Running has always been about more than miles.In Episode 16 of The Active You, we're joined by Ross John Jr., founder of Run Like A Native, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Native athletes, preserving Indigenous running traditions, and using running as a way to connect communities.Ross shares how running served as a vital form of communication for Native Nations through the historic Messenger role, where runners carried important messages between communities long before modern technology. We also dive into the stories of legendary Indigenous athletes like Billy Mills, Lewis "Deerfoot" Bennett, Tom Longboat, Jim Thorpe, and Frank Pierce, whose contributions to the sport deserve far more recognition.Beyond history, we discuss how Run Like A Native is creating opportunities for Indigenous runners today by sponsoring athletes, hosting community events, and encouraging runners to reconnect with nature, community, and the deeper purpose behind every run.Whether you're a lifelong runner, new to the sport, or simply love learning the stories that shaped it, this conversation offers a perspective you won't want to miss.In this episode:🏃 Ross's running journey and the creation of Run Like A Native🌎 The Indigenous history of running and the Messenger tradition🏅 Legendary Native runners who changed the sport🤝 Building community through running🌲 Connecting with the land through movement🎽 Sponsoring the next generation of Indigenous runners👟 What everyone wore to Monday Run Club🍻 Local craft beer to close out the showLearn more about Run Like A Native:Website: https://www.runlikeanative.orgInstagram: @runlikeanativeFacebook: Run Like A NativeIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow runner. New episodes of The Active You premiere every other Sunday, featuring conversations with runners, coaches, industry leaders, and the people helping shape the running community.

Running is about so much more than pace, finish times, or chasing personal records.

In Episode 15 of The Active You, Rob and John sit down with Brooks Running Tech Rep Courtney Schatz to talk about her journey from growing up in Montana to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the running community across Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, and West Virginia.

Courtney shares how running shaped her life, why community matters, what makes specialty running stores different, and why Brooks continues to be one of the most trusted brands in running. The conversation also dives into the latest Brooks shoes including the Hyperion Max 4, Glycerin 23, Glycerin Flex, Ghost Max 3, Cascadia 19, Adrenaline GTS 25, apparel innovations, and what runners can look forward to next.

Whether you're training for your first 5K, your next marathon, or simply looking for a welcoming running community, this episode is packed with stories, shoe talk, and reminders that running can look different for everyone.

Topics include: • Courtney's running journey • Working for Brooks Running • Why specialty running stores still matter • Brooks shoe technology • The importance of local running communities • Group runs and demo nights • Trail running and staying active • Why anyone can be a runner

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Hosted by Runner's Roost Western New York.

Summer is here, and so is marathon training.

In Episode 14, Rob and John break down what every runner should know about training through heat and humidity. They discuss why your pace slows down during the summer, hydration and electrolyte strategies, fueling for long runs, preventing chafing, choosing the right summer gear, and what it's like beginning training for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon with Coach Luke Rogers.

The episode also wraps up with a comparison between the Saucony Triumph 24 and the Nike Vomero Plus to help runners decide which max-cushion trainer might be right for them.

Whether you're running your first 5K or preparing for your next marathon, this episode is full of practical tips to help you train smarter all summer.

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The newest running shoes are here, and we're breaking down all of the biggest releases!

This week on The Active You, John and Rob dive into some of the hottest running shoes to hit the market, including the ASICS Novablast 6, Saucony Triumph 24, Paramount Max, Procyon Max, Endorphin Elite 3, Mizuno Wave Rider 30, Neo Vista 3, R.A.D. Mallow, and the upcoming HOKA Clifton Pro.

From daily trainers and max-cushion shoes to race-day super shoes, we discuss what makes each model unique, who they're designed for, and which releases have impressed us the most.

We also wrap up the episode by announcing the brand-new Summer Send-Off 8K on August 20th at Wings Flights of Hope. Learn why we chose an 8K, what makes this event different, and how it will support an incredible local organization.

Whether you're training for your next race, shopping for your next pair of shoes, or simply love talking running, this episode is packed with everything you need to know.

What shoe are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Active You for new episodes every other Sunday.

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Saucony seems to be having a moment... but did they ever really leave?

This week on The Active You, Rob and John dive into why Saucony has become one of the hottest brands in running, what's fueling the success of the Endorphin lineup, and why the Triumph 24 is getting so much attention. They also discuss Puma's commitment to specialty running stores and how the brand has quietly become one of the biggest innovators in the industry.

Beyond running shoes, the conversation shifts to sports as they celebrate the New York Knicks ending a 53-year championship drought and talk about the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup. They also discuss why major sporting events inspire so many people to get active.

Finally, they recap the Saint Greg's race, why summer racing can suddenly feel so much harder, how to adjust to changing weather conditions, and why one disappointing race should never define an entire training cycle.

n Episode 11 of The Active You, we sit down with longtime Mizuno representative and running industry veteran, RunBird Riley. With nearly 16 years at Mizuno, Riley has helped countless runners find the right shoe, understand the latest technology, and most importantly, enjoy the process of running. We also dive into a fun piece of running history as John and Riley share how they first connected years ago through the Running Shoe Geeks Facebook community before eventually meeting in person at Runner's Roost. What started as online conversations about running shoes turned into a friendship built around a shared passion for running and helping others stay active. Throughout the episode, Riley shares insights from his years in the industry, how running shoes have evolved, and why he believes the best running shoe isn't necessarily the most expensive, the most advanced, or the most popular. Instead, it's the shoe that you enjoy running in. From shoe fitting and technology to building confidence in runners of all experience levels, this conversation highlights the importance of finding gear that works for you and embracing an active lifestyle on your own terms. We even crack open a few beers Riley brought from Pennsylvania while talking running, community, shoe geek culture, and what keeps people coming back to the sport year after year. Whether you're training for your next race, just getting started, or simply curious about the world of running shoes, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

In Episode 10 of The Active You, we sit down with Luke Rogers, a former basketball player turned runner and Runner’s Roost store coach. Luke shares how an ACL injury helped lead him into running and what it was like starting from the very beginning. Running did not come easy at first, but through consistency, patience, and showing up every day, he learned that you do not have to be a naturally gifted runner to become a great one. We talk about coaching at Runner’s Roost, helping runners build confidence, the common things runners overlook, and what it was like training John and helping him work toward a PR. Luke also shares why easy runs should actually be easy, why sleep, recovery, eating right, and core work matter, and how altitude training challenged his mindset. We also get into poker and how running teaches you to play the long game. Whether you are a new runner, getting back into it, or chasing your next goal, this episode is all about hard work, consistency, and trusting the process.

Episode 9 of The Active You is all about the lifelong impact of movement, resilience, and finding your way back through running. In this episode, we sit down to talk about growing up in an active family, from having a dad who was a track coach and part of the original Bell Watling group, to a mom whose own running story became a powerful example of strength while battling cancer. We dive into early running memories, high school and college experiences, Turkey Trots, races, marathons, half marathons, and what it means to carry an active lifestyle from childhood into adulthood. We also talk about the difficult shift from being an active person to navigating Lyme disease after being diagnosed in 2022. This episode shares the story of figuring out what was really going on, the years of struggle and treatment that followed, and how running and staying active played a meaningful role in recovery. We also discuss the support of Lyme WNY, the importance of awareness, and key facts and statistics about Lyme disease. This is a conversation about family, running, health, community, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward. Support Lyme WNY here: https://www.lymewny.com