Deena Kastor Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Coach Joe Vigil—and the Lessons That Still Shape Her Stride, Spirit, and Story

There are legends in running, and then there are people who make legends possible. Returning to the show is Deena Kastor: Olympic medalist, former American record-holder in the marathon, and one of the most decorated distance runners in U.S. history. But beyond the stats and finish lines, Deena’s journey has always been rooted in resilience, reinvention, and deep mentorship . Today, she’s here to reflect on the recent passing of her coach and lifelong mentor, Dr. Joe Vigil—a towering figure in American distance running who helped shape not just her stride, but her spirit. Deena has already shared powerful words about that emotional goodbye, the lessons he passed on, and how his voice still echoes through every run she takes. Now, we get to go even deeper into that story: one built on trust, transformation, and legacy. We’ll also celebrate the iconic moments that defined her career: from that unforgettable bronze medal in Athens, to her blazing 2:19:36 American marathon record, and countless victories across the track, roads, and cross-country course. This conversation is a tribute to greatness: in performance, in mentorship, and in what it means to carry someone’s legacy forward. In today's conversation, Deena pays tribute to her coach in his passing, the lessons she's learned from him, untold stories from Coach Vigil's life, the legecy he left, and so much more. This one was touching and inspiring all at once. Be blessed by hearing about the life of a man whose life transformed the sport you love so dearly. Tap into the Deena Kastor Special. If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! S H O W N O T E S -The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs -BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run -Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ -My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz