Running On Om

In this episode, Kara Goucher, professional runner for the Oiselle team, Olympian, and mother, tells the story of how she began running, from her first race at six years old with her grandfather to discovering cross country in seventh grade. Kara discusses the challenges of navigating puberty as an adolescent female runner. She provides insight on the importance of individualized training in her progression as a professional. Kara reflects on joining the Oiselle Team and the incredible support the Oiselle community has given her. She recounts the 2014 NYC Marathon and how she overcame the mental challenges she faced during the race. Kara gives advice for mother runners on balancing training with motherhood. She explains how she has transformed her nutrition with plant powered recipes. Lastly, Kara honors numerous female running mentors and previews whats ahead for 2015.

In this episode, Joe Holder, health and wellness coach, creator of the Ocho System, and community manager for Health Warrior, discusses his background in athletics, from playing track, football, and basketball in his youth to focusing solely on football during his time at the University of Pennsylvania. Joe reflects on how the Ocho System’s wellness philosophy was born out of his experience healing two injuries during college. He offers advice on how to overcome mental barriers in changing one’s relationship to exercise. Joe explains his role as the Community Manager of Health Warrior and the importance of traveling in his work-life balance. He reveals how he unplugs from his busy schedule and provides insight on eating healthy on a budget. Lastly, he shares details on his own training and exciting developments for 2015.

In this episode, Jen Packer, Utah based runner, yogi, and mother of four talks about the online running and yoga communities, and how that has led to off-line connections and friendships. Jen also shares with us a few of her yoga moments from the trails and talks about preparation for her up and coming 50-mile ultra trail race.

In this episode, Chris Heuisler, RunWestin Concierge, experienced runner, and father, tells the story of how he started running and what inspired him to begin the quest of running 50 marathons in 50 states. He reflects on the memorable and humbling experiences he has had running marathons. Chris discusses his former job at Equinox and how this prepared him for his work now. He shares the story of discovering RunWestin, his dream job, and the application process he went through. Chris recounts watching the San Antonio Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon with Meb Keflezighi and the lessons he learned from Meb. He offers advice for staying healthy and physically active while traveling. Lastly, Chris previews whats ahead for 2015: exciting developments for RunWestin and a triathlon on Chris’ racing calendar.

In this episode, Amy Sproston, ultra trail runner and world traveler, shares her background in running, from running with her father when she was in middle school to discovering trail running through Virginia Happy Trails Running Club as an adult. Amy reflects on the struggle and sense of accomplishment of ultra distance races, calling upon the memory of her first ultra-distance race. She discusses her recent win at HURT 100-mile race in Hawaii and her recovery process after the race. Amy reflects on her travels to Ethiopia, including her perspective on how Ethiopians use trail running as part of their training. She gives anecdotes from her experiences with running in Bolivia, Iraq, Japan, and Afghanistan. Amy provides insight on the growth of ultra running and notes important mentors to her in the trail community. Lastly, Amy previews upcoming races on her calendar for 2015.

In the episode, Alicia Shay, professional runner, coach, and nutritionalist, tells the story of why she started running in high school. She reflects on the transition to collegiate running at Stanford University and recounts the unexpected race result of setting the former NCAA 10k women’s record. Alicia discusses how she overcame the challenges she faced from injury and her husband Ryan’s unexpected death at the 2008 Olympic Trials. She reflects on her inspiration to open her Flagstaff home (“the Shay Hostel”) to other endurance athletes. Alicia provides insight on her work as a coach and how it allows her to give back to the running community. She offers fueling advice for marathoners from her experience as a nutritionist. Alicia discusses her transition to trail running and explains how she incorporates ski mountaineering into her training. Lastly, Alicia previews races on her calendar for 2015.

In this episode, Lisa Chase, yoga teacher, runner, and writer, recounts how she began running in high school and in college, discovered yoga as an outlet from the competitive world of running. Lisa explains what inspired her to enroll in a yoga teacher training and how to know if you are ready for a teacher training. She reflects on the impact of Bhakti Yoga and numerous influential yoga teachers on her path. Lisa discusses how pregnancy has impacted her running and yoga practices. She explores the meaning behind Quinoa, Kale and Exhale, her blog, and the role of Vegetarian cooking in her family’s life. Lisa provides insight for runners interested in yoga from her recently published Ebook, “Yoga for Runners.” Lastly, Lisa expresses excitement for welcoming motherhood in 2015.

