WEBVTT - On a Mission with Tyler Swartz and Endorphins Running 0:00:00.210 --> 0:00:03.690 New York Road Runners is a nonprofit organization with a vision 0:00:03.690 --> 0:00:07.530 to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative 0:00:07.530 --> 0:00:10.980 power of running. The support of members and donors like 0:00:10.980 --> 0:00:14.309 you helps us achieve our mission to transform the health 0:00:14.309 --> 0:00:17.850 and well- being of our communities through inclusive and accessible 0:00:17.850 --> 0:00:22.470 running experiences empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more 0:00:22.470 --> 0:00:25.980 and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. 0:00:30.059 --> 0:00:34.469 Thank you, New York. Today, we're reminded of the power 0:00:34.469 --> 0:00:39.330 of community and the power of coming together. Athletes, on 0:00:39.330 --> 0:00:39.900 your mark. 0:00:42.030 --> 0:00:45.600 The first woman to finish for the second straight year 0:00:45.840 --> 0:00:49.200 here in the New York City Marathon is Miki Gorman, a smiling 0:00:49.200 --> 0:00:50.400 Miki Gorman, and why not? 0:00:50.700 --> 0:00:52.379 2: 29:30, the time for Grete Waitz. 0:00:52.380 --> 0:00:56.610 Look at the emotion of Shalane Flanagan as she comes 0:00:56.610 --> 0:00:57.360 to the line. 0:00:57.540 --> 0:01:01.560 Pointing to his chest, pointing to the USA he so proudly 0:01:01.560 --> 0:01:10.199 wears across his chest. A great day for Meb Keflezighi. 0:01:10.200 --> 0:01:13.440 Hey, everybody, and welcome to another episode of Set the 0:01:13.470 --> 0:01:17.490 Pace, presented by Peloton. We are the official podcast of 0:01:17.490 --> 0:01:20.340 New York Road Runners. I'm New York Road Runner's CEO, 0:01:20.340 --> 0:01:23.819 Rob Simmelkjaer, and with me all the way from her 0:01:24.090 --> 0:01:29.759 home country of The United Kingdom, my cohost Becs Gentry. Becs, 0:01:29.789 --> 0:01:32.280 good to see you from across the pond today. How 0:01:32.280 --> 0:01:32.970 you doing over there? 0:01:32.970 --> 0:01:37.380 Good afternoon. I'm doing very well in this sweltering English 0:01:37.380 --> 0:01:42.059 heat with no air conditioning. But yeah, it's great over 0:01:42.059 --> 0:01:45.690 here. I'm getting my miles in. Well, when nap time 0:01:45.690 --> 0:01:47.609 happens. But no, all good. 0:01:47.609 --> 0:01:50.610 Sweltering English heat, what's that? Like 79 degrees? 0:01:51.480 --> 0:01:55.230 You jest. It's actually in the 80s. I'm shocked. But it 0:01:55.230 --> 0:02:00.000 feels more like 100 without. I feel precious now, looking 0:02:00.000 --> 0:02:05.760 for the A. C. I was here for 18 years, I grew up when it used 0:02:05.760 --> 0:02:08.190 to be hot here properly with no air conditioning and 0:02:08.190 --> 0:02:09.660 now I'm like, " Oh, where's my air conditioning?" 0:02:12.660 --> 0:02:15.540 We have fully spoiled you here in The United States 0:02:15.540 --> 0:02:19.349 with our air conditioning ways. I get it. You're back 0:02:19.349 --> 0:02:21.299 in the old country now, where they open a window 0:02:21.299 --> 0:02:22.109 and turn on a fan. 0:02:22.109 --> 0:02:22.199 Yes. 0:02:22.199 --> 0:02:26.669 So hopefully you'll survive. It has certainly been hot enough 0:02:26.669 --> 0:02:30.540 over here, Becs. We had a very hot week in 0:02:30.540 --> 0:02:34.740 New York last week and still managed to pull off 0:02:34.740 --> 0:02:37.410 a race on Sunday with our friends at Achilles. We'll 0:02:37.410 --> 0:02:40.049 talk about that in just a second, but we've got an absolutely 0:02:40.049 --> 0:02:43.918 packed show today, a lot of information about run clubs, 0:02:44.010 --> 0:02:47.460 about coaching and upcoming races. And by the way, we 0:02:47.460 --> 0:02:49.620 usually do this at the end of the show, but 0:02:49.620 --> 0:02:52.500 today we're starting at the beginning, to ask everybody out 0:02:52.500 --> 0:02:55.529 there, if you're listening, to leave us a review. If 0:02:55.530 --> 0:02:59.010 you're listening on the Apple iTunes podcast app, you can 0:02:59.010 --> 0:03:01.919 actually not just rate the show, give us a five- 0:03:01.919 --> 0:03:04.889 star rating, but you can also ask us a question 0:03:04.889 --> 0:03:07.679 or leave a comment. We'll actually give you a shout- 0:03:07.680 --> 0:03:10.078 out on the show or maybe even answer your question 0:03:10.080 --> 0:03:12.630 to me or to Becs. So go into those comment 0:03:12.630 --> 0:03:15.450 sections, leave us a review, send us a message or 0:03:15.450 --> 0:03:17.369 a question or a comment. We'd love to hear from 0:03:17.369 --> 0:03:20.370 you, and we will shout it out right here on 0:03:20.370 --> 0:03:23.160 the show, whatever platform you're listening on. It also helps 0:03:23.160 --> 0:03:26.280 other people to find the show, as well. But, Becs, 0:03:26.280 --> 0:03:29.459 speaking of the hot weather, so we had a hot, 0:03:29.460 --> 0:03:32.459 hot weekend and managed to do a lot this past 0:03:32.460 --> 0:03:35.009 weekend in New York. We had a brand new event, 0:03:35.010 --> 0:03:38.490 first of all, on Saturday, something called The Dog Days 0:03:38.490 --> 0:03:41.100 of Summer, and this was so much fun. This was 0:03:41.100 --> 0:03:42.420 one of our open runs, Becs, which- 0:03:42.420 --> 0:03:43.410 I am so mad. 0:03:45.840 --> 0:03:49.110 You missed the Dog Days event, exactly. I don't even 0:03:49.110 --> 0:03:51.480 know. You wanted to bring your pup to this or 0:03:51.480 --> 0:03:51.600 do you- 0:03:51.600 --> 0:03:51.961 I wanted to bring- 0:03:51.961 --> 0:03:53.070 ... have a dog? I don't even know this. 0:03:53.670 --> 0:03:54.150 I have two, I have two. 0:03:54.510 --> 0:03:56.161 What breed are they? What are they? Who are they? 0:03:56.161 --> 0:03:59.010 Who are they, who are they? They are two little... 0:04:00.870 --> 0:04:05.969 they are big dogs. We have Dot, who is a six- and- a- half- year- 0:04:05.969 --> 0:04:11.339 old Weimaraner, who loves to run. And we have Maurice, 0:04:11.369 --> 0:04:15.420 who is a four- year- old English Cream Golden Retriever, who 0:04:15.630 --> 0:04:17.370 detests running. 0:04:18.150 --> 0:04:21.659 It's so funny, Becs, I've got a very similar situation 0:04:21.660 --> 0:04:27.509 with my two Whoodles. I've got two Whoodles. A Whoodle is a Wheaten Terrier combined 0:04:27.509 --> 0:04:30.659 with a Poodle, so one of the many doodle breeds our there. But 0:04:30.990 --> 0:04:33.539 I've got Frankie, who's the black one of the two, 0:04:33.540 --> 0:04:36.270 and he loves to run and loves to run long 0:04:36.270 --> 0:04:39.540 distances. And then, I've got Mookie, who he'll sprint with 0:04:39.540 --> 0:04:41.910 you for like 100 meters, but then he's done. He 0:04:41.910 --> 0:04:45.210 doesn't want to go any distance at all. But both 0:04:45.210 --> 0:04:47.878 Mookie and Frankie came with me to the Dog Days 0:04:47.879 --> 0:04:50.580 of Summer, which was an open run. So it was one of 0:04:50.580 --> 0:04:54.270 our free park runs that we do every single week 0:04:54.270 --> 0:04:57.388 all over the city in 16 parks all over New York 0:04:57.389 --> 0:05:00.000 City. Anybody who's interested in going out and getting a 0:05:00.000 --> 0:05:02.460 free run with a great group of people can check 0:05:02.460 --> 0:05:04.949 out open run and join any one of them. But 0:05:04.949 --> 0:05:06.839 this was the first time we had one that was 0:05:06.839 --> 0:05:11.190 specifically dog themed, and it was in Inwood Park in 0:05:11.190 --> 0:05:14.130 Upper Manhattan, and so I drove down from Connecticut with 0:05:14.130 --> 0:05:17.938 Mookie and Frankie in the car, and it was so 0:05:17.940 --> 0:05:21.840 hot, but they were still so into it. They met 0:05:21.990 --> 0:05:25.409 some other dog friends and there were treats for them 0:05:25.410 --> 0:05:28.380 and there was water and we did one loop of 0:05:28.380 --> 0:05:30.719 the park out of the three that we were supposed 0:05:30.720 --> 0:05:33.059 