I sat down live in Napa Valley with Shannon Rowbury and Jessica Dorrington, co-authors of the new book Strong as a Mother. We recorded this conversation at the Napa Valley Marathon expo, and it centers on what it looks like to return to running after pregnancy, rebuild after injury, and support athletes through every stage of motherhood and performance.

Shannon is a three-time Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500 meters. Her medal came years after the 2012 Olympic final, when multiple athletes ahead of her were later disqualified for doping. In this conversation, she reflects on that experience and the complicated reality of receiving an Olympic medal long after the race is over.

Jessica Dorrington is a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and pelvic health physical therapist who works with many elite runners. She shares practical, grounded insight on postpartum recovery, pelvic health, and how athletes can safely return to running after pregnancy or injury.

Together, Shannon and Jess talk about the inspiration behind Strong as a Mother, why better education around postpartum recovery is so needed in sport, and how runners can approach their comeback with patience, perspective, and the right support. We also talk about Shannon’s career, the emotional complexity of elite competition, and the importance of understanding the body through every phase of life.

This episode is part of my weekend at the Napa Valley Marathon, where I had the chance to serve as race emcee and host conversations with athletes and leaders in the running community.

Topics covered:

Longevity in running and what helps you keep running for decades

Why consistency matters more than any one perfect week of training

Recovery as a key part of performance

How training needs change as you age

Strength training, calf strength, plyometrics, and core work for runners

Injury setbacks and using them as opportunities to learn more about your body

Shannon Rowbury’s femoral neck stress fracture in college and comeback to make her first Olympic team

The role of biomechanics, leg length differences, orthotics, and maintenance work in staying healthy

Postpartum return to running and why timelines are highly individual

What happens to the abdominal wall and pelvic floor during pregnancy and postpartum

Why more women are returning to elite running after having babies

The lack of pregnancy and postpartum resources for athletes and why Strong as a Mother was written

Pelvic floor health for runners and why it matters for both women and men

Shannon Rowbury’s delayed Olympic bronze medal from the 2012 1500m

Doping in sport and the emotional impact of delayed justice

The importance of clean sport, reform, and fighting for integrity in athletics

Mental preparation for racing, including visualization, positive cue words, breathing, and smiling

Race-day strategies for handling hills, fueling, and staying mentally engaged late in the race

Why menstruation is an important indicator of athlete health

Low energy availability, RED-S, sleep, and early warning signs for high school and young female runners

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CURE Hydration — No added sugar or dyes; electrolyte mix for adults and kids; non-GMO; FSA/HSA eligible. Use ANOTHER for 15% off at curehydration.com/another.

Megan Sailor joins the show fresh off a huge breakthrough at CIM, where she placed third in the national championship marathon and ran 2:25:17 in her debut. Megan runs for the B.A.A. High Performance Team and she walks through what it looked like to finally step up to the marathon after spending years focused on the track and shorter road races.

Megan shares how pro running was not always the plan, why she considers herself more of a realist than a dreamer, and how the marathon move came at the right time after a stretch where training fitness was not translating to race results. We talk about learning to stop racing workouts, what changed when she began moving up in distance, and how a strong half marathon helped confirm she was heading the right direction.

We also get into life outside racing, including the unique dynamic of being a twin and having a built-in training partner, the fact that Megan and her husband live with her twin sister and her husband in Boston, and what they actually do to unwind when they are not training. Megan wraps with a message that sticks: you do not always get to choose the timing or even the event, but patience and trust can lead to the breakthrough you were hoping for.

Enjoy this episode with Megan!

Topics Discussed:

Megan’s 2:25:17 marathon debut and 3rd at CIM (national championship)

Joining and training with the B.A.A. High Performance Team

Why the track was not clicking, and the shift away from racing workouts

Building from half marathon success to marathon readiness

Marathon training changes: mileage bump, longer workout volume, solo long runs

CIM race strategy, pack decisions, and the late-race leg shutdown

Fueling and bottle-grab chaos, plus her gel preferences

Boston Marathon build: hills, strength on tired legs, and racing a stacked field

Twin sister training dynamic, competitiveness, and support

Boston winter stories and “space savers” street parking culture

Life outside running: TV binges, baking, books, and future goals (dogs, international racing)

Closing takeaway: patience, timing, and letting the right event find you

Media Mentioned:

Books

Throne of Glass (series)

Shield of Sparrows

Harry Potter (series)

Divergent (series)

The Hunger Games (series)

Twilight (series)

ACOTAR

TV shows

Survivor

Grey’s Anatomy

Schitt’s Creek

Sponsors:

Lagoon Sleep — If you’re ready to upgrade your sleep, Lagoon pillows are truly a game changer. Their customizable pillows are designed to help you fall asleep faster, stay cool, and wake up without neck or shoulder pain. You can adjust the fill to make it perfect for you. Save 15% by going to https://lagoonsleep.com/lindsey and using the code LINDSEY at checkout.

CURE Hydration — No added sugar or dyes; electrolyte mix for adults and kids; non-GMO; FSA/HSA eligible. Use ANOTHER for 15% off at curehydration.com/another.

Geist Half Race Series

Go to geisthalf.com and use the code “Another26” for $10 off any race distances.

Olivia Markezich joins me on the podcast to talk steeplechase, the jump from college to pro running, and what it’s been like joining the On Athletics Club in Boulder.

Olivia runs with OAC out in Boulder and is sponsored by On. Olivia is a steeplechaser, and if you watched the 2024 Olympic Trials, you know exactly why this conversation matters. She took a real shot, put herself into second, and then fell near the finish in one of the most gutting moments of the meet. She was right there, in it, fighting for that team spot, and she opens up about what happened, what it felt like, and how she’s carried that experience forward instead of letting it define her.

Olivia’s story has been one surprise after another. She won the 2023 NCAA title in the steeplechase at Notre Dame, earned 10 All-American honors, and finished top three at seven NCAA championships. She also walked on to Notre Dame and eventually earned a full scholarship, which says a lot about how quickly her belief, consistency, and ceiling have grown.

This one is honest, gritty, and really fun. Olivia is all-in on seeing how far she can take this sport, and it’s hard not to walk away from this conversation believing she’s got some big breakthroughs ahead.

List of topics covered

Training update and Achilles management after USA Cross Country

Racing muddy cross country conditions and gutting out a tough day

Choosing events outside the steeplechase, including a possible 1500 opener

Non-championship year mindset and racing the Diamond League circuit

2024 season setbacks: mono, stress reaction, return to racing quickly

2024 Olympic Trials steeplechase fall: what happened and how she processed it

Early pro experiences and learning to race on the world stage

NIL with On, the pro recruiting process, and why OAC was the fit

What she wanted in a pro group: altitude, team environment, structure

Notre Dame walk-on story, scholarship, NCAA title, and changing expectations

Family dynamic: twin sister rivalry and support, dad as a sounding board

Finding steeplechase and winning her first pair of On shoes at Portland Track Festival

OAC team culture: meeting six days a week, steeple work with Kelsey, training written by Dathan

Building hobbies and community in Boulder: ceramics, cook club, reading, shows

Balancing identity outside running and keeping it fun

Media mentioned (books + shows)

Books:

Cutting for Stone (Abraham Verghese)

The Covenant of Water (Abraham Verghese)

The Housemaid series (Freida McFadden)

The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)

Sarah J. Maas series mentioned:

ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses)

Throne of Glass

Crescent City

Fourth Wing

TV shows:

Ted Lasso

The Pitt

Support our Sponsors:

Join me for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon Training!

Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout!

Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

Today’s episode is a special one. I got to sit down in person with Tristin Colley, formerly known as Tristin Van Ord, for a conversation that felt personal, honest, and really meaningful.

Tristin is a professional marathoner, a two-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier, and currently pregnant with her first child, a baby girl due this April. She made her marathon debut in 2019 running 2:40 and has steadily worked her way down to a 2:25 personal best, a testament to her patience, belief, and long-term commitment to the sport.

In this episode, Tristin and I talk about the many transitions she is navigating right now. From stepping away from the ZAP Endurance program following its recent closure, to moving with her husband Andrew to Raleigh, to entering motherhood while still holding big goals as a professional runner. She shares what this waiting season has looked like, emotionally and practically, as she explores sponsorship opportunities and imagines her return to racing post-baby.

We also talk about the USATF Foundation Maternity Grant, which Tristin was awarded, and what it means to feel supported during pregnancy while continuing to identify as a professional athlete with unfinished business.

One of the most fun parts of this episode is that Tristin received surprise messages of encouragement from Sara Vaughn, Kara Goucher, and Stephanie Bruce. These moments add so much heart to the conversation and reflect the deep support within the women’s running community.

I’m cheering so hard for Tristin, and truly believe that any brand would be lucky to have her on their team.

Topics We Cover

Tristin’s progression from a 2:40 marathon debut to a 2:25 personal best

Training adjustments and mindset shifts during pregnancy

Navigating uncertainty after the closure of ZAP Endurance

What it means to stay committed to elite running while becoming a parent

The USATF Foundation Maternity Grant and why it matters

Postpartum racing goals and long-term belief in development

The emotional side of waiting seasons in professional sport

Community support and encouragement from fellow elite runners

Recording in person and how that changes the conversation

Support our Sponsors:

Geist Half Race Series

Go to geisthalf.com and use the code “Another26” for $10 off any race distances.

Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout!

We have a brand new show joining the Sandy Boy Productions podcast network, and I am so excited about it!

It’s called Out and Back, hosted by professional runners Rory Linkletter and Jacob Thomson. They train in Flagstaff, they are chasing big goals on the roads, and they bring you straight into the behind the scenes of the marathon lifestyle. This show is training talk with a few detours, and it is exactly the kind of perspective I love adding to the network.

What I love about Rory and Jacob is how curious they are. They are not here for surface level conversations. They want the real details. The stuff you actually want to know if you care about performance, training, racing, and the mental side of showing up when it matters. If you are someone chasing a BQ, an OTQ, or you just want to understand how the pros think about the marathon, you are going to love this podcast.

In this intro episode, I sit down with Rory and Jacob to talk about why they started Out and Back, what they want the show to be, and why they think there has been a gap in marathon specific podcasting. We also get into what it looks like to promote yourself as a professional runner, how they balance training with content, and what success looks like for both of them as they head toward Boston.

I cannot wait for you to hear more from these two, and I am really proud to welcome Out and Back to the Sandy Boy Productions family. Please take one minute right now, go hit subscribe wherever you listen, and then send this to a friend who loves marathon training talk.

Two time Olympian Elise Cranny returns to the podcast for one of the most natural, easy conversations I have had in a long time. Elise shares why she recently made a major training change, joining M11 Track Club and spending much of the year in South Africa and the UK. We talk about craving training partners again, getting back into a beginner mindset, and why she wants to pay closer attention to the 1500 this season while keeping the 5000 in the bigger picture.

Elise reflects on the mental side of championship racing, developing an alter ego on the track, and what she learned during the 2024 Olympic cycle working one on one with coach Jarred Cornfield. We dig into overtraining, identity as an athlete, and how zooming out and setting process based goals helped her find a healthier balance. She also shares what cross training looks like now (swimming three days a week), why breaking two minutes in the 800 still matters to her, and how she thinks about “racing where you are” on the world stage.

This is such a fun conversation, enjoy!

Topics we cover

Returning to the show as a two time Olympian

Joining M11 and what pushed her to make a big change

Training partners, discomfort, and renewed excitement

Shifting focus toward the 1500 and what it can unlock for her racing

The 2024 Trials double and why joy mattered in that build

Overtraining, burnout, and stepping away from a group environment

Confidence, an on track alter ego, and showing up locked in

Cross training and swimming as part of her weekly routine

Race strategy, mental skills, and setting A/B/C goals

Big picture career thinking: no regrets, curiosity, and leaving no stone unturned

Life outside sport: working on her MPH at George Washington University

Books mentioned

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi

Support Our Sponsors:

Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout!

I’m excited to share this conversation with Drew Hunter. I’ve wanted to have Drew on the show for a long time, and this episode did not disappoint. Drew runs professionally for ASICS and lives in Boulder, Colorado, but his path in the sport has been anything but typical. He went pro straight out of high school, turning down a full scholarship to Oregon, and has now spent nearly a decade navigating the ups and downs of professional running before making a sponsor change to ASICS last year.

In this conversation, we talk about what it was really like going pro so young, how different that decision might look today with NIL, and how his perspective has shifted ten years into his career. Drew opens up about setting goals based on what genuinely excites him, why road racing has become such a big focus, and how he’s thinking about longevity in the sport as both an athlete and a dad. We also talk about family life, faith, and the importance of community, especially as he and his wife prepare to welcome their third child.

What I appreciated most about this episode is how grounded Drew is in who he is now. He reflects honestly on early loneliness, big expectations, and how his definition of success has changed over time. This conversation goes well beyond race results and gets into what it looks like to build a meaningful life alongside big athletic goals. I really enjoyed this one, and I hope you do too.

If you enjoy the episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review. It’s one of the best ways to help new listeners find the show.

Topics Discussed:

Drew’s indoor season plans, upcoming 3K, and building toward Millrose

How he’s thinking about 2026 goals and the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen

What excites him when he sets goals and why he likes mixing in road racing

Why road racing feels like the future of the sport and how it brings fans into it

Becoming a dad young, building a family, and how that shifts his mindset around running

Community, church, and why having people nearby matters for parenting and life

Converting to Catholicism and how he explored faith through reading and learning

How he met his wife and how COVID changed the timeline

Choosing to go pro out of high school, how NIL changes that decision now, and the realities of pro life

Loneliness early in his pro career, moving to Boulder, and building Tin Man Elite and his training setup with his parents

Support our Sponsors:

Aletheia Run lets you see what your body is actually doing with every step by using a lightweight sensor that creates a unique force portrait of your movement. It gives personalized feedback, targeted drills, and science-backed insights to improve performance and help prevent injuries, bringing the running lab right to your everyday training.

Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout!

Calli Hauger-Thackery and Sara Hall join Lindsey together after going 1–2 at the Houston Marathon, where they trained side by side leading into race day. Calli ran 2:24:17 for the win, and Sara finished second in 2:26:26 after a build up that was not originally supposed to include the full marathon.

They talk through the quick turnaround from their December marathons, what it takes to recover and race again, and how their shared approach to training has made the work more fun and more sustainable. The conversation also gets into the behind-the-scenes of being coached by their husbands, how they collaborate as a four-person team, and what it looks like to balance ambition with longevity, family life, and joy in the process.

Sara shares more about her upcoming memoir, For the Love of the Grind, including why she wanted to write it and the lessons she hopes athletes take from it.

Topics Discussed:

Houston Marathon recap and going 1–2 together

Back-to-back marathons and managing the recovery window

Sara’s original plan to run the half, and why she finished the full marathon

How Calli stayed composed when things got hard early in the race

Training partnership: why they are better together and how they compromise

Their husbands coaching them and how the dynamic works day to day

Strengths they bring to the group: long run strength, speed work, and racing frequency

“Loving the grind,” longevity, and Sara’s mindset shift over the years

Sara’s book For the Love of the Grind and what readers can expect

Flagstaff training life, and why they love it and hate it

Support Our Sponsors:

Donna Marathon Weekend — Jacksonville, FL, February 1–2, 2025. Supports breast cancer research and families impacted by diagnosis. Register at breastcancermarathon.com and use LINDSEY10 for $10 off.

Previnex — I’ve been using their Muscle Health formula and I love that it combines creatine monohydrate with BCAAs and essential amino acids to support strength, recovery, and muscle maintenance. They just released a new citrus flavor that’s really refreshing, and it’s formulated to improve amino acid absorption and protein synthesis. I also take Previnex Gut & Greens every day and swear by it. Codes you can use: LINDSEYSUPERFOODS when Gut & Green is in cart; otherwise ANOTHER or LINDSEYSTRENGTH for Muscle Health at previnex.com.

Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout!

I’m so excited to welcome Laura Thweatt back to the podcast today, and we’ve got a little bonus reunion because my friend Peter Bromka joined us as well. Peter is one of my co-hosts on Relay and Road to the Trials, and when he found out Laura was coming on he asked if he could join which honestly made this conversation even more fun. Laura is someone who has been such a huge part of the running community for years. She ran professionally for over a decade, placed fifth at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon, and most recently stepped into a new chapter as a coach with the On Athletics Club, working alongside Dathan Ritzenhein and Kelsey Quinn. In this conversation, Laura walks us through what that transition has really been like, from the excitement of a dream opportunity to the intimidation and learning curve of stepping into a high-performance coaching role. She shares a hilarious story from her very first day on the job that involves borrowed bikes, missed splits, and trying to figure things out on the fly, and we talk honestly about identity, grief, and growth when you close one chapter and open another. Laura also shares what she’s learned working closely with athletes like Joe Klecker, Ryan Ford, and Helen Obiri, including how much happens behind the scenes to support athletes on race day and how coaching has allowed her to experience the highs and lows of the sport in a completely new way. This was one of those conversations that felt like it went by way too fast, and I’m so grateful Laura and Peter joined me for it.

