On today’s coaching episode, I’m chatting with Will and Samantha Palmer, both coaches for the Florida Gators. Will serves as the Associate Head Coach for cross country and Assistant Coach for track and field, while Samantha is an Assistant Coach for cross country. Before coming to Florida, they were both at the University of Alabama, where they played a big role in leading the team to a third-place finish at the 2022 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Will’s coaching career also includes stints at Georgetown, Western Kentucky, and Iowa, and Samantha was previously an assistant coach at the University of Toledo.

Samantha is an accomplished runner herself, having qualified for the US Marathon Olympic Trials in both 2016 and 2020. She also qualified for the 10,000 meters at the 2020 Olympic Trials. I love the dynamic of having a husband and wife coaching duo—it’s not something you see very often—and we talk a little bit about that in this episode. They’re also expecting their second child, so we dive into how they balance family life with coaching.

In our conversation, we dig into the culture they work hard to build within their teams, what they prioritize to create a successful environment for their athletes, and how they foster a sense of value for every single person, especially when you’ve got star athletes like Parker Valby on your roster. There’s so much valuable insight about coaching philosophies, team dynamics, and balancing career and family in this episode. I really enjoyed getting to know Will and Samantha, and I know you will too!

What we talked about:

5:00- Catching up about the Florida Gators

6:25- Being a married coaching duo while raising a family

11:05- The decision to coach at Florida

25:00- Making sure every athlete feels valued on the team

32:00- Coaching Parker Valby

41:00- Favorite moments as a coach

43:30- Volume for each athlete

54:45- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

The Four Agreements

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Fringe Heals

Use the code “Hein25” for 25% off your order

V.O2

Go to vdoto2.com and use the code “CoachLindsey” for 20% off your subscription

Listen to my episode with the founder of V.O2 here

I’m so excited to have my friend, Steph Bruce, back on the show! She’s been a recurring guest and one of my favorites to chat with, and this conversation is no exception. Steph just had an incredible race at the California International Marathon (CIM), where she placed third with a time of 2:28:41. To put that in perspective, this is just 14 months postpartum after having her third baby. What a year it’s been for Steph—and honestly, what a journey these past few years have been, with all of us watching and cheering her on as she continues to defy the odds.

Looking back before CIM, this is a continuation of her remarkable comeback story. In February, at the Olympic Marathon Trials, Steph was only four months postpartum. Yet she still showed up and ran an impressive 2:47, proving that she wasn’t just recovering, but ready to return to racing at a high level. Fast forward to CIM, and she’s just one minute off her personal best of 2:27, which she ran in Chicago back in 2019. To say this was a great day for Steph would be an understatement—it was an incredible achievement and a testament to her hard work, resilience, and determination.

In this episode, we also dive into some major changes happening in Steph’s professional life. Recently, Hoka NAZ Elite made the decision to let go of several athletes, including Steph. We talk about her perspective on this news, how she’s feeling, and what’s next for her moving forward. It was a candid and insightful conversation, and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to catch up with her.

Honestly, I really enjoy these types of conversations, and it makes me wonder why I don’t do them more often. Talking to Steph is always a blast, and I hope you all enjoy listening as much as I did recording it!

What we talked about:

5:00- Recapping her race at CIM

26:05- The comeback postpartum and deciding to run the trials

37:20- The changes with her sponsorship with Hoka

48:10- How she is feeling heading into the new year

57:25- End of podcast chat

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Fringe Heals

Use the code “Hein25” for 25% off your order

Previnex

Use code “LindseySuperfoods” for 15% off if you purchase the Gut and Greens Superfood

Use the code “another” for 15% off 

OR use code “LindseyStrength” for 15% off if you purchase their new Muscle Health Plus

Lindsey’s training plans

For $5 off the 5k training plans use code “5kFun”

For $10 off half marathon training plans use code “halfmarathonfun”

For $10 off marathon training plans use code “marathonfun”

For $20 off the bundles use the code “bundlefun”

I’m so excited to bring you another episode in our coaching series sponsored by V.02. Today’s guest is Dr. Jeff Messer, one of the most accomplished high school coaches of all time. Dr. Messer has an incredible track record, having coached 11 state championship teams during his career. In 2016, he was honored with the National Coach of the Year award, a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the sport.