to do, because Mookie was like, "No, no, no. I'm done. 0:05:33.059 --> 0:05:35.580 This is way too hot for me." But it was 0:05:35.580 --> 0:05:38.309 so much fun. We're going to have three more of 0:05:38.309 --> 0:05:42.659 those events coming up in Queens and Staten Island throughout 0:05:42.660 --> 0:05:45.959 the summer, so check those out at nyrr. org. And 0:05:45.959 --> 0:05:48.479 Becs, you still have three more chances to get Dot 0:05:48.480 --> 0:05:49.830 out there for a run. 0:05:50.520 --> 0:05:52.678 I can't wait. I will get Maurice to bring his pom- 0:05:52.678 --> 0:05:57.630 poms to cheer in the shade, but I can't wait 0:05:57.630 --> 0:06:00.810 to come along to the next one of those, for 0:06:00.810 --> 0:06:03.750 sure. But as I'm over here in The UK, I 0:06:03.750 --> 0:06:08.010 was checking New York Road Runner's social and I saw 0:06:08.070 --> 0:06:13.349 that you were watching the weather ahead of the Achilles four- 0:06:13.349 --> 0:06:18.900 miler and that was so wonderful to see, when you 0:06:18.900 --> 0:06:21.988 put out the announcement that you had confirmed that it 0:06:21.990 --> 0:06:26.428 was safe temperatures for the Achilles four- mile race to 0:06:26.428 --> 0:06:32.460 go ahead. There were some really fast times, Rob, for the 0:06:32.460 --> 0:06:34.380 weather. The top finishers were phenomenal. 0:06:34.380 --> 0:06:34.500 Yeah, it was- 0:06:35.039 --> 0:06:36.570 I mean, everyone was phenomenal, but wow. 0:06:39.120 --> 0:06:42.750 Yeah. It cooled off just enough. There's a reason we 0:06:42.750 --> 0:06:45.570 have these races in the summer at 8: 00 in the morning or 7: 0:06:45.570 --> 0:06:48.388 45, because it makes a big difference, and we just 0:06:48.389 --> 0:06:51.089 got enough cool air. It was still humid, but a 0:06:51.089 --> 0:06:54.839 bit of cloud cover, obviously, early morning temperatures made it 0:06:54.870 --> 0:06:57.150 pretty bearable, I think, for most of the runners who 0:06:57.150 --> 0:07:00.089 had a great, great day. We had over 5, 000 0:07:00.089 --> 0:07:04.678 finishers at the Achilles four- mile race, the Hope & Possibility 0:07:04.678 --> 0:07:08.039 race with our amazing partners at Achilles in Central Park. 0:07:08.040 --> 0:07:12.299 And yeah, the winners were really impressive. Jennifer Walrad was 0:07:12.299 --> 0:07:19.410 the female winner at 24:02. It was Guillaume Flamarion at 21: 48 for the men, 0:07:19.680 --> 0:07:21.870 coming up in the lead. And then, in non- binary, 0:07:22.020 --> 0:07:27.000 Pierce Lydon at 25: 17. But a great day, an inspiring 0:07:27.000 --> 0:07:30.179 day with our friends at Achilles. And also, one of 0:07:30.180 --> 0:07:32.340 the things that made that race special was that we 0:07:32.340 --> 0:07:36.750 paid tribute to Dick Traum, who was the incredible founder 0:07:36.810 --> 0:07:41.099 of Achilles, and also a very important figure in New 0:07:41.099 --> 0:07:44.460 York Road Runners, a former board member. Dick passed away 0:07:44.460 --> 0:07:48.360 earlier this year, and the bibs for the race pay 0:07:48.360 --> 0:07:51.869 tribute to Dick, showed a picture of him, and I 0:07:51.870 --> 0:07:55.020 think a lot of people were just really happy to 0:07:55.020 --> 0:07:59.159 honor Dick, speeches from the stage at the starting line, 0:07:59.400 --> 0:08:01.440 and a lot of commemorations of Dick and the great 0:08:01.440 --> 0:08:05.639 work he did. Because creating Achilles really changed the world, 0:08:05.639 --> 0:08:09.630 in so many ways, for athletes with disabilities. It really 0:08:09.630 --> 0:08:13.380 did create, as our race is called, Hope & Possibility for 0:08:13.380 --> 0:08:17.309 people out there to be athletes, to run races, to 0:08:17.309 --> 0:08:19.709 achieve the kinds of things that we all like to 0:08:19.710 --> 0:08:22.799 achieve as runners, even if they don't have the same 0:08:22.799 --> 0:08:25.589 physical abilities as many of us. So that was an honor for us 0:08:26.190 --> 0:08:27.330 to