In This Issue:

• Takeaways from the Start of Our First Podcast Seri …

  • Episode 1: Reed Fischer

  • Episode 2: Connor Winter

  • Episode 3: Joe Klecker

  • Episode 4: Joan Hunter

  • Episode 5: Lawrence Van Lingen

  • Episode 6: Joe Hale

  • Episode 7: Emily Durgin

• Pre-Race Thoughts From Connor Winter

Takeaways from the Start of Our First Podcast Series: The HAX Show

This fall, we launched The HAX Show. We did seven episodes, and then life got busy! Between work, races, and holiday travel, our schedules didn’t align to record more episodes as we intended. But don’t worry, we promise we’re not going to be those people who say we’re starting a podcast only for it to disappear a few months in. Though we’re pressing pause for the holidays, we’ll be back in the new year with exciting announcements and tons of fresh new content.

Before we wrap up the year, we wanted to take a look back at our first seven conversations - sharing the key concepts from each guest that we found most valuable for how we train, compete, and think about the sport.

If you didn’t get a chance to listen, here are the core takeaways worth carrying forward.

Episode 1: Reed Fischer

Belief is the anchor of success.

We spoke with Reed in the middle of his 8-week racing turnaround - World Championships in Tokyo followed by the New York City Marathon. Given his experience training and competing alongside the world’s top elites, we dove into different training philosophies and what it takes to compete on the big stages.

Reed shared his perspective on how the biggest differentiator at the highest level isn’t a secret workout or mileage number, but simply belief. Belief in your process, system, and ability to execute in training and on race day.

Takeaway:
There is no “secret sauce.” The most successful athletes win because they show up consistently and fully commit to the system they’re in without second-guessing or comparing to others.

Episode 2: Connor Winter

Presence beats proving.

The feelings after a breakthrough race are complicated. While you’re excited and proud, of course, you may also feel new doubts creep in; Was it a fluke? Can I do it again? What if I’m capable of more? After finishing 12th at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, Connor knows this feeling all too well.

Layer in being unsponsored, working full-time, and becoming a first-time father, and the pressure compounds. But instead of throwing in the towel, Connor has remained committed to giving himself another chance. In this conversation, he answers why he’s still doing this.

He spoke candidly about how chasing validation or constantly looking ahead can quietly sabotage performance, even when fitness is there. Now, gearing up for a marathon this weekend, he’s learned how to stay present and strive to get the most out of himself for his own love for the sport, and not for the approval of others.

Takeaway:
Be present. Show up with gratitude. Training works best when you’re focused on today’s work—not proving your worth or results of the future.

Episode 3: Joe Klecker

Don’t underestimate the power of fueling in performance.

Joe’s transition from the track to his first marathon taught him something many runners still underestimate. Despite being an Olympian with elite training knowledge and years of high-level competition, his biggest adaptation wasn’t mileage or workouts—it was fueling.

Joe explained how when it comes to carb intake, the more the better. He even shared a workout where he chugged 50g of carbs in 30 seconds between 2-mile reps - adding up to 250g carbs/hour! If you’re interested in the fueling aspect of training, you'll learn a lot from Joe’s insights.

Takeaway:
More carbs! For longer endurance races especially, we need to take fueling as seriously as the mileage.

Episode 4: Joan Hunter

Coaching starts with the person, not the athlete.

A seasoned coach at multiple levels of the sport, Joan Hunter is full of wisdom. In this mother-son conversation, she takes us through her career from building Loudoun Valley High School into a national powerhouse to leading Tinman Elite at the pro level. Though her training methods have evolved, her core philosophy has remained simple: coaching is successful when you understand the person first.

Joan’s approach teaches the importance of lifelong curiosity and being a student of the sport at every level. Further, how the best coaches carry genuine love for bringing the best out of others, not for recognition or accolades.

Takeaway:
Lead with love. Coach the person behind the athlete, and performance follows.

Episode 5: Lawrence Van Lingen

Move well. Run fast.

Drew first met Lawrence while trying to break out of a recurring injury cycle and mental rut in his running. Rather than prescribing rehab exercises or new workouts, Lawrence took a different approach that started with the fundamentals of mindset and movement. Drawing from his extensive experience working with elite athletes, Lawrence’s philosophy centers on improving movement patterns, breath, bodywork, and lifestyle to support long-term, high-level performance.

He talked through key practices for restoring efficient, fluid running mechanics: backward walking, flow rope, and tire pulling. He also challenged conventional strength training principles, explaining why lifting on easy days often makes more sense for endurance athletes.

If you’re open about a different perspective on strength and movement in your running, this episode is worth your time. Lawrence also shares more of his insights and practices on Instagram and YouTube for those looking to go deeper.

Takeaway:
Efficient hip movement is non-negotiable for fluid running, injury prevention, and unlocking top-level performance.

Episode 6: Joe Hale

Get your reps in.

Joe’s career as a professional photographer was built on volume and dedication. Starting as an intern with Tinman Elite, he’d take thousands of photos per session. Day in, day out. He didn’t worry about being perfect on every shot, but focused on consistency and learning what to improve.

What made Joe stand out wasn’t instant success (in fact, as he shares, most of his early photos were not that good), but a willingness to embrace the process and put in hours and hours of work before results showed up. That mindset carried him from intern status to shooting the Olympics, World Championships, and working with major global brands.

Takeaway:
There aren’t shortcuts to hard work. Skill compounds faster when you commit to consistency and stop chasing perfection.

Episode 7: Emily Durgin

What got you here isn’t always what moves you forward.

Relentless work ethic and a willingness to push limits have long defined Emily’s career. But after navigating a prolonged injury and stepping into a new chapter with Tinman Elite, she’s learning that progress doesn’t always come from more grind, but from patience and gratitude.

Emily shares the unconventional path that brought her here: advocating for herself after college by giving a resume and cover letter to Coach Mark Coogan, adapting to high-altitude training in Flagstaff, discovering her strengths as she transitioned from track to the roads, and now moving to Boulder to train under Joan and Marc Hunter.

What stood out most was her willingness to evolve: in training and in mindset. She talks honestly about these changes now in how she trains and how she thinks about success.

Takeaway:
There’s more than one path to success. Find yours, but stay adaptable as it unfolds.

Pre-Race Thoughts From Connor Winter

Connor is competing at The Marathon Project in Chandler, Arizona this weekend! Read his thoughts below as he shares mindset and goals, and check back here for results on race day (Sunday, 12/21 at 7:15am MT).

Smart Training. Real Relationships.

Pushing harder isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, what you need is the right structure. Our coaches combine elite experience with grounded expertise to deliver smart, sustainable training—so you stay healthy and consistent, while actually enjoying the process. Start the new year on the right foot. Hire a coach today.