Sweat Elite Podcast

For those interested specifically in Matt's reaction to Andreas Almgren's incredible NYC Marathon victory, skip straight to 8:33. Matt also shares 17 lessons from Almgren's training starting at 17:23. Matt reviews his Dynafish running shoes after 1,000 kilometres, shares an update on Eastbound Running and discusses his calf injury recovery, Valencia Marathon preparations, nutrition coaching and upcoming Globe Runners trips. Train with Matt Fox: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Sweat Elite Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Globe Runners - Monte Gordo, Portugal (January 9-17, 2027): https://www.thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027/ Globe Runners - Lisbon, Portugal (February 20-28, 2027): https://www.thegloberunners.com/ Nutrition Coaching with Matt Fox: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plans: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Eastbound Running - Dynafish Running Shoes: https://www.eastboundrunning.com/ Matt Fox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: [email protected] About This Episode Matt Fox opens this episode with a look at his Dynafish running shoes after more than 1,000 kilometres of use. Despite the mileage, he estimates they still feel approximately 80% as good as new and explains why durability should be an important consideration when evaluating the true value of running shoes. He then shares an update on Eastbound Running, the business he launched alongside Ryan Mitchell and Alex Harvey to distribute Chinese running shoes in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. With 120 sales in approximately ten days, Matt discusses the most popular colourways, sizing recommendations for women, shipping times and the advantages of purchasing through an established distributor rather than ordering directly from Chinese marketplaces. The conversation moves to the New York City Marathon, where Andreas Almgren delivered a remarkable 2:06:03 victory on his marathon debut. Matt analyses the performance, considers how Almgren might perform on a faster course such as Valencia or Berlin, and highlights Australian runner Haftu Strintzos's impressive 2:06:34 performance. Drawing on numerous interviews and podcasts featuring Almgren, Matt shares 17 lessons about training and racing at the highest level. Topics include avoiding unnecessary training, keeping workouts simple, understanding the purpose of double threshold sessions, controlling intensity, prioritising recovery and knowing when to cut a workout short. He also examines Almgren's five-day marathon training cycle, strength and speed development, carbohydrate fueling, heat and altitude preparation, sleep and racing mentality. Recording from Portugal, Matt describes his first week living near Lisbon, including running in the Sintra Hills and Monsanto Forest Park. He also provides an encouraging update on his grade 3 soleus tear sustained during the Melbourne Marathon. After gradually returning through incline treadmill sessions and controlled outdoor running, he recently completed a pain-free 32-kilometre long run and is increasingly optimistic about racing Valencia in five weeks, potentially targeting a personal best. Matt explains the two nutrition coaching services he offers, including ongoing monthly coaching with personalised meal plans and accountability, alongside one-off nutrition plans. He discusses helping runners improve their diets, manage body composition and time their carbohydrate intake appropriately around demanding training sessions. Looking ahead, Matt shares updates on the Globe Runners training experiences in Portugal, including the January 9-17 Monte Gordo camp, which has just two places remaining, and the February Lisbon experience. He also reveals plans for a potential Palestine Marathon trip in April, combining running with travel and cultural experiences in Bethlehem, Ramallah and Tel Aviv. Finally, Matt discusses the debate surrounding GLP-1 medications, explaining his personal experience using them to manage hunger and reduce food-related distractions while losing weight. He closes by reflecting on his inconsistent YouTube output, the demands of running multiple businesses and his hopes of rediscovering his creative motivation. Episode Chapters 00:00 1,000K Shoe Check 01:07 Durability and Value 02:38 Eastbound Launch Update 04:09 Colourways and Sizing Tips 06:31 Shipping and Authenticity 08:33 NYC Marathon Reactions 14:51 Life in Portugal 17:23 Lessons From Almgren 18:40 Training Principles Breakdown 26:37 Five-Day Marathon Cycle 28:40 Injury Prevention and Rest 30:52 Strength and Speed Work 31:22 Fueling Like a Pro 31:40 Heat and Altitude Blocks 32:14 Sleep and Performance 33:54 Mindset and Racing Smarts 36:20 Calf Tear Comeback Plan 38:40 Valencia Goals and Training Partners 41:54 Nutrition Coaching Breakdown 47:27 Globe Runners Camp Updates 49:31 Palestine Marathon Tour Plans 51:57 GLP-1s and Weight Loss Debate 56:54 Wrap-Up and YouTube Motivation

