Sweat Elite Podcast

Matt is joined by Canadian 2:09 marathoner Tom Nobbs, fresh off a huge breakthrough performance at the McCurdy Marathon. Tom ran 2:09 on a low-key, looped course to become the fourth fastest Canadian marathoner of all time and he did 98%+ of the build up on a treadmill! He joins the show to break down the training, racing, and mindset behind the result. Train with Matt Fox here: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt Fox here: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Tom Nobbs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nobbs.not.knobs/ Tom Nobbs Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/28521910 Matt opens the episode by welcoming Tom Nobbs to the podcast just days after his outstanding 2:09 marathon at McCurdy. Tom explains why the performance was especially meaningful given the unusual lead-in - it was his fourth marathon in around two and a half years, his first back-to-back marathon build since the Marathon Project, and a winter training block completed almost entirely on the treadmill. Tom shares how that treadmill-heavy buildup created a lot of uncertainty around race-day pacing and fitness translation. Once the pacer stepped off early, he was left to run roughly 22 miles alone on a looped course with confusing lap splits, forcing him to rely heavily on feel and effort rather than clean external feedback. That ability to stay composed and trust the work became one of the defining parts of the race. The conversation then turns to Tom's progression from 2:15 to 2:12 to 2:09. Rather than simply piling on more mileage, he credits much of that jump to improved speed, better quality, and specific Canova-style sessions such as 12 x 1K plus 6 x 400, along with frequent strides and faster running around 5K to 3K pace. Matt and Tom discuss how those layers of speed have helped raise his ceiling while still supporting marathon performance. They also get into body weight, fuelling strategy, and how Tom thinks about food through a marathon build, as well as race shoes, including the Puma Fast-R 3. Tom speaks about coaching with Team Run Run, his philosophy around helping athletes improve, and the value of putting bold goals out publicly rather than hiding from them. Later in the episode, they touch on Connor Mantz dropping Boston, the pros and cons of pros racing too often, and Tom's own plans moving forward, which include returning to shorter races on the track and over 10K before deciding on a possible fall marathon. Timestamps: 00:00 - Meet Tom Nobbs 01:04 - Fresh Off 2:09 02:16 - Why This Build Worked 03:54 - Treadmill Winter Grind 06:01 - Race Day Chaos 09:39 - Running Solo Confidence 12:57 - From 2:15 to 2:09 15:50 - Monster Canova Sessions 17:19 - Heat and Treadmill Doubts 21:43 - Strides and Speed Layer 26:42 - Predicting a 5K Return 28:17 - 5K Time Expectations 28:42 - Weight and Food Mindset 30:47 - Fueling and Carb Strategy 35:06 - Race Shoes and Sponsorship 36:56 - Sharing Big Goals Online 43:02 - Starting YouTube Content 44:37 - Coaching Career and Philosophy 48:01 - Pros Racing Too Often 52:27 - Wrap Up and Next Races

In this week's episode of the Sweat Elite Podcast, Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) reveal that they have both been doping to sub 2:20 marathons. They also talk about Emma Bates' UCAN sponsorship drama, an inbound message from Hugo Fry, Ben Is Running's Berlin Half Marathon result, Cole Gibbons' stress fracture, and much more. The episode covers a mix of humour, controversy, racing updates, and behind-the-scenes insights into elite and sub-elite running. Train with Matt Fox here: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt Fox here: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Mick Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Mick Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/ Mick Fox and Matt open the episode with an April Fools prank, jokingly "confessing" to doping before quickly revealing the joke and shifting into the main discussion. The light start transitions into a more serious check-in with Mick, who shares an update on a long-delayed hospital stress test following previous chest pain and concerns around heart health. The conversation then turns to the Emma Bates and UCAN sponsorship situation. They break down Bates' claim that she was dropped due to pregnancy, contrast it with UCAN's statement that discussions had already been underway, and highlight how quickly social media can form one-sided narratives without full context. This leads into a broader discussion around online reactions, accountability, and the dangers of pile-on culture. They also revisit commentary around running creators, with Mick acknowledging that Hugo Fry reached out privately to explain his financial situation and background. That added context shifts Mick's perspective, with Hugo planning to share more publicly in a future video. On the racing side, Mick recaps a tough half marathon run in heavy wind and rain, finishing around 68:40 for second place while importantly coming through healthy with no hamstring issues. Luke and Matt also highlight Ben Felton's strong 1:04:50 PB in Berlin and discuss an unusual race moment where a pacemaker nearly crossed the line first, sparking conversation about race dynamics. Matt shares updates from China, including exploring local running culture, testing Chinese super shoes, and the possibility of visiting factories to better understand production, distribution, and pricing. This opens into a broader reflection on journaling, maintaining real-world friendships, and staying grounded beyond social media. The episode also touches on Cole Gibbons withdrawing from the London Marathon with a stress injury, and a wider discussion around criticism directed at influencers. They reference Mary McCarthy's comments on gendered criticism in running and examine how online negativity often escalates beyond reasonable discussion. They close by encouraging listeners to join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed for deeper training conversations, additional episodes, and access to the Discord community. Timestamps: 00:00 - The Sub 2:20 Doping Confession 02:18 - April Fools Reveal 03:16 - What Matt Is Doing in China and Mick's Stress Test 05:17 - Emma Bates UCAN Controversy 11:14 - Hugo Fry's Inbound Message 16:23 - Mick Half Marathon Recap 18:06 - Ben Felton Berlin Half PB 20:40 - Petros and Pacemaker Drama 21:59 - Training Update Check-In 22:43 - Gold Coast Marathon Plans 25:05 - China Trip Shoe Mission 28:44 - Testing Chinese Super Shoes 32:17 - Journaling and Real Friends 35:13 - Cole Gibbons Injury Talk 36:53 - Mary McCarthy Runner App Debate 39:39 - Online Hate and Influencer Pile-Ons 46:05 - Wrapping Up and Supporters Plug

