Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Share How to Do Hard Things: Pain, Purpose & Personal Growth
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Share to email
Share to Facebook
Share to X
Or
How to Do Hard Things: Pain, Purpose & Personal Growth
What happens when you willingly choose to run 100 miles through the night—and why would any mother do it?
In this episode of The Sendy Mom Podcast, Becky sits down with ultra-marathoner Allison Stratton, a woman whose life has been shaped by grit, heartbreak, community, and the relentless pursuit of “hard things.”
Allison opens up about infertility, identity beyond motherhood, and the moment an ultra-race ended in rhabdomyolysis and an ICU stay—but also how that terrifying experience reshaped her perspective on miracles, resilience, and what really matters.
Together, Becky and Allison explore:
- What happens mentally during an ultra when your body shuts down
- Why shared hardship deepens relationships
- How finding something just for you strengthens motherhood, not competes with it
- The power of pacing, partnership, and community
- Why choosing hard things makes everyday life feel lighter
If you’ve ever wondered why people push to their physical and emotional limits—or how adversity can become one of life’s greatest teachers—this episode will change how you see your own capacity for bravery.
Allison Stratton is a mother of two, an ultra-marathon champion, and one of the grittiest women you’ll ever meet. Backpacking with her husband turned into years of trail racing, including a first-place win at the Bear 100 with a sub-24-hour finish. Allison has faced infertility, endometriosis, medical crises, and the mental battles of ultra-endurance running—but she continues to choose courage, community, and joy along the way.
Chapters:
00:00 Introducing Allison Stratton
02:40 First Marathon with Mom
05:20 Infertility and Endometriosis
06:13 Parenting: The Struggle is Real or Is It?
09:47 Develop Your Relationship with Your Spouse
11:30 Ultra-Marathons: Everyone Needs a Pacer
13:13 The Impact of COVID on Healthcare Professionals
16:57 First Ultra-Marathon: The Bear 100
20:03 Managing the Hard Things
24:13 Training for an Ultramarathon
27:02 Personal Stories from the Bear 100 Races
31:06 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Goals
34:04 Midway
37:18 The Third Bear 100
38:31 The Reality of Rhabdomyolysis
41:56 Recovering from Rhabdo
47:57 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies
49:50 Injuries and Setbacks
53:34 Runner's Lean for KC and Rhabdo Our Old Friend
01:01:10 Life Lessons from Choosing Hard
01:13:51 Rapid Fire Questions
Mentioned:
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Ocean with David Attenborough
Bear 100
Wasatch 100
Find us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
Subscribe: sendymom.com
Email Becky: [email protected]
View all episodes
By Becky BrouwerWhat happens when you willingly choose to run 100 miles through the night—and why would any mother do it?
In this episode of The Sendy Mom Podcast, Becky sits down with ultra-marathoner Allison Stratton, a woman whose life has been shaped by grit, heartbreak, community, and the relentless pursuit of “hard things.”
Allison opens up about infertility, identity beyond motherhood, and the moment an ultra-race ended in rhabdomyolysis and an ICU stay—but also how that terrifying experience reshaped her perspective on miracles, resilience, and what really matters.
Together, Becky and Allison explore:
- What happens mentally during an ultra when your body shuts down
- Why shared hardship deepens relationships
- How finding something just for you strengthens motherhood, not competes with it
- The power of pacing, partnership, and community
- Why choosing hard things makes everyday life feel lighter
If you’ve ever wondered why people push to their physical and emotional limits—or how adversity can become one of life’s greatest teachers—this episode will change how you see your own capacity for bravery.
Allison Stratton is a mother of two, an ultra-marathon champion, and one of the grittiest women you’ll ever meet. Backpacking with her husband turned into years of trail racing, including a first-place win at the Bear 100 with a sub-24-hour finish. Allison has faced infertility, endometriosis, medical crises, and the mental battles of ultra-endurance running—but she continues to choose courage, community, and joy along the way.
Chapters:
00:00 Introducing Allison Stratton
02:40 First Marathon with Mom
05:20 Infertility and Endometriosis
06:13 Parenting: The Struggle is Real or Is It?
09:47 Develop Your Relationship with Your Spouse
11:30 Ultra-Marathons: Everyone Needs a Pacer
13:13 The Impact of COVID on Healthcare Professionals
16:57 First Ultra-Marathon: The Bear 100
20:03 Managing the Hard Things
24:13 Training for an Ultramarathon
27:02 Personal Stories from the Bear 100 Races
31:06 Balancing Motherhood and Personal Goals
34:04 Midway
37:18 The Third Bear 100
38:31 The Reality of Rhabdomyolysis
41:56 Recovering from Rhabdo
47:57 Nutrition and Hydration Strategies
49:50 Injuries and Setbacks
53:34 Runner's Lean for KC and Rhabdo Our Old Friend
01:01:10 Life Lessons from Choosing Hard
01:13:51 Rapid Fire Questions
Mentioned:
The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter
Ocean with David Attenborough
Bear 100
Wasatch 100
Find us on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube
Subscribe: sendymom.com
Email Becky: [email protected]