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We all talk about wanting to turn our passions into work. I'm personally attempting to do just that right now during my sabbatical from life. First, we need to identify our passions and then we need to honestly assess whether our skills align with our passions. Today's guest Ryan Van Duzer has done just that. He lives his passion every day - and has fun doing it. I have wanted to interview him since the day I met him at Skirt Sports. He was supporting our mutual friend Dana D (Episode 30 "From Drug Addict to Love Addict") as she delivered the first ever Women Run The World talk that would later become a multi-year monthly speaker series. Ryan was totally at home at the event, even as one of the only men in a packed house of passionate women. I observed him and realized why he was so comfortable. There was something emanating from him that I like to call pure intentions. He was there to support and celebrate his friend. He didn't even notice that he was one of two men, because his intention wasn't to draw attention to himself. It was about being there for someone else's important event. Everything Ryan does is based on pure intentions. That's what makes him so special. He's relatable and vulnerable, something many men struggle with. He puts it all out there. Like truly all out there through his super popular, inspiring YouTube Channel DuzerTV, through his other projects including tv shows like Carbon TV's "Tough Jobs," Discovery's "Out of the Wild," & more. Notables from this episode: "I may not be able to get you everything you want, but I will get you everything you need." - Donna Jobert (Ryan's mama) The gift of being a mama's boy: Watch Donna get to the top of Machu Picchu in "Mama Picchu" Dana D & the Gratitude March Sobriety: Why Ryan needed to end his drinking relationship How to deal with haters Trail Magic & Trail Angels Have as much fun as possible as you're doing whatever you do. Just Get Outside! For more Ryan Van Duzer: His website! https://www.duzertv.com/ DuzerTV on YouTube This video sums up his philosophy. Watch it!      

I met Emily Holland in October 2019. She interviewed me about my entrepreneurial journey on her Stokecast Podcast. Toward the end of the interview, we talked about my sobriety journey and I did what lots of podcasters pull on other podcasters - I turned one of her questions back on her. I asked her if there was anything in her life that she felt that she wanted to let go of. She replied, "I'm in the process of thinking about letting go of alcohol. I just haven't done all the thinking I want to around it yet." Or something very close! The point is that she was on the verge of starting the journey that has taken her life in a new direction. Sobriety. Emily is an emerging thought leader in the world of alcohol and sobriety. She embarked on her sober journey over a year ago. In fact, she hit the one year milestone just a few days ago and wrote a powerful blog with 9 powerful takeaways. Emily is a very deep thinker. She is not taking her sobriety journey lightly. She has become so passionate about what sobriety has brought to her life, how much it has helped her grow, that she decided to start a new venture, a podcast called Nature Untold. Her goal is to normalize and destigmatize the discussion around sobriety, addiction, and recovery in the outdoor community and industry. And she is doing just that! Notables: The "Bristle" Trigger: What is bugging you? What is it time to examine? Prioritizing Partying: Why this becomes important and when it's time to shift priorities Question asked in therapy: "Have you grieved the loss of alcohol?" Drinking is a relationship that brings you comfort or fills a void of some sort. It makes sense that the loss of it needs to be grieved. Euphoric recall: Nostalgia for the memories & community that were part of one's drinking life She believes there is a line between calling oneself an alcoholic and recognizing drinking isn't a positive part of one's lives and it's time to stop. The habit of drinking: we riff a bit on the example used in the book "Power of Habit" by Charles Duhigg Destigmatizing sobriety: It starts with having open conversations. Replace the drinking addiction with something else like exercise or adventure 3 things that were key to Emily's decision to stop drinking: 1) Therapy, 2) Someone who loves you unconditionally and wants to support the changes you decide to make, 3) COVID Best gateway (drug 😂) to sobriety? "Taking time off is incredibly awesome." Consider testing out a sober life for Dry January (or any month) Sober support resources: Start with Grace, Praise for yourself, Therapy; then move on to community resources like AA, the Luckiest Club, Tempest Group, Phoenix Multisport (we mention Scott Strode too!) Nature Untold Podcast: Emily has a passion to help people with their own journeys Recommended books about sobriety: "Sober Curious" by Ruby Warrington & Holly Whitaker's "How to Quit Like a Woman" Nugget: Stay curious. About yourself. What am I feeling, who am I, what do I want? knowing yourself. Curious about others too, about things you don't understand. This can only lead to positive discovery and growth. Join the Nature Untold Podcast Facebook group Follow Emily and Nature Untold on Instagram

