The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show Podcast

A lot of people when they go out and do things [after an injury] have this vengeance. Its always like, Im doing it for the people who counted me out, or Im doing it for revenge. But Im doing it for the people who say I can do it because I have such an overwhelming amount of people who have been supportive and have known I can come back. Its so cool to prove them right.

Its not every day that an athlete disappears from racing for nearly three yearsundergoes multiple surgeries, leaves their training group, and then returns to the track to drop a 1:44 in their first 800m back. But thats exactly what Donavan Brazier just did.

The former world champion, American record holder, and longtime face of U.S. middle-distance running made a stunning comeback in Nashville this past weekendnot just running well, but dominating the field and flashing the brilliance that once made him one of the most electrifying athletes in the sport.

If youve followed Donavans career, you know the road back has been anything but easy. Hes battled injuries, Achilles surgeries, a fractured tibia, bursitisover 1,000 days without stepping onto a start line. He could have walked away. No one would have blamed him. But he didnt.

Today, we dive into why. What kept him going? What was it like to toe the line again? And how does he see himself fitting into the most competitive U.S. 800m field in years?

We reflect on the highs, the lows, the what-ifs and look ahead at whats next for both Donavan and the event he helped redefine. This is a story about resilience, patience, perspectiveand the kind of raw talent that refuses to fade.

Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Donavan Brazier | @donavanbrazier on Instagram

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OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.

PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

There is a pretty significant amount of track and field athletes for whom a college opportunity will only come through the participation of track and field. That is something we need to really educate the public around. Coining the term, the opportunity sport, encapsulates all of that. Its something I believe the broader public can get understanding around.

Starting July 1, NCAA Division I schools can directly pay athletes for the first time ever. This shift follows the House v. NCAA antitrust settlement, approved last week by Judge Claudia Wilken. The $2.8B deal doesnt make athletes employees, but it does allow them to finally receive a share of the billions in revenue they help generate.

Schools will be able to offer up to $20.5M annually to student-athletes across all sports (amounts not required to be equal). It also tightens oversight of NIL collectives via a new clearinghouse that ensures deals are fair-market value. After major pushback over lost roster spots, the final version protects current and incoming athletes, though schools arent required to restore those spots.

Now, athletic departments are racing to implement these changes. Some are lobbying Congress for federal regulation, hoping this deal becomes a stepping stone toward nationwide legislation. Either way, college sports and particularly cross country and track will never look the same.

Mentioned in this episode

Read: Track Is Americas Opportunity Sport. Colleges Need To SaveIt

Host: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Russell Dinkin | @dancingdinks on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.

PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

This week, Chris Chavez and Preet Majithia break down the biggest performances from the Rome Diamond League, dive into Donavan Braziers long-awaited return to racing, and preview the upcoming action in Oslo and Stockholm. They also spotlight the top events to watch at the NCAA Track and Field Championships.

Mentioned in this episode...

Read: How Ethan Strand Learned To Win

Watch: Donavan Brazier going 1:44.70 in the 800m in his first race since 2022

Listen: Anna Hall After Going 7032 Points In The Heptathlon For No. 2 All-Time

Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Preet Majithia | @preetmajithia on Instagram

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.

PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to pillarperformance.shop, or if you're in North America, go to thefeed.com and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

“When I saw the time, I was like, ‘I did that. We are back. I’m me again…’ It felt so good to be like, ‘I’m back and doing things as good as I know how to do them, which I haven’t done in a while. It felt really good!”

My guest for today's episode is one of the most electrifying athletes in track and field right now: Anna Hall. The two-time decathlon Olympic champion Ashton Eaton went as far as to say that she might be one of the best athletes on earth right now.

Just days after winning the Hypomeeting in Götzis with 7,032 points, Hall now sits second on the all-time heptathlon list, tied with Carolina Kluft and trailing only her mentor, the great Jackie Joyner-Kersee. That mark was achieved with four personal bests, including a gutsy 2:01 in the 800m – a reminder that the final event of the heptathlon was more than a win. It was a comeback statement after last summer's heartbreaking fifth place finish at the Paris Olympics.

In this conversation, Anna opens up about the emotional weight of that Olympic result, the rehab process after knee surgery, and how this performance in Austria healed her. We also talk about what it means to chase a legend and have such a close connection with someone like Jackie Joyner-Kersee, the mental and physical toll of the heptathlon, and what's next as she eyes a potential world title this fall.

She's looking to become just the second American to win gold in the heptathlon after Jackie Joyner-Kersee won in 1987 and 1993. Anna is the kind of athlete who competes with heart, guts, and joy.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Anna Hall | @annaa.hall on Instagram 

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders.

GRAND SLAM TRACK: This summer, Los Angeles isn't just the city of stars; It's the city of speed. Grand Slam Track, the new global home for professional track and field, is coming to Drake Stadium at UCLA June 28th-29th. The tickets are officially on sale now. The Los Angeles Slam is the fourth and final stop in the league's inaugural season and it's bringing the heat. Grab your tickets now at GrandSlamTrack.com and witness the future of the sport live and in person. Grand Slam Track: new league, new rules, same fast. The stars will see you in LA!

SWIFTWICK: Socks: sometimes you don't think about them until you do – like mile eight of a long run when your heels are on fire or when your sock has mysteriously vanished into your shoe. That's why we're teaming up with SWIFTWICK: the go-to sock brand for endurance athletes who care about performance and longevity. For a limited time, CITIUS MAG listeners get 15% off your first order with the code CITIUSMAG at checkout.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

This week, Chris Chavez and Megan Connelly unpack the new U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying Standards. Preet Majithia hops on for the second half to recap Grand Slam Track: Philadelpia, Anna Hall's breakthrough heptathlon, preview the Rome Diamond League, and more takeaways from the past week.

Takeaways from the new U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifying Standards:

– USATF will return to “A” and “B” standards for 2028. The “A” standard will be determined at a later date in coordination with the LOC. Athletes with the “A” standard will get travel funding to the Olympic Trials. Athletes with the “B” standard will be guaranteed entry to the Olympic Trials.

– For the “B” standard: Women who want to race will have to run 2:37:00 or faster. This is the same as the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying standard. Women will also be able to qualify if they run 1:12:00 for the half marathon or faster, which is the same as the 2024 qualifier.

– For the “B” standard: Men who want to race will have to run 2:16:00 or faster. This is two minutes faster than the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying standard. Men can also enter if they run 1:03:00 or faster for the half marathon, which is the same as the 2024 qualifier. Going off USATF’s 2024 qualifiers list, 139 of the 220 qualified men ran faster than 2:16:00.

Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Megan Connelly | ⁠⁠@meganmorantwwe on Instagram⁠⁠ Preet Majithia |⁠⁠⁠ ⁠@preetmajithia on Instagram⁠⁠

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠.

PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.

VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!