Mind Body Marathon: Running, Health & Human Performance Podcast By Dr. Leo Kormanik cover art

Mind Body Marathon: Running, Health & Human Performance

Mind Body Marathon: Running, Health & Human Performance

By: Dr. Leo Kormanik
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Running is more than just putting one foot in front of the other. It’s about discovering the connection between your body, your mind, and your potential. The Mind Body Marathon Podcast is where running performance, sports psychology, injury prevention, strength training, recovery strategies, nutrition, and mindset coaching all come together to help you become the strongest, healthiest, and most resilient version of yourself. Hosted by Dr. Leo Kormanik, a sports chiropractor, running coach, and former elite marathoner who competed at the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials with a personal best of 2:18, this show is built on decades of experience in both running and treating athletes. As founder of Ohio Sports Chiropractic and Rehab and creator of Faster Without Fail, Leo has worked with runners from beginners to Olympians, helping them overcome injuries, train smarter, and unlock their potential. His perspective is unique, blending clinical knowledge, coaching insight, and personal lessons learned from years of chasing high performance while battling setbacks along the way. Each episode explores the full spectrum of endurance sports and wellness. You’ll hear conversations about marathon training strategies that fit into real life, the science of injury prevention, the role of sports psychology in performance, and the importance of strength and conditioning for distance runners. You’ll learn recovery strategies ranging from cold plunges and sleep optimization to mental resets that restore balance. Nutrition is covered in a practical, athlete-friendly way, from fueling long runs to racing with confidence. Mental health and overall fitness are never ignored, as we explore how mindset, lifestyle, and performance are all intertwined. What makes the Mind Body Marathon Podcast different is the way it connects all of these elements. Running is not just about mileage and splits; it’s about sustaining your health, building resilience, and developing an endurance mindset that impacts every area of your life. This show goes deeper than workouts and race results. It’s about equipping you with evidence-based tools and real-world insights that help you train with purpose, recover with intention, and push your limits without breaking down. Episodes include solo deep dives from Dr. Leo where he breaks down the latest science in running, training, and rehab, as well as interviews with athletes, coaches, nutritionists, sports psychologists, and medical professionals. Guests have included Olympic qualifiers, national champions, and respected voices across the endurance world, each sharing stories of triumph, lessons from setbacks, and strategies that listeners can immediately apply. At its core, this podcast is about empowerment. Running teaches discipline, resilience, and the ability to face challenges head-on, but it also connects us to a larger community of people striving for similar goals. The Mind Body Marathon Podcast offers not just practical knowledge but also encouragement and motivation. Whether you are chasing a personal best, battling back from injury, balancing training with work and family, or simply curious about the science of human performance, this podcast is designed for you. If you’re ready to go beyond logging miles, if you want to train with intention, race with confidence, and build resilience that extends far past the finish line, then this podcast is for you. Tune in each week and join a growing community of runners and athletes who are redefining what it means to pursue health, performance, and personal excellence. The Mind Body Marathon Podcast is your guide to running, wellness, and human performance — a place where science meets story, and where your journey as a runner becomes a path toward living stronger in both body and mind.Copyright 2025 Dr. Leo Kormanik Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • Transforming New Year's Resolutions: Empowering Strategies for Success with Dr. Leo Kormanik
    Dec 30 2025

    Did you know that over 80% of New Year's Resoutions fail? Listen as we dive into some hacks that will help you success in your resolutions!

    The primary focus of this discussion is to elucidate effective strategies for enhancing the likelihood of successfully achieving New Year's resolutions. Dr. Leo Kormanik articulates the notion that rather than concentrating on the elimination of undesirable habits, individuals ought to direct their efforts toward cultivating empowering actions that promote positive behaviors. He emphasizes the significance of self-reflection and understanding the underlying reasons behind one’s habits, thus enabling the individual to develop actionable steps that resonate with their personal aspirations. Furthermore, the episode delves into the utility of creating vision boards and employing habit stacking as methodologies to integrate positive changes into one’s routine, ultimately facilitating the attainment of lofty goals. Through these insights, Dr. Kormanik inspires listeners to reframe their approach to self-improvement, advocating for a more constructive and supportive mindset as they embark on their journeys in the new year. The discourse led by Dr. Leo Kormanik regarding New Year’s resolutions presents an enlightening perspective on the often-frustrating pursuit of self-improvement. Citing a remarkable failure rate of approximately 80-85% for such resolutions by mid-February, Dr. Kormanik assesses the underlying reasons for this phenomenon. He posits that many individuals approach resolutions with a deficit mindset, fixating on perceived inadequacies rather than on a constructive vision for their personal growth. Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to engage in meaningful self-reflection to identify the root causes of their resolutions. Dr. Kormanik emphasizes the importance of shifting focus from what needs to be eliminated—such as unhealthy habits—to what can be embraced that promotes overall well-being. For instance, he suggests that rather than merely attempting to cut down on caffeine, individuals should explore alternative sources of energy that can facilitate the desired behavioral change without the negative connotations associated with deprivation. Moreover, Dr. Kormanik introduces practical methodologies for enhancing the effectiveness of New Year’s resolutions, including habit stacking and the utilization of vision boards. By linking new, aspirational habits to existing routines, individuals can create a more seamless integration of positive changes into their lifestyles. Vision boards serve as a visual representation of one’s goals, reinforcing positive thinking and motivation. The episode ultimately serves as a clarion call for a redefined approach to personal improvement, one that emphasizes empowerment, self-awareness, and proactive strategies for lasting transformation.

    Takeaways:

    1. New Year’s resolutions often fail due to a focus on eliminating negative habits rather than fostering positive ones.
    2. Instead of concentrating on what should be removed from our lives, we ought to emphasize what can empower us to change.
    3. Establishing small, attainable goals can significantly enhance motivation and lead to substantial progress over time.
    4. Creating a vision board with positive affirmations can help manifest desired outcomes and encourage a positive mindset.
    5. Habit stacking, where new habits are linked to established ones, can facilitate the integration of beneficial practices into daily routines.
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    20 mins
  • Winter Workouts: Strategies for Staying Fit in the Cold with Dr. Leo Kormanik and Dr. Jared Bugaj
    Dec 23 2025

    Struggling to stay motivated in winter? This episode breaks down how simple consistency and community keep runners strong year-round.

    The conversation today centers on the vital theme of winter workouts, emphasizing the necessity for consistency and creativity in maintaining an active lifestyle during the colder months. Dr. Jared Bugaj shares his insights on the importance of simply getting out the door, even for brief runs, as a means to cultivate a habit that fosters long-term fitness. He suggests that runners should seek out safe, well-maintained routes for training, advocating for the use of fartlek workouts to add variety and enjoyment to the regimen. Furthermore, both Dr. Bugaj and I stress the psychological benefits of community engagement in running, highlighting the value of camaraderie during the winter season. Ultimately, this episode serves as a guide to navigating the challenges of winter training while remaining motivated and connected to the running community. The dialogue between Dr. Leo Kormanik and Dr. Jared Bugaj serves as an insightful guide for runners navigating the challenges of winter training. Dr. Bugaj, who is currently in exceptional shape, articulates the necessity of endurance and consistency in maintaining a training regimen during the colder months. He stresses that the mere act of stepping outside to run, regardless of the distance, can yield significant improvements in fitness over time, likening it to a steady investment that reaps rewards as one continues to engage with the sport. Throughout the episode, the hosts explore various strategies to make winter workouts both effective and enjoyable. Dr. Bugaj offers practical advice on finding safe and consistently cleared routes for running, suggesting that runners establish a familiar loop to enhance their winter experience. He introduces the concept of fartlek workouts as a way to incorporate variety and spontaneity into training, urging listeners to embrace the freedom of altering pace during runs. This not only keeps the workouts engaging but also allows for adaptability in the face of unpredictable weather conditions. In addition to the physical aspects of winter training, the hosts delve into the social dynamics of running during this season. They highlight the importance of community and how joining group runs can alleviate the mental burden of training alone in inclement weather. The shared experiences foster camaraderie, making the challenges of winter training feel more achievable. Ultimately, the discussion encapsulates the notion that winter workouts, though demanding, can be transformed into an opportunity for personal growth and connection within the running community.

    Takeaways:

    1. Consistency in winter workouts is paramount; even short runs are beneficial for maintaining fitness levels.
    2. Finding safe and well-maintained paths greatly enhances the winter running experience, making it more enjoyable.
    3. Incorporating varied workouts such as fartlek can break the monotony and improve running performance during winter.
    4. Engaging in community runs fosters camaraderie and motivation, making winter training more enjoyable and less isolating.

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    23 mins
  • Navigating Winter Running: Treadmill or Outdoors?
    Dec 16 2025

    The ultimate running question in the dead of winter, treadmill or brave the cold outside?

    In this dialogue, Dr. Leo Kormanik engages with Dr. Matt Pisanelli to explore the nuanced distinctions between treadmill running and outdoor running during the winter months. The primary assertion conveyed is that while both modalities possess unique benefits and drawbacks, the choice between them is heavily contingent upon individual circumstances, particularly regarding training variety and injury considerations. Dr. Pisanelli elucidates that variety in training surfaces and conditions is paramount to mitigating injury risk, emphasizing that exclusive reliance on either a treadmill or outdoor routes may not yield optimal outcomes. Furthermore, the conversation delves into the physiological implications of running on varying surfaces, particularly in relation to the mechanical forces exerted on the body. Ultimately, the discussion serves as a comprehensive guide for athletes and enthusiasts alike, navigating the complexities of winter running and the strategic integration of treadmill workouts into their training regimens.

    The discourse between Dr. Leo Kormanik and Dr. Matt Pisanelli delves into the dichotomy of treadmill running versus outdoor running during the winter months, particularly in the challenging climate of Northeast Ohio. The episode articulates the nuanced mechanical forces at play in both modalities, with an emphasis on the need for variety in training to mitigate the risk of injuries. Dr. Pisanelli elucidates that while treadmill running may provide a controlled environment, it does not adequately replicate the diverse stimuli encountered in outdoor running, which is crucial for developing the body’s adaptability and resilience to various terrains. The discussion further highlights how the repetitive nature of treadmill running can lead to overuse injuries, especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions affecting the posterior chain, such as Achilles tendinopathy or hamstring strains. The hosts also consider the psychological benefits of running outdoors, which can foster a sense of accomplishment and mental fortitude, especially when faced with the rigors of winter weather. Ultimately, the episode underscores the importance of strategic training that balances both treadmill and outdoor sessions, advocating for an individualized approach to running that caters to one's unique circumstances and goals.

    Takeaways:

    • The choice between treadmill running and outdoor running in winter largely hinges on individual circumstances, including injury history and weather conditions.
    • Variety in training surfaces and environments is essential to avoid overuse injuries, and both treadmill and outdoor running offer unique benefits.
    • Treadmill running can be advantageous for individuals recovering from certain injuries due to its controlled environment and reduced impact forces.
    • Outdoor running in winter can enhance mental resilience and provide an invigorating experience, despite the challenges posed by harsh weather conditions.

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    25 mins
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