In this episode of the Fast & Free Podcast, Brant Stachel sits down with endurance athlete and coach Corey Turnbull to talk about late starts, hard lessons, and what actually matters in long-term development.
Corey shares how he found running later in life as a way to manage anxiety, and how the running community became a place of real connection and support. From memorable races to costly training mistakes, he reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to both racing and coaching.
They dig into why runners often underestimate their fitness, the role of patience and adaptability—especially for busy athletes—and why easy runs are not optional, even when they feel “too easy.” Corey also breaks down his coaching philosophy, centred on honesty, consistency, and understanding the individual behind the training plan.
This conversation is for runners who feel behind, doubt their progress, or are trying to balance ambition with real life. It’s a reminder that improvement isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing the right things, consistently.
Relevant Links Get Coached by Corey Turnbull: https://teamrunrun.com/coach/corey-turnbull-ottawa-running-coach/ Get coached by Brant Stachel – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/brant-stachel-kingston-ontario-running-coach/ Learn more about Team RunRun – https://teamrunrun.com (https://teamrunrun.com/) Fuel your training – https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant
About the Fast & Free Podcast The Fast & Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—talks with athletes and coaches about training smarter, thinking clearly under pressure, and building sustainable performance over time.
Follow Fast & Free Coaching: Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching Website: http://runfastandfree.com
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Corey Turnbull
03:27 – Finding Running Later in Life
11:18 – Memorable Races & Mental Strength
20:26 – The Boston Marathon Experience
26:34 – Lessons Learned From Racing
32:40 – Coaching Philosophy & Athlete Development
36:14 – Adapting Training to Real Life
39:10 – Fitness Myths, Easy Runs, and Honesty in Training
