Run the Next Mile - Nick Hancock - Chief Endurance Officer with Greg McDonough - Episode #171
What begins as one difficult step can become a complete transformation.
In this episode of Chief Endurance Officer, Gregory McDonough sits down with Nick Hancock, Founder and CEO of Maximum Mileage Coaching, certified running and performance nutrition coach, competitive ultrarunner, and creator of the Max Mile app. Nick shares how endurance helped him navigate some of life's most difficult challenges, from overcoming mental health struggles to supporting his wife through her battle with stage four cancer.
Together, they explore the mindset required to persevere through adversity, the power of consistency over perfection, and why sustainable success, whether in business, athletics, or life, is built by showing up every day. Nick also shares how he transitioned from a successful corporate career to building a thriving coaching business dedicated to helping everyday athletes achieve extraordinary goals.
Takeaways:
- Endurance is about reaching the next aid station. Nick explains that endurance isn't always about thinking miles ahead. During life's most difficult moments, success often comes from focusing on the very next step, maintaining hope, and continuing to move forward even when the destination feels overwhelming.
- Reinvention begins with one small decision. Nick's running journey didn't start with elite ambitions, it started by throwing away his cigarettes, lacing up the only shoes he owned, and running a few hundred meters around a local football pitch. Small decisions, repeated consistently, became life-changing habits.
- You don't have to be exceptional to call yourself a runner. One of Nick's strongest messages is that identity isn't earned through pace or race times. If you run, you're a runner. Removing comparison from the equation allows people to focus on their own growth and enjoy the journey.
- Consistency beats intensity. Whether coaching first-time marathoners or experienced ultrarunners, Nick sees the same pattern over and over again: the athletes who consistently execute the fundamentals ultimately outperform those who rely on occasional breakthrough workouts or bursts of motivation.
- Great coaching starts with understanding the whole person. Training plans alone don't create success. Nick believes coaches must understand their athletes' work schedules, family responsibilities, stress levels, sleep, nutrition, and recovery in order to create sustainable progress.
- Technology should enhance expertise, not replace it. As the creator of the Max Mile app, Nick embraces AI as a tool that removes repetitive administrative work while allowing coaches to spend more time building meaningful relationships and delivering personalized guidance.
- Success comes from serving others with excellence. Nick's transition from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship demonstrates that building a successful business starts with providing exceptional value. By delivering elite-level coaching and continuously investing in his athletes' success, he has built a thriving coaching company centered on trust and long-term relationships.
Quote of the Show:
- "Running is a solo sport, but it's a team game.” - Nick Hancock
Links:
- Nick’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickhancockrunningcoach/
- Maximum Mileage Coaching’s Website: https://www.maximummileagecoaching.com/
Ways to Tune In:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/580aLDKac1ld031W4nWDtp
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chief-endurance-officer/id1680214218?uo=4
- Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2NoaWVmLWVuZHVyYW5jZS1vZmZpY2Vy
- Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/3c96880f-8dcd-4a6e-b1c8-fda816f872a9
- Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4340732
- Deezer: https://www.deezer.com/show/5897357
- Player FM: https://player.fm/series/series-3462719
- Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-5250102
- Listen Notes: https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/chief-endurance-officer-ringmaster-KMdv2I8XwkN/
Keep up to date on our social accounts:
- Check out our Website: http://enduranceofficer.com/
- Community Discount Link: https://ceopodcast.myezrewards.com/signup/chief-endurance-officer-podcast
- Join my Endurance Leadership Community: https://endurance-leadership-community.mn.co/share/_C3ZDRz7OX2vbCme?utm_source=manual
Chief Endurance Officer is produced by Ringmaster, on a mission to create connections through B2B podcasts. Learn more at https://ringmaster.com/
Creators and Guests
Host
Gregory McDonough
Greg McDonough is a seasoned executive who has owned and operated businesses in the professional services sector, navigating them through both good and tough times. He brings his personal experience of knowing what it’s like to be ‘in the owner’s seat’ when working with clients, taking time to ask the questions others may not.
