Music Moves Every Mile Forward | What’s In Your Earbuds?

Music, motivation and movement go hand-in-hand, especially for endurance athletes. In the latest episode of What’s in Your Earbuds?on the Everyday Athlete Podcast Network, hosts Jason and Joe from Run Tri Bike explore the connection between rhythm, motivation, and miles. With humor, heart, and a heavy dose of musical inspiration, they highlight how the right song can make a tough run better—or at least a bit more bearable.

This episode isn’t just about playlists—it’s a reminder that music is an emotional tool, a motivator, and sometimes, a much-needed distraction when pushing through long distances.

Personal Playlists with a Purpose

Jason and Joe open up about their personal listening habits and the soundtrack to their everyday lives. Joe reveals a surprising contrast in taste—he listens to mellow bluegrass while woodworking, but cranks up hardcore rap and metal when driving. His running music varies depending on the workout, proving that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to a good playlist.

Jason shares that while he doesn’t usually race with music, he does rely on “emergency playlists” during difficult overnight stretches in ultramarathons. From Wu-Tang to Latin hip-hop, his selections are diverse and emotion-driven—an honest reflection of how music supports both performance and recovery.

Building a Community Soundtrack

More than just hosts, Jason and Joe are curators of a growing musical movement. Their collaborative Everyday Athlete Podcast Network (EAPN) playlist has expanded to 24 hours of music with contributions from the community. Their next goal? Reaching a “Golden Hour” of 30 hours by the time the Javelina 100 rolls around in October.

To get there, they’re calling on endurance athletes everywhere to pitch in. Whether it’s your favorite tempo track, a go-to hype song, or that one nostalgic tune that always gets you going—every song has a story, and every athlete has a song.

Laughs, Walk-Up Songs, and the One-Song Challenge

The episode is packed with moments that will make you smile, especially when the hosts get into walk-up music debates. Joe’s picks? AC/DC’s We Salute You for a 5K and Stairway to Heaven for a 100-miler. Jason, on the other hand, leans into Narco and Empire State of Mind. And yes, there’s even a Sia track on the list—thanks to community recommendations.

They also revisit one of the more bizarre yet beloved community traditions: the one-song challenge, where an athlete listens to a single song on loop for an entire race. Joe is next up to attempt this during an 8-hour event. The twist? The community gets to choose his song.

It’s More Than Just Music

Beyond the laughs and playlists, this episode is a celebration of what music means in our lives. Jason shares fond memories of Latin music at family gatherings, while Joe finds peace cooking vegan meals to Nirvana Unplugged. These stories remind us that music isn’t just for race day—it’s stitched into the fabric of who we are as people and athletes.

At its core, What’s in Your Earbuds? is about building connection—through rhythm, stories, and shared moments. So whether you run with earbuds in or save music for post-race vibes, there’s something here for everyone.

Ready to Press Play?

🎧 Dive into the full episode, drop your favorite “mood song” in the comments, and help build the ultimate community-powered endurance playlist. Because every mile deserves a soundtrack—and every athlete has a story worth hearing.

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