From Rock Bottom to Running Marathons: How Running & Filmmaking Transformed My Life w/ Allen Wong | EP066

Who Thought We'd Be Here?

In this raw and inspiring episode, we sit down with Allen Wong — filmmaker, distance runner, and former addict — to explore how endurance sports and creativity helped him rebuild his identity from the ground up.

Allen opens up about his chaotic past: growing up in a traditional Asian household, falling into addiction during his years of heavy partying, and losing his sense of self. But after COVID forced him into isolation, something shifted. He started running. Then filming. Then healing.

From shooting marathon footage with a GoPro to building a tight-knit community of runners and recovering friends, Allen shares how storytelling and suffering on the road gave him a new reason to live. We talk about imposter syndrome, the loneliness of social media, the power of faith in yourself, and what it means to put something out into the world even when you think no one’s watching.

If you’ve ever felt lost, like you’ve burned bridges or missed your moment — this one’s for you.

00:00–Intro: Meet Allen Wong
01:00–How Allen met the hosts through filming and running
05:00–Allen’s 24-hour race shoot and the “Walking Dead” lean
07:00–The story of addiction begins: fake IDs, rebellion, and burnout
11:00–COVID isolation and why it was the wake-up call Allen needed
13:00–From 210 lbs to his first run: how running changed everything
15:00–First half marathon and falling in love with the process
17:00–Discovering YouTube running creators & picking up a GoPro
19:00–Getting into trail running & documenting the journey
21:00–Growing up poor, bullied, and learning resilience
23:00–How addiction gave him a superpower when redirected
25:00–Rebuilding his relationship with his parents
28:00–Getting into filmmaking, thanks to friends and YouTube
30:00–First time filming a real athlete and making it work
32:00–Creating content that inspired friends to run too
34:00–The impact of storytelling and impostor syndrome
35:00–Running the NYC Marathon in memory of a lost friend
37:00–Being humbled by the marathon and coming back stronger
39:00–Documenting his story with UPS and seeing it on the big screen
41:00–Why he films “regular people” instead of elite runners
49:00–What running really gives you — and why it’s more than fitness
51:00–Faith, flow states, and doing the hard thing on purpose
53:00–Running as spiritual practice and life mirror
56:00–The importance of delayed gratification
1:00:00–Why the marathon humbles you (and why that's a gift)
1:02:00–Creating from vulnerability: "You’re never fully ready, just hit publish"
1:04:00–Allen on imposter syndrome and doing it anyway
1:08:30–The power of showing up for others & building creative community
1:10:30–From self-doubt to impact: when someone says your work changed their life
1:17:00–Post-creative anxiety and releasing attachment to the outcome
1:19:00–Why hard conversations are worth it, even when they’re awkward
1:21:00–Allen’s advice for anyone stuck or scared: “Fuck it, let’s ball”
1:23:00–Allen’s personal “council” of inspiration
1:25:00–Where to find Allen online

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"Who Thought We'd Be Here?" is hosted by Steven Aigner and John Pugh.
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