Sweat Elite Podcast

Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) return with another episode of the Fastest Fox series. They cover the current marathon period with Rotterdam complete and Boston and London just ahead, before moving into debates around race weather, hydration policy, shoe technology, underrated running creators, and where the sport is heading.
Train with Matt Fox here:
https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/
Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here:
https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/
Contact Matt Fox here:
[email protected]
Matt Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/
Matt Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359
Mick Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/
Mick Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/
Mick Fox and Matt open the episode by looking at the heart of marathon season, with Rotterdam just completed and both Boston and London coming up next. They discuss how different forecasts can shape not only race-day execution but also the appeal of one event over another, noting that Boston looks relatively cool while London may be much warmer. That leads into a broader reflection on how unpredictable weather remains one of the biggest variables in marathon racing.
The conversation then shifts to the Paris Marathon and its controversial trial of removing cups at aid stations. Mick and Matt question whether the policy, while environmentally motivated, creates unnecessary inconvenience and potential risk for runners trying to hydrate properly during a marathon. They also discuss Paris winner "Cripp," and use the race to make a wider point that events outside the Abbott World Marathon Majors can still offer fields, atmosphere, and performances that rival the biggest races in the sport.
From there, they explore what really makes a marathon feel "major," including the influence Abbott has had in shaping perception and expansion. They also touch on some of the most popular European races for fast times, especially from an Irish perspective, with Valencia, Seville, Dublin, and Frankfurt all mentioned as strong options depending on goals, timing, and conditions.
The episode also includes discussion around Rotterdam's 2:03 to 2:04 winning standard and whether modern marathon performances are being driven primarily by shoe advancements. Mick and Matt acknowledge that training, depth, and professionalism all matter, but argue that shoe technology has clearly played a major role in lifting the level of the event and the sport more broadly.
Matt then shares updates from China, where he is researching a shoe brand referred to as "QD," while also thinking through broader ideas around business, running culture, and product access. That includes discussion of a paid group-run app, the possibility of an online shoe store, and what it might look like to help people access performance footwear that is less visible in Western markets.
Later in the episode, the discussion becomes more personal, moving into the tension between travel and family life, the way sleep and routine are affected by constant movement, and the wider shift on social media toward short-form content. Mick and Matt also spotlight underrated running creators including Dan Nash, Ryan Creech, and Caroline Hassett, before briefly debating Josh Kerr's mile world record ambitions and whether he could eventually be a serious marathoner. They wrap up by pointing listeners toward the private podcast and deeper training discussion.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Marathon Season Kickoff
00:42 - Boston And London Weather Talk
02:25 - Paris Hydration Controversy
04:21 - Kipruto Wins Paris
05:28 - What Makes A Major
07:05 - Best Races For Fast Times
09:24 - Frankfurt And Dublin Plans
11:00 - Rotterdam And The Shoe Era
12:02 - China Trip And New Shoe Brands
14:59 - Run Meetup App Idea
18:17 - Business Ideas And Family Tradeoffs
20:19 - Travel Struggles And Sleep
23:01 - Parenthood Sleep Stories
24:04 - Sharing the Hard Moments
24:42 - Short Form Takes Over
26:37 - Attention Spans and Algorithms
29:07 - Watching Runners Grow Up
32:21 - Underrated Creator Shoutouts
33:36 - Dan Nash Spotlight
36:44 - Ryan Creech and Real Talent
40:49 - Caroline Hassett Relatable Running
43:20 - Josh Kerr Mile Record Debate
47:36 - Wrap and Private Pod Plug

Matt Fox and Marty Bordignon talk through Marty's first marathon-specific block for the Gold Coast Marathon, his rough post-Osaka patch, and how things have started to turn around as training settles back near 100 km per week. They also discuss Marty's MTHFR-related folate/B-vitamin issue, tapering philosophy, group training in the heat, preferred YouTube running content, fueling economics, and Boston Marathon predictions.
