In this episode of the Fast and Free Podcast, Brant Stachel sits down with one of Canada’s fastest-rising marathoners, Thomas Nobbs. With personal bests of 63 minutes in the half and 2:15 in the marathon, Thomas is chasing the dream of representing Canada at the LA 2028 Olympics—all while balancing 200km training weeks and a full-time career.

Thomas opens up about the highs and lows of his journey: from the pressure of being a national youth champion, to hitting rock bottom with injuries and disordered eating in college, to rebuilding stronger than ever. Brant and Thomas also dig into the mental battles of solo training, learning to slow down on easy days, and finding confidence in the process rather than the outcome.

This is a candid and inspiring conversation about resilience, consistency, and chasing audacious goals. Whether you’re a beginner chasing your first marathon finish or an experienced athlete dreaming big, Thomas’s story will leave you motivated to trust the process and keep showing up.

Thomas Nobbs is a Canadian distance runner and one of the country’s fastest-rising marathoners. With personal bests of 63:06 for the half marathon and 2:15 for the marathon, Thomas is part of a new wave of Canadian athletes chasing international standards and breakthroughs on the roads. Balancing 200km training weeks with a demanding full-time career, he exemplifies consistency, grit, and the pursuit of excellence.

• Get coached by Thomas - https://teamrunrun.com/coach/tom-nobbs-ottawa-running-coach/
• Follow Thomas on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nobbs.not.knobs/?hl=en
• Get the best fuel for your runs - https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant

The Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.



Follow Fast and Free Coaching:

• Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching
• YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching
• Website: runfastandfree.com

In this episode of the Fast and Free Podcast, Brant Stachel sits down with running coach and athlete Jess Hadley to dive into the mental side of endurance sports. From building confidence in workouts to shifting how we approach long runs, Jess shares her journey of embracing mindset shifts that take pressure off performance and bring joy back to the process. Together, Brant and Jess unpack how reframing workouts, finding balance, and trusting your training can unlock better results on race day—and make the sport more sustainable and enjoyable along the way.

Jess Hadley is a seasoned runner, coach, and passionate advocate for helping athletes push past mental barriers. Drawing from her own experiences balancing training, racing, and everyday life, Jess emphasizes confidence, perspective, and resilience. She works with athletes to not only build physical strength but also to enjoy the sport for what it brings beyond the finish line.

• Get coached by Jess
• Follow Jess on Instagram
• Get the best fuel for your runs

The Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.



Follow Fast and Free Coaching:

• Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching
• YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching
• Website: runfastandfree.com