Mind Body Marathon: Running, Health & Human Performance

This podcast episode presents a comprehensive recounting of my experience at the Boston Marathon in 2026, where I achieved a notable finishing time of 3:07. I am joined by my friend George Aronhalt, who attended the event as a spectator, providing valuable insights into the atmosphere and energy surrounding this prestigious race. Throughout our discussion, we delve into the nuances of the marathon...

This is a continuation of the rehab discussion from the last episode. The discourse concerning musculoskeletal rehabilitation principles continues with our esteemed host, Dr. Leo Kormanik, alongside the insightful contributions of massage therapist Zach Goulet and rehab specialist Cody Shields. A salient point of this dialogue is the intricate relationship between neurological recruitment patterns...

Musculoskeletal injury rehab has had some monumental shifts the last decade and this is a discussion about these trend changes. The focal point of this podcast episode is an in-depth examination of general rehabilitation principles, articulated through the insights of our hosts, Dr. Leo Kormanik, Zach Goulet, and Cody Shields. Throughout our discussion, we elucidate the significant evolution that...

March 2026: This is an episode highlighting the current events in distance running and track and field. This podcast episode delves into a myriad of topics pertinent to the realm of athletics, particularly focusing on recent events in the running community. Notably, we discuss the USATF Indoor Nationals, where experiences varied among the participants, with Dr. Matt Pisanelli providing firsthand i...

Hannah Long is the assistance track/cross country coach at Virginia Tech. This is her second time on our show! Her first interview with the MBM show can be heard here: https://youtu.be/Hj8SJ-xQab8?si=V7cPtJ2vLiGMoMJA In this conversation, Dr. Leo Kormanik engages with Hannah Long, the assistant coach for the Virginia Tech track and cross-country teams, to explore her recent transition into this pr...

What happens when three friends talk through a long run? This super entertaining and funny episode touches upon that similar feeling we've all had on long runs when any topic is fair game and stories unfold. In today's episode, we engage in a candid and free-flowing dialogue that explores a myriad of topics, ranging from personal anecdotes to the intricacies of athletic training. Dr. Leo Kormanik...

Interested in a great discussion about the 2026 Super Bowl? This show will help you best navigate this great matchup with interesting insights! The discussion centers around the highly anticipated Super Bowl featuring the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots, alongside a retrospective on the tumultuous 2025-2026 NFL season. My esteemed colleague and lifelong football fan, Brian Passel, an...

Ever wonder why gluten-free is so popular and prominent now? Ever wonder if going gluten-free is right for you? Dr. Leo Kormanik articulates his perspective on the contentious issue of gluten in our diets, addressing whether individuals should contemplate its elimination. He elucidates the nature of gluten, primarily found in wheat, barley, and rye, and reflects upon his own journey with gluten-fr...

Ever wonder how to incorporate lifting into your training routine? The primary focus of this discussion revolves around the strategic integration of lifting into athletic training, particularly for runners and other sports participants. We, Dr. Leo Kormanik, alongside my esteemed co-hosts, Dr. Jared Bugaj and Dr. Sam Snyder, delve into the multifaceted benefits of strength training, elucidating ho...

Ever wonder what it's like to do a marathon in Disney World? Or run the Dopey Challenge of 48.6 miles in 4 days? Dr. Leo Kormanik and his wife, Samua Kormanik, recount their recent experience participating in the Dopey Challenge, a remarkable feat that encompasses a total of 48.6 miles over the course of four days. This event, organized by RunDisney, combines a 5K, a 10K, a half marathon, and a fu...

Looking for a new treatment to get over those stubborn aches and pains? Have you struggled to get results in traditional physical therapy and sports medicine? Shockwave therapy, or extracorporeal shockwave treatment, has emerged as a significant technique within the realms of rehabilitation and sports medicine. In our discussion, we elucidate the mechanics of shockwave therapy, emphasizing its dis...

Did you know that over 80% of New Year's Resoutions fail? Listen as we dive into some hacks that will help you success in your resolutions! The primary focus of this discussion is to elucidate effective strategies for enhancing the likelihood of successfully achieving New Year's resolutions. Dr. Leo Kormanik articulates the notion that rather than concentrating on the elimination of undesirable ha...

Struggling to stay motivated in winter? This episode breaks down how simple consistency and community keep runners strong year-round. The conversation today centers on the vital theme of winter workouts, emphasizing the necessity for consistency and creativity in maintaining an active lifestyle during the colder months. Dr. Jared Bugaj shares his insights on the importance of simply getting out th...