Topics discussed:

Laura’s transition from professional runner to coach with On Athletics Club

How the coaching opportunity came together with Dathan Ritzenhein

Feeling intimidated and learning to trust herself in a new role

Laura’s chaotic and hilarious first day on the job

Building trust and relationships with elite athletes

Supporting athletes moving from track to roads and the marathon

Managing expectations and pressure in a very public sport

Grieving the end of a racing career while embracing a new chapter

Experiencing race-day highs and lows as a coach instead of an athlete

Aletheia Run lets you see what your body is actually doing with every step by using a lightweight sensor that creates a unique force portrait of your movement. It gives personalized feedback, targeted drills, and science-backed insights to improve performance and help prevent injuries, bringing the running lab right to your everyday training.

Noogs: If you love sour candy and want something that actually works for fueling, Noogs has quickly become one of my favorites. They’re sour energy chews that taste amazing without being overpowering, and they give you the electrolytes and energy you actually want before or during a run. I love popping a couple before a workout, and their caffeinated chews are especially impressive because they don’t have that bitter taste you sometimes get with caffeine. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

Rocket Money — If you’ve ever looked at your bank statement and thought, why am I still paying for this, Rocket Money makes it so much easier to clean that up. It helps you find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, keeps an eye on your spending across accounts, and can even help you lower bills so you can grow your savings. I signed up for the premium level recently and it pulled out things I genuinely did not realize I was still paying for. Save yourself the monthly leaks and check it out at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

Four-time Paralympian and seven-time medalist Amanda McGrory joins the podcast for a long-awaited conversation. Amanda competed at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021 Paralympic Games, once held the world record in the 5,000 meters, has raced over 100 marathons, and has won major races including the New York City Marathon, London Marathon, and Grandma’s Marathon, with additional podium finishes in Boston.

Now retired from elite competition, Amanda has built an impressive second career as an on-air analyst for major marathons and championships, including coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lindsey and Amanda talk through her journey into wheelchair racing, the Paralympic moments that meant the most to her, and what it’s been like stepping into the media side of the sport and covering races live on camera.

Amanda also shares her role as Team USA Archivist and Collection Curator, offering insight into how she’s stayed deeply connected to the sport she helped shape. From early memories of discovering adaptive sports, to racing tactics and strategy, to reinvention after setbacks, this conversation highlights Amanda’s impact as both an athlete and a visible leader in Paralympic sport today.

Topics Covered:

Discovering wheelchair racing and adaptive sport at a young age

Competing in four Paralympic Games (2008–2021)

Holding the world record in the 5,000 meters

Winning major marathons and racing over 100 total marathons

Transitioning from elite athlete to broadcast analyst

Covering major marathons, the Olympic Games, and Paralympic Games on live TV

Becoming Team USA Archivist and Collection Curator

Representation and visibility in Paralympic sport

Wheelchair racing tactics, speed, and strategy

Track racing vs marathon racing in a wheelchair

The emotional highs and lows of Paralympic competition

Reinventing training, mindset, and approach after setbacks

Knowing when it was time to retire from elite competition

Staying active after retirement without training like a professional

Growth of Paralympic media coverage and fan engagement

The role of technology and equipment in wheelchair racing

Equity challenges in access to top-tier racing chairs

Balancing social media, storytelling, and personal boundaries

Saying yes to opportunities and trusting the process

Media Recommendations:

Books

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Harry Potter series

TV Shows

Taskmaster

Loot

Severance

Shrinking

Ted Lasso

Support Our Sponsors:

Aletheia Run lets you see what your body is actually doing with every step by using a lightweight sensor that creates a unique force portrait of your movement. It gives personalized feedback, targeted drills, and science-backed insights to improve performance and help prevent injuries, bringing the running lab right to your everyday training.

CURE Hydration — No added sugar or dyes; electrolyte mix for adults and kids; non-GMO; FSA/HSA eligible. Use ANOTHER for 15% off at curehydration.com/another.

Rocket Money — If you’ve ever looked at your bank statement and thought, why am I still paying for this, Rocket Money makes it so much easier to clean that up. It helps you find and cancel unwanted subscriptions, keeps an eye on your spending across accounts, and can even help you lower bills so you can grow your savings. I signed up for the premium level recently and it pulled out things I genuinely did not realize I was still paying for. Save yourself the monthly leaks and check it out at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

Donna Marathon Weekend — Jacksonville, FL, February 1–2, 2025. Supports breast cancer research and families impacted by diagnosis. Register at breastcancermarathon.com and use LINDSEY10 for $10 off.