Back in October 2023 — just a couple months into my freshman year at LSU — I sat down with Derek Rubis on The High Flying Hub, a podcast dedicated to interviewing runners of all distances and pole vaulters about all things track and field. This was actually my first podcast appearance as a college athlete. I had just moved from Leawood, Kansas to Baton Rouge to run distance for the Tigers, and I was still figuring out what the collegiate level really looked like.
Freshman Year at LSU
When this episode came out, I was right in the middle of my first collegiate cross country season. Everything was new — the training volume, the level of competition, the SEC conference, and the reality of balancing a full academic schedule with Division 1 athletics. I had come to LSU as a distance runner specializing in the 1500m and mile, and the jump from high school in Kansas to competing against some of the best runners in the country was a real adjustment. Derek and I talked about what that transition looked like and what it felt like to be a freshman navigating all of it at once. I was learning what SEC cross country really meant — the depth of every race, the speed of the pack, and how different it was from anything I had experienced in high school.
Why I Chose LSU
One of the things that came up was why I chose LSU. Growing up in Leawood, Kansas, the SEC was not exactly in my backyard, and Baton Rouge is a completely different world from what I grew up with. But LSU had the right combination of competitive athletics, a coaching staff I trusted, and an environment that I felt would push me to grow — not just as a runner, but as a person. I also knew I wanted to build something beyond just racing, and being part of an athletic program with the reach and energy of LSU gave me a platform to start doing that from day one.
Starting to Build a Platform
Even as a freshman, I was already starting to create content and document my experience. At the time, my YouTube channel was in its early stages — nowhere near where it is now — but I was posting consistently and learning what resonated with people. Derek’s show gave me one of my first opportunities to talk about that process outside of my own content. It was a short conversation, but it was a cool moment to look back on now that the channel has grown to over 45,000 subscribers and millions of views. Everyone starts somewhere, and this was one of those early reps.
About The High Flying Hub
The High Flying Hub is a track and field podcast hosted by Derek Rubis. The show features interviews with runners of all distances and pole vaulters, covering training, racing, and the stories behind the athletes. With over 770 episodes and a 4.8-star rating, it’s become one of the go-to interview shows in the track and field community.
Where It All Started
Listening back to this one is weird because I barely recognize where I was at the time. I didn’t have a 4:01 mile yet. I didn’t have a COROS deal. The YouTube channel was a fraction of what it is now. A lot has changed since October 2023, but the conversation with Derek is a good snapshot of what I was thinking about early on — before any of the results or the opportunities that came after.
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