Inspired Soles

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

My husband Johnny is back in the co-host seat, and we're thrilled to be joined by our favourite running brothers, Rob & Charlie Tetrault from The Running Journey podcast, for a fun and feisty crossover episode.

On July 16th, the four of us will go head-to-head in a team 5K relay at Victor Mager track, with podcast bragging rights—and $5000 to the charity of the winning team’s choice—on the line. It’s also a community event with 1500m races, pizza, birthday cake, and lots of laughs.

In this episode, Johnny & I recap our half marathon performances at Grandma's in Duluth, Rob & Charlie talk about their charity event in La Broquerie, and we all weigh in on the new BQ rule from the B.A.A. that has runners talking.

Local? Come cheer or race. Everyone else—tune in for the banter, bold predictions, and behind-the-scenes prep.

Learn More & Register for the Mic Check Relay:

• https://mraweb.ca/event/the-mic-check-relay/

Connect with Rob & Charlie:

• Charlie's Inspired Soles episode: 7 Marathons, 7 Continents, 7 Days
• Rob's Inspired Soles episode: Running Towards Sobriety
• Instagram: @runwithrobcmv
• Podcast: The Running Journey 

Connect with Johnny:

• Instagram: @bestjohnnyever

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Glynis Sim is a 27-year-old elite distance runner based in Vancouver, BC, where she trains with the Vancouver Thunderbirds under coach Steve Weiler. She’s the 2022 U Sports Cross Country Champion, recently won the Vancouver Sun Run in 32:54, and holds a 5000m PB of 15:35.

But Glynis’ story is about much more than podiums and times.

After a difficult chapter at Arizona State University, where she faced a long and stubborn tibial stress fracture, Glynis was medically retired from the NCAA system. It wasn’t until she returned to Canada and let go of rigid expectations that her relationship with running began to shift—and ultimately thrive.

In this conversation, Glynis opens up about:

• Her transition away from the steeplechase and back to racing for joy
• The importance of fueling well and avoiding low energy availability
• Her decision to work 60% as a nurse to create balance in life
• How cross-training and lower mileage help her stay healthy
• Why having fun and filling your life with good things matters so much

Wise beyond her years, Glynis is a grounded and joyful athlete whose perspective will resonate with anyone who’s ever struggled with injury in sport.

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Erin Mawhinney is a 28-year-old elite runner, full-time nurse, and proud Hamiltonian who recently ran her way onto the podium at the 2025 Canadian 10K Championships with a personal best of 33:09.

In this fun and wide-ranging conversation, we discuss:

• Erin’s race-day patience and strong finishing kick
• How working with coach Reid Coolsaet since late 2021 has kept her injury-free
• Her marathon debut at Toronto Waterfront in 2024
• Her McMaster Marauder roots
• Her “hideous” running form (her words!)
• Why she believes running should always stay fun and social
• Her karaoke skills, beer preferences, and dream sponsorship from Big Bee — Hamilton’s most legendary convenience store

Erin is the kind of athlete who reminds us why we love this sport. She’s fast, funny, and refreshingly real.

Connect with Erin:

• Instagram: @erinmawhinney_
• Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/48592387 

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Rory & Jill Linkletter are the ultimate marathoner + mom duo — and this conversation is everything you’d hope for: real, funny, insightful, and inspiring.

Just 34 days after running a 2:07:02 PB at the Boston Marathon, Rory followed it up with a 2:08:31 in Ottawa to firmly secure his spot as the second fastest Canadian marathoner of all time 🥈🇨🇦

But what goes into a decision like that? How does Jill hold it all down on the homefront with two toddlers in tow? And how did both of these races actually play out?

We get into:
🏃‍♂️ Marathon math & redemption
👶 Mom mode & elite-level support
👟 Puma’s Fast-R 3 super shoes
📺 YouTube trolls & friendly rivalries
💬 Confidence, self-doubt & the power of partnership

If you love running, racing, or just a good behind-the-scenes story, this one’s for you.

Rory’s Past Appearances:

• Episode 193: Rivals & Friends: Breaking Down the Canadian 10k Championships in Ottawa (with Ben Flanagan)
• Episode 180 - On Running Olympic Standard at the Seville Marathon
• Episode 153 - Top Canadian Men’s Marathoner at 2023 World Championships

Connect with Rory:

• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LinkletterRory
• Ottawa Marathon Recap on YouTube
• Instagram: @Rory_linkletter
• Strava: https://www.strava.com/pros/9351341

Connect with Jill:

• Instagram: @jill.linkletter

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today I’m joined by my favourite repeat guest — and husband — Johnny Coffin, who just smashed through the 35-minute barrier with a 34:49 at the Canadian 10K Championships in Ottawa! 🇨🇦🔥

We recap our whirlwind weekend at the Ottawa Race Weekend, which came together very last-minute after a chaotic week of travel, a blown tire, and minimal sleep. Despite it all, we both rallied — Johnny with his biggest 10K breakthrough to date, and me with a 42:49 finish I’m genuinely proud of.

We dive into:

🟢 Johnny’s Project Sub-35 journey
🟢 Why 10Ks are deceptively tough
🟢 How we trained and what we felt going into the race
🟢 How it all played out on race day
🟢 And of course… the people, the energy, and the magic of Ottawa Race Weekend 💫

Headphones may be recommended if little ears are around… Johnny’s getting very comfortable behind the mic. 😂

Connect with Johnny:

• Previous Inspired Soles episodes:
  • EP 230: Ask Carolyn Anything + Colour Commentary from Johnny
  • EP224: Do You Control Strava, or Does It Control You?
  • EP 211: Coffin's Chicago Marathon Recap: The Bodily Fluids Episode
  • EP 202: Paris Olympic Track & Marathon Recap 
  • EP 55: Road to the 2021 Boston Marathon
  • EP 12: Slow the BLEEP Down
• Instagram: @bestjohnnyever

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Ashley Wiles is a mental performance coach & Founder of Sole Girls, which is dedicated to helping young athletes build confidence, resilience, and the mental tools they need to thrive—not just in sport, but in life.

She’s also a 3-time Ironman athlete and 70.3 World Championship competitor, so she walks the talk when it comes to pushing limits and staying mentally tough.

Inspired by Amanda Todd’s story back in 2012, Ashley created Sole Girls to help teenage girls find their voice, fall in love with movement, and develop a strong sense of self-worth. Since then, the program has empowered over 1,000 girls across Canada.

More recently, she launched Sole Mental Performance, an online program designed to teach teen athletes how to manage pressure, bounce back from mistakes, overcome self-doubt, and develop a growth mindset. And don’t worry if you’re a grown adult listening, because it’s never too late to apply these tools and techniques to your life & sport as well!

Ashley’s work has earned her national recognition, including Top 10 Young Entrepreneurs to Watch by The Globe and Mail, Top 5 Motivators in Canada by Impact Magazine, and Most Inspiring Coach in North Americaby Brooks Running.

She’s also a sought-after speaker, having shared her message at TEDxKidsBC, Rogers Arena, and countless schools and sports programs across the country.

Connect with Ashley & find resources we talked about:

• Instagram: @sole_girls 
• Website: solegirlsperform.com 

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

What happens when you go all in on a bold goal — and let the whole world watch?

In this episode, writer, runner, and content creator Alex Cyr reflects on his journey to run sub-30 for 10K before turning 30. It took six tries, a chaotic travel schedule, and a whole lot of humility — but on April 27th, he finally did it in 29:41 at the Vancouver Sun Run.

We talk about the pressure of public accountability, imposter syndrome, how sharing a goal can shift your motivation, and why he went dark on social media before his final race. 

We also talk super shoes and Faith Kipyegon’s sub-4 mile attempt.

Connect with Alex:

• Instagram: @cyrsey_10 & @marathon.handbook
• Website: marathonhandbook.com
• Alex's last Inspired Soles interview: Are You a Real Runner If You Don't Run Marathons?

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Caroline Fisher is a lifelong runner, passionate community builder, and the woman behind Big Sky Run Co. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Caroline started running long distances as a teenager, inspired by her mother—a strong and enduring runner in her own right—and that family legacy continues to shape how Caroline approaches both life and business. Now the sole owner of Big Sky, she’s created far more than a retail space—it’s a true gathering place for runners of all backgrounds, where post-run treats are homemade and community comes first. 

In this conversation, we talk about the highs and hard lessons of entrepreneurship, balancing competitive running with motherhood, and what it means to lead a values-driven business. With Mother’s Day just around the corner, Caroline also reflects on the woman who started it all and the role running continues to play across generations in her family.

Connect with Caroline/Big Sky & find resources we talked about:

• Instagram: @bigskyrunco
• Website: bigskyrun.com
• Black Friday post
• Episode with Ali McPherson

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Alison McPherson, a 31 year old lifelong runner, coach, and all-around powerhouse who lives in Canmore, Alberta. In March, Ali won a hilly 50K trail ultramarathon, and just one month later, ran a personal best of 2:58:13 at the Boston Marathon. If that wasn’t special enough, her 64-year-old mom – whom she coached – also crossed the Boston finish line in an incredible 4:09! 

In this episode, we dive into Ali’s remarkable back-to-back performances, how she balanced recovery and racing, and what it meant to return to Boston with her mom on a much nicer day than they experienced in 2018. 

Ali is someone who truly walks her talk, and her clients at Rhythm Run Coaching are lucky to have her in their corner.

Connect with Ali:

• Instagram: @rhythmruncoaching
• Website: rhythmruncoaching.com
• Ali's previous appearance on Inspired Soles: Insights From Five Expert Run Coaches

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected]. 

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today’s guest is Andrea Wilson — a 49-year-old runner and occupational therapist from Comox, BC who has gotten faster throughout her 40s, culminating in a 2:58 marathon at CIM in December 2024. But her story is about so much more than running.

Roughly a decade ago, Andrea’s world got turned upside down, and she found herself asking some big questions: Who am I? What do I believe in? Through that journey, she found her voice, learned to set boundaries, and began to live with more confidence and clarity — all of which freed up space for her to pursue her love of running.

As an OT, Andrea specializes in self-regulation — which includes emotional processing, cognitive strategies, and sensory awareness. She explains how understanding these systems helped her take ownership of her goals, silence negative thoughts, and run the best marathons of her life in her late 40s.

We talk about mirror neurons, the addictive pull of screens, why stress impairs decision-making, and how it truly does take time to establish new routines.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Dr. Wayne Crowe (Andrea's coach): Exercise Is Medicine
• Roslyn Smith (Andrea's friend): 2019 Boston Marathon W70-74 Winner

Connect with Andrea:

• Instagram: @Andrea.wilson.ot

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to [email protected].