Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders.

Athletes face a lot of mental and physical pressure around fueling, so we need to break taboos.

Kate Ringwood is a licensed therapist that specializes in eating disorders in athletes. Kate's personal experience navigating her own recovery while competing in cross country and track influenced her passion in helping others.

Listen to hear about:

• Kate’s personal story of an eating disorder and then rediscovering her love for running
• Getting back into training with less pressure
• Reduce shame and stigma around eating disorders and body image issues
• Misconceptions about athletes and eating disorders
• The nuances of recovery, failure, and mental health in running

Stay connected:

• Kate on Instagram: instagram.com/serendipity.counseling
• Kate’s website: serendipitycounseling.com
• For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
• Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
• Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com

This episode is supported by:

• PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com.
• Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
• Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2025 at this link for 15% off your pair.
• GOES: Need a trail companion that’s smarter than your average gear? Meet GOES—the essential outdoor app created by wilderness medicine doctors. Whether you're planning your next adventure or handling a backcountry emergency, GOES gives you expert medical guidance—even without cell service. Tap a body part, assess the risk, and get clear next steps. It’s like having a backcountry medic in your pocket—and it’s an absolute must-have in our kit.

This runner took a scary setback and turned it into a message of hope.

Dom Fusco is a health and wellness creator, coach, endurance athlete, and community builder based in Austin, Texas.

After surviving a sudden cardiac arrest in 2023, Dom made it his mission to help others strengthen their bodies, sharpen their minds, and deepen their faith to live healthier, stronger, and more purposeful lives.

Listen to hear about:

• How Dom’s faith influences his running and fitness
• Dom’s experience with sudden cardiac arrest
• The intersection of wellness and content creation
• Defining success beyond metrics

Stay connected:

• Dom on Instagram: instagram.com/dominicfusco
• For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
• Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
• Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com

This episode is supported by:

• Pillar: If you’re looking to step up your performance, check out PILLAR at TheFeed.com and use FTLR for 15% off your first purchase.
• Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2025 at this link for 15% off your pair.
• Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
• PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com.

Royi Metser is the founder and CEO of Avelo, the company behind the world's first smart running shoe.

Running changed Royi’s life in 2021 after a blood test was the kick in the butt he needed to make a change. Three days later he signed up for his first marathon.

It was through his personal mission to improve at running that he decided to build a product to measure force and form and use the data to help runners improve performance and reduce risk of injury.

Listen to hear about:

• ​How signing up for a marathon motivated Royi to start running again
• ​How struggles with achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis made Royi curious about creating a product that measures data at the feet
• ​Creating a smart running shoe and the challenges of building footwear, software, and hardware all together
• ​Behind the scenes of Royi’s start-up, Avelo, the world’s first smart running shoe

Stay connected:

• ​Avelo on IG: instagram.com/avelorunning
• ​For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
• ​Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
• ​Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com

This episode is supported by:

• ​Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
• ​PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com.
• ​Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.

Note about Avelo: I believe so strongly in what Avelo is doing that I’ve been advising the team behind the scenes for the last two years!