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For years, veteran journalist and run coach Ashley Mateo was sitting on an idea to start a meaningful print publication covering all things women’s running—including meaningful stories and features. This week, that publication comes to life. In today’s episode of Hurdle, Mateo is talking about stepping outside of her comfort zone to start the publication from scratch, and what it took to bring the idea to life. Plus: What she’s learned from her own experience on the run, how injury has been one of her biggest teachers, and how she defines success now that Runher is in the wild.
IN THIS EPISODE
(5:08) The true inspiration behind starting Runher
(8:06) How creating a print magazine is different today than at the beginning of her career
(11:47) The hat that was most enjoyable for Ashley to wear in the creation of this magazine
(16:16) Ashley talks about the mental benefits that the sport of running has brought her
(21:00) What running 17 marathons has taught Ashley about life
(22:30) The tools that empower Ashley to keep the blinders on and focus on her own athlete journey, rather than falling into the comparison trap
(30:20) What a difficult injury taught Ashley about the importance of listening to her body
(35:25) How Ashley felt about pulling out of a race she had on the calendar this fall
(39:15) What Ashley thinks the impact of Runher can be in the media landscape
(45:00) How running clubs can be a helpful tool on your running journey
(52:40) How does Ashley celebrate her big wins, and what she anticipates it to look and feel like this time around
SOCIAL@ashleymateo
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@runhermag
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Flexibility is the name of the game, a reminder this week as I'm doing the best I can to do my work to the best of my ability ~and~ take care of myself and my body. Also: Answering a listener question about going for a costumed 5K.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
FUTURE: Get 50% off your first month of personal training
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
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Watching the three women representing Team USA and Brooks put it all on the line over the weekend at the World Championships here in Tokyo on Sunday, September 14, was absolutely wild. Had the awesome opportunity to catch up with Erika Kemp, Jess McClain, and Susanna Sullivan on Monday after the race at the Brooks Hyperion House. We get into it all: The highs, lows, debrief the entire race, and the lessons they learned from a tough 26.2 that they'll bring into their running moving forward.
IN THIS EPISODE
(3:30) How the women are doing really after their performance over the weekend
(6:14) How the temperatures really felt—with humidity above 90%
(8:34) How Erika felt to see Jess and Susanna leading the race when she wasn't having the day she hoped for
(10:54) How Erika handles a disappointing day and navigates shifting her mindset
(13:23) How Susanna's training set her up for the best case scenario on Sunday
(17:00) Jess details the benefits of the way the course was laid out in Tokyo
(17:46) Jess talks about how she got to be at a place where she felt more comfortable racing and "became her own best friend."
(21:58) What it meant to "work" the entire marathon and what tools and fuel were available on the course to try to cool off in the heat
(37:05) What does the post-race debrief look like?
(39:04) Susanna reflects on an awful race in Budapest at the last World Championships on how she bounced back to stellar performances
(45:00) What it looked like post-race in the stadium
(52:43) What the girls are all looking forward to next
SOCIAL
@jesstonn
@susannasullivan4
@imtinyrik
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
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Forward Lynn Biyendolo (who grew to soccer fame under her family name Lynn Williams) knows a thing or two about going for what she wants. As the National Women’s Soccer League’s (NWSL) highest scoring player of all-time, she’s got the grit that it takes to put herself out there, fueled by hard work, a lot of practice, and a strong foundation. In today’s episode, we’re chatting about her big move to Seattle, what it’s like to get started on YouTube with her husband Marley, and reflecting on Olympic dreams come true. Plus: How to know when to take advice, how to channel confidence when you’re feeling a little “meh,” and how she feels about the major changes that have happened within the league since she started playing in 2015.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
This Is Cooked
Seattle Reign
SOCIAL
@lynnwilliams9
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
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When I tell you that the 20-miler I did in a real-feel of 100 degrees here in Tokyo was one of the most challenging moments of my year, that would be an understatement. Talking about finding the silver lining, what happens when preparation meets luck, and how finishing off a difficult day makes me feel leading into October's big dance. Plus: Answering a listener question about racing sneakers.