pay tribute to Dick. 0:08:27.930 --> 0:08:33.030 Wow. Absolutely beautiful. And then, we've got another race this 0:08:33.030 --> 0:08:36.300 coming weekend, to round out what has been, I think, 0:08:36.509 --> 0:08:39.750 a hugely busy June. We have the Front Runners New 0:08:39.750 --> 0:08:44.700 York LGBT Pride Run, four miles. And I know I 0:08:44.700 --> 0:08:47.190 have a lot of friends who have been training for 0:08:47.190 --> 0:08:50.819 this, a lot of first time racers, in fact, who 0:08:50.820 --> 0:08:53.969 have signed up for this race, it's very special to 0:08:53.969 --> 0:08:58.830 them. So big, big cheering from this side of the 0:08:58.830 --> 0:09:01.830 pond for this final race of June. 0:09:02.040 --> 0:09:05.100 Yes. I can't wait, Becs, to get out there for the 0:09:05.100 --> 0:09:08.700 Pride race, four miles, again, in Central Park on Saturday 0:09:08.700 --> 0:09:13.259 with our incredible partners at Front Runners and this is 0:09:13.259 --> 0:09:16.559 really a great way to kick off the big Pride 0:09:16.559 --> 0:09:18.780 Weekend in New York City at the end of June 0:09:18.780 --> 0:09:22.559 every year, always a great turnout, always a tremendous amount 0:09:22.559 --> 0:09:26.130 of pride, literally, out there for this race. So can't 0:09:26.130 --> 0:09:31.110 wait to be out there and Front Runners is an 0:09:31.110 --> 0:09:34.889 incredible organization, an incredible club that has done so much 0:09:34.889 --> 0:09:39.900 for LGBTQ+ people in New York, but really around the 0:09:39.900 --> 0:09:42.690 country and the world, in giving them a chance to 0:09:43.080 --> 0:09:46.889 run and to be out there with folks from a 0:09:46.889 --> 0:09:51.300 wide range, of course, of backgrounds, but all celebrating LGBTQ+ 0:09:51.719 --> 0:09:55.020 pride. So we're just excited for that event. And speaking 0:09:55.049 --> 0:09:58.260 of clubs, and impactful clubs, Becs, our guest on the 0:09:58.260 --> 0:10:01.440 show a little bit later is someone who has created 0:10:01.440 --> 0:10:04.320 a club that is changing the world as we speak. 0:10:04.469 --> 0:10:07.949 Tyler Swartz of the Endorphins Running Club is going to be with 0:10:07.950 --> 0:10:11.429 us to talk about Endorphins and the incredible growth that 0:10:11.429 --> 0:10:13.828 that club had had. It just started less than two 0:10:13.830 --> 0:10:18.330 years ago, already has 18, 000 members around the world, so 0:10:18.330 --> 0:10:21.689 Tyler will be here to talk about Endorphins and just 0:10:21.690 --> 0:10:24.840 the story of how this thing has absolutely taken off, 0:10:24.840 --> 0:10:27.449 Becs. Looking forward to that in just a little bit. 0:10:27.839 --> 0:10:29.998 Becs, one other thing I want to touch on before 0:10:30.000 --> 0:10:33.328 we get to Tyler, we had a big announcement this 0:10:33.330 --> 0:10:36.840 week at New York Road Runners, something that is really 0:10:36.840 --> 0:10:40.229 important to me and to so many senior folks on 0:10:40.230 --> 0:10:42.900 our board and our senior team at New York Road 0:10:42.900 --> 0:10:47.340 Runners, which is sustainability. And so, this week, we announced 0:10:47.520 --> 0:10:50.910 something that people love anyway, a new way into the 0:10:50.910 --> 0:10:55.140 TCS New York City Marathon, a new program called NYRR 0:10:55.140 --> 0:10:58.530 Team for Climate. And Becs, this is a way to get 0:10:58.530 --> 0:11:00.509 into the marathon. It's really hard to get in. We 0:11:00.509 --> 0:11:03.419 just opened up a couple hundred new spots this week 0:11:03.420 --> 0:11:06.209 to get in, and it's a way for about 200 0:11:06.270 --> 0:11:10.380 runners to raise funds that will help us offset the 0:11:10.380 --> 0:11:13.920 carbon emissions from the TCS New York City Marathon. We 0:11:13.920 --> 0:11:17.549 know that people are traveling from around the country and 0:11:17.550 --> 0:11:20.309 the world to get to these races. We know that 0:11:20.309 --> 0:11:24.059 there is a carbon impact of this event. And Becs, 0:11:24.090 --> 0:11:27.390 we have a mission to create healthier lives and stronger 0:11:27.390 --> 0:11:31.020 communities through the transformative power of running, but we need 0:11:31.020 --> 0:11:33.659 a healthy planet to run on, if we're going to 0:11:33.660 --> 0:11:36.960 do that. And so, these lucky 200 or so runners 0:11:36.960 --> 0:11:39.809 are going to help us by helping us offset that. 0:11:40.500 --> 0:11:42.420 The funds that are raised are going to go to 0:11:43.770 --> 0:11:47.970 projects in New York state. They are essentially forestry projects 0:11:48.210 --> 0:11:51.389 that are going to ensure this incredible space in upstate 0:11:51.389 --> 0:11:54.300 New York is going to be maintained as forest land 0:11:54.300 --> 0:11:57.210 for years to come, and of course, more trees means 0:11:57.210 --> 0:12:01.199 more carbon taken out of the atmosphere and a better 0:12:01.200 --> 0:12:03.630 climate for all of us, so really excited to announce this. 0:12:04.080 --> 0:12:08.730 That was a wonderful announcement and I'm excited for everything 0:12:08.730 --> 0:12:12.780 in that, the 200 people who might get in, well will 0:12:12.780 --> 0:12:16.590 get in, but there's 200 more possibilities floating around out there 0:12:16.590 --> 0:12:20.819 of runners who are now doing something extra special for 0:12:20.820 --> 0:12:24.088 the planet. So yeah, congratulations on that. That's a really 0:12:24.090 --> 0:12:27.480 awesome thing to be doing. My goodness, are we waiting 0:12:27.480 --> 0:12:29.190 for our feet up in July? 0:12:31.259 --> 0:12:34.259 Oh, yeah. We're going to be excited. June has been 0:12:34.260 --> 0:12:38.250 an incredibly busy month, and Becs, yesterday was the last day 0:12:38.250 --> 0:12:41.130 of school for New York City Public School students. Happy 0:12:41.130 --> 0:12:42.090 summer, kids. 0:12:42.240 --> 0:12:42.450 Yay. 0:12:44.970 --> 0:12:46.199 I know, one of the best days of the year, 0:12:46.200 --> 0:12:48.630 right? So in honor of the school year coming to 0:12:48.630 --> 0:12:51.570 an end, today's member moment guest is a New York 0:12:51.570 --> 0:12:54.780 City Public School teacher and a program lead for the 0:12:54.780 --> 0:12:59.730 Rising NYRR program, our free running- based youth program, Christine 0:12:59.850 --> 0:13:03.750 Fajen will be here, and the great Meb Keflezighi will be 0:13:03.750 --> 0:13:08.639 here to interview Christine about working on Rising NYRR. And 0:13:08.639 --> 0:13:12.088 then, appropriately for today's Meb Minute, Meb will be giving 0:13:12.090 --> 0:13:15.660 us some of his best tips for youth coaches. So 0:13:15.660 --> 0:13:17.220 stay tuned for that, as well. 0:13:17.730 --> 0:13:21.030 Did you know that incorporating strength and cross- training is 0:13:21.030 --> 0:13:23.910 one of the most important parts of a runner's routine? 0:13:24.480 --> 0:13:27.870 Well, the Peloton app's got you. With a collection of 0:13:27.870 --> 0:13:30.480 workouts you can easily add to your race training regimen, 0:13:30.660 --> 0:13:34.590 reaching each goal just got easier. Track all your movement 0:13:34.679 --> 0:13:37.920 from strength to yoga to running, all in one place, 0:13:38.490 --> 0:13:41.309 the Peloton app. Try it now for 30 days free, 0:13:41.340 --> 0:13:44.520 no equipment needed. Find it in the App and Google 0:13:44.520 --> 0:13:49.440 Play stores. New paid memberships only, terms apply. Peloton, the 0:13:49.440 --> 0:13:52.380 official digital fitness partner for New York Road Runners. 0:13:52.410 --> 0:13:56.639 Becs, I am so excited to have our guest join 0:13:56.639 --> 0:14:00.929 us today. The Endorphins Run Club has been an absolute 0:14:01.020 --> 0:14:05.998 sensation. Founded less than two years ago in November 2022, 0:14:06.330 --> 0:14:11.490 it already has more than 15,000 members worldwide, including many 0:14:11.490 --> 0:14:14.728 here in New York, and it continues to grow. And 0:14:14.940 --> 0:14:17.699 Tyler Swartz joins us today. He is the founder of 0:14:17.700 --> 0:14:21.210 the Endorphins Run Club, and it really was born from 0:14:21.210 --> 0:14:27.120 his own personal passions, running and building communities inspired by 0:14:27.120 --> 0:14:29.700 the joy and energy he personally gets from running. And 0:14:29.940 --> 0:14:32.460 Tyler started this thing, and look at it now, it 0:14:32.460 --> 0:14:36.149 has just absolutely taken off. Tyler Swartz, so great to 0:14:36.150 --> 0:14:37.980 have you here on Set the Pace. Thanks for joining 0:14:37.980 --> 0:14:38.280 us. 0:14:39.030 --> 0:14:42.270 I'm stoked to be here. When we grabbed coffee a couple weeks ago, 0:14:42.869 --> 0:14:44.340 I was just soaking it all in and trying to 0:14:44.340 --> 0:14:46.170 learn so much about New York Road Runners. I'm excited 0:14:46.170 --> 0:14:47.310 to now share my story with you. 0:14:47.940 --> 0:14:52.559 Yeah, and we're excited to share your story about Endorphins Run 0:14:52.559 --> 0:14:55.620 Club. So let's just start at the start of this. 0:14:55.799 --> 0:15:00.990 How did this begin? Where did you have this idea 0:15:00.990 --> 0:15:04.200 to start Endorphins? And there's so many running clubs out 0:15:04.200 --> 0:15:06.450 there. We talk a lot about the explosion of run 0:15:06.450 --> 0:15:08.610 clubs in the last few years, but how did you 0:15:08.610 --> 0:15:10.859 have this idea, and how did you want to make 0:15:10.860 --> 0:15:14.160 Endorphins different from what's already out there when it comes 0:15:14.160 --> 0:15:14.940 to running clubs? 0:15:15.600 --> 0:15:19.500 Sure. That's a great question. The origin is no different 0:15:19.500 --> 0:15:22.350 than many other runners. I was training for a race, 0:15:22.350 --> 0:15:25.650 it happened to be a 50- mile ultramarathon, that may be different 0:15:25.650 --> 0:15:29.250 from other races. But I wanted to train with other 0:15:29.250 --> 0:15:32.280 people, and in this post- COVID world, I was lacking 0:15:32.280 --> 0:15:35.099 social connection and a way to train with others. Many 0:15:35.100 --> 0:15:39.270 of my friends were not runners, many of them just 0:15:39.270 --> 0:15:41.400 weren't interested in training with me, so I started posting 0:15:41.400 --> 0:15:42.840 on the internet saying, " Does anyone want to run with 0:15:42.840 --> 0:15:45.479 me?," and the power of social media brought all of 0:15:45.480 --> 0:15:48.059 us together, and it started with one person showing up 0:15:48.059 --> 0:15:50.490 to run with me. And now, we're in 11 cities 0:15:50.490 --> 0:15:53.400 and we have just about 18,000 members, as of yesterday, 0:15:53.670 --> 0:15:57.241 and it's growing pretty fast, which is cool to see. 0:15:57.241 --> 0:16:02.849 Oh my gosh. Massive congratulations. That is awesome to hear that 18, 0:16:03.150 --> 0:16:06.960 000 people around the country are all coming together in the 0:16:06.960 --> 0:16:11.520 exact same way that you initially wanted that connection. So 0:16:14.220 --> 0:16:16.620 when you got that connection with people, you got yourself 0:16:16.620 --> 0:16:19.830 out running, and then what was that transition in your 0:16:19.830 --> 0:16:23.969 mind like, from doing it for yourself, for that amazing 50- 0:16:23.969 --> 0:16:29.580 miler, by the way, to starting a run club, official? 0:16:29.790 --> 0:16:31.860 Yeah, so I actually did not want to do it. We 0:16:31.860 --> 0:16:34.380 hosted several runs, and it was more so a way 0:16:34.380 --> 0:16:38.280 for me to interact with individuals in the running community and 0:16:38.280 --> 0:16:40.680 meet other people. And then, we actually took a pause 0:16:40.860 --> 0:16:43.199 and we decided that we weren't going to do it. 0:16:43.200 --> 0:16:45.420 And then, people started saying, " We want more of these 0:16:45.420 --> 0:16:49.260 runs," and that's when I realized people in a post- 0:16:49.260 --> 0:16:52.500 COVID world were really lacking social connection. People are working 