From November 24th
to December 2nd, 2025
15% OFF in all our experiences
Discount Code: BLACKWEEK15
*Promotion limited to 5 discount codes per experience and
cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
In this episode of the Beyond Running podcast, Mau Díaz sits down with Maxime Galpin, a runner, meditator, and guide for Aire Libre’s French Pyrenees experience. Maxim has spent years exploring the intersection of movement and mindfulness, creating Zen and Run—a practice that merges running with meditation, helping people connect more deeply with themselves and the natural world. Together, they explore the ways in which running can become more than just a physical pursuit—it can be a form of presence, healing, and inner exploration.
Their conversation begins with the magic of the French Pyrenees experience, where Maxime leads runners through breathtaking landscapes while fostering a deep sense of connection among participants. Mau and Maxime reflect on how the shared journey of running in these remote mountains creates a powerful bond, allowing people to slow down, be present, and truly engage with both nature and each other. This profound sense of community and presence sets the stage for their deeper discussion on Zen and Run and the philosophy behind merging meditation with movement.
Maxime shares how mindfulness has transformed his own running practice, turning each step into an act of awareness and grounding. He and Mau discuss the benefits of slowing down—both in running and in life—and how tuning into the present moment can make movement more fulfilling. Whether you’re an experienced runner or someone looking for a deeper connection to the sport, this episode offers insights into how running can be a gateway to greater self-awareness, balance, and joy.
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Maxime Galpin is a Parisian-raised runner, movement enthusiast, and mindfulness practitioner who sees running less as a way to break records and more as a path to mental and spiritual growth—breaking free from stress, expectations, and, occasionally, the need to always know where he’s going. Inspired by travels around the world and spending a few months in a Buddhist monastery (where he trained the fine art of sitting still before deciding to do the exact opposite), he now co-hosts the French Pyrénées and the Portugal Aire Libre retreats alongside George Bauer. He also organizes other retreats and workshops that explore movement as a tool for connection, mental well-being, by discovering oneself, others and the world.
For Maxime, running is not about being the fastest, the strongest, or the person with the most expensive GPS watch. It’s about slowing down, listening to your body (even when it rudely insists on taking a break), and using movement as a way to navigate life with more awareness and joy. He believes that running—just like life—shouldn’t be about constant competition but about enjoying the journey, appreciating the detours, and, most importantly, making sure there’s a good meal at the end.
You can find Maxime on instagram as @tai.gan_
OUR HOST: MAU DÍAZ
CEO & Co-Founder of Aire Libre.
Mau Díaz, born in Mexico City in 1988, embarked on a journey of academic and adventurous pursuits. He studied Marketing at the Monterrey Institute of Technology, delving into International Marketing at the Hochschule Pforzheim in Germany, and exploring Chinese Foreign Policy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. His professional trajectory took off with a focus on Growth Hacking, where he honed his skills in team building and assisting startups in their growth strategies. Notable stints as a growth hacker at Propiedades.com and later at LECO shaped his early career.
In December 2015, Mau embarked on a non-stop 90km run across the Sonora Desert with two friends, laying the foundation for his venture, Aire Libre. He identifies as an adventurer who embraces running as a means to satiate his curiosity. His accomplishments include solo and unassisted traversing of the Sierra Sur de Oaxaca, covering 127km from December 28 to 30, 2017. In 2018, he clinched a top 5 spot in an 80km ultramarathon in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. May 2022 witnessed his relentless 140km run from the Pacific Ocean to the Sea of Cortez, spanning the Baja California peninsula. These exploits merely scratch the surface of his vast adventures.
Mau’s work at Aire Libre has not gone unnoticed, garnering recognition from esteemed international media outlets such as The Financial Times, Monocle, Men’s Journal, Forbes, Travesías, El Universal, Chilango, Sopitas.com, and various others.
You can find Mau on instagram as @maudac
From November 24th
to December 2nd, 2025
15% OFF in all our experiences
Discount Code: BLACKWEEK15
*Promotion limited to 5 discount codes per experience and
cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
From November 25
to December 2nd, 2024
15% OFF in all our experiences
Discount Code: ALBLACKWEEK
*Promotion limited to 5 discount codes per experience and
cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions.
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