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
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SPECIAL EPISODE! Guys! Keira’s book, Don't Call It A Comeback, is officially on the shelves! Had a moment to catch up with friend of the show and former American record holder in both the half- and full marathon on how she got here: What the book-writing process was like, how she felt working with Evelyn Spence, and the feelings that came up reflecting on her impressive career thus-far. Plus: All things motherhood and the guilt that came with prioritizing herself with young kids, what it was like when “no one from the running world” expected her to reach this type of of success, and what she's looking forward to this fall marathon season and beyond.
BUY THE BOOK!
Don't Call It a Comeback: What Happened When I Stopped Chasing PRs, and Started Chasing Happiness
IN THIS EPISODE(9:49) How Keira felt about the writing process of Don’t Call It A Comeback
(13:38) Keira talks about how it felt having to think back on difficult moments of her pro career
(15:40) Keira talks about breaking her foot in two places in Chicago 2024, and how that was a signal that she needed to take a step back
(17:40) How Keira feels living in Utah
(22:25) When Keira has felt most guilty over the last 10 years, using the “happy, healthy, loved” dipstick to gauge if running could be a sustainable path for her as a mother
(25:40) What Keira has been able to teach her kids through sport
(27:31) Keira talks about Boston 2025 and the challenges of that race
(33:50) How Keira figured out her red line, what it really felt like to push herself to the max
(36:25) What does winning look like to Keira?
(45:32) What does being the best mom possible look like to Keira?
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Living in Boulder and training with the On Athletic Club is better than pro runner Josette Andrews ever anticipated. These days, she lives and breathes life as an elite, and in today's conversation she talks about the hurdles she's conquered (including an awful dog bite, bone injury, and transferring schools) and powerful decisions she's made to make it to the top of her game. Plus: Her excitement over making her first U.S. Outdoors team for World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and how she's preparing for the big competition.
SOCIAL
@josettenorris
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Miles to Go Coaching
OFFERS
AG1 | Head to DrinkAG1.com/Hurdle to get a free welcome kit (valued at $75) with 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of D3K2 with your purchase of AG1 next gen.
JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel
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ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected] to ask me a question!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Well. I wore it. And you know what? The world kept spinning. Confessing something that may surprise you in this week's episode, and answering a listener question about negative online comments and feedback.
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
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The fastest American-born Black female marathoner. What a title, one earned when Erika Kemp ran a time of 2:22:56 at the 2025 Houston Marathon, and it’s one that she wears proudly. For this week’s conversation, I’m chatting with Erika before she heads out to Tokyo for the World Athletics Championships, representing Team USA in the marathon. We talk about it all: Her debut marathon, the magic that is Houston, what her recovery routine and support squad looks like, and what it feels like to be a Brooks athlete. Plus: How she stays positive, and what she thinks about to perform her best on the roads.
IN THIS EPISODE
(13:06) When did Erika learn to trust herself within training
(13:15) What does “OYO” mean in running?
(14:11) Erika talks about how running made her feel in high school versus now
(22:54) How does Erika manage negative thoughts and what’s her advice to others navigating difficult self-talk
(25:16) What does Erika’s support system look like
(36:38) East does success look and feel like for Erika in Tokyo?
(38:00) How does the Tokyo World Championships course work out to Erika’s advantage
(38:40) What was the hardest part of Erika’s running career thus far
(40:04) Erika talks about the difficulties she has working with an old coach shortly after Covid
(41:30) What does Erika do for herself when everything feels out of her control
(42:28) How to manage stress and what does ’superstitious’ look like for Erika
(44:34) Erika talks about joining Joan Benoit Samuelson as an Olympic gold hopeful
(45:40) Erika talks about not loving to do hands-on body work, and what recovery looks like for her otherwise
(48:20) Erika shares her “I am statements”
(51:32) What about Erika the person makes her proud, beyond being an athlete
SOCIAL
@imtinyrik
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
OFFERS
LMNT | Go to DrinkLMNT.com/Hurdle to get a free sample pack with your purchase
InsideTracker | Go to InsideTracker.com/Hurdle to and use code "ITHURDLE" to get 20% off.
JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel
SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter
ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected] to ask me a question!
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Went away this week. Felt anxious about deviating from my routine. I know this to be true: Two things can happen at once. I can be a person who likes to figure it out most of the time, and it's also OK to slow down. Plus: Answering a listener question about being a soloprenuer and if it ever gets lonely (spoiler: yes, it definitely does).
SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel
SUBSCRIBE TO: The Weekly Hurdle newsletter
ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected], to ask me a question.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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