398. Matt Wilpers, Peloton Instructor

398. Matt Wilpers, Peloton Instructor

"I want you to understand what you're doing and why you're doing it. I want you to believe in the mission, and I want you to have fun. I want you to enjoy the process, and I want you to know that what you're doing is a worthwhile endeavor."

Like many of us, Matt Wilpers grew up wanting to be a marine biologist. ("I was really into whales," he recalls.) Ultimately, he pursued a career in finance, working as an analyst and auditor with KPMG and, later, Goldman Sachs. When he realized the NYC finance lifestyle wasn't for him, Matt decided to go to medical school, and, as a lifelong athlete and former collegiate runner, started teaching fitness classes on the side. Then, just as he was getting ready to pursue his medical career full-time, he got the call from Peloton. Plot twist! Today, Matt is one of Peloton's most popular cycling and treadmill instructors, and has his own coaching business. On this episode, Matt talks about why he's so passionate about coaching, and why getting to help people on their own fitness journeys is "the dream." He talks about coaching actress Lena Dunham, sharing stories about how while he was hired to help her, it was Lena who changed his life. Plus, he shares loads of qualified running advice about overtraining, race day anxiety, and how to "run arrogant" and more confident. Matt is a 2:54 marathoner, 1:17 half marathoner, and 10:38 Ironman who lives in New York City.

SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

  • On being a great coach (6:10)
  • What's making Matt happy right now? (8:15)
  • Matt's thoughts on returning to full studios (10:00)
  • On being nicknamed "The Baby-Faced Assassin," and how Matt connects with the people taking his class virtually (11:30)
  • What Matt was like as a kid, and how he got into the finance industry (14:00)
  • What it was like coaching Lena Dunham (20:40)
  • How Matt got the Peloton job (23:30)
  • All about Matt's coaching philosophy (29:00)
  • How Matt would describe his Peloton classes (36:00)
  • What a day in the life looks like for Matt (37:20)
  • Power Zone Endurance 101 (40:45)
  • The most common mistake Matt sees runners making, plus how to avoid overtraining (43:30)
  • How to "run arrogant," and what that means (50:00)
  • Matt's pre-race pep talk (53:50)
  • What's next for Matt? (56:45)

What we mention on this episode:

Becs Gentry on Episode 379 of the Ali on the Run Show

Jess Sims on Episode 261 of the Ali on the Run Show

Tunde Oyeneyin on Episode 311 of the Ali on the Run Show

Olivia Amato on Episode 344 of the Ali on the Run Show

Matty Maggiacomo on Episode 350 of the Ali on the Run Show

Precision Nutrition

Jenny Donnelly on Episode 193 of the Ali on the Run Show

Follow Matt:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

Episoder(875)

872. Emma Bates, Mom-to-Be

872. Emma Bates, Mom-to-Be

"It's a new day, it's a new age, let's learn, let's grow together. That's it." Last week, professional Colorado-based marathoner Emma Bates broke the running internet when she shared that she had been...

31 Mar 1h 4min

871. Why Did You Run Your First Marathon?

871. Why Did You Run Your First Marathon?

"I needed to do it like I needed to breathe." At any given marathon, there are thousands of runners on the start line, hoping to complete the 26.2-mile journey to the finish line. That means that at a...

26 Mar 1h 17min

870. My 2026 NYC Half Weekend Recap

870. My 2026 NYC Half Weekend Recap

I remember being like, 'I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe I'm doing this right now.'" It's been a while since I've done a race recap! This weekend, I ran the United Airlines NYC Half — my fir...

19 Mar 1h 49min

869. No Stupid Questions: Shoes & Sports Bras Edition, with Jinger Gottschall

869. No Stupid Questions: Shoes & Sports Bras Edition, with Jinger Gottschall

"Everyone deserves a super shoe." Welcome to the second episode in a new series on the Ali on the Run Show called "No Stupid Questions." This is where experts come in to answer everything you've alway...

12 Mar 1h 3min

868. Emma Grace Hurley's 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships Recap

868. Emma Grace Hurley's 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships Recap

"It's been a really, really tough couple days. I've never been such a combination of stressed and sad." At Sunday's USA Track and Field Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta, the top three women — Je...

5 Mar 1h 15min

867. No Stupid Questions: Professional Running Edition, with Aisha Praught Leer & Eric Jenkins

867. No Stupid Questions: Professional Running Edition, with Aisha Praught Leer & Eric Jenkins

"Live free and grind." Welcome to the first episode in a new series on the Ali on the Run Show called "No Stupid Questions." This is where experts come in to answer everything you've always wanted to...

3 Mar 1h 47min

866. Molly Seidel, Ultramarathoner

866. Molly Seidel, Ultramarathoner

"The last couple years have been so hard. I've been through so many ups and downs that I'm like, 'There is nothing in a race that I can experience that is worse than what I've just gone through.'" Wa...

26 Feb 1h 6min

865. Paul Swangard, Track & Field Analyst & The Voice of Hayward Field

865. Paul Swangard, Track & Field Analyst & The Voice of Hayward Field

"I want to be part of making people care. My hope is that my enthusiasm for the sport as a fan of the sport comes through in my calls." Even if you don't know his face, you definitely know his voice: ...

19 Feb 1h 14min

Populært innen Helse

lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
fastlegen
hvordan-har-du-det-mann
rss-gukild-johaug
psykodrama
leger-om-livet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
rss-garne-damer
foreldreradet
morten-ramm-lar-kakla-ga-til-du-sovner
rss-lopedrommen
hjernesterk
bak-fasaden-en-reise-i-livet-med-sykepleier-ine
klimaks
helsetipspodden
treningsprat
hormonelle-frida
g-punktet
sinnsyn
doktor-fives-podcast