109. Jes Woods, Nike Run Coach

"I was like, 'I need more friends, so I'm going to start running. Everyone looks like they're having a good time — maybe I can have a good time!'"

Jes Woods is always. smiling. And she has good reason to be as happy as she is! As a Nike Run Coach and Flywheel Sports studio manager in New York City, Jes is living a good life — one she carefully crafted herself after an eight-and-a-half year career in broadcast journalism. Jes is an ultra runner who has completed 16 ultramarathons, including four 100 milers. (Most recently, Jes ran the Javelina Jundred.) On this episode, Jes talks about how she went from TV to a life on the run. She talks about working for NBC during the Beijing Olympics, and what it was like being a runner and covering the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Plus, Jes opens up about a recent breakup and the effect it had on her running, talks about why she struggles not to get too involved with the athletes she coaches (she loves them too much!), and talks about the rewarding parts of her job and what she says is "her Christmas."

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What you'll get on this episode:

• What did Young Jes want to be when she grew up? Plus, how Jes used her engineering degree to pursue a career in television. (2:55)
• The big news stories Jes loved — and didn't love — working on during her time at NBC (5:15)
• How Jes got her start as a runner (6:50)
• When and how Jes realized it was time to make a career change (10:45)
• Jes's advice for people considering a major career switch (23:20)
• What makes Jes a good run coach? And what's her favorite type of runner to coach? (24:10)
• Jes's best "game" to play to make your next run more fun (26:30)
• The most common question Jes hears from runners she coaches (28:30)
• Why running? (36:50)
• How Jes got her jobs at Mile High Run Club and Flywheel, and what a day in the life for her looks like now (41:10)
• What Jes says is the most rewarding part of her career (49:45)
• Jes talks about her recent breakup, and how it affected her latest 100 miler (56:00)
• Jes's advice for getting into the fitness industry (57:00)
• What's next for Jes Woods? (58:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Nike Running

Flywheel Sports Chelsea

Javelina Jundred

Mile High Run Club

Carnegie Mellon University

Boston Marathon

New York City Half Marathon

Team in Training

Pittsburgh Marathon

Nike Women's 15K Toronto

Western States Endurance Run

OSR 30

Follow Jes:

• Instagram @jeslynnyc
• Twitter @jeslynnyc

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• Instagram @aliontherun1
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• Twitter @aliontherun1
• Blog
• Strava

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