In this week's episode of the Sweat Elite Podcast, Michael Fox and Matt launch a new weekly series - The Fastest Fox - with Mick Fox returning to the show. They discuss Mick's hamstring comeback, his first race back, training philosophy, marathon goals, content creators in running, and much more. Train with Matt Fox here: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt Fox here: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Michael Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Michael Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/ Mick and Matt open the first episode of the new weekly Fastest Fox series with Mick Fox, covering Mick's recovery from a hamstring injury and the emotion of getting back to proper running after recently being limited to 5K runs at around 8-minute pace. Mick shares how meaningful it felt to return to one-minute reps at sub-5 mile pace and previews his first post-injury half marathon, where the main goal is to race freely, avoid obsessing over splits, and come away healthy. The conversation also explores how age-related decline is often less about age itself and more about life pressures like family, poor sleep, and limited training time, with Irish runner Gary O'Hanlon mentioned as an example of what is still possible later in a running career. Luke and Matt then discuss Steven Scullion's recent Spencer Matthews interview, including thoughts on keeping training simple, the role of lactate and zones, honesty around shoes, and the pros and cons of overcomplicating performance. Later in the episode, they talk through how YouTube and content incentives can push runners toward racing too often, reference creators like Jake Barraclough and Hugo Fry, debate Ben Felton's shift away from the "Road to Rotterdam" idea, and reflect on how often they would race a marathon themselves. They finish by sharing marathon goal times, discussing the balance between high mileage and speed blocks, and teasing next week's deeper conversation on nutrition products, coaching, and the private feed. Timestamps: 00:00 - Fastest Fox Returns 00:32 - Hamstring Comeback Joy 01:52 - Half Marathon Plans 03:16 - Race Day Mindset 04:45 - Back To Training Build 06:39 - Age Family And Sleep 09:24 - Steven Scullion Takeaways 15:08 - Marathon A Month Lessons 17:03 - Weather And Run Struggles 18:35 - Running Content Roundup 21:14 - Jake In Japan Strategy 23:48 - Racing for Content 25:13 - Monthly Racing Pros 27:42 - Ben Felton Debate 29:46 - Why Skip Rotterdam 31:30 - Trusting the Coach 36:26 - Marathon Time Goals 38:05 - Chasing Irish Masters 40:01 - Speed vs Mileage 44:49 - Nutrition and Session Timing 45:58 - Wrap and Private Feed

In this Sweat Elite Podcast Training Talk episode, Matt interviews Kyle Weise who is helping guide Matt's return to running and long-term goal of breaking his marathon PB over the next 12–18 months. Kyle shares his background, starting running in late 2012, racing ultras early including a 100K at age 19, studying exercise science, working as a physio, and transitioning into coaching while building a Gold Coast-based squad alongside remote athletes. Kyle's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3517976/ Kyle's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_weise/ Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Supporters Club: https://www.sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox The conversation explores common mistakes runners make, including chasing short-term results, copying elite sessions by distance rather than effort or time, over-relying on data, and failing to properly cycle training. Kyle explains his preference for time-based prescriptions, capping most marathon long runs around 2:45–3:00, and balancing speed development with aerobic base and threshold work. Kyle outlines his own marathon journey, including a PB of 2:31:50, and reflects on why he fell short of sub-2:30, pointing to limitations in leg strength and cramping. They also discuss Matt's sacral stress fracture, why imaging often lags symptoms, and a cautious return-to-run process built around walk-run progressions. The episode finishes with thoughts on using a 5K-focused speed block before returning to the marathon, managing content consumption, highlighting athletes like Jimmy Whelan, and how patience and long-term consistency ultimately separate runners who reach their potential. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome  01:06 Kyle's running origin story 02:34 From physio to coaching 05:37 Patience and long term gains 09:30 Stop copying elite workouts 12:19 Time vs distance mindset 14:06 Marathon long run limits 16:51 Kyle's marathon journey 19:34 Why the sub 2:30 faded 21:46 Matt's comeback and marathon principles 25:45 Marathon Pace Myths 26:36 Rebuild Then Speed 28:17 Stress Fracture Scans 30:16 Symptoms vs Imaging 33:02 Return to Run Plan 34:38 Back to Consistent Training 37:11 Sydney Timing and 5K Goals 39:38 Benchmarks vs Race Execution 44:00 Testing Speed for Marathon 46:38 Time Goals and Mindset 49:07 Racing Without Splits 50:47 Race Not The Clock 52:29 Marathon Goals And Variables 54:15 Curating Running Content 57:58 Social Media Noise And Sponsors 01:01:12 Who To Follow From Zero 01:05:00 Tall Poppy And Jealousy 01:07:30 What Makes Runners Great 01:12:02 Where To Follow Kyle