In this episode, Erin Taylor, yoga teacher and global head coach of Jasyoga, tells the story of how a basketball injury brought her to yoga. She recounts the experience of teaching yoga to her college teammates and how this naturally put her in the role of yoga teacher. Erin explains the structure of Jasyoga, her revolutionary approach to teaching yoga to athletes. She discusses yoga for runners, including three essential yoga poses that runners should incorporate on a daily basis. Erin provides insights she has learned from her recent move from Seattle to England. She shares how she balances running with her yoga practice. Lastly, Erin reveals whats ahead for in 2015, including exciting developments for Jasyoga.

In this episode, Tyler McCandless, professional runner, PhD student, and coach, tells the story of how he began running in high school and the transition to collegiate running. He discusses the power of consistency as leading to breakthroughs in his running. Tyler shares his training philosophy and how he manages quality and quantity on a weekly basis. He reveals how he balances his running with his PhD studies in Meteorology. Tyler reflects on the intersection between community service and running with his founding of the Kauai Marathon Youth Program. Tyler provides insight on a process-oriented mindset as a key to successful running and racing. He explains the impact of nutrition, in particular coffee and beets, on his running performance. Lastly, Tyler previews upcoming races on his calendar.

In this episode, Satsuki Shibuya, painter, artist and spiritual thinker, tells the story of how she explored art as a young girl and planted the seeds for her career now. She discusses the distinction between religion and spirituality in her life. Satsuki recounts her journey with illness and how she healed herself through finding her spiritual path. She explains the inspiration behind her work with watercolor and her life as professional painter now. Satsuki reveals how she transmits her inspirational quotes. She explores the idea of practicing presence in a world filled with multitaskers. Lastly, Satsuki shares what she is excited about for 2015.

In this episode, Susie and Julia interview Ann Mazur, yoga teacher, runner, and creator of Runners Love Yoga. Ann graduated from the University of Notre Dame where she specialized as a runner in the 5 and 10km on the track. However, Ann discovered yoga in 2005 and found not only that it increased her flexibility, but helped to prevent many injuries. Currently a postdoctoral fellow in the English department at the University of Virginia, Ann splits her time between academia, teaching yoga, running, and also acting in a theatrical group she helped to create.

In this episode, Jenné Caliborne, vegan chef and creator of Sweet Potato Soul, reflects on her transition to a vegan diet from her journey from vegetarian to vegan and the importance of community in making the change. Jenné shares stories from cooking with her biggest inspiration, her grandmother. She discusses how her Southern roots impact Sweet Potato Soul, her blog. Jenné reveals when she knew she wanted to be a teacher of food/nutrition and the actual logistics of having a personal chef business. She recounts her experience as the Disney Princess Tiana in a live NYC show. Jenné provides insight on traveling as vegan, drawing upon her international travels. Lastly, Jenné previews whats ahead in 2015 for Sweet Potato Soul, including projects in vegan footwear.

In this episode, Roisin McGettigan, sports psychology consultant, co-founder of Believe I Am, Olympian, former professional steeplechaser, tells the story of how she began running in Ireland and and discovered the steeplechase. She discusses the role of mental focus and strength in competing. Ro explains how the techniques of sports psychology were paramount to her breakthrough 2007 World Championships race. She reflects on the recent experience of being retrospectively awarded the bronze medal for the 2009 European Indoors 1500 meters race in 2014. Ro provides insight on how to cultivate gratitude in both running and life. She recounts the story of co-founding Believe I Am and reflects on its continued growth. Lastly, Ro discusses balancing running in her life now and previews whats ahead for 2015.

Jeff Caron is the East Territory Sales Manager for ElliptiGO, competitive distance runner, and active supporter of all things running. In this episode, Jeff shares his running background from how running gave him confidence as freshman in high school to his successful collegiate career at the University of Maine. He gives advice to younger athletes on how to find the distance that is right for you. Jeff reflects on pursuing his passion for running after college on the sub elite level with New Balance Boston and the lessons he learned from this time, including the importance of enjoying the process, …

Ask the Yogi Runners is a new bi-monthly show on Running On Om hosted by Julia Hanlon and Susie Stephen In each episode we aim to answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we have received, as yoga teachers, runners and coaches – about the separate activities of yoga and running and also how to combine the two. In our second episode, we first recap Susie’s experience as a volunteer at the HURT 100 mile race on Oahu, Hawaii and her upcoming marathon plans. We then dive into questions about whether runners can pass the point of healthy flexibility and the role of heated yoga in runner’s training.