There's something important about being able to find the calm in stillness. As I finish up my final work trip of the year, I'm reflecting on where I've been and where I'm (not) going. Plus: Answering a listener question about making and maintaining friendships in your thirties.

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

⁠Sneaker Shopping Guide⁠

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It's here: Recapping my 2024 New York City Marathon experience on the show today! Including: Why I decided to run, how I got my entry, and what the training cycle entailed (and also, what it didn't). Plus: My race day prep, how I owned my no, and details from how I felt throughout the duration of the course. Plus: Some insights on what's next after finishing in 3:28:33 (plus, how that makes me feel) — how I'm feeling now, and what my biggest takeaways were from my 14th 26.2-mile race.

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Chicago Marathon Recap

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If you want to feel hyped to go after your next big goal, this episode is for you. Sat down with Olympians and Brooks athletes Chari Hawkins and Josh Kerr in New York recently for a life show, and debriefed a crazy summer and the work went into showing up in Paris. Chari — Olympic heptathlete — opens up about mental health after a disappointing Games. And Josh? The silver medalist and current mile record holder on US soil gives his perspective on hard work and the importance of trusting the process. These are two unbelievable athletes with inspiring advice and unique perspectives on training for success and overcoming the hurdles that come with striving for greatness. 

IN THIS EPISODE

Josh’s recollection of his silver 1500 meter race in Paris (4:40)

Executing your plan A and how to pivot when you need to refocus on your plan B (6:15)

How to show up again after not getting the result you wanted (11:10)

Chari’s ‘why’ and her perspective on the heptathlon (15:06)

Josh’s self belief and the importance of trusting the process (17:50)

How to focus on positive self talk when negative thoughts creep in (24:05)

Chari’s biggest takeaway from the Paris Games (31:40)

Advice for anyone having to navigate injury (35:10)

The opportunity costs that goes with performing and such an elite level (39:10)

What Chari and Josh are doing to stay excited for what’s ahead after Paris (47:10)

Chari on vulnerability and relatability (54:12)  

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I've been trying to be more mindful about how I get from point A to point B, and it's making a major difference. Sharing some insights, plus answering a listener question about sneaker shopping and what every runner should have in their rotation.

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Sneaker Shopping Guide

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There’s no one I’d rather debrief the marathon with than the ever-inspiring Kirsten Ferguson. We're sitting down to talk through those special 26.2 miles in detail and the journey to the marathon starting line over the past 16 training weeks with her. Beyond the training cycle, we also get deep into Kirsten’s journey from a holistic view, starting with a gnarly injury and major setback that paused her marathon journey for a while.

The Peloton instructor takes us through the months on the road to recover where she truly struggled both physically and mentally and how she turned to her community for strength. We talk about the nerves that come with stepping into the unknown and how Kirsten keeps those feelings at bay as well as what she’s excited about and looking forward to post 26.2. 

IN THIS EPISODE

The moment Kirsten committed to the marathon (4:02)

Kirsten’s mentality post-hip surgery and how she turned to her community for strength (7:12) 

How to know when you are fully ready to move on and recognizing growth (10:45)

Finding grace and cultivating positivity to meet yourself with where your at (15:23)

Feelings from finishing her first half marathon and most unexpected lessons from training  (18:15)

The reason Kirsten chose to run most of her training runs solo (31:27)

A glimpse inside Kirsten’s headspace in those 26.2 miles of her inaugural marathon (38:08)

How Kirsten’s vision came to life running up to her Peloton family (48:34)

The memory of embracing her daughters at the finish line (51:00)

Kirsten’s biggest takeaway from the race and what’s next for her (56:50)

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I did a bit of catastrophizing this week. I don't think I'm alone in that. But what if my first inclination, rather, was to be a little more positive? Talking about a tough week, answer "how are you?" honestly, and answering a listener question about how to cope AND give your body the rest it needs.

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Welcome Shalane Flanagan, Olympic medalist, 2017 New York City Marathon Champion, Coach for the Bowerman Track Club and University of Oregon to the show! Loved the opportunity to sit back down with Shalane at this year's New York City Marathon, on behalf of her sponsor at Mastercard. We chat about what's the latest in her life, how it feels to step into her role as a coach, and her feelings about running this year's NYCM. Plus: Best-practice marathoning tips and her best pep talk to date.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

183. Shalane Flanagan, Live At the New York City Marathon

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Firstly: Dakotah Lindwurm is now Dakotah Popehn after getting married last weekend! Welcoming her back to the show to talk about Dakotah’s Olympic experience and all that went into her impressive race before diving into the early days of her running career, how her Olympic dream came to be, and what it’s been like since her "running glow up."

Dakotah talks about leaving her career as a paralegal to go all in as a pro runner and how she’s been able to focus on her body in all aspects to both prepare for big race days and recover quicker than ever. Dakotah’s sense of self belief is so inspiring and we talk about her why0not-me perspective and the tools and tricks she uses when that self doubt creeps in. 

Dakotah’s first time on Hurdle Podcast 

IN THIS EPISODE

A reflection on Dakotah’s Olympic experience (4:30)

How Dakotah’s upbringing sparked her "why not me" mentality and how to channel the same self belief (9:05)

Dakotah’s decision to self away as a paralegal (12:45)

The power of a pro/con list when making big decisions (17:25)

Combating intrusive thoughts when reaching for big goals (21:35) 

Dakotah’s early running days and her first glimpse at the Olympic dream (23:30)

The pieces that have helped her thrive in running the past few years (29:18)

The story behind Dakotah’s biggest fan at the Olympics and how they united in NYC (31:46) 

Getting to her dream without her mom by her side (43:24)

Dakotah’s perspective on dealing with grief (46:11)

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Listened to a really powerful conversation the other night, some of which I'm excerpting here on the brink of New York City Marathon Weekend. Plus: Answering a listener question of how to show up and be your authentic self online.

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On the heels of the New York Liberty's championship win, amped to have Adidas athlete Betnijah Laney on the show! We chat through how it feels to be a champion, the parade in downtown Manhattan, and how Barclays Center felt on that epic winning night. Betnijah lets us in on her backstory, the hurdles she’s overcome to get to this point, and just how monumental her friends and family’s support means in pursuing her dreams.

IN THIS EPISODE

A reflection on game five and Betnijah’s mindset going into big moments (4:40)

The biggest strength of this year’s championship team and what made this team great (7:00)

What support looks like for Betnijah and the impact it has on her success (9:05) 

The early days of Betnijah’s basketball career (15:13)

Betnijah’s advice on motivation and resilience (18:45)

The biggest hurdles of Betnijah’s career and how she shifts focus when the doubt starts to creep in (23:16)

When things really started to click for Benijah on the court how the she feeds off the support of the Liberty community (32:23) 

What it’s like to be an adidas athlete and what their support means to the athletes they support (36:43)

Amplifying the message of female athletes and how it feels to be part of the future and growth of women in sport (38:30)

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Landed my first pull-up in eight years yesterday! Talking about the process that got me there in today's episode, plus answering a listener question about how to navigate the frustrating process of taking time off.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

⁠Self-Audit Instagram Post⁠

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