I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates, including my return from injury, training in Bangkok, travel disruptions, Globe Runners plans, and listener questions on performance, recovery and mindset. Train with me: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 I recorded this In My Opinion episode from Bangkok, where I ended up extending my stay to meet more people, coach athletes and attend Hyrox. Travel plans shifted a bit with flights becoming more expensive and disrupted, partly due to the ongoing situation involving Iran and rising oil prices, which made things a bit unpredictable. I talk through my return to running after injury, following Kyle Wees's 18-day run-walk progression alongside cross training on the bike and stair climber. The focus is on staying patient and only going down the scan route if symptoms return. I've been running at Lumphini Park and catching up with athletes in person, including Chris Weeks, which has been a nice change from purely online coaching. I share some observations from being in Thailand - the low cost of living, the culture, and the interesting contrast around cannabis being widely visible despite reports of legal tightening. I also reflect on solo travel, meeting new people, and some of the connections made at places like ice bath venues. There's an update on Globe Runners, with thoughts around building future training camps in Thailand and applying lessons from past Sweat Elite trips, particularly around timing and structure. I also touch on how regional instability can impact travel and planning. From there I move into listener Q&A, covering topics like training alone versus with a group, how to break through plateaus, and why slowing down easy runs can often be the lever athletes need. I also discuss mindset around mileage, managing ego with Strava, and building confidence in your own strengths. Other topics include marathon mindset tools, sleep and supplements like magnesium, thoughts on cannabis use, when to change training, altitude race timing, and practical travel-to-race logistics. I also answer questions on weight loss during marathon prep and share some broader thoughts on skepticism around elite performances and doping. I wrap up by highlighting Australian runner Jimmy Whelan, bringing back Workouts of the Week, and finishing with some final thoughts on fueling and consistency. Topics 00:00 - No Edit Podcast Setup 00:25 - Bangkok Plans Shift 01:17 - Return to Running Plan 03:46 - Lumpini Park and Coaching Shoutouts 04:39 - Thailand Costs and Culture 07:17 - Hyrox Weekend and Flight Chaos 08:18 - Solo Travel and Ice Baths 10:42 - Globe Runners Training Camps 13:57 - War Talk and Travel Disruptions 18:35 - Q&A Training Solo vs Group 24:06 - Mileage Plateaus and Pulling Levers 26:45 - Easy Runs and Strava Ego 29:35 - Personal Mileage Beliefs 30:23 - Strengths and Potential 31:33 - Marathon Mindset Tools 32:29 - Sleep Supplements and Cannabis 35:29 - When to Change Training 36:49 - Altitude Race Timing 38:26 - Race Day Travel Tips 39:45 - Weight Loss While Training 40:36 - Doping and Enhanced Games 48:22 - Jimmy Whelan Spotlight 52:04 - Workouts of the Week 56:42 - Fueling and Final Wrap

In this Sweat Elite Training Talk episode, Matt interviews Gold Coast runner Marty Bordignon after his Osaka Marathon PB of 2:46:05, a roughly four-minute improvement, paced evenly with a 1:22 high / 1:23 low split. They discuss Marty's summer heat-based build, coached by Kyle Weise, with a strong focus on effort over numbers, plus reflections on wanting a faster result and lessons for future races like Gold Coast. Marty's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/18059049/ Marty's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mlawrence9/ Matt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt's Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox Marty outlines a conventional training week of intervals on Tuesday, threshold on Friday, and a long run on Sunday. He explains a 16-week marathon build that began with a six-week weight reduction phase at around 80 km per week, before increasing fueling and building toward peak mileage of around 150 km per week. The conversation covers whether more speed work and strides could help marathoners, the role and risks of weight management, semaglutide appetite suppression, tall poppy syndrome in Australia, and the pros and cons of posting ambitious running goals publicly. They also touch on the running content and podcasts they enjoy, including How Bad Do You Want It. Timestamps: 00:00 New Guest Intro 00:55 Osaka Marathon Recap 03:30 Why He Started Running 05:47 Inspiration And Mindset 07:53 Was He In 244 Shape 12:31 Osaka Training Structure 16:04 Speed Work For Marathoners 22:32 Weight Cut And Fueling 25:50 Ozempic Debate In Running 29:58 Tall Poppy Syndrome 34:02 Tall Poppy Talk 34:38 Gold Coast Build Plan 35:38 How Bad Do You Want It 36:19 Effort Over Numbers 37:58 Heart Rate Obsession 41:25 Finding Running Joy 43:18 Running Is Black And White 44:54 Wanting It Most 45:53 Scholarship Race Story 48:02 Favorite Run Creators 54:28 Ben Felton Marathon Debate 58:35 Podcasts And Wrap Up

