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Interview with Hal Elrod -How to Have a Miracle Morning

By on February 8, 2015 in Interview, Podcasts

Hal_Elrod[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

Hal Elrod is a motivational speaker, success coach and best-selling author of The Miracle Morning -The not so Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform your Life Before 8 a.m..  

At 20 years of age Hal was hit head on by a drunk driver traveling 70 mph.   Despite being clinically dead for 6 minutes, spending 6 days in a coma and being told he would never walk again, Hal made a comeback and went on to become a runner and even complete an ultra-marathon.  Hal lives in California with his wife and 2 children. Continue Reading →

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Toughness, Faith Fuel Ultra Runner

By on January 26, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

BryanBurkAir Force veteran uses lessons learned from high school football, military career and his religion to bring him to the finish line of endurance races.

By Henry Howard

In high school, Brian Burk played running back and safety on the football team. He had grown up playing a variety of sports but did not fashion himself as a runner.

Burk — aka “CleDawg,” a nickname stemming from his passion for the Cleveland Browns — readily admits that back in those days he lacked discipline and any knowledge about conditioning. Instead, he just wanted to play the game he loved.

That all changed one day when the coach made the team run a mile after practice. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Michael Wardian – Endurance Athlete Extraordinaire

By on January 18, 2015 in Interview, Podcasts, Ultramarathon

Mike and his dad at the Hawk Indoor 50k

Mike and his dad at the Hawk Indoor 50k

[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

Michael Wardian is an accomplished marathoner and ultra-marathoner from Arlington VA. Last year he won the Big Sur Marathon and the Disney Dopey Challenge, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

His most recent accomplishment was setting a new indoor 50k World Record at the Hawk Indoor 50k in Hagerstown, MD, finishing 250 laps in 3 hours, 6 minutes and 7 seconds. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Dave Asprey -Biohacker and High Performance Coach

By on December 28, 2014 in Interview, Nutrition, Podcasts, Weight Loss

Dave_Asprey*[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

Dave Asprey is a Silicon Valley investor and technology entrepreneur who spent 15 years and over $300,000 to hack his own biology. 

Dave lost 100 pounds without counting calories or excessive exercise, used techniques to upgrade his brain by more than 20 IQ points, and lowered his biological age while learning to sleep more efficiently in less time.

He is the founder of The Bulletproof Executive company and has one of the top health and fitness podcasts in iTunes. Dave’s new book, THE BULLETPROOF DIET, is available now. Continue Reading →

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10 Years, 50 Marathons, 50 States

By on November 24, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Interview

EdLoyRunning a marathon in every state requires proper training, sound logistics and financial planning. It takes a little more for those who live in Hawaii like Ed Loy.

By Henry Howard

Ed Loy was fed up with himself in September 2004. At the time, he was a 280-pound college senior interviewing for jobs. He was convinced that no one was hiring him because of his weight.

“I made a resolution to lose the weight and finally get in shape,” said Loy, whose previous athletic track record consisted of playing pick-up basketball with college friends. “At first, I walked a lot to school and home. Then took up workout DVDs at home (Tae Bo). I lost the initial 25 pounds this way, but wanted more.”

So, at the encouragement of a friend and former “Biggest Loser” contestant, Loy joined a gym in May 2006. “I became a strength junkie, but the weight didn’t come off,” he said. “I walked/jogged on the treadmill and thought this was a little fun. Once the scenery got old, I started to run outside near my home. As the distances increased, the more fun I was beginning to have, but it was a challenge just to stick with it. Eventually, I started to look into racing and did my first half marathon in September 2007.” Continue Reading →

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Marathon Success Story with Lee and Colleen Staats

By on November 22, 2014 in Interview, Podcasts, PR, Success Story

Looking good and loving life. Colleen and Lee Staats with Meb Keflezighi before the Columbus Marathon.

Looking good and loving life. Colleen and Lee Staats with Meb Keflezighi before the Columbus Marathon.

*[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

In this episode we bring you a marathon success story with Lee and Colleen Staats, two Academy members from Galion, Ohio, who are transforming their lives through running.

They have both lost weight since starting to run and recently completed the Columbus Marathon.

Colleen set a PR in the half and Lee qualified for Boston by running 3:21:52.

They have both battled through injury and a busy work load to achieve their goals.

It has been my great honor to be their running coach. Continue Reading →

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Running to Beat Cancer (Again)

By on November 21, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Health and Wellness, Interview, Motivation

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Editor’s note: On Dec. 11, 2016, Darrell Henry passed away. This ended a three-year struggle that was harder for the cancer than for Henry. “Cancer will have no victory here,” says his sister, Misty Henry.

Darrell Henry has no colon. But he has a heart, the heart of a champion.

Henry’s colon was removed in June 2013 “because of hundreds of polyps and a large cancerous tumor brought on because of familial adenomatous polyposis, a genetic disorder which causes polyps in basically any part of the body. With hundreds of colon polyps it’s inevitable some will become cancerous.”

The biggest drawback to being colon-less: Hydration. “Most of the body’s hydration occurs in the colon. I drink 150-200 ounces per day to stay properly hydrated,” he says.


Doctors used a section of small intestine to build a replacement (called a j-pouch) for the colon and followed up by 12 rounds of chemo. Henry endured one round of chemo every other week for six months.


Henry decided to enjoy the experience as much as possible and dedicate himself to running.

“My intention was to fight as hard as I could, take any treatment necessary and beat cancer but also to gain as much positive from the experience as I could,”

says Henry, who tries to run 50 to 70 miles a week, even during chemo. Continue Reading →

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Musician Conquers Alcoholism, Then Ultras

By on November 13, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Motivation

10003585_10204714372890015_6944650481230729807_o-2Just running wasn’t enough for Ryan Deguzis to break his addiction. It did play a role, however, and now he is loving life and giving back.

By Henry Howard

MTA member Ryan Deguzis has a lot going for him: he’s a classical musician, teaches students, has a steady girlfriend and recently finished his first ultra marathon.

But it wasn’t always like this. Like millions of Americans from all walks of life — millionaires to soccer moms — Deguzis battled an addiction to alcohol. He’s been sober for 3 ½ years now.

“Running was one of the things that helped me escape alcoholism,” he says. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Vinnie Tortorich – Why Exercise is a Poor Way to Lose Weight

By on November 4, 2014 in Fat Adapted, Interview, Podcasts

VinnieVinnie Tortorich is a Hollywood personal trainer and author of the book Fitness Confidential.

He has been a fitness trainer for over 30 years. Many of you will know him for advocating a no sugar no grains lifestyle. You can hear him on the Angriest Trainer Podcast found in iTunes and at vinnietortorich.com

We brought Vinnie back on the show to talk about weight loss, clean eating, and answer questions sent in by Academy members.

I know you will love this interview! Continue Reading →

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From Couch to Ultra Runner

By on October 29, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

Molly Badwater 2009 (1)Molly Sheridan was told “she was too old” to run. Since then, she’s completed 50 ultras, including a 138-mile run in the Himalayans that no woman had previously finished.

By Henry Howard

A friend called Molly Sheridan, inviting her​ to run the Marine Corps Marathon, her first attempt at 26.2 miles. It would be fun, the friend advised.

At the time, Sheridan was 48, had a full-time job and was raising three kids. She had a lot on her plate. What she didn’t have was an athletic background. Growing up in California, she swam at the beach and as an adult did some running/walking 5Ks but nothing serious.

She told her friend, “No, it sounds awful. What is that? Twenty miles or something?” Sheridan recalls, adding that she said “no” about 10 times. Then something happened that would change her life. “I was haunted all night, tossing and turning, punching my pillow. Then I thought what have I been doing for exercise?”

And, thus, the quest began. “The first mile out the door was awful. I thought I was going to have a heart attack,” the Las Vegas resident says. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Nikolas Toocheck | Eleven-Year-Old Marathoner

By on October 15, 2014 in Interview, Podcasts

photo credit: Nik's Facebook page

photo credit: Nik’s Facebook page

*Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now

Nikolas Toocheck (age 11) is the youngest runner to complete a marathon on all seven continents.

He was inspired to start running when he witnessed his dad, Daniel Toocheck, cross the finish line at the NYC Marathon.

After completing a half marathon Nik noticed how much energy he still had left so he asked his parents if he could try running a full marathon.

Then he had the idea to run a marathon on all seven continents.

After checking with sports medicine doctors and pediatricians Nik’s parents decided to help him pursue his seven continent goal.

In September of 2014 he completed this goal setting a World Record at age 11 and raising over $40,000 for Operation Warm an organization that provides new coats to underprivileged children. Continue Reading →

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Runner’s Amazing Year: Surgery, Boston and Cover Model

By on October 13, 2014 in Guest Perspective, Interview

Lindsey Hein photoLindsey Hein is a mom, wife, employee and coach — and still finds time to run, including a second Boston Marathon finish.

By Henry Howard

The past year has been full of momentous occasions for Lindsey Hein.

The long-distance runner from Indianapolis learned she had the BRCA 2 gene mutation in July 2013, the day before her first half Ironman. The gene increases a woman’s risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Hein was determined to finish the race, which she did. It turned out to be her “find your strong moment.”

She opted to have a prophylactic double mastectomy in October 2013, with reconstruction in January 2014.

Three months after her surgery, Hein finished the Boston Marathon. Again. Continue Reading →

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