Every athlete deserves someone in their corner who believes in their potential as much as they do. Whether training for a first 5K or chasing a marathon PR, having the right coach can make the difference between giving up and breaking through. This principle drives everything Alli Felsenthal does through her virtual coaching business, where she helps runners worldwide discover what they’re capable of achieving.

The recent Career Lab LIVE event celebrated coaches like Felsenthal who are making a real difference in their athletes’ lives. As the winner of the Holistic Hero Coach of the Year award, she represents the kind of dedicated professional who sees coaching as much more than just writing training plans.

Alli Felsenthal

Since 2017, Alli Felsenthal has been building something special in the running world. As the founder of RUNWITHALLI Coaching, she operates a virtual run and nutrition coaching business that serves athletes worldwide. Her approach covers the full spectrum of distance running, from the first mile all the way up to the marathon, with a focus on holistic training methods that address the physical and mental aspects of running.

What sets Felsenthal apart is her background in corporate life, which gives her a unique perspective on helping clients who are navigating similar transitions. She understands the stress, time constraints, and mental challenges that come with balancing demanding careers with personal health goals. This firsthand experience allows her to connect with athletes who are using running as an outlet to channel stress, challenge themselves, and find community.

Her coaching philosophy centers on being as invested in each athlete’s journey as they are themselves. She describes her role as being a cheerleader, guide, and expert all rolled into one, watching her athletes grow first as people, then as runners. This personal investment creates the kind of relationships that lead to real, lasting change in her clients’ lives.

Building Community Through Virtual Coaching

Felsenthal’s favorite aspect of coaching stems from the deep connections she forms with her athletes. She finds something uniquely rewarding about witnessing personal growth that extends far past running performance. Her athletes learn to use running as a tool for stress management, personal challenge, and community building—skills that carry over into every area of their lives.

Her experience at Career Lab LIVE reinforced her belief in the power of in-person connections. While her business operates virtually, she recognizes that face-to-face networking and relationship building with other professionals in the fitness space create opportunities that digital connections alone cannot replicate. The event reminded her that timing is rarely perfect, and waiting for ideal conditions often means missing out on growth opportunities entirely.

Looking ahead, Felsenthal has ambitious plans for expanding her impact. She aims to expand her team to include coaching other coaches, creating a ripple effect that enables her methods and philosophy to reach even more athletes. This approach would allow her to create a wider impact on the running and fitness community while collaborating with like-minded professionals across different specialties.

Her vision includes building partnerships with coaches from various disciplines, recognizing that athletes often benefit from diverse expertise. Whether that means working with strength coaches, physical therapists, or mental performance specialists, she sees value in creating a network of professionals who can support athletes’ complete development.

Final Thoughts

Alli recognizes that athletic pursuits are a vehicle for personal development, stress management, and community building. Felsenthal embodies this understanding, using her platform to help others transform their relationship with fitness and find purpose through running.

Leaving the corporate world to become an award-winning coach proves that passion projects can become meaningful careers when approached with dedication and authenticity. By staying connected to her own transformation story, she continues to serve as a guide and inspiration for athletes who are writing their chapters of personal growth through running.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.