Shows
Science of RunningFit and Fast: Achieving Robustness in TrainingBalancing Fitness and Robustness: The Importance of Neuromuscular Coordination in Training In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus discuss the concept of ‘fit but flat,’ exploring the phenomenon where athletes excel in metabolic fitness but fail to perform competitively due to a lack of neuromuscular coordination. Using examples like…
2026-02-1059 minScience of RunningMindset Matters: Training the Mind for Peak Race Day PerformanceMastering Race Day Mindset: Proven Strategies and Quirks In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the psychology of training the mind for race day. They explore the importance of adopting a growth mindset over a fixed mindset and the critical role of visualization in achieving peak…
2026-01-2156 min
Science of RunningMindset Matters: Training the Mind for Peak Race Day PerformanceIn this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the psychology of training the mind for race day. They explore the importance of adopting a growth mindset over a fixed mindset and the critical role of visualization in achieving peak performance. The hosts share practical strategies for encouraging athletes to take calculated risks, the power of mantras, and the art of knowing your athletes personally to effectively tailor coaching techniques. Emphasizing process over outcomes, they also provide examples of how to nurture an environment where athletes feel safe to explore their limits...
2025-12-2156 minScience of RunningCoaching the New Runner. Part 2: IndividualsIn this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus walk you through how to coach a runner from the very start. From the training to the mental game, we cover it all. -Steve Steve’s NEW Book is OUT NOW: Win The Inside Game! Learn how to perform under pressure, come…
2025-10-1452 minScience of RunningCoaching the New Runner. Part 2: IndividualsIn this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus walk you through how to coach a runner from the very start. From the training to the mental game, we cover it all. -Steve Steve’s NEW Book is OUT NOW: Win The Inside Game! Lear
2025-10-1452 minScience of RunningCoaching the New Runner. Part 1: In a team setting.In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus discuss the challenges and strategies of coaching new runners in a team setting. They emphasize the importance of creating an inclusive environment where newcomers feel integr
2025-09-1553 minScience of RunningCoaching the New Runner. Part 1: In a team setting.In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus discuss the challenges and strategies of coaching new runners in a team setting. They emphasize the importance of creating an inclusive environment where newcomers feel integrated, see progress, develop intrinsic motivation, and avoid burnout. The hosts share practical tips for introducing…
2025-09-1553 minScience of RunningFootwear Insights: From Training Flats to Super CushionsMastering the Art of Super Shoe Training In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the timely and highly requested topic of using super shoes in training. They revisit the evolution from traditional trainers to
2025-09-0943 minScience of RunningFootwear Insights: From Training Flats to Super CushionsMastering the Art of Super Shoe Training In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the timely and highly requested topic of using ‘super shoes’ in training. They revisit the evolution from traditional trainers to modern super shoes and super-cushioned shoes, discussing their impacts on performance and recovery.…
2025-09-0943 minScience of RunningExploring the New Era of Training: Embracing ExperimentationIn this episode of the On Coaching podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the current era of training experimentation, inspired by a recent in-depth discussion in the Scholar Program. They explore historical ebbs and flows in training practices,
2025-08-1144 minScience of RunningExploring the New Era of Training: Embracing ExperimentationIn this episode of the On Coaching podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the current era of training experimentation, inspired by a recent in-depth discussion in the Scholar Program. They explore historical ebbs and flows in training practices, highlighting the 1960s experimentation period, and draw parallels to today’s innovative landscape influenced by super…
2025-08-1144 minScience of RunningKeeping Training Fresh: Science, Methods, and StrategiesIn this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus discuss the importance of consistency in training and coaching. They delve into how simple, repetitive actions over time foster the capacity to achieve larger goals. Highligh
2025-07-0749 minScience of RunningKeeping Training Fresh: Science, Methods, and StrategiesIn this episode of the ‘On Coaching’ podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus discuss the importance of consistency in training and coaching. They delve into how simple, repetitive actions over time foster the capacity to achieve larger goals. Highlighting historical examples such as the training logs of Jack Lovelock, they emphasize the value of…
2025-07-0749 minScience of RunningNCAA Track Champs: Key Takeaways for Racing and TrainingExploring Racing Tactics and Mental Preparation from NCAA Championships In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus dive deep into the insights and lessons from the recent NCAA Championships. They highlight key performa
2025-06-3049 minScience of RunningNCAA Track Champs: Key Takeaways for Racing and TrainingExploring Racing Tactics and Mental Preparation from NCAA Championships In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus dive deep into the insights and lessons from the recent NCAA Championships. They highlight key performances, such as record-breaking steeple chases and tactical 1500 meters races, and discuss the evolving dynamics of…
