Best Fitlab Podcasts (2024)

1
An Exit Interview with Virginia Brophy Achman (Outgoing Executive Director of Twin Cities In Motion) 1:04:56

2y ago1:04:56

1:04:56

The ECT Pod is back and better than ever after a longer than expected Eli-had-room-for-nothing-in-his-life-outside-of-planning-the-Twin-Cities-Marathon-and-then-a-new-Turkey-Trot enforced hiatus! And the first episode after our break is a doozy--an exit interview with outgoing Twin Cities In Motion Executive Director Virginia Brophy Achman (who als…

1
Tanner Bell (CEO, Ragnar/General Manager of Events, FitLab) 57:17

2y ago57:17

57:17

After a bit of a hiatus Tony and Eli are back with a bang, with an in-depth interview with one of the most entrepreneurial people in the industry, Ragnar Co-Founder and CEO Tanner Bell! From a project that started while Tanner and his co-founder were undergrads and thought it was just something that would look good on a grad school application, Rag…

1
Shelley Villalobos (Executive Director, Council for Responsible Sport) 1:00:56

2+ y ago1:00:56

1:00:56

In a special Earth Day episode, Eli and Tony couldn't be more excited to have Council for Responsible Sport Executive Director Shelley Villalobos on the pod for an interview. The guys first find out a little about Shelley's athletic background--which includes Division I experience in a non-running sport--and how "she resisted running as long as she…

1
An Early Call Time Special Episode: What Does it Mean to be Back at Running USA? 8:40

2+ y ago8:40

8:40

In this special mini-episode, Tony caught up with almost twenty industry leaders at the Running USA conference last weekend in Florida and asked them what it meant to be back together with their industry peers at the Running USA conference. Enjoy--and see you next year in Denver! If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Apple podca…

1
Inconsistency Is What Assures Our Success 49:53

2+ y ago49:53

49:53

In this episode, the guys discuss how events and event production companies can retain their talented people after as the industry emerges from a tough couple of years--they talk work-life balance, opportunities for growth and avoiding getting stale, and how sometimes event production people need to just be allowed the time to do what they need to …

1
Michael Luchsinger (Managing Partner and Co-founder, Event Southwest) 1:03:21

2+ y ago1:03:21

1:03:21

In the Season 3 season premier of Early Call Time, Tony and Eli interview Michael Luchsinger, President and Co-founder of Event Southwest, a Dallas-based event production company that works on some of the biggest races in the country (including the Houston, Chicago, and Dallas marathons) and also happens to be where Tony used to work. Michael tells…

1
The Triumphant Return of the Pod! 58:02

3y ago58:02

58:02

After a long hiatus, the guys return for their final episode of 2022! Want to know why the pod went dark for so long? Then you've gotta listen, because they discuss that--and also how it was related to Eli's facial hair getting crazy for a little while. They discuss Eli's lessons learned from the return of the Twin Cities Marathon and any pandemic-…

1
Greg Haapala (Race Director, Grandma's Marathon) 1:04:54

3y ago1:04:54

1:04:54

In this month's interview episode Tony and Eli consider themselves incredibly privileged to have on the Race Director of the first major American Marathon to take place since the pandemic, Greg Haapala of Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN. After sharing that he is a fellow member of the "One Marathon Club," stumping Tony on what NIRCA (which he help…

1
Alex Vander Hoeven (CEO, Race Roster and General Manager, Asics Running Apps) 1:10:56

3+ y ago1:10:56

1:10:56

In this month's interview episode Tony and Eli have on a man who is such a big fan of the podcast that he once sponsored it, Race Roster CEO and General Manager of Asics Running Apps Alex Vander Hoeven. Alex tells the guys about the early days of Race Roster, and how he and his fellow founders originally intended to start a race, not a technology c…

