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.
“... and it may be gritty at times, it may be hard at times, but like that’s the struggle that we… we choose the struggle and it’s a privilege to be in that struggle, it’s beautiful, because that, that is where you’re going to get your wisdom, that is where you’re going to get your strength, and those are the life skills you’re learning. So, be present, celebrate the little wins, celebrate the big wins, don’t dwell on the losses, right? Just be present, and be thankful, and enjoy, enjoy it all.”
In this episode, Mau Díaz sits down with Rob Watson, a lifelong runner, lululemon Run Ambassador, coach, and host of Rob Talks Running, to explore the deeper journey behind a life built around movement. Rob shares his story of how running became his compass, not only shaping his career but helping him navigate challenges, identity, and reinvention along the way.
Together, Mau and Rob reflect on what it means to devote yourself to something fully, to chase performance, and then to learn how to let go. They talk about the emotional highs of professional competition, the quiet struggles that don’t show up on race results, and the process of rediscovering joy and purpose in running after the spotlight fades. Rob speaks candidly about vulnerability, mental resilience, and the importance of community, both in training and in life.
This conversation is not just for runners, it’s for anyone who has ever asked what comes after striving, or how to stay grounded while pushing toward big goals. Through humor, humility, and hard-earned wisdom, Rob reminds us that growth isn’t just about getting faster: it’s about knowing when to pause, when to pivot, and how to keep showing up.
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Rob is a Canadian long-distance runner and coach based in Vancouver, British Columbia. A four-time Canadian national champion, he has represented Canada at major international competitions, including the 2013 World Championships in Athletics and the Boston Marathon. His running journey began early, inspired by his family’s deep involvement in the sport. He competed in the 3000m steeplechase during his collegiate years at Colorado State and later transitioned to road racing.
Even after wrapping up an elite career, Rob’s connection to running remains unwavering, whether through coaching with Mile2Marathon, organizing events, collaborating with brands, or simply exploring and building community through movement.
You can connect with Rob on Instagram at @robtalksrunning.
We’re excited to welcome him as a special guest at our Oaxaca Day of the Dead Running Retreat this upcoming October. You can join him by signing up here.
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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