The ultimate running question in the dead of winter, treadmill or brave the cold outside? In this dialogue, Dr. Leo Kormanik engages with Dr. Matt Pisanelli to explore the nuanced distinctions between treadmill running and outdoor running during the winter months. The primary assertion conveyed is that while both modalities possess unique benefits and drawbacks, the choice between them is heavily...

Ever wonder how to best utilize AI or chatbots to help you recover quicker from an injury? Dr. Leo Kormanik articulates his perspectives on the optimal employment of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance rehabilitation processes. He elucidates that individuals frequently resort to AI tools, such as chatbots, for guidance concerning their physical ailments, including back and knee pain. Kormanik...

Ever wonder how to get your mind right before a sports performance? Ever wonder how to utilize breath work to optimize performance? Dr. Leo Kormanik elucidates the pivotal role of breathing techniques in enhancing sports performance, particularly in the context of racing. He emphasizes that the mental preparation before an event is as critical as physical training, advocating for the use of struct...

Ever wonder how to get more energy and have a longer health span? The secret is mitochondrial health. Mitochondrial health serves as a cornerstone for optimal physical performance and overall vitality, a notion that we explore in depth during this enlightening discussion. In the company of esteemed guests Dr. Jared Bugaj and Dr. Matt Pisanelli, we delve into the myriad factors that contribute to t...

Listen for a deep dive into one of the most important supplements...Vitamin D! For other vitamin episodes check out this episode on Iron: https://youtu.be/9MZtDCPgtuk For a unique episode of the doctors top 5 supplements check out: https://youtu.be/bzRFEjL68fU Vitamin D serves as a pivotal nutrient, profoundly influencing numerous physiological functions within the human body. In this episode, we...

Ever wonder why your body feels tight all the time and cannot ever seem to get loose? What are the best strategies to reduce this feeling and get moving in a better direction? This episode seeks to answer those questions with Dr. Leo Kormanik giving his insights into fascial health! For another great episode on hydration check out: https://youtu.be/S4vimOv-8tA And also this one with renowned nutri...

What a race! Dr. Leo Kormanik and his wife Samua talk about their experience in NYC for the marathon where he ran 2:58:44. The 2025 #tcsnycmarathon had the largest number of marathon finishers of any race to date setting a record at 59,226 finishers. For other episodes about races check out this one about the Cologne Germany Marathon: https://youtu.be/fkWCtxFsBGo And also Valencia Spain Marathon:...

Hansons Brooks Professional Runner Hunter Christopher joins the show to talk about his running insights and career. For another great episode with professional runners check out this episode with Katie Camarena and Anthony Camerieri: https://youtu.be/8-5YDPpwjlg And also this one with Colby Alexander: https://youtu.be/CLnHickocW0 The salient point of this podcast episode is the insightful journey...

For another race experience check out this episode on the Valencia, Spain Marathon: https://youtu.be/eIGN_EZ4YwU And also this one on Cheeky Monkey: https://youtu.be/yyfoweVZcws Ever wonder what it's like to run a marathon in another country? The Cologne Marathon, an event of considerable significance, serves as the focal point of our discussion in this podcast episode. Dr. Leo Kormanik shares his...

For another great episode on running training theory check out this episode: https://youtu.be/qZV8EltMKFQ And also this one: https://youtu.be/ZfLtPod9joA Dr. Leo Kormanik and Zach Goulet elucidate a compelling paradigm in the realm of distance running: the notion that one can effectively compete with minimal running volume, encapsulated in the concept, "Run Little, Run Better." This episode explor...

For another great episode with some other successful ultramarathoners check out this one with Arlen Glick: https://youtu.be/RKLuV08H3S4 And Connie Gardner: https://youtu.be/VCwSkMJgpZE Esteemed ultramarathoner Alec Cline joins us to elucidate the nuances of his remarkable career in the realm of ultramarathoning. From his unexpected entry into the sport, having not participated in high school runni...

For another great episode on how to enhance performance safely check out our episode on creatine: https://youtu.be/_zBBSiWzFzA If you are interested in how to enhance your running form check out this episode: https://youtu.be/e-RFB6GmJvI Want to know some of the secrets behind the worlds most successful team, USA Track and Field? Want to know some of the reasons why American track and field athlet...