43. He Got Fired - Then Built a 40,000-Person Running Community

From Loneliness to a Global Running Movement | Decision Fatigue, Consistency & Connection (ft. Tyler Swartz, Endorphins Running)What happens when you align your energy with your heart—and make one clear decision?In this episode of Decisions That Count, we sit down in New York with Tyler Swartz, Founder of Endorphins Running, to unpack the moment a simple post (“Hey, does anyone want to run with me?”) turned loneliness into leadership—and sparked a global movement.Tyler shares how Endorphins grew from one person showing up to a community of 40,000+ runners, hosting 2,000 events a year—and what endurance sports can teach all of us about decision fatigue, cognitive overload, resilience, identity, and habits that actually stick.Because running isn’t just physical. It’s a real-time lab for decision-making: pacing, fueling, discomfort, self-talk, environment, and the constant micro-choice to keep going. And the best part? The same tools that help you run can help you lead, learn, parent, and perform under pressure.🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why decision fatigue shows up in training, work, and life—and how to reduce itHow simplifying your systems builds consistency (even when motivation disappears)Why community is one of the most underrated performance tools for focus and follow-throughHow identity shifts (“I’m not a runner” → “I run”) change what you believe is possibleThe neuroscience behind why running supports brain health, memory, and mental clarityWhy nature, sunlight, and routine can upgrade your cognitive function and stress managementThe power of “energy transfer”—and how your encouragement can change someone’s trajectory🧠 Quotes That Hit“The best things in life happen when you align your energy with your heart.”“Running saved my life.”“This has nothing to do with running. It’s about making friends.”⏱️ Chapters00:00 Introduction02:57 The Journey of Tyler Schwartz05:52 Building a Community Through Running08:58 The Power of Energy Transfer11:52 Running as a Metaphor for Life14:50 Cognitive Decision Making in Endurance Sports18:05 Translating Running Skills to Life21:06 Overcoming Identity Barriers in Running23:53 The Neuroscience of Running26:59 The Benefits of Morning Runs29:49 Final Thoughts and Takeaways🎧 Listen + Follow Decisions That CountYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DecisionsThatCountApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/decisions-that-count/id1796794128Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ORNyRJW3k2RNSp41sNUD0Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DecisionsThatCountTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@decisionsthatcountLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/decisions-that-count-podcast/🏃 Connect with Tyler + Endorphins RunningTyler Swartz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylermswartzEndorphins Running (IG): https://www.instagram.com/endorphinsrunning/Make every decision count.Keywords: decision fatigue, cognitive overload, decision-making, neuroscience, running motivation, endurance training, community, mental health, identity change, mental clarity, focus, productivity, brain health, habit formation, stress management, peak performanceHashtags:#DecisionsThatCount #DecisionFatigue #CognitiveOverload #DecisionMaking #Neuroscience #BrainHealth #MentalClarity #PeakPerformance #Focus #Productivity #HabitFormation #MentalResilience #StressManagement #Mindset #Running #RunnerCommunity #EnduranceTraining #MarathonTraining #FitnessMotivation #RunningMotivation #MentalHealth #LonelinessEpidemic #CommunityBuilding #IdentityShift #MorningRun #Biohacking #CognitiveFunction #Wellbeing #HighPerformance #EndorphinsRunning