Scott wasn’t supposed to walk.

Now he’s chasing 100 miles.

This isn’t a clean, polished story. It’s what it actually looked like growing up being told what he couldn’t do, dealing with how people saw him, and figuring it out the hard way.

At one point he stopped going outside. Didn’t want to be seen. Didn’t like what he saw in the mirror.

Now he’s training for distances most people won’t even attempt.

We talk about the part people don’t see the pain, the judgment, the self doubt and the decision to keep moving anyway.

“No one’s better than you. You just have to go again.”

Chapters

00:00 Disney Full Circle Moment
06:07 " I Wasn't Supposed to Walk... Let Alone Run"
09:57 Challenges Chasing 100 Miles Despite the Odds
14:25 The Reality of Running in ExoSym
20:37 When It all Broke Down
23:30 It Wasn't the Pain
32:50 I Was in a Hole
35:28 Hearing What People Really Thought
38:41 Why Running
43:20 Bigger Than Running
49:18 The Next Challenge Awaits

Follow Us:
IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast
Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow Scott:
IG: instagram.com/living_adaptive/


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David stopped running for years after back issues and thought that chapter was over.

At 74, he found his way back building a daily run streak and rediscovering something he thought he lost.

We talk about what that actually looks like, how he adapted his running, and why showing up every day changed more than just his fitness.

Chapters

00:00 Running Again at 74

04:18 How He Runs Every Day Without Breaking

09:17 Defiance

11:47 Family Support and Sharing the Journey

16:53 Reflections on Running and Life Lessons

20:32 His Running Form & Technique

23:14 Consistency Over Intensity

27:16 Why He Keeps the Same Course

28:58 Nutrition and Lifestyle Choices

30:18 Community Engagement and Support

32:22 Tracking the Journey & Daily Rituals

37:55 The Gift of Running Again

38:53 It's never Too Late

Follow Us:
IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast
Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow David:
IG: instagram.com/run.anotherday/


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In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Rio Mata to talk about what it really means to build yourself through adversity.

At a young age, Rio faced injuries, family challenges, and isolation. Instead of folding, he found the gym, leaned into discipline, and started chasing something bigger. That path led him into bodybuilding, running, coaching others, and now preparing for one of the toughest 100 mile races in the country.

This conversation goes beyond training. It’s about learning through struggle, investing in guidance instead of going it alone, and developing the mindset to keep showing up when things aren’t ideal. From running a marathon through pain to using breathwork to stay locked in, Rio shares how he’s continuing to evolve and push his limits.

Chapters

00:00 Early Struggles & Finding the Gym

04:34 Taking the Risk (Hiring a Coach)

08:10 Why Doing It Alone Keeps You Stuck

13:00 The Breathwork Trick That Helped Him Run Through Pain

19:03 Coaching Others & Leading a Team

22:14 Purpose & Doing Hard Things

30:00 Mindset, Identity, Belief

37:39 First 100 Miler: Why IMTUF?

40:04 Training for the Mountains From Texas

42:19 What He'd Tell His Younger Self

Follow Us:
IG: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/
YT: youtube.com/@ThePeopleRunPodcast
Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Follow Rio:
IG: instagram.com/itsriomata/


Subscribe to The People Run Podcast for more real stories from everyday runners, and don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode with a friend who needs some inspiration.