, go to www.runnerrising.com or email me nicole@runnerrising.com .  ----Hi, I’m Nicole, a former accountant turned full time coach for runners. I started Runner Rising to help other run coaches learn the marketing skills to get more clients & so they can spend more time doing the things they love, like coaching & running. Follow me on Instagram⁠ @runner_rising⁠ and check out the Runner Rising podcast every Friday for interviews with run coaches & marketing & business insights.  To learn more about my Runner Rising Academy or business coaching, go to ⁠www.runnerrising.com .⁠----Hi, I’m Nicole, a former accountant turned full time coach for runners. I started Runner Rising to help other run coaches learn the marketing skills to get more clients & so they can spend more time doing the things they love, like coaching & running. Follow me on Instagram⁠ @runner_rising⁠ and check out the Runner Rising podcast every Friday for interviews with run coaches & marketing & business insights.  To learn more about my Runner Rising Academy or business coaching, go to ⁠www.runnerrising.com .⁠

Does it feel SLOW right now? Getting fewer new athlete inquiries? Less likes and followers on Instagram? On this episode of the Runner Rising Podcast, Nicole Dobransky shares the reality of seasonality in run coaching (when its slow, when its busy) and what you can do NOW to ensure that you're filling your athlete roster for the summer & fall racing season. In this conversational and real talk episode ,Nicole also talks about showing up on social media when the world feels heavy or divisive.

If you are consistently posting on Instagram but aren't sure if it's actually helping you get new athletes or not (or if you do get new athletes from instagram, it feels very random and sporadic ,not predictable) - this episode of the Runner Rising podcast is for you. In this reality check, I break down exactly how you take someone from stranger to follower to fan to athlete, including the 3 types of posts you HAVE to be making and what is no longer working in 2026 that used to work.If you are posting on social media 3x/week, getting sporadic new followers, posting athlete shout outs, but it’s not converting to consistent paying athletes, then you need to listen to this episode. And if you want to learn how to become great at attracting new athletes using social media so that you can become a fully booked run coach, join the Runner Rising Academy. https://runnerrising.com/runner-rising-academy-group-program/

In this real talk episode of the Runner Rising podcast, Nicole Dobransky shares the nuance and realities of leveling up in your run coaching business. Whether you're leveling up to:A new coach (0-2 athletes)Part time coach (3-20 athletes)Full time coach (20+ athletes)Leader coach (Full time + leading other coaches or a group etc)You will face the same mental hurdles as you go up each level. Understanding why and when these will show up and taking consistent action anyway is what will separate you from those who succeed and those who stay stuck or quit.

Does your website use words like "big goals" and "busy life?" Did you create a website when you started coaching, but haven't really edited it since? Does your website share your run coaching certification and where you live within the first 2-3 sentences? If so...you'll want to listen to this episode of the Runner Rising podcast where I share the 3 biggest website mistakes I see run coaches making that I truly believe are costing them paying athletes. If you want me to take a quick look at your website - send me a message on Instagram @runner_rising or email me nicole@runnerrising.com

Ever wondered if you should start a podcast to grow your run coaching business? Or want to know how to balance both group in person coaching AND online 1:1 run coaching? On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, you will learn the inside scoop on how Sara Mandercheid of Elevate Your Running has grown a full time run coaching business - first by hustle and in person run coaching and later with a successful & respected running podcast and a growing team. If you want to hear the struggles, hurdles and realities of taking your run coaching business from a hobby to full time, you will love this episode.------Sara is the Founder + head coach of Elevate Your Running Coaching, a podcaster, and an endurance masters athlete in Boulder, Colorado. You can find Elevate Your Running online at elevateyourrunning.com, and on social media at @sayrahrunshappy and @elevateyourrunning (Instagram, Threads). The Elevate Your Running Podcast is available every Thursday on your favorite listing platform.

Every single week I ask: What was one success? What was one thing you struggled with ?In this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, Nicole Dobransky shares a success and a struggle from her own run coaching business this week and explains why this powerful exercise can be the difference between long term success and quitting on yourself too soon.

I'm a firm believer that you will only rise to the level of your personal belief. In this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, Nicole shares her own experience with self belief and personal development books in growing her business.Nicole's Favorite Personal Development Books: Motivation: The Gap and the Gain (and 10x is easier than 2X)  There's no B plan for Your A game - Bo Eason Energy Bus  Personal Belief: Essentialism You Are a Badass High Five Habit Productivity: Atomic Habits The Compound Effect Leadership: Road Back To You

2026 is here and running continues to BOOM! This is great news for run coaches who want to grow their client base or even become full time run coaches in 2026. But despite the increase in demand for runner and races selling out at record rates, the online space for running advice &, run coaching is exceedingly crowded. On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, Nicole Dobransky shares predictions for 2026 running & marketing trends that savvy run coaches need to know so they can stand out and succeed.She breaks down the trends into both running industry trends and online marketing trends and shares how run coaches can leverage these trends to build their businesses. To get Nicole’s help in growing your run coaching business in 2026, inquire about 1:1 business coaching or the Runner Rising Academy here.

On this episode of the Runner Rising Podcast, Nicole Dobransky shares an intimate look at her OWN run coaching business. After losing a significant portion of her income in 2024 due to a dissolved partnership, she had to rebuild - her way. And it wasn't easy. She shares the highs and lows of growing her 1:1 run coaching, creating new group coaching offers and expanding Runner Rising. She shares what worked and didn't work with her marketing and some lessons she's taking away.The Runner Rising Academy group program starts officially on 1/5 - you can join us to get the system, support & motivation to grow your run coaching business to new levels in 2026 by signing up today!

In this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, Nicole Dobransky asks you to dream bigger in 2026 and beyond. What do you REALLY want in your run coaching business? Happy New Year!

Don't start the new year without asking yourself these questions! In this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, Nicole Dobransky walks you through insightful questions and valuable exercises that can help you reflect, analyze, celebrate and learn from the last year as a run coach. She also shares some of her own insights, lessons and successes as a full time run coach in 2025. ___Go to www.runnerrising.com to learn more about working with Nicole or joining the Runner Rising Academy to help achieve your 2026 run coach business goals.

In this episode of the Runner Rising podcast, I interview Annette Rolston, who fell in love with running as an adult and now helps beginner runners train for their first race as a run coach. Annette is a graduate of the Runner Rising Academy which helped her create her marketing system to bring in new runners. She also gained the confidence to leave her position as a full time teacher to pursue run coaching and teaching part time. In this episode, Annette shares her story, some valuable learnings & reassuring guidance to help other run coaches gain the courage to take the next step in growing their business online with the Runner Rising Academy. You can connect with Annette on Instagram at Mariposa Miles. Learn more about the Runner Rising Academy and how it can help you grow your run coaching business: https://runnerrising.com/runner-rising-academy-group-program/Use code COACH to save $350 off the group program or $700 off VIP.

It's separation season!!! Here's an exact plan for December from marketing expert for run coaches Nicole Dobransky to gain new athletes in your run coaching business in January. Covered in this episode:Why you should not wait til January to increase your marketing efforts. What the focus of your marketing needs to be in December. What kind of social media posts/reels to do in December. 4 emails to send in December that will help you get clients in January. Need more step-by-step guidance like this? Join the Runner Rising Academy before December 17th to join the BONUS 2026 run coach business planning call. https://runnerrising.com/runner-rising-academy-group-program/

What does it take to build a six figure business online ?It's these habits - they may be simple but not always easy - that have helped me do it. And in this episode, I share how you can build these habits too.

It's here!! The new and improved Runner Rising Academy is now open for enrollment. On this episode of the Runner Rising podcast I walk you through the new and improved Runner Rising Academy group program, explaining who it's for and what exactly you can expect if you join. Enrollment is OFFICIALLY open for a January start. Use code BLACKFRIDAY to save $700 off the group program and $1000 off VIP. Learn more and enroll now to grow your run coaching business with me.

Stuck in the emotional roller coaster of gaining a run coaching client and then losing one ? Want to add not just 1-2 new athletes to your roster but more like 10-20 more? Want to be fully booked and/or the known run coach for your speciality or in your area? Here are 3 obstacles I see standing in the way of making the breakthrough you need to create consistent income and the coaching business that you dream of. -----Get on the waitlist for the Runner Rising Academy group program, which opens Friday, November 21st: ⁠https://runnerrising.com/runner-rising-academy-group-program/⁠