Train with Matt:
https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/
Private Podcast Feed + Discord:
https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/
Contact Matt:
[email protected]
Matt Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/
Matt Fox Strava Training Log:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/
Marty Bordignon Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/martybordignon/
Marty Bordignon Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/martybordignon/
In this episode, Matt is joined by Marty Bordignon from the Gold Coast, a 2:46 marathoner beginning a focused marathon block with less than three months to go until the Gold Coast Marathon. Marty reflects on a difficult three-week stretch after Osaka where fatigue, low motivation, and even easy runs felt unusually hard, before things started to shift again as he returned to roughly 100 km per week and gained confidence from a session of 3K, 5 x 60 seconds, and 3K.
The conversation also explores Marty's discovery that an MTHFR gene variant was affecting his ability to absorb folate and certain B vitamins properly, and how getting back on the right supplement made a major difference. Matt and Marty discuss early-morning group runs to manage the heat, training rhythm, pacing options, and realistic goal setting heading toward race day, with 2:40 framed as a stretch and 2:38 sitting more in the realm of possibility if training continues well.
They also break down Steve Magness's recent tapering video and share their preference for shorter tapers that maintain intensity, before moving into a broader discussion on running YouTube, filming ideas, watch time, monetization, sponsor dynamics, Ben Felton's content, Jake Barraclough injury speculation, Cole Givens, Nick Bare's move away from data obsession, and the ever-growing cost of fueling - including DIY carb mix ideas versus gels. The episode closes with some Boston Marathon predictions and a bit of shoe talk.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Marathon Block Begins
00:50 - Goals and Pacing Plans
02:33 - Post Marathon Struggles
04:57 - B Vitamin Breakthrough
06:17 - Early Morning Training Life
10:15 - Coach Kyle and Volume Focus
13:23 - Workout Breakdown and Confidence
16:14 - Tapering Advice Debate
28:56 - Running YouTube Favorites
30:12 - Clayton Young Series Hype
35:23 - Behind the Scenes Filming Ideas
37:38 - YouTube vs Short Form Attention
38:13 - Watch Time Monetization
38:51 - YouTube Ads vs Sponsors
39:41 - Instagram Sponsor Appeal
40:17 - Ben Felton Video Breakdown
42:34 - Jake Injury Conspiracies
46:50 - Cole Givens Appreciation
48:06 - Nick Bare Ditching Data
51:59 - Supplements and Gel Economics
53:47 - DIY Carb Mix Recipes
01:01:15 - Instagram Follows and Motivation
01:05:55 - Boston Marathon Predictions
01:08:25 - Wrap Up and Shoe Talk

Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) return with episode 4 of the Fastest Fox series. They break down Jimmy Gressier's 12:51 European 5K record, the rise of Kiprun and Decathlon's premium ambitions, and the growing pressure Chinese running shoe brands could place on the major Western companies.
Train with Matt Fox here:
https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/
Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here:
https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/
Contact Matt Fox here:
[email protected]
Matt Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/
Matt Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359
Mick Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/
Mick Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/
Mick Fox and Matt open episode four of Fastest Fox by reacting to Jimmy Gressier's 12:51 European 5K record, run in Kiprun shoes. That result leads into a broader discussion about Kiprun as Decathlon's more premium performance sub-brand, and how Decathlon appears to be repositioning itself from a budget reputation toward greater credibility in serious running.
From there, the conversation expands into the wider running shoe market. Mick and Matt compare the pricing, branding, and marketing power of major Western companies like Nike, Adidas, and ASICS with the growing presence of Chinese brands based near Hong Kong and mainland China, including Li-Ning, Anta, 361 Degrees, Xtep, and smaller online names like Diner Fish. They argue that some of these brands are already producing shoes with performance levels that appear comparable to the established giants, but at significantly lower prices.
The episode explores why those Chinese brands still face major barriers despite strong product development. Trust, brand perception, and global distribution remain the biggest hurdles, but Mick and Matt discuss how that could change quickly if more athletes, creators, and consumers begin taking the products seriously. They also examine how marketing can create the illusion of premium value, and why Western brands may eventually face real pressure on pricing if cheaper high-performance alternatives continue to improve.