Matt Fox celebrates 10 years of Sweat Elite, sharing the story of its beginnings, the successes and failures along the way, and his plans for the future. Apologies for the slight static in the audio during the second half of this episode. Thanks for bearing with it. Train with Matt Fox: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Sweat Elite Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Globe Runners - Monte Gordo, Portugal (January 9-17, 2027): https://www.thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027/ Globe Runners - Lisbon, Portugal (February 20-28, 2027): https://www.thegloberunners.com/ Nutrition Coaching with Matt Fox: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plans: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Eastbound Running - Dynafish Running Shoes: https://www.eastboundrunning.com/ Matt Fox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: [email protected] About This Episode On October 16, 2016, Matt Fox registered sweatelite.co while travelling through Colombia. Ten years later, Sweat Elite has evolved from a small website documenting professional running training into a podcast, YouTube channel, coaching academy and several new running-related businesses. Matt begins by reflecting on Sweat Mobile, an early attempt to build a running-focused social media platform that attracted approximately 18,000 users before ultimately failing due to financial challenges and the rapid growth of Strava. He explains how that experience, combined with his career at Flight Centre in Singapore, led him to leave his job and launch Sweat Elite while travelling through South America. The conversation moves through the early years of Sweat Elite, including publishing training articles and e-books, travelling to Kenya, spending time with David Rudisha's training group and the extraordinary experience of knocking on Eliud Kipchoge's door before following his marathon training. Matt also discusses the growth of the Sweat Elite Podcast, the challenges of launching a YouTube channel during COVID, and the financial realities of travelling around the world to film professional athletes. He explains why the channel gradually shifted towards athlete documentary series and his own marathon training. He reflects on leaving Best Athletics in 2022, building an independent coaching business, expanding into performance nutrition and why helping athletes improve has become the central focus of Sweat Elite. Looking ahead, Matt shares updates on the upcoming Globe Runners training camps in Portugal, the early success of Eastbound Running and its launch of Dynafish running shoes, and his longer-term plans for these businesses. He also discusses his decision to move away from traditional sponsorships and the challenges of dealing with criticism online. Finally, Matt provides an update on his grade 3B soleus tear sustained during the Melbourne Marathon, his recovery progress, the possibility of racing Valencia in December and his upcoming move to Lisbon. Episode Chapters 00:00 Sweat Elite Turns Ten 00:47 Sweat Mobile Origins 02:33 Startup Struggles 04:14 Singapore Career Pivot 06:35 From App to Articles 08:29 Naming Sweat Elite 10:37 Subscription Site Launch 12:03 First Kenya Breakthrough 14:04 Kipchoge Door Knock 18:21 Podcast Takes Off 19:51 YouTube Dream Reality 26:57 COVID Derails Plans 29:01 Escape and Channel Launch 30:12 Early Channel Momentum 30:37 Switching To Series 32:00 Pros Launch Channels 32:49 Coaching Breakaway Story 34:52 Building Coaching Income 36:21 Nutrition Expansion Plans 37:34 Portugal Trips Update 39:32 Eastbound Shoe Launch 40:47 Cash Flow And Investors 47:31 No Sponsorship Philosophy 49:56 Handling Online Criticism 52:51 Calf Injury And Travel 56:07 Closing Reflections  

Matt reflects on a disappointing Melbourne Marathon after calf pain at 12K developed into a race-ending injury at 20K. An MRI revealed a 15cm grade 3B soleus tear, with evidence of an older injury in the same area—putting his Valencia Marathon plans in doubt. Train with Matt Fox: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Sweat Elite Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Globe Runners — Monte Gordo, Portugal (January 9–17, 2027): https://www.thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027/ Globe Runners — Lisbon, Portugal (February 20–28, 2027): For trip details and enquiries: https://www.thegloberunners.com/ Nutrition Coaching with Matt Fox: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plans: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Matt Fox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: [email protected] After a buildup targeting 2:15, Matt explains how the race unfolded: settling into a pack running around 2:16 pace, managing the initial calf pain, and eventually stopping when it became too severe to continue. He shares why he has no regrets about the DNF—and why he wishes he had pulled out earlier. He revisits a calf twinge while testing shoes in May and considers possible contributors to the injury, including training load, trail running, tapering, weight loss and racing in the Puma Fast-R 3. The cause remains uncertain, and his recovery plan is still being worked out with his coach and physiotherapist, Kyle. The listener Q&A covers coping with repeated injury setbacks, keeping base training simple, adjusting training effort in heat and humidity, and finding value in Chinese super shoes. Matt also discusses possible recovery options, including PRP, and shares his views on peptides and anti-doping ethics. There are reflections on Melbourne's elite drink-station setup, Truett Hanes' marathon progress, and Jimmy Wheela's experience racing against Kipchoge. Matt also shares updates on Globe Runners training trips in Monte Gordo and Lisbon, his running shoe distribution business, nutrition coaching, and an upcoming six-month move to Portugal. Episode Chapters: 00:00 MRI Results: A 15cm Grade 3B Soleus Tear 00:47 Why the Injury Caught Me by Surprise 01:56 The Calf Warning Back in May 03:08 Melbourne Breakdown: Pain at 12K, Stopping at 20K 05:44 Can Valencia Still Happen? 06:32 Why I Wish I'd Stopped Sooner 07:04 The Positives from Melbourne Weekend 07:39 Portugal Plans and Races in Doubt 08:26 Globe Runners: Monte Gordo and Lisbon Trips 12:25 Running Shoe Distribution Business Update 16:42 Melbourne's Elite Bottle Tables 21:03 Listener Q&A: Weight Loss, GLP-1s and Racing Shoes 24:23 Truett Hanes' 2:23 and Olympic Trials Goal 25:10 Listener Questions on PED Testing 26:07 Melbourne as a Destination Marathon 26:51 Handling a DNF and Injury Setbacks 30:02 Building an Aerobic Base Without Overthinking It 32:56 Calf Recovery: Rest, Rehab and Considering PRP 33:53 Peptides, Injury Treatment and Anti-Doping Ethics 35:45 Jimmy Whelan, Kipchoge and Early Race Surges 37:43 Value Picks for Chinese Super Shoes 40:04 Possible Injury Factors: Trails, Taper, Shoes and Load 42:35 Adjusting Training in Heat and Humidity 45:07 Content Burnout and Moving to Portugal 47:42 Nutrition Coaching and What Comes Next

In this episode, I announce the next Globe Runners Portugal Running Experience in Monte Gordo, share the results of my latest DEXA scan after dropping from 86kg to around 70kg, and discuss what I learned about weight loss, bone health and nutrition along the way. I also share a remarkable 2:07 marathon performance off less than 100km per week and give my final update before racing the Melbourne Marathon this Sunday. LINKS Portugal Running Experience - January 9-17, 2027: https://www.thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027/ 1:1 Running Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/personalized-1-1/ Running + Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/run-nutrition/ Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plan: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Eastbound Running (Dynafish): https://www.eastboundrunning.com/ ABOUT THIS EPISODE I start this episode with something I'm really excited about - the next Globe Runners Portugal Running Experience, taking place in Monte Gordo from January 9-17, 2027. I explain why I've become increasingly interested in putting my energy into coaching, nutrition and creating running experiences rather than promoting products. A lot of that thinking developed during the months I spent detained in Japan, where I had a huge amount of time to read, write and think about what I actually wanted to work on. The Portugal experience will bring a small group of runners together for eight nights in Monte Gordo in the Algarve. We'll train together, eat together and explore southern Portugal, with optional day trips around the Algarve and to Seville in Spain. The €1,250 price includes four-star accommodation, three meals per day, airport transfers from Faro and transport for the organised excursions. There are only 16 places available. I then get into the results of my latest DEXA scan. In April I weighed 86kg at 22.5% body fat. Around five and a half months later, I'm approximately 70kg and my DEXA measured me at 8.5% body fat. One of the most interesting findings