The Chaotic Runner Podcast

In a world where we focus on self image and comparing ourselves to other, sometimes we forget to celebrate the skin we are in. On Today's episode of The Chaotic Runner join Bails as she digs deep into untangling the web of what constitutes as the "appropriate" body image. This episode gets personal for your host so listener discretion is advised but it acts as your hall pass to take a good look at yourself in the mirror and celebrate your bodies success stories rather than focusing on the numbers or what social media is telling us.

Bails has also entered herself into a competition called "Top Host." Every day you can vote on her page by following the link provided. If she wins she is hoping to invest in her podcast and improve your listening experience. Follow the link below and vote for her and her Podcast to be the next Top Host!

https://tophost.org/2026/bailey-baldassari

We live in a world where the busier you are can sometimes feel like it defines our worth. BUT what happens when our bodies start screaming for help. Do we listen? Probably not! On this episode of we touch base on what a recovery day can look like, and the signs our bodies throw at us when we are long overdue for a break. Consider this episode your permission slip to take on some self care!

On this weeks episode of the Chaotic Runner Podcast, join your host Bails as she dives into when we hit that wall during our fitness journey. We all know of it. The one where our routine becomes boring and we are no longer excited or locked in. On this episode she takes a look at how to work past the anxiety of shaking things up in our regime through her own insight. How showing up the first time may be hard but it'll get better over time.

You can send emails directly to Bails if you have any questions or stories you'd like to share to [email protected]

You can also subscribe to a weekly newsletter at thechaoticrunner.substack.com/subscribe

On this weeks episode of the Chaotic Runner! Join your host Bailes as she flies solo and dives into the world of meal prep and getting back into the swing of things. This episode will cover budget and time friendly meal prep suggestions, how guilt is not an ingredient, and how to avoid an all or nothing approach. If you are looking for a way to develop healthy habits without the burnout this episode is the perfect dose of chaos for you!

It's more than just survival, it's how we keep moving forward! On this weeks episode of The Chaotic Runner Podcast Bails and her guest Serenity discuss that little voice in our heads that keeps us within a limit and how we can override it appropriately to work to our potential and reach our goals injury free.

Tune in every Friday mornings at 8am on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer. On this podcast we cover the unglamorous side of fitness and running, how life can throw a curve ball, and how we as humans can do incredible things.

To be a part of the Chaotic Runner community you can subscribe to substack.com/@thechaoticrunner or send an email directly to me at [email protected]

Summer running can break you fast if you ignore the heat, the humidity, and what your body is actually telling you. Stacy joins The Chaotic Runner for a brutally honest, funny, and practical conversation about surviving hot-weather runs without ending up dizzy, dehydrated, or regretting every mile.When the air is thick, the route is exposed, and even a "short" 5K turns into a grind, the answer is not more toughness - it's better strategy. From higher-sodium hydration and race-day fueling to choosing the shady route, backing off your pace, and knowing when to walk, this episode is packed with real-world advice for runners who are trying to stay consistent through the hottest part of the year. You'll discover:

• Why water alone is not enough on sweaty summer runs
• How sodium-heavy hydration can help you recover better after the effort
• What to do when the heat, smoke, or humidity makes the run unsafe
• How to adjust your expectations when race pace just is not there
• Why listening to your body matters more than forcing the workout

Stacy also shares the hard-earned lessons that come from pushing too far, including a memorable hot-run survival story, treadmill disasters, and the reality that some days just call for a walk break and an ice cream instead. The conversation gets into group-run safety, bright gear, road awareness, and why running with other people can keep you both safer and saner.If you run outside in the summer, train for fall races, or just want permission to stop punishing yourself for every imperfect workout, this one is for you. It is equal parts survival guide, reassurance, and reminder that showing up counts - even when the weather is trying to win.

The advice to "push harder" can be the fastest way to burn out. Ryan shares the real grappling hook method for getting through hard seasons - finding the right kind of activity, the right people, and the right mindset before motivation disappears. From childhood games in a social neighbourhood, to punishing track meets, toxic basketball, baseball dugouts, and wilderness trips that turned into survival tests, this conversation uncovers what actually keeps people moving when things get rough. If you have ever quit something because it stopped feeling good, or you keep forcing yourself into workouts that were never built for your personality, this episode will hit home.

Gym embarrassment, awkward encounters, and the kind of chaos that makes you want to cancel your membership - this episode turns painful fitness fails into surprisingly useful lessons. The Chaotic Runner is joined by her dad Paul to read real stories from the gym floor, from bench press disasters to showboating, boundary-crossing, and the moments that remind you everyone is just trying to survive their workout. You’ll hear why one teenager’s uneven plate unload ends in a barbell crash that brings the whole gym running, what happens when someone steals weights mid-set, and why the simplest gym rule might be the most important one: ask, don’t grab. Along the way, they unpack the social minefield of gym etiquette - wiping down equipment, waiting your turn, respecting space, and not turning the mirror into a stage.The conversation gets even better when they break down the difference between intimidating gym culture and supportive spaces that actually help people improve. A real story about struggling through an AMRAP leads into a bigger point about adapting your workouts to your body, not to the people around you. They also talk about why consistency matters more than perfection, how lifting supports running, bone health, and aging well, and why the right gym environment can make all the difference.

• How to navigate gym etiquette without being “that person”
• Why asking before jumping on equipment matters more than you think
• What “showing up for yourself” actually looks like when motivation is low
• How to adjust training instead of forcing yourself into someone else’s program
• Why strength training pays off far beyond aesthetics

Paul brings a grounded parent perspective, practical advice, and a healthy dose of honesty about the intimidation factor of gyms, while The Chaotic Runner adds lived-in experience from running, CrossFit, and figuring out what actually works in real life. Together they make a strong case for fitness that is respectful, sustainable, and a lot less performative.Perfect for anyone who’s ever felt awkward in a gym, wondered if they were doing it wrong, or needed a reminder that progress beats ego every time. If you need a push to get back under the bar, back in the pool, or simply back into the habit, this one lands exactly where it should.

If you have any experiences whether they are fun or cringey that you think will inspire others please send an email to [email protected]

Navigating life and when shit hits the fan. Join our host and her guest as they discuss their ups and downs on their runs and how to stay motivated even when it's not feeling easy.