THE HAX SHOW

Tune in to our podcast where we explore the art of running: how we train, compete, and think about the sport.

New conversations every other week. Stay up to date by subscribing on YouTube and/or following where you get your podcasts.

Subscribe on YouTube

Episode 13: Ben fleming

NCAA All-American and ACC Champion Ben Fleming traces his unconventional path from a college walk-on to an elite triathlete and now distance runner. Ben shares his experience navigating multiple high-level training systems and his transition from the world of elite triathlon back to his roots on the track.

  • Elite Training Systems: An inside look at the methodologies of Ben Thomas, Chris Miltenberg, and Joan Hunter, and how Ben adapted to each unique philosophy.

  • The Post-Collegiate Grind: What it actually takes to stay in the game when a traditional professional contract isn't the primary driver.

  • A Philosophy of Durability: How Ben’s background in triathlon and history of injury shaped a coaching approach centered on long-term athletic health.

Episode 12: Sam Parsons

Friend and teammate Sam Parsons joins Drew for a vulnerable look at a period of transition and exciting updates in his life. After nearly a decade of going "all-in" on his professional track career in Boulder, Sam reflects on closing that chapter, moving into a full-time career, and relocating to Los Angeles with his fiancée.

  • Training Shifts: Sam discusses the transition from having a structured training and team setup, to now writing his own training and pursuing new race goals

  • Modern Athlete Marketing: How Sam’s work with the tech startup Faves is helping athletes navigate the evolving landscape of brand value and personal sponsorship.

  • The Next Chapter: A candid discussion on the nerves and excitement of stepping into a new community and a completely different phase of life.

Episode 11: Annie Rodenfels

3x US Champion and Salomon athlete Annie Rodenfels joins the show to break down the controversial finish at the US Half Marathon Championships. Annie shares the inside story of the lead vehicle misdirection that cost the top runners their positions and the subsequent fallout regarding World Championship selection.

  • The Podium Mishap: A firsthand account of the course error that added an extra half-mile to the race.

  • The Pro Journey: Annie’s unconventional path from D3 athlete to signing her first pro contract with Salomon.

  • Team Meridia: Why she chose the new athlete-led professional group in Boulder and her goals for LA 2028.

Episode 10: Joey Berriatua

Long-time training partner Joey Berriatua sits down with Drew to discuss recent transformative changes in his life including his first professional contract and wife’s miracle pregnancy. Joey opens up about balancing the "runner lifestyle" with the new realities of starting a full-time career and the mental shifts he’s navigated over the past year.

  • Starting A Family: The "5% chance" miracle pregnancy and the shift in life priorities with becoming a dad.

  • The Professional Leap: The process of signing with ASICS and managing the pressure of performance-based bonuses.

  • Building A Career: How taking a full-time role in marketing has impacted his training approach.

Episode 9: Ryan Adams

In this episode, we officially welcome Mexican National Champion Ryan Adams as the newest addition to the Hammer & Axe coaching staff. Ryan shares a candid look at his journey from an elite collegiate career at Furman to the often-difficult transition of the professional ranks, detailing how he navigated different training systems and environments to find what truly works.

  • A Shift in Representation: Ryan discusses the personal decision to switch his athletic affiliation to represent Mexico and his commitment to pursuing one last shot at his dreams on the track.

  • Bridging the Gap: A look at Ryan’s coaching philosophy and his passion for providing high-quality training resources to Spanish-speaking athletes.

  • The Professional Reality: An honest conversation on the resilience required to persevere through the challenges of sport, life, and the move to Boulder.

Episode 8: drew hunter & Lawrence van lingen

We’re back for the new year with another great conversation featuring Lawrence Van Lingen, who shares more on his Revamp Your Running course. Drew and Lawrence also dive into the evolving role of AI in training and coaching, the realities of influencing and modern marketing, the importance of mentorship, and what it actually takes to build trust and community in endurance sports.

  • Course Launch: The challenges of building an educational product in a saturated fitness market.

  • Tech in Sport: A candid discussion on how AI and modern marketing are evolving the role of the coach.

  • Building Community: What is takes to build trust and long-term community in the coaching business

Episode 7: Emily durgin

In this episode, we sit down with US Champion and Adidas professional distance runner Emily Durgin to discuss her move to Boulder and the evolution of her career. Emily offers a grounded, honest look at the realities of professional running—from navigating the transition between major pro groups to the patience required when returning from a hamstring injury and training at altitude.

