Nia Akins

US Indoor 800m Champion Nia Akins joins the show after kicking off the year in impressive fashion, claiming an indoor title and proving that she's back and better than ever.

Nia won the USATF 800m Indoor title with a time of 1:59.31 in New York in February. She then followed that up by advancing to the semifinals in the Indoor Championships in China in March. Despite a fall in the semis, she still finished strong in 2:04.38 and barely missed the finals. 

Nia, a native of San Diego, California, ran for the University of Pennsylvania, where she had PRs of 55.38 in the 400m;2:00.71 in the 800m; and 2:43.92 in the 1,000m. During her time there she was a two-time 800m runner-up. She also won a silver medal at the 2019 NACAC U23 Championships.

Nia began her post-collegiate career in 2020 after running the second-fastest 800m time in NCAA history. Nia won the 800m US Olympic Trials in Oregon in 2024, where she ran a career PR of 1:57.36; she ended up reaching the semi-finalsin the 800m during the Paris Olympics. 

Previously of the Brooks Beast Track Club, Nia is now representing HOKA. Nia has an artistic side as well, and enjoys recording music in her down time. 

In today's conversation, Nia shares very raw and honest insights from her past year of running, training, and life. Shedetails how and why her faith is so pivotal and how it has grounded her through the ups and downs of life. 

Don't miss this opportunity to hear this honest, powerful conversations with one of the best 800m runners in the world. 

Tap into the Nia Akins Special.  

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Note: there is a little bit of background noise on the audio for this episode, but it goes away after 3 minutes and 5 seconds.

This episode is being posted from producer Chris's vacation so forgive the brevity of the show notes! Des and Kara recorded this on Saturday morning in Eugene, live from the Runnerspace House. And yes... they did it from a pontoon stage! They give you event recaps from Thursday and Friday of the Trials, plus previews of the weekend's events.

You can now listen to see if their predictions came true! [Don't worry... they will post a proper, full recap of the Trials next Tuesday, July 9th.]

They also announce a brand new presenting sponsor for the podcast and bring on a very special guest - new Olympian Nia Akins as a part of the Olipop Top 5.

To get your Olipop, use code NOBODYASKEDUS for 15% off at drinkolipop.com.

And drumroll please.... Nobody Asked Us is now presented by Brooks Running!

“I'm still processing everything. It still very much feels like a dream. I keep telling everyone that every morning I’ve woken up since the race, I keep having to check my phone, check the date, and make sure I’ve already raced and that it’s not coming up. I was like, ‘Wait, that actually happened, right?’ I feel like for me it’s been a lot of processing, a lot of pinch me moments, but a lot of joy.”

Sister duo Juliette and Isabella Whittaker join us live in Eugene after their breakout performances at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Juliette qualified for her first Olympic team by placing third in the 800m and Isabella took 6th in the 400m final. The sisters share about how they were able to split their focus between the NCAA season and Olympic Trials, how they manage nerves before their races (and each other's races!) and lots more. Hear more from Juliette and Isabella in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Guest: Juliette Whittaker | @jwhittaker22 on Instagram + Isabella Whittaker | @b_whit215 on Instagram 

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CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day six of the Olympic Trials include Chari Hawkins, Anna Hall, Nia Akins, Eric Holt, Vernon Norwood, Allie Wilson, and Juliette + Isabelle Whittaker.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

“Coming in here, I was confident in my training and what we’ve done and I felt ready, but also I felt like maybe everyone was feeling that way – so it was important to show up, take care of business, not sleep on anybody, and make it through the rounds as safely as possible.”

Nia Akins joins us live in Eugene after winning the 800m title at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. Nia breaks down how she approached the 800m rounds at the Trials, how she stayed composed during the 800m final when chaos broke out, shares about how she gained confidence heading into the meet, how she and coach Danny Mackey structure her training + competition schedule, and lots more. Hear more from Nia in this episode of the CITIUS MAG Podcast.

Host: Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 

Guest: Nia Akins | @nia_akins on Instagram

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CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day six of the Olympic Trials include Chari Hawkins, Anna Hall, Nia Akins, Eric Holt, Vernon Norwood, Allie Wilson, and Juliette + Isabelle Whittaker.

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

Matthew Centrowitz joins the CITIUS MAG crew to unpack an insane day of track and field. Here are the biggest highlights from Day 4 of the U.S. Olympic Trials include:

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CITIUS MAG LIVE From Eugene! will bring you daily interviews with athletes, coaches and notable folks in town at noon PT each day. Our guests for day three of the Olympic Trials include Nico Young, Payton Otterdahl, Kendall Ellis, and Matthew Wilkinson. 

LIVE SHOWS

Good Morning Track and Field will start your day with some takes and updates from Eugene hosted by Eric Jenkins, Mitch Dyer and Karen Lesiewicz at 8:30 a.m. PT.

TRIALS TALK – our hit daily podcast series from 2021 – returns on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed + streaming live immediately post-race to unpack all of the action immediately following the meet.

LIVE MEET COVERAGE

Stay updated on live results, mixed zone interviews and more on the CITIUS MAG Instagram, X and Threads pages while the meet is underway each evening. All interviews will be uploaded to our aforementioned YouTube channel.

MORNING RUNS

CITIUS MAG and New Balance will be hosting group runs on Sunday, June 23rd at 8 a.m. ET; Tuesday, June 25th at 8 a.m. and Saturday, June 29th at 7:30 a.m. Come on by to our pop-up next to Prince Puckler’s Ice Cream shop to meet for some easy morning miles.

All paces are welcome. We’ll be giving away shirts, hats and more. Plus, you’ll have an opportunity to try all of the latest and greatest from New Balance. We’ll also have Olipop, coffee, games and cold plunges to enjoy afterward.

Also, CITIUS MAG Newsletter subscribers will be getting daily emails from the Trials as David Melly rounds up all of the biggest results, stories + our best interviews, photos and original content from Eugene. If you want to hook a friend, there’s no better time than the Trials so forward them the emails or encourage them to sign up today for FREE here: https://citiusmag.beehiiv.com/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
👟 NEW BALANCE: New Balance celebrates runners of all levels and styles. They believe there’s no single ‘right’ way to run - just your way. If you run, no matter the distance, pace or frequency, you’re a runner. New Balance, Run your way. NewBalance.com/Running

This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.

Join more than 16,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://thelapcount.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this week's newsletter:

– Boston Marathon — Winner, Winner Chicken Dinner 🦄

– Parker Valby Takes Her First Crack At The 10K 🐊

– A World Record in the Field of Dreams 🛸

– Team USA Uniforms Make Major Splash 💦

– The Future of the Diamond League in the USA 💎

+ more news and headlines from the past week in track and field

You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/comment-section

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🩴 VELOUS  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. Introducing their brand new White/Black collection in three styles: Oceanside Flip, Pacific Flip and the Hoya Adjustable Slide. This collection merges minimalist aesthetics with unparalleled support and comfort.

These active recovery sandals are super lightweight and equipped with VELOUS three part Tri-Motion technology. They cradle your heel with impact absorbing foam that cushions your feet with every step, amazing arch support, and a forefoot flex that allows your fatigued feet and toes to stretch and relax. VELOUS is focused on helping athletes recover faster, before and after you train, so you can get after your next run performing at your best. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS!

Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout when you visit https://www.velousfootwear.com/

🐺 BROOKS RUNNING: Six World Championship qualifiers. Four national titles. 1 world champion.

In 2024, the Brooks Beasts Track Club is after more. CITIUS MAG and Brooks Running are bringing you along for the journey. Get to know coaches Danny Mackey, and Asst. Coach Julian Florez. Watch the training and progression of the likes of Josh Kerr, Nia Akins, Isaiah Harris, Marta Pen Freitas and the rest of the team as we present “Beasts: Unleashed” – a 10-part web series. Watch Episode 1 here: https://youtu.be/d6lnX3A1eEg

“I still haven’t processed it. I haven't celebrated at all, I had to go back to work and take care of my daughter. Actually, I woke her up from her nap to watch Josh win because I was like, ‘He might do it, so let's wake her up just so she will remember’... Even yesterday [at the 5th Avenue Mile] they had the camera on Josh and they replayed his last 200m and I still got goosebumps. It's been three weeks, so I don't know if I'll ever process it. I hear people say this and I know what they mean; it's like you just get humbled by it. You're like, ‘Man, that was really hard to do.’”

Danny Mackey has been the coach of the Brooks Beasts since the team started in 2013 and can now say that he’s the coach to a world champion after Josh Kerr’s stunning 1500m victory in Budapest. The Beasts have put together a strong year with Nia Akins winning the U.S. indoor and outdoor 800m titles before finishing sixth in the World Championship final. Marta Freitas and Isiah Harris also competed at the World Championships. Henry Wynne is running strong with a fifth-place finish at USAs and then a 3:53.70 mile PR at Falmouth this summer.

It’s been a culmination of more than a decade of hard work, learning and adapting for coach Mackey and his meticulously scientific training perspective and approach. He’s vocal about doing things the right way and not operating in any gray zone. You’ll learn much more in this episode that goes beyond just the making of a world champion.