Beyond his success on the track, Dr. Messer holds a PhD in exercise physiology, blending a deep scientific understanding of coaching with real-world experience. He’s coached athletes like Jess McClain and Dani Jones, and his wealth of knowledge is a powerful combination of cutting-edge research and practical application. What really sets him apart is how he’s able to integrate the science of coaching with the heart and soul it takes to truly connect with and elevate athletes. He cares deeply about the individuals he coaches, and that genuine investment in their growth and success is evident in every aspect of his approach.

This episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone who has ever wanted to coach, is currently coaching, or is searching for the qualities of a great coach. Dr. Jeff Messer exemplifies what it means to be a class act in coaching—someone who combines expertise, passion, and a deep commitment to the athletes they serve.

What we talked about:

3:00- Getting to know Dr. Jeff Messer and his training

12:40- Effort in workouts

19:45- Coaching high schoolers

40:30- The importance of academics alongside sport

45:00- Holding standards at practice

52:45- The science side of the sport

1:16:30- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Work with Jeff

Media recommendations:

Heartbreak Ridge

Amazing Racers

Van Halen

Other Coaching Series Episodes:

Diljeet Taylor – Episode 455

Jenna Wrieden – Episode 453

Kevin Hanson – Episode 451

Sheila Burrell – Episode 449

Ryan Hall – Episode 447

Jon Green – Episode 445

High school coaching series:

Chris Turner – Episode 477

Chuck Schwartz – Episode 483

Lisa Taylor – Episode 481

Robyn McGillis and Marie Markham – Episode 479

Brian Rosetti – Episode 475

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Previnex

Use code “LindseySuperfoods” for 15% off if you purchase the Gut and Greens Superfood

Use the code “another” for 15% off 

OR use code “LindseyStrength” for 15% off if you purchase their new Muscle Health Plus

V.O2

Go to vdoto2.com and use the code “CoachLindsey” for 20% off your subscription

Listen to my episode with the founder of V.O2 here

Lindsey’s training plans

For $5 off the 5k training plans use code “5kFun”

For $10 off half marathon training plans use code “halfmarathonfun”

For $10 off marathon training plans use code “marathonfun”

For $20 off the bundles use the code “bundlefun”

In this episode of our coaching series, sponsored by V.O2, we sit down with Evan Schwartz, head coach of the Track Club in Boulder, Colorado. Evan is an accomplished coach with a wealth of experience in the running industry. He worked in content planning, production, and distribution at Stride before transitioning into coaching, eventually founding his own group called The Track Club, which has been growing steadily in Boulder.

Evan’s coaching roster includes athletes like Emma Kertesz, who you may remember from her recent Bayshore Marathon victory and Laura Thweatt, so you get a sense of how much he’s involved with the running community. He’s had athletes achieve incredible feats, including appearances at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, the 2024 BAA 5K Pro Field, the 2023 BAA Half Marathon Pro Field, and the 2023 Chicago Marathon Pro Field.

In addition to his coaching career, Evan is an accomplished runner himself. His marathon PR is 2:18:19 and he has a half marathon PR of 67:28.

Evan is a USATF-certified marathon specialist coach, and you can learn more about his coaching approach and services at evanschwartzcoaching.com.

What we talked about:

5:00- How The Track Club got started

11:10- His career before coaching full time

16:00- The business side of The Track Club

20:15- His own coach and how he has influenced Evan’s coaching career

24:10- High mileage training plans

28:30- His favorite cross training and heat training methods

38:50- Words of encouragement that he gives athletes on race day

47:00- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Evan’s website

Book recommendations:

A Tale for the Time Being

Other Coaching Series Episodes:

Diljeet Taylor – Episode 455

Jenna Wrieden – Episode 453

Kevin Hanson – Episode 451

Sheila Burrell – Episode 449

Ryan Hall – Episode 447

Jon Green – Episode 445

High school coaching series:

Chris Turner – Episode 477

Chuck Schwartz – Episode 483

Lisa Taylor – Episode 481

Robyn McGillis and Marie Markham – Episode 479

Brian Rosetti – Episode 475

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

V.O2

Go to vdoto2.com and use the code “CoachLindsey” for 20% off your subscription

Listen to my episode with the founder of V.O2 here

In this episode, I had the honor of talking with Lindi Marcusen, a first-time Paralympian who competed in the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Lindi placed sixth in the 100 meter T63 and eighth in the long jump T63, but one of her major career highlights came earlier this year when she broke the American record in the 100 meter T63 at the US Paralympic team trials.

