Jack Fleming is more than just a figure in running history. He’s shaping its future.

As President and CEO of the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.), Jack leads with a mission: make running accessible to everyone, all year round.

After joining the B.A.A. in 1992, he’s worked nearly every role and now sets the course for a more inclusive, community-focused organization.

That vision was clear at the recent Shoreline 5K at Carson Beach, a new, entirely B.A.A.-run event. Planned, managed, and executed solely by B.A.A. staff, this Thursday night race was designed with the community in mind.

The event was all about participation. No cash prizes or age-group awards. Every finisher got a custom B.A.A.-adidas cap, a new kind of giveaway. This speaks to Jack’s leadership, that goes far beyond this one race. Under his watch, the 2024 Boston Marathon charity program raised a record $45.7 million, with a total philanthropic impact of $71.9 million.

He was recently inducted into the Road Runners Club of America Hall of Fame, cementing his status as a sport leader.

But Jack isn’t slowing down. He’s out running local races every week, focused on growing the sport, connecting with new runners, and making all B.A.A. events matter—on and off the course.

In today's conversation,

Tap into the Jack Fleming Special.

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Cooper Lutkenhaus isn't just the greatest high school athlete alive. He might be the greatest high school athlete ever.

Most 16-year-old track stars are making noise at their state meet. Cooper Lutkenhaus is making history on the national stage—running 1:42 against the pros and smashing records. This comes after a 1:46.86 high school indoor 800m record at Millrose in addition to a 1:45.45 outdoor record at Nike Outdoor Nationals.

In Eugene, at the USATF Championships, he didn't just survive the pressure of racing America's best. He crushed expectations, broke the World U18 record, and became the fourth-fastest American in history. That's not "promising." That's historic. And it puts Cooper in the conversation as the greatest high school athlete ever.

We're looking to dig deep into how he found another gear in the final 120 meters, how he managed the demands of three rounds in two days, and what comes next as he prepares to represent Team USA at the World Championships in Tokyo.

This isn't just a story about a teenager running fast—it's about a fearless performance on one of track & field's biggest stages, and a moment that redefines what's possible.

Cooper Lutkenhaus didn't just run a race in Eugene. He announced himself to the world.

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What do you do after running 2:05 at the Boston Marathon? If you’re Conner Mantz, you get back to work.

The American half-marathon record holder (59:17 in Houston) and the fastest American ever on Boston’s storied marathon course (2:05:08) is locked in on Chicago this fall.

Earlier in 2024, Conner made his Olympic debut in Paris, where he delivered a gutsy, top-10 finish in brutal conditions—proving he belongs on the biggest stage in the sport.

Coached by Ed Eyestone and training at altitude in Provo, Utah, Conner is building toward another breakthrough. His summer block has been quietly brutal: long progressive runs that close near race pace, back-to-back workouts with tight recovery windows, and high-volume consistency that only a few can handle.

Before turning pro in late 2021, Conner was one of the most dominant collegiate runners of his generation. At BYU, he won back-to-back NCAA cross country individual titles and helped lead the Cougars to national team glory in 2019. That grit, that consistency, and that team-first mindset still drive him today.

His resume speaks for itself: he’s run 59:17 in the half marathon, 2:05:08 in the marathon (Boston 2025), 27:26 in the 10,000m on the road (Beach to Beacon 2025; Course Record), 13:11.48 in the 5,000m on the track, and 3:37.96 in the 1,500m on the track.

This isn’t just about chasing the edge of human performance. It’s about building a career—not just off talent—but off intention, consistency, and belief.

In today's conversation, Conner dives deep into his training and preparation for his American Record attempt at the Chicago Marathon on October 12th, 2025.

Tap into the Conner Mantz Special.

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Angelina Napoleon is 20, but she’s already shaking up the NCAA and U.S. elite running scene like a veteran.

She is a World U20 medalist, NCAA runner-up, Olympic Trials finalist, and the owner of more national records than most people rack up in a lifetime.

Let’s talk numbers: She ran 9:32 for the 3000m steeplechase this summer, a personal best that put her within a heartbeat of the Paris Olympic team. She still owns the U.S. high school record in the 2000m steeple, clocking 6:18 back in 2022. In the 1500? 4:10. The mile? 4:33. She’s got insane talent.

But stats only scratch the surface. Angelina’s story is about way more than medals. Born and raised in Allegany, New York (and now training at NC State), she’s gone from self-taught hurdler to NCAA All-American and team leader.

She’s fiercely honest about mental health, fueling struggles, and coming back from setbacks—using her platform to speak out for equity, mentorship, and real talk in women’s sports.

From hosting “Mindful Miles” on Instagram to launching a nutrition series with her new NIL deal, Angelina is showing athletes that you can be both vulnerable and unstoppable.

In today's conversation, Angelina walks me through this massive breakthrough performance, what goes into a breakthrough, the blueprint for her breakthrough, what it means to make a world championship team, why having a bleieving coach is so crucial, using missing the trials last year as motivation, and her dreams to break 9:00 in the steeple and be the face of the US in this event for the decade to come.

Tap into the Angelina Napoleon Special.

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Shelby Houlihan isn’t running from her past. She’s running straight into whatever comes next.With a late-race surge and her trademark finishing kick, Shelby captured the 5,000m U.S. title at Hayward Field. She proved it: she’s not done. Not even close.Just a few years ago, her career looked over. For an athlete at the height of her prime, it was a devastating blow. Before that, Houlihan had been the face of U.S. middle-distance running. She shattered American records in the 1500 meters (3:54.99) and 5000 meters (14:23.92), won 12 national titles, and finished just off the podium at the 2019 World Championships.Her rise had seemed unstoppable. Until it wasn’t.But Houlihan didn’t disappear. She trained in the shadows. And when the ban was lifted in January 2025, she wasted no time. First came a win in the 3000m at the Razorback Invitational. Then a silver medal at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing. Now, a stunning U.S. 5000m title in Eugene–her 13th national crown and her first major outdoor championship since her return.The race itself was tactical and tense. The early pace was slow, the field bunched. But with one lap to go, Houlihan made her move. Elise Cranny and Josette Andrews went with her, but it was Shelby who had the final gear. She closed her last 200 meters in 30.56 seconds and crossed the line in 15:13.61, a full step ahead of the competition.This was a statement. Proof that the years in exile haven't dulled her edge. That the fire hadn’t gone out.She’s still unsponsored, still training alone in Flagstaff, Arizona. But she’s qualified for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she plans to race the 5000m. And she’s doing it on her own terms — no excuses, no apologies.For Shelby Houlihan, this isn’t just a comeback, it’s a redemption story written on the track.In today's conversation, Shelby walks me through this remarkable performance, what silencing the naysayers means, why this US title means so much, inside the nerves, emotions, belief, and experiences of this race; her goals for Tokyo, and how much longer she plans on running for. This conversation is raw, honest, and an inside look at the peak of one of the greatest stories track and field has ever seen.Tap into the Shelby Houlihan Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): ⁠https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs⁠-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: ⁠https://shop.therunningeffect.run⁠-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ⁠-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Ethan Strand isn’t a prospect anymore: he’s the problem everyone else is trying to solve.

Just months after rewriting the NCAA record books with blistering indoor times in the mile (3:48.32) and 3,000m (7:30.15), Ethan took another quantum leap—this time on the pro stage.

In only his second race as a professional, he lined up at Hayward Field for the U.S. Championships and ran 3:30.25 in the 1500 meters, finishing second in a stacked field and earning his first senior Team USA berth for the World Championships in Tokyo.

He’s back on the show with The Tokyo World Championships right around the corner.

What makes this moment even more remarkable is the velocity of his ascent. From his days as a state-record holder at Vestavia Hills High School to his reign at UNC (where he became the first collegiate athlete ever to break both the indoor mile and 3,000m records in the same season), Ethan’s trajectory has been jaw-dropping.

In Eugene, he didn’t just hang with the nation's best. He outkicked nearly all of them, including Olympic and World Championship finalists.

His 3:30.25 ranks as the second-fastest in NCAA history and confirmed what close followers of the sport have sensed for a while: Ethan Strand is trying to become one of the best to ever do it.

In today's conversation, Ethan walks me through this remarkable, career-defining result, as well as his newfound ambition as a pro. Why he thinks he can compete with anyone in the world and what it's going to take to get to the top.

We dive deep into his recent races and future beliefs.

Don't miss this one.

Tap into the Ethan Strand Special.

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Straight out of Melbourne, Adam Spencer is bringing a new level of hunger and hustle to global middle-distance running.

Adam is one of the brightest new stars in global middle-distance running. Raised in Melbourne, Australia, he started outas a promising soccer player before discovering his natural talent on the track as a teenager. Since then, Adam’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric.

At just 23 years old, Adam holds personal bests of 3:31.81 for 1500 meters, 1:46.84 for 800 meters, a blistering 3:52.70 in the indoor mile, and 7:40.38 for 3000 meters indoors.

He’s an NCAA All-American, Australian 1500m champion, and made global headlines in the 1500 meters at the Paris 2024 Olympics by making it to the repechage round.

Beyond the records and medals lies a story of resilience, reinvention, and relentless curiosity. Adam has gone from overcoming injuries and setbacks as a junior to standing on the world’s biggest stages, all while following a unique and thoughtful training philosophy that’s fueled his breakthrough.

Today, Adam is based between Melbourne and international training camps, with his sights set on the World Championships and the LA 2028 Olympics. He’s also inspiring the next generation of runners as a mentor and advocate for mental health.

If you don’t already know him, here is the Melbourne Miler himself, Adam Spencer.

In today's conversation, Adam takes me through his successful years in the NCAA, his goals and ambitions for the future, coming from another country into the NCAA system, his goals for Tokyo if he qualifies, and much more.

Tap into the Coach Adam Spencer Special.

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What happens when you blend world-class wisdom with small-town humility?

When a coach chooses joy over burnout, purpose over pressure, yet still builds champions from high school tracks to the Olympic stage?

You get Coach Mike Scannell.

Yes, he’s the architect behind Grant Fisher’s rise: from Arizona high school prodigy to Olympic double bronze medalist and six-time American record holder. But Scannell’s impact goes far beyond one legendary partnership.

Before coaching, he was THE athlete. A 2:16 marathoner. A 29:02 10K guy. A two-time Olympic Trials qualifier who raced alongside some of the best of his era. He won the inaugural Phoenix City Marathon in 1987 and helped the U.S. win the 10K team title in 1988. Even into his 40s, he was still on the podium at the USATF Cross Country Championships.

What makes Scannell different isn’t just his resume, it’s his philosophy: trust over control, long-term growth over short-term gains. Whether it’s building state championship programs at Powers, Brophy Prep, or Hamilton High School, or developing over 38 individual state champions, he leads with a mindset that centers athlete happiness, not just performance.

His coaching record speaks for itself: Footlocker and Dream Mile national titles, multiple state records in the 1600, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and Olympians.

Mike Scannell is more than a coach.

He’s a builder of people, a strategist with soul, and a living masterclass in what it means to chase the long game.

In today's conversation, we dive deep into the journey, philosophy, and mindsets of Coach Scannell. We his athletes, his training, his ideas, and so much more.

This one was a treat. Don't miss the free wisdom handed out.

Tap into the Coach Mike Scannell Special.

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