Beyond Running

In this episode of Beyond Running, host Mau Diaz sits down with Lenin Grullon, co-founder of Boogie Down Bronx Runners, to talk about almost ten years of building one of NYC's most respected community running crews. They talk about what it actually took to build a running club from scratch, how Lenin's "community first" philosophy shaped every decision along the way, and the challenges of staying true to that mission as the club grew from a handful of runners into a full-blown family. Lenin opens up about the early mornings, the doubts, and the moments that made it clear this was bigger than just running. The conversation also crosses borders. Mau and Lenin dig into the story of when Lenin brought Boogie Down Bronx Runners to Oaxaca to experience Aire Libre in person, and what it meant for two running communities from completely different worlds to connect through the same love of the sport. It's a reminder that running has a way of building bridges, no matter where you're from.  

Before it was a sport, running was simply part of life. For Dustin Martin, a proud member of the Navajo (Diné) Nation, that truth runs deep and it set him on a path that wound through Division I competition and the halls of Columbia University before bringing him back to where it all began. Because coming back is the part that matters most. Back to the Southwest, back to the young people who need what he once needed, and back to Wings of America, the organization that helped shape who he is. Now serving as Chief Visionary Officer, Dustin sits down with Mau Díaz to talk about the long road that led him here, and the road still ahead. It's a conversation about what running carries when it's tied to land, to identity and to survival. About building programs that don't just develop athletes, but grow leaders. Wings of America exists to put running in the hands of Native youth, not as a path to scholarships or podiums, but as a practice rooted in health, identity, and pride. Dustin has spent fifteen years making sure that mission stays alive and grows. In this conversation he talks about where he comes from, what running means in Indigenous communities, and what it looks like to build something that truly belongs to the people it serves.  

What does it really mean to run, not just as exercise, but as a culture, a community, a way of being in the world? Raziq Rauf has spent years thinking about that question, and now he's turning those thoughts into a book. This is Running is his debut, and it arrives backed by the loyal readership of his newsletter, Running Sucks, a name that captures exactly the kind of honest, irreverent love for the sport that defines his voice. In this conversation with Mau Díaz, Raziq talks about what drew him to write seriously about running, the people and stories that shaped the book, and why he believes the sport deserves the same depth of cultural attention we give to music, food, or film. It's a conversation about obsession, craft, and the strange beauty of a thing millions of people do every day without ever quite being able to explain why. Raziq brings to the conversation something rare in running media: a literary sensibility that doesn't take itself too seriously. He's not here to optimize your training or sell you a shoe. He's here to ask why any of us lace up in the first place, and what we find, or lose, or become along the way.

In this episode of the Beyond Running Podcast, Manuel "Eme" Morato sits down with Leslie Vallecillo, Josh Holland, and Philip Mangan to revisit an unforgettable expedition through the wild landscapes of British Columbia. The group, supported by Vivobarefoot, was dropped deep into the backcountry by helicopter and set out to hike ten peaks in minimalist shoes, an experience that pushed their physical, mental, and emotional boundaries while deepening their connection to nature and one another. Together, they reflect on what it means to move through the world with intention and awareness, stripped down to the essentials. Each guest shares what the journey revealed to them about endurance, trust, and the power of collective experience. The conversation also touches on the upcoming documentary that captures their adventure: an intimate portrayal of both the challenge and the beauty found in reconnecting with the wild. This episode is both a reflection and a teaser: a glimpse into an expedition that became more than a physical test, it became a lesson in humility, presence, and the profound sense of belonging that emerges when humans return to the rhythms of the Earth.

In this episode Mau Díaz is joined by Aaron Kerehoma, a movement guide, runner, and guardian of Māori ancestral knowledge. Aaron brings together his passion for movement and his deep connection to Māori traditions, offering a unique perspective on how ancient wisdom can inform the way we live, move, and connect today. Mau and Aaron begin by exploring some foundational Māori concepts, uncovering the ways in which these ideas can expand our understanding of community, balance, and respect for the natural world. Aaron shares how these teachings guide his approach to running and movement, turning them into practices of alignment with both the body and spirit. The conversation also reflects on the unforgettable Aire Libre experience Aaron guided in New Zealand, where participants discovered not only the breathtaking landscapes of Aotearoa but also the cultural and spiritual depth of the Māori worldview. Through Aaron's words, we are reminded that movement is more than exercise, it's a way of healing, connecting, and honoring the wisdom of those who came before us.