I discovered Yuma Haidara when she was an ambassador for Skirt Sports. I think I stumbled upon a photo of her crossing a finish line in a Lioness Skirt, all smiles and happiness. Then I dug deeper and saw this gorgeous, tall, glowing woman standing in front of a huge truck only to learn that she is both a runner and a trucker. I was even more intrigued and reached out to feature her for Skirt Sports. She blew me away with her positive outlook and her focus on love; for others but more importantly for ourselves. Just over a year later, I saw another post. This time she was holding a container of something I can only describe as mysteriously delicious-looking. Turns out that's the perfect way to describe her new product: Yummy Butter! Yuma started A Yummy Life after countless friends begged her to make her soothing body lotions for them too. One thing led to another and suddenly, Yuma was an entrepreneur! Her journey has been tough, but through it all, she only shines brighter each day. Just for you, she is offering 15% off all products at A Yummy Life. Use code LOVE for 15% off at checkout! Notables from our conversation: Trigger warning: Yuma is a survivor of child sexual abuse, something I didn't know before we talked. How serving in the military gave her the family environment she had always craved #22aday: Each day 22 veterans take their lives. Yuma is passionate about raising awareness to help veterans so we can decrease this shocking statistic "I'm glad you exist." How to be a healthy trucker: cook your meals in a crock pot in your truck! Recommended books: "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins & "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho Nugget: To Just Love... Broccoli Soup recipe forthcoming! More Yuma: @yumahaidara on Instagram Don't forget to use code LOVE for 15% off Yummy Butters and new Yummy Lips!

I reached out to Tasha in July 2020. I didn't have a topic in mind when I discovered her; I just knew that I needed to talk to her. It finally hit me. She is on the journey. We don't share enough stories from people who are literally in the middle of the journey. We like to share stories from people who have been "enlightened," who have "gotten there." Tasha is a work in progress which reminds us that we are all works in progress. Her overriding mission is to help women connect back to their power through movement. She uses the phrase "connect back" because women have always had the power, they just lose the connection to it. Notables: Priorities and connection: When Tasha lost half of her clientele in 2020. what she found is that she had time to connect to the people who were left. "My space is the conversation around why we believe what we believe, and why are we following who we are following. What is our why? What do we really want in life and how do we get out of the bed from the depression and stress of 2020? How do we even get out of bed to talk about movement?" "Mind your own mat" concept: How do you feel and perform if no one is looking? Optimum health is the goal: It's not entirely tangible. It's not about a certain weight. It's about functioning the best we can be as our bodies constantly change. Stop comparing! Especially to our younger selves What the heck are "morning abs?" Tasha's 2021 word is POWER "Trust yourself. Your intuition will not lead you the wrong way." Tasha's nonprofit: See Her Healthy @seeherhealthy on Instagram - Follow now! Tasha's Website Hip Healthy Chick Work with her: https://www.hiphealthychick.com/services Check out her fitness workouts on John Garey TV Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter & Youtube @hiphealthychick

"You have a calling and a purpose. I have insights and answers." This is the first thing you read on Debra Silverman's website and for those of us who are in a confused space in life, possibly made even more so by our current health and political climates, we want insights. We want answers! I took an interest in astrology when I first met Tim. I think that happens to a lot of us. We find the love of our life, we get all romantic and we want to learn more about how we were meant to fit together. I bought a book on astrology and started reading. At some point I put the book away and for years my only connection to astrology was through the daily horoscope in the paper. But the foundation of the practice still tugged at my heart; I had a feeling I would come back to it at some point. It's been well over 20 years since I bought that book, so when I discovered Debra Silverman and her work helping people fall in love with themselves, I knew the time was now. Debra is a perfect blend of scientific and cosmic knowledge. She is both a Clinical Psychologist and a master Astrologer. I liken it to a blend of Eastern & Western practices that can help you find what you're looking for. Or gain peace from what you know you already have. We talk about so many things today, but the foundation of our conversation is about the four elements: Earth, Fire, Air, Water. Turns out I'm a whole lotta Fire and Air but I'm missing Water. Water is the place where you go inside and float (I made up the floating part but it sounds about right!). It also turns out that Tim is a whole lotta Water. So going back to my relationship and why many of us turn to Astrology for answers, this is why we find the person who brings us so much joy because they complement our elemental makeup, but so much tension because they have what we don't! WOW! If you are intrigued and want to learn more, check out Debra's Applied Astrology School. The timing couldn't be better because it only opens twice a year and it's open right now! Let me know if you are interested. I'm considering applying too. It's one of those things that when you feel the inkling of change, when you feel that push on your heart, you know it's got to happen sometime, so why not now? Watch his review of her book. Debra helps people fall in love with themselves. The concept of permission slips She recommends the book "My Stroke of Insight" by Jill Bolte Taylor Get more Debra: Grab a FREE gift from her! The Elemental Compatibility Guidebook is here! Sign up for Applied Astrology School Buy her book that we talked about "The Missing Element" Follow her on IG @debra_silvermanastrology and Facebook - her daily horoscopes are AWESOME! Check out her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/silvermanastrology Get a reading! Connect with a certified astrologer from her network near you (or virtually)

Sarah is one in a million. In 2006 she visited Boulder to interview for Skirt Sports, this crazy little company with a powerful mission. I hired her immediately, or at least after I asked her to help us move boxes around the warehouse and I realized how strong she was! 😘 I had the honor of working with Sarah for over 15 years, longer than I thought I would actually still be at Skirt Sports myself! Sarah came on board a year after she finished college; she held almost every job at Skirt Sports, except for the most creative, technical roles. For the last 5+ years, she held the title, President, and basically ran the company. This conversation is both a celebration and a form of closure for me & Sarah. When we sold our last unit on August 16, 2020, Sarah and I were the last-women-standing. We had spent three months effectively closing down the company, and were thrilled that we had turned the finish line into a baton handoff, but the very end it was anticlimactic. We weren't even in the same room when the final unit sold. I think I texted her and that was it. 15+ years of working together can't end on a text! Sarah wrote me a beautiful note, that was full of emotion and I wrote this on a piece of paper, "Write Sarah a letter." Then I never did it. And I realized that this conversation could be the best way to gain a little more closure. It's a bit of a tell-all, so get ready to hear what REALLY happened at Skirt Sports along the way. What a ride. I hope you enjoy the retelling as much as we did. Notables from today: Laughter is one of the best ways to deal with stress! Two thumbs up (you have to listen) Relationships: That's what everything is built on in the end. Be sure to nurture and honor them. ALL THE PEOPLE! We riff on the amazing team we had the honor of interacting with over the years. If we missed you, it doesn't mean we don't love and appreciate you. It was like an Oscars speech and we were getting pushed off the stage! Sleep is for the weak! (at least before kids!) Fred Factor: Every interaction is a chance to practice customer care The crazy times: Getting sued (twice), the eviction (not ours), Skirt Chaser 5k Races, the entire wholesale apocalypse, the ROLLER COASTER! Gaining new titles while at Skirt Sports: Wife, Mom & more Thanks for listening. If you want to reach Sarah, send me a note and I'll get it to her! And please write me a review on iTunes! It helps!!!

It’s not often you meet a world-class bronze sculptor. It’s even more rare that she’s a woman and she lives next door! I met Sandy Graves before I even moved to Steamboat Springs. We were viewing our future home, stepped into the alley and there she was. Fiddling with something in her garage. Upon closer inspection, that something was the holy mecca of world-class art. Sandy Graves is a renowned sculptor. She’s known she would be an artist since her kindergarten teacher wrote that prophecy on a piece of paper. She also spent many years being angry with this gift. That was before she figured out how she could turn her gift into a career that could actually sustain herself and her family. Our conversation is like a walk in the park with a friend. It goes all sorts of directions with laughter, depth and sheer honesty. Sometimes, especially when life is tough and stressful, it’s nice to simply relax and listen – and in this case, gain some new insights from a talented human being you haven’t met before. Check out Sandy’s art here: https://www.sandygravesart.com/ Read another great article here Notable points from our conversation: “Real artists don’t sit around waiting for inspiration. They get up and go to work.” – Chuck Close Check out @holisticpsychologist for some relationship and personal self growth! When you battle those spiraling negative thoughts that won’t stop rolling through your mind, think of what Steamboat therapist Nicole McGuffin says, “Who Cares?” & “Bring it on” If you’re interested in more on the Bahai world religion, check this out. Finally – her nuggets: “Think of your life as a book. When the chapters start getting long, you might need to do something exciting to bring your book back to relevance. Don’t let your book get boring.” “Always search. The day I’m spiritually dead would be the day that I think I know it all. I want a life of search and a life of seeking.”

