Performance Running Gym Podcast

On this episode of the Performance Running Gym podcast we are sharing an interview that Coach Aaron did recently on the We Get 2 Do This Podcast with Host, Jacob Oak. In this episode Aaron and Jacob discuss: Why the 100-mile distance feels like an adventure rather than a race, and how fatherhood has changed the risks he takesThree entrepreneurship lessons: sell the outcome, build systems, and center your business on communityWhy Aaron would let go of a top revenue producer who doesn’t fit his core valuesThe loneliness of business ownershipHow their friendship survived Jacob leaving PRG to start Oak EnduranceWhether AI can replace a run coach (spoiler: it can’t be at the finish line)

Dr. Kailee Oak is a licensed acupuncturist and a RN with a doctorate in Chinese Medicine with a Sports Emphasis. She has her practice onsite at Performance Running Gym and has helped many in our community in reaching their sports performance goals. Kailee also brings to the table an impressive running resume with strong performances at a wide range of distances from 10k to over 200 miles -  including running a sub-24 hour 100 miler last October at the Javelina Jundred and completing the Canebrake 200 miler in the woods of Georgia the year prior. Kailee brings to the table the unique perspective of a seasoned high level endurance combined with a medical professional with both high level eastern and western medicine education. Kailee and her husband, Jacob, who is also an incredible athlete and coach, co-host the “We Get 2 Do This” Podcast and if you enjoy this conversation, I highly recommend you check out their content, as well. On this episode we chat with Kailee about understanding and regulating the nervous system for the endurance athlete - an essential and often overlooked topic when it comes to performance, recovery and overall wellbeing.

In this episode, we welcome R.D. and PRG Sports Nutrition Coach, Josh Bailey, to the show! Josh, a competitive road runner himself with an impressive resume. Professionally, Josh helps athletes master their nutrition habits for both health and performance. In this episode we leverage Josh’s experience and expertise to dissect the high carb fueling trend that has taken over the endurance sports world in the last few years. We break down the science, the differences to consider for beginner vs. elite athletes, how to train your gut to handle fueling demands, and practical application of fueling during your training and racing.

On this episode we dive into the topic of HR zone training w/ elite runner and exercise physiologist, Aaron Easker. Aaron has an M.S. in Kinesiology, is a former all-american in the 10k, and currently works as an Exercise Physiologist at Human Powered Health in Edina, MN. In this episode we dive into what HR zones are, how zone training can improve training and racing performance, how you can determine your HR zones and more.

Caleb Birklid is a national level triathlete, cyclist and runner turned Coach who joined the PRG team this past summer. Caleb has brought a new perspective to our training and coaching at PRG with his background is coaching triathlon and swimming, and his emphasis on both heavy and functional strength training as a key component to his approach to working with athletes. On this episode we talk to Caleb about his athletic background and career in Triathlon, his hybrid approach to training, and lastly we’ll talk about his approach to coaching endurance athletes - including some great takeaways that you can carry with you into your next training cycle no matter what your endurance discipline.