Running Changed My Life: From Zero Miles to Ultra Marathons | ft. Matt Choi
Running Changed My Life: From Zero Miles to Ultra Marathons | ft. Matt Choi  
Podcast: The EMPWR Podcast
Published On: Wed Mar 18 2026
Description: In this episode, I sit down with Matt Choi: content creator, endurance athlete, and one of the most inspiring voices in the running community. Matt's journey is anything but linear. From playing college football to losing his job during the pandemic, he found running as a form of therapy and self discovery. What started as a casual four mile run turned into marathons, ultramarathons, and a thriving online community built around pushing limits and doing hard things. We dive deep into running for beginners, fueling your body, strength training for runners, and recovery. Matt breaks down how to start running if you've never done it before, the walk jog method that actually works, how to choose the right shoes, and why you don't need to have it all figured out to just start. We talk about fueling during long runs, the importance of electrolytes, carb loading before races, and why eating enough is non negotiable if you want to avoid injury. We also get into the mental side of running: why it's more about mindset than mileage, how running became therapy for both of us, and what it takes to show up even when it's hard. Matt opens up about the New York City Marathon controversy, how he handled the backlash, and what he learned from taking accountability in a very public way. We also talk about his next challenge: transitioning into triathlons and taking on a 70.3 Ironman. This conversation is raw, real, and packed with practical advice for anyone who's ever thought about lacing up their shoes and just going. Whether you're training for your first 5k or your tenth marathon, this episode will remind you that you don't need permission to start, you just need to show up. _____ About Matt Choi: Matt Choi is a content creator, endurance athlete, and former college football player known for his authentic approach to running and fitness. After losing his job during the pandemic, Matt discovered running as a form of therapy and self challenge. He's completed over 40 marathons, multiple ultramarathons including the Leadville 100, and has built a loyal community by sharing his journey of pushing limits and doing hard things. Matt is currently training for triathlons and continues to inspire thousands to start running and chase their goals. Find Matt: Instagram: @matchchoi_6 TikTok: @matchchoi_6 YouTube: Matthew Choi _____ Sam's LINKS: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/Samcfit EMPWR by Sam App | *free 7 day trial* https://www.empwrbysam.com/ My Macro Guide: https://samcfit.com/macro-guide-only Running Programs: https://www.samcfit.com/running-programs Follow Sam: Insta: @samcfit_ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samantha_Christine _____ Caraway visit https://Carawayhome.com/EMPWR you can take an additional 10% off your next purchase Remi Go to https://shopremi.com/SAMCFIT and use CODE SAMCFIT to get up to 50% off at checkout Cozy Earth Head to https://cozyearth.com and use my code samcfit for up to 20% off Just Thrive Save 20% on your first order at https://justthrivehealth.com/SAMCFIT with code SAMCFIT Air Doctor Head to https://AirDoctorPro.com and use promo code SAM to get UP TO $300 off today! Dream Recovery Head to https://dreamrecovery.io code SAM15 Topics discussed: 00:00:00 From College Football to Running: Matt's Origin Story 00:04:57 The Murph Challenge & First Intro to Distance Running 00:10:38 First Marathon Attempt & Learning Through Failure 00:15:33 Getting a Coach & Breaking Sub-3 Hours 00:22:36 Shoe Guide: What Runners Need to Know 00:31:59 Fueling for Runners: Gels, Timing & Race Day Nutrition 00:40:37 Strength Training for Runners 00:47:48 Recovery Essentials: Sleep, Massage & Staying Ahead of Injuries 00:52:24 Leadville 100 & The NYC Marathon Controversy 00:54:25 The NYC Marathon Ban: What Happened & Moving Forward 01:04:21 Next Challenge and Goals 01:11:20 What Empowerment Means & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices