He Built Grant Fisher, Coached 38 State Champs, and Qualified for Two Olympic Trials—Coach Mike Scannell on What It Really Takes to Succeed

What happens when you blend world-class wisdom with small-town humility? When a coach chooses joy over burnout, purpose over pressure, yet still builds champions from high school tracks to the Olympic stage? You get Coach Mike Scannell. Yes, he’s the architect behind Grant Fisher’s rise: from Arizona high school prodigy to Olympic double bronze medalist and six-time American record holder. But Scannell’s impact goes far beyond one legendary partnership. Before coaching, he was THE athlete. A 2:16 marathoner. A 29:02 10K guy. A two-time Olympic Trials qualifier who raced alongside some of the best of his era. He won the inaugural Phoenix City Marathon in 1987 and helped the U.S. win the 10K team title in 1988. Even into his 40s, he was still on the podium at the USATF Cross Country Championships. What makes Scannell different isn’t just his resume, it’s his philosophy: trust over control, long-term growth over short-term gains. Whether it’s building state championship programs at Powers, Brophy Prep, or Hamilton High School, or developing over 38 individual state champions, he leads with a mindset that centers athlete happiness, not just performance. His coaching record speaks for itself: Footlocker and Dream Mile national titles, multiple state records in the 1600, Olympic Trials qualifiers, and Olympians. Mike Scannell is more than a coach. He’s a builder of people, a strategist with soul, and a living masterclass in what it means to chase the long game. In today's conversation, we dive deep into the journey, philosophy, and mindsets of Coach Scannell. We his athletes, his training, his ideas, and so much more. This one was a treat. Don't miss the free wisdom handed out. Tap into the Coach Mike Scannell 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