0:16:52.500 --> 0:16:55.710 from home, people are depressed, people are anxious, people lack 0:16:55.710 --> 0:16:59.759 friends, people are lonely, and we created Endorphins as a way for 0:16:59.759 --> 0:17:02.040 people to meet other people that show the same interests, 0:17:02.280 --> 0:17:04.559 that are like- minded individuals, so that way they can 0:17:04.559 --> 0:17:07.050 make friends. We don't necessarily say it's about making friends, 0:17:07.050 --> 0:17:09.600 but that's kind of deeply rooted in what we do. 0:17:10.950 --> 0:17:14.698 You're saying the things that I always talk about when 0:17:14.700 --> 0:17:18.660 people ask me why we're seeing this boom in running 0:17:18.690 --> 0:17:22.829 the last few years. You're really like a living example, 0:17:22.830 --> 0:17:26.129 and Endorphins is a living example of what is happening, 0:17:26.130 --> 0:17:29.940 right? The isolation we all had during COVID, the fact 0:17:29.940 --> 0:17:32.070 that there wasn't anything else we could do. We started 0:17:32.070 --> 0:17:35.489 running. Running alone was one thing, but then when people realized, " 0:17:35.490 --> 0:17:38.460 Wait a second. This can be a community for me, 0:17:38.700 --> 0:17:42.210 after all the isolation I've experienced during COVID," and maybe 0:17:42.240 --> 0:17:44.609 before, for a lot of us. I mean, isolation and 0:17:44.609 --> 0:17:47.940 loneliness is not a new thing. So what does someone 0:17:47.940 --> 0:17:51.750 experience, Tyler, when they join Endorphins? What happens? 0:17:52.679 --> 0:17:55.950 Sure. There's a million run clubs, as you've alluded to. 0:17:55.950 --> 0:17:58.830 I think the thing that sets us apart we are 0:17:58.830 --> 0:18:03.240 very mission oriented. At all of our experiences, we set 0:18:03.240 --> 0:18:05.970 the intention of our gathering by saying our mission and 0:18:05.970 --> 0:18:09.119 explaining why we're there that day. I don't know many 0:18:09.119 --> 0:18:11.909 other running organizations that even have a mission, I know 0:18:11.910 --> 0:18:14.250 New York Road Runners has a mission, which we'll speak 0:18:14.250 --> 0:18:15.839 about, but I don't know many other run clubs that 0:18:15.839 --> 0:18:19.469 are mission driver or impact driven, and we're very intentional 0:18:19.469 --> 0:18:22.350 about that. The mission is to spread positivity and happiness through 0:18:22.350 --> 0:18:24.750 movement and exercise. At all of our events across the 0:18:24.750 --> 0:18:27.749 country, we host about 30 events a week, we're on 0:18:27.750 --> 0:18:31.830 pace to host about 1, 500 events this year, and every 0:18:31.830 --> 0:18:34.379 single one of those events across the country, you will hear 0:18:34.379 --> 0:18:36.869 that mission and it keeps us all connected. We all 0:18:36.869 --> 0:18:39.090 know why we're there and it sets the intention for 0:18:39.090 --> 0:18:41.670 the experience to be social first. I also always love 0:18:41.670 --> 0:18:43.830 to say, " If you've been here before and you see 0:18:43.830 --> 0:18:46.170 someone that you do not recognize, it's important to say 0:18:46.170 --> 0:18:48.570 hello and welcome them into the group." And we say 0:18:48.570 --> 0:18:50.638 that at the beginning of all of our runs, and then 0:18:50.638 --> 0:18:53.009 when the people are there, they understand why they're there. 0:18:53.190 --> 0:18:56.280 But also, we're empowering our existing members, the people who 0:18:56.280 --> 0:18:59.700 have built our culture, to then spread positivity and happiness 0:18:59.700 --> 0:19:01.800 by interacting with the new people and making them feel 0:19:01.800 --> 0:19:04.050 included, and that's kind of been the snowball effect, and 0:19:04.050 --> 0:19:05.759 I think that's why it's worked so well for us, 0:19:05.759 --> 0:19:07.918 to date. And that speaks to our experiences and our 0:19:07.920 --> 0:19:11.729 leaders and people feel endorphins at our events. 