Hurdle

I'm OK. Actually, I’m more than OK. These days, my heart feels full. My light feels bright. Really bright. I feel generally happy. I feel hopeful. I feel capable. But 10 months ago, this wasn’t the case. My light felt dim. On January 31, I called my best friend after collapsing onto my kitchen floor beside myself because a bunch of pans fell out from the cabinet. It wasn’t about the pans. It was me. I felt stuck. So stuck. Incapable of getting out of my own way. Blank. I’d sit at my computer for hours but nothing would get done. All of the strategies I’ve been using for years to help me feel good in my body felt as though they were failing me. I knew something wasn't right. ... and I was right. On February 25, I was told by a physician in a small office on Smith Street that I was depressed. Ten months later, I’m finally ready to talk about it. My choice to go on medication. My experiences having hard conversations. Showing up when it felt almost impossible. What it felt like to ask for help. And most importantly: Finding my joy again. Why now? Because I’m in a place or homeostasis. I feel ready. I know that despite how hard this hurdle was in the moment, I am so much better for it. My hope has always been to help others feel less alone on their own individual wellness journey. And today? I pray my story, live in the feed now, does just that. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 157. Alex Silver-Fagan, Trainer & Creator of Flow Into Strong 149. Alexi Pappas, Runner, Olympian, Actor & Author 229. Kelsey Plum, WNBA Player If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you are not alone. There are resources available to you, including the SAMHSA national hotline, at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate 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!

To say that Jessica Robertson is passionate about women in sport would be an understatement. The co-founder and Chief Content Officer of TOGETHXR pivoted careers from music journalism to sports back in 2015 and hasn't looked back. Alongside Olympic Gold Medalists Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Sue Bird, and Simone Manuel, she's working to disrupt the inequitable pattern in sports and media, increasing female athlete coverage. Rooted in purpose, Jess explains her passion for storytelling — which started from a young age growing up in Kentucky. She also gets vulnerable about a time in her life where she didn't feel seen, and how she plans to work alongside her growing team to truly make a difference.  SOCIAL @jessmrobertson @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a FREE sample pack with purchase InsideTracker | Head to InsideTracker.com/Hurdle to get 20% off 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!

If we are the sum of those we surround ourselves with most-often, are you happy with what that looks like? Reflecting on a fulfilling week and the good relationships in my life, and answering a question about advice to my younger self and where I see Hurdle in 5+ years. 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!

Trauma is something we all experience in different forms at different times. Whether it's acute, chronic, or complex, its effects can last long after the event (or events) that cause it. That's where Dr. Elisa Hallerman comes into the mix. After navigating her own trauma, swapping careers, and getting sober — Dr. Hallerman has made it her mission to help others on their journey and overcome crisis. For today's episode, we're talking about trauma: What it is, how to navigate it, why it's important to seek out an expert with a trauma-specific focus, and tools you can use at home on your own to move forward.  SOCIAL @drelisahallerman @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 | Head to AthleticGreens.com/Hurdle to get 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D with your purchase EightSleep | Get $150 off today by heading to EightSleep.com/Hurdle  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!

I walked away from my conversation with Kelsey Plum feeling really thankful. That she's here to tell her story, firstly, and also that in doing so she is helping so many people — myself included. For episode 229, Kelsey shares what it was like for her to grow up in a house of athletes, and the way family competition impacted her mindset both on and off the court. She talks to me about what it was like to be one of the best college athletes of her time, and unfortunately the negative impact that had on her. And then, we really get into it, as Kelsey talks about navigating a period of time where she had suicidal thoughts, not wanting to live anymore, going as far as sitting on top of a tall parking structure with her feet dangling over the edge — wondering how her family would feel if she decided to take the leap.  We also talk about the hard emotions that came with draft day, coming out of the fog of depression, and what her best advice is for anyone who can relate with her story. Plus: Her excitement for life these days playing with the Aces, her morning ritual that helps her see the good in each day, and her exciting new partnerships with GSTQ and Under Armour. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues, you are not alone. There are resources available to you, including the SAMHSA national hotline, at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SOCIAL @kelseyplum10 @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS WHOOP | Head to Whoop.com/ and use code "HURDLE" to get 10% off Goodr | Head Goodr.com/Hurdle and use "HURDLE" to get free shipping! MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Essential Lessons From 3 Months Of Attending Regular Physical Therapy 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!

Things have been slower lately, and I'm OK with that. As I navigate injury and get familiar with a new strength training routine, I find comfort in the stillness. Chatting about that, plus what makes a purpose statement in today's episode.  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!

I needed this conversation. My hope is that maybe you do, too. Today I'm chatting with Yasmine Cheyenne, a teacher and advocate for mental health and spiritual wellness as well as host of The Sugar Jar Podcast. We're connecting on all things boundaries: what are they, how to set them, how to not feel guilty about having them, and how to have productive conversations about them.  SOCIAL @yasminecheyenne @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS FUTURE | Head to www.tryfuture.com/hurdle to get your first month of training for only $19. Bonus! The first 30-days are risk free, and you can cancel at any time for a full refund. 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!

If there's someone who knows a thing or two about navigating life's most unexpected hurdles, it's Amanda Kloots. The fitness entreprenuer, The Talk co-host, and best-selling author is on the show today talking about some of her most difficult: Losing her husband Nick Cordero to COVID and taking on life as a single mom. She also chats about her favorite takeaways from Dancing With the Stars, how she manages to prioritize self-care despite a hectic schedule, and the silver lining to filming a Christmas movie in July. SOCIAL @amandakloots @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS Eight Sleep | Go to WithOpen.com/Hurdle to get 30 days free AG1 | Go to AthleticGreens.com/Hurdle to get five free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D LMNT | Go to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack with 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!

This week, I hosted an important conversation on runner safety. And now, I'm feeling all of the feels and asking: What's next? 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!

Excited to have Les from Balanced Black Girl back on the show! We're chatting all about time today, and why if you use it ~wisely~ it can be your most valuable tool. We discuss the concept of feeling like there's never enough, the best way to get the things that matter to you done, and how to align your schedule with your values. SOCIAL @balancedles @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 | Head to AthleticGreens.com/Hurdle to get 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D with your purchase MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE #HURDLEMOMENT: How to Be More Disciplined 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!