You Asked, I Answered: A D1 Runner’s Honest Q&A on Training, College Life, and Mental Health

As a D1 athlete who posts on social media, I get a lot of questions from followers about everything from training specifics to life after college. I decided to sit down and answer as many as I could in one video. From my favorite workouts and hobbies to why I chose LSU and how I handle the mental load of being a student-athlete and content creator, here is an honest look at the questions you had and the answers I gave.

D1 Runner Q&A: Is It Worth It to Go D1?

This is the question I get more than any other. There are mornings when it feels like the hardest thing in the world to get up and go to practice. As I said in the video, “It’s mornings like this when I really start to rethink.” But after practice wraps up, the perspective always shifts. The sport gives me something to strive for that is bigger than myself and teaches me more about who I am. If you are considering the D1 route, understand that the early mornings and grueling sessions are real—but so is the growth that comes from pushing through them.

My Favorite Workout and Why I Love Lactic Tolerance Sessions

When asked about my favorite type of workout, my answer comes quickly: lactic tolerance sessions. Think two sets of 4-2-2-2 or 4x3x200 meters. As I described, these are workouts that get “the lactic acid swirling with big recoveries but shorter reps.” There is something uniquely satisfying about those sessions where the reps are fast, the burn is real, and the rest gives you just enough to go again.

What I Do Outside of Running

My biggest hobby outside of track is videography, which probably comes as no surprise if you watch my content. I described it as “a side hustle that I could see turning into more of a real gig in the future.” On top of that, I have grown to love coffee shop culture—whether I am trying to be productive or catching up with friends.

From Soccer to Track: My Origin Story

A lot of people are surprised to learn I started in soccer. I played all the way through my freshman year of high school. I always had speed though—I ran a 2:15 800-meter in seventh grade without any track training. When I finally tried cross country as a sophomore, I fell in love with it within a month. By the time track season rolled around, I “just randomly popped a 1:55” in the 800, and my path in the sport was set.

Why I Chose LSU Over Nebraska and Memphis

I took five college visits total—three official and two unofficial. My top three came down to LSU, Nebraska, and Memphis. What set LSU apart was the combination of world-class facilities, the fact that it is a Nike school, the warm climate, and the coaching staff. “I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Coach Franks,” I noted. Beyond the athletics, I also wanted to get far from home to experience something completely new.

Life After College and What I Am Building

My plan is to keep running for a few more years—I am only a sophomore with potentially three more years of eligibility, plus a possible fifth year. But I am also actively thinking about the future. Content creation and videography are skills I am building right now that could carry me well beyond the track. I want to be in a position where I have options, not just one path.

The Books That Have Shaped My Thinking

I set a goal to read ten books last year and hit it. This year, I am pushing for twelve. At the time of filming, I was reading The Slight Edge and loving it. Reading has become one of those habits that I protect in my schedule because it compounds over time in ways you do not always see immediately.

The Little Things That Make a Big Difference in Running

Beyond sleep, nutrition, and recovery, the little things I focus on come down to mindset. As I explained, “Every day at the workout, if I can come out of it feeling positive, no matter how well or poorly I did, it’ll be a good day.” That mental framing has made a bigger impact on my consistency than any supplement or recovery tool ever could.

Mental Health as a D1 Athlete and Content Creator

I was candid about the mental challenges of balancing so many roles. “Sometimes I feel like I have like four different brains just tugging at me in every direction,” I shared. Between content creation, academics, athletics, and a social life, flipping the switch from one mode to another is exhausting. But I am working on systems to manage all four areas, and I have a plan that I am excited about.

What questions do you have about the D1 experience or training as a college runner? Drop them below—I might answer yours in the next Q&A.