Not to pick favorites, but here at Feisty - this is definitely a favorite. With almost 50 years of experience as an athletic director and inductions into seven different halls of fame, Joan Cronan has A LOT to say about Title IX and gender equity in sport. Graduating college in 1966, Joan was part of intercollegiate sports before women had the federal right to equally compete. This week, our co-host of Girls Gone Gravel, Kathryn Taylor, interviews Joan and asks her about what she calls "her journey."

Joan shares the story of her life so far, beginning at the age of twelve when she decided she was going to create change for women in athletics. To do so, in 1972 Joan made a cold call to the president of the College of Charleston and left his office as the women's basketball coach, volleyball coach, tennis coach and overall athletic director. From there, she made innumerable changes to women's athletics that will forever go down in history. If that isn't feisty, what is?

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Every woman is different. And this means that every woman needs a specific and individualized fueling plan. Registered dietitian nutritionists Kendra Miller and Tiffany Ricci specialize their focus on busy active women, especially mothers. This week, Sara interviews the duo and uncovers the tools we need to fuel our bodies better – and our families.

Kendra and Tiffany explain the nuances surrounding nutrition for pre and postnatal mothers. Just as every woman is different, every pregnant woman is different, as well as every pregnancy. They give us tips for fueling while breastfeeding and lay the ground rules for understanding our own nutritional needs. Finally, the trio delves into feeding the family and how we can take the pressure off of ourselves, release ourselves from the limits of what dinner “should be,” and allow ourselves to see what dinner “can be.”

Follow Kendra on Instagram @dietitiankendra

Follow Tiffany on Instagram @dietitian.tiffany

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

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Keep up to date on all women's sports:

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@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

If you had to name one woman that truly showed the outer limits of female athleticism, who would you pick? For us, it's Julie Moss. Best known for her "crawl" in the 1982 Ironman Triathlon, Julie struggled to the finish line only to be beaten by Kathleen McCartney. Her loss on this day made serious headlines. A woman wanting to win THAT badly? Her mental toughness and ability to endure were admired by many. While others felt as though Julie's under-preparedness and desperation might turn Ironman into a "freakshow".

This week, Ironwoman's Alyssa Godesky interviews Julie and asks her about how this inaugural race changed her life. While Julie didn't allow sexism to enter her sphere during this time, she does recall the gender inequality in terms of role models and representation. Julie reflects on the way triathlon has changed for women over the years, and where she hopes to see it go in the future.

Watch Julie's "crawl" at the 1982 Ironman here!

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

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Keep up to date on all women's sports:

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Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

If you are looking for quick nutrition facts to boost your performance and recovery, this is the episode for you. This week, Sara chats with Elizabeth Inpyn - coach, nutritionist and wellness enthusiast. Elizabeth shares her wealth of knowledge and teaches us how to become better in tune with what our bodies need.

Covering a broad range of topics, Elizabeth and Sara talk about their attempts at plant-based diets, and how to decipher what is best for your specific lifestyle. Elizabeth gives us tips on how to make sense of our gut microbiome, and more specifically, how to do so by interpreting our bowel movements. Finally, Elizabeth gives Sara all of the latest hot tips in the nutrition world, like consuming more creatine and drinking turmeric tea.

Follow Elizabeth on Instagram @inpyn

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

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Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

There is no denying that Title IX created many new opportunities for women in sport, but what women were excluded from these opportunities? This week, Dr. Shaunna Payne Gold from our Unphased podcast welcomes Dr. Markesha Henderson to discuss the intersection of Title IX, civil rights, and women's rights. Dr. Henderson is the Director of Athletics at Agnes Scott College and brings a unique perspective as one of only 35 black female athletic directors in the NCAA.

Shaunna and Dr. Henderson discuss what it takes to have your intercollegiate team flourish, and how having male allies is often necessary. Further, Dr. Henderson underlines the ways in which intercollegiate athletic systems exclude women, and specifically black women, from taking on leadership roles in sport. Finally, Dr. Henderson tells us how she would use her magic wand to change things for women's sports today.

