Hurdle with Emily Abbate 384. Beyond Calories: Ditching Diet Culture to Heal Your Gut and Fuel Your Life With Best-Selling Author Elyse Kopecky
This week on Hurdle, Emily is joined by Elyse Kopecky—three-time New York Times best-selling author, educator, and co-author of the Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook series with Olympian Shalane Flanagan—for a conversation that dives deep into the power of real food and the journey of turning personal struggle into a successful, mission-driven career. Elyse opens up about her intense personal history with a low-fat diet mentality as a young athlete, which led to severe health complications like athletic amenorrhea, low bone density, and stress fractures. She shares the pivotal moment in her 30s—while living abroad—when she realized that simply introducing healthy fats like butter and high-quality dairy allowed her body to heal and regulate naturally.
We discuss the key to her philosophy: Indulgent Nourishment, which promotes celebrating whole, delicious food as the true opposite of deprivation. Elyse shares why focusing on real food, rather than counting macros or calories, is the best path to a healthier life. We also dive into the non-negotiable role healthy fats play in hormonal and brain health, how to spot misleading packaging on food labels, and the truth about high-protein fads and refined white flour. She also talks about the full-circle journey of leaving a successful corporate career at Nike to go to culinary school, and ultimately launching her own company.
OFFER
You can snag a coupon code for 15% off your Superhero Muffins order by using HURDLE15 at checkout, here.
QUOTABLE MOMENTS
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“Raising kids that are watching me do something that I’m so passionate about is the biggest gift of all in this whole career journey.”
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“I think so many Americans have no idea how good you can feel.”
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On her philosophy: "You don't need to stress about like measuring things and counting macros, all you need to do is get in your kitchen and cook."
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“Real food does not cause weight gain. Let’s just like stop even thinking that.”
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On the longevity of her message: "I think that's why our books continue to sell well is because the nutrition messaging is still upholding 10 years later."
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“You’ll have a horrible stomach ache if you eat when you’re super stressed.”
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On her pivot: "I think if I had known what I know now about the world of grocery and retail and how complex it is, I probably never would have started the company. But I think it's always been my thing like I jump into it."
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On the surprising benefit of her injury struggles: “Sometimes those lowest points of your life ... will teach you the biggest lessons. So your low points or your failures can become your greatest success in life.”
IN THIS EPISODE
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Pivoting to CPG: The decision to launch the direct-to-consumer Superhero Muffins baking mix.
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The Low-Fat Lie: Elyse's experience suffering from athletic amenorrhea, low bone density, and stress fractures due to not eating enough healthy fats.
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The Power of Real Fat: Why healthy fats (like butter and olive oil) are essential for hormone balance, brain health, satiation, and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins.
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Dieting & Deprivation: How to shift the mindset from deprivation to "Indulgent Nourishment".
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Label Literacy: What red flags to look for on ingredient lists, including artificial sugars, refined flours, natural flavorings, and cheap protein fillers like refined gluten.
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Protein Obsession: Why high-protein diets are often overdone and the importance of balanced meals that include healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.
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Gut Health & Stress: How high stress and not eating during a "rest and digest" state can destroy your digestion and prevent nutrient absorption.
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Stress Combatting Tip: Using movement—like a short walk or quick sprint—to lower cortisol levels before sitting down for a meal.
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The Entrepreneurial Grind: The challenges of launching a small food brand against major competitors with large marketing budgets.
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Career Resilience: The journey from a successful career at Nike, to a culinary school detour, and finally finding her passion.
SOCIAL
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@emilyabbate
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