
Hurdle
Join veteran journalist and wellness coach Emily Abbate, on Hurdle — a wellness-focused podcast where she talks to inspirational people about everything from their highest highs and toughest moments to essential tips on how to live a healthier, happier, more motivated life. We all go through our fair share of hurdles. Emily's goal through these discussions is to empower you to better navigate yours and move with intention so that you can stride toward your own big potential and of course — have some fun along the way. Tell us: What's your #hurdlemoment?
Latest episodes

May 5, 2025 • 1h 3min
354. Breaking The Ice: Jessica Campbell On Being The First Female Coach In the NHL, The Importance Of Empathy & Trusting Your Gut
In this episode, Emily sits down with Jessica Campbell, the first female full-time coach in NHL history with the Seattle Kraken. From her childhood skating in a hockey-loving family to breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport, Jessica shares her journey of resilience, grit, and purpose. She opens up about the profound influence of her late brother Josh, the challenges of earning respect as a young female coach, and the weight of carrying the torch for women in hockey. Jessica’s story is a masterclass in overcoming hurdles and staying focused on what matters most.IN THIS EPISODE(6:40) How Jessica feels about being the first woman coach in the NHL(6:59) If Jessica ever thought she could be a hockey coach(9:28) Jessica talks about what it was like to be a player at the highest level(13:32) How to figure out how to turn setbacks into positives and use that redirection to your advantage(15:30) Jessica talks about losing her brother when she was 10, and how her family navigated that devastating loss(20:21) How she faired playing with the boys through her teenage years, and how she managed the bullying that came with it (one boy even said: "she would be pretty but she shouts like a boy"(26:49) What characteristics make Jessica a strong coach(30:40) Jessica talks about how her mom's influence impacted her as a coach(36:24) Jessica talks about the email she opened in a Las Vegas hotel lobby that changed her life(40:01) How Jessica hearing "no" after "no" on her career search(44:50) How Jessica navigates working with older players as a 32-year-old coach(49:20) How to reframe your perspective when things don't go as planned(53:49) How Jessica feels being a mentor to young women and girls, and what it's like to see them show up to her games(57:32) What's next for Jessica and what goals she has on the horizonMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEespnW SummitSeattle KrakenSOCIAL@soupy08@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastOFFERSASICS | Join me for the 5th annual ASICS Blue Jean Mile. Each mile is a step towards awareness and funds for mental health awareness. Learn more at ASICS.com.Lagoon Sleep | Head on over to LagoonSleep.com/Hurdle and use code “HURDLE” at checkout for 15% offPILLAR | Head to PillarPerformance.shop, or for North American customers, head to TheFeed.com and use the code "HURDLE" for 15% off your first purchase.JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question!

May 2, 2025 • 8min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: When The Pain Of Staying The Same Is Too Great
Change can be hard. But it doesn't have to be more difficult than whatever is causing you discomfort in this moment. Plus: Answering a listener question about how to safely (and smartly) incorporate strength training into your regular routine.SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question.

Apr 28, 2025 • 58min
353. How To Define Your Personal Philosophy: Understanding The Mind & Embracing the Path Of Self-Discovery With Performance Psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais
Top athletes. Actors. CEOs. Dr. Michael Gervais is a high performance psychologist who has worked with some of the best to help them master their mind and better their craft. For this replay of my 2021 episode with Dr. Gervais, we're talk about how he got to where he is today. The Finding Mastery podcast host chats with me about how his experience surfing growing up actually lead him to getting more interested in the mind, and the memorable #hurdlemoment that taught him how to navigate hard times and get brave in front of large crowds. He also details how we can decipher our purpose, articulate our philosophy, and separate the two different types of thoughts. IN THIS EPISODE(4:03) Dr. Gervais talks about growing up in remote Virginia(6:20) How surfing brought Dr. Gervais to performance psychology (11:46) How to be more absorbed in the present here and now(18:56) The three different parts to purpose and how to decipher these themes(26:25) How someone "upgrades" and embraces mental training(33:18) Dr. Gervais talks about how he felt his first time public speaking and how he overcame imposter syndrome(44:44) Why Dr. Gervais doesn't speak on the big-name athletes he works with(46:47) How Dr. Gervais got to a place where he's at peace with where he's been and where he's going next(50:10) Dr. Gervais talks about how to adopt a philosophy to clarify your guiding principles MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEDr. Gervais Finding Mastery CourseSOCIAL@michaelgervais@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastOFFERSLMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack.JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question!

Apr 25, 2025 • 10min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Accountability Buddies, #FTW!
I would not have done my run on Thursday if it weren't for Joanie. Giving her some props, and answering a listener question about how to pick up the pace on your next 5K.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODED.C. Run on 4/26Joan Benoit-Samuelson on HurdleSOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question.

Apr 21, 2025 • 58min
352. Organization Can Be Your Super Power: How To Stay True To Yourself & Ask Smart Questions With Saucony’s Chief Marketing Officer Joy Allen-Altimare
This week I’m sitting down with Joy Allen-Altimare, the Chief Marketing Officer at Saucony. Such an interesting time to have this conversation with everything that’s going on both for the brand as they really are in this fun-to-watch reinvigoration phase, as well as what’s going on here in the U.S. with the tariffs. Joy talks to me about how being a swimmer growing up in Chattanooga really shaped a big part of her mindset and empowered her to think differently and progressively as a leader. We talk about what it looks like for her to lift up other women both in and out of the office, and what we can expect from Saucony as a brand as we look ahead into the rest of 2025 and 2026. Plus: She also shares her takeaways on the evolution of sports style, and why it’s important to have your own board of directors.SOCIAL@joyaltimare@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastOFFERSLagoon Sleep | Head on over to LagoonSleep.com/Hurdle and use code “HURDLE” at checkout for 15% offPILLAR | Head to PillarPerformance.shop, or for North American customers, head to TheFeed.com and use the code HURDLE for 15% off your first purchase.JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to ask me a question to be answered in an upcoming episode!

Apr 18, 2025 • 8min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: 2 Simple Strategies To Help Combat Overwhelm
These work for me 99.9% of the time! Plus: Answering a listener question about how I choose the new things on my list to do every week!SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question.

Apr 14, 2025 • 55min
351. An Invisible Illness: Pro Runner Grayson Murphy Opens Up About Her Battle With Crohn's Disease & Finding Confidence In The Mountains
When Grayson Murphy swapped from soccer to running in college, she never anticipated that she'd find such great success. Now a two-time world champion, the Montana-based runner has hard a whirlwind rise to success in sport — but that hasn't come without many hurdles. The most recent: A diagnosis with Crohn's Disease. In this week's episode, she shares how she's coping with the news and how the illness impacts her regularly.IN THIS EPISODE(5:07) The importance of grace to Grayson when it comes to her day-to-day(7:15) The symptoms that Grayson experienced that were indicative of Crohn's disease(9:36) How Grayson felt when she first learned about Crohn's(13:38) Grayson shares why she stopped playing soccer(20:40) What joy looks like for Grayson today(25:30) Grayson talks about starting her own stationary company, Wild Strides Paper Co.(28:55) How Grayson has navigated her grief and anger over the past year(35:53) Grayson talks about how finding early success in running was actually very difficult for her mentally(41:41) Grayson talks about severe pre-race anxiety, and how she had some pretty difficult intrusive thoughts before competing(48:10) Grayson talks about what she could see herself doing work-wise in the futureSOCIAL@racin__grayson@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastOFFERSAG1 | Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hurdle to get a free vitamin D3K2 and five travel packs in your welcome kitBOSTON EVENTS: Live show with Des Linden at Brooks Hyperion House on 4/19, plus I'll be talking recovery at 10 a.m. with Kristina Centenari at the Birkenstock store on Boylston 4/20! For RSVP links, check out @emilyabbate stories on Instagram this week!JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUPSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelASK ME A QUESTION: Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!

Apr 11, 2025 • 9min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: A Lesson In Letting Go Of What You Can't Control
A story from last weekend's Cherry Blossom 10-miler. Plus: Answering a listener question on how to get rid of those pre-race jitters.SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question.

Apr 8, 2025 • 1h 2min
350. Your Life's Not On Pause: Tips For Overcoming Injury & Finding Light In Difficult Moments With Content Creator Lydia Keating
No one likes to be on the bench, unable to do the activities that they love because of an injury. This week, I'm chatting with writer, content creator, and runner Lydia Keating about injury. We swap stories about how injuries have impacted our physical and mental health in the past, and she shares how navigating a sacral stress fracture has actually bettered her current mindset. Plus: Tips for embracing recovery time (and how to spend it), and Lydia shares an unconventional take on the looming TikTok ban.IN THIS EPISODE(5:15) How is Lydia feeling really right now?(11:40) Why running is such a big part of Lydia’s life right now(12:05) What’s changed to help Lydia feel the strongest she’s ever felt as a runner(15:24) What it was like when Lydia learned that she had a sacral stress fracture(19:43) Lydia talks about her concern for her financial wellbeing when she got injured(25:17) How Lydia adapted her routine during injury and what helped her heal(30:17) How Lydia feels about the “oh you look so healthy” compliment(39:50) Lydia and Emily talk about feeling uncomfortable in their bodies during injury(46:20) Sleep's critical role in recovery from injury(56:40) What’s next for Lydia? (57:18) When Lydia new that she was in a position to go full-time with content creation(58:25) How Lydia felt when new of the TikTok ban first came around(1:00:42) The advice that Lydia would tell herself when she was going through injury, knowing what she knows nowSOCIAL@lydialoo12@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastOFFERSLagoon Sleep | Head on over to LagoonSleep.com/Hurdle and use code “HURDLE” at checkout for 15% offLMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack.JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Leave me a voice message, or email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question!

Apr 4, 2025 • 8min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Can You Free Up Some Space?
This analogy blew my mind; a helpful reframe when it comes to some habits that may or may not be serving us longterm. Plus: Answering a listener question about affiliate linking.SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question.