Episode Summary Irish runner and content creator Michael Fox joins Matt to discuss his unconventional path in the sport. After early success as a teenage 800m/1500m runner, Mick drifted away from athletics in his 20s - moving to Australia, gaining around 30 kg, dealing with injuries, and switching focus to cycling before eventually finding his way back to running. He recounts his return to the sport and debut at the 2018 Dublin Marathon in 2:40, followed by several frustrating blow-ups while trying to improve. During COVID lockdown he leaned heavily into high mileage, including multiple 100-mile weeks, which helped unlock a new level of endurance and led to major progress - improving to 2:33 at Belfast and eventually running 2:19 for the marathon, though not without more setbacks along the way. Mick discusses becoming somewhat mileage-obsessed, then later working with a coach to incorporate faster work and more half-marathon focused training to complement his endurance. He also shares how he balances training with running a full-time sports massage business, raising three kids, and operating on limited sleep, crediting his wife's support and occasional altitude camps as key pieces of the puzzle. The conversation also touches on social media dynamics in running, outspoken opinions online, content creation, and dealing with backlash - including reactions to his gel-fueling videos. Mick explains his process for creating content, why he continues posting despite criticism, and his recent efforts to cut back caffeine and energy drink dependence. He closes by outlining his ambitions to push his marathon PB closer to 2:16. Mick Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709 Mick Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/ Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics: 00:00 - Foxes On The Pod 01:04 - Early Track Years 02:15 - Drifting From Running 02:34 - Australia Weight Gain Reset 03:37 - Marathon Spark 2018 04:03 - 800m Times And Racing 05:34 - First Running Motivation 07:21 - Debut Marathon Two Forty 09:11 - Covid Mileage Breakthrough 11:58 - Training Lessons And Volume 15:46 - Speedwork And Half Focus 18:00 - Balancing Family And Training 21:37 - Outspoken Online Persona 23:03 - Favorite Creators And Takes 30:02 - Hugo Fry Transparency Debate 33:47 - Gel Video Backlash Story 40:03 - Growing Instagram Following 40:12 - How He Makes Content 40:36 - Why He Posts Anyway 42:29 - Caffeine Detox Story 46:55 - Marathon Goals And Limits 49:15 - Work Schedule Reality 52:26 - Altitude Camp Dreaming 54:13 - Kenya Training Fantasy 58:49 - Friendly Rivalry Talk 59:30 - Matt's Sub 215 Ambition 01:04:17 - Valencia Entry Tips 01:06:09 - Comeback From Injury 01:08:25 - Handling Online Backlash 01:13:14 - Wrap Up And Where To Follow

Ben and Mary Bridges (Messy Is Happy) recap Tokyo Marathon weekend, celebrating Mary's 3:00:01 PB and discussing her rapid progression from 3:13 (Chicago 2024) to 3:04 (Shanghai) to nearly breaking three hours. They attribute the improvement to consistent training, gradually building to ~100 km weeks, and focused mindset work. Ben reflects on his emotional on-camera reaction at the finish and shares his own marathon journey, progressing from 2:50 at the 2019 London Marathon to 2:44 in Chicago, with a long-term goal of running in the 2:30s. He also recounts his Chicago trip where he raced well despite being jet-lagged and unwell. They explain the niche they are building with This Messy Happy across YouTube and Instagram - combining coaching-focused content, relatable storytelling around their own running journeys, and light comedy reels. They also discuss how the value of traditional tutorial-style content is shifting as tools like ChatGPT become more widely used. Looking ahead, they outline a "Six in 26" idea for 2026 - a travel-heavy year attempting six marathons while documenting the experience. The conversation also touches on leaving teaching jobs in Thailand to pursue content creation and coaching full time, creators who inspire their work, and Thailand's rapidly growing running scene known for its celebratory atmosphere and safe places to run. Links Messy Is Happy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thismessyhappy/ Messy Is Happy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisMessyHappy Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Tokyo Weekend Recap 00:51 Three Hour Breakthrough 02:12 Training Behind Progress 03:34 Raw Finish Reaction 05:02 Channel Mission Explained 09:29 Future Content Direction 11:01 Ben Marathon Journey 12:26 Chicago Travel Chaos 15:13 Leaving Teaching Behind 17:24 Creators They Follow 20:46 Authentic Brand Deals 21:30 Merch Funds Independence 22:06 Staying Relevant on YouTube 22:41 Entertainment Beats Advice 23:52 Viral Running Comedy Reels 25:59 Wordless Humor vs Dialogue 27:01 Defining Content Goals 28:05 Photo Album Mindset 30:12 North Star Over Views 31:29 Upcoming Races and Targets 33:43 Running Culture in Thailand 36:43 Living Safe in Thailand 38:01 Where to Follow Next

