Podcast Summary

Podcast: Smart Girl Dumb Questions
Host: Nayeema Raza
Episode: Why Do People Run? with Olympian Alexi Pappas
Date: November 4, 2025

Overview

This episode tackles the deceptively simple question: "Why do people run?" Host Nayeema Raza invites Olympian, author, and filmmaker Alexi Pappas to explore the many layers behind running—from athletic achievement and mental health, to human connection, community, and even love. Their candid, sometimes playful conversation weaves personal stories, philosophical musings, and practical advice, making the episode as much about what it means to move through life with intention as it is about running itself.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Meeting and Friendship Origin Story

• Nayeema and Alexi recount their first meeting at the Sundance Film Festival, after Nayeema tore her ACL skiing. Their bond grew through shared experiences of recovery and mutual support.
  • "You just were such a friend to me throughout the recovery from my ACL... you introduced me also to other athletes who had gone through injury. And you told me to listen to my body." (01:44)

2. Intentionality vs. Presence

• Alexi distinguishes between approaching life and new people with an agenda versus being present and open—emphasizing the importance of presence, especially outside of goal-oriented contexts like racing.
  • "If you go into an interaction, like, with a goal... there's only certain circumstances in life where you should have a goal... When you're trying to meet people, the goal should be to just be present." (01:56)

3. Running Across a Lifetime

• Alexi reflects on how running isn’t a sport you retire from, unlike others. It evolves with the individual, shifting from performance to enjoyment and connection as one ages.
  • "I'm sure I will be moving at some pace in my 80s because I love it so much, and it is the nicest way to explore the planet for me and socialize." (03:26)

4. Why Do People Run?

• Beyond childhood play, Alexi describes how running became joyful for her when experienced with others; community and connection were essential.
• She also identifies the "feeling" of running as abundant and energizing, not just about performance, and highlights a history of running as a means of overcoming adversity.
  • "My dad put me in sports when my mom passed away... he saw it as the best way to teach me how to fall down and get back up." (04:43)

5. The History of the Marathon

• The origin story of the marathon is discussed—the ancient Greek messenger who died after running 26.2 miles. They ponder why people continue to reenact this grueling, sometimes dangerous feat today.
  • "So this guy runs 26.2 miles, gets there, and then collapses. That's the history of this term." (06:20)

6. Personal Challenge and Community

• Marathons are framed as opportunities for individuals to challenge themselves safely and achieve something significant, creating a sense of accomplishment and belonging.
• The New York City Marathon receives special praise for the way it brings out communal support:
  • "Strangers cheering for strangers... which never happens really in New York." (08:04)

7. The Power of Cheering

• Alexi shares how, especially when recovering from injury, the support of crowds profoundly enhanced her marathon experience, turning it into a joyous, communal event rather than a singular athletic achievement.
  • "It was the first time that I really connected with the people and it was really powerful." (11:42)

8. Concept of "Peaking" and the Athlete’s Body

• The metaphor of an athlete “peaking” is likened to sharpening a pencil or even (humorously) to ovulation and orgasm—an ease and harmony between mind and body at the right moment.
  • "When you're peaking it shouldn't feel out of control. You actually feel like total ease, control, and clarity..." (17:38)

9. Metaphors for the Body & Change

• Alexi discusses whether she thinks of her body as a machine, castle, or plant—ultimately seeing humans as "verbs, not nouns," in a state of constant change and evolution.
  • "We're more verbs than nouns... to be alive is to change." (15:42)

10. Running Toward vs. Running Away

• The difference between running out of fear ("from something") versus hope or curiosity ("toward something") is explored, with Alexi reflecting on how her Olympic pursuit had elements of both.
  • "If you're running towards something... there's an expansive feeling and there is like a bounciness that I think makes you more durable." (19:25)

11. Practical Running Advice

• Simple form cues: tuck your chin slightly, "toes up" to avoid overstriding, and that most people can’t really understride.
  • "Just occasionally check that your chin isn't completely jutting out... keeping your toes up... it will prevent you from overstriding." (22:06)
• Running club culture: Caution against joining purely for dating, advocating "parallel play" and organic connection.
  • "Run clubs are an opportunity to parallel play with people... if the conversation leads to a date, that's what it's leading to." (24:48)

12. Running "Chit-Chat" Pace

• Distinctions between "chit-chat pace" (pace at which you can have a full conversation) versus "chat pace" (brief replies only), and how these markers are more intuitive than strictly numeric.
  • "If you're going for an easy run, try to go chitchat pace... like, we could have this conversation while running." (25:47)

13. Realities of Running: Peeing, Embodiment, and Shame

• Alexi openly discusses the realities elite (and everyday) runners face, such as peeing during races—framing it as natural, practical, and unembarrassing, exemplifying comfort and embodiment.
  • "I pee in my pants during races because it doesn't make any sense to hold it in... it just like flies off and evaporates." (28:59)

14. Alexi’s Memoir and Mental Health

• Her first book, Bravy, is a memoir in essays about her path to the Olympics, interweaving athletics and the challenges of mental health, especially after her mother's suicide.
  • "It was like my journey to the Olympics and then navigating all this mental health... befriending pain, and I think pain is a big one that I talk about." (30:16)

15. Curiosity Corner: Favorite Nature Types

• Alexi’s lingering question is about why she feels drawn to Oregon’s mossy woods—wondering whether our nature preferences are biological, cultural, or both.
  • "Are human... people feel drawn to certain types of nature... what's the science behind it?" (32:57)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Being Present:
  “There’s only certain circumstances in life where you should have a goal. Right. Like, if you’re trying to run a marathon, there’s a goal… But when you’re trying to meet people, the goal should be to just be present.” – Alexi Pappas (01:56)

• On Community in Marathons:
  “What I think is amazing about it is strangers cheering for strangers…which never happens really in New York.” – Nayeema Raza (08:04)

• On Human Change:
  “I think that we’re more verbs than nouns…and we’re changing.” – Alexi Pappas (15:42)

• On Running Toward vs. Away:
  “If you’re running toward something…it kind of feels like you have a crush on something… there’s an expansive feeling.” – Alexi Pappas (19:25)

• On Vulnerability & Mental Health:
  “I think what [my mother] would appreciate is that I’m still mischievous…Just to put words to something that is so hard to understand, I think she would be really proud.” – Alexi Pappas (31:33)

• On Realities of Running:
  “I pee in my pants during races…it just falls off, it doesn’t bother me at all.” – Alexi Pappas (28:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:10 – How Nayeema & Alexi Met, and athlete wisdom on recovery.
• 03:26 – Running beyond retirement age & how the relationship to running changes.
• 06:20 – History of the marathon explained.
• 08:04 – The beauty of communal support during the NYC marathon.
• 11:42 – Alexi’s story of post-injury marathon and connecting with the crowd.
• 14:18 – Metaphors for the body and feeling "in sync" at the peak.
• 15:42 – “We’re more verbs than nouns”—on being and becoming.
• 19:25 – Running “toward” vs. “away from” something.
• 22:06 – Alexi’s top practical cues for running form.
• 24:48 – Why running clubs make great places for “parallel play.”
• 25:47 – “Chit-chat pace” explained: conversational running speeds.
• 28:59 – The reality (and embarrassment-free-ness) of peeing while running.
• 30:16 – Alexi discusses her memoir, Bravy, and tackling pain.
• 32:57 – Alexi’s curiosity: why are people drawn to certain types of nature?

Tone & Flow

The conversation is open, playful, and candid—punctuated by laughter, moments of deep vulnerability, and a willingness to tackle everything from the physical realities of running to profound existential questions. Both host and guest balance technical detail with relatability, making the episode accessible and engaging for runners and non-runners alike.

In Summary

The episode expertly unpacks the question, "Why do people run?"—revealing running as a window onto broader questions of presence, purpose, community, and self-understanding. Whether you’re inspired to take up jogging, ponder what draws you to certain landscapes, or simply appreciate a thoughtful conversation, there's something resonant in this lively exchange between Nayeema and Alexi.

Recommended Action:
Find Alexi Pappas online, read her book Bravy, look out for her second book on change, and listen to her podcast Mentor Buffet. And maybe try running at “chit-chat pace”—just for the joy (and conversation) of it.