A quick note before we start the interview, this has also been the most tragic and difficult year of Mackey’s life. As reported by LetsRun.com, back in March, his fiancee died by suicide and he is now raising his baby daughter on his own. He took a few days away from the team and coached remotely from the U.S. while the team was in Budapest. The pain and loss is still felt by Mackey and he’s been resilient for his fellow coaching staff and athletes all along the way.

Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Danny Mackey | @dannytmackey on Instagram

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👟 NEW BALANCE just dropped their 2023 New York City Marathon collection. Check out their official apparel and shoes from training, to the finish line, and beyond. I've been rocking the FuelCell SC Elite v3 for my marathon training. Shop for more at https://www.newbalance.com/

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U.S. indoor and outdoor 800m champion Nia Akins chats with Chris Chavez and Kyle Merber before competing in the women's 800m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. The Brooks Beasts star has taken massive steps forward this year to emerge as one of the top American rising middle distance talents. She shares how she conquered her fears and nerves to build that confidence – which also applies to her career as a musician.

Hosts: Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber

Guest: Nia Akins

CITIUS MAG's coverage of the 2023 World Athletics Championships is powered by ASICS.

CITIUS MAG LIVE AT WORLDS: The show will air on the CITIUS MAG YouTube Channel between the morning and evening sessions of competition (Every day at 8 a.m. EST in the U.S.). 

CHAMPS CHATS ON THE CITIUS MAG PODCAST DAILY: The CITIUS MAG team of Chris, Kyle, David McCarthy, Jasmine Todd and Katelyn Hutchison will unpack all of the day’s biggest surprises and offer up their insights and analysis from being at the new National Athletics Centre and interviewing athletes each day. The podcast recording will be streamed on YouTube at the end of every day and will also be available on The CITIUS MAG Podcast feed on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to shows. 

DAILY CITIUS MAG NEWSLETTER: David Melly will recap all of the biggest moments, highlighting his must-watch athletes and events for each day while also pulling together some of our best content, photos and social moments that the CITIUS MAG team captures.

Today on the podcast is your 2023 Women's 800m Champion, Nia Akins!

Nia is an outstanding track and field athlete with an impressive list of accomplishments. Before she became a professional runner, she was the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Championships National Runner-Up and the 2019 NCAA Indoor Championships National Runner-Up in the 800m. She was recognized as one of the top contenders for the Bowerman Award and was a finalist for the USTFCCCA National Women's Track Athlete of the Year. Nia has excelled in various events, earning All-America honors and capturing multiple titles at the Ivy League Indoor and Outdoor Heptagonal Championships. She holds several records at Penn, including the second-fastest time in NCAA history for indoor 800m (2:00.71) and first-all-time records in various relay events and outdoor races. In cross country, Nia has displayed her talent and earned accolades, such as USTFCCCA All-Mid-Atlantic Region honors and All-Ivy accolades.

Nia also has ventured into the music space over the past few years and developed a great passion for it. We explore that passion in today's episode as well as her recent success, start in the sport, finding balance, coffee, her dreams and ambitions, and much more! This episode was a lot of fun, and I got a lot of value from Nia's story. I hope you all enjoy this conversation!

You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

S H O W   N O T E S

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Nia's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nia_akins/

Chris Chavez, Kyle Merber, Katelyn Hutchison and Dana Giordano recap the fourth day of the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships LIVE from Eugene, Oregon.

Some of the highlights of the day include:

– Rai Benjamin missed eight weeks of training in May and June and stormed back to a 46.62s win in the 400m hurdles

– Shamier Little is back on top with the women's 400m hurdles title for the first time since 2015

– Gabby Thomas clocked the sixth-fastest 200m in history (21.60 seconds) and overtook Shericka Jackson as the fastest woman this year.

– Erriyon Knighton, 19, became the youngest U.S. men's champion in a track event in 43 years by winning the 200m in 19.72 seconds.

– Nia Akins won the 800m by overtaking Raevyn Rogers in the final 100 meters. Ajeé Wilson, a two-time world bronze medalist, missed out on a global championship team for the first time since 2012 due to an unspecified issue.

– Katie Moon won the pole vault with a clearance of 4.90 meters, the best mark in the world this year.

– Brooke Andersen narrowly defeated DeAnna Price in the hammer throw, with distances of 78.65 meters and 78.18 meters respectively.

– Devon Allen scratched the 110m hurdles semifinals due to injury and is shifting his focus to training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles.

– Grant Fisher, the record holder in the American 5000m and 10,000m events, scratched the 5000m due to a stress reaction in his femur. Abdihamid Nur won the 5000m final.

You can watch the episode here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iojBwB-UvVY?feature=share

The show is presented by Under Armour Running

FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE USATF OUTDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS FOLLOW CITIUS MAG

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