In this episode of the Fast & Free Podcast, Elaina flips the script and puts Brant Stachel in the hot seat to unpack a big milestone: his newly released book on mental performance for endurance athletes.

Brant shares how the idea took shape, what surprised him most about the writing and self-publishing process, and why he chose a practical, narrative style over a textbook approach. They dive into the real mental battles athletes face—pressure, nerves, confidence swings, and the story we tell ourselves when things get hard. You’ll hear Brant’s definition of mental toughness (and why it’s trainable), how to separate feelings from facts when anxiety spikes, and the “annoying salesman” analogy that helps athletes stop letting negative thoughts hijack their race day.

They also get into one of the most powerful chapters in the book: competitive identity—who you choose to be when it matters most. If you’ve ever felt “not ready” right before a race, spiraled after one bad workout, or tied your self-worth to performance, this one will give you tools you can use immediately.

Relevant Links

Get coached by Brant – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/brant-stachel-kingston-ontario-running-coach/

Get coached by Elaina – https://teamrunrun.com/coach/elaina-raponi-kingston-ontario-running-coach/

Learn more about Team RunRun – https://teamrunrun.com

Get the best fuel for your runs – https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant

About the Fast and Free Podcast

The Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.

Follow Fast and Free Coaching:

Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching

YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching

Website: runfastandfree.com

In this episode of the Fast and Free Podcast, Brant Stachel sits down with one of Canada’s fastest-rising marathoners, Thomas Nobbs. With personal bests of 63 minutes in the half and 2:15 in the marathon, Thomas is chasing the dream of representing Canada at the LA 2028 Olympics—all while balancing 200km training weeks and a full-time career.

Thomas opens up about the highs and lows of his journey: from the pressure of being a national youth champion, to hitting rock bottom with injuries and disordered eating in college, to rebuilding stronger than ever. Brant and Thomas also dig into the mental battles of solo training, learning to slow down on easy days, and finding confidence in the process rather than the outcome.

This is a candid and inspiring conversation about resilience, consistency, and chasing audacious goals. Whether you’re a beginner chasing your first marathon finish or an experienced athlete dreaming big, Thomas’s story will leave you motivated to trust the process and keep showing up.

Thomas Nobbs is a Canadian distance runner and one of the country’s fastest-rising marathoners. With personal bests of 63:06 for the half marathon and 2:15 for the marathon, Thomas is part of a new wave of Canadian athletes chasing international standards and breakthroughs on the roads. Balancing 200km training weeks with a demanding full-time career, he exemplifies consistency, grit, and the pursuit of excellence.

• Get coached by Thomas - https://teamrunrun.com/coach/tom-nobbs-ottawa-running-coach/
• Follow Thomas on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nobbs.not.knobs/?hl=en
• Get the best fuel for your runs - https://fuelgoods.com/?ref=Brant

The Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.



Follow Fast and Free Coaching:

• Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching
• YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching
• Website: runfastandfree.com

In this first episode of the Fast and Free Podcast, Brant Stachel sits down with sports psychologist Dr. Cassidy Preston to explore the power of competitive identity and mental performance in endurance sports. From rewriting limiting narratives to developing an alter ego, Brant and Cassidy break down how athletes can reframe their mindset to perform at their best on the ice, the trails, or the marathon course. You’ll also hear insights on balancing data with intuition, protecting your mind from “junk food” thoughts, and how to truly enjoy the sport you love.

Dr. Cassidy Preston is the founder of CEP Mindset, one of the largest sport psychology firms in North America. A Ph.D. in Sport Psychology, Cassidy blends academic expertise with elite athletic experience to help NHL players, Olympians, and high performers in business and sport maximize their potential. He is also the author of Mindset First, where he shares practical tools for building confidence, resilience, and clarity in competitive environments.

• The Alter Ego Effect by Todd Herman
• Mindset First by Dr. Cassidy Preston
• Learn more about CEP Mindset
• Get the best fuel for your runs

The Fast and Free Podcast with Brant Stachel explores the intersection of endurance training and mental performance. Each week, Brant—an endurance coach, Registered Psychotherapist, and mental performance specialist—dives into conversations with Olympians, elites, and everyday athletes chasing their goals. From running strategies to psychology tools, every episode delivers practical insights to help you train smarter, think stronger, and perform at your best.

Follow Fast and Free Coaching:

• Instagram: @fastandfreecoaching
• YouTube: @FastandFreeCoaching
• Website: runfastandfree.com