On Track 16 of the Allie G Show we're joined by AJ Schrag who just ran the Boston Marathon. AJ shares his inspiring journey from a personal fitness transformation to running the Boston Marathon. He discusses the importance of community in fitness, his role in building the Stanford Run Club, and his ambassadorship with Lululemon. AJ also explores the growing popularity of High Rocks, a unique fitness challenge that combines running and strength training. Throughout the discussion, he emphasizes inclusivity in running and the significance of fundraising for the Boston Athletic Academy, a charity supporting inner-city youth. AJ's story is a testament to perseverance, community support, and the joy of running. In this conversation, Allie G and AJ Schrag discuss the journey leading up to the Boston Marathon, including the importance of community support in fundraising, the unique experience of the race, pre-race routines, emotional moments at the start line, and reflections on the challenging hills of the course. They also share their thoughts on celebrating accomplishments and the personal growth that comes with running marathons.

AJ's Instagram

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AJ Schrag and the Boston Marathon

00:34 Introduction to AJ Schrag and His Journey

02:48 AJ's Fitness Transformation and Motivation

04:57 Building the Stanford Run Club

10:47 The Role of Community in Running

14:48 Becoming a Lululemon Ambassador

17:50 Exploring High Rocks and Its Popularity

21:31 Disneyland vs Disney World: A Surprising Comparison

25:49 The Marathon Journey: From Toronto to New York

31:05 Running for a Cause: The Boston Athletic Academy

34:23 Race Day Rituals: Preparing for the Boston Marathon

42:23 The Unique Experience of Boston Marathon's Athlete's Village

43:13 Walking to the Start Line: Nerves and Gratitude

45:00 The Marathon Experience: Embracing the Journey

48:13 The Hills of Boston: A Runner's Perspective

57:12 The Final Stretch: Emotions at the Finish Line

01:01:55 Celebrating Achievements: Post-Race Reflections

Summary

In this track, Allie and her surprise hosts recap the Boston Marathon, sharing their experiences, challenges, and the overwhelming support from friends and family. They engage with their audience through an AMA format, answering questions and reflecting on the highs and lows of marathon running. The conversation highlights the importance of community, the emotional journey of running, and the joy of celebrating achievements post-race.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Energy Setting

01:44 Boston Marathon Recap and Reflections

04:41 Post-Race Feelings and Experiences

07:42 AMA Questions and Insights

10:43 Memorable Moments from the Race

13:43 Community Support and Personal Connections

15:26 Celebrating Achievements and Support

23:42 Reflections on the Boston Marathon Experience

33:01 The Power of Community and Connection

37:16 Celebrating Achievements and Friendships

39:49 Race Day Strategies and Experiences

45:26 Injury Management and Mental Resilience

50:58 The Importance of a Supportive Crew

54:51 Pre and Post-Race Rituals

56:52 Comparing World Major Marathons

59:05 The Boston Marathon Experience

01:02:27 Memorable Moments from the Weekend

01:06:32 The Importance of a Supportive Crew

01:10:24 Reflections on the Podcast and Future Plans

Takeaways

The energy of the Boston Marathon is unmatched.

Post-race pain is a badge of honor for runners.

Engaging with the audience through AMAs enhances connection.

Memorable moments often come from unexpected places during races.

Support from friends and family can make a significant difference.

Celebrating small victories is essential in running.

The camaraderie among runners is a powerful motivator.

Sharing experiences helps build a supportive community.

Runners often face mental challenges during long races.

The joy of finishing a marathon is worth the struggle.

In this episode of the Allie G Show, Allie G interviews Jared Ewing, a passionate runner who shares his inspiring journey of overcoming a life-altering injury. Jared recounts the harrowing accident that nearly cost him his leg and the subsequent decisions he faced regarding amputation. He discusses his rehabilitation process, the importance of nutrition and recovery in his training, and his ambitious goal of running a marathon in all 50 states. Throughout the conversation, Jared emphasizes the power of resilience, positivity, and the support of the running community. In this engaging conversation, Allie G and Jared discuss the nuances of marathon running, including the challenges and triumphs of training, the importance of community, and the mental resilience required to push through tough races. They share personal anecdotes about their experiences, goals for upcoming marathons, and the role of music and camaraderie in their running journeys. The discussion highlights the beauty of running as a metaphor for life, emphasizing the lessons learned from both successes and failures. The conversation wraps up with a fun lightning round of questions, revealing more about their personalities and preferences.

Jared's Instagram

Jared's YouTube Documentary

Jared's Linktree

Takeaways

Jared's goal is to run a marathon in all 50 states.

He faced a life-threatening injury that nearly resulted in amputation.

Jared emphasizes the importance of recovery in training.

Nutrition plays a crucial role in his running performance.

He believes in the power of positivity and resilience.

Jared's story is one of triumph over adversity.

He encourages others to share their struggles and stories.

Training your gut is as important as training your muscles.

Every new distance is a personal record for him post-injury.

Jared's journey inspires others to overcome their challenges. A flawless victory in running is making it through the shower after a marathon without pain.

Community support is vital in the running world, celebrating each other's successes.

Mental resilience is key in overcoming challenges during races.

Embracing failure can lead to growth and learning in both running and life.

Positive thinking can transform the experience of running and racing.

Training runs are opportunities to find joy and connection with others.

Listening to music or podcasts can enhance the running experience, but being present is also important.

Shared experiences in running create lasting bonds and memories.

Setting goals for races can motivate and inspire runners to push their limits.

Skydiving is on the bucket list for those seeking new challenges.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

00:52 Jared Ewing

52:41 Back to Boston

01:30:53 Outro