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"If I say, okay, I'm not going to take on this race because I'm just going to wait for this to stop. I don't know when it's going to stop. So there's no point."

In this episode Troy Meadows talks with Jen Laughlin.

Jen is a mom, marketer, trail runner, and social media manager for Aravaipa and Squirrel's Nut Butter. She shares her journey into trail running and ultra distances, as well as her passion for engaging with the trail running community. Jen's work with social media started with Dirtbag Runners and Squirrel's Nut Butter, where she offered her services for free. She later joined Aravaipa and Run Steep Get High as a social media manager. Jen's enthusiasm and genuine support for others have made her a valuable asset to these brands. Jen discusses her experience as a mother and how she balances parenting with her running goals. She shares that while she is a competitive person by nature, she prioritizes being present for her children and doesn't focus on achieving top race times. Jen also opens up about her physical challenges due to perimenopause, including weight gain, sleep issues, and pain. Despite these challenges, she remains determined to continue running and participating in races. In this final part of the conversation, Jen and Troy discuss the challenges of menopause and how it affects running. They talk about the importance of giving oneself grace during this time and the need for more research on hormone replacement therapy. Jen shares how her running has changed and how she has embraced a slower pace. They also discuss their favorite craft beers and trails in the Phoenix area.

Jens Links

IG - @jenlaughlin_18

@squirls_nut_butter

@aravaiparunning

Things we talked about on the show

Coldwater Rumble

Javelina Jangover

IG - @DirtBagRunners

Black Canyon 100k

Squirrel’s Nut Butter

Chris Thornley

Aravaipa

Run Steep Get High

Mogollon Monster

Tusheers 100k 

Altitude RX

Church Music From the Shop

Hazy Little Things

Made West Hazy 

Burial Bear

Find Your Burial Bear Name

Fonta Flora Brewery

Skyline Regional Park

Verrado Stairs - Victory Steps

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Jen Laughlin, marketer, trail runner, social media manager, AeroVipa, Squirrel's Nut Butter, Dirtbag Runners, Run Steep Get High, engagement, community, motherhood, parenting, balancing responsibilities, running, competitive mindset, perimenopause, physical challenges, menopause, challenges, running, grace, hormone replacement therapy, slower pace, craft beer, Phoenix area