#222 Stephanie Bruce: A Career in Running, and the Advice That Surprised Me Most

<p>The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.</p><p><br /></p><p>Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN</p><p><br /></p><p>Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb</p><p><br /></p><p>Kristian sits down with Stephanie Bruce, a professional runner of over 15 years and now the head of Project Stamata, supported by Tracksmith, for a conversation Kristian calls pure gold for runners at every level.</p><p><br /></p><p>Stephanie shares her path from a reluctant, unmotivated high school runner to a national champion and longtime pro at HOKA NAZ Elite, and opens up about the sudden loss of her father during her senior year of high school, a moment that changed how she approached the sport. She talks candidly about building a life around running as a mom of three and serial entrepreneur, from co-founding Picky Bars to now leading Project Stamata, a program supporting women chasing the 2028 Olympic Trials. The conversation turns into a genuinely useful masterclass on marathon training, including the one thing Stephanie says matters more than any workout: fueling.</p><p><br /></p><p>In this episode:</p><p>- A special Boston Marathon cutoff time announcement</p><p>- From an unmotivated high schooler to a national champion</p><p>- Losing her father suddenly during her senior year of high school</p><p>- Building a life in running as a mom of three and serial entrepreneur</p><p>- Co-founding Picky Bars and years as a pro with HOKA NAZ Elite</p><p>- Leading Tracksmith's Project Stamata for future Olympic Trials qualifiers</p><p>- Finding the balance between hardcore dedication and living a full life</p><p>- Why fueling, not training, is the biggest thing that makes or breaks a marathon cycle</p><p>- The most common under fueling mistake she sees in athletes</p><p>- What's next: a national team spot and racing New York in the pro field</p><p><br /></p><p>Timestamps</p><p>00:00 Welcome and introducing Stephanie Bruce</p><p>02:10 Announcing the podcast's sponsorship with Saysky Copenhagen</p><p>02:17 A special Boston Marathon cutoff time announcement</p><p>06:52 Welcome to Stephanie and the idea behind this series</p><p>09:05 How she landed the role leading Project Stamata</p><p>11:19 Stephanie's introduction: 15 years as a pro, mom of three</p><p>14:00 An unmotivated high school runner living on Chick-fil-A</p><p>14:10 Her father's cance