This week, Emily sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion surfer Caroline Marks. Fresh off the premiere of her new film Now Days, Caroline discusses the incredible evolution of female surfing and what it’s like to travel the world competing against her closest friends and biggest rivals.

She dives deep into the "savage mode" mindset required to win, the courage it took to step away from the tour at age 19 to prioritize her mental health, and how she learned to embrace the discomfort of being out of her comfort zone to eventually stand on top of the podium in Paris. Whether you're a surfer or just looking for a spark of motivation, Caroline’s journey of self-belief and tenacity is sure to inspire you to find your own flow state.

In this episode:

• The making of the film Now Days and bringing female surfing to a mainstream audience.

• The unique camaraderie and rivalry among the world's top female surfers.

• Growing up as the only girl among four brothers and how it shaped her competitive edge.

• The transition from Florida to California and the pressure of early professional success.

• Navigating the "savage mode" mindset: turning competition on and off.

• Coming up short in Tokyo 2021 and the four-year mental game leading to Paris 2024.

• The decision to take a break from the tour at 19 for mental health and the healing process.

• Caroline’s personal "I Am" statements and her morning routine for success.

• Learning to appreciate life beyond the board: sunsets, family, and simple joys.

• What it feels like to finally be an Olympic Gold Medalist and a member of the Hall of Fame.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

"The beauty of life is you just keep evolving and growing, and you’ve just got to ride the roller coaster."

"When I’m in the water, I just turn into a different person ... you just go into savage mode. I’m trying to win."

"Good things happen outside your comfort zone. The best moments of my life have been from when I’ve been uncomfortable."

"I’m brave, I’m confident, I put the work in, I’m powerful, and I am doing what I love."

"Knowing that you’re the only one that’s you—that’s like a superpower."

SOCIAL
@carolinemarks
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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Talking about owning the things that I'm good at and surrendering to the things that I cannot control. Plus: Answering a listener question on what to take into consideration when signing up for a half-marathon.

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This week, Emily sits down with Alexandria Gilleo, a celebrity makeup artist and wellness entrepreneur who has worked with icons like Sue Bird, Ali Krieger, and Breanna Stewart. Alex shares the story of her sudden health crisis—a diagnosis of endometriosis that nearly led to emergency surgery on leading up to a what was supposed to be an epic trip to the Paris Olympics.

The conversation explores how Alex navigates the high-pressures of her work with balance living in th Hudson Valley. She details her #hurdlemoment following the loss of her father, which served as the catalyst for her deep dive into holistic wellness. 

IN THIS EPISODE

• The "Sue Bird Method" of varying glam levels.

• Alex's non-negotiable morning and night rituals, featuring red light therapy and classical music.

• The power of manifestation and "execution boards."

• Why skin prep is the most important part of a long-lasting look.

• The evolving synergy between beauty and women's sports.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

• "I really try to sit down with them and look at their face and see what is going to help with making them feel the most beautiful, confident person on the field, off the field, on the court, whatever it is."

• "I feel like this generation of athletes understands that beauty can be utilized as a tool. Makeup is not necessarily a mask ... it’s more about amplifying the look and showing the world every side of who they are."

• "In order to get what it is that you want, you have to act like you already have it. You have to own it and be so confident with it."

• "Everything is figure-outable. There is always light at the end of the tunnel. No matter how dark, how lonely, how sad, how heartbreaking something can feel, it's always going to get better."

SOCIAL
@alexgill
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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Reflecting this week on a recent realization about the "disclaimer trap"—the habit of minimizing our own struggles or joys by comparing them to others' seemingly "bigger" life events. Also, answering a listener question on science of sauna use, covering its cardiovascular benefits and how to properly integrate it into a fitness routine without compromising muscle growth.

SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

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This week, I’m sitting down with the incredible Becs Gentry. Many of you know her as a powerhouse Peloton instructor, but she is stepping into a massive new chapter as a HOKA Global Brand Ambassador. It’s a synergy that marks her return to the trails and ultra-running—the place where she first fell in love with the running community.

In this episode, Becs gets real about the logistics of being a global athlete and a mother. We dive deep into her discipline and how she manages to schedule high-stress training alongside her non-negotiables. She shares a powerful perspective on priority, noting that while she is deeply disciplined, she has learned that training isn't always the highest priority—the health and happiness of herself and her family, especially her daughter Talulah, always come first.

We also discuss the lessons she’s learning in this chapter, from the importance of protecting her mental health by setting boundaries with social media to the value of reassessing goals when the passion starts to fade. Becs reminds us all that life is too short not to enjoy what we do in our spare time, and sometimes, the best thing you can do for your growth is to step away and find a new route to the top of the mountain.

IN THIS EPISODE

This episode is a masterclass in navigating life's major pivots with grace and a "family-first" filter. Here are the highlights and most quotable moments from your conversation with Becs Gentry:

"In This Episode" Highlights

• The HOKA Era: Becs discusses her new role as a HOKA Global Brand Ambassador and how the brand's focus on community and versatile performance aligns with her current chapter.

• The Reality of Discipline: A deep dive into how Becs manages a grueling training schedule, highlighting that discipline isn't about being "perfect" every day, but about making things happen within the reality of your current life.

• Family as the North Star: Becs opens up about how her daughter, Tallulah, has completely reframed her "why," and why she chooses to set strict boundaries with technology to remain present.

• The Power of "No": She shares the vulnerable story of why she walked away from a marathon goal in June 2025 because she realized she was "climbing a slippery wall" with no passion for the project.

• New Representation: The transition to being represented by Always Alpha and how having a team helps her value her own worth in a "dog-eat-dog" business world.

• Intentional Living: From using a "Brick" to block social media apps to recording memories on a vintage camcorder, Becs shares her strategies for reclaiming her time from the "pocket computer".

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

"HOKA is a brand that blends performance with a very welcoming community to every type of runner... It is not just about having the fastest, flashiest, most expensive shoe on the market. It is about so much more than that."

"Burnout doesn't come from overtraining or overdoing something. It comes from trying to achieve something that you have no passion for. It's like trying to climb up a slippery wall. You may get there, but you're going to be so exhausted and cut up and bruised and defeated by the time you get to the top."

"Humans get a sense of having done it—this sense of achievement—when we tell somebody what we're working toward. The more and more people you tell and they give you that same response, it waters down and lessens your want to feel that thing when you've actually done it."

"Everything I do as a woman in sport and business is striving to help my daughter not have to go through what our generations and all the generations before us have had to go through, which has been struggling to get ourselves heard and recognized for the goodness that we have and do."

SOCIAL
@becsgentry
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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Talking about how I navigate a blizzard of thoughts, and the coping strategies I use to negate burnout. Plus: Answering a listener question about leaning into exercise to deal with a breakup. 

SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

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This week, we're sharing an episode from Olympic medalist and cross-country skiing legend Jessie Diggins, which originally aired in 2025. Jessie opens up about her journey to the top of her sport, what it’s like to embrace the intense pressure of elite competition, and how she pushes herself to her physical breaking point — sharing vivid details of the "blurry vision" and sheer grit required to win.

She also gets candid about her mental health journey, specifically her experience with an eating disorder and a relapse in 2024, discussing what support looks like in her daily life today. When we had this conversation — there was just under a year left until the Winter Olympics, and Jessie reflected on training in Italy, her recent World Cup wins, and her decision to retire at the end of 2026.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The Physical Breaking Point: Jessie describes the sensation of pushing her body to its absolute limits during a race, including the "blurry vision" that often accompanies her hardest efforts.

• Mental Health & Recovery: A vulnerable discussion on her history with an eating disorder, navigating a relapse in 2024, and the importance of a strong support system.

• The Final Stretch: Jessie shares her mindset heading into her final Olympic run in Milan-Cortina and why she has decided to retire after the 2026 season.

• Legacy & Integrity: Reflecting on being awarded the Holmenkollen Medal, Jessie explains why racing with integrity and being a role model outside of the sport is as important to her as her results on the snow.

• Training Philosophy: How she and her team plan "super peaks" every four years for the Olympics and the unexpected benefits of "toe yoga."

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

"I’ve realized that I don’t have to be a perfect person to be a good role model. I just have to be an honest one."

"The 'pain cave' is a place I know well, but I’ve learned that you can’t live there. You have to have a home to come back to that is full of joy and balance."

"Winning is amazing, but it’s the feeling of crossing the line knowing you gave every single thing you had—that’s the part that stays with you."

"I want the next generation of skiers to see that you can be the best in the world and still be a human being who struggles and asks for help."

SOCIAL
@jessiediggins
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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This week, I'm reflecting on the empowering act of setting boundaries and challenging the common perception of boundaries as "walls," — reframing them instead as "bridges" that guide others on how to successfully navigate a relationship with us. Also: I answer a question about my regular nail care routine.

SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

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In this episode, Aisha McAdams—photographer, filmmaker, and former competitive runner—shares her journey of navigating the transition from elite athlete to creative visionary. She dives into the making of her documentary Learning to Fly, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, and the founding of Rhoam Creative Studio to elevate women in the creative industry.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The Pivot to Creative Arts: Aisha discusses the shift from being the subject of the lens as an athlete to capturing the stories of others through photography and film.

• "Learning to Fly": A behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and production of her documentary, which explores the human spirit and the pursuit of greatness.

• Empowering Women in Media: The mission behind Rhoam Creative Studio and the importance of increasing female representation in male-dominated creative spaces.

• The Athlete’s Mindset in Art: How the discipline, resilience, and focus learned through years of competitive running fuel her creative process today.

• Redefining Success: Aisha reflects on finding fulfillment outside of race results and learning to embrace the "uncomfortable middle" of career transitions.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

• "I realized that the same tenacity I had on the track was exactly what I needed to survive the uncertainty of a creative career."

• "With Learning to Fly, I wanted to show that the finish line isn't the only part of the story worth telling."

• "Starting Rhoam wasn't just about taking pictures; it was about taking up space in an industry where women's voices are often sidelined."

• "You have to be willing to be a beginner again. The transition from athlete to artist is essentially learning a new way to breathe."

• "Photography allows me to stay connected to the sport I love, but from a perspective that celebrates the vulnerability behind the performance."

SOCIAL
@ai.shoots
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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In this episode, Emily's talking about how she navigated a recent unexpected hurdle and the looming pressure of Valentine’s Day. She shares a personal story about a new neighbor (read: a vocal infant) triggered a spiral of "catastrophizing," leading to a powerful reminder on the importance of shifting from a victim mindset to one of control. Also: Answering a listener's question about tackling the "hurdle" of being single during a holiday focused on romantic success.

SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

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In this episode of Hurdle, Emily sits down with Erika Gabrielli, the Vice President of Global Marketing at HOKA. Erika shares the story of HOKA’s meteoric rise from a niche ultra-running brand to a $2 billion global powerhouse. She delves into the importance of brand authenticity, the power of listening to the community, and why "maximalism" in footwear is about more than just aesthetics—it's about performance and comfort.

Erika also opens up about her professional journey, offering tactical advice for those looking to break into the sports industry, the importance of trusting your intuition, and how she balances the demands of a high-profile executive role with being a mother.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The Evolution of "Maximalism": Erika traces HOKA's journey from being "counter-culture" in a minimalist era to leading the industry with its focus on solving the problem of running downhills faster.
• Scaling with Soul: How the brand reached its $2 billion revenue milestone while maintaining core values like curiosity and inclusivity.
• Marketing via Experience: Why Erika believes experiential marketing is the most powerful tool for building emotional connections and lasting memories with consumers.
• Co-Creation over Control: Shifting the marketing narrative from "talking at people" to "world-building" alongside the running community.
• Career "Harmony": Erika's perspective on rejecting the myth of work-life balance in favor of finding a daily "harmony" that allows for both professional leadership and motherhood.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

On Marketing & Community

• "It’s not about controlling the narrative ... it’s much more about embracing that idea of co-creation. It’s a shift from talking at people to being in a space where we’re doing more world-building."
• "In terms of greatest brand building, it comes from an experience because it evokes a memory ... that memory evokes emotion, and that’s what always is going to bring people back to a brand."
• "The work is never done. We can talk about ourselves all day long, but if it's not directly drawn to that consumer insight and how we're solving problems for them, it's not going to pass the bar."

On Leadership & Intuition

• "The paranoid survive. You're always looking around corners to where there's opportunity but also where there's risk. Part of that to me is also tied to trusting your intuition."
• "It's not always the loudest voice in the room, it's not always the most senior voice in the room that is sharing the right paths or the right ideas."
• "The only person that's truly going to bet on you is you. Have the inner confidence to know that. You won't know until you try, and sometimes you won't know until you fail and you try again."

On Life "Harmony"

• "I stopped looking for balance a few years ago. I think it's unrealistic. I switched my language into finding harmony. Harmony is about the acknowledgment that I’m not going to be perfect at all the roles I have to play, and that’s okay."

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Hoka Cielo X1 3.0

SOCIAL
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@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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