If you don’t invest in your weaknesses now, they will haunt you down the road.

This conversation originally aired on Episode 13 of Long Run Labs, my new podcast on the business of the outdoor industry.

Alex is the Founder and CEO of Eternal. Before founding Eternal, Alex was the founder and CEO of The Athletic, a subscription sports media company founded in 2016. The Athletic reached 1M paid subscribers faster than any publishing company in history and sold to The New York Times in 2022 for $550M. Prior to The Athletic, Alex ran Product & Design for Strava, helping the platform go from 800 users to 10s of millions. Originally from Philadelphia, Alex lives in Presidio Heights with his wife, two kids, and golden retriever.

Jon chats with Alex about:

• Alex's Journey as a Runner and Endurance Athlete

• Building Strava's Growth and Community

• The Athletic's Creation and Success Story

• Founding Eternal and Its Mission

• Leadership Philosophy and Team Building

Stay connected:

Follow Alex:

https://x.com/amather

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexemather/

This episode is supported by:

• Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link!

• Janji: Use code “FTLR” at checkout when shopping at janji.com for 10% off your order and see why Janji is the go-to for runners who want performance gear made to explore. All apparel is backed by a 5 year guarantee, so you know it’s meant to last!

• Eternal: Eternal is a performance health company for runners, endurance athletes, and anyone serious about their training. Their in-depth, two-hour physicals cover metabolic testing, mobility assessments, bloodwork, and a full movement analysis — all with expert guidance to keep you healthy and performing your best.

• PUMA: Get your pair at your local Fleet Feet or your favorite local running shop!

• AmazFit Check out the T-Rex 3 and a selection of GPS watches at amazfit.com and use code “FTLR” for 10% off.