They also touch on Hugo Fry switching from Boston to the London Marathon, with some speculation around whether Jake Barlow's apparent illness or injury may have influenced that shift. As the episode progresses, the discussion becomes broader and more reflective, moving into topics like validation-seeking, overanalysing data, and the tendency for runners to overcomplicate training.
Mick and Matt argue for a more grounded approach to both coaching and self-improvement, emphasizing accountability, simplicity, and consistency over chasing endless metrics or external approval. They discuss how social media can distort expectations around training, identity, and progress, and why sharing the journey still matters when it is done honestly.
The episode closes with Mick describing a run with his coach, a humble two-time Olympic marathoner, which leads into a final conversation around perspective, mentorship, sponsors, and missed opportunities in the sport. It is another wide-ranging Fastest Fox episode blending current events, shoe industry insight, and honest reflections on running culture.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Show Kickoff
00:41 - Gressier Record Buzz
01:32 - Kiprun Origins Explained
02:05 - Decathlon Value Gear
04:44 - Premium Brand Strategy
08:20 - Chinese Shoe Boom
13:38 - Marketing Hype Pricing
19:08 - Influencers Premium Illusion
21:38 - Hugo Fry Switches London
22:39 - Jake Barlow Infection Drama
25:00 - Identity High Mileage Talk
26:42 - Relatable Racing Fails
26:55 - Why Share Your Journey
29:28 - Ego Data And Validation
32:32 - Strava Run Stolen
35:46 - Instagram Story Breakdown
36:38 - Modern Coaching Expectations
38:10 - Accountability Over Programs
43:41 - Coaching Boundaries
45:19 - Humble Olympic Mentor
48:43 - Sponsors And Missed Chances
52:44 - Closing And Private Pod

Matt is joined by Canadian 2:09 marathoner Tom Nobbs, fresh off a huge breakthrough performance at the McCurdy Marathon. Tom ran 2:09 on a low-key, looped course to become the fourth fastest Canadian marathoner of all time and he did 98%+ of the build up on a treadmill! He joins the show to break down the training, racing, and mindset behind the result.
Train with Matt Fox here:
https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/
Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here:
https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/
Contact Matt Fox here:
[email protected]
Matt Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/
Matt Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359
Tom Nobbs Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/nobbs.not.knobs/
Tom Nobbs Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/28521910
Matt opens the episode by welcoming Tom Nobbs to the podcast just days after his outstanding 2:09 marathon at McCurdy. Tom explains why the performance was especially meaningful given the unusual lead-in - it was his fourth marathon in around two and a half years, his first back-to-back marathon build since the Marathon Project, and a winter training block completed almost entirely on the treadmill.
Tom shares how that treadmill-heavy buildup created a lot of uncertainty around race-day pacing and fitness translation. Once the pacer stepped off early, he was left to run roughly 22 miles alone on a looped course with confusing lap splits, forcing him to rely heavily on feel and effort rather than clean external feedback. That ability to stay composed and trust the work became one of the defining parts of the race.
The conversation then turns to Tom's progression from 2:15 to 2:12 to 2:09. Rather than simply piling on more mileage, he credits much of that jump to improved speed, better quality, and specific Canova-style sessions such as 12 x 1K plus 6 x 400, along with frequent strides and faster running around 5K to 3K pace. Matt and Tom discuss how those layers of speed have helped raise his ceiling while still supporting marathon performance.
They also get into body weight, fuelling strategy, and how Tom thinks about food through a marathon build, as well as race shoes, including the Puma Fast-R 3. Tom speaks about coaching with Team Run Run, his philosophy around helping athletes improve, and the value of putting bold goals out publicly rather than hiding from them.
Later in the episode, they touch on Connor Mantz dropping Boston, the pros and cons of pros racing too often, and Tom's own plans moving forward, which include returning to shorter races on the track and over 10K before deciding on a possible fall marathon.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Meet Tom Nobbs
01:04 - Fresh Off 2:09
02:16 - Why This Build Worked
03:54 - Treadmill Winter Grind
06:01 - Race Day Chaos
09:39 - Running Solo Confidence
12:57 - From 2:15 to 2:09
15:50 - Monster Canova Sessions
17:19 - Heat and Treadmill Doubts
21:43 - Strides and Speed Layer
26:42 - Predicting a 5K Return
28:17 - 5K Time Expectations
28:42 - Weight and Food Mindset
30:47 - Fueling and Carb Strategy
35:06 - Race Shoes and Sponsorship
36:56 - Sharing Big Goals Online
43:02 - Starting YouTube Content
44:37 - Coaching Career and Philosophy
48:01 - Pros Racing Too Often
52:27 - Wrap Up and Next Races

In this week's episode of the Sweat Elite Podcast, Mick Fox (2:19 marathoner) and Matt Fox (2:18 marathoner) reveal that they have both been doping to sub 2:20 marathons. They also talk about Emma Bates' UCAN sponsorship drama, an inbound message from Hugo Fry, Ben Is Running's Berlin Half Marathon result, Cole Gibbons' stress fracture, and much more. The episode covers a mix of humour, controversy, racing updates, and behind-the-scenes insights into elite and sub-elite running.
Train with Matt Fox here:
https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/
Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed here:
https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/
Contact Matt Fox here:
[email protected]
Matt Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/
Matt Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359/
Mick Fox Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/runningfox26.2/
Mick Fox Strava:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/9571709/
Mick Fox and Matt open the episode with an April Fools prank, jokingly "confessing" to doping before quickly revealing the joke and shifting into the main discussion. The light start transitions into a more serious check-in with Mick, who shares an update on a long-delayed hospital stress test following previous chest pain and concerns around heart health.
The conversation then turns to the Emma Bates and UCAN sponsorship situation. They break down Bates' claim that she was dropped due to pregnancy, contrast it with UCAN's statement that discussions had already been underway, and highlight how quickly social media can form one-sided narratives without full context. This leads into a broader discussion around online reactions, accountability, and the dangers of pile-on culture.
They also revisit commentary around running creators, with Mick acknowledging that Hugo Fry reached out privately to explain his financial situation and background. That added context shifts Mick's perspective, with Hugo planning to share more publicly in a future video.
On the racing side, Mick recaps a tough half marathon run in heavy wind and rain, finishing around 68:40 for second place while importantly coming through healthy with no hamstring issues. Luke and Matt also highlight Ben Felton's strong 1:04:50 PB in Berlin and discuss an unusual race moment where a pacemaker nearly crossed the line first, sparking conversation about race dynamics.
Matt shares updates from China, including exploring local running culture, testing Chinese super shoes, and the possibility of visiting factories to better understand production, distribution, and pricing. This opens into a broader reflection on journaling, maintaining real-world friendships, and staying grounded beyond social media.
The episode also touches on Cole Gibbons withdrawing from the London Marathon with a stress injury, and a wider discussion around criticism directed at influencers. They reference Mary McCarthy's comments on gendered criticism in running and examine how online negativity often escalates beyond reasonable discussion.
They close by encouraging listeners to join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed for deeper training conversations, additional episodes, and access to the Discord community.
Timestamps:
00:00 - The Sub 2:20 Doping Confession
02:18 - April Fools Reveal
03:16 - What Matt Is Doing in China and Mick's Stress Test
05:17 - Emma Bates UCAN Controversy
11:14 - Hugo Fry's Inbound Message
16:23 - Mick Half Marathon Recap
18:06 - Ben Felton Berlin Half PB
20:40 - Petros and Pacemaker Drama
21:59 - Training Update Check-In
22:43 - Gold Coast Marathon Plans
25:05 - China Trip Shoe Mission
28:44 - Testing Chinese Super Shoes
32:17 - Journaling and Real Friends
35:13 - Cole Gibbons Injury Talk
36:53 - Mary McCarthy Runner App Debate
39:39 - Online Hate and Influencer Pile-Ons
46:05 - Wrapping Up and Supporters Plug