Pete Julian-Episode 44 – The Just Athletics Podcast

The following is exactly how the team at Just Athletics presented episode 44:

We just keep rolling!

This week we have one of the best coaches in the world in Pete Julian of Nike. Chris and Dave dive into Pete’s family history in the sport and his journey from growing up in Ashland in a track family to becoming a successful collegiate and professional athlete to becoming the incredibly influential coach he is today. We even have a special guest who joins the episode later to ask Pete some unique questions. One of those questions leads to one of the best moments in this podcast’s history as Pete reflects on a special moment at the 1984 Olympic games as a young fan.

Pete Julian was born into the sport of track & field and running. His father Bob was a legendary coach at Ashland High School for decades, where, in 1988 Pete was on a State Championship cross country team running for his Dad. Pete had two brothers who also ran at Ashland HS (Bob Junior and Tim), which we explore those relationships in the pod.

Pete went on run at the University of Portland, where he became UP’s first All-American in track & field and was on UP’s first NCAA qualifying cross country team. After college, Pete began a professional running career. Pete qualified and ran at the 1999 World Track & Field Championships in the 10,000m representing Team USA. He won a bronze medal at the 1999 Pan Am Games in the 10,000m as well. He represented the United States at the 1997 and 1998 World Cross Country Championships.

After his professional career, Pete started coaching at Metro State in 2005 before moving onto Washington State University where he was the head distance coach on the Palouse. The men’s team qualified for the NCAA cross country championships during his time as a Coug. Alberto Salazar sought Pete out to join the Nike Oregon Project as a coach in 2012, where he eventually began taking on the role of being the primary coach for some of the best athletes in the world. He now is in charge of arguably the best group in the world at Nike, although they still are in search of a name, which you can help with!
This is an amazing conversation with a very intelligent coach and we delve into Pete’s past and lineage that helps explain the vast amount of success he has had. We know you’ll love this episode!

Thanks, Pete!!

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