Listen to the [Un]phased Podcast here!

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

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Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

Lisa Bentley never thought she was an athlete...that is UNTIL she won her first Ironman. That's right, her first. Lisa Bentley has been an Ironman Champion 11 times over. And, she has done this all with Cystic Fibrosis - a genetic lung disease that results in severe damage to the lungs and limited lung capacity. This week, Sara talks to Lisa about what performance means to her.

One thing is obvious in a conversation with Lisa, her CF is NOT a limitation to her life, but rather, a blessing that has pushed her to race harder and has fuelled her passion for sport. Sara and Lisa discuss what it really means to be a champion and the distinct difference between being "fit" or "in shape", and being healthy. Finally, Lisa's advice for winning in life will leave you ready to take on your next challenge.

To learn more about Lisa, read her book An Unlikely Champion

Follow Lisa on Instagram @lisa_bentley123

and visit her website at www.lisabentley.com 

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-40/

Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

Many of us have heard of Kathrine Switzer, but how many of us have heard of Bobbi Gibb? For the second episode of our limited Title IX series, Sara Gross interviews the very first runner of the 1966 Boston Marathon. Bobbi snuck her way into the running crowd by jumping out of the bushes next to the start line wearing a bathing suit and men's board shorts. And she ran FAST!

Sara asks Bobbi about her running journey and her passion for female empowerment. At 80 years old, Bobbi reminisces about the restricting stereotypes placed on women in the 50s and how she knew that she had to make a change. After being denied entry to the Boston Marathon by the race director, citing that women were incapable of running this distance, Bobbi ran 40 miles out of anger. It was at this moment that she knew that she had to run the Boston Marathon if only to prove that women could.

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-40/

Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

For many of us, the feelings of self-doubt, lack of self-compassion, and negative body image are far too familiar. As active, performance-minded women, our social media feeds are filled with women who seem quite literally to be "doing it all". This week, Sara welcomes Cindi Miller to discuss all things self-acceptance.

Cindi Miller is a therapist and ex-volleyball coach and division 1 athlete. Cindi defines herself as a "receiver", dedicated to allowing herself to receive what comes to her. Sara and Cindi discuss the process of creating the goddess within yourself, and what it takes to own your own sexuality.

Follow Cindi on Instagram @thecindiproject and @sportsfoodandmentalhealth

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-40/

Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

TODAY IS THE DAY! We are overwhelmed with excitement to share the first episode of our limited Title IX series. This week, Haley Chura - co-host of Ironwomen - interviews the renowned Wendy Mink. Wendy is a professor of politics, women's and gender studies, as well as the daughter of the very first woman of color in congress - Patsy Mink. Patsy was the co-author of the Title IX legislation and paved the way for women's participation in sports.

Wendy shares her mother's journey and the reasons that prompted her to fight for change. Haley and Wendy discuss what Title IX was created for, and they give us the groundwork for the rest of the series.

Click here to purchase a copy of Wendy's new book!

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-40/

Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

If we are talking about Women's Performance, how does hiking 2190+ miles in less than 47 days sound to you? Jennifer Pharr Davis describes herself as a part of nature. Thru-hiking on 6 different continents, Davis has set multiple fastest times on multi-day trails around the world. This week, Sara welcomes Jennifer to the podcast to discuss the drive and grit it takes to wrestle with your body and mind on these gruelling long-distance thru-hikes.

At 21, with an Ironman finish under her belt and a history in high-school athletics, Jennifer decided that hiking the Appalachian trail was the next "step" for her. As Jennifer and Sara discuss, it was on this first thru-hike where she realized that her heart was on the trail - and she made sure to centre the rest of her life around it. Sara and Jennifer get real with one another and discuss the power of grit, determination, and the difference between stopping and quitting.

Follow Jennifer on Instagram @jenpharrdavis

Feisty Strong Retreat in Atlanta - April 17-19, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-strong-retreat-atlanta/

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Sign up to Receive The Feisty 40+ Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-40/

Keep up to date on all women's sports:

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Support our Partners:

Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr