Today we are joined by legendary Coach from Northern Arizona University, Ron Mann and and Elite Athlete Matt Baxter to their new book 'Running Up The Mountain'. It's an in depth conversation about what NAU's is doing to consistently produce world class athletesEPISODE OUTLINE:00:00 Introduction and Origin Story06:23 The Structure of the Book10:25 The Early Years of the Program16:10 Benefits of Training at Altitude20:00 Matt Baxter's Journey to NAU23:38 Training Structure and Work Ethic32:47 Managing Effort and Utilizing Technology39:07 Investment and Passion for the Program45:32 Cultivating a Successful Culture47:56 Creating a Culture of Growth and Teamwork50:03 Starting the Application Process53:36 The Importance of Cross-Country Results57:17 The Role of Relationships in the College Decision58:24 Tips for International Athletes01:00:46 Appreciating and Contributing to the College ProgramKEY TAKEAWAYSThe early years of a program are often challenging and require perseverance and dedication.Training at altitude can provide physiological benefits for endurance athletes.The collegiate system in the US offers opportunities for international athletes to compete at a high level and receive a free education.The culture and environment of a program play a significant role in the success of athletes.Utilizing technology and data can help coaches and athletes monitor and optimize training.Investment and passion from both athletes and coaches are crucial for achieving success.When applying to college athletic programs, showcase your presence in the media and make yourself available.Cross-country results can be a significant factor in getting accepted into a college program.Building relationships with coaches and showing appreciation for the program's success can make a difference in the college decision.International athletes should cast a wide net when considering colleges and emphasize their commitment to team culture.Athletes should appreciate and contribute to the legacy of the college program they join.TRANSCRIPT:https://share.transistor.fm/s/526614f9/transcript.txtEPISODE LINKS:Book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Running-Up-Mountain-Northern-Lumberjack/dp/1734989963PODCAST INFO:Podcast Website: www.relaxedrunning.comApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2MMfLsQ...RSS: https://feeds.transistor.fm/relaxed-r...SOCIALS:- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/relaxedrunning- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relaxed_run...