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I never really talk about dating or my personal life on the feed. This week's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY touches on a date I almost went on, so it feels like safe territory. The date never happened that helped give me the confidence boost I needed to embrace my full self.  PROMPT: What’s one personality trait you love about yourself? What is one trait about yourself you would like to change? SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Almost 30: Baring It All with The Birds Papaya Lindsey Simcik: Founder, Almost 30 Mindset by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D. Hurdle Book Club Sign-Up Form Bells Up Level 1: 5-Week Breathing, Bodyweight, and Bells Course for Beginners Disclosure: Some of the items above are hyperlinked to an affiliate program. I am a (new!) participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

I've included adaptogens — non-toxic plants that help the body resist stressors of all kinds — in my regular diet for over 2 years now. I know why I like them: They make me feel more capable, sort of like meditation. My stress feels more at bay, and although I may not be able to attribute that all to the herbs — I swear they help. I wanted to dive into this topic, because a lot of the products I talk about on the show include them. That's where Danielle Ryan Broida comes in, the national educator for Four Sigmatic, a registered herbalist, and holistic nutritionist. In today's #HURDLEMOMENT, we talk about adaptogen basics: What are they, what are popular types, how much is the right amount, who is safe to take them, and a few other hot questions.  SOCIAL @danielleryanbroida @foursigmatic @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Herbalists! Cali Leola, www.holimamma.com, email: Cali.Leola@clinicalherbalism.com (Boulder, CO) Clare Kritter, www.clarekritter.com; IG: @winters.sister.herbals (Portland, OR based) Heather Saba, www.heathersaba.com; email: heather.saba@clinicalherbalism.com (Boulder, CO) OFFERS Four Sigmatic | Go to foursigmatic.com/HURDLE or enter code “HURDLE” at checkout to receive 15% off your order.

The first time I heard Jesse Israel tell his story inside the Guggenheim at The Big Quiet, I knew I wanted to know more. The second I knew more, I knew I needed to share his story with the hurdlers. Now the brains behind the mass meditation movement, Israel went to NYU and started his career doing something entirely different — heading up a record label. After signing multi-platinum artists like MGMT, the Los Angeles native started battling crippling anxiety and panic attacks. So, he took a step away from the music industry, and eventually found his way into the meditation space.  In episode 124, we chat about his journey between the two, and how he used his experience touring with big bands to concept all that The Big Quiet would become. We also talk about what it was like to host events in some of the country’s most iconic venues (including Madison Square Garden), his best-practice tips for incorporating mediation into your regular routine, and how it felt to go on tour with Oprah (!) at the beginning of this year. SOCIAL @jesseisrael @thebigquiet @mediclubmediclub @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Big Quiet’s 101 3-Part Meditation Series 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 15% off your order. SIGN UP Hurdle Sessions Weekly Hurdle newsletter

A friend sent me a really interesting prompt last week that I'm sharing with you all today, one that I thought a lot about on my morning 5K time trial this morning. Spoiler alert: If you're not doing things for YOU, then what's the point? PROMPT: What do you do because it matters to you? And what do you do because you want to signal something to other people? SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK LISTEN: Zach to the Future WATCH: Uncorked on Netflix READ: Systemic Racism Can’t Be Fixed Without Tackling It Within Cycling from Bicycling DOWNLOAD: Haha BUY: WHOOP 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. REGISTER: Hurdle Sessions This month I launched Hurdle Sessions: New online seminar programming, aiming to provide Hurdlers with education surrounding topics I’m well-versed in as a veteran journalist, entrepreneur, and run coach. This week, we covered “How to Start (and Stay!) Running,” which is now available for purchase on the Hurdle website. Coming up next week on August 11 is “How to Turn Your Side Hustle into Your Main Gig.” Each Hurdle Session includes downloadable materials and a charitable donation.

You asked, and McKenzie Flinchum answers. Today, I'm catching up with the RD and CPT to get the lowdown on how to properly fuel before, during, and after your workouts. We talk the ever-popular carb:protein ratio, when you should be drinking H20 versus electrolytes, what's the most important post-sweat macronutrient, and so much more. Spoiler alert: Stop. Ignoring. Carbs. SOCIAL @mckenziegracefit @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate 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. REGISTER: Hurdle Sessions This month I launched Hurdle Sessions: New online seminar programming, aiming to provide Hurdlers with education surrounding topics I’m well-versed in as a veteran journalist, entrepreneur, and run coach. This week, we covered "How to Start (and Stay!) Running." Next week Is "How to Turn Your Side Hustle Into Your Main Gig." Each Hurdle Session includes downloadable materials and a charitable donation.t

Be prepared to be ridiculously inspired. This week, I’m sitting down one-on-one with Nichelle Hines, an actor, activist, and CRO at Cycle House, an LA-based cycling studio. Her passion is wild. In episode 123, she gives me her entire backstory, talking me through a college weight gain (and the loss that followed), then moving to LA from San Francisco to follow her dream to acting. She talks about a tough #hurdlemoment in her career — the writers’ strike in 2007 — which caused her to take on odd jobs including a catering gig at Chateau Marmont. And of course, we chat about how she got into cycling. Other highlights: Her insane story about teaching her first Spin class without any formal training, how she landed at Cycle House, and the special way she’s showing up in the fight for racial justice. SOCIAL @nichelle @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. Green Chef  | Head to GreenChef.com/hurdle80 to get $80 off your first month plus free shipping on your first box! Use code “hurdle80” to at checkout. SIGN UP Hurdle Sessions Weekly Hurdle newsletter

