

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

Feb 22, 2021 • 58min
148. Trent Shelton, Motivational Speaker & Former NFL Player
Prepare to be inspired AF. Trent Shelton dreamed of being a professional football player from the time he was 5 years old. He bounced between three different NFL teams after playing at Baylor, and then made the decision to move onward and pursue a different path — battling hard emotions in the process. That career pivot lead him to motivational speaking and ultimately founding Rehab Time, a non-profit organization aimed at empowering struggling individuals to find their voice, passion, and purpose. For episode 148, the father-of-three talks to me about what it’s like to have a devoted social following including 2.1 million on Instagram, and how he’s grateful for the extra time he’s had to spend with his family over the past pandemic year. He also offers up his best advice on how to come into your power, what it really means to “do the work,” and how to make more confident decisions.
SOCIAL
@trentshelton
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get a year’s receive the FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase.
BLUBlox | Head to BLUBlox.com/Hurdle and use "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
GOODR | Head on over to Goodr.com/Hurdle and use code "HURDLE" for $10 off your order. They've NEVER done a promotion like this, so it's a big deal (and only valid for the first 200 orders)! At that link you can peep all of my favorites.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET. Please, only register if you know you can make it — as the Zoom is limited to 100 attendees!

Feb 19, 2021 • 12min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Progress Is Rarely Linear
On Monday's episode of Hurdle with Tunde Oyeneyin, we talked about the idea that progress is rarely linear. On your journey to success, whatever that looks like for you, there will be tough times. I’ve learned that both the highs and lows bring us lessons — lessons that help us progress. And while the tough stuff may be more difficult to navigate, these moments happen to teach us something. One “bad” day doesn’t rid you of the wins that came before. It informs you of how to better show up the next, and the next one after that, on the continuous quest for progress. Today, I'm talking about my progress as a runner, and how the not-so-stellar days are an important piece of the puzzle on my journey.
PROMPT: What’s something you’re doing in your life right now that’s taking away from you making positive progress toward a goal?
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Episode One: Emily Abbate, Creator of Hurdle
LISTEN: How to Be a Better Human: “How to Find the Emotional Support You Need Right Now”
SIP: Smoked strawberry mezcal margaritas from How Sweet Eats
HELP: The People in Texas
WATCH: The Flight Attendant
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET. Please, only register if you know you can make it — as the Zoom is limited to 100 attendees!

Feb 17, 2021 • 45min
#HURDLEMOMENT: Trainer Taylor Rae Almonte On Having Conversations About Racism
February marks Black History Month, a time for education and celebration of Black culture. Today, I'm grateful to have Taylor Rae Almonte, an Afro-Latina actor and activist, on the show to share her story and have an open, honest conversation about race. Taylor’s a trainer at Rumble, a Reebok-sponsored athlete, and co-founder of an anti-racism wellness program ACTIV-ISM — which combines regular movement and mindful activities (from equipment-free workouts and walks to journaling) with anti-racism education. For today’s installment of #HURDLEMOMENT, she’s chatting with me about how she's combined her passions for social justice and health to find new purpose over the past year. We also unpack a handful of racial justice terminology to empower us to continue to have thoughtful, progressive dialogue going forward.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
96. Matt Lombardi & Kevin Moran, Co-Founders of Beam
Taylor's Anti-Racism Newsletter
SOCIAL
@taylorraealmonte
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
REEBOK | Go to Reebok.com and use code “HURDLE” at checkout to get 40 percent off regular and sale price items. This offer is valid for 100 redemptions and ends March 17, 2021. Exclusions: global exclusions apply, including but not limited to Nano X1, Classic Leather, and Club C. Item will be marked as excluded on the product description page.
Also! One lucky Hurdler will win a pair of the NEW Reebok Nano X1s. To enter, rate and review the show and send a screen shot to hello@hurdle.us,
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Spoiler alert: She’ll also be on the show to coincide with this! Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET.

Feb 15, 2021 • 52min
147. Tunde Oyeneyin, Peloton Instructor
To say that Tunde Oyeneyin is a bright light would be the understatement of the century. Even though the Peloton favorite has been through her fair share of hurdles, her outlook on life is optimistic. In episode 147, she talks me through the toughest of them, from a dramatic weight loss and dealing with not getting the instructor job at Peloton the first time she auditioned to the loss of both her brother and both of her parents. I know on the show we talk about the tough stuff often, but to hear someone who has dealt with so much loss have such a beautiful outlook — it really reminds us all about the power of gratitude. Tunde also tells me about her career before finding Peloton, and I love how she expands upon this idea that it’s OK for your goals to evolve and change over time. I do want to thank Tunde’s sponsor, Optimum Nutrition, for setting up this discussion, as you’ll hear her mention in todays episode as well.
SOCIAL
@tune2tunde
@onepeloton
@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.
Baronfig | Head to baronfig.com and use code HURDLE20 at checkout to receive 20% off of your first purchase of a Guided Edition Journal.
Daily Harvest | Go to DailyHarvest.com and enter promo code “HURDLE25” at checkout to get $25 dollars off your first box.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Spoiler alert: She’ll also be on the show to coincide with this! Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET.

Feb 12, 2021 • 11min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Inhale. Exhale. Chin up.
It gets really exhausting to feel like you’re the only person whose life isn’t going swimmingly. Especially since we’re so overly exposed to people crushing the game (or making it look that way) via social media. Time after time, I open up on the show about the #hurdlemoments I'm facing on the regular because I want you to know that you’re not alone in whatever struggle you may be dealing with. This week for 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I'm chatting about the tough moments that came back-to-back over the past few days, and how I'm choosing to stay optimistic.
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
WATCH: Framing Britney Spears
LISTEN: Spotify #TBT Playlist
WATCH: Firefly Lane
LISTEN: “How to Do Nothing with Jenny Odell” on Ten Percent Happier
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Spoiler alert: She’ll also be on the show to coincide with this! Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET.

