839. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, 3-Time World Championship Gold Medalist
Release Date: 10/08/2025
857. Jackson Olson, Savannah Bananas Infielder & Runner
Ali on the Run Show
"I think there are a lot of athletes out there that are just so scared to show who they truly are and what they like because of their teammates and their coaches. And they’re trying to get to the next level, and they’re like, 'Oh well, if I like this then I’m not gonna get to the next level.' It’s actually the opposite. You’re probably gonna play better if you show who you truly are, because you’re more free." Everyone loves . The Savannah Bananas infielder is on a mission to make baseball more fun — and he's doing just that. Jackson has made a name for himself playing Banana...
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856. A Holiday Message from Ali, 2025 Edition
Ali on the Run Show
"I felt your hands on my back. And I needed them." I love you. I appreciate you. In this short solo episode, I'm wishing you the happiest holidays and reflecting a bit. This year, for me, was at times wonderful and filled with joy. But mostly, I will remember 2025 as the year my breast cancer recurred and spread, reentering my life as a Stage IV, incurable diagnosis. Here's where I'm at — and what I wish for you — as we close out this year. Follow Ali: SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please . Spread the run love. And if you liked this...
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855. Lauren “Fithy” Hunnewell, Animal Rescue League Volunteer & 41-Time Marathoner
Ali on the Run Show
"I run with all dogs, any dogs." Lauren "Fithy" Hunnewell is the North America running events manager for New Balance. She is the New York Road Runners partnership lead, so she works super closely with the NYRR team on events including the New York City Half, the Fifth Avenue Mile, and, of course, the New York City Marathon. So, Lauren has a super fun job. She also does something really amazing every Monday and Friday morning: She runs with shelter dogs. Twice a week, every week, no matter the weather, Lauren goes to her local animal shelter to take the dogs for runs. Over the past two...
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854. Jenny Grimshaw, 2:32 Marathoner
Ali on the Run Show
"I had this sense of nostalgia, of we’re going to look back on this as something special. We all felt a little bit of something magical going on." She’s come a long way, baby! Jenny Grimshaw returns to the Ali on the Run Show, this time as a 2:32 marathoner. Jenny just ran four-minute personal best at the California International Marathon, qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials with room to spare. This is the same Jenny who spent years trying to break three hours. The Jenny with a long history of race anxiety. The Jenny who dropped out of CIM in 2022. In this episode, Jenny, a...
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853. The Support Squad Series: Round 8 with Danielle "Dee" Mastronardi
Ali on the Run Show
"You prioritize your life for the people who mean the most to you. And that’s how it’s been since day one for us." Two days before Thanksgiving, I was up at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for my eighth round of chemotherapy. This time around, I was joined by my college roommate and one of my favorite people of all-time, Danielle "Dee" Mastronardi. This is our recap from the day at the infusion center, with a whole lot of detours for stories [we probably shouldn't be sharing] from our college days. SPONSOR: : Use code ALI for $10 off your next headphone purchase. The...
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852. Ask Ali!
Ali on the Run Show
"If they come up with a Dancing with the Stars and it’s Dancing with the Podcast Hosts, and it’s tap dancing, put me in, coach." Welcome to Ask Ali, a monthly series where I answer all of your questions submitted on Instagram (I'm ). This time around, we're tackling cancer stuff, running stuff, work stuff, and more. SPONSORS: Lagoon: to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and take advantage of Lagoon's massive Black Friday sale, in effect now! In this episode: Cancer questions (1:40) Motherhood questions (18:40) Running...
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851. Jordan Litz’s 2025 New York City Marathon Recap
Ali on the Run Show
"Running the marathon and doing two Broadway shows in the same day — I’ve never felt more New York than that day." Did you hear about the man who ran the 2025 New York City Marathon and then went on to star in two performances of Wicked on Broadway that same day? That man is Jordan Litz, who is currently starring as Fiyero in Wicked on Broadway. He's the longest-running Fiyero in Wicked history, having performed the role more than 1,500 times. And two of those times were immediately after he crossed the finish line at his first marathon, the New York City Marathon. In this conversation,...
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850. Carl Radke’s 2025 New York City Marathon Recap
Ali on the Run Show
"Running single-handedly saved me during this last year." Carl Radke is best known as a longtime cast member on Bravo's Summer House. Through nine seasons of the reality show, he's been open and honest about his mental health struggles and his history with drug and alcohol addiction. Carl got sober in 2021, and this year, he opened Soft Bar, a non-alcoholic bar and café in Brooklyn, NY, where he lives. His memoir, , comes out next month. And this month, Carl added another title to his resumé: marathoner! In this conversation, Carl talks about how he found running and the role running plays...
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849. Katie Couric, Journalist
Ali on the Run Show
"I just feel like when I see injustice, at this point in my life, I have to call it out." Katie Couric has been my idol since I was in high school, and it's truly an honor to welcome her to the Ali on the Run Show! We recorded this episode in person together on the Monday after the 2025 New York City Marathon, at Katie's home on the Upper East Side. Katie is a journalist who is best known for her 15-year career on the Today Show. Today, she is the founder of Katie Couric Media, where she publishes a daily newsletter (), and hosts the podcast . She is the author of , she's a mom of two, and...
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848. Amanda Vestri’s 2025 TCS New York City Marathon Recap
Ali on the Run Show
"Oh I'm hooked." Last weekend, Amanda Vestri made her much anticipated 26.2-mile debut at the TCS New York City Marathon. She ran 2:25:40, good enough for ninth place in the women's pro race and a strong showing for the marathon debutante. In this conversation, Amanda breaks it all down, including how training went, why she wanted to move to the marathon this year, what she wants to do next, and what it was like running through the five boroughs. Plus, Amanda shares her training, living, and coaching plans now that her longtime training group, ZAP Endurance, is disbanding. FOLLOW AMANDA ...
info_outline"I do want to be the greatest to ever do it in our sport. And I mean that wholeheartedly. I genuinely feel like it’s something that I can do, and something I’ve been called to do. In due time it is going to happen. But it is going to start with me taking it one day, one practice, one meet at a time."
Melissa Jefferson-Wooden has had the year of her dreams. At this year's World Championships in Tokyo, Melissa became the first American in history to win triple gold, winning the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay. She became the first American woman since Allyson Felix in 2009 to win the 200m at World Championships, and became the first American woman in history to win the 100/200 double at World Championships. Melissa went undefeated in the 100m this entire season, winning Diamond Leagues, Grand Slam Track meets, and, of course, World Champs. Last year, Melissa made her Olympic debut in Paris, where she won bronze in the 100m and gold in the 4x100m relay. In this conversation, Melissa talks about what life is like for the fastest woman in the world.
FOLLOW MELISSA @__melissaj19
SPONSORS:
- New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5!
- Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next headphone purchase.
In this episode:
- Melissa’s honeymoon plans, and how she’s feeling after a banner season on the track (2:30)
- What it was like being on The Jennifer Hudson Show (5:25)
- What’s making Melissa happy today (10:20)
- What’s going through Melissa’s head when she’s in the blocks (13:00)
- Melissa’s mantra: One Day, One Practice, One Meet at a Time (14:50)
- All about Melissa’s “hero’s welcome” after flying home from Tokyo (21:15)
- Melissa’s take on track fashion (23:45)
- On running as a team sport (29:00)
- Melissa recaps her 100m experience at World Championships (36:00)
- How Melissa feels about being a reigning World Champion (41:30)
- All about the 200m Final, including the false start that kicked it off (43:40)
- Melissa’s relationship with Allyson Felix (51:15)
- Melissa reflects on her “introductory year,” and reflects on her early Olympic dreams (56:50)
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