Tommy Mitchel: [00:00:00]

This is 2021. I'm tired of hearing first. We shouldn't have that anymore. So I'm that person I want to get to the point where, when we see another minority president, nobody's losing their mind because they're just, Hey, that's our president. It's not, Hey, first black president.

India Cook: [00:00:15]

And I think sometimes it's not all about having the conversations, but putting in the work. And I think for me, that's my way of giving back and showing like, no, I'm not going to be silent. I'm going to continue to show y'all that work can be done. We have the specialties, we have the expertise, we have the experience and we're giving it to you all.

Episode Intro

Kevin Chang: [00:00:35]

Hello, and welcome to the RaceMob podcast, where we're all about running long, having fun and making the human connection.
This is episode number 41.
I'm Kevin entrepreneur technology and fitness nerd. And I'm joined by the head coach of RaceMob and master motivator, the incomparable Bertrand Newson.
This is a great conversation with a well-respected veteran podcasting crew. We met Tommy and India when we were invited to a discussion in September of 2020 that brought together podcasters around the world to chat about inclusion and diversity in our sport.
Before we get too deep into this episode, I just wanted to take a few moments to talk about something that's been on my mind.
As an Asian American male I've often felt uncomfortable speaking out on matters of inclusion and diversity. I'm still learning about the challenges and struggles that my partner and so many in the African -American community have had to deal with due to systemic racism. My approach has been to listen, uncover the stories and tell you all about it.
But recently there has been an unsettling number of hate crimes towards Asians, including a recent incident in Atlanta. And there was a heinous crime in Boulder, Colorado, just this week in the same city where I went to college and a few blocks from where I lived.
While the motives are still unclear, what is obvious is that violent crimes have become all too prevalent for too long. We've had powerful leaders, media outlets, and social media algorithms that have capitalized on hate. They amplify it and they funnel it to fuel their own agenda.
And that's why it's more important than ever to be intentional when building communities, we have an obligation to be inclusive, to make sure that our clubs, organizations, and teams are diverse. We're so fortunate as runners to be able to bond over this common love for our sports, the appreciation for the hard work that it takes to get over the finish line or to just tow the starting line.
I'm so fortunate to be able to partner with Bertrand because you can see the diversity and enthusiasm that has group two legit naturally carries. That's why at RaceMob, we're not so focused on bringing in high ticket sales or attracting affluent market segments. We're intense on inspiring health and fitness to everyone, but it's especially important that we bring health, fitness, wellness, and hope to those who need it, especially to those who don't even know where to start.
We've seen how it's impacted our lives, not only our health, mental acuity and confidence. But especially the emotional benefits of having a strong community.
Okay. Thanks for listening to this important tangent for me. And now to the show notes.
You are going to love this incredible conversation from the run duo podcast.
We dive into the Publix Atlanta race. Yes. A real live race. Which had about the importance of diversity and the important steps that we're seeing towards inclusion, India breaks down her recent experience, getting coaching certified and the unique program that she's coaching with. Plus we dive into some podcasting tips from these industry veterans.
All of the show notes can be found online at RaceMob dot com slash podcasts, and without further ado, here's our conversation.

Start of the Interview

Bertrand Newson: [00:03:48]

RaceMob family, you are in for a real treat all the way from Atlanta, Georgia podcast, duo extraordinaire. Yes, the Tommy Mitchell and India Cook. We were very fortunate last year to cross paths, and we've been blessed ever since innovators in the podcast space. Great energy as you're about to witness. And we couldn't be happier, more honored to have you both on welcome Tommy and welcome India.

India Cook: [00:04:16]

Thank you.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:04:17]

Thanks. We appreciate it. Love, love being on, you know, loved it, loved to let somebody else do the editing while we just talk crazy.

A Half Marathon in Athlanta

Bertrand Newson: [00:04:26]

So let's, let's dig right in let's uh, let's take it back, not way, way back, let's take it back probably about a week ago. I was in Atlanta. You guys are there right now as part of the half marathon experience. Maybe talk a little bit about, uh, that race day experience and we'll get into your history and how the run do a podcast got started and some other great takeaways as well.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:04:47]

I'll let you go ahead, India.

India Cook: [00:04:49]

I was just about say you go ahead, Tommy. So the race day experience was very different, but. Very awesome. I would say that Atlanta track club has done an amazing job through this pandemic finding different ways to make the race experience different. Of course, being that the race was at the Atlanta motor Speedway, we were able to run around the track.
It's just a very different experience. Of course. Let me preface this two laps around the track. So a lot of people ask prior . If we ran the full half marathon or the marathon all around the track and it's like, no, we weren't on the track the whole entire time we were on there for two laps.
So you're ending 5k is when we hit the track, but it was a great weekend. Great experience 5k and half marathon myself, as well as Tommy was able to run the half marathon. So good experience, not my best race, but it was still a great race day and I finished it.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:05:41]

There you go. Yes. I'll second. What, India saying is about the Atlanta track club.
They have found ways in this time to get in-person races done. Um, which is great, honestly, because India, and I also ran in, it was a 10 mile or last year. That was, um, the first in-person race I had running. I don't know how long and I forgotten how much I missed it. Honestly. I was like, you know, Oh, so there were no in-person races.
I hadn't been racing that much before COVID hit. So I didn't think that much about it. But once I actually got to get out there, run with other people, struggle, you know, get on the struggle bus with other people, not so much in this race, in the, in the other one, I I've found you get those, and I talk about this all the time, you run into these people, you have no idea who they are, they become your run partner during that race.
Like you are just together basically because you guys are, you know, your paces are so perfect together. You end up staying together through the whole race. You know, I missed all of that. You know, that, that adventure, and then that crossing the finish line.
They don't hand you your medals still. They put it in a bag because of COVID, but. Crossing that finish line and getting that metal is something that I didn't think I missed so much, but I actually did once I got out there.

India Cook: [00:06:51]

Definitely. I agree. Definitely realize what you like when it comes to racing. So I think that that's , best part of it is that the race experience is just a different experience than just doing things virtually or running independently.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:07:03]

A great thing about this one, the Publix marathon and half marathon was they actually found a way also to have really just family members, I guess, but they were at least spectators where before you really didn't see that at all, but at least they had the way it was set up. There's a way for your friends and family, actually to see you on the course.
, while you ran, which is another great thing. Um, at the end of the race, like when I finished, I didn't have anybody out there, but I just saw so many family members taking photos of their friends and their family finishing. And because it was on the NASCAR track, everybody was trying to get a photo right there on the finish line of the NASCAR track.
So it was really cool to see that because you hadn't seen that in so long. You like the

Bertrand Newson: [00:07:44]

song says ain't nothing like the real thing, right.

The Run Duo Origin Story [00:07:49]

And, , now let's talk about what's your history, . How long have you guys known each other? And then how did that, uh, partnership evolved to a fantastic podcast that you guys have been running since? What, 2018?

Tommy Mitchel: [00:08:02]

I don't know.

India Cook: [00:08:11]

Listen, let me tell you guys this, every single episode, he's like, what episode is this again? And I have to go and make sure that look to see what episode, and then like two seconds later, he forgets and I'm like Episode

Tommy Mitchel: [00:08:24]

We'll start the podcast and I'll go, wait a minute. What episode is this? And let me just explain, because I don't care what episode it is. I just enjoy talking about running. That's the whole reason I started doing podcasts. I had a podcast that I did by myself before run duo called shut up Tommy. Yeah, exactly.
Go shut up Tommy. I have a thing about turning hobbies into jobs. I don't like to do that. I've done that a couple of times. I don't like to do that. I like things to be. You know, that's just, it's a me thing. I just like things to be, if it's a hobby, I like to keep it a hobby and doing it by myself just became such a job.
You know, it was an every week thing. And I was like, okay, I can't keep coming up with content. Y'all know all y'all on here right now. Know how hard it is to come up with content, to come up with. interesting things to talk about and think about doing that just by yourself. You don't have anything to bounce, anything off of.
So I was really getting, you know, I was like, eh, I don't know, but I still wanted a podcast. So I hit up India and India. I think you were actually my first interview on shut up Tommy. If I'm not mistaken, she was my first interview and "Shut Up Tommy." I know India mainly through my girlfriend, Heather. I think they ran together at one point.
And then all of a sudden I started seeing India around in the running community and she was already doing a vlog. She was someone who enjoyed talking about running, which that's what I wanted. And also I felt like if I'm going to have somebody to bounce things off of, maybe it should be a female because, you know, I got the male point of view, she has a female point of view.
So I went to her and was like, Hey, you want to do a podcast? And I was really surprised. And India was like, yeah, she'd be like, man I don't know, I don't know. But I set it up, you know, every other week thing is something that I started just because I knew how hard it was for every week.
You know, you gotta, you got a nine to five job. It's just. Really really hard. So I always applaud people who can have kids do podcasts, run marathons, do all of that. I applaud you. I can't do it. I need, I need some off time, but that's kind of how I came to India with the idea for The Run Duo

