No matter where you finish in a race, you’ll enjoy this episode that was recorded in front of an audience at FeistyFest: Host Sarah Bowen Shea talks with triathlon coach and endurance swimmer Marty Munson and back-of-the-pack triathlete Ann Sywensky. They discuss:

-why you should lose the “just” and the “but”

-replacing comparison with curiosity

-using fun as a metric instead of pace

-the beauty of training by heart rate

-choosing a race suited to your strengths

Hosting solo, Sarah jumps right into things with the first guest.

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If you’re looking to reach your full potential—whether in sport, life, or relationships—give a listen to this episode: It was recorded in front of an audience at the inaugural FeistyFest, and focuses on the 2026 bestseller called The Power of Beliefs: How Strengthening Seven Core Beliefs Predicts Greater Success and a Better Life by Shawn Anchor. Along with host Sarah Bowen Shea, Coach Liz Waterstraat details the powers of self-belief, community, and gratitude. Coach Liz and Sarah discuss the importance of realizing you have something to give—then sharing it with your sporty mates. Coach Liz also outlines six strategies for changing beliefs.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

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Calling all active women: This episode has the answers you’ve been needing to deal with issues some folks are too embarrassed to talk about. Not us! The guest, journalist and podcast Molly Hurford, author of Saddle, Sore: Ride Comfortable, Ride Happy, sat down at FeistyFest with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and newbie Rachel Domb to cover:

-the age-old commando versus undies debate

-laundry tips for de-stinking workout wear (+ what causes the funk!)

-bike short recommendations

-why you shouldn’t be like Donald Duck post-workout!

-the recent Hyrox “shituation”

In the short intro chitchat, new occasional co-host Rachel shares a bit about herself. The TMI talk with Molly kicks off around 04:20.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

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Readers looking to get contemplative and completely mesmerized will appreciate the hosts’ conversation about a new novel winning well-deserved kudos. In discussing the new mid-century mystery from Kate Atkinson, the hosting duo also shares their favorites by this esteemed novelist. Sarah Bowen Shea details a contemporary novel she wished hewed a bit more dystopian, then Ellison Weist tells of a dual-timeline mystery reminiscent of two Liz Moore novels. The books discussed:

Switzy: Emma Cline

Our Noble Selves: Kate Atkinson

Fallow: Sarah Anderson

Heather: Caitlin Mullen

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

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No matter your age, this is an interesting and important episode: It features Selene Yeager of Hit Play Not Pause giving straight talk about how age-related hormonal shifts hit active women—then three real-women runners share their personal hormonal journeys. Lead by hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, this candid conversation covers:

-the myriad physical changes active women experienced

-how “not feeling like myself” is now an official menopausal symptom

-the shifts runners made to accommodate aging bodies

-hormone replacement therapy, plus some supplements that help

-the new activities these middle-aged women have taken up

Rather than intro chitchat, the hosts share details of their menopausal transitions. Selene joins the show around 09:30.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

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Anyone who enjoys self-discovery or introspection will really appreciate this episode, in which Coach Liz Waterstraat and host Sarah Bowen Shea discuss two books about questions: How to Fall in Love with Questions and A More Beautiful Question. Coach Liz discusses the rewards of embracing uncertainty, committing to curiosity, and having a personal, powerful question. Along the way the duo talks about pen pals (trust us—it’s relevant!). As always, Coach Liz relates many lessons gleaned from the books to athletic pursuits.

This episode originally aired July 15, 2025.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

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Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

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This is a must-listen episode for anyone looking to forge a new path or relieve mounting pressures—whether in life or in running. It’s an intriguing conversation with journalist and longtime runner Lindsay Crouse, whose brand-new book is called The Case for Quitting. Lindsay talks with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton about:

-perseverance and quitting not being opposites

-what “microquitting” is, and how it can help you say no

-how to stop confusing survival with success

-the importance of having a finish line for challenging endeavors

-why you should use verbs, instead of nouns, in defining yourself!

Tish details her recent Lake Placid getaway in the intro chitchat; Lindsay joins the episode around 09:45.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

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Calling all book lovers: This episode kicks off the fall season with some thoroughly engrossing novels. Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist marvel at a clever reimaging of Jane Austen’s Emma that resonates today. Ellison details the latest from the author of The Frozen River, then the hosting duo discuss a “hauntingly poignant” novel told from a dog’s perspective. Ellison puts a bow on the episode by raving about a profound multi-generational story. The new novels discussed:

Miss Bates: Emma Revisited: Catherine Cliff

The Pirate Queen: Ariel Lawhon

Etna: Paul Yoon

The Book of Chuck: Latoya Watkins

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

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Anyone contemplating their first run, their return to running, or how to improve their runs needs to listen to this clever, inspiring episode with Coach Chris Bennett, author of the just-released This Is About Running. This Is Not About Running., voice of the Nike Run Club app, and podcast host. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, Coach Bennett talks about:

-how (+ why) to see yourself as a runner

-the power of honesty and humility

-the myriad ways to define running success

-his intriguing differentiate between a PR and a PB

-what a run and a mixtape have in common

Before Coach Bennett joins around 12:00, Sarah shares the joy of her son recently singing and dancing with two Broadway legends on stage in New Jersey.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

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Anyone looking to shake things up should start by listening to this episode, in which Coach Liz Waterstraat details to host Sarah Bowen Shea how small changes can make a big difference. (Call it the Lilliputian Effect!) Detailing two books—Tiny Experiments and Tiny Habits—Coach Liz details how to make your own pocket-sized experiment, as well as highlighting the power of the pivot. She also talks up small-scale, low-effort initiatives and other ways to make lasting habit change. The hosts think, after listening, you’ll agree: Tiny is transformative!

This episode originally aired on July 15, 2025.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

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