What Lil Nas X & Casey Neistat Learned From a Sub-3-Hour Olympic Run Coach | Roberto Mandje

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There’s something kinda crazy about signing up for a marathon. But there’s something properly bananas about doing one under three hours and attempting that for 20 plus years. So, why did Casey Neistat (the YouTuber) and Lil Nas X (The pop star who actually did a half-marathon) do it? Because they had Roberto Mandje—a guy who’s not just an Olympic runner, but someone who takes “mind over matter” and turns it into a lifestyle choice. Roberto doesn’t just train you to run faster; he basically makes you question everything.

Okay, so we need to talk about marathons for a second. Specifically, the ridiculousness of a sub-three-hour marathon. I mean, running 26.2 miles isn’t challenging enough? Now you want to do it in under three hours? Sure, why not! And apparently, Lil Nas X and Casey Neistat—yes, the YouTube guy and the rapper—decided that they, too, wanted in on the madness. So, they called in the big guns: Roberto Mandje an actual Olympic runner, to whip them into shape.

Roberto, though, didn’t just hand over some magic training plan. He gave them a whole new way to see life. It’s like he tricked them into thinking it’s about running, when really, it’s about turning you into a better human. Or something like that.

How to Use Your Gun Without Shooting Your Foot

Roberto’s got this line he loves: “Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.” Sounds deep, right? What he’s getting at is that yeah, some people have good genes, but they mean nothing if you’re not showing up. Sure, we’d all like to think we’re special, but let’s be real—good genes only get you so far. You’ve gotta put in the work.

You want to do something nuts, like a sub-three-hour marathon? You need a reason, a “why,” that’s bigger than your desire to hit snooze. And no, “because it looks cool on Instagram” doesn’t cut it. The why’s what makes you dig deeper. It’s what gets you out of bed on the days when the last thing you want to do is run. And let’s be honest—that’s most days.

Don’t Try to Eat the Whole Pizza

So, Roberto’s all about this pizza analogy, which, I’ll admit, sounds a little cheesy. (Pun intended.) But stick with me here. Basically, training for a sub-three-hour marathon (or any marathon at that) is like looking at a giant pizza and realizing you can’t eat it all at once. You have to take it one slice at a time. Otherwise, you’re gonna make yourself sick, burn out, metaphorically and literally throw up, etc.

For Casey, Lil Nas X, and all the runners Roberto’s coached, this meant breaking things down into manageable chunks. You’re not gonna kill yourself every day, but you are gonna show up every day. Roberto knows there’s no such thing as the perfect training cycle; there’s good days, bad days, days when you wonder why you’re doing this at all. The secret? You just keep showing up, one slice at a time. Don’t think too far ahead. You’re not here to conquer everything today. You’re just here to take a bite.

Enjoy the Bruises, They’re the Only Real Thing You Get

Lil Nas X had a blast in his first race. Surrounded by people he’d never met, all cheering each other on. It’s like a weird, sweaty therapy session. But Roberto’s take on this is simple: that feeling you get when you’re breaking down, that’s when the real motivation happens. You think motivation is all fireworks and high fives? Nope. It’s showing up when everything’s falling apart, and you’re like, “Well, guess I’m gonna do this anyway.”

Roberto’s been there himself. 2004 Olympics, ready to crush it, then bam—he twists his ankle, and everything goes sideways. He learned real quick that life doesn’t care about your plans. But he also learned to keep going anyway. And that’s what he drilled into Casey and Lil Nas-X. You’re not doing this for the good days. You’re doing it for the ones that suck. Because if you can get through those, you can get through anything. And yes, that does make you feel like a badass.

1% Daily Improvements: Spoiler Alert, This is the Most Boring Secret Ever

Oh, and here’s the big secret. You ready? It’s a 1% improvement every day. Yawn, right? It’s like hearing your grandparents talk about saving a penny a day—it’s boring as hell, and you kind of want to roll your eyes. But here’s the thing: it works.

That’s what Roberto pushed Casey and Lil Nas-X to do. Not to go big, but to go small—one percent, every day. That’s it. The magic is in the boring stuff, in the grind. You keep stacking those tiny, insignificant wins, and guess what? Suddenly, you’re doing things you never thought possible. One day, you’re casually running marathons under three hours. And then you start looking at other parts of your life and wonder, “What else could I be doing?”

So, what did Casey and Lil Nas X learn? That this running thing? It’s not about the marathon. It’s not about getting faster or stronger or anything else. It’s about who you become when you go after something bigger than yourself. One painful, sweaty, ridiculous day at a time. So, what are you showing up for?

Episode Sections

  • [00:00] – Introduction: The balance of genetics and lifestyle
  • [00:26] – Roberto’s experience running with YouTubers and top musicians
  • [01:24] – Roberto’s background: Olympic runner, coach, and race pacer
  • [03:08] – Coaching Lil Nas X and other celebrities in their first races
  • [06:02] – Finding the “why” in running and how it shapes training
  • [07:36] – Planning and structuring a training routine with purpose
  • [09:57] – Reflecting on the 2004 Olympics and the challenges faced
  • [13:17] – Lessons from setbacks: Building resilience and perspective
  • [14:45] – Helping others reach their goals: Citizen runners and incremental gains
  • [17:05] – Balancing life, travel, and staying consistent in fitness

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