  • The Boulder Shift: Reshaping a training environment for longevity and building a world-class support team.

  • From Track to Marathon: Insights into her transition to the roads, winning her first national title, and the future of women’s marathoning.

  • The Pro Journey: Navigating burnout and the unique experiences of training with top-tier groups for New Balance, Under Armour, and Adidas.

Episode 6: Joe hale

In this episode, we look at the sport through a different ‘lens’ with freelance photographer and Footstep Creative co-founder Joe Hale. Having shot for global brands like Nike, Adidas, and On, Joe discusses his journey from high school races to the inner circles of elite training groups like Tinman Elite. At just 25, he offers a veteran's perspective on the intersection of authenticity, storytelling, and the professional running industry.

  • The Creative Path: From early internships in Boulder to building a powerhouse creative agency centered on the running community.

  • The Athlete Connection: What it takes to capture the raw, authentic moments of elite performance and the evolution of "running aesthetic."

  • Freelance Wisdom: Essential advice for emerging creators on building relationships, finding personal mentors, and committing to the craft.

Episode 5: Lawrence van lingen

Movement specialist and coach Lawrence van Lingen joins the show to explore the deep connection between emotion, mindset, and physical tension. Trusted by world-class endurance athletes, Lawrence shares his unique philosophy on how "unlocking" the body can transform an athlete’s movement and long-term development.

  • The Path to Health: A behind-the-scenes look at Lawrence’s work with Drew to rebuild his health and mindset after injury.

  • Elite Insights: Lessons learned from the triathlon world, including working with stars like Taylor Knibb and observations from the World Championships in Nice and Kona.

  • Movement Mechanics: Breaking down unconventional training tools like flow ropes, tire walking, and the "happy hip hack" for runners.

Episode 4: Joan hunter

This week, we are joined by Joan Hunter, a legendary coach, mother of nine, and the current head coach of Tinman Elite. Joan details her remarkable evolution from grassroots coaching to leading Loudoun Valley High School to back-to-back NXN team championships, and eventually making the leap to the professional ranks.

  • Building a Legacy: A look at how Joan and her husband, Marc, built a national championship program while navigating the challenges of a male-dominated sport.

  • The Professional Transition: Joan opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, mastering the marathon, and adapting her philosophy for elite-level athletes.

  • Coaching Methodology: Insights into her curiosity-driven approach, including her take on double threshold training and modern training cycles.

Episode 3: Joe klecker

In this episode, we sit down with Olympian and On Athletics Club founding member Joe Klecker. With his NYC Marathon debut just days away, Joe reflects on his journey from the legendary training environment at CU Boulder to the world stage. He offers a deep dive into the evolution of the OAC and the strategic mindset required to transition from the track to 26.2 miles.

  • Building a Powerhouse: What it was like helping build the On Athletics Club from the ground up and the impact of Dathan Ritzenhein’s coaching vision.

  • The Marathon Shift: Joe breaks down his NYC training strategies, key workouts, and the importance of setting adaptable A, B, and C goals for race day.

  • Performance Nutrition: A look at the professional side of the sport and why fueling remains the most underestimated variable in elite performance.

Episode 2: Connor winter

Professional marathoner and Hammer & Axe coach Connor Winter joins the show for a raw discussion on the internal drive required to stay in the sport. From his standout 12th-place finish at the Olympic Trials to navigating the seasons that didn't go as planned, Connor shares his honest thoughts on the highs and lows of life on the roads.

  • Resilience and Recovery: Connor’s evolving relationship with running following major surgery and his transition to professional marathon training.

  • The Tinman Evolution: An inside look at the past, present, and future of the Tinman Elite marathon team and his collaborative work with Coach Joan.

  • Life Beyond Sport: How parenthood and new perspectives have helped him prioritize what truly matters while staying motivated for the next chapter.

episode 1: reed Fischer

In the inaugural episode of The HAX Show, Drew sits down with Reed Fischer to unpack his experience at the Tokyo World Championships. This conversation goes deep into the mechanics of elite marathon prep, from the physiological demands of high-mileage weeks to the psychological challenge of handling disappointment on the world stage.

  • The "Secret Formula": Why Reed believes that belief in your training system is more impactful than any specific workout or methodology.

  • The Business of Running: An honest look at the economics of the sport, including how appearance fees and the "super shoe" era influence race selection and performance.

  • Track vs. Roads: Breaking down the key differences in preparation when transitioning from the oval to the 26.2-mile distance.