Kara Burns has been on the show before. In September 2016, I featured her story in episode 24 "From Prison to 26.2" which quickly became my highest-listened. We followed it up immediately with episode 25 "Forgiving Yourself" when I realized I had been too chicken to ask her what she meant when she said "I lost my daughter." Those conversations four years ago were raw, real and powerful.   Kara's journey didn't stop there. She was on a mission to transform her life and entered what could probably be called her "striving years."   In October 2018, we sat down for episode 109 and talked about her progress. She was riding a wave of momentum as she had discovered her gifts for speaking, inspiring and leading. Her addiction was under control. Her relationship with her daughter was blossoming and people were taking notice of her. In other words, things were on the up and up.   In June 2019, I invited Kara to deliver the final keynote speech at our 300-woman ambassador retreat. At the final moment, she delivered a speech that was different than the one she originally presented to me. It was about the concept of "Slipping," of falling off the wagon, of having a drink. About how she didn't want it to define her and bring her down. Everyone slips sometimes right?   I will never forget that when I first met her, she told me, "I will never be able to have a drink again. If I do, it will lead to me doing meth. It may not be immediate, it could be months or a year later, but it will happen."   One month after her speech at the retreat, Kara was being wheeled through the Denver airport on her way to rehab after a 6-day meth binge that ravaged her body and mind so much that she couldn't even walk to the plane.   It's been over a year since she sought help and regained her sobriety. The lessons she has learned over this year of self-growth are important. They transcend her personal situation. You will benefit from hearing them.   Over the past year, Kara did a powerful TEDx Talk called "Own Your Unapologetic Realness." Watch it here.   Kara has recently become certified in NLP which we discuss in depth in the interview. If you are intrigued, she's offering FREE NLP sessions in December. Sign up here!   More on her coaching group here.   Check out Kara Burns Unlimited here. This is where you can contact her!   And don't forget to follow her on Instagram @unapologetic.realness   Some notable quotes from our conversation:   "What we think is the worst thing that could happen could very well be the best thing."   "I feel like I won the lottery. and heres what the lottery is. The lottery is wisdom."   "The greatest thing that has changed my life is my ability to serve."   "The key is learning to love every single Kara over the years."   For more Kara Burns, check her out here:   Website: https://www.karaburnsunlimited.com/   Instagram: @unapologetic.realness   Email Kara here: KB@KaraBurnsUnlimited.com  

I met Jamie Pendleton through my husband. She was looking for a coach to give her structure and confidence for a huge running goal - to break 3 hours at the New York Marathon. At that time I just thought she was a driven athlete who needed accountability like most of Tim's clients. Boy was I wrong. Jamie runs for so much more than the goals and structure. She runs for her sanity. She runs for stress relief. She runs for her daughter. Miren was born with a rare disease that affects pretty much every function in her body. The problem is that it took 6 years for them to get an actual diagnosis. During that brutal time of uncertainty, Jamie's marriage fell apart, she battled depression and suicidal thoughts, felt shame and guilt, and wondered how she could ever find a cure to save her daughter. CACNA1A affects Miren's body’s ability to use calcium and wreaks havoc on her neurological system making it challenging for her to speak, think, and move like her peers.  Children with this disorder present much differently but all express neurological symptoms which include: seizures, episodic ataxia, hypotonia, eye abnormalities, intellectual disability, and cerebellar atrophy. Jamie's mission is to raise money to find a cure for Miren. This means coming out of her shell, leaving her introverted comfort zone and DOING EVERYTHING SHE CAN TO ADVOCATE FOR HER DAUGHTER. Unfortunately rare diseases are not prioritized by the medical community for that reason - they're rare. But there's a good chance that a drug has already been discovered that can treat Miren's disorder, so the first step is to raise $250k to run tests for a match. I encourage you to donate if it calls to you. And please forward this episode to anyone you think would benefit from learning more about Miren's Marathon. Some notable quotes from today's interview: About running: "I wanted to preserve something that was genuinely part of myself." About tattoos: "I asked the tattoo artist, 'Where is most painful part of your body for a tattoo?'" "You can only experience true beauty when you're on the the other side of suffering." The 6th stage of grief: "This is when everyone can find meaning in their suffering." At the end of the day, one mom can make a difference. One motivated person can change the world. Thanks, Jamie, for sharing your story with me. To Donate: Go to Rare Village. This year, donations up to $300 can be refunded as a credit on your taxes! https://give.rarevillage.org/campaign/mirens-marathon/c307965 More info here: Tax ID # 83-4699994, Address: 6808 Old Glory Ct, McKinney, TX, 75071, Email: kasey@rarevillage.org Participate in a 5K Fundraiser: Mark your calendars Feb 28, 2021 Jamie & team will host a virtual 5K on Rare Disease Day - Sunday February 28th called Zebra race for Rare.  Registration is available on the Rare Village Website.

