#196 Kyle Bradshaw: Running to become a better dad & inspiring other runners

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Kristian sits down with Kyle, a 42 year old dad from St. Pete, Florida, whose honest, unfiltered running videos for his kids have grown into a following of thousands. This one covers rebuilding life after a hurricane, getting sober, and going from zero running experience to two marathons in under a year.

Kyle shares how losing his home in Hurricane Helene and moving in with in laws led to a rough patch of drinking and low motivation, and how deciding to become a better example for his kids led him to running. He opens up about quitting alcohol, why he jumped straight into marathon training with almost no running background, and the honest lessons from his first two marathons, including brutal cramping and a hard learned respect for pacing and fueling. The conversation closes with his approach to content, why he shares his unfiltered thoughts mid run, and the simple message he keeps coming back to: being present for his kids.

In this episode:

- Losing his home in Hurricane Helene and starting over in Michigan

- Quitting drinking and how it changed his running and his life

- Jumping straight into marathon training with no running background

- His first marathon: a brutal, windy, bridge filled course in Florida

- Cramping, learning to fuel, and a 45 minute PR five months later

- Building mileage safely with mostly easy running

- Why he shares unscripted thoughts on his runs, not a script

- Balancing training, work, and being present as a dad

- His next goal: a 3:15 at the Palm Beaches Marathon in September

Timestamps

00:00 Cold open

00:48 Welcome to the podcast and episode introduction

01:43 Kristian's training update (cutting out alcohol, a new workout, sleep tracking)

10:05 Interview begins

10:34 How the idea for his running content started

12:54 Growing an authentic following without a strategy

15:30 Who Kyle is: life in St. Pete before running

16:02 Losing his home in Hurricane Helene and moving to Michigan

16:54 Hitting a low point and deciding to change

19:31 A typical day: training, work, and being a dad

24:49 Quitting drinking and how it changed his life

26:24 Jumping straight into marathon training

37:43 Growing his account while chasing his first marathon

41:08 Race recap: his brutal first marathon in Clearwater

43:55 Race recap: a 45 minute PR in Traverse City

45:08 Learning to fuel and manage cramping

47:10 Self coaching and building mileage the safe way

49:45 Why strength training has been key to staying healthy

51:15 Where he learns: research, trial, and figuring it out

52:06 Next goal: a 3:15 at the Palm Beaches Marathon

53:48 How he decides what to say on his runs

55:18 His son wanting to run with him

57:14 The message behind it all: gratitude and being present

1:00:02 Being present: the core message for other parents

1:01:01 Closing thoughts and where to follow Kyle

Kyle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylerunsstpete/

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Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns

Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs

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