109. Jes Woods, Nike Run Coach

Published: Dec. 6, 2018, 1:11 a.m.

\u201cI was like, \u2018I need more friends, so I\u2019m going to start running. Everyone looks like they\u2019re having a good time \u2014 maybe I can have a good time!\u2019\u201d

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 \u2014 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\xa0too 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."

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!

\xa0

What you\u2019ll 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 \u2014 and didn\u2019t love \u2014 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\u2019s advice for people considering a major career switch (23:20)
  • What makes Jes a good run coach? And what\u2019s her favorite type of runner to coach? (24:10)
  • Jes\u2019s best \u201cgame\u201d 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\u2019s 15K Toronto

Western States Endurance Run

OSR 30

Follow Jes:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show!\xa0If you\u2019re enjoying the show, please\xa0subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!