Lindi grew up an athlete, competing in gymnastics and later bodybuilding in college, but her life took a dramatic turn in 2017 when she was in a horrific car accident that led to the loss of her right leg. This all happened shortly after her wedding as she was starting a new chapter! In this conversation, Lindi shares how she has overcome incredible adversity and built the strength to become the fastest above-knee amputee woman in the United States.

This episode is filled with resilience, strength, and determination. Whether you’re an athlete or not, Lindi’s story will leave you feeling inspired by her perseverance and her commitment to not only reclaiming her life but excelling at the highest level in her sport. Enjoy my conversation with Lindi!

What we talked about:

2:30- Catching up with Lindi!

3:55- Growing up as an athlete and the path to becoming a Paralympian

16:00- Finding acceptance and peace in life

21:45- Finding athletics again after her accident

24:00- Becoming a Paralympian

26:00- Becoming a long jumper

30:00- Staying calm before big events

31:00- What making the team meant to Lindi

32:10- Walking through hard times and staying present

39:00- The importance of sport

46:05- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Lindi on Instagram

Book recommendation:

Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Donna Marathon

Join me the weekend of January 31st-February 2nd, 2025 for the Donna Marathon weekend! Use the code “Lindsey10” for 10% off your race registration

Previnex

Use the code “another” for 15% off 

OR use code “LindseyStrength” for 15% off if you purchase their new Muscle Health Plus

In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of speed climbing with Olympian Piper Kelly. Piper is a 2024 Paris Olympian, a three-time Pan American champion, and she’s from Indianapolis—my hometown, which I obviously had to geek out about. Piper shares what it’s like to train for and compete in speed climbing, including the unique challenges of a sport where you race up the same route every single time. Yes, you heard that right. In speed climbing, the athletes tackle the exact same course over and over, and it’s all about speed—these races last only six or seven seconds. Wild, right?

We also talk about Piper’s journey to the Olympics, her first Olympic experience, and how she’s gotten to where she is today. I learned a ton, and I think you will too. Since the interview, I’ve even been inspired to take my kids rock climbing. We’ve gone a few times before, but this time I took all of them, and they had a blast. One of the best parts of this series is that it’s reminding me to push my kids to try new and different sports—not just running, but exploring all kinds of movement and adventure.

I also think you’ll appreciate hearing what it’s like to be a professional rock climber, especially in terms of sponsorships and the unique aspects of that lifestyle. And if you had a chance to catch any of the speed climbing events during the Olympics this summer, you’ll know how exciting it is to watch. It’s one of those sports that grabs your attention fast, and Piper does an amazing job explaining why.

So, whether you’re already a fan of climbing or just curious about the sport, I think you’ll love this conversation. Don’t forget to follow Piper’s journey as she gears up for Paris 2024!

What we talked about:

4:15- Her entry into the sport of speed climbing

6:10- The different disciplines of climbing

8:55- Why she chose the speed climbing discipline

12:05- Different styles of climbing

16:05- Running in high school

18:15- Making the Olympic team

24:15- Her family of elite athletes and how her parents instilled a passion for movement

35:20- Dealing with injuries in the sport

39:40- Growth in the sport

44:35- The financial aspect of the sport

48:50- Her role as a coach

50:20- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

@Piper.Climbs on Instagram

Book recommendations:

Dune Series

Fast GIrls

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Donna Marathon

Join me the weekend of January 31st-February 2nd, 2025 for the Donna Marathon weekend! Use the code “Lindsey10” for 10% off your race registration

Cornbread

Use the code “Another” at checkout for 30% off your order

I’m really excited to bring you today’s conversation with Emma Grace Hurley, who just had an incredible debut in the half marathon at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. Emma Grace finished her debut race in a time of 68:26, which is a 5:14 per mile pace (WOW!). She also set the course record for the half marathon at Indy Monumental. She’s part of the Heartland Track Club, which, as a former Indy resident, I’m totally obsessed with—especially knowing how great the running scene is in Indianapolis. I can’t help but geek out about Indy in this episode, so please bear with me. It makes me so happy to see such an awesome team in the city, led by Andrew Begley and Amy Yoder Begley.

