Episode 690: Roisin Willis on Becoming an American Record Holder, First Diamond League Podium, and Finding Freedom in Racing

This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven, Lagoon, Noogs, and Goodr.

Today on the podcast, I’m excited to welcome Roisin Willis.

Roisin has had an incredible first year as a professional runner. Last summer, she won the U.S. title in the 800 meters. In January, she broke the American indoor record in the 800, and just recently she ran her first Diamond League race in Stockholm, where she finished third, ran a personal best of 1:57.56, and made the podium against one of the deepest fields in the world.

Roisin trains with Mark Coogan and Team New Balance Boston. She just graduated from Stanford University, where she was a two-time NCAA champion, majoring in History with a minor in Film and Media Studies.

In this conversation, Roisin reflects on her transition from collegiate running to the professional ranks, what she learned from competing in two Olympic Trials before turning 21, her experience overcoming insomnia, growing in her faith, and how she developed the confidence to compete on the world stage.

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What we talked about:

• Roisin’s first Diamond League race and 1:57.56 personal best
• Learning to race against the world’s best 800-meter runners
• Joining Mark Coogan and Team New Balance Boston
• Finishing Stanford while beginning her professional career
• Foregoing her final NCAA season and turning pro
• Overcoming a year-long battle with insomnia
• Her parents’ role in her development as an athlete
• Competing at the 2021 and 2024 Olympic Trials
• Breaking through after three years without a personal best
• Growing in her Christian faith and finding freedom from performance pressure
• Studying history and film at Stanford
• Life beyond running, movies, books, and future goals

Media Mentioned:

Books:

• Malibu Rising
• Daisy Jones & The Six

TV Shows/Series:

• Drive to Survive
• Off Campus

Sponsors:

Kava Haven
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