Kriste Peoples magically fell into my life when I was looking for local models for Skirt Sports. We've always worked hard to showcase real women from the community of all ages, sizes, ethnic diversity and more. From the first moment she smiled for the camera, it was obvious she was special. Kriste has that glow. That magical glow that truly special people exude when they're smiling (and even when they're not smiling) - they light up the world from the inside out. Kriste has been on the show before - Mile Repeat 7 from October 2018 - "Kriste Peoples Says YES." Because that has always been her philosophy which you'll hear more about today. But what's interesting is that she has also realized there are very important times to say no. Like when I reached out to her in June to talk about systemic racism in our country. She was so devastated by the events that had recently occurred that her answer at that time was... no. This is so important to recognize because we do need to support those moments in our lives when we need to regroup, renourish our souls, find our new paths. I'm going through one right now myself. Today Kriste has emerged stronger, with a deep emotional perspective on what is happening to our country. And she has also discovered some new tools to help find the calm within the storm - namely meditation. In fact she is launching her first ever guided meditation course called "Mindfulness: A Contemplative Intro to Awareness Meditation." Check it out! It's only $20 for 4 sessions starting November 16, 2020. For more Kriste Peoples, go to her website, follow her on social @kristepeoples and become a fan because she is doing amazing things!

I met Kerttu when I was winding down Skirt Sports and needed to find a subtenant to take over our lease on our Pearl Street store. In walked this woman with the excitement and determination that you only see in someone with true vision. She was looking to open her first pilates studio. She had been teaching for years and after countless suggestions that she start her own business, she finally decided to do it. Kerttu grew up in Estonia. She was introduced to a very unusual line of work very early by her aunt who owned a circus - she became a contortionist - traveling to shows throughout her young years. In her teens she decided to focus on becoming an actress and eventually moved to the USA to pursue this dream. One day in her early 20s when she was working out at a gym in New York, she was suddenly struck by partial paralysis. It was a mystery - no one could figure out why this happened. After years of struggle, as Kerttu was starting to look at wheelchairs and resigning herself to a life of immobility, she discovered pilates. Her life changed forever and she was able to start knitting her body back together. She found that pilates had both physical and emotional magical effects. She started to move again. She became strong again. And she fell in love with pilates. Kerttu shares this story and more. You will understand her "Why Not Today?" philosophy after you listen. And you will definitely want to visit her studio if you are in Colorado.

It was August 2019 and I couldn't sleep. I had just received word that our biggest account had decided with no notice to simply "not take" the inventory they had committed to that season. My thigh was twitching. It didn't stop for 3 months. I couldn't stop the negative thought cycle. I'd been here before. Not this exact place, but I'd been in a position with Skirt Sports where I wasn't sure how we would get through a tough time. But never before did I question if I could actually pull us out of it. I went from gearing up to sell my business with 3 strong, profitable growth years behind me, to losing more in one year than we had lost combined in ten years. There was no way I would find a buyer for my business and I definitely wouldn't get my dream exit. So I did what I've learned to do over 15 years. I took action one mile at a time. One aid station at a time. In April I realized that the COVID-era had put a stamp on our difficulties and the best decision was to close our doors. All the while I held out hope that a new owner may present herself. I know I had created something special and I hoped that there was a woman out there who had the vision, resources and guts to carry it forward. Enter Sarah Ratzlaff. In late April 2020, she replied to a 6 month old email I had sent her and said, "I know this is pretty late, but do you still want to do a cross promotion?" I replied back, "No, I don't want to do a cross promo, but if you want to buy my company, let's talk!" Four months later the ink is dry. Sarah Ratzlaff of the ZOOMA Women's Race Series is the new owner of Skirt Sports! The most important question is: Who is this woman? Sarah is a brilliant visionary. She spent her childhood in rural Kansas and her adulthood honing her craft and her passion by helping develop the RunDisney race series. She later became an entrepreneur by purchasing the ZOOMA Women's Race Series and infusing it with the new energy it needed to thrive. She's a mom of two young kids. She loves helping women find happiness. And she is driven to make this world an equal playing field for women. I couldn't have found a better fit. I'm honored to help bring Sarah's story to the world - it's her turn to shine!

Diane Berberian is dying. She called me a month ago and said this, "I have cancer again. It's incurable. My doctor told me to get out my bucket list." The funny thing is that she told her doctor, "My entire life has been a bucket list!" But as she thought about the things she wants to do with the time she has left, she decided to have one more amazing conversation on the podcast. To share her story, to help people figure out how to better advocate for themselves, and to leave all the gems and wisdom she has learned in a medium that isn't going away - through the podcast.  I am emotional writing this. I was emotional during our conversation. You may be emotional listening. That's okay. That's normal. We are soon going to lose one of our bright lights and we don't want her to go. So today just let your emotions run and open your heart to Diane Berberian. As a special gift to her, please go to her Iron Maven Facebook page. Take a minute to post what you loved most about this conversation. She wants to read it all - while she's still here.  And add this date to your calendar: August 22 is Diane Berberian Day - #golongfordiane and wear red/yellow on that day!

I met Elizabeth Carr through running. Her involvement in the world of running is not what she was originally known for but if she hadn't found running I never would have stumbled across her, as her true claim to fame is not a world I've played in. On December 28, 1981, Elizabeth was the first baby born via In-vitro fertilization in the USA. Literally THE FIRST! What comes with that title is an early life in the public eye, a huge amount of pressure to be "perfect" or else science has failed, and an early understanding of where babies come from! Elizabeth is currently in the midst of a career transition that has found her going back to her roots. She is building a community to be a resource for people navigating the fertility world. She is passionate about helping others and has recently created a private forum - The 1st Collective - where people can safely share and discover important information during their fertility journeys. For more on Elizabeth, check out her website and definitely visit her wikipedia page - I don't know many people who have one! Today we talk about: Exploring trails you've never run (figuratively and literally) Elizabeth's winding career path from the Boston Globe to Runner's World to the non-profit world to branching out on her own Following her heart, gut and passion to discover the next right thing Being 1st: literally the 1st In-vitro baby born in the USA Media circus birth, frankenbabies, tampering with Mother Nature and Playing God What it meant to grow up first Perfection standards set early: If this baby was not perfect, then "science" would take a hit Musings about Mistakes, Judgment, Fear and finally, Freedom For more on Elizabeth and to join her community go here! Her website The First Collective Contact her HERE

Nancy Hogshead was one of my childhood heroes. She was an Olympic swimming star at the age when I was a rising star. She set her first American record at age 14, won 4 Olympic medals and countless titles along the way. She was a full-package powerhouse with brains, beauty and as she says in this interview, "Talent was dripping from my fingers." Today Nancy is a civil rights attorney. Her focus mainly lies in two areas: Equal rights for women in sport and stopping the pervasive sexual abuse that continues to happen in sports today. Her story is incredible. Her experiences all lead her so perfectly to this place in life. That doesn't mean her experiences have all been rosy. Nancy was shunned as a young swimmer which taught her resilience. She had to deal with the frustration and heartbreak of missing the 1980 Olympics due to the USA boycott. And when she was at Duke University, she was brutally raped which led to major PTSD and a long emotional recovery. Despite all of this, she went on to be the most decorated athlete and one of America's sweethearts at the 1984 Olympics with three golds and a silver medal. Nancy is fun, open, honest and shares the greatest stories. I was laughing so hard for much of this conversation. As you listen, you will want to support her efforts for equality. The most important thing you can do is add your signature to support greater protections for TEAM USA athletes here. Today we talk about: Growing up a swimmer The LUCK involved in getting THE Eddie Reese as your first ever coach at age 7! Then Randy Reese when you move! How hard should we push our kids Aspen Institute - resource for parents in regards to youth sports Taking the LONG TERM approach to sport and health (mental and physical) Nancy's birth story (see pic below!) Rambles about our own parenting philosophies The Flow State: how Nancy discovered flow as a way to handle the pressure Sex assault: Nancy was raped while running at Duke University: PTSD, recovery & what Duke did right Nancy's path to becoming a champion of women: ChampionWomen.org Nancy's causes today: Equal rights for women in sport and dismantling the culture of sex abuse in sports Plus many references including: Aspen Institute Sally Roberts: Wrestle like a Girl Pablo Morales Eddie & Randy Reese Athlete A USOPU.info - help pass House Bill 7881 that was unanimously passed in the Senate Bill 2330 Nancy is a force. We could have talked for hours and gone down many more rabbit holes. I asked her after the interview what workout she did beforehand. We had both just come in from some exercise. Her answer is here and one of the reasons I adore her. All right then, that's it for today. You know what time it is. It's time to get out there and Run This World. Have a great workout and I'll see you next week.

