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United States Nick Symmonds transitioned from a decorated Olympian and World Championships medalist in middle-distance running to a successful entrepreneur and prominent YouTube personality, focusing on fitness and adventure.
Symmonds was previously sponsored by Nike for 7 years before leaving in January 2014.
Nick Symmonds signed with Brooks Running in January 2014 after his sponsorship with Nike ended. He was a Brooks-sponsored runner.
T-Mobile bought an advertising spot on Nick Symmonds' right shoulder for six races for $21,800. He would wear a T-Mobile logo or message on his shoulder.
In October 2014, Symmonds and his coach Sam Lapray co-founded Run Gum, a supplement company which makes functional chewing gum, primarily caffeinated gum for athletes.
Sometime in 2020, Nick Symmonds signed a deal with Gymshark, an athletic apparel brand.
Nicholas “Nick” Boone Symmonds was born on December 30, 1983, in Blytheville, Arkansas. His family later relocated to Boise, Idaho, where he spent his formative years. An accomplished athlete from a young age, Symmonds earned his Eagle Scout award in high school and excelled in track and field, securing state championships in the 800 meters, 1600 meters, 3200 meters, and the 4 x 400-meter relay. He pursued higher education at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he completed a degree in biochemistry in 2006. During his collegiate career, he achieved significant recognition, winning seven NCAA Division III titles, including four consecutive 800-meter championships and three 1500-meter championships. His collegiate best in the 800m stands as a Division III record at 1:45.83, and his 1500m best of 3:40.91 is third all-time for the division.
After turning professional in 2006, Symmonds joined the Oregon Track Club Elite. His professional career highlights include a silver medal in the 800 meters at the 2013 World Championships in Moscow, where he also notably advocated against Russia’s anti-gay laws. He competed in two Olympic Games, reaching the semifinals in Beijing in 2008 and achieving a fifth-place finish in the 800-meter final at the London 2012 Olympics, setting a personal best of 1:42.95. Throughout his career, Symmonds was a six-time US national 800 meters champion. He retired from professional track and field in 2018. Following his retirement, Symmonds expanded his career into entrepreneurship, co-founding Run Gum in 2014, a company that produces caffeinated chewing gum for athletes. He also gained substantial popularity through his YouTube channel, where he shares content related to running, powerlifting, and general fitness. His channel motto, “It Pays to Be Fit!”, reflects his continued engagement with athletic pursuits.
Symmonds has also embarked on an ambitious “Mile to Mountain” project, aiming to climb the Seven Summits. In May 2025, he successfully summited Mount Everest, becoming the first person to achieve both a sub-four-minute mile (with a personal best of 3:56.72 set in 2007) and summit Everest. As of May 2025, he has climbed four of the Seven Summits: Kilimanjaro, Puncak Jaya, Denali, and Everest. This project underscores his transition from competitive running to a broader exploration of physical and mental endurance challenges. His social media presence, particularly on YouTube and TikTok, has further cemented his status as a public figure in the fitness and adventure communities.
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