From residency training to ultramarathons - discover how Dr. Lauren Puretz balances life as a gynecologic surgeon with competing at the highest levels of trail running, including her breakthrough performance at UTMB and the mindset shifts that fuel both operating rooms and mountain peaks.

Lauren Puretz, DO is a board-certified OB/GYN, elite ultrarunner, and mom of 2 based in Colorado Springs. She is the co-founder of Mountain View OB/GYN and co-host of the podcast Speaking of Labias. Outside the clinic, Lauren is intentionally making the most of her time as a competitive runner, chasing big goals, embracing challenge, and having as much fun as possible along the way.

Jon chats with Lauren about:

• Lauren's transition from gymnastics and soccer to cross country running

• balancing medical career as gynecologic surgeon with ultra running training

• building community through persistent outreach and shared running experiences

• managing eating disorder recovery while fueling for endurance performance

• overcoming fear to compete in challenging mountain races like UTMB

Stay connected:

Follow Lauren:

https://www.instagram.com/lauren1642/

This episode is supported by:

• Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/GORUN

• AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.

At 20,000 feet, running feels like moving through molasses… but Erin Ton has found that climbing Colorado's highest peaks in stilettos actually makes her a more thoughtful athlete.

Erin was born and raised in Colorado. After graduating from Cornell University in 2020, she moved back to Colorado to pursue professional mountain running. Her primary focus is on Fastest Known Time (FKT) speed records, specializing on steep, technical terrain at high altitude. She currently resides in her van and can be found chasing records all across the American West and all across the world.

Jon chats with Erin about:

• High altitude running challenges and training

• FKT (Fastest Known Time) pursuits

• fourteeners climbed in high heels

• professional athlete sponsorship journey

• goal of climbing all Colorado 13ers

• upcoming Aconcagua speed record attempt

Stay connected:

Follow Erin:

https://www.instagram.com/erin_ton7/

Erin’s Strava:

“Erin Ton”

This episode is supported by:

• AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.

• Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/GORUN
  

What if I told you that the most brutally honest performance metric you'll ever face isn't on your smartphone, can't be faked by AI, and strips away every excuse you've ever made about what you're truly capable of? It’s called running.

Nicholas Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, an American magazine founded in 1857, which earned the top honor for magazines, General Excellence, at the National Magazine Awards in both 2022 and 2023.

In his time as CEO, the company has seen record subscriber growth. Before joining The Atlantic, he was the editor-in-chief of Wired magazine.

He is also a former contributor for CBS News and has previously served as editor. He has long been a competitive runner; in 2021, he set the American record for men 45+ in the 50K race.

Jon chats with Nick about:

• running's purity reveals personal truth and growth

• multitasking training with commuting and daily life

• breaking psychological barriers through gradual exposure

• how AI threatens media authenticity

• setting challenging goals creates transferable resilience

Stay connected:

Follow Nick:

http://linkedin.com/in/nicholasxthompson/

https://x.com/nxthompson

https://www.instagram.com/nxthompson/?hl=en

Nick’s book, “The Running Ground” on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Running-Ground-Father-Simplest-Sports/dp/0593244125

This episode is supported by:

• Rocket Money Take control of your spending. Cancel unwanted subscriptions and reduce the rest with Rocket Money: RocketMoney.com/GORUN

• AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at http://bit.ly/4ojbflT and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.