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Artwork for For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Jonathan Levitt
Running
Mental Health
Trail Running
Ultra Running
Running Community
Community
Community Building
Entrepreneurship
Nutrition
Personal Growth
Marathon Running
Endurance Sports
Marathon Training
Western States
Boston Marathon
Puma
Boulder, Colorado
Marathon
Coaching
Ultrarunning

For The Long Run explores the why behind running. Since 2019, host Jon Levitt has recorded 500+ conversations with the people who shape endurance sport: Olympians and champions, ultrarunners, coaches, and the founders building the brands runners actually use. Recent guests include Rachel Entrekin, Jenn Lichter, and Zach Miller. Jon also hosts Long Run Labs, a show about the business of endurance. ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes449Founded8 years ago
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SportsFitnessHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Latest Episodes

Emma Zeiger knows a lot about doing hard things and finding meaning in them.

After losing her dad when she was nine, Emma eventually found community through Experience Camps, a free camp for children who have lost a parent, sibling, or primary c... more

What happens when 100 miles is no longer far enough?

Ekta Basu joins Jon after finishing the Tahoe 200, a journey that took her more than four days and pushed her further than she had ever gone before. She shares how she went from a self-describ... more

Professional skier, mountaineer, endurance athlete, activist, and former U.S. Senate candidate Caroline Gleich joins Jon for a wide-ranging conversation about sport, advocacy, and having the courage to stand for something.

Caroline shares how ru... more

Ben Dhiman won UTMB. One of the most competitive ultra trail races in the world, and he won it. This conversation was recorded not long after, when the dust had barely settled and he was still figuring out what it all meant.

Ben talks about the ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ekta Basu
Runner and ultra-distance enthusiast invited guest
Episode: Four Days, 200 Miles, and a Very Long Way Around Tahoe
Caroline Gleich
Professional athlete, skier, mountaineer, environmental and social justice advocate, 2024 US Senate candidate
Self
Episode: Caroline Gleich on Moral Courage and Using Your Voice
Ben Dhiman
UTMB champion and trail runner
Professional trail runner
Episode: UTMB Champion Ben Dhiman on Winning the Biggest Race in Trail Running
Daniel Berk
Entrepreneur and runner; host of multiple projects
Episode: What Newer Runners Get Right That Veterans Forget with Daniel Berk
Des Linden
Distance runner and media/partnership figure featured on the show
Professional athlete with Brooks and other partners
Episode: Des Linden on Building a Media Business After Boston
Kelsey Walla
Triathlete, runner, and creator behind Wild Coyote Club
Wild Coyote Club
Episode: The Mental Shift That Took Her From Hating Running to Racing Triathlons
Molly Seidel
For real trail runner and ultrarunner, Olympic medalist, and guest on the show
Professional runner
Episode: Molly Seidel on Her Western States Debut & the Ego Death of Being a Rookie
Hildee Weiss
Wife, mother, grandmother; freelance writer turned endurance athlete
Self-described athlete and author
Episode: Hildee Weiss on Becoming a Runner at 46 and Embracing the Inner Athlete
Shad Mika
Trail and ultrarunner featured guest
Colorado endurance athlete
Episode: Shad Mika on What Two Decades of Ultras Actually Teaches You

Host

Jonathan Levitt
Host of the show, focused on exploring the why behind running and the business of endurance.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 756 ratings
  • A must have podcast for runners of all kinds

    I have been enjoying For The Long Run as a listener for a few years now as it provides runners - elite or back of the packer and anyone in between - with so much valuable resources. Whether it’s a runner like myself sharing his/her story or a sports psychologist offering advice, For The Long Run is that podcast that runners need to have as their go-to source. Jonathan Levitt is the host with the most - putting the guest at ease and capturing the message that listeners need and want to hear. I am... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Triangelmom
    United States2 months ago
  • Best host

    It is always such a joy, and a privilege, to be on the show with Jonathan. He’s such a gracious host and I can’t speak highly enough about what he is doing for the sport!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grayson Murphy
    United States6 months ago
  • Disappointment in recent episode

    I have been a long time listener of the podcast and was disappointed that you went political recently. Running and politics are two separate things so why can’t we just stick to running?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jmorton0531
    United States6 months ago
  • Great interviewer!

    Jonathan does such a great job interviewing a variety of guests. Highly recommend a listen. He is authentically eager and you can tell he loves what he is building.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelli MB
    United States8 months ago
  • Nicholas Thompson A+ episode!

    Jonathan is an excellent interviewer overall & this one really knocked it out of the park! Thanks so much

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BethFWTX
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise authentic, in-depth conversations and the host's interviewing skill.
Guests repeatedly highlight the host's gracious, engaging style.
A few listeners feel recent episodes drift toward politics or self-promotion, diverging from core running topics.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

UTMB Champion Ben Dhiman on Winning the Biggest Race in Trail Running
Q: How important is the daily enjoyment of running to long-term performance?
Dhiman emphasizes finding personal meaning and joy in running, treating consistency and the act of running as the core driver of improvement, not just chasing outcomes.
UTMB Champion Ben Dhiman on Winning the Biggest Race in Trail Running
Q: How do you interact with that moment when you're in the race and things are unfolding?
He describes running on instinct shaped by preparation, trusting himself in the moment, and allowing the process to guide pacing and decisions rather than rigid plans, recognizing that plans rarely unfold exactly as expected.
UTMB Champion Ben Dhiman on Winning the Biggest Race in Trail Running
Q: What does it feel like to pour yourself into a goal and have it go well?
Dhiman explains that it's less about the goal itself and more about becoming the person capable of achieving it, highlighting the role of preparation and instinct and the way success feels like a natural extension of consistent practice.
What Newer Runners Get Right That Veterans Forget with Daniel Berk
Q: How does Daniel describe the overlap between running and entrepreneurship?
He explains that both domains demand discipline, the ability to endure uncertainty, and a strong mental game, where progress is non-linear and motivation can wax and wane, but consistency over time leads to growth.
Why Loving the Process Matters More Than Winning the Race
Q: How do you handle the mental urge to walk vs. run near the end of a race?
Set small, reachable waypoints and commit to running to the next target; this breaks the challenge into manageable steps and keeps the pace sustainable.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running interview series that centers on endurance and the motivations behind running, featuring elite athletes, coaches, physicians, and brand founders. Conversations routinely explore career pivots, sponsorships, fueling strategies, and the evolving business of endurance sports, with a strong emphasis on community, authenticity, and personal growth. Listeners are likely drawn to practical, long-form storytelling about training culture, health, and the intersection of sport and entrepreneurship, often with actionable takeaways on mindset, sponsorships, and lifestyle balance. A notable strength is the host's ability to create candid, in-depth dialogues across a wide spectrum of running-related topics, from trail ultrarunning to athle... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Everyday Ultra
2. Singletrack
3. The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman
4. The Trail Network Podcast
5. I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 449 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Ekta Basu
2. Caroline Gleich
3. Ben Dhiman
4. Daniel Berk
5. Des Linden
6. Kelsey Walla
7. Molly Seidel
8. Hildee Weiss

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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