Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Jeff Cunningham returns for a deeper conversation about the parts of coaching that go far beyond workouts and race plans.

We explore what happens when the real obstacle isn’t fitness, but confidence. When athletes are running 90+ miles per week but not fueling enough. When self-worth gets tangled up in race results. When comparison — amplified by social media — chips away at belief.

Jeff shares how he navigates these challenges as a coach, especially when the issue isn’t physical but emotional — or when it falls outside of his own expertise. We talk about the danger of the success-or-failure mindset, what it really means to “stay on the path,” and how to rebuild trust in yourself after a disappointing performance.

This episode is about caring for the whole runner — not just the one chasing a PR.

If you’ve ever felt like your biggest hurdle wasn’t the training plan but your own self-doubt, this conversation is for you.

Connect with Jeff:

• Instagram: @jdcunningham97
• Bat City Track Club
• Cunningham Running
  
  

Jeff's Past Episodes on Inspired Soles:

• Episode 256 on Marathon Pacing
• Episode 217 with Polly (Jeff’s Canadian sub-elite athlete)

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

What does “good coaching” really mean — and who deserves it?

In this episode, I’m joined by running coach, podcast host, and Running Rogue founder Chris McClung for a wide-ranging conversation on the fundamentals that help runners improve without shortcuts. We talk about slowing down to get faster, training by feel, and why elite training principles should be accessible to every runner, regardless of pace or experience.

Chris also shares behind-the-scenes insight into his new book, Running the Rogue Way: Elite Training Accessible to All, and the philosophy that has guided Rogue athletes for over two decades.

Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Chris:

• Instagram: @roguechris
• Podcast: Running Rogue
• Book: Running the Rogue Way: Elite Training Accessible to All
  • Paperback
  • Hardcover
  • Canada
    • Ebook at Indigo
• Website: runningrogue.com
• Previous episode: Training for Hilly Races

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

I’m joined by high-performance running coach, mental performance coach, endurance athlete, and author Brant Stachel.

Brant’s new book, Fast and Free: Mindset Training for Endurance Athletes, explores what it really means to train your mind with the same intention and structure as your body — without losing the joy that brought you to the sport in the first place.

We talk about managing nerves and pressure, building confidence over time, and navigating those inevitable moments in training and racing when things start to feel hard or uncertain. Brant shares practical tools, real-world examples, and insights from his work with endurance athletes across all levels, offering a grounded, sustainable approach to mental performance.

Whether you’re chasing a personal best, working through setbacks, or simply looking to show up more calmly and confidently in your running, this conversation will give you plenty to reflect on — and apply.

Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Brant:

• Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching @brant_stachel
• YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching
• Podcast: The Fast and Free Podcast
• Website: runfastandfree.com

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

I’m joined once again by Canadian marathon record holder Natasha Wodak for a timely and important conversation. We begin by recapping Natasha’s 2025 season and wrap up by looking ahead to what’s lighting her up in 2026, but the heart of this episode focuses on start line safety in a rapidly growing sport.

Just days before this recording, Natasha was taken down at the start of a local 8K race after being barged through by another runner. Although she got up and finished strongly, the injuries she sustained ultimately disrupted her training and prevented her from racing again days later. Together, we reflect on her experience and use it as a starting point to explore how crowded, chaotic start lines affect runners of all abilities—and how we can collectively do better.

This is a thoughtful, solutions-oriented discussion about shared responsibility, race design, and the small changes that could make a big difference in keeping all runners safe.

Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• iRun Magazine article

Connect with Natasha:

• Instagram: @tashawodak
• Previous episodes on Inspired Soles
  • Ep 209: All Set to Race the Toronto Waterfront Marathon
  • Ep 190: On Missing the Olympic Marathon Standard
  • Ep 124: Canadian Marathon Record Holder

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Connor Winter is a professional marathoner with Tinman Elite who delivered a breakthrough performance at The Marathon Project, running 2:11:43 for 10th place after starting the race in 16th at halfway. In this episode, Connor walks us through the calm, patient decision-making that defined his race—choosing to back off an early pace that felt too hot, trusting the process, and steadily reeling competitors in over the second half.

We talk about the mental game of the marathon, what it’s like to finish a race feeling both proud and hungry for more, and the very real load marathon training places not just on the athlete, but on the entire family—especially as Connor navigates life as a new dad.

Connor also shares how he used Lever Movement during his marathon build to safely increase mileage, manage fatigue, and stay healthy through heavy training, along with practical ways runners of all levels can incorporate it into their own routines.

A thoughtful conversation about patience, longevity, and showing up—day after day.

Connect with Connor & Lever:

• Website: levermovement.com
  • Use code Inspired20 for 20% off OR https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20
• Instagram: @levermovement, @tinmanelite & @connorwinter1

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Before we get too far into 2026, I’m taking a moment to reflect on some of the most powerful conversations from Inspired Soles in 2025.

This “Best Of” episode features seven standout clips from elite athletes, coaches, and everyday runners—each chosen not just for performance, but for the insight, humour, vulnerability, and perspective they brought to the conversation. You’ll hear reflections on goal setting, pacing, fueling, injury prevention, mindset, and what it really means to chase big dreams, even when things don’t go to plan.

Featured guests:

• Ep 242 Erin Mawhinney
• Ep 261 Ben Flanagan
• Ep 238 Alex Cyr
• Ep 260 Kristin Paterson
• Ep 262 Kevin Smith
• Ep 264 Rachel Hannah
• Ep 256 Jeff Cunningham

Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers a snapshot of the values at the core of Inspired Soles—and hopefully inspires you to explore the archives and keep showing up for your own goals.

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Why is habit change so hard? Registered Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sarah Rigby and I explore motivation, self-compassion, and real-world strategies to break bad habits and build better ones—without shame or perfectionism.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Healthy Habits Suck by Dayna Lee-Baggley
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• How to Change by Katy Milkman (Choiceology podcast)
• The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal
• Do Hard Things by Steve Magness
• Dr. Karin Nordin on Instagram @karinnordinphd

Connect with Dr. Rigby:

• Website: alphaconsultingandclinical.com
• Email: drsarahrigby@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: search Dr. Sarah Rigby Psychologist

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram:

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

In this episode, Johnny and Carolyn Coffin recap their unforgettable weekend at The Marathon Project, from chaotic winter-storm travel and behind-the-scenes access at the expo, to a race weekend filled with both breakthrough highs and gut-punch lows. Johnny runs a massive personal best, Carolyn faces a DNF, and together they reflect on what the experience revealed about preparation, pressure, perspective, and why this race was about so much more than the results.

A candid, emotional, and honest look at chasing big goals and learning from whatever the marathon gives you.

Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Johnny:

• Previous Inspired Soles episodes:
  • EP 266: Chasing Big Goals at The Marathon Project
  • EP 240: Sub-35 10K & Ottawa Race Weekend Recap
  • EP 230: Ask Carolyn Anything + Colour Commentary from Johnny
  • EP224: Do You Control Strava, or Does It Control You?
  • EP 211: Coffin's Chicago Marathon Recap: The Bodily Fluids Episode
  • EP 202: Paris Olympic Track & Marathon Recap
  • EP 55: Road to the 2021 Boston Marathon
  • EP 12: Slow the BLEEP Down
• Instagram: @bestjohnnyever

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.