How Dominic Fusco blends faith and fitness after surviving cardiac arrest ❤️‍🩹

When your identity is built around running—and it's taken away in an instant—what comes next? In Episode 369 of For The Long Run, Jon Levitt sits down with Dom Fusco, an Austin-based endurance athlete, creator, and coach who turned one of the scariest moments of his life into a mission of hope, faith, and resilience.

From D3 Football to Endurance Athlete

Before he became known for running, Dom Fusco was a football player. But after hanging up the cleats, he craved the challenge of being a beginner again… and running gave him exactly that.

At first, running was about performance. PRs, training blocks, race medals. But in 2023, everything changed when Dom suffered a sudden cardiac arrest during an all-out mile effort in the Austin heat. His entire perspective on fitness (and life) shifted.

"I went from Dom Fusco the running guy to Dom Fusco, who's just grateful to be alive."

Faith, Fitness, and Finding New Purpose

Surviving cardiac arrest forced Dom to rebuild, not just physically, but spiritually and mentally. Through his recovery, he leaned deeply into his Christian faith and found a renewed sense of purpose beyond metrics, titles, or athletic achievements.

Today, Dom uses his platform to inspire others to strengthen their bodies, sharpen their minds, and deepen their faith, whether they're running marathons or simply walking their first mile.

"My ultimate purpose is to steward the gifts I've been given: to serve, to connect, and to point people toward hope."

Running as Community, Not Just Competition

Running is still a major part of Dom’s life, but now it’s rooted in community, presence, and gratitude rather than PR-chasing.

• Hosting a Friday morning run club in Austin

• Exploring new cities and trails on foot

• Supporting his mom, who took up running in her 50s and completed a marathon

• Using endurance as a metaphor for navigating life’s inevitable challenges

"If you can endure a two-hour run through rain and cold, you can endure the hard things that life throws at you, too."

What You'll Hear in This Episode

• Dom's sudden cardiac arrest story and what it taught him about identity

• How faith reshaped his approach to fitness, career, and life

• The intersection of health, wellness, and content creation

• Lessons on true success beyond numbers, followers, or race times

• How the running community continues to ground and inspire him

How does the running community do for you? Reply and let me know!

About Jon Levitt and For The Long Run

Jon is a runner, cyclist, and podcast host from Boston, MA, who now lives in Boulder, CO. For The Long Run is aimed at exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated.

Follow Jon on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.