

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 14, 2021 • 10min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Manhattan, It's Been Real
I never thought that I'd move to Brooklyn. Ever. But, here we are. I've never been more sure of something in my life, but that doesn't mean I'm not scared and experiencing ALL of the feels. In today's episode, I'm talking you through a teary-eyed run I had on Thursday, and sharing where my head's at going into a huge transition.
PROMPT: When was the last time you felt equal parts scared and excited?
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@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
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So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
LISTEN: Alexi Pappas on Armchair Expert
LISTEN: We Can Do Hard Things from Glennon Doyle
LISTEN: Chandler Smith on Trained
LISTEN: Prince Harry on Armchair Expert
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ASK ME A QUESTION: Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!

May 12, 2021 • 39min
#HURDLEMOMENT: How To Make Friends As An Adult
This is probably one of the most popular topics I get DMs and emails about. I totally get it, because making friends as you get older is tough stuff! I'm calling in my dear friend Kristina Rodulfo to chat about this: She's the beauty director at Women's Health (and your new BFF!). We rap about tips for making friends and best-practice strategies that have worked for both of us. We also talk about the importance of not having surface-level relationships, and how to know when you should walk away from a budding friendship that may not be serving you. Plus: Things to remember about your friends who ~may~ be in relationships, and how to navigate being friend dumped.
SOCIAL
@kristinarodulfo
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/hurdle to get a FREE LMNT Sample Pack, including two citrus, two raspberry, two orange, and two raw unflavored. You only pay $5 for shipping! Only for Hurdle listeners, to claim this deal you must go to drinkLMNT.com/hurdle.
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So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.com/Hurdle
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
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ASK ME A QUESTION: Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!

May 10, 2021 • 1h 15min
158. Hillary Allen, Ultra Runner
It was a no-brainer for me to kick off season six (!) with Hillary Allen, an ultra runner who survived a near-fatal #hurdlemoment in 2017. During a skyrace in Norway — which is essentially a run that involves massive vertical gain and direct ascents over steep, technical terrain — she slipped and fell from a ridge. Cue a 50-foot free fall followed by a nasty tumble, more than 100 feet further down jagged rocks.
In today's episode, she talks to us about how she got to that point — born in Colorado and falling in love the outdoors from a young age, then trail running while working on her masters degree. That hobby turned into a full-blown career, leading her to become one of the best mountain ultra runners in the world. She talks us through the details of that accident, bracing for impact and landing in a hospital with 14 broken bones. She gets honest about the road to recovery, which was more than just physical, admitting that there were times in the months that followed where she didn’t want to live. Grateful that Hillary, new author of Out And Back, is here with us to tell us this story. Bonus: trail running advice for newbies and a great perspective on the “right” way to get over any hurdle.
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@hillygoat_climbs
@emilyabbate
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OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get a year’s receive the FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase.
Green Chef | Head to GreenChef.com/90hurdle to get $90 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Use code “90hurdle” at checkout.
Baronfig | Head to baronfig.com and use code HURDLE20 at checkout to receive 20% off of your first purchase of a Guided Edition Journal.
REGISTER
So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.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!

May 9, 2021 • 47min
MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS: Emily's Mom Deena Abbate On the Importance of Cherishing Every Day
It's Mother's Day, so what better time than now to bring a conversation with my mom to the feed. Part of this week's MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS series, I'm grateful for the opportunity to finally sit down with my mom and a microphone to hear more about her story. We talk about a bunch of stuff, from what life was like for her before having me, what it was like to move back and forth between the two coasts and wind up in Connecticut, how she felt going back to work after having my brother and me, and where she hopes to see me in the next 10 years. Also: Her proudest moments, minor parenting mishaps, and how she feels about me being a "public" person.
REGISTER
So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.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!

May 7, 2021 • 44min
MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS: Annie Thorisdottir On Body Acceptance & Handling Negative Feedback
Leading up to Mother's Day, I'm chatting with six extraordinary women. Some moms. Some not. But, each has a story to tell, forever shaped by the women that came before them.
Today on the show I’m talking to Annie Thorisdottir, CrossFit’s 2x Fittest Woman on Earth. The Reebok-sponsored athlete is, like Sarah Larson Levey who I spoke with earlier this week, a new mom of a pandemic-born baby. We talk about how Annie navigated critical feedback on her workouts during pregnancy as well as her timeline to getting back in the swing of things after having her baby Freya. She also shares the one thing that could make her withdraw from the 2021 CrossFit Games and she offers up essential advice to any new mom just trying to make it from day to day.
SOCIAL
@anniethorisdottir
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Leave a review of the show in Apple Podcasts and send a screen grab to hello@hurdle.us to enter to win a pair of Reebok Nano X1 for you (and one for a friend!)
REGISTER
So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.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!

May 6, 2021 • 52min
MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS: Stephanie Bruce On Humility & The Importance Of A Stellar Support System
Leading up to Mother's Day, I'm chatting with six extraordinary women. Some moms. Some not. But, each has a story to tell, forever shaped by the women that came before them.
Ten years. That's how long Steph Bruce has been chasing her Olympic dreams. During that time, she had two sons within a 15-month period (not planned), has dealt with injuries, launched a successful business (what's up, Picky Bars), and so much more. In today's episode, she explains how — how she's stayed so steadfast on her goals, how she's recovered after a difficult labor while managing diastasis recti, and how proud she is of the children she's raising. She also confesses a shameful moment, and unpacks the importance of a great support system, believing in yourself, and working with people (and companies) that believe in your big potential.
SOCIAL
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@naz_elite
@pickybars
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
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So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.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!

May 5, 2021 • 38min
MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS: Tunde Oyeneyin On Life After Loss & Her Mother's Legacy
Leading up to Mother's Day, I'm chatting with six extraordinary women. Some moms. Some not. But, each has a story to tell, forever shaped by the women that came before them.
To say that I am better for having the opportunity to chat with Peloton's Tunde Oyeneyin is an understatement. Today, she's back on the show (listen to our first conversation here) to celebrate her late mother. In our conversation, she talks about what it was like to lose three family members within a 6-year span and how she's navigated the grief that comes with such trauma. Her everything-happens-for-a-reason perspective is inspiring, as is her advice on navigating Mother's Day (and the days without your loved ones). Grateful to Tunde for her vulnerability, and I have no doubt that her story will inspire others to keep pushing forward when the hurdles keep coming.
SOCIAL
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@onepeloton
@hurdlepodcast
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So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.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!

May 4, 2021 • 45min
MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS: Sarah Larson Levey On Fresh Beginnings For Both Her Family & Y7 Studio
This week, I'm hosting six conversations as part of a special series on motherhood here on Hurdle. Although I'm not a mom just yet, my talks with Hurdlers over the years have taught me so much about this life chapter. I've learned that motherhood itself is both beautiful and challenging, exhausting and rewarding. Whether or not children are in the cards for you, it's safe to say that we've all been dramatically impacted by a mother — whether it be our own or another — in our lives. So, leading up to Mother's Day, I'm chatting with six extraordinary women. Some moms. Some not. But, each has a story to tell, forever shaped by the women that came before them.
The year 2020 was a one of drastic change for Y7 Studio’s Sarah Larson Levey. Between the shuttering of all of the company’s studios because of the pandemic, having a baby boy in June, and moving to Austin from New York — it’s been an emotional whirlwind. In today’s episode, Sarah and I chat navigating coming back to her body after the baby, moving in a way that feels right for her, and agree that there’s nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight if you’re uncomfortable in yours — as long as that’s not purely based on a number on the scale. She also mentions how motherhood has taught her the importance of patience and staying calm, both which have helped her while working to studios (Chicago just did so this week!). We agree that back to “normal” is going to be a social adjustment for sure, but we’re both excited for the opportunity to connect again.
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@y7studio
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REGISTER
So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.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!

May 3, 2021 • 43min
MOTHERHOOD IN FOCUS: Rachel Nicks On Choosing Joy & Supporting Black Mothers
Over the next seven days, I'm hosting six conversations as part of a special week of content on motherhood here on Hurdle. Although I'm not a mom just yet, my talks with Hurdlers over the years have taught me so much about this life chapter. I've learned that motherhood itself is both beautiful and challenging, exhausting and rewarding. Whether or not children are in the cards for you, it's safe to say that we've all been dramatically impacted by a mother — whether it be our own or another — in our lives. So, leading up to Mother's Day, I'm chatting with six extraordinary women. Some moms. Some not. But, each has a story to tell, forever shaped by the women that came before them.
Today I'm chatting with Rachel Nicks, Founder of Birth Queen, Lululemon ambassador, founding MIRROR trainer, actress, doula, and lactation consultant (plus, mother of two!). A lot of takeaways with Rachel, my biggest are that joy is so so important, and we have the conscious choice to choose it each and every day. For Rachel, choosing joy empowers her to be a better mother and be more present with her boys. It also empowers her to show up at home and at work. Rachel also discusses the struggles that she faces as a Black mother, sharing some alarming statistics that encouraged her to become a doula and lactation consultant as well as found Birth Queen, which aims to educates, supports, and empowers Black women and parents, enriching the Black birth experience and saving lives.
SOCIAL
@rachelenicks
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFER
Picky Bars | Get 20 percent off any $25 order or more at PickyBars.com/Hurdle
SIGN UP: HURDLE SESSIONS: We’ve got new Sessions on deck, and I’d love to see you in one of them! Click the links below for more details. Note: If you can’t make “So, You Want to Run a Marathon?” live — no problem! All ticketed attendees will receive an on demand recording of the Session the next morning.
So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the show! P.S. No topics are off limits.

Apr 30, 2021 • 14min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Escaping the Comparison Trap
Earlier this week I had a difficult battle with the comparison trap at the track. I'm talking about it for this week's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, and how to pull yourself out of a rut and refocus when things are going south.
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
READ: 3 of the Best Neck Pain Exercises To Nix Soreness, According to a Physical Therapist by Tamara Pridgett on Well + Good
LISTEN: The Rich Roll Podcast: “Roll On, Notes From Minneapolis”
TAKE: The 5 Love Languages Quiz
SIGN UP: HURDLE SESSIONS: We’ve got new Sessions on deck, and I’d love to see you in one of them! Click the links below for more details. Note: If you can’t make “So, You Want to Run a Marathon?” live — no problem! All ticketed attendees will receive an on demand recording of the Session the next morning.
So, You Want to Run a Marathon?, May 17 @ 7:30 p.m. ET
It's official, you've committed to the 13.1- or 26.2-mile race that will change your life. As the reality sinks in, so do the questions and we've got the answers! We'll sit down with Amber Rees and Lindsey Clayton of Brave Body Project and talk through the entire training process — from finding the right training plan and paces, to the long run and training nutrition, to race day tips and everything in between.
Mid-Year Reset, May 11 @ 7:00 p.m. ET
Remember those new year goals you committed to in the final days of 2020? It's time to launch into the final 180 days with clarity and purpose. Maybe you set some big goals and then life just happened. Maybe you conquered one or two goals early in the year but now find yourself searching for motivation to finish out what you set to achieve in 2021. Whatever the reason, it's time for a mid-year reset, and I’ve got your back.
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the show! P.S. No topics are off limits.