Podcast: Episode 205 with Simon Freeman

Mario Fraioli | June 13, 2022

“Very early in the history of Like The Wind, somebody sent us a message saying, ‘One of the things I love about Like The Wind is that you need a bookmark to read it.’ And we were like, ‘That is perfect.’ The idea that you would pick it up, have a read with a coffee, put it down, pick it up again—slow journalism. So, when you and I spoke for this podcast four years ago we were still very much in that mission. What’s happened since, and this slightly goes back to the confidence thing, is that we’ve become much more mission-driven around tackling social issues through the lens of running. And that is because we now know that we’ve got a platform, we know that we’re reaching thousands and thousands of readers in 40 countries around the world, and with that comes an obligation to address some issues that really trouble us and that we’re really determined to want to talk about—confidence that we’ve got better writers, [and] we’re able to tell these stories in a better way. And we’ve been super lucky.”

My guest this week, making his second appearance on the podcast, is Simon Freeman. Simon is the co-founder, editor, and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, a beautiful, quarterly, coffee table-style publication for runners, by runners. (Check out the conversation Simon and I had for Episode 13 here and learn about his professional and athletic background, as well as the origins of Like The Wind, which he and his wife Julie launched back in 2014.)

In this conversation, we mostly geeked out about all things publishing and media. Simon told me about how Like the Wind has evolved over the past four years, the exciting position the magazine is in right now, and where he and Julie hope to take it moving forward. We also talked about the current running media landscape and how it’s changed since our last conversation, the current state of Simon’s relationship with running (and the big goal he has on the horizon), and a lot more.

Learn more about LtW, buy a back issue or two, or sign up for your own subscription here. Enter the code MARIO in the discount code box at checkout and you won’t get a discount but you will receive a free set of Like the Wind postcards featuring some cool illustrations. In the interest of transparency, I am not getting compensated in any way if you use the aforementioned code. It is simply a thank you from my friends at LtW for checking out their awesome magazine.

Simon Freeman: Twitter | Instagram | Strava

Like The Wind: Website | Instagram

the morning shakeout: Instagram | Twitter

Mario Fraioli: Website | Strava

This episode is brought to you by:

— Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. Their Spring/Summer Collection is now available and features staples thoughtfully designed for training and racing hard in warm weather. My personal favorites are the Session tee and Allston half tights. If you buy anything on Tracksmith.com in the month of June, you can get free shipping on your next order, and support the Tracksmith Foundation, which helps give more people the opportunity to participate in Track & Field, by using the code Mario22 at checkout.

— Open is a digital mindfulness platform combining Breathwork, Meditation, and Movement. I do a 5-10 minute breathwork class most days to get away from my desk and clear my head. Let’s take a class together. Open is giving listeners of the morning shakeout 30 days free when you visit withopen.com/MARIO.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.