Running On Om

In this episode, Matt McCue, writer and runner, recounts how he got hooked on running and then writing. He discusses the role of perseverance in running as a walk-on for the renowned University of Colorado Program under Coach Mark Wetmore. Matt reveals what it was like to pursue a job as a writer after college. He reflects on his journey writing An Honorable Run and his accompanying book tour. Matt shares sources of inspiration for writing stories. He provides his perspective on the future of American distance running. Matt explains how he finds time to run now. He reflects on dealing with regret as an author. Lastly, Matt previews upcoming projects and publications.

In this episode, Missy Carter, author, spiritual teacher, and career counselor, offers her spiritual autobiography, explaining where her interest in spirituality came from. She discusses how meditation has helped her both personally and in her work with career counseling. Missy describes the journey of developing her book Living Lines from a monologue to a dialogue and the three essential questions of the book. She provides insight on how to open up to life through being vulnerable. Lastly, Missy reveals details on her upcoming book.

In this episode, Gabriella and Solomon Masala, consultants, musicians, and bhakti yogis, share their respective spiritual backgrounds that led them to kirtan. They recount the story of how they met. Gabriella and Solomon discuss navigating a world where people may not share the same mindset as you. They explain what humility means to them and the importance of a spiritual community. Gabriella and Solomon reflect on their journey creating and releasing their latest album, Bhakti Masala. They describe recent, powerful kirtan experiences they have had. Lastly, Gabriella and Solomon preview upcoming projects and life changes for them.

In this episode, Dr. Hansen, chiropractic doctor, high school cross country coach, and runner, explains why he started running in 6th grade. He reflects on his experiences competing in high school and in college at UC San Diego. Dr. Hansen recounts two memorable races of his collegiate running career. He shares how he knew he wanted to go to school for orthopedic medicine. Dr. Hansen discusses his journey opening High Altitude Spine and Sport Clinic in Boulder. He offers three things every runner can do to prevent injury. Dr. Hansen previews his upcoming race calendar. He provides insight on the psychology of high school coaching. Lastly, Dr. Hansen reveals one person he would want to have coffee with.

In this episode, Valerie D’Ambrosio, life coach, yoga teacher, co-founder of the Hanuman Festival, and creator of Organic Twist, explains why she came to yoga. Valerie reflects on her journey healing from an eating disorder. She discusses the difference between self love and self care. Valerie recounts how she knew she wanted to be a life coach and reveals the meaning of meaning of Organic Twist. She recounts a story of transformation of one client she has coached. Valerie shares who she considers her teacher, including Louise Hay. She describes how she co-founded the Hanuman Festival and her journey stepping away from directing it. Lastly, Valerie previews upcoming projects and retreats for Organic Twist.

In this episode, Kyle Finch and KamGi Chak, founders of Be Love Apparel and social activists, tell the story of how they met in Thailand and their journey creating their home in Topanga, California. They reveal what inspired them to start their apparel company Be Love. Kyle and KamGi discuss the power of the yoga community and how it has helped Be Love grow. They explain what organizations Be Love supports with their profits, including the LA-based Alexandria House. Kyle and KamGi reflect on the challenges they have encountered in owning their own company. They provide insight on how Be Love remains authentic in the fashion world. Lastly, Kyle and KamGi share unexpected moments of discovering their Be Love apparel and how they unplug from work.

In this episode, Goldie Graham, yoga teacher, community organizer, and runner, describes her yoga background from why she first stepped on a yoga mat to how she knew she wanted to be a yoga teacher. Goldie offers advice for people who are interested in doing a teacher training. She recounts a recent memorable yoga class she taught at Wanderlust Yoga Festival in Vermont and what made it so special. Goldie discusses the details behind organizing a yoga-run event called More Movement and what it was like to teach 600 people. She tells the story of how Brogan, her husband and cofounder of November Project, met. Goldie reveals what is her favorite workout in the November Project weekly schedule. She reflects on her upcoming New York City Marathon. Goldie provides insight on living yoga off the mat through the practice of patience. She shares yoga teachers that inspire her and how she unplugs. Goldie explains her philosophy on nutrition from her favorite juicing recipe to her top eating spots in Boston. Lastly, she previews upcoming projects.

In this episode, Danielle Dietz-LiVolsi, founder and president of Nuttzo, cofounder of Project Left Behind, and mother on the podcast, shares why she started Nuttzo, the only seven nut and seed butter on the planet. She discusses her journey adopting her sons from the Ukraine. Danielle explains how risk taking is essential in starting one’s own business. She reflects on Nuttzo’s biggest breakthrough when it was featured on the Dr. Oz show. Danielle reveals why her mantra is “Live Like You Mean It.” She captures what inspired her to found her nonprofit Project Left Behind that works with orphaned and neglected children around the world. Danielle describes her favorite way to eat Nuttzo and the most unexpected place she has come across Nuttzo. Lastly, she previews upcoming projects for Nuttzo, Project Left Behind, and her family.