I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates. Train with Matt: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 I recorded this ramble episode from Phuket during a 10-day Thailand and Bali trip where I've been catching up with friends while doing some work. Part of the trip included visiting Thanyapura Sports Resort to see if it might work as a future Globe Runners Asia training camp location. I talk about some of the longevity content from Brian Johnson and walk through his "eight steps" framework - doing hard things, building a bedtime routine, starting the day with purpose, future-proofing your body, treating food like medicine, killing distractions, removing isolation, and avoiding motivational garbage. From there I discuss Ben Felton racing two half marathons on consecutive weekends and use it as a jumping off point to talk about training and racing more by feel rather than being overly dependent on rigid pacing data. I also cover the Tokyo Marathon, including frustrations with the race tracking app and a breakdown of Jake Barraclough's Tokyo build - his high mileage approach, injury concerns, livestreams during the build up, race plan doubts, and the eventual DNF. I mention other performances from the weekend including Nick Bester running 2:25 and highlight SECA member Merna finishing Tokyo while fasting during Ramadan. Later in the episode I bring back Workouts of the Week with sessions for the 5K/10K, half marathon and marathon, read some hate mail, discuss emails about GLP-1 weight loss drugs and how they might affect fueling for endurance athletes, share Mark from Finland's perspective on the doping crisis in Kenya, and finish by answering a question about Luke's approach to the marathon. Topics 00:00 - Welcome and Agenda 03:43 - Thailand Trip and Training Camp Idea 05:44 - Brian Johnson Longevity Lessons 07:56 - Eight Steps and Key Quotes 18:53 - Ben Felton and Racing by Feel 23:39 - Training Without Data Obsession 27:50 - Tokyo Marathon App Rant 28:40 - Jake Barraclough's Tokyo Build Up 30:54 - Taper Doubts and Volume Fear 33:17 - Race Plan and DNF Breakdown 34:14 - Rethinking Jake's Training 37:16 - Shout out Merna - SECA Member running Tokyo fasted 38:49 - Workouts of the Week Return 40:02 - 5K / 10K Ladder Session 41:04 - Half Marathon Track Alternations 42:30 - Marathon 30K Progression 44:21 - Hate Mail and Ozempic Debate 53:29 - Kenya Doping Context Email from Marc 56:40 - Luke's Osaka Marathon and Training Takeaways 01:00:43 - Wrap Up

Episode Summary Runner and content creator Josh Berlari (Josh "Josh Berlari") breaks down the training behind his 2:29 London Marathon (2025) and a near-sub-15 5K, pushing back on rumors of "minimal training." He shares that his peak was about 100 km per week, with a focused 4-5 week speed block before a marathon block that overlapped with fasting during Ramadan. Based in Bali for five years, Josh explains how he built a 140K+ Indonesian-language Instagram following by running in costumes (including a suit and a Go-Jek helmet), while trying to balance entertainment with a serious pursuit of elite performance. He also discusses his full-time e-commerce and digital marketing role selling hearing aids into the US, managing global operations after scaling to seven figures per month. Now coached by Mark Scott, Josh details his build toward Tokyo up to roughly 140 km per week before an ankle injury from stepping into a pothole in heavy rain. He outlines how he's using bike and treadmill cross-training, and why he's keeping Tokyo conservative (around 2:24-2:25), while targeting sub-2:20 this year and longer-term goals that include London, Gold Coast, and Berlin. Links Josh Fothergill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshberlari/ Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 - Minimal Marathon Build 00:31 - Speed Block Before London 01:47 - Fasting Through Training 02:26 - Meet The Runner 04:35 - Costumes And Content 07:20 - Going Global With YouTube 09:38 - Day Job And Hustle 11:58 - Full Time Running Dreams 16:06 - Coached By Mark Scott 18:47 - Tokyo Injury Setback 22:03 - Tokyo Goals And Potential 23:53 - Marathon Time Goals 25:17 - Instagram Origins 26:26 - Back To Back Racing 28:15 - Upgrading Content Gear 29:50 - Costumes Versus Speed 31:39 - Helmet And Suit Lessons 33:38 - Future Content Direction 37:51 - Tokyo Injury And Plan 41:01 - Where To Follow Josh 42:29 - Faith And Online Stereotypes

Matt interviews high performance coach Selva Yoga following Selva's earlier public comments on doping in elite distance running. Selva has worked with male athletes holding personal bests ranging from 2:25 down to 2:07 in the marathon, and female athletes as fast as 2:38. He has personally coached athletes from 2:26 down to 2:16 in the marathon. The conversation breaks down how athletes are caught - in and out of competition testing, missed whereabouts filings, and biological passport irregularities - alongside claims of uneven enforcement. Selva alleges corruption within parts of Kenyan athletics, including bribery, advance warning of tests, falsified medical exemptions, age manipulation, and financial exploitation by managers. He also raises serious concerns around coercion and abuse of young athletes, while repeatedly framing his comments as based on accounts shared with him rather than direct proof. Matt and Selva also discuss well known training groups and high profile athletes, with Selva careful not to make direct accusations without evidence. He emphasizes that both Kenya and Ethiopia have strong, clean systems operating alongside problematic ones, and that culture, incentives, and financial structures often shape the level of risk. The episode closes with Selva inviting athletes to connect with his Toronto-based Northern Endurance Project. Links Northern Endurance Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northern.endurance/ Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Podcast comment sparks debate 01:23 Coach background and philosophy 06:10 Brother Colm and Kipruto ban 07:03 Mafias and drug access 15:09 Sexual harassment by managers 22:22 Athletics Kenya testing reality 24:16 Are Kelvin Kiptum and Eliud Kipchoge doping? 31:38 How the truth emerges 33:42 Was David Rudisha clean? 35:12 Coaching ethics and trust 37:24 Good coaches in Kenya 38:22 Renato Canova under the microscope 42:48 How drugs get bought in Kenya 49:35 Blame the system, not athletes 53:41 Wrap up and contact info

I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates. Train with Matt: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 I wished friends luck at Osaka and Tokyo and spoke about returning to YouTube to document a marathon comeback despite not running yet and feeling imposter syndrome. I explained why I moved away from pro-athlete travel content - doping concerns, COVID restrictions, visa limits and tax complications. The channel is shifting toward my own journey. On training, I addressed the effort vs pace debate. Context matters. Effort leads, especially when fatigued. I spoke about avoiding the anxiety spiral by focusing on sensation and adaptation rather than numbers and judgment. I touched on influencer culture, unnecessary products, and doping speculation - urging caution without proof. I discussed coaching as an optional performance tool, like super shoes, and may use a coach in an advisor role. I'll likely train mostly in standard shoes and race in super shoes. Current context: I'm around 79 kg and believe 65-66 kg aligns with a 2:12-2:15 goal. I reflected on running 2:20 off ~105 km per week in 2021. I'm considering cycling and stair climbing to maintain fitness while reducing impact and avoiding ego-driven mileage. I also covered my 10-year Japan ban, alcohol vs cannabis culture, pre-race nerves, speed after 40, Australia's social media ban for under-16s, and moving Workouts of the Week into a paid Supporters Club to build a healthier community. Closed with plans for stairs, weights and a cold plunge. Topics 00:00 - Welcome Back to 'In My Opinion' (Format, cadence, and what to expect) 00:54 - Race Week Shoutouts + Osaka Marathon Feelings 02:16 - Carb-Loading Stories & Filming a Marathon Comeback Series 03:17 - Why I Stepped Away From the 'Pro Athlete Training' Travel Life 04:45 - COVID-Era Australia, Visas, and Getting Stuck at Home 07:26 - US Immigration Reality Check + A Detour Into Money, AI, and the Future 09:37 - Q&A Starts: Training by Effort vs Pace (Ben's tempo run 'contradiction') 11:52 - Email/Inbox Mindset + Running Content Creator Fatigue 14:15 - Brands, Influence, and What Running Really Needs (Nutrition & authenticity) 15:55 - Make It About You: Imposter Syndrome, YouTube strategy 18:33 - More Listener Mail: Helsinki banter + Switching to new questions 19:49 - Fraser's Big Idea: Sensation vs Measurement (escaping the anxiety spiral) 21:53 - Truett/Luke 'hate' discourse: Entertainment vs negativity in the pod 23:53 - Osaka Marathon Q: Can I watch? Japan ban, cannabis vs alcohol, and moving on 26:12 - When Do You Actually Need a Coach? (Ken Rideout example) 26:52 - Supplements, ketones & super shoes: what you actually need 28:33 - Why chase a faster marathon: goals, weight loss & the reset mindset 29:45 - Coaching plans and past drama: finding the right advisor 30:46 - Train in trainers, race in supers? Injury risk & adaptation 32:34 - Influencers, supplements & doping gray zones (L-carnitine, EPO, T) 37:58 - Supporters club + Discord: keeping the community clean and paid 40:46 - Quick-fire training Qs: cycling/stairs, bathroom nerves, speed after 40 52:47 - Wrap-up: more questions, today's workout & how to reach out