was my bone density. Despite losing roughly 16kg while returning to high-volume marathon training, my measured bone density improved between the two scans. I discuss the things I focused on throughout the process, including calcium-rich foods, vitamin K, vitamin D, sunlight exposure and consistent heavy strength training. I also talk more broadly about weight loss for runners, the genuine risks of low energy availability and RED-S, and why I think the conversation needs more nuance. Losing weight is not appropriate for every runner, but for athletes with excess body fat who want to reduce it, I believe it can be approached carefully while closely monitoring health, recovery and performance. I share an example from one of my nutrition athletes whose weight began dropping faster than planned. When his training performance started declining, we increased his energy intake and quickly got things moving in the right direction again. Then there's a shoutout to Adam Lipschitz, who just ran an incredible 2:07:20 marathon after averaging only around 96km per week over the previous 12 weeks. It's a fascinating example of just how individual marathon training can be and how more mileage isn't automatically better. Finally, it's Melbourne Marathon race week. I talk about where I think my fitness is compared with when I ran 2:18:41, the potential advantage I'm getting from the Puma Fast-R, the weather forecast, and why I believe a significant PB is possible if everything comes together. I also briefly discuss what comes next, including moving to Portugal, racing in Europe and potential starts at Alicante and Valencia later this year. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome and Melbourne Marathon taper 00:29 - Reflections from my time in Japan 02:21 - Why I want to focus on running experiences 04:14 - Portugal Running Experience 2027 06:31 - Getting to Monte Gordo and travel logistics 07:18 - The community created through running camps 09:18 - Portugal pricing, accommodation and booking 12:26 - My new DEXA scan results 17:15 - Calcium, vitamin K, vitamin D and strength training 21:35 - Weight loss for runners, RED-S and managing risk 25:55 - Adam Lipschitz runs 2:07 off less than 100km/week 27:24 - Melbourne Marathon fitness and race goals 29:49 - Portugal move, Alicante, Valencia and what's next

Matt answers 15 listener questions about race weight, weight loss, carb cycling, recovery, fueling and running performance. PERSONAL LINKS 1:1 Running Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/personalized-1-1/ Running + Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/run-nutrition/ Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plan: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Eastbound Running (Dynafish): https://www.eastboundrunning.com/ ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode, Matt answers 15 questions submitted through YouTube about race weight, weight loss and running performance. Topics include losing weight while maintaining training quality, carbohydrate cycling, calorie deficits during a marathon taper, post-workout fueling, finding your ideal race weight, losing fat versus muscle, GLP-1 medications and heart rate, creatine and water weight, and whether the same weight-loss approach can work for shorter-distance runners and triathletes. Matt also shares his own experience dropping from around 86kg to 69kg, how body weight played a role in eventually breaking 2:20 for the marathon, and how he is approaching the final two weeks before the Melbourne Marathon. Later in the episode, Matt gives an update on his Melbourne Marathon goal, testing the Puma Fast-R 3, the upcoming Dynafish launch in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and his move to Lisbon for six months. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome and Scope 00:52 - Safety Disclaimer 01:56 - Why This Topic 05:00 - Sub-2:20 Breakthrough 09:49 - Post-Workout Carbs 11:34 - Calorie Deficit During a Marathon Taper 14:47 - Losing Muscle Mass 17:25 - GLP-1s and Heart Rate 20:46 - Weight Loss for Shorter-Distance Runners 27:23 - The Challenges for Triathletes 30:39 - Weekly Calorie Deficit Numbers 33:16 - Finding Your Ideal Race Weight 36:25 - Creatine and Water Weight 38:07 - Why Not Carb Load Every Day? 41:57 - Nutrition Coaching and Services 45:35 - Melbourne Marathon Update 47:11 - Dynafish Distribution Update 48:52 - Moving to Lisbon 49:24 - Final Wrap-Up This episode discusses intentional weight loss and calorie restriction in the context of endurance performance. It is not intended for people with a history of eating disorders, RED-S or low energy availability, or anyone concerned they may be at risk of these conditions.