In this solo episode of the Free Outside Show, I dive into something I’ve been thinking about (and living through) for a while—the difference between pro runners and influencers in the trail running world. Who actually drives the sport forward? Who sells the shoes? And where do we go from here? I break down how pros validate performance and products, while influencers excel at storytelling and getting people off the couch. I explore why brands struggle to invest in athlete content and what we need to do better—like athlete-influencer integration, content allowances in contracts, and actually showing the personalities behind the podiums. This episode has hot takes, real examples (no brand shade, I swear), and maybe even a solution to the future of sponsorships in outdoor sports. Whether you're a runner, creator, or just someone trying to figure out how to get that elusive gear deal—this one’s for you. Brought to you by: Garage Grown Gear, CS Instant Coffee, and Janji.com Chapters 00:00 Runners vs Influencers: An Introduction 00:49 Defining Pro Runners and Influencers 03:10 The Workload of Pro Runners 05:54 The Role of Influencers in Trail Running 09:06 Finding the Middle Ground 11:57 The Importance of Brand Storytelling 14:52 Investing in Athlete Content Creation 17:45 Building Trust in the Running Community Subscribe to Substack: http://freeoutside.substack.com Support this content on patreon: HTTP://patreon.com/freeoutside Buy my book "Free Outside" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/39LpoSF Email me to buy a signed copy of my book, "Free Outside" at
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