Often when speaking to elite athletes, it's hard for us average Joe's to relate, but here's someone who not only gets it but is leading the race in both her running and professional career too.

In this episode of MAR we chat to Kyla Jacobs, an elite athlete specialising in the middle distances (5000m, 10km), who is set to represent SA in the World 5km Road Championships later this year.

You'd think that by representing her country she'd be a full-time athlete whose schedule looks like: train, eat, rest & repeat right? Think again, Kyla's winning formula for work-life balance looks a bit more like this: train, work an 8-4 corporate job, train, rest & repeat!

She say's it herself, "I didn't think I'd be competing at this level at this age". It really is a wonder how, 28 year old, Kyla does it all and thats exactly what we dive into in our conversation, we cover:

• Chasing career and running goals simultaneously - it's possible to do both! (with the right support structures).
• Moulding YOUR training template and finding what works for you - we all have different considerations to factor in.
• The JOY of running - finding support within community.
• Mileage, more is not more.
• The dangers of comparison and allowing our happiness to be dependant on the outcome of our goals.

This was a truly insightful and inspiring conversation. For such a young woman, Kyla has an incredible head on her shoulders and an even bigger heart that shines through with boundless passion for sport, her sister (her fiercest rival and best companion), her coaches, colleagues and running community!

We hope you are able to draw on Kyla's strength and get audacious about your goals - enjoy!