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What if the real reason runners get injured has less to do with their running form and more to do with what is happening inside the body?

In this episode, I sit down with physical therapist and endurance athlete Sammie Lewis to talk about runner health, injury prevention, and the systemic factors that often get overlooked. Sammie shares her personal experience managing ankylosing spondylitis, celiac disease, and life after a thyroidectomy for Graves' disease while continuing to run, and how those challenges shaped the way she approaches helping athletes stay healthy.

Through her clinic, Golden Endurance, Sammie works with endurance athletes using a whole runner approach that looks beyond the site of pain. Instead of focusing only on biomechanics, she evaluates factors like sleep, stress, nutrition, and neuromuscular control.

In our conversation, we also discuss common running myths including pronation, how to choose the right running shoe, and why strength training alone is not enough to prevent injuries.

Whether you are dealing with recurring injuries or simply want to better understand your body as a runner, this episode offers practical insights into building a healthier and more resilient approach to training.

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

The American Southeast is quickly becoming one of the toughest proving grounds in ultrarunning.

In this episode of the Maximum Mileage Running Podcast, Hannah Witt talks with Richard Abernathy, founder and race director of Dirty Wolf Racing, and Myles Flott, the technology expert helping build Dirty Wolf’s new website for runners.

Richard shares how Dirty Wolf Racing grew from a small grassroots race in 2017 into a collection of challenging and creative trail events across the Southeast. From the steep climbs of the Beast of the East 100 to the quest-style Stone Mountain Massacre and the laid-back Llama Experience Ultra, Dirty Wolf races push runners while building a strong trail community.

We also discuss what makes the American Southeast such a unique ultrarunning environment—technical terrain, relentless elevation, unpredictable weather, and a culture built on shared challenge.

You’ll learn:
• How Dirty Wolf Racing got started
• Why the Southeast is becoming a major ultrarunning destination
• The community and creativity behind Dirty Wolf races
• How runners can prepare for these demanding trails

Learn more about Dirty Wolf Racing:
https://www.dirtywolfracing.com/

To prepare for the demands of this uniquely challenging terrain, email North Carolina native Coach Hannah Witt at hannah@maximummileagecoaching.com

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

In this episode of the Maximum Mileage Running Podcast, Coach Hannah sits down with Dr. Ann Burke, certified running coach, law enforcement leader, and founder of the Delray Beach Running Company.

With more than 80 marathons completed and decades of leadership experience, Dr. Burke shares what it takes to build runners the right way. From launching a running store through relentless community engagement to creating one of the most inclusive and safety-focused run communities in South Florida, her approach is rooted in discipline, standards, and protecting the athlete.

They discuss proper gait analysis and smart shoe selection, the truth about inserts and industry upselling, practical runner safety protocols, fueling for performance without calorie restriction, and how to use performance data wisely. Most importantly, they explain why real transformation in running requires knowledgeable human coaching.

If you are a runner balancing ambitious goals with a busy life and want to train with durability, confidence, and purpose, this conversation is for you.

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

What happens when your identity shifts, but your fire to compete does not?

In this episode of the Maximum Mileage Running Podcast, Hannah and Rach sit down with Sarah Crouch, retired American professional runner, accomplished novelist, and still an elite-level competitor on the race scene.

Sarah shares about her transition from full-time professional running into the world of writing, and how stepping into a creative identity did not mean stepping away from competition. We talk about evolving beyond the “pro runner” label, navigating reinvention, and building a life that is bigger than a single title while still chasing big goals on the starting line.

She also reflects on her formative years training at Zap Fitness in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, including the mountain miles, the infamous winding road to the facility, and the lessons that shaped her early career.

In a meaningful moment, we honor the memory of fellow athlete Cameron Bean and reflect on the bonds and community that make this sport so powerful.

This conversation is about resilience, creativity, identity, and the courage to grow, whether you are chasing a PR, returning from a setback, or stepping into your own next chapter.

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

What changes in a person between the roar of a finish chute and the fifth step beyond it? We sit down with legendary announcer and endurance lifer Dave Ragsdale to trace the journey from high school track to Florida’s triathlon boom to the Ironman mic, where he has welcomed more than 500,000 athletes home and learned how belief becomes real.

Dave takes us inside the craft of announcing: the athlete briefings that turn chaos into calm, the “no stupid questions” moments that build first‑timer courage, and the long race days that demand empathy as much as energy. We talk early triathlon culture, why South Florida became a year‑round hub, and how innovations like tri bars leapt from outliers to the Tour de France. Dave also reflects on the events that shaped him, the Midwest races powered by community, and the referrals that built a vocation from a single call.

The heart of our conversation is inclusion and identity. From rare early appearances of blind athletes and above‑knee amputees to the growing presence of adaptive competitors and Chris Nikic’s 1% Better movement, Dave has seen how diverse finishers rewrite what crowds believe is possible. We unpack why predictions so often miss, how to race your own race, and what separates strong finishers from those who unravel: patient pacing, flexible plans, and transitions used as mental resets. For adult learners, Dave shares how masters swim groups compress years of progress, and why community makes courage contagious.

If you care about triathlon, marathons, or the psychology of endurance, this is a story‑driven, practical look at how sport becomes a mirror for life—hope, grit, gratitude, and all the unknowns we choose to face. Listen, share with a training partner, and if this lit a spark, subscribe and leave a review so more athletes can find the show.

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

This month's Hot Seat features repeat guest Steve Winrow of Winrow Performance, answering nutrition questions from our coaching athletes. Steve is a sports nutritionist with a background in exercise physiology, working with everyone from recreational runners to professional tennis players. He's also one of Nick's current athletes, training for a sub-3 Manchester Marathon.

Topics Covered

Overmarketed Nutrition Trends Steve calls out three: low-carb/keto diets (no benefit for endurance performance — the "godfather" keto study was based on just five athletes), fasting protocols (overstated benefits largely based on rodent studies), and the gut health/probiotics craze (not harmful, but a well-balanced diet does the heavy lifting).

Intermittent Fasting & Autophagy The autophagy argument doesn't hold up. Hard endurance training is already a far stronger stimulus for cell repair than fasting. Withholding fuel post-training just impairs glycogen replenishment and increases inflammation. Fasting can work for calorie control — but it doesn't do anything metabolically "fancy."

Appetite Hormones: Ghrelin & Leptin Ghrelin drives short-term hunger (rises before meals, drops after). Leptin reflects longer-term energy status and sits in fat tissue. Rapid weight loss drops leptin fast, which slows metabolism — one reason weight loss stalls. Protein is the most effective macronutrient for managing satiety. Poor sleep and underfuelling disrupt both hormones.

Key Takeaways

1. There is no benefit to low-carb or keto diets for endurance performance. If you want to run fast, eat carbs.
2. Fasting is fine for calorie control but does nothing special for cell repair or metabolism.
3. Aim for 2g/kg protein per day. Use the 3-2-1 method as a starting point and adjust carbs to training load.
4. Fuel the work required — ~0.8–1g/kg carbs either side of hard sessions.
5. Sleep is your number one recovery tool. Prioritise it ruthlessly.
6. Consistency is the biggest predictor of success. Illness and injury kill consistency. Recovery prevents both.

Guest Details

Steve Winrow — Winrow Performance Instagram: @winrowperformance Weekly newsletter every Monday (February focus: recovery)

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

We’re back… for the first proper Maximum Mileage Podcast in just over a year. Nick and Faye catch up on what’s changed at Maximum Mileage (new coaches, Faye going full-time, a growing global community)… plus their own running years, highs and lows, and a bit of real talk about health, recovery, and what actually matters.

Then we’re joined by Tina Muir (former GB and Northern Ireland international) for an honest conversation about diet culture, underfuelling, RED-S, and why trying to “cut weight” while marathon training so often backfires. We also get into the current fuelling trend (yes, carbs)… and Tina’s work helping runners and races take practical steps toward sustainability, without the guilt trip.

Key takeaways (the stuff we want you to remember)

• Training hard + cutting calories is a risky combo… performance drops, recovery suffers, niggles appear.
• “Health” is the long game… run well now so you can move well later.
• Underfuelling isn’t just a women’s issue… men get hit too, just with fewer obvious signals.
• Sleep problems can be a big red flag… stress + low energy availability can show up at 3am.
• The goal isn’t perfect eating… it’s a relationship with food that supports training and life.
• Sustainability doesn’t need to be all-or-nothing… start with one uncomfortable “no thanks”.

Quote pulls

• “Training for a marathon and trying to be on a diet at the same time are not very compatible.”
• “Focus on longevity… wellbeing… and performing well in training.”
• “Your body goes into survival mode… what’s less important right now?”
• “The freedom of not having those constant horrible thoughts… is worth everything.”
• “Get used to being uncomfortable… and saying ‘no thank you’.”

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/

Send a text

Join us for another action-packed episode of real running talk, pro-tips, and a bit of humour to keep things lively. Tune in, learn, laugh, and take another stride towards becoming the best runner you can be. Remember, at Maximum Mileage, we're all about running long, running strong, and relishing the journey!

Right, that's us done. If that was useful… share it. Stick it in your club WhatsApp, send it to that mate who's always getting injured three weeks before race day. You know the one ;)

If you want to go deeper on any of this, Nick puts out videos every week on YouTube, and the entire team of coaches are sharing helpful tips on their instagram channels... links below. And if you're thinking you actually need a proper plan and someone in your corner… we've got Guided Coaching from 97 quid a month, right up to full one-to-one coaching with the coach of your choice. Either way, maximummileagecoaching.com is where you want to be.

See you on the next one.

To work with us - https://join.maximummileagecoaching.com/home-page-9835

Nick's YT - youtube.com/channel/UCgdIPeN3bF7I7-tcspyFbVg/

Faye's IG - https://www.instagram.com/fayejohnsoncoaching/

Rachael's IG - https://www.instagram.com/rachforthelongrun/

Hannah's IG - https://www.instagram.com/coach_hannah_witt/

Matt's IG - https://www.instagram.com/ultracoachmatt/