The Trail Chasers
Hosted by Dean Horwitz a trail running enthusiast, who started his journey in 2022, Dean has experienced the transformative power of chasing trails firsthand. Fuelled by a passion for trail running and a knack for connecting with fellow trail chasers, Dean created this podcast to merge both interests.
This podcast is all about embracing the adventure, community, and self-discovery that comes with trail running. Join Dean on a journey of exploration and discovery, where you’ll learn about the world of trail running together. No matter if you’re a seasoned trail pro or just lacing up your shoes for the first time, this podcast is for you.
Whether it’s the exhilarating view from a mountain peak or the camaraderie and making new friends with fellow trail runners, Dean is here to guide you through it all.
The Trail Chasers
Hein Viljoen: Beyond the Run—Why Strength & Conditioning is a Game-Changer
💭 “It’s not flashy. It’s not gonna win you awards. You’re not putting it on Strava. But it impacts your runs tremendously.”
What if the most important training you do doesn’t happen on the trails—but in the quiet, consistent work no one sees?
In this episode of Trail Chasers, we sit down with Hein Viljoen—physiotherapist, movement specialist, and passionate voice for smarter, stronger trail running. From injury prevention and performance prep to myths about core work and the reality of staying in the game, Hein breaks down why strength & conditioning is a game-changer for runners of all levels.
Whether you're a total beginner or finally learning the hard way, this one will change how you think about long-term trail fitness.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
✅ Why strength training is the foundation every trail runner needs 🧱
✅ The most overlooked muscles that take the biggest impact 🦵
✅ How to balance running and strength without burning out 🔁
✅ What “brushing your teeth” has to do with staying injury-free 🦷
✅ The danger of going too hard—or doing nothing at all ⚠️
✅ How to actually spot your weak links (and what to do about them) 🧠
✅ Why building resilience starts with showing up—off the trail 💪
🥾 Got a strength or recovery routine that changed your running?
DM us or tag @trailchaserspod—we want to know what’s keeping you in the game.
🎙 Season 3 is sponsored by Gilnokie Socks 🧦
Visit gilnokie.com and use code TRAILCHASERS for 20% off your first order.
📩 If this episode helped reframe your training, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who still skips strength day. Let's build better runners, together.