India Cook: [00:10:26]

Yeah. So my side of the story is: he is correct. I was doing a vlog, but it was not yet on YouTube. Like it is now. I was blogging just on Facebook. And what I did was I started blogging my journey to my first marathon. So I did, I've done two marathons and I decided to document that journey.
So I would upload videos on Facebook and just allow people to see my journey, like my every week training, the highs, the lows, all of that. So I would document it.
And of course at that time of my life vlogging consistently just didn't match with my lifestyle. And so I did it for two years. And when Tommy reached out to me to ask me if I wanted to do the podcast, I was in a little bit of a hiatus and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my blog.
And I was like, you know, what, how can we arrange this? Because just setting it up and like, how can we make this a partnership to where it won't be so much? and so I was like, you know what? It may be better for me to verbally talk about my running space instead of also including the audio, the video, it's a different beast when it comes to doing blogs.
Honestly, Tommy came to me at the right time on the right day. And I just said, you know what I said, you know what, let's do it. And so we have been a duo since then. We have not missed a Thursday. We do every other week. And I mean, we enjoy it. We're very organic and raw. Like we don't practice things like when we first get on, on Thursdays, we literally say what we talking about today, literally before we record, we say, what are we talking about today?
We go down our list. Okay, you're going to talk about that. I'll talk about this. And we piggyback off of each other and then that's it literally it's five minutes before we record. And we just allow it to just be a very raw organic communication conversation. And it's just been working for us.

Bertrand Newson: [00:12:15]

Yeah. And we clearly see that we clearly feel that.
And that's, you know, Kevin and I picked up on that from the very first time we know we were on air with you guys and we see that and our audience hears that right now.
It is that raw. It is that real. And you know, that's something that Kevin and I, you know, we feel we have good chemistry on. Camera, we enjoy hanging out, chopping it up, so to speak. And I'm sharing that with our audience that is growing. And again, just following your lead.

India Cook: [00:12:40]

But no Coach "B". I agree. I think Tommy and I are, when we first discussed doing this podcast, one of our biggest things was. First of all being organic, second of all entertaining, but also having conversations that are not so high level and so technical.
Like let's have conversations that appeals to your casual runner, to your everyday runner, to your people that are being dads, moms, sisters, brothers workers, like people that have a full life, and that are also into the running scene because I mean, we understand, we have several podcasts out here that are elite runners and people that only talk about the elite in the stats, but what you said, there's a whole other population out there that is not being met or get lost in those types of conversations. And so we really want it to bring it down.
, of course, we talk about stats. We talk about the world majors. We talk about all of those things. We've interviewed some there, some elite individuals. But we want to also talk about the everyday and what it looks like to juggle it all.

Bertrand Newson: [00:13:35]

And look at this panel here, look at the diversity of this panel. Fantastic. Which we'll talk more in detail as well.

Kevin Chang: [00:13:43]

don't we talk about it right now? So we were first brought together back in, well, October, September. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks to tests. Marshall. Who, who brought us together? , a panel discussing diversity. , right before the race, , an event that she puts on.

Diversity and Representation in the Running Community [00:13:58]

Let's talk a little bit about, , what we were chatting about back then, which is, talking about introducing more diversity into the sport and , are we doing enough? And so have you guys had additional discussions since September, , with other folks, do you guys have any other additional thoughts on that?
Tommy, I'll start with you.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:14:17]

I think talk about diversity and representation on every single podcast. I think because , it's definitely something that's relevant in today's world is always been relevant in the world. I, um, definitely feel like we're going in the right direction. I'm the person that can't wait until we stop saying first, this first black first Asian first, this first that I'm, I don't want to hear first.
This is 2021. I'm tired of hearing first. We shouldn't have that anymore. So I'm that person I want to get to the point where, when we see another minority president, nobody's losing their mind because they're just, Hey, that's our president. It's not, Hey, first black president. That's the point I'm looking for.
And I think after this past year with everything that went on, we are seeing diversity representation all over the place. I just want to make sure that it's not a big reach and then it just goes away. I'm 52. I grew up in the seventies and the eighties. It was amazing to see, uh, an African American mannequin.
I mean, you know, you would lose, you're like, Oh my God, that's, you know, on the, on the East coast, I don't know how it was on the West coast, but you know, it was amazing to see an African-American, you know, mannequin. And I remember probably in the middle eighties, you start to see of representation of African-Americans of minorities in different places.
And then all of a sudden it kind of went away. So I don't want the same thing to happen this time. I don't want us to get out there. And then all of a sudden we don't see it anymore. So we just got to keep talking about it, keep bringing it up and getting it, getting people out there.

India Cook: [00:15:45]

So I will say that I have consistently been communicating about representation and more so being embodying it.
So for me last year, opened up a lot of doors for me and connecting with the running community and the things that I'm doing outside of even the podcast. Like I think Tommy and I, yes, we speak about diversity and inclusion on our podcasts very often, but I think just us having a podcast that's consistent within the running community is an extra step, right. It is a step that is being done.
I think for me, I've had several conversations since last year about diversity inclusion. The reason why I have my vlog, the reason why Tommy and I are here is because I am trying to do better to show people. Representation is out here. The, what people see in magazines and things of that nature is not the only representation of runners.
And so I think for me, me continuing us continuing Tommy and us continuing to do the work that we're doing is to what I feel is our footsteps towards showing diversity and inclusion. And I think sometimes it's not all about having the conversations, but putting in the work. And I think for me, that's my way of giving back and showing like, no, I'm not going to be silent.
I'm going to continue to show y'all that work can be done. I have, we have the specialties, we have the expertise, we have the experience and we're giving it to you all. So I think for me, it's about action. And I think that everyone, when we talk about diversity inclusion, everyone has a different space in their world of how they want to give back.
Some people may be a podcast. So some people may donate to certain organizations. Some people may be on the front line. Doing the protest or whatever it is. And for me, it is doing the work that I'm doing with my podcast, my blog and my brand. That's the way I'm giving back and showing.

Bertrand Newson: [00:17:29]

And having such a platform in the form of a podcast and YouTube presence, and the respect you've garnered over the years.

Navigating Through 2020 and the BLM Movement [00:17:37]

How was it navigating, you know, last year, you know, through Amaud Arbury, , listening to the community, being able to articulate to others who maybe just couldn't understand. I mean, how has it being, you know, part of the community during that timeframe for our listeners to have a greater sense of understanding right there in Georgia.

India Cook: [00:17:54]

Say for me, well, I'll speak a little briefly for us, Tommy and I. So we had a podcast that we recorded, and we talked about the black lives matter movement and Ahmaud Arbury and everything that happened. And before Tommy and I recorded that episode, I just literally came to Tommy and I said, Tommy, we're going to talk about this today. We did. That was it. We're going to talk about what's going on in the world today.
We didn't rehearse anything. And it ended up being an episode that was our visions and our feelings about what's going on in the world, how we're feeling as runners, because. It did touch, you know, closer to home. My experiences with running as an African-American woman is very different than Tommy's experiences of running as an African-American man.
So he was able to explain there his piece and our piece. But I think that I did not expect for that episode to get the platforms or the publicity that it did because we were just expressing our experiences.
So I would say in regards to that, it has been a huge change. It has allowed us to be seen and allowed us to be heard, but it's, I feel like it's not because of that we're African-American podcast was in the running space, but I think it's because it was our experiences that people didn't realize were actually happening or people could feel that way.
Something that I say all the time is the things that happened last year, or even this year, the things that are happening when it comes to racism, it's nothing new to us. Like I wasn't surprised that it happened per se and that's unfortunate, but I think it's one of those things where we have to really take a step back and see what are you exposed to? And are you hearing other people, are you communicating with other people that potentially could have different views or experiences than you to open up your mind?
So I would say that it was. Helpful for us in the midst of being able to share our experience, more people want it to communicate with us because we were open to share our experience, but also educating people that are like us, African-American individuals that we have to be open to our allies and we have to be open to educating other people and sharing our experience so they can have a better understanding or clarity on different sides.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:19:56]

Definitely, and just thinking about that episode, um, when India was saying that she got on the phone and she's like, we're gonna, we're gonna talk about this today. I'm on your side.
And I mean, the thing, is I was planning on talking about it anyway, but that's what we do. We just talk about what's going on. So I won't talk about it anyway, but she made a point like, Hey, this is what we're doing today.

India Cook: [00:20:21]

I'm a little bit more passionate about talking to than Tommy. Tommy is very laid back and I'm like, listen, this is why we're talking about today.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:20:31]

She cause she was strong about it. But, , I mean, honestly I mean, it did get a whole lot of publicity. I think it went to runner's world.
That was probably one of our most listened to podcasts, which is great. That's great. And all I, and I honestly, I doubt I remember what I said, because unfortunately in my lifetime, I've had to talk about stuff like this quite often, you know?
And it, it begins to wear on you. It really does. When I see stuff like this, now I just hang my head. Cause I've just, I'm just like, dude, why, why is all this happening? Why does this have to happen? So it really, it does bother me. It may seem like, like any, since I'm very laid back, I've just learned it. Just my, I have to keep emotional control because you would just get upset.
And I remember sitting somewhere one time and just thinking about all the stuff's gone and I just started getting mad and I'm like, okay, wait a minute. I gotta make a phone call for my job right now. I need to come. I need to, you know, I need to calm. Yeah. I need to calm down. And it's unfortunate, you know, that I have to live like that.
You know, it's unfortunate that I have to think the way I do. I have to think about my son. And when he grows up, what is he going to have to deal with? And is he going to be smart enough to navigate through all of this? I was lucky I had great men in my life. My father, my uncles. Who dealt with a lot more than I deal with as far as, you know, racism, but they taught me, Hey, when I was a kid, I had a very bad temper and my dad was really scared that my temper one day was going to get me in trouble with police, with somebody.
And he taught me, he was like, look, you need to learn to control your emotions. I understand you're upset, but you know, not everybody's your family, not everybody's going to take your tantrum and deal with it. Some people are going to take it another way. So it's just. With everything that's going on right now with everything, with social justice that is going on right now, I just pray that it will actually make a change.
And I felt like, you know, last year we were starting to move in that direction, but you know, the, the other side, they don't just go to sleep. They just don't fall down. They, they fight too. So that's why we have to stay vigilant. And that's just kind of the way I feel about it anyway. Yeah.

India Cook: [00:22:35]

I think the last thing I would add is something that I've been really, I think, frustrated more so with, with this process.
And when I say process, the changes that have been happening in the outreach or the things that has been happening with running brands and companies and all of this stuff is diversity is not just african-American it bothers me when people use the word diversity and they only focus on black people.
And so it's like, it is, thank you. Like I'm an African-American woman. Like thank you. I appreciate it. But it's not just us. It is so many other people that embody that. It is disabilities is physical abilities is different. Body size is like, there's so many other things. That encompasses diversity. And I just hope that everyone is looking at that as a whole.
And also us as African-American individuals are receiving that diversity is not just us. And I think that that's another piece, like I'm excited for the changes that are happening, but less, not just compartmentalize it to white and black. There's so much more to it.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:23:33]

Exactly. That's definitely true.

Kevin Chang: [00:23:35]

Love what you guys are saying.

Coach B's Experience and Diversity in the RCAA [00:23:37]

Coach "B". I wanted to give you some opportunity as well, because, um, I know that we've talked a little bit about this on our YouTube channel, but we haven't really had a chance to dive into your experiences, as well as I know that more recently you've been on some RRCA boards , specifically around hiring . And so, , any insights that you have, any, any thoughts that you have?

Bertrand Newson: [00:23:58]

Thank you, Kevin, for that. Yes. Recently, I'm appointed to a nominating committee for the executive board for, um, the RRCA. So interviewing potential board members and we made our recommendations and we took a lot of things in consideration.
I appreciated the process, being able to have a seat at the table to have some say, and to see some of those candidates that. Looked like this panel right here, you know, the diversity of those candidates, the experience, the capability, um, of those individuals. And we made some good recommendations and the board as they'll will be announced, uh, at the national meeting next month in Orlando, Florida will have a, a greater sense of representation from a female perspective and a minority perspective as well.
So very fortunate to be a part of that. And I mean, yeah, you know, I've been a, an African-American male for 51 years, so to be 52 years later this month, so we've all had our experiences as well. Um, I, I love the running community so much. It has been incredibly good to me. And diversity takes on a different meaning depending on where you live in this country, you know where in for you, you know, parts of this state that are very diverse.
And so to some people's surprise in some rural parts, maybe not as diverse, but the one common denominator about the running committee, it's at its core, pretty damn friendly. You know, some of my best friends on this earth, I have met because of my love for getting outside and walking, running, and hiking.
And when conversations don't center around political affiliation or skin tone, , it's great. And 2020 was a challenging year for many reasons. And we navigate navigated through a pandemic. A lot of people suffered physically and financially, and it also amplify tensions from, uh, a social standpoint. And we talked about that recently, but what we're doing right now talking and India, you pointed out what are we doing as leaders to force change to question, to follow up when we have the opportunity to have some influence and have some say being fair-minded, , and giving other people opportunities that have afforded us those opportunities as well. So . And that's, that's our mission.
Um, and we love doing that here at RaceMob and, and being a, a voice. A platform, but also the ability to force change and really be about inclusion. And you guys are doing that in droves, so really following your lead there, so.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:26:31]

Thanks. We definitely appreciate that Coach. "B" I did want to say one more thing about diversity.
It has to be intentional. It's just not going to happen on its own. It has to be intentional. And, um, just, you know, examples of when we're talking about hiring the new race director for the New York city marathon. you know, African-American man, but that was intentional. And I, you know what, I don't have any problem with it.
You know, some people probably do because New York road runners had some problems internally about diversity. And so they intentionally hired an African-American race director. Okay. That that's great. Doesn't mean he's not qualified for the job, but they did hire him intentionally. And I have no problem with that.
And I think it has to be until it's something that we don't think about anymore. When I go back to this becomes just normal. Just, you know, it's not a thing. Nobody says anything when they hire somebody of diversity or minority for something that we don't say anything until that point comes, you do have to be intentional with diversity.

India Cook: [00:27:28]

I agree. I'm really excited to see what RRCA has. , as RRCA certified coach, like I I'm really looking forward to it. For someone, I got my certification last year and there was conversations that I feel like during my certification cohort that I brought up that were, let's talk more about inclusion of pace and, you know, size and all of these things, just some in some of our like breakout rooms and things of that nature.
And I think that even the training could be uplifted a little bit in regards to diversity, could do a little facelift, but I'm really excited to see their changes and I look forward to.

Coach India's Certification

Bertrand Newson: [00:28:02]

And India congratulations on your certification. How's that been for you? I mean, let's transition a little bit, as a coach, you know, Coach India.
###### India Cook: [00:28:11]
when I tell you guys that 2020 busted the door open for me, it did. It did. Of course not saying that it hasn't been any, you know, negative things, but of course, like it's just been great. So coaching has been amazing. I have to date probably coached about 15 ladies already. And so it's been literally full speed ahead. I have the opportunity to be a coach with a non-profit called Active Resolute Connected.
It, it is a nonprofit organization that helps to break barriers for ladies that may have barriers financially, physically, whether it be because they don't feel like they are a runner. Um, so emotionally, whatever it is, but these ladies are sponsored into our program and we actually provide an eight week training block for them.
They get a run coach, they get a mentor and they get a mindfulness coach through that time. And they also are connected with virtual physical therapy if they have any pains or issues. And so I actually am a coach for them. Um, and so I have ladies that roll in on an eight week cycle that I work with consistently and we connect every single week.
And honestly, it's been a blessing, um, that I've been able to connect on that level with this program. And that's really, what's kind of gotten me my experience and I truly enjoy it because for me, not only working with the ladies. That are interested in running or interested in elevating their running process, but also working with ladies that have a barrier that they're dealing with.
Um, and so for me, I enjoy being able to work on a run Coach side, but also the mentality of how you feel about yourself as a runner, the mentality that you are a runner, even if you. Are only able to run to the mailbox like you are a runner. Um, and so being able to do that has been nothing but amazing. So I do Coach independently as well, but a lot of my clients have come from the ARC program . So it's been amazing.

India's First Client

Bertrand Newson: [00:29:54]

That's great. Any success stories that you I'm sure there are plenty. Anyone come top of mind that you'd like to share with our audience?

India Cook: [00:30:01]

For sure. So I will say honestly, my first client, I won't share her name cause I don't want her to feel so conscious, but she has just really done amazing.
I connected with her just via social media. Um, I would see her posts. I don't, I didn't know her prior to. But I would see her post and she would talk about her pace and, Oh, I want to get faster. And I mean, at this time she was running 15 minute miles. Um, and I just was like, you're doing amazing like that.
You're you're out here moving and you are doing something. And I try to tell my clients all the time. Yes. There's always going to be someone that's faster than us, but there's also always going to be someone that's wanting to get to where you are so pace and how fast or slow or whatever it is. Is relative, right? Like that's relative to people
And so I just really uplifted her via social media. It transitioned into her being a part of the ARC program. And she now is doing absolutely amazing has progressed over the eight weeks. And I'm now working with her independently outside of the program, but she is just continuing to kick herself on down the street.
She is doing amazing. Like, I feel like every time she sets out to do a time trial or do a race, she is succeeding. And honestly, I think more surprised at herself and I tell her all the time. You have to break past that mental. If you tell yourself you can do it, you can do it. And that's something that I appreciate all the time when she's sometimes tells me what she's done and I'll make.
Do you realize, do you really realize what you just did? Like you really kick behind? Like, do you realize that? And sometimes I have to reframe her thought process on it's not just a mile, it's a mile. You did a mile when, before you couldn't do that. You know? So I would say that she's a huge success story from start to my continuation with her and I'm really enjoying working with her.

Bertrand Newson: [00:31:42]

That's great, great stuff.

Tommy's Got a Coach [00:31:44]

Tommy, I recall, I heard recently, I think post the Atlanta half marathon that you may be coached now, right? That was...

Tommy Mitchel: [00:31:55]

Yeah. yeah. We have a friend who was also a coach. I started by Coach. Mark Monroe, coach Monroe. And I mean, I've known Mark from my early days in the running community here in Atlanta, Georgia. The best race I've ever run in my life, Mark ran with me basically almost stride for stride through the whole race.
And just because we're good friends, you know, we're friends, we hang out beyond running, you know, we go hit the bar or whatever. So he actually ran the Publix half marathon as well. So, as we were making the second turnaround, like you made you go out, you'd go up one street, turn around and go down the other one, turn around.
So I'm making that second turnaround I'm coming up and that part was kind of healing. So. I started walking a little bit. And so Mark remembers me from my days, like, cause the race we ran together was a marathon in Savannah. We ran the Savannah marathon and you know, it was a great day for both of us. But I think both of us, uh, PR that day, he remembers me from that.
So as I'm going up the Hill walking, he's coming down, he yells over. If I was training you, you wouldn't be walking
And that's the kind of guy Mark. He is, you always, he's messing with you. And that's what we do. We mess with each other. So in the back of my mind, I go, you know what, because he, at that point he was probably about a mile behind me. So I was like, if he catches me. I'm going to let him coach me if he can, if he can get, I didn't say it to him.
I just thought it in my head. So, you know, I continue the race. We get to the track, get to the NASCAR track. And all of a sudden I feel this little nudge on my back. Hey, man. I didn't see him when he goes, Coach, you know, and Mark has, he's a very steady runner. He has a very, he, if you've ever seen him run, you could spot him a mile away.
Cause he has a very different kind of gait, when he runs and he goes by me and his little, his little kind of shuffle run and you know what I was like at the end of the race, because he waited for me after I finished, he was a little bit ahead of me when he finished. And I said, you know what? I, you know, I told them what I, you know, I thought to myself, I said, I'm gonna let you coach me.
So we've already set it up. My payments and he's already sent me a training plan. Next race is probably going to be, well, I guess I'll probably there's a four mile or the Singleton four mile. I'll probably run that, but the next big race will be July 4th, which would be the Peachtree here in Atlanta. But I told him to go ahead and make me a half marathon training because honestly, when I've run PRs it's because I have been training for something further.
I think when India talked and I said, you know what? When I was training for this half marathon, I never reached 13 miles. And I usually do. And then I thought to myself that's because I don't think I've ever trained for a half marathon. I think when I've run half marathons, because I trained, I was trained for a marathon.
And the half marathon kind of came either afterwards or before was the tune-up or, you know, or, you know, a race after the actual marathon. So I said, go ahead and make me a half marathon training program. Cause I really need to get my base back together. I don't run anywhere close to the amount of miles that I used to.
But I want to try to, you know, get my consistency backup. So I said, Mark, let me see what you can do for me. So it was really great. Actually. He surprised me with the training plan. He knows me. Um, I'm a big Buccaneer fan. Um, people love bucking me or thing

Kevin Chang: [00:35:07]

So you were happy month. Huh?

Tommy Mitchel: [00:35:13]

He put a little Buccaneer thing on my training. So. You know, he, he really knows me. So we're gonna see how it goes with the coaching

India Cook: [00:35:21]

Mark. It's interesting. It's going to be fun. Yeah. Yeah.
He's like that with everybody though. Like if you see him on the course, if he knows you and he knows that you have the ability to be doing better than what you're performing at that moment, like, he's like, what are you doing? Like, he will check you. Like, he's not going to baby. You like, he's going to tell you, get yourself together.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:35:40]

Exactly. But I mean, I love , the, the group that India is with a few years ago, there was another gentleman that we put together some virtual races together. Um, I call them the Big Inspiration is his name is Mike Martinez.
But I found out through that how hard it is to get people who don't run to run. It is very, if somebody doesn't run to give them to get up and do anything is very difficult. I did not realize how difficult until we put together that virtual race. And we were trying to advertise and market to people because I want to market to people who didn't run and say, Hey, this is a way for you to, you know, get out, start running.
Nah, they don't want to hit doing it. So the things that like India's group are doing, where they're taking away, all the obstacles they're, they're telling you, okay, you, all you gotta do is stand up. Exactly. That's all you gotta do is what you need to get people off the couch, basically. Coach B your family.
That's why, when you said you got your whole family to run, how did you do that? Cause trust me. Hi, I called jolt. I will pay your way. My man was like, Hey, I'm busy that day. I told you what day is on yet. So that is just really hard to get people running. But once you can, once they can get that groove going, everybody falls in love with running.
Everybody does.

Bertrand Newson: [00:36:57]

And that, you know, that's a good point, Tom, you asked me that. And, uh, you don't know until, you know, it's one thing, if you're explaining to your family and friends who don't typically run, what the experience is all about, but the catalyst was the Atlanta event in 2020, you know, my sister and niece came out, they watched me and my brother finished and my sister said, uh-uh! This is the last time I'm coming out and watching you guys finished without me getting in the middle.
I'm like, okay, you know, we hear you. I mean, she, she stuck to it and, um, you know, I put it out there like late November, early December, and it was a matter of really like couch two to half marathon. My brother had run before in the past, my sister's put in the work.
but it was her who saw the vibe, the sense of community sense of, uh, and so many different ages and shapes and sizes and races. Yeah. They're crossing that finish line last year in Atlanta. That really is like, you know what? I can do this because she saw people out there like her, some people taller, smaller, bigger, wider, but you know, what, if they can do it.
So can I, and by her making that decision, she also brought her daughter along as well, who was able to pace to her first 5k, um, when it was in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago, but it was this great experience and, you know, she's a twin. So once she was in and my sister was in there, my brother's like, Oh, heck no, y'all he dusted off the shoes and came out and we all finished.
So, and that moment, and we're still, you know, the text threads that we have had since race day have been fantastic. Now that our parents on that text thread, our partners were on that text read as well. I'm looking at what's the next race and I'm getting back in the groove again. It's fantastic. But again, they don't know until, you know.
And that's the one thing about a live race. It just, the level of energy and comradery and sense of accomplishment, and we all have nine to fives. We all are out there grinding with bills and responsibilities and all that other stuff, but it takes you back to when you were a kid and when you know all that stress is, is washed away and you're just putting one foot in front of the other.
And yes, you can have some stressful races sometimes that can happen. But when you cross that finish line, you realize all the hard work you've put into that sense of satisfaction and gratification is priceless. So, yeah, and I, I can't wait until the next live race with the family to seeing what they're going to be doing. You know? So how about family call your family? Tell me we got, I just want to see you finish.
###### Kevin Chang: [00:39:32]
If you like our podcast and sign up for our newsletter, where we give you weekly tips on how to run your best race and have fun in the process, just go to https://RaceMob.Com and sign up today.

Motivating New Runners [00:39:43]

India, I want you to get to some of your thoughts. I can tell. I mean, you've helped a lot of these. Beginner athletes, people taking their first steps. What have been some strategies that have worked for motivating them? What have been maybe some tips or some mistakes maybe that they've made that you've helped out with? what's been your experience like?

India Cook: [00:40:01]

Yeah, that's a whole conversation. So it's interesting because the program ARC that I worked for a day, we do take people. It's not just people from couch to 5k or new runners, but there is a bulk of individuals that are couch to 5k or people that are trying to run a 5k without walking, right?
So people that are trying to come off of the intervals and do a full mile without run walking. I want to back up a second because it's really interesting. During my RRCA coaching certification training, there was a conversation or a question that was asked on who is your athlete? What is your ideal athlete that you want to coach?
And it was very interesting to me because I've found I have a huge interest. For your couch to 5k your individuals that are, are wanting to get to a 10 K you're a beginner runners. Like I just love getting that fire started with people that maybe have not touched into the racing aspect of things, because you can run and not race.
Um, and I think that those, we sometimes we mold those together, but everybody that runs doesn't race. And so I really enjoy that. But in that cohort, there was a lot of people that said that they did not want to work with your couch to 5k clients. And I was shocked. You know what I mean? Like, why is that, like, let's have a conversation on why that is.
And some of the communication that was had was that they felt like couch to 5k clients take more effort because you have to work with the mental, it's more encouragement. It's not just writing up a plan and say, go do this. And I'll talk to you once a week. Like, I feel like with couch to 5k clients, it is more effort.
You may have to put more effort into the intervals calculations, you know, 32nd walk. 42nd run or a minute get up like it is. And I want to say more work, but it's just a different level of work that you have to put in a different dedication that you have to do. And you may have to do a little bit more massaging to the client's mind, helping them understand the body, helping them understand that if you have a little hurt, this is what you need to do.
I feel like you do have to do a little bit more educating versus if you're working with someone that's been running for a while and they have a good base, you can type up a plan and say, Hey, give me this, give me this, give me this, add some tempos, add some speed, work, add some fartlek, educate and maybe them on that. But you're kind of there a little bit more self-sufficient.
So I have found that that's a big difference and I enjoy working with those. Individuals, because I feel like they're moldable and they they're eager to learn and understand as long as you bring it to their level.

The Runner's Education [00:42:25]

There's a lot of people that I feel like have tried to understand running, try to understand the lingo, tried to do so many different things, but because they had the lack of education they gave up and they did not want to do it, or felt like running was just not for them.
And it's like, no, you just have to have a little bit of education so you can understand why your body may be doing this, why this may hurt. So some of the things that I feel like a lot of new runners do, one of the biggest ones for me is that they want to do speed. They want to increase speed and endurance at the same time, meaning they go out and they want to be fast.
And they also want to run a 5k without stopping. And it's like those things usually for most. In that for everyone, I'll say this, not for everyone, but usually when you have the endurance, the speed will come. And I think that people automatically have a perception in their mind that when they go out the door, they should be an eight, nine minute mile.
And if they're not, they give up, I feel like understanding, getting up your endurance to get your breathing together, to get to that one mile, get your forum together, have the right gear, have the right, you know, those things, having all of those things can help you to get to the endurance piece, which in return can produce speed.
So I think having expectations, comparing yourself to other people is one big thing I'm trying to do in endurance and speed at the same time and not being patient with ourselves. I have been running for several years and I'm still like, I still have room for growth, a lot of rooms for growth. And I think we have to understand that.
And also that running is not linear. And then the last thing is that people have a lack of education on gear and how much that can affect. Or it hinder or help your running, um, as well as nutrition and recovery, like if you're not doing all of those things, it's a puzzle running as a puzzle. It's one of those things.
And this isn't for everyone. I know plenty of runners that are amazing and they don't eat well. Like I know people like that, but I think that when you have the puzzle of stretching, warm-up, cool-down stretching and recovery, you have good nutrition, you're taking time to pace yourself. You have a good base and you're working on different things and not having the expectation that you're going to be speedy, Gonzalez out the door, that is a better puzzle to put together for a very successful athlete.
I think giving yourself grace and understanding is going to take time and also not comparing yourself to what you were before. Think a lot of runners also do that. They say, well, one day I was able to do this and now I can't do it, but it's like, life is different bodies, different stuff shifts around.
So I hope I answered your question, Kevin.

Kevin Chang: [00:44:58]

Oh yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And we kind of live in this day of instant gratification and everybody expects everything tomorrow. I mean, that is. Part of the thing that, that you do have to help people with is, you know, these things take time. They take quite a bit of time.
If you slow down, you go a little bit longer, you build up your base, you builds up your mileage, your speed will come over time. You can't just get faster just because you want to get faster. It doesn't work that way. So I love that. You talk about that and I love that you talk about just getting people to fall in love with the sport, because if you slow down, you're going to enjoy that time out there more.
And that's at the end of the day, what we want people to do is. It starts to fall in love with the sports, start to enjoy their time running and being out there. So I love that.

India Cook: [00:45:43]

I think if you think about it too, and I'm sure that all of us on this call can say that this has happened. I don't know if y'all ever think about the time that you, how you felt when you didn't have a watch with running.
And when you didn't, you didn't have these like goals of, I want a PR, I want to do this. I want to do that. Versus when you did, like, there's a difference between who I am as a runner during those times. And I think when I can go out for a run without a watch, not focus on time, not focus on pace, heart rate, cadence, whatever.
And I can just go out for a run and look at my surroundings. It feels so much better than when I'm stressed about okay. What was that split? What was this? What was that? And it's like, I feel like I want people to enjoy that carefree feeling before they get into the other logistics of things, because it takes away from the excitement of running.
When you only focus on logistics,

Bertrand Newson: [00:46:32]

Well said. And I want to use this analogy. So India, when you're talking about the clients you work with being the new runner, Kevin and I are still learning this podcast game, you know, and maybe I'm going to reveal while we have you guys on, because we want to learn from the best.
So Coach Tommy, Tommy, you've been in the podcast game. The longest, when I call you the Pod-Father,

The Podcasting Experience [00:47:00]

Giving Kevin and I, some coaching tips, you know, you guys have been doing this since 2018, Tommy you long. And when you had your own podcast, Some growing pains that for an up-and-coming podcast, duo like Kevin and I, things that we can, you know, be mindful of as we navigate these podcast waters.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:47:17]

Go ahead, India. You know what?. It's barely be doing anything. It's just me talking. I mean, I enjoy talking about running. I mean, if I open up tomorrow podcasts about something else it's because of something I just enjoy talking about now, as far as doing it with India, I don't know. I don't know how we ended up.
I mean, I think I just made a good selection because India was fun. You know, she was fun and like to have a good time, which is something that I do, but she's enough opposite of me to catch that other side of how we do things. Like I might be making jokes. But India will come in with. Okay. Yeah, that's funny, but actually this is what we going to do.
And I think that's just it, I think, honestly, we just got lucky with the timing and the talking and you know, that sort of thing. And he is really good with coming up with topics. Which, you know, that was the part that I just was getting tired of is, you know, thinking of content, but any can come up with any topic and I can talk about it.
You know, I, I, you know, I don't need to study it or anything. I'll talk about it. I'll give my opinion. And that's the whole thing, give your opinion. Because in my opinion, as far as podcasts. Cause there's been a lot of other pockets before me, before India, before Run Duo, before shut up, Tommy there's been other diverse running podcasts.
But I think from listening to them, I was like, yes, that was very informative, I did learn, but did I actually enjoy listening to it? Right. And that's the thing. I would like people to tune into my podcast and if they don't run, they might be like, well, I don't know exactly what they were talking about all the time, but I enjoy listening to that.

