In this episode of Pain Cave to Power, we sit down with runner, storyteller, and advocate Julianna Coughlin who is a marathoner and trail runner reshaping what strength, representation, and inclusivity look like in the running world.

Julianna brings a powerful blend of lived experience and professional insight as a registered dietitian, content creator, and host of the Runnah podcast. Living with chronic biomechanical and neurological challenges, she opens up about navigating the running world through a lens that often goes unseen, and the barriers, biases, and breakthroughs that come with it.

Together, we explore how identity intersects with movement, how athletes with disabilities and female-identifying runners experience both visible and invisible challenges, and what it means to build communities where all athletes feel safe, welcomed, and celebrated.

In this episode:

• Julianna’s journey into running and storytelling
• Advocacy for disabled athletes and female-identifying runners
• The emotional landscape of running with chronic conditions
• Inclusivity gaps in trail and ultra communities
• What true safety and representation should look like
• How community leaders can reshape running culture

This conversation is heartfelt, honest, and full of the kind of truth-telling that empowers endurance athletes everywhere. Julianna’s story is a reminder that the pain cave isn’t just physical and that power comes from claiming our whole selves, not just the miles we run.

Listen now and step into a deeper, more inclusive understanding of what it means to be an athlete.

Recorded December 20, 2025

Join us with our guest, John Calabrese, as we dive deep into the complexities of relationships, whether personal, professional, or within the vibrant trail running community. In this episode, we unpack the critical red flags that can arise in our connections and explore how to recognize the green flags that promote a safe and nurturing environment for healing and growth. 

As the trail running community expands, we're reminded that while it can be a source of encouragement and support, it's essential to stay vigilant about the darker sides that can emerge. Let's learn how to cultivate relationships that uplift us while acknowledging the challenges we may face. Together, we can forge a path toward a more resilient and compassionate community. 

Tune in and discover how to navigate these landscapes, fostering relationships that truly empower us. 

Recorded November 24, 2025

In this episode of Pain Cave to Power, Melissa and Brandy take on one of the most urgent safety conversations in the trail and ultra community: the hidden risks that live online.

From invasive DMs to obsessive monitoring, fake accounts, stalking behaviors, and cult followings around charismatic leaders, we explore how digital harassment often becomes real-world danger with real-world effects, especially for women and vulnerable runners.

Together, we examine how much information athletes unintentionally share, how predators exploit digital spaces and vulnerable populations, and why online boundaries are as essential to safety.

This episode is a candid, necessary deep dive into the places the trail community rarely talks about, because safety isn’t just about headlamps and bear spray. It’s about the spaces we occupy online, and the people who may be watching.

Listen now, share widely, and help us make the running world safer on every trail, including the digital ones.

Formerly known as Running Through Life’s Hurdles, the podcast returns for its second season with a new name and deeper purpose — Pain Cave to Power.

In this reimagined season, hosts Melissa Londry — therapist, ultrarunner, and race director — and Brandy Krisher — ultrarunner, massage therapist, coach, and advocate — invite you into the heart of Pain Cave to Power: a space where endurance meets emotion and where we explore both the pain we choose and the pain we never asked for.

Together, Melissa and Brandy unpack the meaning behind “the pain cave”, that raw, transformative space runners know all too well, and how it mirrors life’s hardest moments: trauma, grief, heartbreak, betrayal, and healing.

This conversation sets the tone for what’s ahead... honest, unfiltered discussions about how running can be both refuge and reckoning. Because sometimes the trails we run reflect the emotional terrain we’re still learning to navigate.

In this episode:

• The story behind Pain Cave to Power 
• A discussion of the newly published ATRA article: “Running Toward Safety: How Trail Running Is Confronting Harassment and Building Trauma-Informed Communities”
• Why endurance and healing share the same language
• What listeners can expect in future episodes from personal stories to community conversations on trauma, safety, and transformation

Subscribe, share, and step into the cave, because this is where strength begins.

In this insightful episode, we sit down with Rachel Gross, founder of Rachel Gross Nutrition, to discuss her inspiring journey and expert advice on nutrition, wellness, and running. Rachel shares her personal experiences that led her to start her business, highlighting the need she identified in her community for healthier lifestyles amidst constant stressors.

Rachel talks about the wide range of services she offers, including one-on-one nutrition coaching, fitness programming, meal prepping, and accountability groups. She explains how she customizes her approach to meet the unique needs of each client and addresses common misconceptions about meal prepping.

As a seasoned nutrition expert, Rachel provides invaluable tips for athletes looking to optimize their diet for performance and recovery. She explains her philosophy of viewing food as fuel and how she helps clients adopt this mindset for sustained energy and satisfaction.

Throughout the episode, Rachel shares success stories from her clients and discusses her ongoing efforts to stay connected with her community and adapt to their evolving needs. She also gives a glimpse into her future plans for Rachel Gross Nutrition and how she envisions her business growing.

Listeners will walk away with practical tips for starting their own wellness journey, incorporating healthy eating habits into busy schedules, and avoiding common pitfalls. Rachel's passion for her work and dedication to helping others shine through, making this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in nutrition and running.

Tune in to learn from Rachel Gross and discover how you can fuel your body for a healthier, more active lifestyle. 

You can find Rachel on her website (www.rachelgrossnutrition.com) Facebook and Instagram @milesacrossthemitten.

In this episode of the podcast, I have the pleasure of speaking with Brian Derouen, an extraordinary athlete with an impressive running resume. Brian has completed 32 races, including some of the most grueling ultra-marathons and trail runs across the country. His race history features remarkable performances at the Cruel Jewel 100, and multiple editions of the Frozen Sasquatch 50K.

Brian's journey into ultra-running is as inspiring as it is impressive. He shares his beginnings in the sport, the challenges he faced transitioning from shorter races to ultra-distances, and the lessons he's learned along the way. We dive deep into his race experiences, exploring what it takes to tackle some of the toughest courses and how he prepares both physically and mentally for these demanding events.

Beyond his running accomplishments, Brian's story takes an extraordinary turn. He is a living organ donor who generously donated a third of his liver to save another person's life. We discuss the impact this profound act of kindness has had on his life and his running. Brian's resilience and dedication shine through as he talks about balancing his recovery and training.

In addition to his personal experiences, Brian offers valuable advice for aspiring ultra-runners. Join us for an inspiring conversation with Brian Derouen, a runner who exemplifies endurance, compassion, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner or just starting out, Brian's story will motivate you to push your limits and find joy in the journey.

If you would like to donate to the hospitality house that Brian runs, you can do so at www.aldersonhospitalityhouse.org . 

If you would like more information about living organ donation, visit organdonor.gov .

In this episode, Melissa sits down with West Virginia ultra runner, Matt Bailey, to delve into his inspiring journey through the world of ultra running. Matt takes us back to his early days, where he began his running odyssey with half marathons and the Marshall University marathon. But Matt's story is more than just about running; it's about transformation. He shares how he shed weight through boxing and eventually found his passion for ultra marathons.

Listeners are taken on a thrilling ride as Matt recounts his experiences in races like the Highland Sky 40 miler and the Rim to River series, where he pushed his physical and mental limits to conquer daunting trails and distances. But amidst the grueling challenges of ultra running, Matt highlights the unwavering support he receives from his family and friends. They've been his pillars of strength, standing by him through every triumph and setback, providing the encouragement and motivation needed to persevere, even in the toughest moments of races.

Through Matt's story, listeners are inspired not only by his athletic achievements but also by the power of community and family support in pursuing one's dreams. Tune in to this episode to be motivated and uplifted by Matt Bailey's remarkable journey from half marathons to ultra trails.

Through candid reflections and emotional vulnerability, she emphasizes the importance of speaking one's truth and refusing to remain silent about betrayals and injustices. Despite moments of vulnerability, she remains steadfast in her resolve to confront her experiences head-on, recognizing the value of her voice in empowering other women facing similar challenges.

As the episode unfolds, she hints at the complexity of her journey, promising future installments to delve deeper into her narrative. She invites listeners to explore broader societal issues, referencing articles on trail running harassment and the pursuit of gender equity in sports.

https://www.marathoninvestigation.com/2020/05/run-bum-sean-blanton-under-fire.html

https://www.runnersworld.com/women/a36186002/trail-running-harassment-runners-equity-alliance/

https://www.irunfar.com/women-in-trail-running-and-ultrarunning

With a mix of sincerity and humor, she concludes with a heartfelt message of gratitude to her audience, acknowledging the significance of their support and encouragement. As she teases future revelations, she leaves listeners eagerly anticipating the next chapter of her story.

Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking episode that celebrates resilience, empowerment, and the transformative power of storytelling.

Welcome to "Running Through Life’s Hurdles," a captivating podcast that explores the multifaceted journey we all experience as we go through this thing called life. Your host, a seasoned Ultrarunner, licensed professional counselor, devoted mom, business owner, inspirational coach, race director and volunteer, brings you into her world.

Throughout each episode, she delves into the complexities and joys of how we all are juggling diverse roles and identities. From the mental resilience developed on the ultrarunning trails to the emotional challenges seen in the mental health realm; the triumphs and trials of motherhood to the intricacies of running a business; the empowering lessons as a coach to the fulfillment gained from volunteering - no aspect is left untouched. With guest co-hosts and other special guests, listen in to find that you are really not alone in your experience and to learn a little more about life and your fellow humans. 

Join us on this unique journey as we navigate through life's ups and downs, celebrate victories, learn from setbacks, and draw wisdom from everyday experiences. "Running Through Life’s Hurdles" offers inspiration, guidance, and camaraderie to anyone balancing multiple roles, while encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle. Tune in to be enlightened, motivated, and uplifted.