I met Cindie Collins through the amazing Skirt Sports ambassador community. In 2019, she was one of the featured speakers at the Skirt Ambassador retreat. Her talk was called STROKE - Suffer The Results Or Kickass Everyday. When Cindie was 27 years old, she was pushing hard, working three jobs and striving for what she thought she needed to do to perform and succeed. Then she had a stroke. Because she was so young, it was not a quick or easy diagnosis. Over the years, and through her recovery (which continues today), Cindie has found comfort in this concept: She has been guided through every stage of her life and everything has happened for a reason. It's such a simple concept, especially in a world where we want to have control (or at least believe that we control). When we step back and allow ourselves to be guided, we find more peace and true gratitude. That's my hope for you after listening today: May you find peace and gratitude for yourself and your circumstances. More topics we cover: Experiencing a stroke at 27: Signs, symptoms & how she was finally diagnosed Put yourself on the list: give yourself as much love and attention as you give everyone else This: "I didn't live in my body back then." Support: Why your network is critical for healing Becoming heart-centered: Changing career from hard-driving educator to massage therapist/healer Running: the shift from driving/pushing/going to giving permission to simply move and appreciate Appreciating YOUR Epic The Sit Spot: Finding something that is Just For You Skirt Sports Community: Even if the uniting product no longer exists, the community will because WE LIFT EACH OTHER UP And so much more Hang with Cindie on Facebook & shoot her a message - as she said, she doesn't need to impact the masses, just one person at a time. ❤️

Amanda McCracken is many things: award-winning writer, ultrarunner, massage therapist, daughter, wife, soon-to-be-mom, and more recently than you'd expect, no longer a virgin. I've known of Amanda for years; we run in the same athletic circles in Boulder, Colorado. What's funny is that she's a little more well-known for her outspoken writing about a topic that many consider taboo - virginity. Amanda remained a virgin until well into her 40s. This is not to say that she didn't date or have sexual relations with men, but she simply continued to hold onto her virginity. Over time it became an empowering thing for her, but it also held her back in certain ways. The root of it was her development of relationship patterns early on. And once she fell into the patterns of chasing, being unavailable, and pushing people away, the more she formed an identity around it. We have a great conversation around relationships, self-growth, forming and shedding identities, accepting change and allowing ourselves to open up and be vulnerable. How we develop relationship patterns: The chase, the push away, the devastation Overthinking: how to stop this pattern Dealing with rejection when she said she was ready How she learned to accept and allow herself to receive love Why was she uninterested in guys who were fully available to her The slow burn romance with her husband, Dave Amanda's deep relationship with her grandma: how it was the catalyst for so many decisions in her life Making important decisions: We all have our own processes Running: she "ran the crazy out" over the years Identity: How we wrap our identities around certain things that become important to us so it's harder to change them or let go of them Longing: Keep your eyes out for her future book "How Longing Became My Lover" Some parenting chatter: Amanda asked me questions about parenting - she's clearly a journalist! And so much more For more Amanda, follow her on social media @amandajmccracken and check out her website! More articles here: Huff Post: "I waited until I was 41 to lose my virginity. But was it worth It?" NY Times: "Finally, a Wedding. It Was About Time."

Maria Solis Belizaire is a powerhouse with a vision. In her early 30s, she found the life-altering power of running and wanted to share it with other people from her community. The problem is that she couldn't find them! She knew some Latinos who run, but they definitely didn't attend races in substantial numbers. And when she talked to people in her community, she realized that there was a preconception that Latinos are fat, lazy, don't like to exercise, and were definitely not runners. The power of visibility is so important. Until you see someone who looks like you doing an activity, you may not realize that you can do it too. In 2016, she started Latinos Run (and now also Latinas Run) to bring awareness to the sport and to show Latinos that running can change their lives for the better. She's been on a mission ever since. Today we talk about: Running: how she found the sport Racial disparity in running Latinos Run & Latinas Run: the genesis of these organizations Her family: how important family is to her Racism: With a mixed race background - her dad is Belizean/Mexican and her mom is Puerto Rican - she has darker skin than her siblings and experienced racism even within her own community Her advice: how companies can show more representation and invest in more diverse communities Visibility: the power of seeing people who look like you doing activities Her magnetic appeal (especially to older white men!) Her mindset in three chapters: 14-15 years old, 30 years old, now Check out her TedX talk here!