Laterpology (noun): A regretful acknowledgment of an offense or failure well after the fact. For today's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I'm talking about how valuable they can be and one I offered recently.  PROMPT: Is there anyone you'd offer a laterpology to, and why? SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE LISTEN: The Michelle Obama Podcast LISTEN: Making Oprah from WBEZ COOK: Cheeseburger Chopped Salad with Dill Pickle Vinaigrette from How Sweet Eats BUY: My Cycling Kit Lululemon City to Summit Cycling Jersey ($69 on sale), Lululemon City to Summit Bib Short ($129), Bombas Cycling Socks ($48), S Works Prevail II Helmet ($250), S-Works 7 Road Shoes ($400) WINNER: WHOOP! Congrats, Jen Butler! 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. REGISTER: Hurdle Sessions This month I launched Hurdle Sessions: New online seminar programming, aiming to provide Hurdlers with education surrounding topics I’m well-versed in as a veteran journalist, entrepreneur, and run coach. This week, we covered “Intro to Freelance Writing,” which is now available for purchase on the Hurdle website and raised $750 (!) for The Loveland Foundation. Coming up next week on August 4 is “How to Start (and Stay!) Running.” Each Hurdle Session includes downloadable materials and a charitable donation.

I'm out in Rhode Island this week, and yesterday I took the morning off from work to ride 50 miles to and from Newport. My thoughts were consumed by the fact that there are so many things no one tells you about when you decide to pick up road cycling (and don't even get me started on mountain biking).  So, on the tails of the #HURDLEMOMENT on 8 Essential Lessons I Learned As A New Cyclist, I'm back with some more takeways. This time, I'm talking about bike-friendly roads (and some not-so-bike-friendly roads), the importance of SPF (ow), and the beauty that comes with not having all the answers and enjoying yourself anyway. If you too are a new biker, hit me up! Veterans, too! I love learning about this new hobby of mine. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE #HURDLEMOMENT: 6 Tips to Make Summer Running More Enjoyable SIGN UP Hurdle Sessions Weekly Hurdle newsletter

Mary Cain believes that her legacy in sport will have nothing to do with medals. Rather, it will be about the conversation she had on a very public stage last November. For episode 122, I’m chatting with the runner about everything from her early-on success — being the youngest athlete to ever make a World Championships final at age 17 back in 2013 — to her op-ed in The New York Times at the end of 2019. The 4:24 PR miler (!) talks to me about sharing her truth, speaking out about the emotional and physical abuse she endured during her time working with Alberto Salazar and the Nike Oregon Project, what it was like during her darkest moments, and how she came out stronger and more confident on the other side. We also chat about her newest role as the New York community manager for Tracksmith, and what excites her these days about lacing up and getting out. SOCIAL @runmarycain @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate Note: Today’s episode covers some sensitive topics. If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm or disordered eating, here are some helpful links: Crisis Text Line The Trevor Project 24/7 Hotline: 1 (866) 488-7386 National Eating Disorders Hotline (800) 931-2237 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE 110. Matt Taylor, Founder & CEO Tracksmith OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary. Four Sigmatic | Go to foursigmatic.com/HURDLE or enter code “HURDLE” at checkout to receive 15% off your order. SIGN UP Hurdle Sessions Weekly Hurdle newsletter

The moments before the run are big. Monumental, even. I argue, the most important part. They're slightly anxious, a little excited, and often hesitant. During those give-or-take 30 seconds where you’re debating initiating the actual effort, oftentimes you encounter some sort of minuscule annoyance, like the fact that your watch isn’t picking up a GPS signal or perhaps a wonky, unsettled feeling in your right knee. In these moments, you make the valuable, conscious decision to do something for you. To believe in your own potential. You accept whatever comes with the miles and minutes that follow. It’s a bold act, to open yourself up to the beauty that can come hand-in-hand with wanting to take this time for yourself. I'm talking about this for today's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY. PROMPT: What was the last time you had to psych yourself up to do something? How did it feel once that big to-do was done? MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WATCH: FRIENDS with Nick Dio BUY: The Perfect Bike Shorts Lululemon Align 6-inch ($58), Athleta Elation Short ($59), Under Armour Meridian ($60), Nike One Bike Short ($40) LISTEN: “Catching Up With Chris Heuisler” on the “Ali on the Run Show” DONATE: Rest Up Tommy, We’ll See You Soon on GoFundMe GIVEAWAY: WHOOP + 6-Month Membership Last week’s Season 3 premiere giveaway winner Haylee graciously offered to split up her winnings and donate the WHOOP to another lucky Hurdler. FYI: I wear my WHOOP, a wrist-worn heart rate monitor, religiously, to track everything from my sleep quality and patterns to activity and recovery. So! We’re back for more! Want your very own WHOOP? Comment on this post with the answer to this week’s prompt above. I’ll announce the winner in next Friday’s Weekly Hurdle (7/31). 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. REGISTER: Hurdle Sessions This month I launched Hurdle Sessions: New online seminar programming, aiming to provide Hurdlers with education surrounding topics I’m well-versed in as a veteran journalist, entrepreneur, and run coach. This week, we covered “Intro to Freelance Writing,” which is now available for purchase on the Hurdle website and raised $750 (!) for The Loveland Foundation. Coming up on August 4 is “How to Start (and Stay!) Running.” Each Hurdle Session includes downloadable materials and a charitable donation.