125 | Matt Baxter, NCAA to the Marathon and then home again

A personal best doesn't always feel like success. For Matt Baxter, running 2:10:57 at the Valencia Marathon came with the realisation that his professional running career was coming to a close.

In this episode of The Rundown, Oska and Tom sit down with Matt to explore the journey behind that moment—from his early days in New Plymouth to NCAA team titles with Northern Arizona University, professional running with HOKA NAZ Elite, and a return home to Taranaki.

Matt shares the school-racing setbacks that nearly pushed him out of the sport, the unexpected chain of events that took him and Emily to America, and why the people and culture at NAU meant more than the trophies.

There's plenty of banter along the way, including college rivalries and press-conference comments that took on a life of their own. But this is also a candid conversation about pressure, injury, family, identity and learning to recognise the value of a journey that didn't end exactly as planned.

Now coaching through RunZing and managing Front Runner New Plymouth, Matt is focused on helping others experience the belonging and support that shaped his own running life.

We cover:

• Finding running—and almost giving it away
• Breakthrough performances and visualisation
• The move to Flagstaff and the American college system
• NAU's championship culture and memorable rivalries
• The transition into professional running
• Marathon lessons from New York, Gold Coast, CIM and Valencia
• Life with Emily, raising a family and returning to New Zealand
• Building stronger teams and a more connected running community

Follow The Rundown wherever you listen, and share this episode with someone navigating a big goal or a new beginning.

Content note: Contains strong language and discussion of bereavement.