

Hurdle
Emily Abbate
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?
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 23, 2025 • 7min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: You Don't Have To Go It Alone, OK?
Talking about the power of community and how we don't have to be so strong all of the time. Plus: Answering a listener question on Oura Ring versus Whoop.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!

May 19, 2025 • 56min
356. Owning Your Narrative: How To Navigate Burnout & Adopt A Healthier Inner Dialogue With Liz Beecroft, LCSW
Join Emily as she welcomes back Liz Beecroft, LCSW, for a powerful conversation about the mental and emotional landscape of pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Liz brings her expertise to unpack the common hurdles we face when striving for well-being, offering practical strategies for building resilience, managing expectations, and cultivating a kinder inner dialogue. Emily and Liz offer up insights on the challenges of burnout and struggling with identity, plus how to squash negative self-talk. IN THIS EPISODE(6:45) Liz talks about what it was like for her to play sports without the guidance of someone like a sports therapist(7:06) Liz talks about what it was like for her to grow up with anxiety in a small town(10:05) How to get to a place where you can be more present when anxiety feels heavy(11:45) How to identify helpful versus harmful emotions(16:30) Liz recommends an app called How We Feel(20:00) How to avoid damaging your relationships by taking ownership over your actions while navigating burnout(24:18) What the difference is between a sports therapist and performance coach(35:50) Conversation on identity and how to cope with being a multifaceted person(38:45) How to reflect on your core values and beliefs to articulate the different parts of your identity (42:37) What It looks like for Liz to be a solopreneur and own her own practice(46:55) What Liz struggles with when it comes to what she shares on the Internet(51:10) What Liz sees when she looks in the mirror and why this question makes her emotionalMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEHow To Make An Action Plan & Beat OverwhelmSOCIAL@lizbcroft@mentl.sesh@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 16, 2025 • 7min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: The Harmful Potential Of The Word 'Should'
Just because someone else does something doesn't mean you should. Talking about an impactful conversation I had this week with Liz Plosser of Best Case Scenario. Plus: Answering a listener question on my go-to running warm-up.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEEmily & Liz's conversation on morningsSahil Bloom's Real Life Diet for GQSOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to ask me a question!

May 12, 2025 • 1h 3min
355. Does Your Diet Suck? Building A Better Relationship With Food & Debunking Nutrition Noise With Zoë Rom & Kylee Van Horn, RDN
In this episode, Emily sits down with Zoe Rom and Kylee Van Horn, RDN, the best friend duo behind the Your Diet Sucks podcast. They do a deep dive into debunking diet culture myths and share practical, science-backed tips to fuel your body and boost performance. From breaking down the ideal macronutrient balance to demystifying creatine, hydration hacks, and the lowdown on supplements, Zoe and Kylee bring their signature wit and wisdom to the table. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey, this conversation’s packed with actionable advice to help you feel your best.IN THIS EPISODE(5:36) Why Zoë and Kylee started 'Your Diet Sucks' podcast(15:15) Kylee talks about her experience working with athletes with eating disorders(17:00) Emily talks about her history with weight loss and sheds light on her relationship with food(18:01) Where someone starts with viewing food as fuel(24:30) Everything a beginner should know about creatine(30:18) How to take stock on whether or not a supplement is working for you(38:40) The biggest myths that exist within nutrition(43:55) An important question Kylee asks all of her clients(45:30) Kylee breaks down the macronutrient needs for women 21 to 45, and notes that there's a big range of where someone 'should be' depending on your goals(49:35) Does the protein window of 30- to 60-minutes post-exercise actually make a difference?(57:30) Kylee breaks down the importance of electrolytes and explains what they areMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE195. Chrissy King, Writer, Fitness Coach & Creator of The Body Liberation ProjectSOCIAL@yourdietsuckspod@carrots_flowers_z@flynutrition3@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.LMNT | Lemonade has ARRIVED! Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack with your purchaseJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to ask me a question!

May 9, 2025 • 10min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: The Gift Of Solitude — If You Choose To See It That Way
Talking about the benefit of getting well-acquainted with self. Plus: Answering a listener question about how to make friends as an adult.SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastMENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE#HURDLEMOMENT: How To Make Friends As An Adult With Kristina RodulfoJOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us, to ask me a question.

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!