Feb 10, 2021 • 28min
#HURDLEMOMENT: Joe Holder On How to Design a Workout Plan That Works for You
With so many different options out there when it comes to fitness, how are you supposed to figure out what the “right” routine is for you? That’s a question that I dive into this week on #HURDLEMOMENT with Joe Holder, Nike master trainer, GQ columnist, founder of the Ocho System, and creator of the newest MasterClass — the first holistic offering from the company on holistic fitness and wellness.
We rap about what a great framework for a week of workouts can look like, with an understanding that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellness. Joe offers up his best-practice tips for creating a program that sticks, what factors you should take into account in order to avoid falling off track, and offers up his advice to anyone who struggles with the dreaded plateau.
SOCIAL
@ochosystem
@masterclass
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Joe Holder Teaches Fitness & Wellness, Masterclass
OFFERS
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.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle

Feb 8, 2021 • 1h 4min
146. Alex Elle, Author & Self-Care Facilitator
Season five, H-E-L-L-O! To say that Alex Elle has made me re-think a lot about the way I talk to and treat myself would be an understatement. Elle regularly inspires her more than 1 million Instagram followers with her compassionate words encouraging grace and self-care. In episode 146, she talks to me about how she got here, reflecting on her career journey thus far and a difficult upbringing. The Hey, Girl podcast host opens up about her traumatic teenage years and details how writing and therapy saved her life. She also talks to me about what it was like to meet her husband on Twitter (seriously) and talks about the fertility struggles they had before having their "rainbow babies." Also: Helpful advice on how to stay true to your boundaries without shame and how to start (and keep) a regular journaling practice + much, much more.
SOCIAL
@alex_elle
@heygirlpodcast
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get a year’s receive the FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase.
BLUBlox | Head to BLUBlox.com/Hurdle and use "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
GOODR | Head on over to Goodr.com/Hurdle and use code "HURDLE" for $10 off your order. They've NEVER done a promotion like this, so it's a big deal (and only valid for the first 200 orders)! At that link you can peep all of my favorites.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Spoiler alert: She’ll also be on the show to coincide with this! Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET.

Jan 29, 2021 • 11min
5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Staying Positive (& Choosing Calm) When Things Go Wrong
I walked two miles to-and-from a non-existent doctor’s appointment yesterday morning. OK, it existed. It did! At least, it did in my Oscar Health app. In today's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I'm talking about how I stayed calm and positive despite going two hours out of my way. In fact, I was happy I did.
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
PROMPT: When was the last time you overreacted? What would you have done differently in that situation?
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
LISTEN: “Mindfully Present” from Radio Headspace
CHECK IT OUT: Free FightCamp!
READ: ”Kamala Harris, Dr. Jill Biden, and the Politics of Dressing” from Harper’s Bazaar
SWEAT WITH: AshFit
WATCH: Bling Empire on Netflix
SUBSCRIBE TO: Fast Women newsletter
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get a year’s receive the FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase.
Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Spoiler alert: She’ll also be on the show to coincide with this! Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET.

Jan 27, 2021 • 29min
#HURDLEMOMENT: Sugar 101, An Expert Answers Your Top Questions
Ready for a sweet chat? (Pun, intended.) In today's installment of the podcast, I'm catching up with registered dietitian, author, and intuitive eating counselor Alissa Rumsey to chat all about sugar. We talk about everything from the difference between added sugars and natural sugars, what sugar alcohols are, if it matters what time of day you’re consuming sugar, and whether or not smoothies are just "healthy-branded sugar bombs." Also: We touch on diet soda, our feelings on labeling anything as "bad," and discuss our current relationships with the sweet stuff.
Note: It is necessary, from a medical perspective, for some people to pay extra close attention to their sugar intake, especially if they have diabetes. If this is you, make sure you're talking to an expert — whether that be a physician or a registered dietitian.
SOCIAL
@alissarumseyrd
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get a year’s receive the FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase.
Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle
SIGN UP: Hurdle Book Club
This month, we’re reading Alexi Pappas’ new book Bravey, which I’m amped on. Spoiler alert: She’ll also be on the show to coincide with this! Book Club will be Tuesday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET.

Jan 25, 2021 • 1h
145. Nick Stone, CEO & Founder of Bluestone Lane
What do Taylor Swift, Sarah Jessica Parker, Malcom Gladwell, and Hugh Jackman have in common? They've all — at one point or another — frequented Bluestone Lane to grab their java. Founded in 2013, the Australian-inspired chain of cafés serve everything from their signature flat white and loaded avocado toast to grain bowls and tasty lattes. For episode 145, I'm chatting with Nick Stone, who founded the concept in Midtown Manhattan while still working full-time in the finance industry. The Australian-born entrepreneur and former Australian Football League player shares his inspiration for the massive career pivot into hospitality, and how he knew from early on that their concept would be bigger than just the first couple shops. Also: We chat extensively about how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the company, how he keeps a positive mindset amidst the chaos, and what excites him about for the year to come.
SOCIAL
@nicholas_j_stone
@bluestonelane
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get a year’s receive the FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase.
Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off.
CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS
All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website.
NEWLY LAUNCHED: Goal Setting Workshop
JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle