Strong Runner Chick Radio

This week we bring you a special NEDA episode in honor of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, featuring Hannah Frazee, a former NCAA distance runner who shares her honest and transparent story of her eating disorder, seeking treatment and the process towards recovery. Bio: Hannah began her love of running at ten years old and admits that it was love at first run, or post race party. She participated in cross country and track in middle school and high school and was offered a scholarship to run at the University of Northern Iowa. Hannah ran cross country during the start of her freshman year; however after treatment for eating disorder, came to the realization that it would be best for her to pursue other fitness opportunities. Hannah still runs for fun, and has begun to find the fun in running again without having the pressure of running at the Division 1 level. Questions we ask Hannah include: How did you get your start in running? What was your running experience like in middle and high school? Would you mind telling us about your transition into collegiate running? You wrote a very honest piece for SRC titled, “55 Rules that were Meant to be Broken.” What was your inspiration behind writing this piece? Based on this feature, it seems as though running and your eating disorder consumed you life. How did you know it was time to seek help? You have been working though recovery at the Victory Program. What has this process been like for you? What changes have you seen in yourself? What’s new and exciting in the life of Hannah? What is making your thrive? What advice would you give your younger self? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? Find out more information at www.nationaleatingdisorders.org and help spread awareness with hashtag #NEDAAwareness.

In this episode, we chat with Elinor about self-compassion, stress and the effects it has on our body, practicing mindful running, bringing together women through running retreats and more. Introduction: Elinor Fish has worked in the travel, tourism and running industries since 1999. The Canadian ex-pat, who now calls Colorado home, has long been an avid trail runner, writer and champion for women’s participation in the sport. She spent four years as the managing editor of Trail Runner magazine, during which she founded Run Wild Retreats + Wellness in 2010. Throughout this time, Elinor’s personal health challenges led her to a deeper mindfulness practice. She soon recognized ways to blend running with mindfulness to create one powerful practice that could alleviate the effects of at-times debilitating chronic auto-immune diseases.  Questions we ask Elinor include: How did you get your start in running? For four years, you were the managing editor of Trail Running Magazine. What was this experience like? It was working at Trail Running Magazine that you founded Run Wild Retreats + Wellness. What was your basis for developing these retreats? Why did you feel the need to create the retreats? A major part of Mindful Running is reducing stress. What are some of the positive impacts that you have witness from those who attend the retreats? During this time, you went through some personal health struggles that led you to develop your own practice with mindfulness. Would you mind telling us about this time? What does mindfulness practice look and feel like for you? How would you suggest listeners develop their own mindfulness practice in day-to-day life? We would love to hear more about how you blend mindfulness and running. Frustration and mindfulness? Tell us what a typical day at the Run Wild Retreat might involve. What is next for Run Wild Retreats + Wellness?    What is currently making you thrive? What advice would you give your younger self? What does being a Strong Runner Chick (or Mindful Runner Chick) mean to you? How can listeners connect with you (or sign up for a retreat!)

You may know her on Instagram as Racin Grayson. Meet Grayson Murphy, a three-time All-American collegiate runner at University of Utah, originally from Salt Lake City, as well as a top civil engineering major with plans to run professionally after college. Grayson was featured in our How the Collegiates Fuel series and recently started a blog of her own.  Questions we ask Grayson include: How did you get your start in running? How did this lead to you playing collegiate soccer and then choosing to pursue running? What have you noticed are differences between soccer and running? You have had quite the collegiate experience after transferring colleges three times! (from Sweet Briar to Santa Clara to Utah). Can you tell us more about what this process has been like? As a civil engineering major, how do you balance running, academics and your future career aspirations (as well as finding an identity outside of running)? You write that one of your lessons learned in 2017 is “Not everything has to be a goal.” What do you mean by saying this and what advice do you have for listeners who make everything into a goal? What do you see for your future as an athlete? You wrote a blog post titled, “When you fall down, you get back up,” on making it to the NCAA Indoor National Championships in 2017 and breaking 16 minutes in the 5k. What was breaking this barrier like for you? What do you think help you achieved this incredible feat? What is something IG followers/fans might not know about you? (can be a random fact, or something that’s making you thrive lately). What’s your go-to racing mantra and/or favorite running quote? What advice would you give your younger, pre-college self? What does being a Strong and Brave Runner Chick mean to you? How can listeners connect with you?

In this BONUS episode, we welcome back Gabi Maudiere! Since our first chat together, Gabi has accomplished some incredible feats!! Questions we ask Gabi include: -Since the last time we chatted, what has made you thrive? -Recently you were working through  finals...what are some of you self-care habits during this time? -You finished your 100-mile race and you CAME IN FIRST PLACE (holy moly!!). Would you mind telling us about this experience? -What was your mindset like at different stages of the race? -What physiologically happens during to your body during a 100-mile race? -How do you handle these physical/mental challenges? Nutrition/fueling? Aches/pains? -Recently you announced that you have begun run coaching! What was your draw to do this? -What sorts of services will you offer? -How do your services differ from other coaches? -How can listeners connect with you to schedule coaching?

Learn more about Neely Spence Gracey, Professional Runner for Adidas, soon-to-be mom and a special guest at our Strong Runner Chick Retreat this summer of 2018! Neely was born into this sport, literally. Her dad (Steve Spence, 1992 Olympic marathoner and 1991 World Champs Bronze Medalist) was running the Boston Marathon on the day she was born. She grew up in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania and in 8th grade set some big goals for herself, which led her to run for Shippensburg University, where she broke several records and was named conference athlete of the year for every season she competed. She is an eight-time NCAA Division II Champion and still holds two NCAA records. In 2016, Neely debuted at the Boston Marathon and was the first American finisher in 2:35. Later that year, she took it a step further with 2:34 and 8th place finish at the NYC marathon, following up with several 2017 victories. She is excited for what the next year will bring as she pauses her running career to start a family. She ultimately hopes to build towards the 2020 Olympic year. Today, Neely lives in Boulder, CO with her husband Dillon and their Vizsla, Strider. They are happily entrenched in the running community. Between training, and competing, she enjoys coaching her team of athletes through her Get Running coaching business. Questions we ask Neely include: How did you get your start in running? Your dad was an Olympic Marathoner and World Championship Bronze Medalist...wow!! Since running was such a major part of his life, did you ever feel pressured to continue in his footsteps? Tell us about your experience running as a girl in Shippensburg, PA. What was it like being homeschooled? Many teens have the desire to attend university elsewhere, but you decided to stay in your hometown. What was your reasoning behind this? What was your collegiate running experience like? How could it have been better? What was it like to have your dad as a coach? We would love to hear about your top American finish and 13th in the World in the 2013 World Cross Country championships in Poland! Several bouts of illness and injury have kept you from competing in the past (most notably at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Trials). How did you physically and mentally combat these unfortunate circumstances? What advice do you have for others dealing with injury or illness? In 2016, you makes your debut at the Boston Marathon coming in as the top American and ninth overall. What was this experience like for you? Recently you announced that you will be welcoming an addition into your home! Congrats! What does this mean for you, Dillon, and Strider? Do you hope to continue to run? What is currently making you thrive? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? How can listeners/readers connect with you? Also: are you currently accepting new running coaching clients?

Jill is a former collegiate soccer player, triathlete, marathoner, and ultrarunner who went through almost five years of amenorrhea before finally addressing her issues to get healthy. Shocked at just how much she didn't know about hormones and menstrual health for athletes, she decided to share her research and wisdom on both Hypothalamic Amenorrhea and Overtraining Syndrome through her YouTube channel. Her passion for counseling others even led her to go back to school to Harvard University's Extension School where she is pursuing a Master's Degree in Psychology in order to fully support athletes in their path to health. Questions we ask Jill include: How did you get your start in running? Tell us about your experience with amenorrhea. How did you know something was wrong? What did you hear from other people? Was it normalized? When/how did you get the courage to seek help? Would you mind describing to our listeners overtraining syndrome? What happens when a person is doing “everything right,” but isn’t getting their period? What would you suggest for people to take the first few steps for healing? What role does stress play in amenorrhea? You write that you hope to see a world where all women get their periods. How do you hope to accomplish this? What are some of the ways that listeners can help themselves and others? What are some of your favorite resources that you would recommend? What are you currently up to? What is making you thrive? What advice would you give to your younger self? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? How can readers/listeners connect with you?

This week we welcome marathoner and Oiselle professional runner to the show, Allie Kieffer! Allie is a 30 year old Buffalo, NY native who was exposed to running at an early age. In middle school, Allie found solace darting through the wooded single track trails and has been in love since. She is the former indoor marathon world record holder, fifth place finisher in the NYC Marathon (2nd place American), and most recently won the Doha Half Marathon. Allie admits that the other career she fantasizes about is being a mother and her superpower is believing in herself. Questions we ask Allie include: How did you get your start in running? Where did you attend university? What did you study? Would you mind describing to us about your experience running in college? We would love to hear from you your experience of the NYC Marathon! What was going through your head during the race? Were you expecting to PR by so much or did you surprise yourself? At the beginning of the year you wrote an article for Self titled, “My Weight has Nothing to do with How Good a Runner I Am.” What was your reasoning behind writing this article? What response have you received from it? In the article you mentioned various times where people mentioned that you were a “bigger runner” or “that you could run so well for being built bigger.” I can imagine that hearing these words didn’t always sit well with you. How did you adopt a mentality to ward off those negative thoughts about body image and weight? What advice do you have for athletes who are experiencing similar experiences?   How did you manage to gain weight quickly after realizing that you had lost enough to impact your performance negatively? We LOVE your habit of adding as many nutrients to you possibly can instead of focusing on calories. How do you go about achieving this? What are some of your favorite foods that pack a nutrient punch? You recently signed with Oiselle (whoot-whoot!). What was the driving force behind that decision? In your first race as a Bird you won the Doha Half Marathon! How did it feel to win this race and represent Oiselle? How do you “get in the zone” before races? Are there any special things you do to get ready? Instead.. Any favorite recovery methods? What’s next in the life of Allie Kieffer (can be running related or not!)? What is currently making you thrive? What advice would you give to your younger self? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? How can our listeners connect with you?

Today we have on Katie, former collegiate runner and current blogger at 2FabFitChicks! Katie’s love of running came randomly in the 7th grade and has lasted her since. She went on to run and become captain cross country, indoor and outdoor track in high school and ran for Boston College. More recent race highlights include: 1st place Xterra Georgia Battle at Big Creek 5 mile, 1st place Xterra Little Mulberry Creek 10k, 7th place Spinx Marathon and 14th place Savannah Rock N Roll Half. She is now a blogger with friend, Ashley, at 2FabFitChicks. Questions we ask Katie include: How did you get your start in running? You are a former D1 athlete, running for Boston College. What was your D1 experience like? Tell us more about how you started 2FabFitChicks with your friend, Ashley... How has this shaped your friendship? What are a few lessons you've learned along your journey in running? Give us a glimpse into your life outside of running. What are you currently training for? Any exciting life news/updates? What advice would you give to your younger self? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you?

Introduction Jen Brown is the Chief Coach and owner of Sparta Chicks. She created Sparta Chicks to bring together women all around the world who enjoy triathlons or trail running and who want to feel more confident and pursue all the big, and sometimes seemingly impossible dreams they’ve always had (without self-doubt or fear standing in their way). Jen is a Running and Triathlon Coach, podcast host, and reformed Lawyer. In addition to being a stepmother, daughter, and sister, Jen is often found trail running, drinking coffee, and watching Criminal Minds. She has hiked or climbed mountains on 4 continents around the world after realizing in her late 20’s that running is an amazing way to change your life.  Questions we ask Jen include: -How did you get your start in running? -Tell us a bit about your drive, reasoning, and inspiration behind starting Sparta Chicks. -What was it like for you to be so transparent with others? -What advice would you give listeners who want to accomplish their dream, but are too nervous to take that first step? -How do you suggest individuals with busy lives incorporate “me time” into their already hectic schedule? -Comparison in social media? How do you suggest we deal with this? -Who have been some of your favorite guests/episodes on Sparta Chicks Radio? -What are you fearing right now? -It seems as though you lead a very adventurous life! Any new adventures on the horizon? -What advice would you give your younger self? -What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? -How can listeners connect with you?

Megan Marshall, is the Business Core Administrator in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University.  She is also the co-founder of the F.L.Y. Movement (Fuel. Love. You.). Additionally, Megan was a student-athlete on the Penn State track and field team where she was a Big Ten Medalist in the Distance Medley Relay, a Big Ten Scorer in the 800 meters, and a member of the Penn State school record-setting Distance Medley Relay team in 2007.  Questions we ask Megan include: Background story: how did you get your start in running? What was the transition like from high school to college and how did that transition lead you to what you are doing today? Tell us a bit more about the Love Fly Movement - mission, vision, what you do - what does FLY stand for/mean? What are some of the overlaps you have seen in some of the teams you worked with? What are some myths/controversies that you are trying to overcome with the Love F.L.Y. Movement? In talking with these coaches and teams, what are some positives? What are some things that need improvement? We get many readers who struggle with the comparison trap. What words of wisdom do you have for them? Recent PR….Congrats! Tell us about that experience. In your feature on SRC, “Looking Back - Lessons from a Former NCAA Runner,” you mentioned speaking out and reaching out as being key pieces of advice to your younger self. What advice do you have for listeners that might be struggling to reach out or seek help? What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? Where can listeners find or connect with you? @LoveFlyMovement or www.loveflymovement.com.

Julie is a Registered Dietitian, graduate from University of Alabama, now a Sports Nutrition Graduate Assistant for Utah State University and is passionate about promoting a healthy and balanced life. Questions we ask Julie: -Tell us a bit more about your ketogenic diet experiment. Is that something you would recommend for athletes/runners? Why or why not? -What have you learned since working at the fueling station with athletes? What are some of the most common mistakes you see with athlete fueling, specifically in runners? -What are some tips for individuals who struggle with getting adequate fuel? -What are some of your favorite recipes of the moment? Especially for runners! -Any advice for a runner who get comments about how much they eat compared to non-athletes? -What do you like about the sports nutrition conversation/world and what is being done to help? What do you think needs to be improved? --What advice would you give to your younger, high school running self? -How can I establish healthy, sustainable habits around my eating? (overcoming the diet mentality) -What are you up to lately? Any exciting news? -What are you hoping to do post-grad school? -Quick question: favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner...GO! -What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? -Where can we find and connect with you?

We can't believe it's already time for Episode 10! In this Q&A, we dig into questions between Megan and Kelsey, including how we got our start in running, how we started the podcast, the history behind SRC, and much, much more! Enjoy this episode and let us know if you'd like to hear more of this format in the future.

This is one of our best episodes yet! So much Real Talk in one episode - we promise you'll enjoy this one. Introduction: Maggie is a 23 year old graduate student who grew up in the California Bay Area. During this time, Maggie played A LOT of sports, but her first love was soccer, which she played for 13 years! Maggie previously had an eating disorder and focuses much of her time on visiting high schools and universities to give talks about research and myths surrounding eating disorders. As a very proud feminist, breakfast food fanatic, and lover of Harry Potter books, we would like to welcome Maggie to the podcast! Questions we ask Maggie include: -How did you get your start in running? -How did transitioning from a team sport (soccer) into an individual sport (running) help with your recovery? -In September, you wrote a VERY powerful post for SRC titled "You Don’t Have to be the Perfect Runner.” Tell us about your desire to write this piece. -Additionally, you followed this post with another in October regarding being good enough. This article poses the idea of being a “real” runner. Why do you feel as though this topic is important to bring forward in the female running community? -Currently you are attending the University of Western Ontario. What are you studying? Why did you decide to choose this path? ...Most important and most surprising things you’ve learned? -What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? -How can listeners connect with you?

Jackie Turner is a 20 year old sophomore at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD. She runs cross country and track and field and is currently majoring in elementary education. Jackie loves laughter, working with children, spreading awareness about mental health, being a part of the SRC team, attending her  home church in Sioux Falls, cooking/baking, and spending time with her friends and family. Questions we ask Jackie: -How did you get your start in running? -You have dealt with many setbacks regarding injury...what has this experience been like for you mentally, physically, emotionally? -Many of your posts are incredibly honest and vulnerable. How did you find the strength within to write these posts? -What are some of the ways that you cope with your long-term injuries? -Has this experience changed your career path and future aspirations? -What are some recommendations that you have for athletes who have a teammate that is working through an injury? -What are some ways you’re more than a runner? -What has being injured taught you, both positives and negatives? -How did you first discover Strong Runner Chicks? What was your thought behind starting the Coping with an Injury feature? Advice for athletes working through injuries? -What are you up to now?! Anything exciting in the life of Jackie Turner? -Being injured has clearly taught you a lot, both negative and positive. What advice would you give your younger, freshman year self? -What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? -How can listeners connect with you? IG Handle, etc.

Meet Johanna Weber, a top contributor at Strong Runner Chicks and our fueling guru behind How the Pros Fuel! Introduction: Johanna is a sophomore at North Dakota State University studying dietetics. She enjoys photography, baking, the mountains, and being outside. In her spare time, Johanna loves to read up on food and lifestyle blogs and some day would love to get into blogging herself! Questions for Johanna: -How did you get your start in running? -Describe a bit about your experience in collegiate running? -Tell us a bit about how you got into dietetics. -Any trouble balancing being a collegiate athlete and academics? -What do you see as being pros and cons of being a nutrition major? -Favorite way to refuel? -You seem to enjoy Vital Proteins and Lifeway Kefir, which are partner brands with Strong Runner Chicks. Can you tell us more about the brands and their benefits? -How the Pros Fuel series was/is a major hit with many of our readers! Thanks so much for this! What was your idea behind this series? -Biggest takeaways / patterns? -Recently you began a new series called Running on Empty? What do you hope to highlight with this series? What can readers expect from it? -Can you describe your experience with low iron? What were some steps you took to overcome it? -Anything new and exciting in the world of Johanna Weber? -What are your future plans? Dream job? -Fueling for the long run account/blog? Favorite food bloggers and instagrammers? -What advice would you give your freshman-year self? -What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you? -How can our readers and listeners connect with you?