In this episode, we chat with Coach Ruth Atkinson—former choir teacher turned full-time run coach and new mama. Ruth opens up about her transition from the classroom to coaching, what it was like running a marathon at 26 weeks pregnant (!!), and her very real, very raw return to running postpartum. We talk about identity shifts, social media comparison traps, setting expectations, and why every mom's journey (and comeback pace) is valid.

In this episode, we cover:

• Ruth’s career pivot from choir director to running coach
• Her experience running a marathon while 26 weeks pregnant
• The emotional and physical shift from performance-focused to vibe-focused running
• What early postpartum return to running actually looks like (C-section, sleepless nights, and all)
• Advice for navigating motherhood and still staying connected to your sense of self

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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In this vulnerable and honest conversation, Coach Erin shares her unfiltered journey through pregnancy as an athlete who never saw motherhood in her future. From early surprises and shifting identities to navigating training and redefining success, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in a season of transition, especially athletes learning to embrace the unknown.

💡 What You’ll Hear:

• The honest story behind Coach Erin’s unexpected pregnancy
• Letting go of control and trusting your body in new ways
• Redefining athletic success while growing a tiny human
• How pregnancy impacted her Boston goals—and her mindset
• The physical and emotional realities few talk about in pregnant athlete life
• Why duality (gratitude and discomfort) matters in big life transitions
• Maternity fashion meltdowns, Taco Bell cravings, and keeping it real

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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The full Strides for Strength coaching crew is back on the mic! In this catch-up episode, we cover everything from summer running and racing wins to Coach Erins pregnancy news, heat training tips, strength training blocks, and what it means to pivot with grace (and a lot of laughter). This one’s for you, the runner navigating life’s seasons, craving connection, and learning how to adjust without giving up!

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Jess’s half marathon PR & return to racing
• The mental edge of sauna sessions + heat adaptation for race day
• Life updates from Germany to pregnancy, and what training looks like now
• The power of strength cycles, back squats, and seasonality in running
• Honest convos about expectations, identity shifts, and letting go of timelines

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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In this fun and honest episode, we coaches recap this year’s Peachtree Road Race—including Coach Erin running while pregnant, racing in Atlanta heat, and Jonathan’s legendary beer-per-mile strategy. We dive deep into shifting expectations, what it means to race “for fun,” and how our mindsets have changed over time with a decade of running.

What you will hear:

• What it’s really like to run the world’s largest 10K while pregnant
• Why Peachtree is a party… and also hot, humid chaos
• How Jonathan drank 8 beers in 6 miles (yes, really)
• What mature athletes understand about race-day expectations
• Letting go of PR pressure and embracing joy in running
• How social media and Strava shape our self-worth as runners
• The power of running in community and racing just for fun

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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You’ve got a goal pace… but how do you actually get there? In this episode, Mich and Erin break down the real process behind learning new paces, mentally and physically. From reframing what “hard” should feel like to running smarter workouts (not just faster ones), this convo is equal parts pep talk and game plan for runners who want to stop winging it and start executing.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why you don’t need to hit a pace perfectly to be making progress
• The mental hurdles (and ego checks) that come with learning new speeds
• How to break down intimidating workouts so you can run smarter, not harder
• Why your training runs—not just race day—are your best chance to practice race pace

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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If the summer heat has you bonking on every run, you’re not alone—and this episode is your hydration lifeline. We’re joined by fan favorite Chelsea Schmidt, nurse practitioner and sports nutrition coach, to break down hydration, sodium, and why so many runners are under-fueled and overcomplicating it. Whether you’re marathon training or hobby jogging in humid weather, this is your crash course in staying strong (and upright) all summer long.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why most runners are under-consuming sodium (and what to do about it)
• How to calculate your hydration and sodium needs (without getting overwhelmed)
• Tips for salty sweaters, GI distress, and recovery
• The truth about salt tabs, drink mixes, and gels

Standout Quotes:

• “You don’t get a trophy for running an hour with no fuel—you just get more tired.”
• “It’s not a fueling problem, it’s usually a sodium problem.”
• “Runners are not normal. You are not the average person the FDA is talking to.”
• “There’s no badge of honor for bonking.”

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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In this episode, Michaela sits down with her bestie and now athlete, Courtney, to unpack a wild ride to Grandma’s Marathon 2025 where Courtney went from a 7 day a week treadmill warrior to sub-4 hour marathon finisher (in 90% humidity, no less). They get real about what it’s like being coached by your best friend, breaking past mental barriers, and fueling for performance after years of associating running with weight loss. This one is loaded with lessons for every runner who's ever doubted themselves.

What You’ll Hear:

• What changed when Courtney finally stopped running 7 days a week
• The mental shift that allowed her to believe in sub-4
• Nutrition breakthroughs that literally saved race day
• Why every runner needs a coach (yes, even your stubborn BFF)
• The brutal truth about race day chafing 

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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Coach Michaela is on the mic this week with an honest breakdown of her 2025 Grandma’s Marathon experience—from battling race week spirals to running one of her smartest marathons yet in brutal humidity. Tune in to hear what it took to shave time off her PR (again), how she stayed in control when race conditions got spicy, and the performance-boosting shifts she made in training, strength, and mindset this season.

 What You’ll Hear:

• Why a shorter training cycle actually worked better
• How she prepped for race-day heat while training in dry Denver
• The inside scoop on pacing decisions, fuel strategy & electrolytes
• What went down in those final painful miles (and why she gave the finish line a thumbs down 😂)
• Navigating post-race feelings when the A-goal almost happened

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

In this episode, Michaela and Erin dive into the deep parallels between running and life—from resilience to patience to comparison traps. Through personal stories and coaching insight, they explore how lessons from the run carry over into every area of life, especially when it comes to growth, self-belief, and making hard decisions. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or lacing up for your first mile, this one will remind you why running is so much more than just putting one foot in front of the other.

This episode covers:

• The identity shifts that happen through running
• How running builds resilience and emotional intelligence
• Letting go of instant gratification and learning patience
• Navigating comparison (to others and yourself)
• How becoming coaches changed their perspective on running and self-worth

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

In this episode, Michaela and Erin unpack the three biggest roadblocks they see runners facing across all levels: running too fast on easy days, not fueling properly, and skipping strength training. Sharing personal stories, athlete lessons, and coaching wisdom, they break down why these habits stall your progress—and how to pivot. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just trying to feel better on your runs, this episode will help you train smarter, not harder.

This episode covers:

• Why running faster doesn’t always mean training smarter
• The myth of “more miles = better runner”
• How to properly fuel (before, during, and after runs)
• Why strength training is non-negotiable for performance and longevity
• Tips for shifting habits without overwhelm

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST