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How the Fitness Industry Began: Exploring 200+ Years of Training Evolution with Professor Conor Heffernan

The Strength Running Podcast

Release Date: 11/27/2025

How the Fitness Industry Began: Exploring 200+ Years of Training Evolution with Professor Conor Heffernan show art How the Fitness Industry Began: Exploring 200+ Years of Training Evolution with Professor Conor Heffernan

The Strength Running Podcast

How did we transition from a society with no "sports" or competition, to one where they're ubiquitous? Learn the history of the fitness industry: how weightlifting and running emerged, early versions of equipment, how people trained 200+ years ago, and more. Dr. Conor Heffernan explores the main themes from his book, . If you like history and training, you're going to love this episode! Thank you 2Before! We are supported by , a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote...

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Long Run Strategy, Balancing Intensity vs. Volume, Heavy Lifting, & More (Q&A with Jason) show art Long Run Strategy, Balancing Intensity vs. Volume, Heavy Lifting, & More (Q&A with Jason)

The Strength Running Podcast

Listen in on a Team Strength Running coaching call, where Jason takes questions from the community about training, long runs, workout strategy, and more.  To join one of these calls, .  We discuss:  Long run strategy ( with David Roche!) The value of lifting heavy weights () How to balance speed and mileage  Thank you for listening and supporting the podcast! Thank You Lever! I'm excited to partner with  - a bodyweight support system that helps you run further or faster with less effort and injury risk.   You’ve probably seen pro runners using Lever...

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How to Learn From Any Injury (So You Stay Healthier) with Physiotherapist Brodie Sharpe show art How to Learn From Any Injury (So You Stay Healthier) with Physiotherapist Brodie Sharpe

The Strength Running Podcast

Brodie Sharpe is a physiotherapist, the host of the , and author of . As a Physical therapist who specializes in endurance runners, Brodie Sharpe takes a holistic approach to . He helps runners learn how to correct mistakes and work with their bodies to get healthy. Brodie emphasizes the importance of looking at training as well as your lifestyle around it, since every aspect of what you do impacts how you feel and perform. This episode focuses on how to learn from a running injury: how to figure out what caused it the training changes needed to prevent it from recurring how to update...

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Isometrics vs. Strength vs. Plyos: What’s Missing in Your Strength Training with Dr. Matt Silver show art Isometrics vs. Strength vs. Plyos: What’s Missing in Your Strength Training with Dr. Matt Silver

The Strength Running Podcast

Dr. Matthew Silver is a physical therapist, author, and owner of Alpha Project Phyzio and Performance in Maryland. His book is now available. While he set his college’s 8k record and made the all-conference team, injuries prematurely ended Matt’s career, sparking his interest in physical therapy.  In today’s conversation, we’re talking about the different types of strength training that exist, their benefits and drawbacks, and how to integrate them into your training. It’s important to recognize that not all strength training is the same. We’re going to discuss traditional...

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Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson on Master’s Training, Motivation, and Breakthroughs show art Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson on Master’s Training, Motivation, and Breakthroughs

The Strength Running Podcast

Nick Thompson has been running and racing for 35 years. He’s the 40-44 age group American record holder in the 50k with a 3:04 finish time (that’s 5:56 per mile for 31 miles), and was previously the world’s top ranked runner in his age group in the 50-mile. He's now the CEO of the Atlantic Magazine and his new book is now available: You'll hear: How Nick’s relationship with his father helped him get into running What drives him to compete today vs. 30 years ago His recommendations for passing along a love for running to your kids How his cancer diagnosis changed his relationship with...

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Movement, Strength, and Injuries: Dr. John Rusin on How to Run Pain-Free show art Movement, Strength, and Injuries: Dr. John Rusin on How to Run Pain-Free

The Strength Running Podcast

Dr. John Rusin is a physical therapist and trainer who's worked with nearly every professional sports league as well as Olympic athletes. His new book, , is now available. Our conversation focuses on movement, coordination, and building efficiency. We discuss: common mistakes in the weight room how to structure better strength workouts mindfulness and breathing a nervous-system oriented warm-down when to know if you’re putting in too much effort in the gym We should not consider strength training to be "cross-training" - it’s just part of the normal training process. Learn how to...