0:19:12.480 --> 0:19:16.320 That's so lovely, and I think it's a really special 0:19:17.190 --> 0:19:20.460 way that you are welcoming people into the run club. 0:19:20.460 --> 0:19:26.219 Because, historically, running and run clubs are daunting. They are 0:19:26.219 --> 0:19:32.310 quite intimidating places to go to, because for a lot 0:19:32.310 --> 0:19:34.859 of people, myself included, when I first went to a run 0:19:34.859 --> 0:19:41.489 club, it was an immediate opportunity to compare myself. And 0:19:41.490 --> 0:19:44.520 I think what we're learning today with mental health is 0:19:44.520 --> 0:19:47.759 comparison is an evil these days. We just can't do 0:19:47.760 --> 0:19:51.119 that. And so, the fact that you are moving with 0:19:51.119 --> 0:19:56.580 that social thing first, with the movement, it's just movement, 0:19:56.638 --> 0:20:01.138 it doesn't matter what pace you're going at. So can 0:20:01.138 --> 0:20:03.089 you just tell our listeners a little bit more about 0:20:03.089 --> 0:20:06.990 how you make sure that with these almost 18,000 runners 0:20:06.990 --> 0:20:10.770 across multiple cities in the U. S., how do you 0:20:10.770 --> 0:20:15.779 ensure that all of your coaches are inclusive of everybody 0:20:15.780 --> 0:20:18.600 when you are actually out on the run moving? 0:20:19.500 --> 0:20:22.289 Sure, so we have different tiers of involvement within our 0:20:22.289 --> 0:20:24.930 group, but I think it's important that all of those 0:20:24.930 --> 0:20:28.830 tiers, and I'll speak to them, understand their role and 0:20:28.830 --> 0:20:31.230 their identity within the group, and they're also empowered to 0:20:31.290 --> 0:20:34.320 be a leader. So that way anyone, whether you're a 0:20:34.320 --> 0:20:36.540 coach, we have coaches, we also have what we call 0:20:36.540 --> 0:20:39.658 city leads who manage the cities and make sure all 0:20:39.660 --> 0:20:41.459 the events and logistics are happening. And then, we have 0:20:41.459 --> 0:20:45.150 pace leads, people that set the pace for our events, 0:20:45.330 --> 0:20:47.820 and then we also have members. And from the top 0:20:48.150 --> 0:20:51.480 down, or from the bottom up, everyone understands their role 0:20:51.480 --> 0:20:54.570 and identity and that's something that I'm working on quite 0:20:54.599 --> 0:20:57.000 meticulously right now, as we scale, is to make sure 0:20:57.000 --> 0:20:59.729 that everyone knows their purpose and why they're there and 0:20:59.730 --> 0:21:02.430 how they can make sure that they're effecting positive change 0:21:02.430 --> 0:21:05.580 for our members. And it's really complicated. Now, we have 0:21:05.580 --> 0:21:08.940 50 cities leads, we have three coaches, and we have 0:21:08.940 --> 0:21:12.300 18,000 members, and we have probably hundreds of pace leads. 0:21:12.509 --> 0:21:15.030 Making sure that everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in 0:21:15.030 --> 0:21:17.668 a volunteering based organization, no one's paid to do this. 0:21:17.940 --> 0:21:23.609 So it's an organizational matrix and hierarchy, and it's really 0:21:23.609 --> 0:21:26.580 complicated behind the scenes of how we're organizing things, and 0:21:28.020 --> 0:21:29.520 I'm losing sleep over it every day, in a good 0:21:29.520 --> 0:21:31.019 way, and it's not easy. 0:21:31.138 --> 0:21:32.221 It's like a startup, Tyler. 0:21:32.221 --> 0:21:32.790 It is. 0:21:32.790 --> 0:21:34.380 It really is. It's a startup. 0:21:34.380 --> 0:21:35.190 I was just going to say that. 0:21:37.680 --> 0:21:39.900 People who have done that, who've worked at a startup 0:21:39.900 --> 0:21:43.740 or are starting to actually start one themselves, know how all- 0:21:43.740 --> 0:21:47.579 encompassing it is, so I can understand the losing sleep 0:21:47.580 --> 0:21:51.570 part. Was there a moment in the early days when 0:21:51.570 --> 0:21:54.960 you realized you were onto something here? When did you realize, " 0:21:55.050 --> 0:21:57.930 Oh my gosh, there's really a lot of demand for 0:21:57.930 --> 0:22:01.168