Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, host Letty Lundquist sits down with Massimo Ian, Head of Marketing & Communications at Tracksmith. Massimo shares how his multicultural upbringing in New York City shaped his deep appreciation for community, food, and human connection. He opens up about his early years in running—from using the sport as a coping mechanism while navigating his identity as a closeted youth to healing his relationship with running and body image.

Massimo details his career transition from international non-profit work with UNICEF and youth rehabilitation programs in Brazil into the running industry. He discusses the importance of representation, creating welcoming spaces for underrepresented communities in running, and his favorite weekly mindfulness habit: running "unplugged" without a watch, phone, or headphones to stay connected with nature and body feel.