Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Ari Chambers knows a thing or two about hard work. Today, she's behind the desk on-air at ESPN, but not all that long ago she was building HighlightHER from the ground up. Ari and I sat down together in Paris while she was working with Team USA, aiming to give fans a behind the scenes look at all things Olympic Games. We talk about how Ari got to this point in her career as a journalist, what motivates her to focus on the mission of sharing stories of women in sport, and the proudest moments of her work thus far. She also gets real about the highs and lows of being so ambitious, how to start something from nothing without letting overwhelm win, and how she relies on movement as medicine in times of struggle.  IN THIS EPISODE A look into what Ari was up to in Paris and what’s on her vision board (3:20) Ari’s early years and how she instilled such a go-getter mindset in herself (8:35) Her challenging transition from professional cheerleading to sharing women’s stories in sport (13:45) The birth of HighlightHER (18:50) Ari’s experience of burnout and how she relies on movement as medicine (23:08) A confession about balance and Ari’s motivation behind her constant push to perform (32:10) The importance of gratitude and reflection so you can show up for yourself (38:00) What excites Ari about women in sport right now (42:03) A moment in gratitude for Ari’s support system (48:20) SOCIAL @ariivory @highlighther ⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠ JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes in the moment it's hard to accept that one day, the tough stuff is going to help shape your being and help. It's impossible to think about the past 14 days in Paris without finding gratitude for the difficult moments I experienced in 2022. Talking about that, and sharing a new strategy for how I'll be answering your questions moving forward. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE My Experience With Depression SOCIAL JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Extra special guest host alert! Welcome Lauren Nemeroff to the hot seat, co-founder of Flow State Creative (and, Emily's Paris partner-in-crime). Lauren's asking Em about her trip to The Games: How it happened, what it was like, how she felt about the long work days, and what she's looking forward to now that this major goal is checked off the bucket list. Plus: Emily offers some great advice to her younger self, and gets emotional talking about what it's like to work for herself. SOCIAL @l_nemeroff @flowstate_creative @emilyabbate OFFERS AG1 | Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkAG1.com/Hurdle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a year's supply of Vitamin D and five free travel packs with your purchase. JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hurdlers! Welcome to Season 18! I’m back from Paris and stoked to bring you so many unbelievable conversations I had while at Athleta’s Power of She Creator Hub. We are kicking off the new season with Natalie Coughlin, 12-time Olympic medalist and the first female swimmer to bring home six medals in a single olympiad. We cover so much in this conversation — of course hitting on all of Natalie's experiences at The Games; also how she first found the pool, her unwavering positive perspective amidst struggle, and how she navigated the transition from full-time athlete to her next chapter — which includes owning a winery.  IN THIS EPISODE How it feels to be back at the Olympics as a spectator (and her first time at opening ceremonies!) (4:30) Natalie’s first memories of getting in the pool (5:40) Goal Setting and how Natalie was able to map out her road to the Olympics at the age of 13  (10:43)  The injury that derailed Natalie’s first Olympic dreams and how that hurdle was ‘the best thing that happened to her’ (16:45) Actionable advice for getting into a positive mindset when going through the thick of it (21:20) How Natalie handled the pressure that came with striving for an Olympic dream and medal (30:40) A reflection on Natalie’s historic Beijing Olympics and record 6 medals (39:04) Natalie’s current projects and passions (48:50) SOCIAL @natalicoughlin @gaderianwines ⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠ OFFERS LMNT | LMNT | Head to drinklmnt.com/hurdle to get a free sample pack with any purchase (including the new LMNT sparkling!)  JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IT'S TIME! Talking about the self-talk I'm using to get through a hectic moment, and answering a listener question about a YouTube future. SOCIAL ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Athleta Run in Paris on 8/1 OFFERS OFFERS LMNT | Head to ⁠drinklmnt.com/hurdle⁠ to get a free sample pack with any purchase (including the new LMNT sparkling!)  AG1 | Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkAG1.com/Hurdle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a year's supply of Vitamin D and five free travel packs with your purchase. JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You know her, you love her, please welcome Becs Gentry to our GOING FOR IT series. In today's episode we talk about her big opportunity with NBC in Paris, how TV broadcast is different than her work at Peloton, and what she’s most excited about at the Games. We also chat about how she feels toeing the line again for another 26.2 miles for the Marathon Pour Tous and her new, powerful running mantra. I absolutely loved getting Becs back in the studio and can’t want to see her do big things in Paris.  