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 away from the sport allowed her to rebuild a healthier relationship with running, one rooted in balance, joy, and self-respect.

We also talk about what it’s like to run during pregnancy, the transition into motherhood, and how she’s now pouring her experience into coaching. Through her work with RunDoyen, Tara helps runners of all abilities tap into personalized training, the right mindset, and the power of community support.

This conversation will remind you that running is not just about chasing times — it’s about chasing what lights you up inside. Whether you’re chasing a PR or simply trying to fall in love with running again, Tara’s story will leave you inspired to run your own race.

Tara Welling is a former professional runner for Nike and Skechers, a 2x National Champion in the Half Marathon and 15k, and a 4x U.S. Olympic Trials Qualifier (2012 – 10k & 5k track, 2016 – 10k & 5k track, 2020 – marathon, 2024 – marathon).

Now a coach with RunDoyen and a mom of two, Tara combines her elite-level experience with a personalized, supportive approach to help runners of all levels reach their goals — whether that’s chasing a PR, building consistency, or finding joy in the process.

If you want to connect with her, you can find her at the links below!

[email protected]

https://www.rundoyen.com/

https://www.instagram.com/tara_welling/

00:21 Tara's Early Running Journey

02:41 Choosing Running Over Soccer

05:54 College Running Experience

07:11 Body Image and Nutrition in Running

12:20 Training and Motherhood

19:16 Professional Running Career

22:02 Burnout and Rediscovering Joy in Running

26:23 Training with Sketchers

28:57 Finding Joy in Running

29:44 Running During Pregnancy

33:23 Balancing Motherhood and Running

33:42 Olympic Trials Experience

40:34 Coaching Philosophy and

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