IMO #30 - Osaka Marathon Weekend, Social Media, Running To Effort and much more

I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates. Train with Matt: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Private Podcast Feed + Discord: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava Training Log: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 I wished friends luck at Osaka and Tokyo and spoke about returning to YouTube to document a marathon comeback despite not running yet and feeling imposter syndrome. I explained why I moved away from pro-athlete travel content - doping concerns, COVID restrictions, visa limits and tax complications. The channel is shifting toward my own journey. On training, I addressed the effort vs pace debate. Context matters. Effort leads, especially when fatigued. I spoke about avoiding the anxiety spiral by focusing on sensation and adaptation rather than numbers and judgment. I touched on influencer culture, unnecessary products, and doping speculation - urging caution without proof. I discussed coaching as an optional performance tool, like super shoes, and may use a coach in an advisor role. I'll likely train mostly in standard shoes and race in super shoes. Current context: I'm around 79 kg and believe 65-66 kg aligns with a 2:12-2:15 goal. I reflected on running 2:20 off ~105 km per week in 2021. I'm considering cycling and stair climbing to maintain fitness while reducing impact and avoiding ego-driven mileage. I also covered my 10-year Japan ban, alcohol vs cannabis culture, pre-race nerves, speed after 40, Australia's social media ban for under-16s, and moving Workouts of the Week into a paid Supporters Club to build a healthier community. Closed with plans for stairs, weights and a cold plunge. Topics 00:00 - Welcome Back to 'In My Opinion' (Format, cadence, and what to expect) 00:54 - Race Week Shoutouts + Osaka Marathon Feelings 02:16 - Carb-Loading Stories & Filming a Marathon Comeback Series 03:17 - Why I Stepped Away From the 'Pro Athlete Training' Travel Life 04:45 - COVID-Era Australia, Visas, and Getting Stuck at Home 07:26 - US Immigration Reality Check + A Detour Into Money, AI, and the Future 09:37 - Q&A Starts: Training by Effort vs Pace (Ben's tempo run 'contradiction') 11:52 - Email/Inbox Mindset + Running Content Creator Fatigue 14:15 - Brands, Influence, and What Running Really Needs (Nutrition & authenticity) 15:55 - Make It About You: Imposter Syndrome, YouTube strategy 18:33 - More Listener Mail: Helsinki banter + Switching to new questions 19:49 - Fraser's Big Idea: Sensation vs Measurement (escaping the anxiety spiral) 21:53 - Truett/Luke 'hate' discourse: Entertainment vs negativity in the pod 23:53 - Osaka Marathon Q: Can I watch? Japan ban, cannabis vs alcohol, and moving on 26:12 - When Do You Actually Need a Coach? (Ken Rideout example) 26:52 - Supplements, ketones & super shoes: what you actually need 28:33 - Why chase a faster marathon: goals, weight loss & the reset mindset 29:45 - Coaching plans and past drama: finding the right advisor 30:46 - Train in trainers, race in supers? Injury risk & adaptation 32:34 - Influencers, supplements & doping gray zones (L-carnitine, EPO, T) 37:58 - Supporters club + Discord: keeping the community clean and paid 40:46 - Quick-fire training Qs: cycling/stairs, bathroom nerves, speed after 40 52:47 - Wrap-up: more questions, today's workout & how to reach out