Des Linden has spent two decades figuring out how to build a career that outlasts the finish line. The 2018 Boston Marathon champion joins Long Run Labs to talk about the business of being an endurance athlete, what loyalty actually looks like in a long-term brand partnership, and why non-endemic deals are some of the most underrated opportunities in the sport.

The conversation covers the real mechanics of how Des thinks about partnerships, content, and the transition from road to trail, plus an honest look at what it takes to stay relevant and build something lasting when the competitive chapter starts to wind down.

Jon and Des chat about:

• how Des started seeing the business side of running as early as 2011
• what 20-plus years of loyalty with Brooks actually looks like in practice
• the difference between endemic and non-endemic brand deals and why the slow burn pays off

• why host-read, unscripted ad reads outperform scripted ones
• the digital twin of Des's heart and what TCS built with it
• CPMs, pilot deals, and how to let the math make the case for you
• YouTube as a long-form storytelling tool, not a vlog machine
• the trail running boom and why Des is entering that space carefully
• gravel running as an untapped middle ground for brands and audiences
• financial literacy as one of the most overlooked gaps in professional running
• angel investing, equity deals, and when skin in the game changes how you show up
• why Yeti Coolers is the dream partnership Des hasn't pitched yet

This episode is supported by:

The Huddle: If you're at the point where going at it alone isn't working or you're ready to level things up in your business, go to https://findmyhuddle.com/ and fill out the application

Popfly: If you're a brand trying to reach outdoor, travel, and adventure audiences, Popfly is where to do it. It connects you with the largest communities of adventure creators and handles the entire process from start to finish. Creators click here: https://popf.ly/longrunlabscreators. Brands click here: https://popf.ly/longrunlabsbrands

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