Women's Running, Athletes, Community, Leadership, Mother Runner
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:
Media recommendations:
Heartbreak Ridge
Amazing Racers
Van Halen
Other Coaching Series Episodes:
High school coaching series:
Robyn McGillis and Marie Markham – Episode 479
Connect with Lindsey:
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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:
Book recommendations:
A Tale for the Time Being
Other Coaching Series Episodes:
High school coaching series:
Robyn McGillis and Marie Markham – Episode 479
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
Go to vdoto2.com and use the code “CoachLindsey” for 20% off your subscription
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:
Book recommendation:
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
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
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:
Book recommendations:
Dune Series
Fast GIrls
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
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
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:
Media recommendations:
The Perfect Couple
The Five Star Weekend
The White Lotus
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order
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:
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:
Support our sponsors:
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
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:
Bengal Spice Celestial Seasoning Tea
A Court of Thorns and Roses series
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order
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:
Book recommendations:
By The Time You Read This
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
Check out the new Brooks Glycerin Max at BrooksRunning.com
Use the code “Another” at checkout for 30% off your order
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:
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Malibu Rising
Daisy Jones and the Six
Boys in the Boat
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
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
Use the code “Another” at checkout for 30% off your order
Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order
Today on the show, I am joined by Jarryd Wallace, a four-time Paralympian and multiple-time medalist. Jarryd’s accomplishments are nothing short of incredible—he’s a two-time bronze medalist at the Paralympics, earning his medals in Tokyo in 2020 in the 200 meters, T64 category, and again in Paris in 2024 in the long jump, T64 division. He’s also a bronze medalist in long jump from the 2023 World Championships, and in 2017, he earned a bronze in the 100 meters, T44 division. That same year, he took home gold in the 200 meters, T44, and also ran in the 4×100 relay at the 2013 World Championships, competing in the T42-46 category.
In this conversation, he shares the story of how he became a Paralympian, the moments that led to his leg amputation at a young age, and the journey he went on through 11 surgeries.
Jarryd is a father of two and is supported by Toyota and No Bull. I really enjoyed getting to know Jarryd and I hope that you enjoy this conversation as well!
What we talked about:
4:25- His journey in track and becoming a Paralympian
16:00- His faith
30:10- Parenting
36:45- Meeting his wife
38:40- His sponsors in the sport
51:30- Building community it his life
56:40- His favorite moment from the Paralympics
1:10:00- End of podcast questions
Show notes:
Donald Miller Books:
A Million Miles in a Thousand Years
Blue Like Jazz
Do Over by Jon Acuff
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off your order
Use the code “another” for 15% off
OR use code “LindseyStrength” for 15% off if you purchase their new Muscle Health Plus
I’m thrilled to welcome back the amazing Malindi Elmore to the podcast! This is her third time joining us, and she continues to inspire as a three-time Olympian representing Team Canada. Malindi made her Olympic debut in 2004 in the 1500 meters and has since transitioned into marathon running, competing in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.
Beyond her impressive athletic achievements, Malindi is also a dedicated coach and a mother of two. She has raised over $24,000 for Kids Sport, an initiative that provides grants to help cover registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under can enjoy a season of their favorite sport in Canada. Her motivation to train hard for the Olympic marathon was fueled by this meaningful cause.
Some of Malindi’s remarkable career highlights include finishing ninth in the Olympic marathon in Tokyo, holding the Canadian marathon record, and being a seven-time Canadian champion. She’s also a past Stanford University record holder, a six-time All-American, and a bronze medalist in the World Cross Country Team Championships, Pan American Games, and World University Games. With a personal best marathon time of 2:24, Malindi has an impressive range of accomplishments.
In addition to her success in track and road racing, she also competed competitively in triathlon, debuting in Ironman with an impressive time of under nine hours. Malindi made history as the oldest finisher in the Olympic marathon at 44 years old, and she shows no signs of slowing down!
If you enjoy this episode, please share it with your friends! I’m always cheering for Malindi and the rest of Team Canada. And if you have a moment, a quick rating and review would be hugely helpful. Let’s dive into this inspiring conversation!
What we talked about:
3:10- Catching up with Malindi post Olympics
8:05- Her marathoning career
11:00- Enjoying the process
15:00- The support from the running community
17:00- Recapping the Olympic marathon
28:15- Her passion for youth sports
39:00- Her husband’s role in her running career
44:30- Speedwork in marathon training
50:00- What’s next in her career
51:30- End of podcast questions
Show note:
Book recommendations:
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
Connect with Lindsey:
Support our sponsors:
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
Check out the new Brooks Glycerin Max at BrooksRunning.com
Use the code “Lindsey” for 30% of 20 packs plus free shipping
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