Podcast Summary: Kreatures Of Habit Podcast

Episode: No Turning Back | Monday Moments
Host: Michael Chernow
Date: September 8, 2025

Episode Overview

In this solo "Monday Moments" episode of the Kreatures of Habit Podcast, host Michael Chernow steps away from the usual guest format to share a personal commitment and some reflective insights. Michael publicly announces his plan to run the 2025 New York City Marathon for Release Recovery Foundation, intertwining his story with a motivational challenge for listeners to set their own future fitness goals. The episode radiates authenticity and encouragement, focusing on the power of habits, public accountability, and giving back.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Power of Public Commitment

Michael opens the episode by announcing that he’s pushing himself out of his comfort zone by publicly committing to running the 2025 NYC Marathon.
He acknowledges the nerves that go along with saying a big goal out loud, stressing the significance of "No Turning Back" once a commitment is made.
- Quote: “I'm going to say something out loud to you, put it out into the world, and what does that mean for me? No turning back.” [02:12]

2. Running For a Greater Cause

Michael’s marathon entry is in partnership with the Release Recovery Foundation, which focuses on substance abuse awareness and prevention.
He highlights how grateful he is to be aligned with an organization that shares his values and passion for recovery.
Recollects his experience running the 2018 NYC Marathon, describing it as “one of the coolest, most fun, epic days” of his life.
- Quote: “Running the 2018 New York City Marathon goes down as one of the coolest, most fun, epic days of my life, for sure.” [03:10]

3. Meaningful Memories and Personal Ties to NYC

Michael shares childhood memories of spectating the marathon and handing out orange wedges on 87th Street and Second Avenue.
This anecdote reinforces his personal connection to both the city and the event.
- Quote: “I remember as a kid standing on the street, watching all the runners go by, handing them, like, orange wedges. I remember every year we used to do that on 87th street and Second Avenue. It was so much fun.” [03:26]

4. Training Approach and Mindset

Michael commits to smart, cautious training with a coach to avoid injury. He shares his excitement, repeating how “fired up” he is to tackle the marathon.
He deliberately resists sharing his target race time to keep the pressure off and focus on the experience rather than metrics.
- Quote: “I'm not going to say a word about time. I have a number in my head, but I'm not going to put the pressure on myself... I just want to run the thing. I want to have a great time doing it.” [05:00]

5. Call to Action for Listeners: Setting Your Own Goal

Michael encourages listeners to use his commitment as inspiration to set their own fitness-related target for late 2025 or early 2026.
He suggests a variety of possible goals—from half or full marathons to bodybuilding competitions or Hyrox events.
Emphasizes the value of having “a target to aim at.”
- Quote: “If this inspires you, why not set some sort of a fitness goal for some time down the line... I always like having something out there to work towards, a target to aim at.” [00:10 & 06:20]

Most Memorable Moments & Quotes

Announcing The Commitment:
- “I'm going to say something out loud to you, put it out into the world and what does that mean for me? No turning back.” [02:12]
Describing His 2018 Marathon Experience:
- “Running the 2018 New York City Marathon goes down as one of the coolest, most fun, epic days of my life, for sure.” [03:10]
Recounting Childhood Memories:
- “As a kid standing on the street, watching all the runners go by, handing them, like, orange wedges... We used to do that on 87th street and Second Avenue. It was so much fun.” [03:26]
Purposeful Training Perspective:
- “I'm not going to say a word about time. I have a number in my head, but I'm not going to put the pressure on myself...” [05:00]
Listener Challenge:
- “Maybe let this—me committing to this and sharing it with you first—maybe commit to a fitness goal. Maybe it's a half marathon, maybe it's a 10k, maybe it's a marathon, maybe it's an ultra marathon...” [06:20]

Timestamps of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------| | 00:00 | Motivational intro; value of fitness goals| | 02:12 | Michael commits publicly to NYC Marathon | | 03:10 | 2018 Marathon memory and NYC connection | | 05:00 | Training philosophy and race mindset | | 06:20 | Challenge to listeners: set your own goal |

Tone & Takeaways

Michael speaks with positivity, humility, and a dose of vulnerability, emphasizing the life-changing impact of public commitments and resilient habit-building. The episode is clear, motivational, and infused with gratitude for both personal growth and community.

Final words:
“Boom, I am doing it. I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. Until the next one… Peace.” [07:00]

Transcript

A (0:00)

If this inspires you, why not set some sort of a fitness goal for some time down the line, whether it's the back half of 2025 or maybe 20, the first half of 2026. Maybe let this me committing to this and sharing it with you first, maybe commit to a fitness goal. Maybe it's a half marathon, maybe it's a 10k. Maybe it's a marathon. Maybe it's an ultra marathon. Maybe it's a bodybuilding competition. Maybe it's a hyrox. Something I always like having something I always like having something out there to work towards a target to aim at. What's going on? Podcast Family My name is Michael Chernow, and this is the Creatures of Habit podcast. Our habits will make us or they will break us. I've lived on both sides of the tracks and have experienced some of the best and the worst that habits have in store. The decisions we make on a consistent basis truly define who we are as human beings. This episode will be a solo episode where traditionally I interview guests, this is a solo episode where I share with you guys experiences that I've had, things that are relevant in my life today that I think could potentially be interesting for you to hear, things that I simply just want to share or quotes or activities that I've done over the last few weeks that have inspired me. So sit back, relax, and get out your pen and paper because what you hear in this podcast could potentially make some big changes in your life. Let's go. What up, y'? All? Happy Monday. Hope you guys are having a great one. I hope you're having a great one. So today I am going to commit. I'm going to say something out loud to you, put it out into the world and what does that mean for me? No turning back. I've been on the fence about this one. I haven't shared it publicly yet. Obviously, I've talked with my wife about it, some friends, but really, I haven't really said I am doing this. And here I go saying it now. I have committed to the 2025 New York City Marathon running with the Release Recovery Organization or foundation, rather, the Release Recovery foundation be raising money for substance abuse awareness and prevention with an organization of people that I am just super grateful to to be aligned with. I love Release Recovery. And honestly, I gotta say, running the 2018 New York City Marathon goes down as one of the coolest, most fun, epic days of my life, for sure. I'm from New York City. That day in New York, I remember as a kid standing on the street, watching all the runners go by, handing them, like, orange wedges. I remember every year we used to do that on 87th street and Second Avenue. It was so much fun. And so I'm going to be running the marathon this year. I'm fired up about it. The only way I end up not running is obviously if I get an injury. So I am going to be training smart. I'm going to be training with a coach, and I'm really, really excited about the New York City Marathon this year. I'm going to be raising money, and I'm going to be hitting you all up for that. I know that there's a lot coming at you right now with the Creatures of Habit, Crowdfund, and a few other initiatives that we've been talking about, my sober anniversary, all that stuff. So I'm going to hold tight on raising money for the marathon for probably a month or so. But I just wanted to announce to you all first, I am running the New York city Marathon in 2025. And I'm fired up about it. Super fired up about it. So I'm not going to say a word about time. I have a number in my head, but I'm not going to put the pressure on myself to, like, you know, I just want to run the thing. I want to have a great time doing it. I'd love to. You know, I'm not even going to say that, but I. You guys are probably. People that are. That know me are probably, like, laughing. Yeah. So I'm announcing it here. You'll hear more about it soon. And if this inspires you, why not set some sort of a fitness goal for some time down the line, whether it's the back half of 2025 or maybe 20, the first half of 2026. Maybe let this. Me committing to this and sharing it with you first. Maybe commit to a fitness goal. Maybe it's a half marathon, maybe it's a 10k. Maybe it's a marathon. Maybe it's an ultra marathon. Maybe it's a bodybuilding competition. Maybe it's a hyrox something. I always like having something. I always like having something out there to work towards a target to aim at. So, boom, I am doing it. I love you guys. I appreciate you guys. Until the next one, y'. All, Peace.