Hurdle

At 26, Olivia Perez (called Livv by her friends) is motivated as all hell, and it's invigorating. For episode 128, I chat with the serial entrepreneur, co-founder of System of Service, Forbes contributor, and host of the 'Friend of a Friend' podcast about her journey thus far — from her first-ever internship at Teen Vogue to her partnerships with big-name brands like Coach and Tory Burch (plus, all the fun stuff in between). She also shares what it was like to grow up as a serious dancer, how she navigates life today "with blinders on," and the ways she's had to pivot during the pandemic. Olivia's got a no-BS attitude that I'm on board with, and this conversation felt like a breath of fresh air. SOCIAL @livvperez @systemofservice @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS UCAN | Head to ucan.co and save 20% on your order with code "HURDLE" Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get a FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 50. Joe Holder, Wellness Consultant & Nike Master Trainer 27. Kirsty Godso, Nike Master Trainer HURDLE BOOK CLUB This month, we’re reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. Want to get in on our recap chat Wednesday, September 9? Fill out this Google Form. Subscribe to the Weekly Hurdle here.

This week had its fair share of small, annoying instances. (Don't they all?) The intercom/buzzer in my building went out, and I didn't know. This caused a slew of packages to be returned to sender. Funnily enough, the technician that came to fix it actually gave me an important reminder, which I'm sharing today on 5-MINUTE FRIDAY. PROMPT: What’s one thing you can do for someone else today? Why did you choose this person? SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE SEND: A Piñatagram READ: From Vanity Fair: On Witness and Respair: A Personal Tragedy Followed By Pandemic LISTEN: Diet Starts Tomorrow: Is the F-Factor Backlash Deserved? WATCH: Tenet PLAY: We’re Not Really Strangers SUPPORT THE SPONSORS: For a complete list of Hurdle’s sponsors, their respective vanity URLs, and discount codes — click here. CHECK OUT: HURDLE SESSIONS All past Sessions are now available on the Hurdle website. I’ll be releasing some information on new, upcoming Sessions this coming Monday, 9/7. HURDLE BOOK CLUB This month, we’re reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. The Book Club will be meeting next Wednesday night at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Come prepared for small group discussions. Want to join? Fill out this Google Form, and I’ll email you the Zoom link Wednesday morning.

I told myself for months and months now that virtual racing was NOT something I was on board with. Then, my curiosity got the best of me. Last week, I ran a half-marathon PR doing the Seawheeze Virtual Half, and this week — I'm talking all about it for #HURDLEMOMENT. In today's episode, I'm offering up my five best-practice tips if you too want to tackle a virtual race, and get real honest about how the effort made me feel. Today's real MVP is Brett Williams, who was my safe-and-socially-distanced rabbit for the adventure. Thanks, Bud, for pushing me to a new personal best! SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate HURDLE BOOK CLUB This month, we’re reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. Want to get in on our recap chat come September? Fill out this Google Form. SIGN UP: HURDLE SESSIONS Handling #HURDLEMOMENTS — Wednesday, September 2

There's something about this conversation with Aisha Praught-Leer that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. Sure, she may be married and an Olympian, but it felt like we were just two women in our thirties rapping about life and our similar struggles. In episode 127, the steeplechase athlete-turned-middle-distance runner talks to me about hitting her stride in her sport within the last 5 years, and what it was like to pivot on the track. We also chat about her fueling strategy, navigating injury, the newfound appreciation she has for her body and fluctuations in-season versus off-season, and what life's like in beautiful Boulder, Colorado. We also connect on the importance of good friendships (and how to form deep connections) later on in life, and how hers inspire her to be a better human — on and off the track. A big thank you to her sponsor at CamelBak for helping to set us up! SOCIAL @aishapraughtleer @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get a FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase. Thrive Market | Go to thrivemarket.com/hurdle and join today and you’ll get a FREE gift of your choosing, up to $22 dollars in value. Beam | Go to BeamTLC.com and use code "HURDLE" at checkout for 15 percent off. HURDLE BOOK CLUB This month, we’re reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. Want to get in on our recap chat come September? Fill out this Google Form. SIGN UP: HURDLE SESSIONS Handling #HURDLEMOMENTS — Wednesday, September 2 Subscribe to the Weekly Hurdle here.

For years now, I've made it a priority to tell the people that I care about I appreciate them. "I appreciate you." In today's episode of 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I'm chatting about "friend dating" and how this phrase feels particularly important right now. I'm also chatting about the importance of vulnerability when it comes to establishing solid, deep relationships, and how I'm willing to get uncomfortable when it comes to making some new connections. PROMPT: Are you willing to show up and be seen when you can’t control the outcome? If not, what’s stopping you? SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE LISTEN: Oprah’s SuperSoul Conversations: Brené Brown: The Power of Vulnerability READ: Jerry Seinfeld: So You Think New York Is Dead LISTEN: Chapter 2 by Juke Ross DONATE: Justice for Jacob Blake Read all about what’s going on in Kenosha, here. SIGN UP: HURDLE SESSIONS Handling #HURDLEMOMENTS — Wednesday, September 2 HURDLE BOOK CLUB This month, we’re reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. Want to get in on our recap chat come September? Fill out this Google Form. OFFERS UCAN | Head to ucan.co and save 20 percent on your order with code "HURDLEUCAN” at checkout.

Finding the "right" pace can be super confusing. For this week's #HURDLEMOMENT, I'm chatting with Coach Sam Tooley on how to zero in on your ideal 1-mile, 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon pace and beyond. We chat about how often you should be running at goal pace (spoiler: it's less than you might think), how to pick up the pace, and his best tips for all runners while racing IRL is off the table. SOCIAL @coach.samtooley @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS UCAN | Head to ucan.co and save 20% on your order with code "HURDLE" Subscribe to the Weekly Hurdle, here.

Man, was I excited for this one. Allyson Felix is officially a hurdler! (Just, not at the actual track.) She's also a total legend. For episode 126, I'm chatting with the most decorated female athlete in track and field history. Felix realized her Olympic dreams early on at age 18, and has been unstoppable ever since. In today's episode, we talk about all of it. She tells me about what it was like to succeed in her sport at a young age, and what it was like to fall short of her goal in back-to-back Games. She tells me about simultaneously tackling college while thriving in her sport, the evolution of emotions through four different Olympic Games, and how she feels about the shift to 2021. We also chat about her exciting new chapter — becoming a mom — and how that has been both the best and scariest challenge of her life. She tells me about her new collection with Athleta, and how she's excited to finally feel like she has value to a sponsor beyond her racing times. A huge, huge thank you to the Athleta team for finally connecting me with one of my original "dream" guests. SOCIAL @af85 @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Allyson Felix x Athleta Collection OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get a FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase. Four Sigmatic | Go to foursigmatic.com/HURDLE or enter code “HURDLE” at checkout to receive 10% off your order.

I've been on a tear lately of throwing out things. A lot of things. I came back from vacation a few weeks ago and had this impulse to upgrade and declutter. In today's episode of 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I'm chatting about how it feels, and the unexpected choice I made to ditch the scale I've had for 12 years.  PROMPT: What's one thing you could get rid of today that would make you feel lighter? SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE LISTEN: NPR’s Life Kit: How to Vote By Mail: A Guide ORDER: Long Distance ($48) WATCH: Selling Sunset CHECK OUT: Thrive Market SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW HURDLE We’re now over 800 reviews in the iTunes store! BIG GOAL: Get to 1,000 by August 31. Go on, get after it. iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Anchor SUPPORT THE SPONSORS: For a complete list of Hurdle’s sponsors, their respective vanity URLs, and discount codes — click here. HURDLE SESSIONS Handling #HURDLEMOMENTS HURDLE BOOK CLUB This month, we’re reading Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. Want to get in on our recap chat come September? Fill out this Google Form.

Over the past 7-or-so months, we've had our fair share of challenges. One of the biggest? Dealing with loneliness while adjusting to a completely new routine. Whether you're in a relationship or flying solo, everyone deals with feeling lonely at times. In this week's #HURDLEMOMENT, I'm chatting essential strategies to get through the tough times, embrace alone time, and keep your chin up. Like what you're listening to? For more insight, check out this week's Hurdle Session: Finding Your Power Alone. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Thrive Market | Go to thrivemarket.com/hurdle and join today and you’ll get a FREE gift of your choosing, up to $22 dollars in value.  Subscribe to the Weekly Hurdle, here. SUPPORT THE SPONSORS: For a complete list of Hurdle’s sponsors, their respective vanity URLs, and discount codes — click here.

In 2008, Mirna Valerio thought she had a heart attack. It actually turned out to be an anxiety attack behind the wheel of her car — something she never thought would happen to her. At the time, her cardiologist told her that if she didn't make some major lifestyle changes, she wouldn't be around long enough to watch her son grow up. Fast forward to today, she's an avid marathoner and ultramarathoner, known to her rapid social media following as "the Mirnavator." For episode 125, we chat about everything from her backstory to what it was like running both her first 5K and the Javelina 100. We also talk about navigating injury and adjusting expectations, what it's like to be a sponsored athlete when your body is your business, and the profound impact her community has left on her life. Mirna's positivity for life is contagious. You've been warned.  SOCIAL @themirnavator @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get a FREE D3/K2 wellness bundle with your first purchase. Daily Harvest | Go to DailyHarvest.com and enter promo code “HURDLE25” at checkout to get $25 dollars off your first box.