Bertrand Newson: [00:48:57]

And they enjoy that time with just you in India versus me and Kevin.

India Cook: [00:49:07]

So it's not anything towards you Coach be. We get that often actually people request for us because at one point we were doing podcasts where we would only interview people like every week it was an interview. Um, and so then we got so many requests to people saying you got, just do an episode just with y'all like, so we start trying to mix it up of where our shenanigans is a whole, we call it shenanigans. But our whole thing is. Our updates in like what's going on and how we feel about things and not just a snippet. So you're not the only one Coach "B".

Tommy Mitchel: [00:49:37]

So a little bit of shenanigans, a little bit of inspiration from India. We put it in a little ball and we put it out every two weeks. That's kind of what it goes. When it happens.

Bertrand Newson: [00:49:47]

You see the magic, you definitely see the magic. We feel the magic. We also want to see behind the scenes, maybe. Some of those untold stories, you know, some more scrambling behind the scenes, you know?
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:49:57]
Oh, the one where I didn't record.

India Cook: [00:50:03] And I'm like, you're not going to get the same energy as last time.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:50:08]

It just repeated everything. She said the first time in a monotone. Yes, I did. No, I did that.
She was trying to get to help. That's what it was. She said, look, I gotta go. I gotta get him out tonight.
Um, you know, just, you know, different stuff, you know, I mean, it was trial and error. I liked that you guys are doing the video side. I just ended up now. There's actually more opportunity for it than when we tried to do it the first time we could probably do it now just with, you know, with everything that we have.
But before it was just too much to try to edit the thing and then edit the video with stuff like this, like kind of the platform that you guys were on, it would definitely be a whole lot easier now. So those are other things that we may look into.

India Cook: [00:51:00]

Yeah, I would say that, um, when we first started, cause my biggest thing was sound quality. Like I know that I find I listened to podcasts and like, if your sound is not up there, I get annoyed and I just I'll click off. Like, it's not personal to you, but I just can't, I can't process what you're saying, because I'm focused on why your sound is not clear, or if I'm trying, if I'm having to turn up and turned down and all of that stuff, so.
I know when Tommy and I first started, I was really like, okay, what are we going to do? And I know if you listened to some of our first podcast versus what they sound like now it is very different. So we adjusted, we upgraded to the, the microphone and this and that.
But honestly, to really get back to your question Coach B,, I think when it comes to podcasts and it has to be organic. And I know that we laugh about Tommy and I being raw and because we are, but our reason when we came together in the beginning to discuss why we wanted to do the podcast is because not only because we had the love for running but because we want it to be fun and entertaining and we want it to be ourselves.
I listened to some podcasts that are running related and they, you could tell when they shifted, because now they have sponsors and they have this and they have that and they have this. And the excitement of the podcast is just not the same.
Like I prefer the organic relaxed feel of how it was before some may say before they blew up, right. And so it's kind of one of those things where I think that if you stay true to yourself and know why you started the platform in the beginning, the following will grow organically. I think Tommy and I don't focus on a lot of growth push.
Like, you won't hear that from us because we genuinely just love what we do. And we just do it every two weeks and we know we're just going to show up and we just enjoy it. So I know some people have, a lot of people have come to us and say, well, how do you do this? How do you do that?
How do you grow? And it's like, we just do what we do. And it just kind of happens. Right. So we don't have a equation for you to tell you how, but I think just us being us has gotten us to where we are. Um, I will say that we are strategic and selective when it comes to people that we interview and have on this show.
Um, and I think we've been more so that within the last year, because I think we've gotten more people that are like, Hey, we want to be on your show, like requesting to be on our shark versus us, like going out to find people for our show. Like at this point we have enough people that are requesting. So where we don't really have to.
I mean, we have people that we want to find. And I think that that's the difference too, is that we find people that are interesting to us. But then we also want to interview people that are not being interviewed on every single running podcast. Like you can go to certain running podcasts and you can hear the same exact person, the same exact story, but can we find people that are not being seen or not being heard that are also doing extraordinary things.
And I think that's something that helps us as well. Is that finding someone that is. New to the podcasting world or being heard. And they're still doing awesome things. So being strategic about people that you interview and people that actually you're interested in, there's people that approach us. And we're like, thank you, but we're not as interested in your story, or I don't even know what kind of questions I would ask you. I'm sorry.
Or finding people that are just as exciting to talk to than they are on paper. There's some people that we find, or that are interested in coming on the show like aesthetically, like their resume is amazing, but they can't carry a conversation and that doesn't make it fun for us. And we don't enjoy the podcast when we're trying to pull words out of you.
And so I think maybe there is a science behind that as far as who we choose to interview, why we choose to interview them the timeframe in regards to when they get on this show. And if it is in connection to something that may be going on in the world, that is always a plus as well.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:54:34]

Yeah. Most definitely. And you know, it's funny. Cause sometimes we'll get people who are like, is it going to be like a pre- interview interview? And I mean, I mean any like what? No.
We just talk on the microphone I want to come on, we don't do that. We just talk. And I mean, I understand because not everybody does this all the time, but before I got into insurance claims I was in sales. I'm just used to talking to people. I'm used to having to just walk up to somebody, Hey, how are you doing dah, dah, dah, and you know, whatever.
So I'm just used to it. So I don't, when I first time somebody said to me, well, what are you going to ask me? I was just like, huh, what do you mean what I'm going to ask you? We're just gonna have a conversation just. And I mean, also I believe myself in India, regardless of if it was a rock that called in to be interviewed, we could get an interview out of him just cause we can just talk, we can talk and we can kind of get it going and you know, that sort of thing.
But you know, I think kinda, you gotta make people feel comfortable. So when people do ask, Hey, can you tell me what we're going to talk about? We do try to accommodate them and that sort of thing. But I really like people who just want to come on and talk, because that means they just really enjoy holding conversations.
They really enjoy talking about what they're about to be interviewed, you know, about whatever that may be.

India Cook: [00:55:50]

Yeah. We don't like to tell people the interview questions, , unless they're pushing for us. To tell them, like we've had some people that have agents that we had to communicate with the agents, and they require us to tell them the questions .
So they could prepare. , those people are like your elites . But not outfitting though, when we interviewed AlphaNine and she was like, everything's on the table. But, um, but some other people that we've interviewed that had agents to reach out to us, or we had to communicate with the agent and not the athlete, they wanted to know the questions, stick to the questions.
And I think for me and Tommy, that's not as fun. Like we just kind of like to go with the flow and see how it feels. We have our questions that we want to ask, but I feel like we don't want it to be pre-answered already in your mind, like be raw with us, like be organic with us. Tell us exactly how you feel as soon as the question is asking. I think that that helps us with our flow.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:56:37]

Yeah, exactly. And it's funny, you know what, all the elites, the elite elite. They all have the same agent. So you might, once you get in with one, you can pretty much find all of them. If you really want to talk to elite athletes, they all pretty much have the same media agents.