In this episode, Jackson Foster, plant-based advocate, yoga teacher, creator of Plantriotic, environmental activist, artist, and student at Colorado College, explains how became vegetarian at the age of 14. He describes his time biking across the country where he witnessed first-hand the health and diet epidemic across the country. Jackson discusses his travels to Borneo, Indonesia where he volunteered at an orangutan orphanage and saw how a plant-based diet created a healthy and strong population. He details his transition to veganism and cooking balanced plant-based meals. Jackson shares what it is like to be a Vegan college student and his founding of CC Plant Strong, a plant-based club at Colorado College. He reveals how the mental focus of yoga and meditation balances his activist work. Jackson describes the transformation he has undergone in building muscle on vegan foods. He explains why he is experimenting with a fruitarian diet now and what he eats on a day-to-day basis. Jackson pays homage to his numerous mentors and inspirations. Lastly, he reveals upcoming projects for CC Plant Strong, and his Plantriotic Blog and YouTube Channel.

In this episode, Amy Yoder-Begley, former professional runner, Olympian, and head coach of women's cross country at University of Connecticut, describes when she fell in love with running at just eight years old. Amy reveals the verbal statement that she repeated herself in a breakthrough 5k race in college. She recaps the experience of qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Amy recounts of one of the most memorable races of Amy’s professional career: her 6th place finish at the 10k World Championships. She describes her journey with celiac disease. Amy captures what it felt like to break 15 minutes in the 5k. She discusses who inspires her, the power of goal setting, and dreaming big. Amy tells about her work now as a head coach of women's cross country at University of Connecticut and why she started Distance Divas, an elite post-collegiate female running group.

In this episode, Zeke Tiernan, ultra-trail runner, history teacher, coach, and father, reflects on his journey dreaming big with running in high school. He explains how running for the renowned University of Colorado taught him the balance between the desire to be successful and training smart. Zeke recounts a successful 10k in college that showed him the power of running your own race. He explains how he decided to run ultras and the power of community in when running the Leadville 100 for the first time. Zeke shares details on how he trains for 100-milers and his nutrition strategy for running long. He reveals how he balances work, fatherhood, and training. Zeke offers three tips for winter running. He recaps his most recent experience at the Leadville 100 in August 2014 and how his training was different the fourth time around. Lastly, Zeke previews upcoming races and goals

In this episode, Abbey D’Agostino, professional runner for New Balance and one of the most decorated athletes in Ivy League history, discusses her athletic background in swimming. She reflects on the sisterhood she experienced on her high school cross country team. Abbey explains why she choose to run at Dartmouth. She explains how her running and faith intersected for her in a mentally challenging race. Abbey recounts one of her most memorable races, the 2013 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships. She describes the transition from collegiate to professional running for Team New Balance. She shares three lessons she has learned from her coach Mark Coogan. Lastly, Abbey reveals upcoming goals and races for 2015-2016.

In this episode, Patrick Beach, international yoga teacher with a widely-followed Instagram of over 182,000 followers, recounts his first-ever yoga class and how he fell in love with handstands. He discusses the teachers that inspire him and why he became a yoga teacher. Patrick explains what is behind his unique teaching style. He reflects on how his Instagram account has changed his life and connected him with a global community. Patrick reveals what he is working on in his own yoga practice, on and off the mat. He tells the story of how Carling, his wife, and him met. Lastly, Patrick gives his perspective on the future of yoga in the next 25 years.

In this episode, Sally McRae, professional trail-ultra runner, endurance sports coach, and mother, discusses her background in athletics from collegiate soccer to training for her first marathon. Sally explain why she was drawn to the trails and the 100-mile distance. She shares the biggest personal challenge she has overcome. Sally recounts her three 100-miler experiences, including how she has overcome mental and physical challenges in her three races. She reflects on her recent top-10 finish at the Western States 100 and three things she will do differently in her training for Western States next year. Sally reveals who inspires her and how she balances motherhood, training, and coaching. She gives the inside scoop on her relationship with yoga and upcoming projects and races on her schedule.

In this episode, Blake Russell, professional runner, Olympian, mother, and writer, discusses her background in running and how she navigated the transition from high school to collegiate running. She recaps a breakthrough race in the 1500 from her time at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Blake recounts of her experience competing at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She reveals how she dealt with the disappointment of not qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Team. Blake offers three lessons she has learned from her renowned Coach Robert Sevene. She provides tangible tips on proper running form. Blake explains how she balances motherhood and training. She shares her favorite workouts and upcoming races on her calendar. Lastly, Blake gives her perspective on strength training: a little bit can go a long way!