2025-06-3049 minScience of RunningConsistency Creates Capacity: The Power of Simple Wins in TrainingIn this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus discuss the importance of consistency in training and coaching. They delve into how simple, repetitive actions over time foster the capacity to achieve larger goals. Highligh
2025-06-1651 minScience of RunningConsistency Creates Capacity: The Power of Simple Wins in TrainingIn this episode of the ‘On Coaching’ podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus discuss the importance of consistency in training and coaching. They delve into how simple, repetitive actions over time foster the capacity to achieve larger goals. Highlighting historical examples such as the training logs of Jack Lovelock, they emphasize the value of…
2025-06-1651 minScience of RunningDouble Threshold Training: Applying to Track, Cross-Country, and MarathonIn this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus dive deep into the concept of double threshold training. They discuss its application to track, cross country, and marathon training, and highlight different implementation st
2025-06-1053 minScience of RunningDouble Threshold Training: Applying to Track, Cross-Country, and MarathonIn this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus dive deep into the concept of double threshold training. They discuss its application to track, cross country, and marathon training, and highlight different implementation strategies for various running events. The episode includes a historical perspective on double threshold training, detailed practical…
2025-06-1053 minScience of RunningPutting it All Together: Speed, strength, endurance, recovery for runners of all ages.In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jon Marcus discuss the complexities of holistic coaching and how to effectively integrate various training components for athletes. They emphasize the difference between stimulating and confirmation workouts, the importance of understanding time horizons for adaptation, and the necessity of balancing multiple training qualities…
2025-05-2059 minScience of RunningSo You Want to Be a Champion: Part 3: How to Recover. How to ConnectIn this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus dive into the third part of their three-part series on becoming a champion. This segment, ‘How to Recover. How to Connect” focuses on the oft forgotten part of greatness: the team around you and the relationships you develop. Steve’s NEW Book…
2025-03-2457 min
The Mindset and Self-Mastery ShowHow To Transform Your Mindset And Boost Performance With Steve Magness“Confidence demands evidence.”
In this episode, Nick speaks with performance coach and author Steve Magness about the intersection of mental health, athletic performance, and personal development.
What to listen for:
Performance coaching helps individuals navigate mental and physical challenges
Trauma can set a brain’s prediction to be hyper-responsive to stress
Mental preparation and visualization are crucial for success in high-pressure situations
Self-awareness is key to understanding personal performance and growth
Finding a balance between care and obsession can enhance performance
Confidence is built through evidence and preparation
Visualizing both success and failure helps in managing expect...
2025-03-2036 minThe Mindset and Self-Mastery ShowHow To Transform Your Mindset And Boost Performance With Steve Magness“Confidence demands evidence.”
In this episode, Nick speaks with performance coach and author Steve Magness about the intersection of mental health, athletic performance, and personal development.
What to listen for:
Performance coaching helps individuals navigate mental and physical challenges
Trauma can set a brain’s prediction to be hyper-responsive to stress
Mental preparation and visualization are crucial for success in high-pressure situations
Self-awareness is key to understanding personal performance and growth
Finding a balance between care and obsession can enhance performance
Confidence is built through evidence and preparation
Visualizing both success and failure helps in man...
2025-03-2036 minScience of RunningSo You Want to Be a Champion: Part 2: How to prepare. How to TrainIn this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus dive into the second part of their three-part series on becoming a champion. This segment, ‘How to Train,’ explores the nuances and complexities of transitioning from preparation to high-level training. They discuss the critical distinction between preparation and training, emphasizing the…
2025-03-0359 minScience of RunningSo You Want to Be A Champion? Part 1: How to think How to Act.In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus kick off a three-part series on what it takes to become a champion. They delve into the essential mindset and behaviors needed to succeed at the highest levels of athletic competition. Steve and John discuss the importance of long-term vision, delayed gratification,…
2025-02-241h 03Science of RunningBonus Episode: The Biology of Winning and Losing…with a crazy twist!A special bonus episode! We’re going to try something a bit different. We’re talking the mental side of sport, the biology of winning and losing, and much more. Except…your hosts aren’t Steve and Jon. They are AI. We fed Steve’s book, Win the Inside Game, to the algorithm to make a podcast, and quite frankly,…
2025-02-0615 min
excellence, actually104 - How to Win the Inside Game, and Move from Surviving to Thriving (with Steve Magness)When we think of "choking," we usually think of a field goal kicker missing a clutch kick, or someone freezing up during an important speech. In those moments, the mind is overcome with fear, doubt, and anxiety, and the body, sensing danger, shuts down, overriding ability and preparation. In his newest book Win the Inside Game, Steve Magness makes the case that many of the aspects of modern living make us feel similarly threatened and frozen. It can underlie why we feel burnt out at work, stuck in a creative rut, or unfulfilled in our relationships. On today's show...
2025-02-0648 minScience of Running266: Overcoming Choking and Underperformance: The Science and Psychology of PressureIn this episode, Steve Magness explores the psychology and science behind performance anxiety, choking, and the phenomenon known as ‘the yips’ in sports. Drawing on his experience working with top athletes from various sports, Steve delves into how stress responses can both help and hinder performance. Through a blend of personal stories, scientific research, and…
2025-02-0336 minScience of Running265: Consistency wins: How to be consistent in the face of volatility and unpredictability.In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus delve into the essential concept of consistency in achieving athletic success. We begin with an announcement about Steve’s new book, ‘When the Inside Game is Almost Here,’ focusing on mental performance under pressure. They then explore how consistency is crucial in…
2025-01-281h 00
The Ready State PodcastSteve Magness: The Surprising Truth About Elite Performance & The Youth Sports EpidemicView This Week's Show NotesStart Your 7-Day Trial to Mobility CoachJoin Our Free Weekly Newsletter: The AmbushIn this insightful episode of The Ready State Podcast, Kelly and Juliet Starrett sit down with Steve Magness—performance coach, author, and expert on mental and physical resilience. They explore the complexities of human performance and how embracing the basics can lead to extraordinary results. From the Instagramification of fitness to the critical role of intrinsic motivation and belonging, this episode is packed with actionable ta...
2025-01-231h 17Science of Running264: The Science of Surging: How to Pull Away from the Pack Mid-RaceIn this special 10-year anniversary episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus delve into the intricacies of surging during races. They explore both the physiological and psychological aspects of initiating and responding to mid-race surges, sharing insights from personal experiences and expert strategies. They discuss how to prepare athletes to…
2025-01-2059 minScience of Running263: The Workouts Come Second: Teaching Comes FirstThe Importance of Teaching in Coaching In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus emphasize the significance of teaching in coaching, arguing that workouts should come second to effectively educating and connecting with athletes. They explore the ways in which a pedagogical approach, akin to old-school coaching legends, fosters…
2025-01-131h 01Science of Running262: Do drills work? The case for and againstThe Nuance of Drills: Do They Really Work? In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus delve into the controversial topic of whether drills are effective in enhancing running mechanics and athletic performance. They discuss the history, purpose, and context of various drills, offering insights into how they can…
2025-01-0659 minScience of Running261: How to Write Training Part 2: Nuance, making adjustments and tweaksThe Art of Coaching: Insights on Adjusting and Perfecting Training Plans In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus share their perspectives on the importance of knowing how to make adjustments and tweaks to training plans, especially during different phases of a season. They reflect on the excitement of…
2024-12-3055 minScience of Running260: How to Write Training Part 1 Getting StartedMastering Training Plans: Foundations and Strategy In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, Steve Magness and John Marcus dive into the essentials of writing effective training plans for athletes. They discuss the importance of understanding the individual athlete, their training history, and their goals. They emphasize the seesaw balance between endurance and speed, setting…
2024-12-2352 minScience of Running259: Race Day Meltdown: Strategies and Solutions for Bouncing Back When Everything Goes Wrong.In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, Steve Magness and Jon Marcus delve into the challenges of handling race day meltdowns. They discuss the emotional and psychological aspects that both athletes and coaches face when things don’t go as planned. Using personal anecdotes and real-life examples, they illustrate the importance of relationship building, understanding…
2024-12-0257 minScience of Running258: Longer Long Run or Faster Long Run!The Great Long Run Debate: Length vs. Speed In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus dive into the classic debate on long runs: should athletes focus on longer durations or faster paces? They explore the history and benefits of long runs, referencing training methods from legendary coaches like…
2024-11-2559 minScience of Running257: Workouts are only 40% of the equation. A podcast about the other 60%In this episode of the On Coaching podcast, Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus discuss the importance of a holistic approach to training. They argue that workouts constitute only 40% of the equation for peak performance, emphasizing that stability in life, sleep, nutrition, and stress management play crucial roles. The hosts share personal experiences and examples…
2024-11-1755 minScience of Running256: The science of going out hard and hanging on to winn this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus discuss the intricate demands of cross country racing that go beyond mere physiological preparation. They explore the need for strategic pacing, especially the importance of ‘going out hard’ right from the start of a race to secure a competitive position. The…
2024-10-0753 minScience of Running255: The importance of being good coach, not just a nice coach.In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus discuss the intricate balance of being a good coach versus a nice coach. They delve into the importance of setting boundaries, maintaining consistency, and building genuine relationships. Through personal anecdotes and expert insights, they illustrate how nuanced coaching approaches can lead to…
2024-09-3053 minScience of Running254: Hard workouts: When, Where, How and Why?In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus dive deep into the intricacies of designing and implementing hard workouts for distance runners. They discuss the multi-dimensional aspects of ‘hard’ workouts, including physiological, psychological, and neurological demands. Learn how elite coaches use context, individual characteristics, and pattern recognition to tailor workouts…
2024-09-2353 minScience of Running253: Race Day Anxiety: How to Confront it, Run with it, and Potentially Overcome It.Understanding and Addressing Performance Anxiety in Athletes In this episode of the ‘On Coaching’ podcast, hosts Steve Magness and John Marcus delve deep into the modern issue of performance anxiety, especially as it affects young athletes. They discuss the multidimensional nature of anxiety, its impact on performance, and the importance of identifying its sources. They…
2024-09-1651 minScience of Running252: The secret to winning cross country teams. The power of the 5th man.In this episode of the On Coaching Podcast, hosts Steve Magness and Jonathan Marcus delve into the concept of the ‘fifth man’ and its crucial role in building winning cross country teams. They discuss the importance of every team member, not just the top performers, in contributing to overall success. They highlight strategies for fostering…
2024-09-0950 minexcellence, actually012 - The Coach Up: A Magness Masterclass on FeedbackGrowth comes from facing weaknesses, and we learn about those weaknesses from getting feedback. But feedback has a way of raising our defenses. Which means helping others grow by giving feedback—or growing ourselves, by taking feedback—is fraught with challenges. Luckily, Steve Magness's countless years as both an athlete and a coach have earned him some insights into the practice of delivering (and receiving) criticism. On this episode of The Coach Up, he gives you a primer: how to give it, what he thinks about the insult sandwich, and even ways of making feedback resonate with someone whose big...
2024-02-1212 minScience of RunningEpisode 214: The Science of the Injury Cycle.We’ve all been there, stuck in the injury cycle, unable to get healthy. In this episode, Jon and Steve break down what the injury cycle is and how to get out of it. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+…
2023-08-1457 minScience of RunningEpisode 206: Resiliency: Bounce Back after you bomb!We’ve all been there. A tough race or competition that didn’t go well. How do you bounce back from failure? In this episode we provide the science and tools to get back on track after a rough race. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things…
2023-05-221h 00
excellence, actually171 – Steve Magness Gives a Masterclass on ExerciseWith Brad out for the week, Steve leads a solo podcast addressing the latest studies on exercise. Steve explains relative effort, interval training, strength training, and adjusting to retirement and aging. As mentioned in this episode, Dan John’s book “Easy Strength” can be found at this link.You can find the episode on:iTunes and Apple PodcastsSpotifyAndroidStitcherCheck out our exclusive community offers on Patreon here.Get Do Hard Things and The Practice of Groundedness on audible (Or in hard copy: Hard Things here and Groundedness here).Please write a review o...
2023-05-1753 minScience of RunningEpisode 205: Risk Tolerance: What is it and how to build it?We can either train ourselves or athletes to take appropriate risks or to shy away. In this episode, we talk about how to move towards discomfort and challenge. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction…
2023-05-1557 minScience of RunningEpisode 204: Polarized Training vs. Moderate Intensity Training: When, Where, and Why for each?Should we follow the 80/20 training model, or go all-in on the threshold model? In this episode we break down the different training models, explaining when to use them, and when to put them on the backburner. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches…
2023-04-2452 minScience of RunningEpisode 203: Do What Works and Don’t Do What Doesn’t!What actually works in training runners? There’s so much nonsense out there. Jon and Steve cut through the BS, and get at what works and what doesn’t when it comes to coaching runners. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+…
2023-04-171h 01Science of RunningEpisode 201: Establishing Culture and Setting BoundariesAre you setting a performance or mastery-based culture? In this episode, we talk about setting standards versus boundaries, and the dangers of going too far toward an outcome-obsessed team? Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. And we’ve added a new feature! The Scholar Clubhouse…
2023-03-271h 03Science of RunningEpisode 199: Winning the Self-Improvement GameOften in coaching, we obsess over the physiological and the physical. We go over and over the workouts. In this episode, we go in the other direction, talking about holistic improvement as a person. It’s time to talk about the soft side of development. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our…
2023-03-131h 00Science of RunningEpisode 198: Mastering the Art of People. How to Successfully Navigate Working with Different Personality TypesCoaching is the people business! We have to help individuals see their capabilities and put them on the journey towards achieving their potential. But, people are complex. Sometimes we don’t always click. In this episode, we talk about the hardest thing of all: dealing with and helping people. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The…
2023-02-271h 01Science of RunningEpisode 197: The Finishing Kick: How to Develop ItHow do we improve the finishing kick? In this week’s episode, we give you a framework for developing your athlete’s kicks, along with specific workouts designed to help out. We cover everything from the energetics to the muscle recruitment pattern that impacts the finishing kick. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is…
2023-02-2059 minScience of RunningEpisode 196: Starting from Scratch. How to Grow a Successful Program from the Ground Up!What do you do when you take over a program that’s in need of help? In this weeks episode, Jon and Steve go over how to change the culture, what to focus on, how to get people to join the team, and more. Changing culture is hard. But it is possible. Time to explore how…
2023-02-131h 09Science of RunningEpisode 195: The Art and Science of Speed Endurance WorkoutsWhat is speed endurance? In this weeks episode, Jon and Steve go over this vital but often misunderstood ingredient to your training. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. And we’ve added a new feature! The Scholar Clubhouse is an interactive chat system that gives…
2023-02-0658 minScience of RunningEpisode 194: Champions in The Making- Winners are everywhere. They just need coaching.Arthur Lydiard once said, ‘There are champions everywhere.’ And for good reason, his most famous pupils were local athletes. In this episode, we explore how to give your athletes a chance to reach their potential. And why it’s so important that we give everyone an opportunity to do so, instead of pigeonholing athletes. Steve &…
2023-01-2353 minScience of RunningEpisode 193: General Vs. Specific Training?This week we break down a classification for training, from general to specific. What is general training? How does it set the foundation for training? How does each level of training connect to the next? We break it all down! Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things…
2023-01-161h 03Science of RunningEpisode 191: Strengthening Your Coaching WeaknessWhat do you suck at as a coach? In this episode, we go over identifying your weaknesses and shoring them up to allow you to become the best coach that you can be. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. And we’ve added a new…
2023-01-021h 01Science of RunningEpisode 190: See God Workouts: Reckless or IndispensableHave you ever done a workout where you went to the absolute well? That’s a ‘see God’ workout. Going until there is nothing left. An exploration of what you are capable of. These workouts are meant to shift your perspective. Are they necessary or reckless? Time to explore on this weeks podcast. Steve & Jon…
2022-11-2851 minScience of RunningEpisode 188: Updating Outdated Coaching IdeasJon and Steve take on popular ideas that have stuck around but need some updating. From energy system domination to various forms of training, we take you down a rabbit hole of what needs to be updated in the running coaching world. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for…
2022-11-141h 06Science of RunningEpisode 186: The New Laws of Lactate Dynamics and Its Implications for Training“Lactic Acid” is horribly misunderstood. It’s been cast as a demon for far too long. It’s time to set the record straight. In this episode, Steve and Jon break down new research that shows lactate’s true rule in the body. Hint: It’s not harmful, but helpful! Study: Tracing the Lactate Shuttle Steve & Jon Visit…
2022-10-1758 minScience of RunningEpisode 183: The Secrets to Becoming a Great CoachWhat’s it take to become a great coach? In this episode, we breakdown three essential skills for great coaching:1. Thinking and Observing 2. Problem Solving 3. Collaboration If you haven’t yet, check out Steve’s new book: Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and The Surprising Science of Real Toughness. Steve & Jon Visit…
2022-09-121h 01Science of RunningEpisode 181: Flux Training: The Magic Bullet Workout?What’s new in training? Not much! But, alternations, flux training, lactate dynamics, natural fartleks…or whatever you call it is underutilized in modern training. In this episode, we break down the physiology, psychology, and history of emphasizing and manipulating the recovery portion of the workout to great effect. If you haven’t yet, check out Steve’s new…
2022-08-221h 04Science of RunningEpisode 180: Avoiding Training Dead Ends: Methods to Restoring the Winning BalanceTraining is about balancing opposing demands: speed and endurance. What happens when you mess up the balance? It’s often a disaster. In this episode, Jon and Steve go through how to find the balance point, and what to do to correct it. If you haven’t yet, check out Steve’s new book: Do Hard Things: Why…
2022-08-151h 03Science of RunningEpisode 178: Running Half Truths: Advice to Be IgnoredEvery sport has the items that many of us seem to believe, that are ingrained in the history of the sport, that have no foundation or backing. In this episode, we explore those half-truths. We’re aided by a pamphlet written fifty years ago, with insight that we’ve forgotten. If you haven’t yet, check out Steve’s…
2022-08-011h 06Science of RunningBONUS: Sink or Swim, Survive or ThriveWelcome to this special bonus issue. Steve does his best revisionist history impression, telling you the story of Paul Bear Bryant’s famous Junction Boys football camp, while discussing the origins of ‘old school toughness.’ This is adapted from his new book Do Hard Things, which you can check out wherever books are sold. It’s currently…
2022-07-1422 minScience of RunningEpisode 175: Fast Losers-Racing vs. Time TrialingRacing is a skill. How do we get comfortable in a pack? Running from the front, or perhaps stuck in the back? How do you deal with the rising tension of a tactical race? Steve and Jon discuss all of this in more in helping your athletes develop the skills of racing! If you haven’t…
2022-07-041h 04Science of RunningEpisode 174: How to Do Hard Things: The Art of SufferingHow do you handle pain, fatigue, and discomfort? Do you look for a hole to step into or do you work your way through? In this episode, we discuss Steve’s new book Do Hard Things: Why We Get Resilience Wrong and The Surprising Science of Real Toughness. The book is out and available now! If…
2022-06-2059 minScience of RunningEpisode 171: The Headcase phenomenon: Stop Blaming Athletes for Poor Performance“He’s a headcase!” We’ve all heard it as coaches. Maybe we’ve even said it. In this episode, Jon and Steve discuss why this is the wrong approach to take. It’s a self-limiting mindset, that allows the coach to blame the athlete, shirk responsibility, and in doing so defer their responsibility to help figure out what’s…
2022-05-311h 04Science of RunningEpisode 170: Everyone is an OutlierWe are all an experiment of 1! We often talk about individualization in coaching. In this episode, we talk about the contrast between applying your training program to a group, versus adapting your training program to the individual. We discuss how to let go of your preferred philosophy and try something different. Steve & Jon…
2022-05-161h 08Science of RunningEpisode 169: Developing Performance Flexibility: How to prepare adaptive athletes to deliver when it countsIf running is going bad do you feel crushed? In this episode, we discuss the importance of letting go, of diversifying your sense of identity, in order to free you up to perform. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. And we’ve added a new…
2022-05-091h 01Science of RunningEpisode 168: The Dunning-Krueger Effect on Steroids: How a Narrow World View Holds You and Your Athletes BackHow does your viewpoint impact your coaching? In this episode, we discuss how sometimes we get comfortable employing the same style of training, and it makes it where we aren’t open to considering or exploring new ideas. In this episode, we talk about how to keep open-minded, to adopt an explorers mindset Steve & Jon…
2022-05-021h 07Science of RunningEpisode 167: What’s worth doing even if you fail? — How to be brave, take risks, stretch your comfort zone, and avoid manufacturing certainty.Often, in racing we play it safe. We don’t take the risk. We focus on times instead of competing. In this episode, we talk about how to be brave in racing. How do we train athletes to take appropriate risks, to go for it, to attempt the breakthrough. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The…
2022-04-181h 02Science of RunningEpisode 165: The Rocky Road to the Top: Embrace the Mess of Training.Training is messy. Progress is not linear. In this episode, we get real. We talk about the messiness of training. How do we handle setbacks, what do we do when things go wrong, and when a workout is going rough? We cover it all in this week’s episode! Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The…
2022-04-041h 04Science of RunningEpisode 158: Positive Illusions- How they can hurt or help performanceIn this episode, we look at some of our cognitive biases that can help or hurt our performance. From optimism bias to our illusion of control, how does our psychology impact our performance. That’s what we cover! Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. And…
2022-01-311h 04Science of RunningEpisode 157: The Floundering Athlete: Ways to Reengage them and Reinvigorate their PerformanceWhat do you do when it all goes wrong? When an athlete is struggling, overtrained, or just not feeling good anymore? In this episode, we provide strategies for how to get athletes back on track from an emotional and psychological standpoint, as well as a training and physiological standpoint. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor…
2022-01-241h 09Science of RunningEpisode 156: Does what you’re measuring actually matter?In this episode, we take on the importance and value of measurement. Should you wear a GPS watch, measure HRV, heart rate, power, or lactate? We break down the balance you need to have between measurement and feel. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education.…
2022-01-171h 06Science of RunningEpisode 155: Getting the Most Out of People: How to inspire, encourage, and sustain excellenceHow do we get the most out of our athletes? How do we help them get as close to their potential as possible? In this podcast, we talk about striving for excellence and giving people the freedom to perform. Steve and Jon outline the attributes needed and what we should do as coaches to develop…
2021-12-201h 06Science of RunningEpisode 151: Belief Building: The X Factor to SuccessYou can have the perfect training plan, but it won’t work unless you have buy-in. In this episode, we break down the keys to getting trust, buy-in and belief with your athletes. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program is our one-stop shop for all things coaches education. Join the Scholar Program! From…
2021-11-2259 minScience of RunningEpisode 147: The Science of Training Management: Managing the messiness of the training process compared to the neatness of training planTraining is messy. You are dealing with human beings. In this episode we dive into adaptability, aiming for mastery, and giving your athletes autonomy to grow and develop. How do we manage the messiness of competing and racing and not just fall for the temptation of the training plan. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor…
2021-10-111h 09Science of RunningEpisode 145: Amazing Workouts, Awful RacesHow many times have you had an athlete who has fantastic workouts, yet when it comes to race day, it’s like a different runner shows up? In this episode, Jon and Steve dive into what is going on here. Why did what’s going on in practice not translate? From not having time to absorb the…
2021-09-281h 04Science of RunningEpisode 143: Training and Racing in Heat and HumidityHow do you survive heat and humidity? In this week’s episode, we delve into the science and practice of training in hot and humid conditions. From heat acclimatization and strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of heat and humidity, we keep you informed on the latest research and best practices. Steve & Jon Visit our…
2021-09-061h 07Science of RunningEpisode 139: Why a perfectionist mindset is holding you and your athletes back.In this week’s episode we dive into how our striving to get better, to perfect every single thing may actually be holding us back. We dive into the disease of overplanning, what occurs when we chase the minutia and the distinction between fragile and robust athletes. Steve & Jon Visit our Sponsor The Scholar Program…
2021-07-2150 minScience of RunningEpisode 138: Big Meet Readiness- Preparing to PerformHow do you get prepared for the big meet? It’s not only about physical preparedness, but also your mental and decision making framework. In this episode, we cover everything from understanding and setting up your psychological framework to priming for performance to making better decisions. Steve & Jon Resources Mentioned: The OODA Loop by John…
2021-07-051h 08Science of RunningEpisode 135: Performance Turnaround- How to Get Your Racing Back on TrackWhat do we do when it’s all going wrong? When an athlete seems to be headed in the wrong direction? In this weeks podcast we dive into how to get performance back on track. Do we take a week off, run easy for a while, change the workouts? Jon and Steve explore all the ways…
2021-06-1459 minScience of RunningEpisode 133: Track and Field: A Multibillion Dollar Sleeping GiantIt’s time for a state of the sport check-in. In this episode, Jon and Steve take on the sleeping giant that is the sport of track and field. We discuss how to improve it, what we are missing, and how we need to change the narrative. From big ideas to small tweaks that we all…
