Psychological Flexibility + Mental Toughness Training with Chris Gunn, PhD
Release Date: 11/05/2026
Psychological Flexibility + Mental Toughness Training with Chris Gunn, PhD
The Strength Running Podcast
is a chartered phsychologist, published researcher and PhD, and author of The Conflict: A Psychologist's Guide to Endurance. Today, we discuss how to build in a sustainable way: The problem and hope of motivation Chris' unique definition of mental toughness Goal-Desire Conflict and what to do about it How to build long-lasting drive and more... are a critical ingredient to being a successful runner (no doubt why most pro's see a sports psychologist!). Follow Chris or pre-order his new book for more! Don't miss our . Thanks Team RunRun! is a community of coaches that exists to...
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Extreme Endurance: How Lindsay Phenix Ran and Recovered from 30+ 100-mile Ultras
The Strength Running Podcast
is the winner of the 2026 Badger 100, a finisher of more than 30 100-mile ultramarathons, and two-time finisher of the Badwater 135. In this episode, she shares what it takes to have this kind of consistency and : How she prepares for so many 100's so frequently (about 4 per year!) What her training looks like in between major events What makes the Badwater 135 so unique Why the 100-mile distance is so captivating (and why you should run one too!) Thank you Lindsay! Thank You Cozy-Zero! We’re supported by Cozy-Zero, one of my favorite winter clothing brands that makes some of the most...
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2:08 Marathoner Scott Fauble on How to Run Your Fastest Marathon
The Strength Running Podcast
is the 10th fastest American male marathoner ever with a PR of 2:08:52. He's been the top American at the Boston Marathon (4x finishes) and has competed in two New York City Marathons. He's won silver at both the US half marathon championships and the 25km championships. He's also the author of . Scott and Jason discuss: Which marathon course (Boston vs. NYC) Scott likes better How training has evolved over the last 10-20 years What Scott would do with a new runner who wanted to run a great marathon in 2-3 years What retirement felt like and whether he was happy about it His new...
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2 Coaches on Running’s Hottest Topics: “Run Slow to Run Fast,” Walking, & Zone 2 Purism
The Strength Running Podcast
Chris McClung is a running coach, author of , host of the Rogue Running Podcast (, ), and prior cohost of the Clean Sport Collective podcast with cohosts Kara Goucher and Des Linden. He joins us to discuss often misunderstood topics in the running community: The truth - and misdirection - of "Run Slow to Run Fast" Does walking count as some type of cross-training? What about rucking? What almost everyone gets wrong about Zone 2 Whether World Marathon Major races are the ideal environment for PR's Connect with Chris through or his . Thank you LMNT! A big thanks...
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The Art of the Long Run: Joe Corcione on How to Plan Ultra Long Runs
The Strength Running Podcast
Joe Corcione is an ultramarathoner, running coach, and the founder of . He hosts the popular . He joins us to discuss the art of ultramarathon long runs: What's the minimum volume before starting to train for an ultra? What are the three types of long runs that he recommends? How to progress long runs throughout a training cycle What else are we training (besides endurance) during a long run? Joe is a wealth of information and one of the most inspiring people to speak with. I hope you enjoy this as much as I did! Thank you Previnex! Get yourself 15% off your first purchase ....
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4 Elite Marathon Workouts & How to Adapt Them For You (Coach Brant Stachel Returns)
The Strength Running Podcast
What can we learn from elite-level marathon workouts? A lot! Joining us is coach Brant Stachel, a psychotherapist, , massage therapist, and former elite triathlete. Listen to our previous conversation about how he focues on the mental side of running with pro runners . In this episode, Brant is sharing 4 elite marathon workouts. You'll learn: Why these workouts are structured the way they are How to "earn" your workouts When to run each workout How to scale each workout to your ability level The physiological benefits that each session provides Workouts vs. Long Runs vs. Long Run...
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The Value of Zone 3, Heart Rate vs. Effort, & How Heat Impacts Z2 with Brady Holmer (repost!)
The Strength Running Podcast
Brady Holmer is a physiologist, 2:24 marathoner, and author of the . This episode is important because it refutes many myths about Zone 2. It was first published in 2024 at the height of the Z2 craze. Brady and Jason discuss: Why an elevated heart rate isn't always the same The value of How heat impacts your HR A lot more... Follow Brady and thank him for coming on the Strength Running Podcast! Thank you Altra! New customers can get 10% off your entire order with code jason10 . I’ve been wearing Altra shoes for years - I absolutely love the roomy toe box that leaves extra...
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Lactate Threshold & the “Golden Zone:” 2x Olympian Marius Bakken on the Norwegian Method
The Strength Running Podcast
Marius Bakken is a medical doctor, author of , and a 2x Olympian who specialized in the 5,000m. He’s also competed in three World Championships and two European championships, while being a 3x Norwegian 1500m champion and a 2x champion in the 5,000. He holds personal bests of 3:38 in the 1500m, 13:06 in the 5k, and 28:26 in the 10k. Mind you, this is before the era of super shoes. This conversation focuses on lactate threshold, how to find it, and why this "golden zone" may be the most important training intensity of them all. Resources: Marius' new book Thank you Altra! New...
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Tapering, Warm-ups, & Yasso 800’s: Training Q&A with Coach Max Stoneking, DPT
The Strength Running Podcast
Max Stoneking is a practicing physical therapist at , former collegiate swimmer, and coach to runners and triathletes. He writes the and posts regularly on . This episodes features Max and Jason taking your questions: Are Yasso 800's a good predictor workout for marathoners? Are there better options? What is the ideal tapering strategy? How can runners best for different types of runs, workouts, and races? Best practices for treating hip injuries More! To contribute to future Q&A episodes, follow Jason or . Thanks Boulderthon! is a top 10 race in America according to...
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How to Improve Economy, Protein for Runners, & Top Lifting Mistakes (Jason Gets Interviewed!)
The Strength Running Podcast
Jason was recently a guest on the about: + mistakes (ideal for endurance runners) Why strength train in the first place? Protein needs for runners (age, activity, etc.) The type of strength training that improves Thank you to Dr. Mandy Riehl for hosting an amazing discussion! . Thank you Kila! Kila offers the world's lightest insoles. Made with super shoe foam, they're 65-70% lighter than most orthotics and worn by elite runners like UTMB champ Tom Evans. Go to and use code STRENGTHRUNNING for $50 your first pair. Truthfully, I’m skeptical of insoles. I once had...
info_outlineChris Gunn is a chartered phsychologist, published researcher and PhD, and author of The Conflict: A Psychologist's Guide to Endurance.
Today, we discuss how to build mental toughness in a sustainable way:
- The problem and hope of motivation
- Chris' unique definition of mental toughness
- Goal-Desire Conflict and what to do about it
- How to build long-lasting drive
- and more...
Mental skills are a critical ingredient to being a successful runner (no doubt why most pro's see a sports psychologist!). Follow Chris on Instagram or pre-order his new book for more!
Don't miss our mental skills training here.
Thanks Team RunRun!
Team RunRun is a community of coaches that exists to help you achieve your running potential. I know that coaches made me into who I am today. There is no universe where I would have achieved any of my race results with the hands-on help of my prior coaches.
More than 10,000 runners have found their coach with Team Run Run. They have nearly 400 coaches to choose from, matching exactly your needs, budget, and goals.
And after more than 16 years of coaching runners of every ability all around the world, I know that you’ll thrive with their expert guidance. You’ll get real accountability, a subject matter expert in your corner, and a problem solver who can make running work with your lifestyle.
Go to teamrunrun.com/jason/ to see the coaches that I’ve hand selected and recommend. Some of them are even past podcast guests! Use code JASON at checkout and you’ll get $19 off your first month with any running coach.
Thank you LMNT!
A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
And DOUBLE big news! Their newest flavor Lemonade Salt is now permanently available (it's now my favorite). They're also offering 12oz cans of sparkling LMNT water that has half the sodium concentration of a packet. Check them out.
LMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.
Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.