#200 How The Marathon Podcast became an international running podcast

Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian marks 200 episodes of the Marathon Podcast with a special solo retrospective, looking back at how a random, impulsive decision to hit record turned into one of the fastest growing running podcasts in the world.Kristian shares the honest, unfiltered story behind the podcast, from four daily streams in the early days to thousands today, the guests and moments that changed everything, and the lessons he's learned along the way. He gets candid about the challenges of publishing three episodes a week, the pressure of building a public platform, and a stressful season that's left him feeling a bit burnt out. The episode closes with a big personal announcement: Kristian is signing up for the Lake Placid Ironman with his brother in law.In this episode:- Why he started the podcast and the podcast that inspired him- His nerve wracking first interview and first professional guest- The slow, humbling early growth (from 4 streams a day to thousands)- The guests and moments that changed the podcast's trajectory- The challenge of getting more female runners on the show- How the podcast has shaped his identity, for better and worse- Being honest about burnout and a stressful season of life- The Marathon Podcast Sponsorship and the Puma partnership- Answering listener questions from 200 episodes- The big announcement: signing up for Ironman Lake PlacidContent note: this episode includes an honest discussion of stress and burnout. Please take care while listening.Timestamps00:00 200 episodes and why this one is different02:37 Looking back at spring 2025 and the podcasts that inspired him06:19 The random, impulsive decision to start recording09:16 Feeling embarrassed to share it at first11:09 His first ever guest and first interview13:38 The first professional runner on the podcast16:04 How nerves and small numbers didn't stop him17:49 Highlights: the guests and moments that meant the most23:51 The Boston shakeout and building a real community25:49 A turning point: the episode with Tracksmith's founder29:12 Highlights continued: Jimmy, Felicia, and unexpected breakout episodes32:04 How the podcast has changed his life and identity38:32 Why it took 17 episodes to get a female runner on41:37 Balancing the podcast with an unpredictable day job44:01 The humbling early numbers, from 4 streams to thousands49:19 What he's most proud of: platforming everyday runners53:47 The Marathon Podcast Sponsorship and the Puma partnership55:54 The downsides of building a public platform1:00:49 Being honest about burnout and a hard season lately1:10:48 Answering listener questions from 200 episodes1:17:25 The big announcement: signing up for Ironman Lake Placid1:22:05 Closing thoughts and thank youStart your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY