Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Victoria Arlen is no stranger to hurdles. At age 11, the now-ESPN host developed two rare conditions known as transverse myelitis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. As a result, she quickly lost the ability to walk, speak, eat, and move. She slipped into a vegetative state, and her parents were told numerous times that they should “let go” and that their daughter would never be the same. Fast forward four years, and Victoria beat all odds to make a miraculous recovery. She returned to life, albeit in a wheelchair, and soon found success as an athlete scoring a gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle at the 2012 London Paralympic games, as well as her dream job at ESPN — reporting for the X Games and Special Olympics. In today’s episode, she talks about the biggest miracle of all: defying the odds yet again and after spending nearly a decade in a wheelchair paralyzed from the waist down, to learn how to walk — and ultimately dance and run. She talks about her stint on Dancing With The Stars, the non-profit she started with her mother to help others get a second chance at life, and how she stayed optimistic even in her darkest days. SOCIAL @arlenv1 @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Hurdler Meet-up in Berlin: 9/23, Saturday, 1 p.m. at Charlie’s Beach (Schützenstraße 2, 10117 Berlin, Germany) Victoria’s Victory Foundation OFFERS GOODR | Head to Goodr.com/ and use code “HURDLE” for free shipping LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack 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.

Another chapter, conquered. Sharing a difficult goodbye from my week, plus answering a listener question about how to upkeep a fitness routine amidst chaotic life changes. SOCIAL@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.

These days, Shawn Johnson East is prepping for baby no. 3 (!!). But in 2008, she was a 16-year-old chasing after big Olympic dreams. The 4-time medalist is on the show today reflecting on what it was like to find success at a young age, and shares what it was like for her to adjust after Beijing to "normal" life post-sport. We talk about her comeback, her thoughts on working with a therapist, and what it's been like to shift into a new chapter as a mother, wife, and speaker. Plus: How she's embraced her body after years of battling disordered eating, and what she's most excited for right now. SOCIAL @shawnjohnson@emilyabbate⁠⁠ @hurdlepodcast⁠ OFFERS FUTURE | Head to TryFuture.co/Hurdle to get your first month for 50% off LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack 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.

Talking about the future of Hurdle and deviating from the plan. Plus: Answering a listener question about how to own your worth at work. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 124. Jesse Israel, Founder of The Big Quiet The Big Quiet SOCIAL@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.

These days, Katie Schide is living in France pursuing her passion as a professional trail runner. And, it's paying off — last year she took home the win at Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), a roughly 171-kilometer (about 106 miles) trail race with 10,000 meters of elevation gain. And just last week? She came in second at the UTMB OCC 50K, showing that she's got some range in the mountains. For episode 265, she's talking about how she got so good at this sport, growing up loving the outdoors in Maine and ultimately moving to Europe to immerse herself fully in the culture with partner and fellow trail athlete Germain Granger. Schide talks about what it’s like to live and work with Granger abroad in a small town without many other English-speaking residents, and how the duo decides who does what race and when. Plus, she talks about getting her PHD in geology and how training and nutritional needs vary from race to race. Plus: Her best advice for anyone who wants to get on the trails themselves. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 187. Courtney Dauwalter, Pro Trail Runner Feetures Socks SOCIAL @katieschide@emilyabbate⁠⁠ @hurdlepodcast⁠ OFFERS FUTURE | Head to TryFuture.co/Hurdle to get your first month for 50% off LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack 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.

Reflecting on a big pitch that turned into a big opportunity here this week in Chamonix. Plus: Answering a listener question about the tools I use to help with plantar fasciitis. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Gaiam Foot Roller Tiger Tail Roller (This is the 11-inch I use for travel, but they make bigger ones!) Protalus Elite Insoles SOCIAL@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.

Go to the YouTube comments on yoga instructor Jessamyn Stanley's most recent Gatorade commercial, and there are people from all over the world having a conversation on whether or not she should be moving the way that she does, critiquing her size and clothing options. It's nothing new to Stanley, who — as a "queer, fat, yogi" (her words, not mine) has learned to overlook the hate from others in pursuit of helping individuals everywhere feel more comfortable moving their body. For episode 264, she talks about the hilarious way she first experienced yoga, and why she decided to start an OnlyFans account to do it naked not all that long ago. Plus: A special conversation on accepting what is, commiserating about our experiences on WW as teenagers, and what it's like to be at the forefront of the body liberation movement. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Every Body Yoga Yoke: My Yoga of Self-Acceptance SOCIAL @mynameisjessamyn @emilyabbate⁠⁠ @hurdlepodcast⁠ OFFERS AG1 | Head to⁠ DrinkAG1.com/hurdle⁠ to get 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D with your first 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.

Discover insights on the importance of self-care and mindfulness for overall well-being. Get stress management techniques and underwear recommendations for long-distance running.

Chase Ealey is a force to be reckoned with. In today’s episode, the 2022 World Champion talks about navigating a negative body image in college, being made to feel that she wasn’t a true athlete because of her size. She also stresses the importance of being mindful of the people closest to her, what it felt like for her to sign her first Nike contract, and her hopes for young women in sport moving forward.  SOCIAL @chasepoosp @emilyabbate⁠⁠ @hurdlepodcast⁠ OFFERS FUTURE | Head to TryFuture.co/Hurdle to get your first month for 50% off LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack 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.

@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.