1
The Carousel 56:42

3+ y ago56:42

56:42

In the only episode the guys will be dropping this month, Eli puts his cards on the table and admits that even after talking about it for the better part of a half-hour last episode he still doesn't understand what Tony's new job is. It's only when Tony puts it in terms of Mad Men that the wheels (or, rather should we say, the carousel) start turni…

1
Tony's Big News 35:36

3+ y ago35:36

35:36

In April's banter episode, Tony and Eli talk about a "triple crown" of Boston topics: the 70,000-runner virtual Boston Marathon, the additional $25 COVID fee being applied to the Boston Marathon registration fee this year, and, most importantly, and a slick Nike/Boston Red Sox collaboration honoring the Boston Marathon but costing consumers a prett…

1
Mike Nishi (Chief Operating Officer, Chicago Event Management) 1:25:33

3+ y ago1:25:33

1:25:33

In their April interview episode Tony and Eli welcome Chicago Event Management Chief Operating Officer Mike Nishi to the ECT Pod. Mike was the man they had in mind when they created pod, and we can promise this episode lived up to their lofty expectations! Mike gives the guys a deep history lesson, stretching back to his first childhood experience …

1
Caroline Fitzgerald (Vice President of Partnerships & Runner Experience, P3R) 53:18

3+ y ago53:18

53:18

In March's interview episode Tony and Eli welcome Caroline Fitzgerald, Vice President of Partnerships & Runner Experience at P3R and fellow member of the "one marathon club," to the pod. Caroline drops tons of knowledge about how P3R, the organization the guys dubbed "Most Likely to Succeed" back in Season 1, effectively integrates its operations t…

1
Data Points in the Return to Racing 47:23

3+ y ago47:23

47:23

In this month's banter episode, the guys start by wishing each other a happy podiversary, as it has now been over a year since we recorded the first ECT Pod! A huge thank you to all of our friends, guests, and listeners who have gotten us this far. And if it's okay with y'all, we're still feeling it, so we're just gonna keep on doing this thing. To…

1
Valentine's Day with RD Wives Leslie Wise and Christina Yamanaka 43:29

3+ y ago43:29

43:29

In this special Valentine's Day (or is it Galentine's Day?) episode the guys hand off the mics to the women who tolerate them, Leslie Wise and Christina Yamanaka, to talk about what life is like when you're married to an RD. They talk about race week traditions, being supportive during busy times, and how at times having an RD for a spouse means yo…

1
Story Time with David Katz (Owner, Finish Line Road Race Technicians) 1:19:39

3+ y ago1:19:39

1:19:39

In this week's episode the guys have on the one and only David Katz! The founder and owner of Finish Line Road Race Technicians, David is one of the world's foremost experts on the technical side of road racing. He has not just measured marathon courses and served as an official for world-class events such as the Olympic Trials, Olympic Games, and …

1
Over, Under, and All Around 47:47

3+ y ago47:47

47:47

Eli and Tony are back! The first episode of Season 2 of Early Call Time starts with the guys catching up about how they spent their nearly month-long break from podcasting (which, in Eli's case, included going on a mass non-industry running audience about directing large events on the Strength Running Podcast). They then talk a little about what th…

1
Early Call Time Episode 29: The Season Finale! 1:01:22

4y ago1:01:22

1:01:22

In the season finale, the guys start with a toast before discussing the industry news of the day: NYRR leadership turnover, mid-sized races returning (here's to you, Space Coast Marathon and Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon!), and the upcoming elite-only Marathon Project (listen to Episode 28, our interview with Big River Running CEO Matt Helbig, to…

1
Early Call Time Episode 28: Learning About The Marathon Project with Matt Helbig (CEO of Big River Running) 1:03:35

4y ago1:03:35

1:03:35

In this month's interview episode Tony and Eli get to talk to Matt Helbig, CEO of Big River Running, whose Big River Race Management arm is producing The Marathon Project, an elite-only, 100-runner marathon in Arizona on December 20 which the guys have talked about before on the pod and are very excited about. After the guys learn a little about Ma…

1
Early Call Time Episode 27: Start Line Impact and a Whole Lot More 39:27

4y ago39:27

39:27

The guys begin November's banter episode discussing Start Line Impact, a grassroots movement spearheaded by friend of the pod and past guest Kirsten Fleming to galvanize the industry's many players to call attention to running events' positive impacts on their community and the challenges they face right now (want to get involved? Fill out this for…

1
Early Call Time Episode 26: Jared Rohatinsky (CEO, Brooksee/OYO Racing) 1:10:31

4y ago1:10:31

1:10:31

In this month's interview episode, Tony and Eli talk to Jared Rohatinsky, CEO of Brooksee and and a member of Utah's famous "running Rohatinsky family." Brooksee, best-known for its series of screaming fast Revel races, is also responsible for what the guys think is one of the most exciting running industry innovations to come out during the pandem…

1
Early Call Time Episode 25: JT "Just Truth" Service (Founder of Soul Focus Sports & CEO of Silverback) and a Surprise Guest! 1:02:46

4y ago1:02:46

1:02:46

In the final episode of an October jam-packed with bonus content Tony and Eli interview a man of many hats, JT "Just Truth" Service, the founder of Soul Focus Sports (parent company of Run Local and the Silicon Valley Half Marathon), the CEO of Silverback, a podcaster extraordinaire, an ex-agent, and one-time running media start-up founder. His aud…

1
Early Call Time Episode 24: Tony Banovich Remembrance (by the BibRave Podcast) 1:18:30

4y ago1:18:30

1:18:30

Last week the Montana running community and the national running industry as a whole tragically lost one of its leaders, Tony Banovich, Executive Director of Run Wild Missoula. In what was supposed to be a bye week, the guys discussed producing a special episode in remembrance of Tony, but in doing so realized their friends at the BibRave Podcast h…

1
Early Call Time Episode 23: Let's Talk About the Weather! 48:55

4y ago48:55

48:55

This week's episode kicks off with just what you all listen to this podcast for--an extended discussion of the weather! Once the guys get through that scintillating topic, the guys tease some interviews they have coming up (want to know what they are? Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, or--if you're old--Facebook) before Eli brings up something Tony …

1
Early Call Time Episode 22: Virtual Race Balderdash! 57:38

4y ago57:38

57:38

In this week's episode, the guys introduce a segment: Virtual Race Balderdash! During this segment the guys take turns reading descriptions of virtual races and make each other guess whether the description they've just heard is real or fake. If you just want to hear the segment, you can just skip to just past the 27-minute mark, but before that th…

1
Early Call Time Episode 21: David Waskowski (Director of Participant Services, Chicago Event Management) 1:18:30

4y ago1:18:30

1:18:30

As the calendar turns to October, the month of the 2020 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Virtual Experience, the ECT Pod has on David Waskowski, Director of Participant Services for Chicago Event Management, organizers of the Chicago Marathon. Before you read any more of the summary of what was truly an interesting and insightful interview, please …

1
Early Call Time Episode 20: If You Build It, Will They Come? 36:50

4y ago36:50

36:50

In September's second banter episode, Eli and Tony realize that their homework before the next banter episode is to find another way to open the podcast than asking each other "How ya doing?" since that has become such a loaded question during 2020. The guys then move onto their topic for this week's conversation: with in-person races slowly return…

1
Early Call Time Episode 19: The Guys Do a Draft! (Part 2) 1:01:24

4y ago1:01:24

1:01:24

In this week's episode, the guys finish their draft, each drafting three things that they most look forward to for the industry when in-person events return. Before drafting, though, they talk about the Virtual Boston Marathon and whether running a virtual race "counts" (the verdict: it clearly does!), give a tip of the cap to past guest Tom Bedfor…

1
Early Call Time Episode 18: Kirsten Fleming (Executive Director, Run Calgary) 1:17:21

4y ago1:17:21

1:17:21

In this month's interview episode Tony and Eli talk with Run Calgary Executive Director (and the pod's #1 fan from the Great White North!) Kirsten Fleming. We talk about her globetrotting youth, her "past life" in broadcast media, and how her active lifestyle blurs into her job. Along the way we learn how Kirsten landed her dream job with some brav…

1
Early Call Time Episode 17: The Guys Do a Draft! (Part 1) 46:25

4y ago46:25

46:25

This episode of the ECT Pod is one like none you've ever heard before. Not only because Tony is calling in from under a blanket in a closet in Boston for the recording session, and not even only because Eli is doing the audio editing--but also because the actual structure of the episode is a new one, in which the guys conduct a draft. Inspired by E…

1
Early Call Time Episode 16: Johan Tigér (CTO, Göteborgsvarvet) 1:15:35

4y ago1:15:35

1:15:35

Continuing their international interview series, Eli and Tony welcome the man with the coolest name in the running industry, Johan Tigér, Chief Technical Officer of Göteborgsvarvet, to the Pod. And what a welcome they give him, as Eli greets him by butchering both Johan's and his race's name. Although our American listeners may not be familiar with…

1
Early Call Time Episode 15: Until We Eat Our Vegetables, We Can't Have Dessert 44:54

4y ago44:54

44:54

After last week's bye, the guys return this week with an all-banter episode! Tony lets us all know he has leaned that races' customer service teams must be absolute saints, after dealing with virtual event customer service himself over the past few weeks. And Eli shares the story of how an Austin Marathon customer service interaction is actually ho…

1
Early Call Time Episode 14: Tom Bedford (Founder & Race Director, Richmond Running Festival) 1:14:56

4y ago1:14:56

1:14:56

There are five Thursdays in July, so the guys are excited to release a bonus fourth episode this month, an interview with Richmond Running Festival Founder Tom Bedford! This will be the first of several interviews with international events professionals in the coming months, as Tony and Eli look to celebrate the endurance sports events industry acr…

1
Early Call Time Episode 13: Running Industry Yearbook Superlatives 45:19

4y ago45:19

45:19

In this episode Tony and Eli hide their head in the sand like ostriches and, rather than talk about anything COVID-related, have some fun and put forth what they hope will be a JT Service-approved "beautiful shitshow" of an episode. Tony lets everyone know that a virtual event is just as taxing, in a different way, as an in-person event, and Eli an…

1
Early Call Time Episode 12: Absorb the A**holes 46:20

4y ago46:20

46:20

Eli is playing a road game for this episode, recording from his father's kitchen in Portland, Maine. He's there helping his dad out after a knee replacement surgery, which his (non-runner) dad had to have because (as Eli rants about a bit) running isn't actually any worse for you knees than any other activity! (And his dad's recovery is going well,…

1
Early Call Time Episode 11: David Grice (President and Owner, RaceWorks) 1:14:27

4y ago1:14:27

1:14:27

In this episode recorded earlier this spring Tony and Eli interview one of the behind-the-scenes giants of the industry, David Grice, owner and founder of RaceWorks Incorporated. David is a good friend who worked with and showed both Eli and Tony the ropes in their early days in the industry and, despite his substantially better running pedigree, i…

1
Early Call Time Episode 10: Pride Month with Two Clueless Straight Dudes and Michael Clemons (Founder & Owner, Louisville Running Company) 1:02:54

4+ y ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Thanks to Race Roster for sponsoring this month of the podcast. Race Roster and its Runkeeper app, now a part of the ASICS family, form a great team that drastically enhances the digital services Race Directors require to host premier events. Next time you're looking at registration or virtual race platforms, take a look at Race Roster. This Pride …

1
Early Call Time Episode 9: #runnow2runlater 42:18

4+ y ago42:18

42:18

Thanks to Race Roster for sponsoring this month of the podcast. Race Roster and its Runkeeper app, now a part of the ASICS family, form a great team that drastically enhances the digital services Race Directors require to host premier events. Next time you're looking at registration or virtual race platforms, take a look at Race Roster. June's firs…

1
Early Call Time Episode 8: Alex Calderon (CLIF Bar, Southwest Region Marketing Manager) 1:09:13

4+ y ago1:09:13

1:09:13

Here are some resources for those of you who want to learn more about and take action on racial justice: Organizations, Resources, and Calls to Action ColorOfChange.org Indivisible's Call to Action in Solidarity with Minneapolis Resources from the Obama Foundation Anti-racism resources for white people 75 Things White People Can Do For Racial Justi…

1
Early Call Time Episode 7: The Eli Show (Sorry, Tony!) 54:05

4+ y ago54:05

54:05

In the second banter episode of the month, we find out how much Eli can talk when he has spent the previous week not podcasting and instead storing up hot takes during three days alone in the car. (Tony meanwhile, spent his bye week more productively, getting fit enough to successfully take on the Murph immediately after recording this episode.) El…

1
Early Call Time Episode 6: Lauren Proshan (Boston Athletic Association, Director of Operations) 1:12:14

4+ y ago1:12:14

1:12:14

Our May interview episode is a wide-ranging conversation with Boston Athletic Association Director of Operations Lauren Proshan. We talk about Lauren's previous job at events firm Conventures and briefly become a global nautical geopolitics podcast (which Eli names "Rig the Foresail") while learning about her work on an international sailing event …

1
Early Call Time Episode 5: Tony's Podcast Inception 40:49

4+ y ago40:49

40:49

May's first banter episode kicks off with a "State of the Pod" update to let our multitudinous listeners know what to expect for the ECT Pod release schedule from here on in (three episodes a month, usually two banter episodes sandwiched around one interview, released in the early morning on Thursday). That seemingly benign discussion then takes an…

1
Early Call Time Episode 4: Life is Like a Box of Chocolate Rain 50:26

4+ y ago50:26

50:26

In this month's banter episode, Eli and Tony talk about a podcast trick called "chocolate raining" and agree that neither of them ever want that term in their Google search history. They also agree to only talk about one coronavirus topic per episode, and then set a timer on themselves to keep their conversation about how Aid Stations might look di…

1
Early Call Time Episode 3: Stacy Embretson (The McCourt Foundation [formerly Conqur Endurance Group], Senior Director of Operations) 1:15:36

4+ y ago1:15:36

1:15:36

We couldn't have been more excited for our interview with Stacy Embretson, Senior Director, Operations for the McCourt Foundation (which recently absorbed the Conqur Endurance Group, owners of the Los Angeles Marathon), baker extraordinaire, and "industry superstar" (seriously, her corporate bio says that). And did she ever deliver, telling us abou…

1
Early Call Time Episode 2: Coronavirus Cancellations 39:20

4+ y ago39:20

39:20

Tony gives an update on the state of the pod (short version: huge thanks to Whit Raymond for recording our drop, and we're getting better at Audition's audio editing software but if you have any tips to improve our audio quality send them our way!) and then your co-hosts discuss the state of the endurance sports industry in the era of coronavirus c…

1
Early Call Time Episode 0: Co-Host Introductions 32:57

4+ y ago32:57

32:57

Thanks for listening to the inaugural episode of Early Call Time, the podcast where we discuss issues and news in the road race industry and get to know some of the people who keep it running! On Episode 0, your co-hosts (Eli Asch, Race Director of the California International Marathon, and Tony Yamanaka, Vice President of Operations of Event South…

1
Early Call Time Episode 1: Chris Hollis (Atlanta Track Club, Olympic Trials "Air Traffic Controller") 1:14:52

4+ y ago1:14:52

1:14:52

In this episode we interview Chris Hollis, Special Projects Manager for the Atlanta Track Club and self-proclaimed "Air Traffic Controller" for the recently-completed US Olympic Marathon Trials. We learn about Chris's varied experiences on all sides of the running industry before getting into the biggest challenges and successes he experienced in p…

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