I first met Darrietta in person at the 2018 Skirt Sports Ambassador Retreat in Boulder, Colorado. She stood out from the crowd as our only black muslim athlete but she also blended in so perfectly with her shared commitment to health and fitness that our ambassador community prioritizes. I knew I needed to have her on the podcast; I just wasn't sure when it would happen. We actually got some dates on the calendar earlier this year - and then COVID hit. So we delayed. And then Ahmaud Arbery was murdered. And then Breonna Taylor. And then George Floyd. And our country erupted. Over the past month, Darrietta has been a bold, strong, courageous voice in the movement to FINALLY end racial injustice in our country. Something that may actually be possible - if we unite together to make it happen. Even with the emotions flooding the country, we both knew this was exactly the time to get Darrietta on the show. To amplify her voice. To help us both understand and gain some direction to personally push the movement forward. You will definitely want to follow her on Instagram @concrete_rose_lifts At the end of the interview I asked the meaning behind her handle and she said that it symbolizes that has risen from a tough, barren landscape and blossomed into something beautiful. Truth! Today we talk about: Growing up on the south side of Chicago Her mother's drug addiction and how she started living a "double life" as she dealt with it Turning to gangs for community and support Finding the Nation of Islam & leaving gang life Advocating for herself and other women as early as high school when she successfully petitioned her school to include Black History as a subject Getting married at 18 and having her first of three kids at 19 The day her health became her priority (No, the day she decided to put herself first) Her weight loss journey: both nutrition and running/fitness Being a black muslim female athlete: resources and advice Racial injustice: Her efforts & her advice to others The small changes make a big difference Be an ally and stand up when you hear something that isn't right No matter what, put yourself first. Darrietta is a force and her light is only getting brighter. Be sure to follow her as she attempts to become the first "older" black muslim women powerlifter to compete at a meet! Other resources and shoutouts: @liawearaction @sistersofpowerlifting @jogonsportswear

Kristen Horler is living an intentional life. She makes sh*t happen, not in a spastic, compulsive way, but with careful thought about the message she wants to put out in the world. Over 18 years ago, Kristen had a baby. It turns out that baby birthed a business. She found herself craving connection while attempting to regain her fitness and she couldn't find a program that catered to moms with babies. You either had to wait until the baby was older and bring them to a gym that had childcare or you had to get a babysitter so you could leave your baby at home to work on yourself. One day she decided to grab some other new mom friends, bring her baby along, and do a workout together in a park. It was a massive hit. Not only did the moms get a productive workout, they didn't have to worry about leaving their babies behind. Pretty soon, there was a big group of women working out together with their babies, so Kristen started crafting stroller-inclusive exercises and moves that included baby-carrying. Then the idea became contagious and spread from northern California to Texas to cities all across the country and Baby Boot Camp was officially off and running. Kristen went from being a fitness guru to a full-on entrepreneur with a thriving nation-wide franchise. The years went on and Kristen grew the business and honed her craft. She has experienced the ups and downs that come with almost two decades of owning a business. The celebrations and the doubts. And more recently, a rebirth to Momleta - a community of resources that serve the whole mom from health and fitness to nutrition and lifestyle guidance. Kristen is a truly inspirational woman who is living her calling every single day. Today we talk about: Kristen's path to entrepreneurship: She started as a pastry chef! (Did you know a pound cake is called a pound cake because it uses a pound of butter and a pound of sugar?) Starting a business out of necessity The difference between perceiving yourself as an athlete versus being athletic How she rediscovered rowing decades after she stopped the sport The key to staying positive Why having fun with fitness is important The power of helping women and creating a community of women with shared values The Pause It's what you do most of the time, not some of the time, that matters most Her philosophy on nutrition: You should enjoy the food you eat Vegan lentil loaf: This is a must-make recipe especially for a plant-based Thanksgiving, but really for anytime! Focus on priorities, then set your values And so much more For more Kristen Horler and to get involved with Momleta check out these links! http://www.kristenhorler.com/ https://www.momleta.com/ - Virtual classes are now available! Social media: @momleta_hq & @kristenhorler Check out this fun media clip :)