I’m Axel Ryan Nzi — a Division III runner at Bowdoin College.
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And this is my Personal Best.
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Every Tuesday, I explore the sport of running through interviewing the best pro runners insiders and personalities about a journey that begins with the feet and ends with landing in a solid headspace.
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Axel's Personal Best is brought to you by A Mile. A Minute. — the daily home of running shoes, news, food, in depth journalism, features, podcasts, photos and the culture of the sport. Unlock more at www.amileaminute.com
The Pact to Bear A Standard Of Consistency with Ed Eyestone
The framework of the most renown track and field and cross country programs always trace back to the coaching mainstays tasked with guiding endless rosters to the single mindset of teamwork.
Ed Eyestone has understood this organizational mantra, helping transform BYU into a powerhouse that is a beacon for incoming freshman while upperclassmen leave decorated with conference titles and the essence of national championship experience.
But its the basics of building from the rawest elements of running that keeps Eyestone not only relevant, but a respected part of the balance of power in the sport's collegiate ranks.
Ed spoke in a wide-ranging chat about his days as a competitor, carefully taking on the role of crafting emerging talents and the drive behind what has kept him locked in on the sidelines year after year as his legacy stretches into all corners of running.
11 Aug 2026
A Personal Inventory On Shaping The Next Frontier with Christian Patzka
Knowing what the next move is might not be guaranteed. But being in a place that feels right to assess and later build has defined Christian Patzka's collegiate journey and shed light on what it means to thrive in Division III.
Patzka hails from Mazomanie, Wisconsin and knew running would be a multi-chapter part of his growing story. By the time he committed to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021 a plan was in place to go all-out, make running matter and ask questions later.
At Whitewater, impact became institution as his haul of accomplishments were an indicator that he was intent on leaving the program in the kind of shape that he could be proud of with six national championships, 16 NCAA All-Americans, being named to 25 NCAA All-Region honors along with 22 All-WIAC honors — plus numerous school records.
Christian joins the show to talk about his process, decision to plant roots at Whitewater, the components he brought into every race and why he decided not to transfer and test the unknowns at a Division I school.
28 Jul 2026
Establishing Staying Power on Any Course with Emma Grace Hurley
Making a name for herself on her own merit has been the formula of Emma Grace Hurley's consistency as an emerging distance talent who has shined in her breakout moments with a second place finish at the 2024 USA Cross Country Championships and making the U.S. national team for the world cross country champs later that year.
And she's practiced the kind of patience and consistency that has put her in the conversation for the 2028 Olympics for one of three coveted women's marathon slots,
But the path hasn't come easy. She found herself tied to a bit of drama and controversy in March when a pace vehicle mistakenly led her off course USA Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta and off of the podium. After the matter was mostly resolved, Hurley continued a strong season on the road and heads into the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen in September ready to prove why the stage she continues to face courageously is the one she belongs on.
30 Jun 2026
Rebounding into a Chapter of Reinvention with Sinclaire Johnson
Adjustments are inevitable in the sport and so far this year has been a mix of world leads, athletes moving up in disciplines or even using the season of no world championships or Olympics to start families.
But the track has stayed active and the road racing is equally as busy — while Sinclaire Johnson has been taking the mental notes to find and establish her place among podium chasers.
In this episode, Johnson, who is the current North American record-holder in the mile, offers a wide-ranging and honest take on her progression, her sponsor switch to Hoka, navigating injuries and defining what clarity looks like on race day.
9 Jun 2026
The Blueprint to Elevate with Ben Allen of Empire Elite
Consistency and improvement are probably the two main pillars that Ben Allen routinely leans on when he lines up at the track on race day, but also in his approach to training. The Minnesota native has specialized in distances between the 800m and the mile for New York-based Empire Elite Track Club where he's defined his mark on the professional scene.
After his collegiate career at Concordia University, St. Paul, Allen was unsure where running would take him but connected with Empire after seeing current teammate Eric Holt's animated reaction during an interview at a track meet.
In this episode, Ben talks about embracing the the nuances of progression that sometimes comes with detours — and even setbacks — and finding the tools to prevail as he continues to press to break 3:50 in the mile.
18 Mar 2026
A Truce of Authenticity with Nikki Hiltz
A commitment to the grind remains one of the main tools Nikki Hiltz is taking into the 2026 World Athletics Indoor Championships this weekend in Poland as they lock in and seize the chance to crack another finish line tape first and win on the international stage.
Just weeks prior, a familiar tale played out in New York as Hiltz grabbed a fourth straight women's indoor 1,500m title in 4:11.34 — their tenth national crown overall — and dominated during an early season buildup that won't include major outdoor championship or Olympics.
Still, the plan is simple as it is clear and Hiltz spoke on what matters most in a wide-ranging chat about pushing even harder on the track, continued advocacy, the decision to go pubic about a personal decision regarding their body and finding the formula to close out the indoor season at the top of the podium.
10 Mar 2026
Leveling Up and Remaining There with Cole Hocker
Olympic gold put Cole Hocker on global stage at the 2024 Paris Games when a final surge in the men's 1,500m silenced favorites like Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr — and propelled his growing legend as the one to beat.
It also help reinforced the idea this era of middle distance racing could deliver dramatic finishes and storylines like its sprint counterparts.
But for Hocker, remaining grounded is a part of a formula that has ensure that the main event is whenever he steps on the track, with a constant them of reminding the no lead is secure when he's involved.
Before his win in the men's 3,000m at the USATF Indoor Championships in New York, Hocker spoke on the outlook for his season, his sudden boost in notoriety after the Paris and if he had any side quests planned in a year of no Olympics or world championships.
3 Feb 2026
The Next Giant Leap with Quincy Wilson
Teen phenom Quincy Wilson walks — and runs — a fine line that stretches to a budding pro career while navigating his final year of high school at Bulls School in Maryland. In the fall he won't be too far away from home after committing to the University of Maryland and stepping into the collegiate arena.
Despite already being an Olympian, repping New Balance and becoming part of the lead pack of next generation sprint talents that will headline Team USA's roster in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Wilson chatted with Axel about how he manages his own rising stock while staying grounded and composed.
9 Oct 2025
A Post-Race Mental Sprint with Allie Wilson
The impact of making the Paris Olympics as part of Team USA's squad still resonates with Allie Wilson.
She punched her ticket as part of a chaotic women's 800m final in Eugene last year as part of a whirlwind season where she also signed a contract with Nike — part of a sign that things were changing and the pauses in life would soon become rarer.
But in a fast sport, the time away from the track feels even faster and 2025's long season on the track has wrapped and road races now dominate calendar.
Wilson spoke with me last month after a frantic Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City and touched on several points as she caught her breath — including her move up to the 1,500m (and mile) — and what a post-Olympic mindset means for the chase to be healthy and consistent.
18 Jul 2025
A Stride to the World Lead with T'Mars "TJ" McCallum
T'Mars McCallum is accustomed to running in a tough collegiate conference — the SEC — and boldly proud of being one of the leaders of Tennessee's track and field squad.
But his world shifted a bit last weekend at the Ed Murphey Classic in Memphis when he ran the world lead in the 200m in 19.73. The eyes of the sport suddenly looked his way and he was far from a face in a crowd of sprinters. And in a few weeks he could be among those competing for a world title in Tokyo.
In this episode, McCallum talks about his whirlwind weekend, team camaraderie and even coaching himself in high school as he tried being a sprinter and jumper.
8 Jul 2025
The Great Progression with Isabella Whittaker
Isabella Whittaker discusses her track and field journey, highlighting her progression and success after enrolling at Arkansas, including her performance at the 2024 U.S. Olympics trials; this is an interview.
1 Jul 2025
Chasing A Harvard Degree and Pro Dreams with Graham Blanks
Runner Graham Blanks discusses balancing his Harvard degree with professional running dreams after signing with New Balance and qualifying for the Paris Olympics in an interview with Axel.
24 Jun 2025
Leaning Into Discomfort with Alison dos Santos
Track and field athlete Alison dos Santos discusses his early life in Brazil, his journey to becoming a world-class athlete, and his mindset on legacy in this interview episode.
17 Jun 2025
The Road Rules with Emily Sisson
Host Axel interviews Emily Sisson, a marathon runner, about her journey to the Olympics, her goals for the upcoming year, and maintaining enjoyment in distance running.
10 Jun 2025
Day One with Marco Arop
Host Axel interviews Olympic medalist Marco Arop about his record-breaking track season, the current state of middle distance running, and the specific training required for the 1,500 meter.
Who has been a guest on Axel's Personal Best
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Isabella Whittaker
Graham Blanks
Alison dos Santos
Emily Sisson
Marco Arop
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
14,958
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
43
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
32
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about Axel's Personal Best
Who hosts Axel's Personal Best?
Axel host the show. Published by A Mile. A Minute..
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Does Axel's Personal Best take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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