In this final episode of our recovery series, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked — yet absolutely essential — parts of recovery: your nervous system. So often, runners think recovery is just about foam rolling, stretching, and getting enough sleep. But real recovery goes deeper. It’s about helping your body and mind shift out of “go mode” and into a state where true repair can happen. Here’s what we cover in this episode: 🧠 Your nervous system’s role in recovery – How your bod...

This week on the Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re continuing our recovery series by diving into the tools that everyone seems to be talking about — cold plunges, saunas, compression gear, massage guns, and more. There’s a lot of hype out there, but what actually works? 🤔 In this episode, we break down the science behind these popular recovery methods — how they affect your body, when to use them, and when they might actually get in the way of your progress. We’ll talk about: Cold therap...

Recovery isn’t just what happens when you stop running — it’s where the real progress happens. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the science behind active and passive recovery so you can understand how each plays a vital role in helping you become a stronger, more resilient runner. I’ll break down what’s actually happening inside your body during recovery and why alternating between rest and movement matters. You’ll learn: 🏃‍♀️ The difference between active and passive recovery — and ...

Most runners love the feeling of a good workout — that endorphin rush, the sweat, the sense of accomplishment. But here’s the truth: your body doesn’t get stronger during the run. It gets stronger during recovery. In this episode, Angie and Kevin kick off a brand-new series on the science of recovery — because if you want to make progress, stay healthy, and actually feel good while running, recovery isn’t optional. It’s essential. They break down what recovery really means, why it’s often ove...

In this week’s Real Life Runners podcast, I’m joined by Kelly Lyons — a nutrition and eating psychology coach who helps women heal their relationship with food and their bodies. Kelly opens up about her personal journey through binge eating, which began back in high school, and how she ultimately broke free by uncovering the root causes and learning to rewire her brain. This conversation is honest, compassionate, and full of practical wisdom. We talk about the emotional patterns that often dr...

Teamwork isn’t just for cross-country teams, group runs, or the workplace—it’s a value that can shape every part of our running journey and our everyday lives. In this episode, we wrap up our series on core values with one of the most powerful of them all: teamwork. We explore what it really means to be part of a team, even if you consider yourself a “solo runner,” and how cultivating teamwork can transform the way you approach challenges, celebrate wins, and stay consistent over time. You’ll...

In this week’s episode, we’re continuing our Core Values series by diving into one of the most powerful values for runners and for life: resilience. Resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about bouncing back, learning, and growing stronger with every setback. We’ll share stories from our own running and coaching journeys, along with practical strategies you can use to build your own resilience on the run and beyond. From tough races and challenging workouts to the curveballs life th...

In episode 427 of the Real Life Runners Podcast, we continue our Core Values series with one of the most powerful keys to lasting success in running—and life: commitment. Motivation comes and goes. Some mornings you’ll wake up ready to run, other days… not so much. That’s why commitment matters more. It’s the steady anchor that carries you through the days when motivation fades. In this episode, we dive into Core Value #3: Commitment. We share how staying committed—to yourself, the process, y...

We’re kicking off a brand-new series on the podcast all about core values—the guiding principles that shape not just how we run, but how we live. In this episode, we’re diving into respect: Respect for yourself, your training, and your recoveryRespect for your teammates, competitors, and the sport itselfRespect in how you handle challenges, setbacks, and successesYou’ll hear how we teach this value to our cross-country athletes, how it shows up in training and racing, and some personal storie...

In this empowering episode, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Vong, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in women’s thyroid health, especially hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. We dive into the connection between thyroid function, perimenopause, and weight loss—exploring why so many women struggle with fatigue, weight gain, and hormonal shifts even when they’re “doing everything right.” Dr. Vong breaks down the importance of optimal lab testing, the dangers of chronic dieting, the role of inflammatio...

In this week’s solo episode, I’m diving into a concept that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves—integrity. Not just in the big, moral sense we usually think of, but in the everyday choices we make as runners and humans. At a recent business retreat, I had some big “aha” moments about how keeping (or breaking) small promises to myself connects directly to integrity. And honestly? I realized I had some breakdowns in this area that were holding me back. Maybe you’ve felt that too. Here’...

How to Enjoy Running More: Overcoming Pain, Letting Go of Judgment, and Finding the Fun in Every Run In this week’s episode, Kevin and I dive into something every runner wants more of—joy in running. Because let’s be real, not every run feels amazing. Some days are light and fun, and others feel like a grind. But with the right approach, running can be something you actually look forward to. We share some of our own stories (the good, the tough, and the funny!) and talk through practical ways...

In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Tara Welling — a former professional runner who raced for Nike and Skechers — to hear her powerful story of grit, growth, and finding joy again in the sport she loves. Tara takes us back to her first miles in elementary school, through her rise to the professional circuit, and into the realities most people never see — the burnout, the pressure, and the struggles with body image that came with competing at the highest level. She shares how stepping...

Today we share our recent hiking adventure in Tahoe — and the very real mental battles that came with it. From the moment we started running uphill at high elevation, the physical strain was obvious, but the mental strain was even louder. We pull back the curtain on our internal monologues — the negative thoughts that crept in, the moments of self-doubt, and the “why are we doing this?” questions — and how we worked through them in real time. One of the biggest takeaways? How powerful it can ...

In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the incredible Sheetal Story — a grief counselor, psychic medium, and expert in human design and astrology — for a powerful conversation on how grief, spirituality, and running intersect in the most meaningful ways. We dive into how emotions live in the body, and how movement, especially running, can help us process and release what we’re carrying — physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Sheetal shares her own personal journey with loss, healing, an...

In this solo episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, Coach Kevin gets real about the role of discomfort in growth—on the run and in life. Sharing takeaways from a tough birthday run and the powerful ideas in The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, Kevin unpacks how stepping outside our comfort zones can lead to real transformation. He talks about why chasing big goals matters, how to avoid falling into the “arrival fallacy,” and the difference between pain that builds you up and stress that w...

Pushing Through Life’s Challenges: How Running Builds Your Resilience In this episode of The Real Life Runners Podcast, I’m getting real about feeling overwhelmed — from home repairs to family chaos to just life piling up. Honestly? My first instinct is often to shut down. But that’s not where growth happens. Today, I’m sharing how running teaches us to keep moving forward, even when life feels heavy. The same skills we use on the run—taking one small step, focusing on the next breath, shifti...

As women runners over 40, we often face a wave of confusing (and sometimes extreme) advice about menopause and fitness — especially on social media. In this episode, we cut through the noise and dive into what really matters when it comes to training during perimenopause and beyond. We break down the most common menopause myths circulating in the running community and explore the physiological shifts happening in midlife. From hormone changes to training adaptations, we highlight what women t...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Holly Bertone — a former FBI Chief of Staff turned certified holistic health coach — who now helps midlife women break free from emotional eating and step into their power. Holly shares her deeply personal journey, from leading high-stakes intelligence operations to uncovering the root causes of her own struggles with food. With a unique blend of counterintelligence tactics and brain science, she teaches how to identify emotional triggers, inte...

Let’s set the record straight: pain and injury are not just things runners have to live with. In this episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, we’re taking on one of the most damaging myths in the running world — the belief that hurting is normal, expected, or even necessary if you want to improve. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Yes, injuries are common — but that doesn’t make them inevitable. And accepting them as “part of the process” only keeps runners stuck in a frustrating cycle of pain, inco...