India Cook: [00:56:51] Yeah. And depending upon where they are, some of them still answer their social media. But I think that that was, that was like a year and a half ago or so that you could still communicate through social media. Most of them now are just like, you got to go to my agents,

Tommy Mitchel: [00:57:03]

the guy that was Alfin's. I've hit up like other elite athletes and he'll hit me back.
Hey Tommy. Yeah. I'm, so-and-so, he's not available right now, but it's the same guy. So I'm just, you know, I'm just gonna start hitting you up directly. You handle this guy, can we talk to him?

India Cook: [00:57:21]

We talked to Alfin a couple of times, but I think we first, it was like through DM initially, and then it transitioned to an agent which I'm happy for them, but it just depends on who the athlete is.

Bertrand Newson: [00:57:31]

And just for our audience understanding, uh, she won the

Tommy Mitchel: [00:57:35]

2020, uh,

India Cook: [00:57:37]

I forget sometimes we talk about people that we think everybody knows, and that's not the case.
So I apologize. Go ahead, Coach B.

Bertrand Newson: [00:57:44]

Yeah, she took first place in the us Olympic marathon time, Charles and Atlanta 2020 and is going to, well, just had a baby, right? Yeah. Yes. Still planning on making a trip to Tokyo this summer.

Tommy Mitchel: [00:57:57]

Yeah. That's the interview we probably hold up to. Yeah. Yeah. That was my favorite,

Bertrand Newson: [00:58:03]

Tell us what's your favorite interview and why.
So, I mean, I only say her just because she's a lead and she was so cool. You know what I mean? It wasn't like she is that really so much that she was elite, but it was elite and she's just a cool person. And we had actually met her before we interviewed her. She had tests had done like a pre-race get together for, some of the minority, people that were running minority racers that were running in the marathon Olympic trials.
And she came and right there shows how cool she is. She's looking to, you know, two days from the time she's sitting there to, you know, the, when the marathon trials and she's just chilling, sitting on a stool, you know, talking to us. I don't know where we were. We were in, um, a business center or something like that, where, um, Tez had it.
So, you know, that made her really cool to us. And that's the reason I like it. Not so much that she's an elite athlete, just that she is that fast winning, you know, medals. And she still comes on our show and just acts like a regular person and, you know, talks to us. You know, a regular person.

India Cook: [00:59:00]

Yeah. I think that there's something to say when you connect with people that have, have a lot of out, um, accolades and they continue to be humble and they continue to be okay with coming on a podcast that doesn't have tens of thousands of subscribers and followers. Right?
Like I think that there's something to say about those athletes. Um, there are some athletes that we may reach out to and. They don't want to take the time to spend 30 minutes to an hour with us because we haven't made it yet. And so when you get someone like Alfin that is willing to do that and is very humble, very open about her personal life.
Very personable. I think it just speaks volumes. And the day that Tommy was talking about, Alfin said, I'm here to win the trials. And she did that. So it's so funny that she said that and she claimed it. And that was something that I just absolutely love. So between her, I don't know, like Peyton Thomas, I don't know if y'all are familiar with her, but she also ran in the trials.
It was great to talk to her. I think communicating with Peyton was humbling for all of us because she didn't at that point of her interview she didn't realize how many people she was touching, being her age, and the ranking that she had as a American woman, she didn't know those things.
And so when we're telling her, did you know, did you know, did you know your number? This did, you know, she's like, Oh, I didn't know. And it's like to be able to speak to, and that's literally how she is. She's very humble, very soft-spoken, but to speak to someone, knowing that they're doing amazing things and they don't realize at that moment, the reach that they have to inspire women to inspire other runners.
That's awesome for us. Like, I feel like that is a win in our books and of course she has gone from the trials to so many other amazing platforms that she's been able to be illustrated on since then, but she was a gem that had not been, she was out there and didn't get the space that she should deserved. And I'm glad that she is now.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:01:00]

Most definitely. Yeah.

Plans and Goals for 2021

Bertrand Newson: [01:01:03]

So how does the balance of 2021 look for you? Guys' personal fitness goals, you know, Run Duo goals, your YouTube channel that we can just pop in India. I mean, fantastic. As we talked about earlier with my sister and others that are just loving the content that you're producing.
So what's on tap for the balance of 2021. For both of you.

India Cook: [01:01:23]

For me, it's continual growth. I hope to continue to grow in regards to obviously the run duo cause we're on duo is. First and foremost, like it's what we do. And honestly, for me and Tommy, I always say we just keep it going. I don't think we do a lot of changing and shifting with the run duo, just because I don't know if y'all heard it, but we're very organic.
We don't really see ourselves to go pass a whole lot. Like that's not our focus. We want to keep it at organic, enjoying it and whatever comes our way definitely comes our way. So as far as kind of pushing for it, I don't think that that's our reach at the moment. Um, and not that we don't want to, but we're not pounding the pavement to make sure that we are at this place in, in this magazine and doing this and doing that.
We're just kind of organically doing it as far as my YouTube, continuing to stay consistent. For me, it's given a post a week, regardless of what it is. Um, I'm hoping, and I'm actually very grateful and blessed that I was able to start this YouTube channel during a pandemic. So I had content to give, um, initially when I started the YouTube channel, I didn't think that I was concerned a little bit about having content being that racing wasn't happening.
But then I had to shift. I said, you know what? It's not all about the races. It's about giving people tips and educating them, entertaining them and letting people know really what it takes to be a runner running is just not racing. There's a lot of behind the scenes stuff that it takes and that's content within his own.
So just very happy that I am able to do that. So I'll continue to do that. And I'm hoping personally, as my brand Miles from India, that I can grow in the midst of speaking engagements, being able to go to different places, to speak and be at conferences and panels. That's something that is a goal for me as a brand.
So I hope that those things will come.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:03:06]

Yes. I hope that for India as well.

Kevin Chang: [01:03:09]

It'll happen, it'll happen a hundred percent sure.

India Cook: [01:03:15]

Things are happening.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:03:17]

But I mean, you kind of went into, you said as far as the run duo. Just keep rolling. Just doing it. I have looked at doing different things with it. I, I mean, I ain't gonna lie.
And my priorities right now, I have, uh, a young son is him. He's, uh, he's gonna be two in May, so that's kind of my priority right now. So I don't push myself beyond him too much because when I want to be with him, I don't want to be tired. I want to be alert. I want to be able to spend my time with him, play with him.
I'm already old dad. People already pick on me because I'm so old and I got a young kid, so I still want to be able to play with him. And I've found when I try to do other things like, you know, trying to run a hundred miles in a month, it takes from spending time with him. Cause I'm tired. If I run a, you know, if I go out and run 15 miles on a Saturday, I'm not really looking forward to having to play with, uh, you know, a one year old kid.
So that's why I've kind of pulled back on a lot of things. But I do want to get my running back consistent. I would love to get back in better shape, just consistency. That's all I really want right now. And then, you know, once he can get up and dress himself and feed himself, I'll get back full and I'll get back full bore at that point.
But you know, 2021, I just hope. We can keep the run duo going. I hope we can find guests. I hope we can find content. I don't think they'll ever have a problem with. Yeah. I don't think we'll ever have a problem with finding either of those. I would love to get an interview with the new, race director.
I'm going to tell everybody that the new race director of the New York city marathon, Ted Moralis, , but I would love to get an interview with him. You know, that would probably be one that I really enjoy just because he is the first African-American to be a race director for any of the world majors.
I would love to, you know, maybe run a marathon this year probably won't happen. It'll probably be another half marathon, but you know, we'll see what shakes out. We'll see what actual marathons are actually running, because I don't want to, I don't think I could have run a marathon at Publix the way it was set up.
I want to run another marathon or a regular one. You know what I'm saying? Like, I would love to go run Chicago again right now.
Exactly the crowd support and you know, and everybody can hang out afterwards because that's a lot to me of what made running fun to me, the social aspect, we ran we run, and now we're going to go to the bar. We go get some beers, we'll have a good time. We're going to enjoy each other.
You know, that sort of thing, meeting new people, route runs, you know, that's something that I really have not done at all during the pandemic, because if I come home from a group run, Heather would probably make me shower in the yard cause she didn't want me to bring any COVID into the house.
So, you know, I've just kind of, you know, okay. I just won't do it for right now, but with the vaccine out and everything like that, I'm hoping we can get back to what we consider to be normal and we can get out there and just enjoy running again.

India Cook: [01:05:56] Yeah. And because we are the duo, we just, you know, our decisions for the Rendu are made together. So we will continue to produce good content and every other Thursday and do what works best for us, which is every other Tuesday we connect and we do our thing and we produce it and give it to you all on Thursdays, so.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:06:19] Exactly.

Kevin Chang: [01:06:20]

How do you guys interact with your community or your listeners? Are there ways, or have you been able to like meet people? Do people like find you, Oh my on courses and stuff, have you been like

Tommy Mitchel: [01:06:38]

India, probably more than me, they recognize India, but like I said, we just haven't had any in-person races, but when we did, you know, yeah. Hey, you're this person actually, I work for a major insurance company. I'm a claims. Person. So if you have roof damage, I'm going to come and tell you we're not paying for it anyway.
So that's my job. But actually on my team, there's a gentleman that I was talking, you know, I just recently got put on this new team, you know, we have Skype and everything. We're just talking. And he was like, Oh, you know, because when you come onto a new team, they make you tell like what you do. And I was like, yeah, I run. And, you know, dah, dah, dah.
He's like, Oh, you run. I run too. And he's a part actually of one of the historic, um, the, one of the, I guess it's, they're the oldest, the Southfield running partners. They're the oldest African-American run a group here in Atlanta. Might be in the country. I don't know. And he was like, I'm a part of that.
I was like, Oh, okay. And they're a serious run group. Like you can't just walk up and say, I want to run with y'all. I want to power your group. Nah, they got, they got it, like

India Cook: [01:07:39]

It's a membership and everything.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:07:40]

It's a membership, like, you know, they they're serious about their run group. You got to do dinners with them and you know, stuff that gets schmooze them. And then they let you in and give you your jacket. So they're dead serious.
But anyway, so he's like, yeah, the cell phone rent apart. Okay. That's great. Blah, blah, blah. We're talking. And finally, and you know, I go, Oh really? Yeah. I inter you know, I just happened to say, well, we interviewed somebody from, you know, South Southwest run apart.
He was like, wait a minute. You're part of the run duo, you know India? Oh, I didn't know that's who you are. Okay. So yeah, it was. It was pretty interesting. It was

India Cook: [01:08:25]

funny, but I think people notice me more because Tommy is really not into social media. Like he doesn't do the whole posting every day. Like when he posts a picture, I'm like, Oh, there's Tommy. Like, he just does it.
Like the only way that y'all see Tommy is if you catch them at a race, he might post a picture once a month and you hear them on a what? Every other Thursday, like literally that's his presence. So for me, I try to post something every single day on social. So people see me more often and I'm showing up in different spaces.
But yes, I think that we started, I wouldn't say getting more recognition or people recognizing us when we started doing live podcasts as well. So we did a live podcast or two live podcasts with the race. And that was 2018 and 2019. We did live podcasts during the race expo. And so we set up for everything.
We did it live or recorded. And I think people were able to better put our faces with our names when we start doing those live podcasts. And we've done about three, if not more of those since then of live podcasts. And it's easier to connect our faces with our names. So, but we do get people that are like, Oh, take a picture with us.
And we're, you know, they're our listeners and they enjoy us. And. People message us all the time and say that they, we sound like they're friends. Like they're just sitting in the living room and talking to us, chatting it up when they're listening to our podcast. So that's what we love. And we love our listeners and we have our loyal people that might ask if an upload is late, where's the episode.
And, you know, people that also beat our door down asking us why we don't do a weekly podcast. We get that all the time. They want it weekly instead of bi-weekly, but we're like, listen, The way our lives are set up.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:10:04]

It's all I can give you for right now. If he wants the little boy grows up, I can get more back into it. Cause I, I used to post quite a bit, actually I used to post like after every run at one point, but I found that and I mean, this is just me. I found like that puts stress on my run.
It didn't let me relax because I felt like, okay, I'm going to run this seven miles. Okay. Then I'm going to have to post, you know, I'm gonna have to get a good picture. I gotta, I gotta find the right angle to get a good picture. And you know, I just, I just felt like, okay, I don't want to do that anymore. I just want to go out, run.
You know, if you want to follow me, I post on Strava. Every time you can see my running there, I just got away, you know, from posting the pictures and it makes my runs more relaxed in my opinion.

India Cook: [01:10:51]

It's so funny. I just thought about this Tommy. As soon as Trey, which is this little boy, as soon as Trey gets to be self sufficient, I'm going to become a mom. And then our, our, our, our things about to switch, it's gonna switch. So right now I am not a mom, but I hope to be a mom. And I feel like as soon as Trey gets to a point where he can kind of do his own thing, I'm going to become a mom.
And then you're going to be like, wow, was ready.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:11:16]

No, you got, because like, Heather, my girlfriend she's back fitness. Like she's Peloton every morning. She's this, she's that. So she's good. So you might be the same way. I just, I can't, I can't do all that. I need, I need to keep this energy saved up, but when that little boy takes off out the door and I got to chase him down. So I, I save my energy for that.

Kevin Chang: [01:11:37]

Well, I think you guys hit on what makes you guys so successful, which is just, you're having so much fun on every single podcast and we hear it. On the other end it's just awesome. And , that's why we love tuning in and catching up with you guys.
Cause it just feels like, like you said, we're sitting in the living room with some of our closest friends chatting about what's going on in the, in the world today. So just love that. Love that piece of it.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:12:00]

Thank you. We do appreciate it.

Social Media Links

Kevin Chang: [01:12:02]

Where can our listeners find you guys online? I know India, you have a couple of different places that people can connect with you . So tell our audience where they can find you if they

Tommy Mitchel: [01:12:12]

just turn on their computer. I'm sorry.

India Cook: [01:12:32]

It's so funny. Because every episode will we read off like how we could be reached in time. He's like, yeah. I mean, you can try me on Facebook, but I probably won't respond cause I'm not really on there. No, but seriously. I'm sorry guys take y'all out topic, but my website is milesfromindia.com and every connection that you can have from me is there.
If you're interested in coaching from me. Everything is there on there. Um, but you also find me on Instagram at I underscore of underscore Indigo, which is E and D IGO underscore run. So I have Indigo runs. I also have a blog on YouTube that is Miles from India, but if you connect with me on my website at milesfromindia.com, you can connect to all of my different social medias.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:13:11]

And you can, um, actually, well, the best place is Instagram. Cause I do, I do look at Instagram quite often, you know, at least once a day. So teammates 68 I'm on Instagram and, you know, check me out on Strava. I think Strava, you look up by the email address. So my email address is [email protected]. So if you want to follow me on Strava, I want to say you can just find me on there and hit the follow button. I'll accept you. Without any problem, if you want to follow my running journey.

India Cook: [01:13:39]

Yes. And our podcasts can be found on all the major podcast platforms. So your Apple pod has your Google, your Spotify. So all of your major podcast platforms, you can listen to our, our, um, the run dwell. When of course the run duo is our Instagram, our, the run duo podcast is the Instagram.
So you can connect them.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:13:56]

Yeah. And there's a link directly to, you know, wherever you want to listen right there. Yeah, for sure.

Bertrand Newson: [01:13:59]

I can say this. My family has subscribed to you guys more than ...

India Cook: [01:14:13]

Show support. Yes. We, we enjoy what we do, but we also love connecting with our listeners and I mean, that's, what's the fun out of it. Um, when people respond to us about an episode or say they laughed about something or they enjoyed something, that's what keeps us going. Not only because we love it, but, you know, knowing that the content that we're putting out is being received.

Kevin Chang: [01:14:32]

Love it. Well, thank you guys so much for joining us. I'm sure that this is just the second third of many, many conversations that we have going forward. I mean, yeah, we'll definitely keep connected. Um, and you guys are just so awesome. So thank you guys so much for your time.

India Cook: [01:14:46]

Appreciate it. Thank you.

Tommy Mitchel: [01:14:49]

Thank you.
###### Kevin Chang: [01:14:50]
Well, I hope you enjoyed this episode of the RaceMob podcast. Check out all of the show notes or find a running buddy online at https://RaceMob.Com. Please subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to your podcasts and leave us a review until next time. Keep on moving