#209 The Jeans World Record of Matt Fox: 2:33 in Jeans & the Road Back from Japan
The Marathon PodcastShow Notes
Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN Get €25 off AG1: https://fbuy.io/greens/h287rp3w Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb
Kristian welcomes back Matt Fox, the 2:18 marathoner who just ran 2:33 in Sydney while wearing jeans to take the unofficial world record from Truett Hanes, for one of the most requested returns to the podcast.
Content note: this episode includes an open discussion of intentional weight loss for athletic performance, which some listeners may find triggering or difficult. Please take care while listening, and know it's okay to skip ahead if this isn't the right episode for you today.
Matt catches Kristian up on everything since his detainment in Japan last year, the long road back from a stress fracture that followed it, and how he returned to running in what he considers close to his best shape yet. The conversation covers his approach to intentional, performance focused weight loss alongside serious strength training, and an honest discussion about staying lean without losing power, along with his own thoughts on why this topic tends to be controversial. The episode closes with his training heading into the Melbourne Marathon, where he's chasing a new personal best.
In this episode: - Running a 2:33 marathon in jeans to take the unofficial world record - Catching up since a legal detainment in Japan last year - A seven month recovery from a stress fracture - Getting back to close to his best shape in just a few months - His approach to performance focused weight loss and strength training - Navigating criticism and staying authentic on social media - A training update heading into the Melbourne Marathon - Hill sprint sessions and how he fits them into a normal training week - Balancing running content creation with being a public figure
Timestamps 00:00 A preview and an important note on this episode's topics 01:11 A disclaimer about discussing weight loss on this episode 02:41 Kristian's own training and moving house update 05:03 Catching up with Matt after Sydney 05:23 Why he decided to run a marathon in jeans 06:32 Thanking Matt for support after the Japan incident 11:36 The slow road back from Japan and a stress fracture 14:42 Explaining the Japan detainment for new listeners 15:14 How the detainment led to a stress fracture 17:33 Identity and self worth tied to being a fast marathoner 20:13 What he'll never forget about coming home from Japan 25:10 Getting back into shape faster than expected 30:54 Choosing Melbourne over Sydney for his next big goal 49:42 Muscle memory and bouncing back into strength 50:09 Opening up the conversation on weight loss 51:50 The risk of losing muscle when losing weight too fast 53:00 How he's maintained strength while losing weight 54:35 Calling it "performance weight loss" and why the distinction matters 2:18:02 A breakdown of his hill sprint sessions 2:25:32 Handling criticism and staying used to pushback 2:26:49 Closing thoughts and where to follow Matt
Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Sweat Elite: https://sweatelite.co
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The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.
The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.
The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com. Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb How does a winter Olympian become a 1:09 half marathoner in two years? Sofie Karoline Haugen skated for Norway at the 2022 Olympics, retired from speed skating in 2024, and has since run 10K in 31:57 and a 1:09 half marathon at the Copenhagen half, just a year after running 1:18 in the same city. Kristian and Sofie have known each other for around 17 years and both come from speed skating. In this conversation, Sofie looks back on her career: the years without progress, the decision to move to Stavanger and rebuild her training, the 2019 breakthrough that took her to ninth in the world, and the Olympic Games. She explains why she walked away when she was still skating well, and how a casual 3K on the track turned into a running career. Then the conversation turns to training. Sofie takes us through her week at 170 to 180 kilometers, including double threshold days, how she keeps her easy days easy, why consistency matters most, how she chooses shoes for different days as someone who works at the running store Löplabbet, and what she has learned about bicarbonate. She also reveals that her first marathon is coming up in November. In this episode: From speed skating to a 1:09 half marathon The years of hard work before the breakthrough Moving to Stavanger and rebuilding her training Qualifying for the Olympics Why she quit skating in 2024 Her first races as a runner Racing the Copenhagen half Shoes for different days, including the Alphafly 4 A full week at 170 to 180 kilometers Building strength without getting injured Her first marathon
Content note: This episode includes open discussion of drug addiction, homelessness, violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts (mainly between 05:00 and 12:00). Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use in the US, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357.
The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.