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How to Build Physiological Resilience in the Marathon with Coach John Davis, PhD show art How to Build Physiological Resilience in the Marathon with Coach John Davis, PhD

The Strength Running Podcast

John Davis holds a PhD in Biomechanics, coaches elite marathoners, and is the author of . His newest book is a masterclass on marathon preparation: . It includes new research on training theory, elite-level training plans, and guidance for every type of aspiring marathoner. Today, we discuss physiological resilience:  How physiological resilience is like the 4th metric of performance How to build this skill safely Example workouts for beginner to advanced runners The role of "depletion workouts" in physiological resilience What actually causes the "marathon fade" at the end of 26.2 miles...

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Super Shoes & Form: How New Shoe Tech Alters Running Form with Chris Napier, PhD show art Super Shoes & Form: How New Shoe Tech Alters Running Form with Chris Napier, PhD

The Strength Running Podcast

Chris Napier is the author of , a professor of physical therapy, practicing physiotherapist, 2:33 marathoner, and medal winner at the Canadian Track & Field Championships in 1996 and 1997. He is also a scientific advisor to , the world’s smartest running shoe (I'm also an advisor!). Today's focus is on super shoes and how they affect your running form: The specific form changes that happen due to high-stack foam and carbon plates Specific injury risks from super shoes How often Chris recommends wearing super shoes Training changes that while wearing super shoes Extra Resources: ...

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Cross-Training Masterclass: Coach Megan Flanagan on How to Add Other Sports to Your Running show art Cross-Training Masterclass: Coach Megan Flanagan on How to Add Other Sports to Your Running

The Strength Running Podcast

is a former collegiate athlete and writer for Outside Magazine, a certified running coach and personal trainer, and a Spartan Elite podium athlete. She has a bachelor’s in Psychology & Nutrition, a master’s in Public Health, and has finished four 100-mile races. Megan is a multi-faceted athlete and works with a variety of runners in her . In this conversation, we’re bringing our combined experiences with cross-training to you: how to add cross-training why you should add it what forms of exercise are best the types of exercise to avoid if you want to stay healthy when to...

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How to Build Fatigue Resistance with the Coach of Both UTMB Champs, Scott Johnston show art How to Build Fatigue Resistance with the Coach of Both UTMB Champs, Scott Johnston

The Strength Running Podcast

Scott Johnston is one of the top coaches in the world, especially in mountain and high alpine sports. He's worked with Killian Jornet and recently coached both winners of the most prestigious trail race on Earth, UTMB (Tom Evans & Ruth Croft). He's also author of one of my favorite training books,  and founder of the coaching group. This conversation focuses on fatigue resistance:  What is fatigue resistance? Local vs. global fatigue Top workouts to build fatigue resistance The role of the nervous system in fatigue Scott's wisdom has helped the best runners in the world reach...

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More Episodes

How did we transition from a society with no "sports" or competition, to one where they're ubiquitous?

Learn the history of the fitness industry: how weightlifting and running emerged, early versions of equipment, how people trained 200+ years ago, and more. Dr. Conor Heffernan explores the main themes from his book, When Fitness Went Global.

If you like history and training, you're going to love this episode!

Thank you 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

Just like beetroot powder but more effective, 2before uses the powerful vasodilation benefits of blackcurrant berries to prime you for hard work. If you're getting ready for a big workout or race, their caffeinated version is a must try! You'll get the oxygen boosting benefits of blackcurrants, plus the performance benefits of caffeine.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thank you Previnex!

Until November 30th, Previnex is celebrating Black Friday with 30% off. That’s double the normal discount and you don’t even need to use a code. Just go to previnex.com, take advantage of the big savings, now with international shipping available!

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I know as a Masters runner that I need to be my healthiest self for as long as possible. I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

Previnex is different: they use the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, and testing of raw ingredients AND finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.

Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking (as well as Joint Health+). Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.

Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.

They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well!

Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!

Take advantage of their Black Friday offer at Previnex or use code jason15 for 15% off if you're listening after November 30, 2025.