Luke and Matt kick off with some light banter before Luke's travel day into Japan for the Osaka Marathon - a small delay, a tight connection, business class, melatonin sleep, and ANA staff going above and beyond to get them through. That opens a broader chat on Japan's world-class service, its strict rule-following culture, and why Japan feels "cheap" right now with the yen and day-to-day costs. The episode then pivots to Jake Barraclough's "Ran To Japan" video and his blunt take on doping in pro running - how hard it is for major names to get caught, the risks for whistleblowers, and how brand protection, TUEs, and enforcement can shape what the public does (and doesn't) see. Luke and Matt keep the language careful while still digging into the bigger system-level questions. On the racing side, Luke and Matt talk about Truett Hanes' Austin Marathon hype - and the contrast with the women's winner Kellen Taylor running a women's OTQ-level performance that didn't get the same attention. They also recap Barcelona Half - Hugo Fry's standout 1:03:35, plus Ben is Running and Victor Smang's results and what it suggests for Ben's Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan. They close with a broader YouTube chat - raw vlog energy vs cinematic edits - and a few hints at Matt ramping back into regular uploads alongside coaching. Links Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Gray beard banter & getting older 01:02 Luke arrives into Japan: delays, connections 06:54 Why Japan feels "cheap" right now: yen, costs, exchange rate chat 08:07 Jake Barraclough "Ran To Japan": blunt talk on pro running doping 15:21 Big names, brand protection, TUEs, and why enforcement is messy 38:24 Austin Marathon: Truett Hanes  44:34 Barcelona Half recap: Hugo Fry 1:03:35  53:07 Ben is Running & Victor Smang: results, pacing, and the Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan 58:35 YouTube talk: raw vlogs vs cinematic edits + Matt's return to uploading 01:07:09 Training updates + supporter club wrap

In this detailed conversation, Alex Harvey discusses his recent impressive half marathon in Japan, the skepticism around his progression, and his transparent use of Strava to share his full training. Alex breaks down his early marathon times and steady improvement through consistent training. He covers marathon challenges (fueling and getting intensity right), how business and family life fits around training, and his aspirations heading into Tokyo Marathon. He also shares why racing without a strict time goal can be valuable, plus how context-specific training has helped him progress. We also get into his preference for training alone, keeping training efficient, and his approach to diet - along with why he largely avoids strength training and cross training. Follow Alex Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexxharvey/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/46089368/ Work With / Follow Matt Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Shareholders Club / Private Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Introduction and Recent Achievements 00:10 Addressing Skepticism and Progression 02:42 Early Running Experiences 03:51 Transition to Serious Training 05:05 High School and Early Twenties 07:35 Inspiration to Start Running 09:38 Recent Race Highlights 12:59 Training Philosophy and Volume 17:48 Training Alone and Flexibility 19:42 Speed Work and Coaching 24:28 Long Runs and Marathon Preparation 25:03 Training in the Heat: Adapting to Queensland's Climate 26:02 Key Training Sessions: Building Endurance and Speed 27:09 Mental Strategies for Pacing and Performance 30:21 Fueling Challenges and Solutions 33:34 Balancing Life: Business, Family, and Running 38:28 Speed and Distance: Exploring Potential and Preferences 41:59 Diet and Weight Management for Optimal Performance 44:45 Cross Training and Strength Training Insights 47:16 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow

This episode of the Sweat Elite podcast delves into recent interactions with athlete Luke Hugo Fry and his preparation for the Boston Marathon, including his feedback on the podcast's take on his training. The hosts discuss the implications of Strava usage and social media for athletes, emphasizing the mental aspects of training comparisons. The episode also highlights content creator influences, comparing runners' unique training styles like Hugo Fry's authentic approach against Ben is Running's more data-focused methods. There are mentions of elite athletes such as Keely Hodgkinson and her training style, along with critique on the potential over-analysis of training data. The episode also includes predictions for Truett Hanes' upcoming Austin Marathon performance and reflections on the benefits of speed work in marathon training. Finally, an update on personal training and racing plans, including Luke's Osaka Marathon preparation, wraps up the episode. Links Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Luke Hugo Fry's Feedback on SE Podcast 01:49 The Strava Comparison Debate 04:33 Keely Hodgkinson's Training Style 09:24 Hugo Fry's Authentic Approach to Training 11:44 Analyzing Ben Felton's Running Goals 15:49 The Role of Data in Marathon Training 25:16 The Hybrid Approach to Running 26:49 Training in Kenya and Ethiopia 28:39 Team Makou's Training Insights 32:26 Creatine and Weight Loss in Marathon Training 37:24 Truett Hanes Austin Marathon Predictions 43:06 Eric Flober Winter Half Marathon Video 46:11 Osaka Marathon Preparation 48:37 Join the Shareholders Club

