Michael Maiorano stormed through his first cross-country season at Utah State with fearless racing and an appetite for altitude.

After debuting at the Utah State Alumni Challenge in August, he clocked 23:58 for 8,000m at the Paul Short Run and followed with a gritty Nuttycombe finish.

Maiorano’s route to this moment has been anything but linear. A star at South Medford High School (OR), he rose to national attention after placing 12th at Eastbay Nationals (2021) and taking runner-up at the Brooks PR 2-mile (8:52.85) in 2022.

That same year he represented Team USA at the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships, finishing 7th; he repeated as top American the next season in Austria. He began college at Gonzaga, transferred to Salt Lake CC to reset his trajectory, and promptly won the 2025 NJCAA 3,000m steeplechase title in 8:56.70, earning his return to Division I with Utah State.

With personal bests of 8:36 (3,000m indoor), 8:56 (steeple), and 23:58 (8,000m XC), Maiorano blends mountain grit, track speed, and mental composure rarely seen at the collegiate level.

Michael has been down an unorthodox path–from Medford to mountain worlds, from JUCO champion to Aggie front-runner–and how his mindset of patience, faith, and self-belief fuels a breakout 2025 cross-country campaign that’s just getting started.

Tap into the Michael Maiorano Special.

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From viral stunts to record-setting runs, Isaiah Photo went from YouTube daredevil to running six marathons on six continents in six days self aided.

He built his audience on larger-than-life experiments before turning that creative drive toward running. What started as wild one-off ideas—like marathons in Crocs, flip-flops, and spray-on shoes—evolved into a genuine endurance journey.

Since 2023, Isaiah has transformed from content daredevil to dedicated runner, logging massive months of mileage while inspiring millions to lace up alongside him.

His running résumé reads like a creator’s ultramarathon: a 100K finish in April 2024; his first 100-mile ultra at the Bighorn 100 in June of 2024; another 100-miler in 2025 (Crazy Mountain 100); and the audacious “6 marathons on 6 continents in 6 days” project—a self-aided, record-setting feat that made him the fastest human to complete it, finishing in 6 days, 3 hours, and 8 minutes.

After suffering a meniscus tear following his 100-miler, Isaiah’s comeback videos chronicled his recovery and renewed passion for the marathon.

Now, he stands at the crossroads of content and sport, redefining what it means to be a runner in the age of creators.

We’re exploring how he built a 10-million-strong movement, why he loves the marathon, and what it takes to keep running toward the next crazy goal.

Tap into the Isaiah Photo Special.

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Conner and Kylie Mantz are redefining what it means to chase big dreams as a team.

They’re two runners with one purpose–moving stride for stride through life.

Conner Mantz has become the new standard-bearer for American marathoning. After winning the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and placing 8th at the Paris Olympics (2:08:12), he stunned the running world in 2025–running 2:05:08 for 4th place at Boston, winning the Beach to Beacon 10K in a course record time of 27:26, and setting the American marathon record of 2:04:43 at the Chicago Marathon.

His career arc, which was shaped by BYU coach Ed Eyestone’s patient approach, reflects eight years of steady growth from NCAA champion to global contender.

Kylie Mantz, meanwhile, has forged her own remarkable path.

A latecomer to competitive running, she joined BYU’s women’s distance program in 2025 and quickly ran 34:57 for 10,000m and 16:49 for 5000m–astonishing progress for someone who didn’t run track in high school. Her joy-driven approach, grounded in curiosity and consistency, mirrors Cennor’s faith in long-term development.

Their parallel journeys (Conner’s disciplined pursuit of podiums and records; Kylie’s joyful rise into Division I competition) intersect in a shared belief that running is both art and anchor.

Together, Conner and Kylie Mantz are proving that love, faith, and discipline can fuel world-class performance.

Tap into the Conner and Kylie Mantz Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

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S H O W N O T E S

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