2021-05-051h 09Science of RunningEpisode 131: Workouts, Workouts, Workouts! What, How, and Why.In this episode we dive into the bread and butter of coaching runners, designing and implementing workouts. Jon and Steve discuss their favourite marathon, middle-distance, and 5k-10k workouts. What are they? When should you utilize them? Who are they for? If you love diving into the details of workout creation, this episode is for you.…
2021-04-061h 03Science of RunningEpisode 129: Getting Race Ready- Preparing to Perform After A LayoffHow do you get ready to race after a long layoff? This might be something that you may be facing do to COVID or coming back from injury. In this episode we dive into how to get back into the groove of racing! Steve & Jon Resources Mentioned in the Podcast Bill Bowerman’s High Performance…
2021-03-011h 04Science of RunningEpisode 128: Key Markers of Highly Effective Training:What’s effective training? What workouts are the best for improving endurance, speed, fatigued resistance? In this episode, we dive into how to determined what effective training is, and how we define effective training. Steve & Jon Resources Mentioned in the Podcast Bill Bowerman’s High Performance Training Visit our Sponsor We’ve just launched a new course…
2021-02-091h 15Science of RunningEpisode 127: Training Stimulus Threshold and Recoverability: The reason why you aren’t running as fast as you can.Everyone is different. We all recover at different rates for different workouts. In this episode, we explore why some athletes need work work, why others need more recovery, and how to identify and modulate your training to give each athlete what they need. Steve & Jon Resources Mentioned in the Podcast Athletic Development by Vern…
2021-01-311h 04Science of RunningEpisode 124: Increasing Mileage: When, Why, and How.Should you follow the 10% rule for increasing mileage? Are you destined to be injured if you increase mileage too quickly? In this podcast we tackle all of the questions around mileage. How much, what does it do, when should we increase it, and much more. Steve & Jon Resources Mentioned in the Podcast Running…
2020-12-141h 04Science of RunningEpisode 121: You’re not working hard enough and you’re not recovering deep enough.Hard days hard, easy days easy. How much validity does that saying have? How hard should our hard workouts be? Should we jog slowly on recovery days or make them steady? In this episode, we dive into the balance between hard workouts and recovery days. Steve & Jon Resources Mentioned in the Podcast The Stress…
2020-09-271h 02Science of RunningEpisode 120: Peak Fitness vs. Peak PerformanceWhat’s it mean to be fit? What about to perform? Is there a meaningful difference? In this episode, Steve and Jon explore the continuum from fitness to performance. As we make our way from fitness to performance, the psychological demands shift. From high control to low. From low threat to high. Give this episode a…
2020-09-141h 05Science of RunningEpisode 119: Upgrading Lactate Dynamics: A Key to Running Faster LongerWhat’s it mean to improve the lactate threshold? What about lactate buffering capacity? In this episode, John and Steve take you down the rabbit hole of workouts designed to improve every part of the lactate curve. You’ll learn why traditional tempo runs push the lactate curve up, but you can also pull the curve. You’ll…
2020-08-3055 minScience of RunningEpisode 84: Finding the Fatal Flaw that is Holding You BackWhat holds you back? What keeps you from performing to the best of your ability? That’s the topic of this weeks On Coaching Podcast with Magness & Marcus. We dive into identifying and then fixing the common issues we see in athletes that prevent them from taking that next step in performance. And, as you’ll…
2018-12-111h 04Science of RunningEpisode 83: Breaking Through- The Reality of the Ups and Downs of PerformanceBreakthroughs. It’s what keeps many of us going. The knowledge (and hope) that a leap in performance is just around the corner. But what do performance breakthroughs look like? Are there signs that a breakthrough might be around the corner? In this weeks On Coaching Podcast, Jon and Steve take a deep dive into the…
2018-11-211h 12Science of RunningEpisode 79: Mastering the Mental Game: An interview with Len Zaichkowsky and Dan PetersonThe Inner Game: Decision Making, Choking, Focus and Attention, Skill acquisition: All of that and more on this weeks episode of the On Coaching Podcast with Magness & Marcus. We have renowned sports psychologist Leonard Zaichkowsky and mental performance consultant Dan Peterson on to provide a deep dive on the cognitive demands of the sport.…
2018-07-251h 10Science of RunningOn Coaching #71: Does Science Constrain Coaching?In this weeks episode, Jon and Steve go on a rant. How do we utilize science in coaching? Inspired by a twitter rant, we start off taking on the bioenergetic or metabolic view of coaching. As endurance coaches, we almost always start with “How aerobic or anaerobic is your event?” Go to any conference or…
2018-04-0454 minScience of RunningEpisode 68- Threshold Training: Good or Bad? And what in the world is it?Lactate, Anaerobic, Aerobic Threshold? What do any of them mean and are they useful training zones? In this episode Jon and Steve break down what in the world threshold actually means for coaches. In addition, we debate whether or not we should sped much time training at marathon pace or if it is a “grey”…
2018-02-2855 min