Train with Matt: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact: matt@sweatelite.co Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Matt shares updates and insights on the podcast, including decisions on returning to YouTube and the importance of flexibility in content planning. He discusses recent digital detox strategies, highlighting the benefits of reducing notifications and organising email. There's also a deep dive into training philosophies, effort-based training, and debunking common misconceptions around nutrition and performance. Matt introduces recommended workouts for 5–10km, half marathon, and marathon, and answers listener questions ranging from weight loss strategies to training plans. Episode Topics: 00:00 – Back on YouTube 01:40 – Digital Detox 07:35 – Listener Question: Cannabis 09:27 – Listener Question: GC Marathon + Sydney Marathon double 12:31 – Listener Question: Best Running Locations 19:39 – Save 90%+ on Fuelling 30:10 – Convenience and Premiums: AG1 Subscription 31:05 – Injury Update and Future Plans 35:01 – Running Coach vs AI 41:39 – Workouts of the Week 42:09 – Supporters Club and Going Ad-Free 55:42 – Recommended Instagram & Strava Accounts 59:07 – Final Thoughts Workouts of the Week 5–10km: 2 sets of (1600m, 1200m, 800m, 400m). Start at 10km effort for the 1600m and progress to faster than 5km effort for the 400m. Recovery: 1 min between reps, 3 min between sets. Half Marathon: 12 × 1km alternating efforts: Odd reps (1,3,5,7,9,11) at Threshold Even reps (2,4,6,8,10,12) at 10km effort Recovery: 1 min Marathon: 5km @ marathon effort 3 × 1km @ 5km effort 3km @ marathon effort Recovery: 3 min

In this episode, Luke and Matt discuss the unexpected use of their video snippet by runfluencer Truett Hanes and delve into the nuances of various running influencers like Ben is Running, Hugo Fry, and Rory Linkletter. They critique the content and strategies of these athletes while touching on the psychological aspects of training and race preparations. The episode also includes updates on the Sweat Elite podcast format changes and highlights engaging Instagram posts and their relevance to running. Finally, there's a discussion on the importance of balancing mental and physical training components in marathon preparation. Links Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Surprising Feature in Truett Hanes' Video 01:11 Podcast Popularity and Clickbait Discussion 02:47 Critique of Truett Hanes' Content 04:12 The Dunning-Kruger Effect in Running 19:14 Podcast Changes and New Features 22:16 Adam Wood's Journey and Mental Health 28:05 Jake Barraclough's Marathon Goals 33:23 Speculations on Achieving a 2:09 Marathon 33:49 Jake's Training and Potential 37:07 Ben Is Running's Journey 39:23 Hugo Fry's YouTube Channel and Training 48:54 Cole Gibbons' Progress 51:57 Mental and Physical Balance in Training 01:00:11 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Plans

In the first public podcast episode of 2026, the hosts reflect on their journey on the private podcast feed and outline their plans for the public feed. Emphasizing the growing influence of running content creators across YouTube, Instagram, and other social media platforms, they discuss their aim to highlight resources that are genuinely beneficial to their own training and racing. The episode features an in-depth conversation about several popular running influencers, including Team Makou, Rory Linkletter, Ran To Japan, Jake Dearden, Truett Hanes, and Eric Floberg, exploring their content, challenges, and the balancing act between producing engaging media and pursuing high-quality running performance. The discussion also touches on the psychological side of running, the importance of speed work, the impact of environment and community on performance, and the dilemmas influencers face when choosing between entertainment and performance improvement. Links Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2025 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Topics 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:50 Luke's Favorite Content: Team Makou 04:25 Rory Linkletter and the Balance of Content Creation 05:18 Jake Barraclough's Journey and the Challenge of Balancing Content and Performance 07:04 The Motional Intelligence Podcast and Different Types of Running Content 10:39 Rory Linkletter's Content Evolution and the Influence of Eric Floberg 14:18 The Struggle of Balancing Content Creation and Running Performance 21:44 Jake Barraclough and Other Influential Running Content Creators 30:16 Analyzing Content Styles: Jake Dearden vs. Truett Hanes 33:48 The Challenge of Breaking 2:16 in the Marathon 36:08 Balancing Weight and Performance 38:55 The Importance of Enjoying the Journey 40:11 Comparing Different Approaches to Running 49:47 The Psychological Impact of Speed Work 54:53 Wrapping Up and Moving to the Private Podcast

Connect: matt@sweatelite.co with thoughts, ideas and coaching enquiries.

In this episode of The Sweat Elite podcast, hosts Luke and Matt dive into marathon statistics for the year 2025, analyzing the strongest nations and the fastest races. They discuss the sub-2:10 performances for men and sub-2:25 for women, highlighting the dominance of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Japan. Alex Yee's impressive 2:06:38 at the Valencia Marathon is also examined, with an in-depth look at his training from Strava. The episode touches on the concept of elite versus sub-elite marathon times, the role of shoe brands in elite performances, and the recent challenges faced by the Grand Slam Track League. Additionally, the hosts mention the surge in Olympic Trials qualifiers from the California International Marathon. Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2025 Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/ Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/ Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co   Topics: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:36 Strongest Countries in the Marathon 202510:38 Deepest Marathon Events 202517:56 Defining Elite and Sub-Elite Marathon Standards24:20 Olympic Trials Qualifying at CIM25:20 Debate on Olympic Standards 29:11 Alex Yee - Valencia Marathon Training Analysis 43:26 Grand Slam Track League Bankruptcy 49:21 Conclusion