More Than Miles

In episode #36 of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy interview runner, coach, mom and Title IX scholar Jenny Breuer. Jenny discusses some of the historic gender inequities in sports including growing up as a distance runner in Florida and her experience in high school cross country where at that time the girls raced two miles whereas the boys’ team raced 3 miles. She talks about the evolution of Title IX over its 50 years (June 23rd, 2022 marks the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX) and some of the recent, “wins,” for women in sports including the U.S. women’s soccer team negotiating for equal pay to the men’s team. She also tells her story as the head coach for Trinity University’s Women’s and Men’s track and cross-country teams and the sacrifices she made as a female coach, including travelling for races and coaching duties even while her children were quite young. She tells the story of pumping breast milk for her young children while on the road as a coach and finding privacy for this in less than desirable locations including pumping in race day port-a-pottys!

Jenny is well versed in Title IX legislation from her experiences as a collegiate all-American distance runner, coaching winning teams in track and cross-country at the NCAA Division III level, and as a Title IX scholar and academic. She conducted her master’s thesis on Title IX in 1996 and went on to teach university-level sports administration courses in which Title IX legislation was part of the curricula. Jenny has fought for her own athletic opportunities as a woman and continues to advocate for women’s opportunities in athletics. She talks about the value of sports to teach life lessons such as persevering through struggle and experiencing successes and failures and learning how to deal with these experiences. If you are a champion of women’s sports, this episode will be sure to capture your interest! Give it a listen for more on this inspiring discussion of women in sports and look at Title IX across its 50-year history.

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In episode #35 of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy discuss a common foot injury in runners, plantar fasciitis. They talk about possible contributors to developing this ‘overuse’ type injury as well as signs and symptoms that are consistent with this pathology. They also elaborate on other potential causes of foot and heel pain and when to seek out help from a physical therapist (hint: as soon as you are having pain running!). Also in the episode, you’ll hear about the treatment techniques that they have had success with in treating hundreds of runners and their extensive experience in gait analysis and retraining. If you have ever had foot pain when you run or walk and want to know more, this episode is for you!

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In episode #34 of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy interview authors of recently published running book, “How She Did It: Stories, Advice, and Secrets to Success from Fifty Legendary Distance Runners,” Molly Huddle and Sara Slattery. Molly and Sara are both themselves accomplished competitive runners and their book takes a look into some of the careers of female runners who paved the way!

They talk about the process of gathering stories and interviews from these many amazing female runners and of writing and promoting the book. Molly and Sara also talk about the importance of these stories in communicating healthy training practices for female runners in terms of nutrition, training volume, and recovery practices. During the interview, these women emphasize that it is possible to train in healthy ways throughout the lifespan of a female athlete, though each period of life may bring up different challenges. They describe how using stories from other successful athletes engaging in healthy practices can encourage a healthy relationship with running and is especially important for young girls beginning running to have positive role models and example behaviors.

Some of the other issues they bring up include negotiating running and fueling appropriately as a female runner going through puberty and important factors to consider when running during and after pregnancy. These women explain how a running career is best viewed as an investment process and taking the time to build up training in healthy ways while supporting overall health leads to the most success and best health outcomes. You will hear how they have negotiated different points in their running careers, Sara’s experience as a collegiate coach for both male and female runners at Grand Canyon University, negotiating recovery from injuries, and more. They discuss some of the most rewarding aspects of running including the friendships and comradery they have both experienced with each other and in the running community. This episode and stories from these accomplished runners (and authors!) are sure to inspire your running journey!

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In episode #33 of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy interview two time Olympian and running phenom Kara Goucher. They first talk about how her grandfather inspired her love of running and how he ran into his 90s; later on continuing to run on a reduced-body weight treadmill. They also talk about the evolution of Kara’s running career and maturation during high school and into college where she faced pressure from others and herself to strive for a certain body image and was self admittedly not getting the proper nutrition for her sport. Kara also discusses some of the injuries she sustained because of this unhealthy pattern and her journey of learning about fueling for her sport in healthy ways. Dr. Kacy joins in to emphasize the importance that they both feel now of sending positive messages young females in the sport of running and cultivating positive body image and nutrition habits for healthy development. Kara talks openly about her view now on the absolute necessity of fueling well as it contributes to the vitality to sustain a long-term successful running career. Kara also opens up about some of the challenges that she’s faced with her loss of running as a professional with her recent diagnosis of “Runner’s Dystonia,” and what that has meant for her on a physical, mental, and emotional level. Her passion for the sport of running really shines through as she talks about her recent experience as a commentator for NBC, where she’s covered the races that she used to compete in like this year’s Boston Marathon.
This episode is truly inspiring! You won’t want to miss this heartfelt conversation with Kara Goucher!

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In episode #32 of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy interview Dr. Kayla Balcom, who is a sports psychologist working with the Atlanta Track Club and in independent practice. The episode opens as Dr. Balcom tells her story about growing up immersed in the world of figure skating; she started skating because her mother was a coach and would bring her to her practices at the rink and recalls first stepping on the ice at the age of three! She talks about negotiating the pressures of a highly competitive aesthetic sport and how this formed an athletic identity for her at an early age, as well as her path to becoming a sports psychologist.

Dr. Balcom opens up about potential barriers to access psychology services but also expands upon the various ways that working with a sports psychologist can be helpful, including improving self talk, dealing with performance pressures, and mitigating life stresses.

The episode continues as all three women break down current issues that athletes face such as the pressure to “be tough” and not show any vulnerability or ask for help, which can be problematic for mental health. They talk about the increase in suicide rates on college campuses and within college athletes, who may feel an extreme amount of performance pressure from sports and academics. Throughout this interview, Dr. Balcom continually emphasizes the importance of investing in mental health as a human-being because that is most integral to health as an athlete. But, again, acknowledges that the choice to pursue mental health can feel very scary for those who have not done so before. As she emphasizes, “Everything else can wait because your health and wellness cannot.”

This episode is profound in its exploration of holistic wellness and ways to integrate mental health practices in your life and also within teams and athletic environments.
This episode could change the way you think about mental health as an athlete!

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In episode #31 of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy talk in depth about bone stress injuries: what causes them, how to avoid them, and most importantly how to get back to the activities that you love! They discuss certain populations at increased risk for low energy availability and subsequent bone health issues including athletes in “aesthetic” sports or endurance sports and also new mothers. Dr. Kate shares her experience as a new mom and some of the reasons why breastfeeding and getting back into training can mean greater risk for bone stress injuries: listen to find out why!. They also reference some of the issues that came up in their interview with Dr. Courtney Gleason on Episode #30: Dr. Courtney Gleason:RED-s, Menopause, and Bone Health. If you want to know more about bone stress injuries including: ways to reduce risk, common causes, types, locations and ways to treat bone stress injuries, this episode is worth a listen!

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In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy talk about all things “Female Athlete” Related with guest Dr. Courtney Gleason, a sports medicine doctor at Emory University and director of Emory’s Female Athlete Program. They talk about Dr. Gleason’s passion and focus on working with female athletes including treating those with RED-S, or “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport”. They also discuss training through the lifespan as a female athlete including negotiating changes during menopause.

Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy bring up important issues such as the need to change the running culture and narrative about what it means to be a healthy female athlete. Dr. Kacy shares her personal experience and says “Addressing the culture around this is my mission and I’ve decided it’s my life’s work!”

This episode could change the way you think about fueling your body as a female athlete throughout your career and life!

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In this episode Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy break down the anatomy, potential causes, risk factors, and how to manage high hamstring injuries. They talk about things to avoid early in rehab (Stretching!) and the evidence for best exercises (Hint: Eccentrics). They also talk about other treatments options for these injuries like "Blood Flow Restriction" (BFR) and PRP injections.
You won’t want to miss this one!

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On this fun episode of the podcast, Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy discuss "what the kids are saying these days", fitness trends in 2022 (according to the internet), and continue the conversation on athletes taking a whole body approach to training. You'll laugh your way through this one!

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In the episode Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy talk with the incredible Dr. Jen Davis. She was a physical therapist and athlete that found her calling as a mental mindset coach for athletes. She knows what it is like to be an athlete and lose everything, including herself. She help inured and retiring athletes look outside of their sport and thrive.

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