Why I Quit My NFL Dream Job at 27...

Hey! Jonah here - I’ve got a surprise for you.

In celebration of the NYC marathon, I’m sending a special edition of Marathon Science.

I want to start by saying thank you – your support these past few months means the world to me.

As a token of appreciation, I’m including two free bonus guides at the end of this email:

1. My Top 5 Super Shoes of 2024

2. The Ultimate Pre- and In-Run Fueling Cheat Sheet

I hope these guides help! I can’t tell you how much I love sharing the best science-backed tips to help you crush your goals.

To everyone who raced NYC – congrats! Be proud of what you achieved out there and all the work that got you to the starting line.

Recover well, and remember, I’m here if you need any support in the days ahead.

P.S.- I shared some of this story on my Instagram—apologies if it’s a repeat for you!

November 22nd, 2022

"Mom… what the f*ck is wrong with me?" I ask.

"Nothing, Jonah," she says gently.

"I worked so damn hard to get here. People would kill for this job."

"We'll always love and support you, no matter what."

"I know… I love you too." I hang up and toss my phone on the desk.

“Ding.”

A new email flashes on my oversized, three-monitor setup.

"Hi Jonah, I'm a young sports scientist, and I hope to work in the NFL like you one day. It’s amazing to see you achieve this at 24. Could you spare a few minutes to give me some advice?"

Messages like this come in every day.

I sit back and reflect on what it took to get here:

• Late nights reading research until 2 a.m.

• Attending 50+ sports science conferences

• Double majoring while interning with teams for free

• Collaborating with top schools on groundbreaking sports engineering

• Four pro sports teams by 26

• 90+ hour weeks: work, sleep, repeat

• Moving across the country with two days' notice for the next job

And then, what I gave up:

• Seeing my family three times in five years

• Losing all my high school friends

• Never having time to make new ones

• Missing holidays and every chance to go home

• Not being there when the people I loved needed me the most

• Choosing the job over a girl I loved

The dream job no longer felt like a dream.

I used to read research all day because I loved it, driven by curiosity. The science of peak performance was my obsession.

Now, I stayed up reading out of fear. No one would know more about sports science than me.

Led by ambition, my passion faded.

June 25th, 2024

"Ding!".

I roll over in bed, squinting at my alarm: 5:00 a.m.

I'm tired.

I drag myself into the kitchen. Augie, my 120-pound dog, is fast asleep, taking up our entire 500 sqft Brooklyn apartment.

"He can wait an hour. I grab my keys and rush out the door.

6:15 a.m., I'm back—8 miles down.

I glance at my watch: 6:30 min/mile pace. I'm getting faster!

"F*ck, that's cool," I whisper to myself.

I look at Augie, still snoring, then at my computer. The run sparked my interest. I can't wait to dive into more running science.

"Eh, he can wait."

I rush to my computer, eager to learn, to explore.

It's been two years since I left the NFL.

I read all day again — not out of pressure, but out of curiosity. I have nothing to prove. Nowhere to go.

Thank you for all the support and messages about how my content has impacted your journeys. I don’t know where running will take me, but for the first time in a while, I’m not worried.

I'm curious again. Because of you all, because of running.

My time in pro sports gave me resources beyond my wildest dreams. I can't wait to share what I've learned to help you crush your running and lifting goals.

Thank you all for helping me fall back in love — through curiosity, not ambition.

Thank you for being a part of Marathon Science. I'm so excited to have you here.

-Jonah

P.S. – Your free guides are right after this dazzling photo of me. Try not to get too distracted by my impeccable sense of fashion.

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