Emma Grace has had a remarkable year. She’s practically run the entire USATF circuit across multiple distances and has had such great results at so many of them. Just a week before her half marathon debut, she placed third at the USATF 5K Championships in New York. She also placed third at the 10K championships and the 6K championships this year. On top of all that, she represented the United States for the first time at the World Cross Country Championships. Though we didn’t dive into that experience in this episode, I want to direct you to The Relay Podcast, where Mike Ko and I interviewed Emma Grace right after her World Cross race. That episode aired on April 5th, so be sure to check it out in the feed if you’re interested in hearing more about her international debut.

What we talked about:

5:15- The decision to race the half marathon

8:30- Recapping her race

22:00- Her mentality during the race

25:00- The Heartland Track Club team

28:00- What’s next in training

44:15- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Emma on Instagram

Media recommendations:

The Perfect Couple

The Five Star Weekend

The White Lotus

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Lagoon

Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order

Previnex

Use the code “another” for 15% off 

OR use code “LindseyStrength” for 15% off if you purchase their new Muscle Health Plus

In this exciting episode, we dive into the world of beach volleyball with Olympian and Team Canada athlete, Sophie Bukovec. Sophie represented Canada at the Paris Olympics this summer, and we get to hear all about her incredible journey to that stage. She’s been a very competitive athlete since the age of 14. Sophie has built a remarkable career in volleyball, playing for three different universities before ultimately finishing at the University of Southern California (USC). There, she became a three-time national champion and a three-time All-American. We also touch on her silver medal win at the 2022 World Championships in Rome.

In this episode, Sophie breaks down what it’s like to compete at the highest levels of beach volleyball, including the unique aspects of the sport, training regimens, and how athletes select their partners. She also shares what life looks like as a professional volleyball player, how she balances competition with her role as founder and executive director of a volleyball academy, and offers advice for young kids considering the sport. We also explore the mindset needed for success in volleyball, as well as Sophie’s unforgettable first Olympic experience in Paris.

You can connect with Sophie on Instagram @sophiebukovec and let her know what you thought of this episode. Enjoy my conversation with Sophie Bukovec!

What we talked about:

3:00- Catching up and getting to know Sophie

8:20- Advice to younger athletes in volleyball

12:45- Discussing her volleyball partners

17:00- The way she set up her training to best prepare herself to be selected for the Olympic team

18:20- Encouraging young girls to stay in sport

21:20- The strength training that she incorporates into her training

25:00- When should you specialize in sports?

27:30- Mental training in sports

28:30- Her Olympic experience

33:30- Sponsorships in the sport

34:55- What off-season is looking like for Sophie

40:30- Why we should be supporting and watching beach volleyball

41:50- Playing on the USC volleyball team and her career as a volleyball player

48:30- Honoring her dad while playing

49:45- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Sophie on Instagram

The Northern Elite (Sophie’s volleyball academy)

Book recommendations:

Dialed In

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

A History of Irish Fairies by Carolyn White

Artist:

Chris Stapleton

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Donna Marathon

Join me the weekend of January 31st-February 2nd, 2025 for the Donna Marathon weekend! Use the code “Lindsey10” for 10% off your race registration

Cornbread

Use the code “Another” at checkout for 30% off your order

My guest today is Katie Schide, one of the top ultra runners in the world. In 2024, she made history by winning both the Western States 100 and UTMB, securing a rare double and setting a new course record at UTMB by over 20 minutes. Her victory at Western States marked a major breakthrough after finishing second at the same race in 2023, and her second win at UTMB (she first won in 2022) further solidified her place among the elite in the sport. Her consistent high-level performances also include a sixth-place finish at UTMB in 2019.

We dive into Katie’s training and life as a professional ultra runner. She lives in a remote part of France with her partner, where she enjoys the solitude and beauty of the mountains. Much of her training involves running, skiing, and biking, with a unique emphasis on ski mountaineering (or “ski-mo”), a form which serves as a demanding cross-training tool that she implements into her training during the winter months. It’s fascinating to hear how a top athlete integrates skiing into her routine, maintaining peak fitness during the off-season.

Katie also holds a PhD in geology and shares how her academic background influences her approach to life and training. Beyond her impressive racing resume, which includes podium finishes at nearly every major ultra, she has set her sights on future challenges, including the iconic Hardrock 100.

Sponsored by The North Face, Katie is an athlete you won’t want to miss following. You can connect with her on Instagram at @katieschide for more updates on her career and adventures in the mountains.

What we talked about:

9:00- Living and training in a remote area

14:25- Including skiing in her training and what winter training looks like

24:30- The past two years of Western States performances

33:45- Winning UTMB and winning Western States in one year

39:50- Her coach and what she attributes her running successes to

52:05- The rise of women in the sport of trail and ultra running

53:00- Breaking the course record at UTMB

1:02:20- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Katie on Instagram

themarmots.run

Bengal Spice Celestial Seasoning Tea

A Court of Thorns and Roses series

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Lagoon

Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order

2Before

Use the code “Lindsey” for 30% of 20 packs plus free shipping

Welcome to another exciting episode in our series featuring athletes from various sports! Today, I’m thrilled to have Jennifer Lozano on the podcast. At just 21 years old, Jennifer made her Olympic debut for Team USA in boxing at the Paris Olympics, where she placed ninth.

Growing up in the border town of Laredo, Texas, Jennifer started her boxing journey at the age of nine. She qualified for the Olympic Games by winning a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Santiago in 2023. Notably, she is the first person from Laredo, Texas, to ever qualify for the Olympics, marking a significant milestone for her community.

In this episode, Jennifer shares her incredible journey in the sport—how she got to where she is today, what her training and lifestyle looked like leading up to the Olympics, and the immense effort and self-belief that fueled her success. She also opens up about the obstacles she faced along the way.

I came into this conversation knowing very little about boxing and the pathways to the top, and I really enjoyed learning more about it from Jennifer. Jennifer has a deep commitment to giving back to her hometown, Laredo, Texas, and she shares her dreams for bringing opportunities to her community.

To learn more about Jennifer and follow her journey, connect with her on Instagram @jenniferlozano1124. If you’re enjoying this series or know someone who would be interested in hearing about this episode and learning more about our Olympic athletes on Team USA, please share it!

What we talked about:

3:30- Recapping the Olympics

7:15- Growing up in Laredo, Texas

13:00- How she got into boxing

25:20- Qualifying for the Olympic team

29:10- Her trait of being so hard working

35:00- Her heritage and family

40:00- Boxing coming into the Olympics

45:10- Mentality during boxing

52:10- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Jennifer on Instagram

Book recommendations:

By The Time You Read This

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Check out the new Brooks Glycerin Max at BrooksRunning.com

Cornbread

Use the code “Another” at checkout for 30% off your order

2Before

Use the code “Lindsey” for 30% of 20 packs plus free shipping

In today’s episode, I’m excited to be joined by Kendall Chase, a US Olympian in rowing and current assistant coach for MIT’s rowing team. We dive into Kendall’s journey from growing up in Colorado to representing the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics in rowing, becoming an elite cyclist, and later transitioning into coaching. Kendall shares the ups and downs of her career, including a traumatic brain injury she experienced while cycling at the professional level and how she overcame it.

We also talk about her coaching philosophy and what it’s like to work with athletes at MIT. As a fan of the book Boys in the Boat—which, if you’ve been listening for a while, you know I’ve referenced plenty—I couldn’t resist bringing in some of my rowing questions inspired by the book. If you’re at all interested in rowing or have ever wondered what goes into Olympic-level training, this conversation is full of insights. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

What we talked about:

3:00- Rowing chit chat: her career, coaching, and all about the sport itself

36:30- Her brain injury from a cycling injury

55:00- Becoming an Olympian

1:04:00- Athlete Ally

1:08:00- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Athlete Ally

Kendall on Instagram

Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

Malibu Rising

Daisy Jones and the Six

Boys in the Boat

Connect with Lindsey: 

Lindsey on Instagram

Lindsey on Twitter

Support our sponsors:

Donna Marathon

Join me the weekend of January 31st-February 2nd, 2025 for the Donna Marathon weekend! Use the code “Lindsey10” for 10% off your race registration

Cornbread

Use the code “Another” at checkout for 30% off your order

Lagoon

Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order