IN THIS EPISODE What Becs will be doing in Paris (3:45) How Becs got to a place to feel confident in her new mantra ‘forward is a pace’ (6:58) Her emotions around getting the opportunity to run marathon pour tous (13:30) The opportunity with NBC and how it came to be (16:40) How Becs hypes herself up for difficult moments (24:25) Her perspective on feedback when trying something new (30:20) Speaking to a different audience and how to navigate new platforms (33:30) What’s she most excited about in Paris (35:05) SOCIAL @becsgentry ⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠ OFFERS LMNT | Head to drinklmnt.com/hurdle to get a free sample pack with any purchase (including the new LMNT sparkling!)  JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome The New York Times Reporter Talya Minsberg to Hurdle! This year's Games are not Talya's first rodeo reporting for the greatest sporting event in the world. We talk about what her experience has been in covering the news during such a monumental time in sport, why she thinks this year’s Olympics are going to be different, and what a typical day is like for a journalist on the ground at the Games. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Talya's Author Page on The New York Times IN THIS EPISODE Talya’s background in sports journaling and how she shifted to cover Israel this last spring (5:30) Her process in preparing for something like the olympics (10:15) What covering up to 10(!) Olympic stories looks like for Talya (16:40) A day in the life of an Olympic reporter and ‘the mix zone’ (20:30) Stand out moments for Talya in her career reporting in sport (29:15) Talya's inspiration for finding her voice in storytelling and reporting (31:30) What she’s most excited for at this year’s Olympic Games (37:01) How Talya finds time for herself in what can be the most hectic weeks of her career (39:20) What’s next for Talya after the Olympics (42:50) Who would be a dream get during these Games and what events Talya is most looking forward to watching (45:50) SOCIAL @tminsberg ⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠ OFFERS LMNT | Head to drinklmnt.com/hurdle to get a free sample pack with any purchase (including the new LMNT sparkling!)  JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s ‘Going For It’ episode welcomes Puma pro-runner Fiona O’Keefe, who punched her ticket to Paris by winning the Olympic marathon trials in February. We talk about how she’s had some time to regroup and get her game face ready for Paris, even with so many eyes on her after the big debut win. Fiona opens up about what helps her stay grounded in the chaos of uncontrollables, and how she gives back to herself so she can remain focused amidst all the outside pressure that comes with representing your country for the biggest moment in sport. IN THIS EPISODE What the last 3 months have looked like for Fiona since punching her ticket to Paris (3:06) Fostering a sense of self belief when striving for lofty goals (6:13) What about the marathon made it ‘the race’ for Fiona (9:02) How running makes Fiona feel and when she realized running could be a career (10:50) Navigating mental health with sport and academics (14:10) Fiona’s journaling practice and her biggest non negotiables for her to be her best  (18:30) How she gives back to herself within phases of pressure (25:30) What excited Fiona the most about being able to complete that the Olympic Games (29:25) What success looks and feels like for Fiona at the Olympic Games (33:50) The mental pivot to let go of the uncontrollables and refocusing on what’s ahead (36:01) Rapid fire Q/A with Fiona (47:03) SOCIAL @fiona_okeeffe ⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠ OFFERS LMNT | Head to drinklmnt.com/hurdle to get a free sample pack with any purchase (including the new LMNT sparkling!)  JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we are kicking off the limited series ‘Going For It’, which celebrates this monumental time for women in sport as people are rightfully paying more attention to her and what lights her on fire. Leading into Paris, I am bringing conversations to the forefront from women who will be involved in the Games from all perspectives, from athletes to journalists to even your favorite peloton instructor.  Kicking off the series Is Regan Smith, who made headlines in June when she set a new record in the 100m backstroke on her way to punching her ticket to Paris.  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Nulo & Regan's Partnership IN THIS EPISODE Regan’s reaction to breaking a (second) world record (3:40) Managing pressure after early success (8:10) What gives Regan an edge on her competition (9:30) How Regan makes sure her nutrition ensures that she can perform her best (13:32) The moment Regan was able to bring her high school swim coach to the Olympic Games in Tokyo (15:58) How Regan gets her mind ready for big races with amplified pressure (17:20) Regan’s Olympic idol (21:18) How she gives back to herself outside of the pool (23:55) SOCIAL @regansmith4 ⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast OFFERS LMNT | Head to drinklmnt.com/hurdle to get a free sample pack with any purchase (including the new LMNT sparkling!) JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, I've been battling a little something offline. The good news: I've got great experts on my team helping me navigate some unexpected issues with my body. Talking about how I'm using this less-than-stellar side-step to my advantage, and then, answering a question about how I set my priorities. SOCIAL ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@emilyabbate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hurdlepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Dr. Lobkova at Step Up Footcare OFFERS AG1 | Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkAG1.com/Hurdle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get a year's supply of Vitamin D and five free travel packs with your purchase. JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!⁠See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.