The Fit Fifteen

Runner Courtney Poullas is officially a marathoner! Today, she shares how she, a "gym class failure," decided to train for and complete a marathon. While she just successfully finished the Philadelphia Marathon, this was not the first marathon she signed up to complete. Find out what it took to get her to the start line of this race and how she kept her motivation to keep training. If you recognize Courtney's name, you might have listened to one of my previous episodes with her. The mom of three and English teacher was also on to talk about her new Run Like A Mother planner and training log. During our first episode, Courtney more details about her fitness journey and running through her pregnancy. Her youngest is now 15 months old. Courtney shared how having a newborn impacted her marathon training and the adjustments she made to have her body feel the best it could on race day. To hear how race day went come back tomorrow for the second half of our conversation!

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 190

Past episodes with Courtney:

Wondering what it's like to work with a wellness coach? How about how to make sure your wellness coach is qualified? Today's guest, Amanda Martin, helps answer these questions and takes us behind the scenes of a wellness coaching session. The owner of Blue Fox Wellness, Amanda Martin is a wellness coach with national certifications in both Wellness Coaching and Group Exercise Instruction. She has a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from the University of Michigan and has worked in health clinics, hospitals and for a national healthcare consulting company. During our conversation you'll learn about the special technique of motivational interviewing that allows wellness coaches like Amanda to help you make positive changes in your life without prescribing the same plan to each wellness coaching client. You'll also find out about the "blue" in Blue Fox Wellness and how you can lead a happier, healthier life even if you don't focus on exercise as your first action step. A big part of wellness and leading a healthier life is finding a supportive community. We close our conversation by talking about one of theses communities that Amanda has created - a brunch club for female entrepreneurs. The first one happens at the end of the month. Learn more about it in the show notes.

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 189

She might consider herself the least flexible yoga instructor in the world, but Becky Lang led one of the best yoga classes I’ve participated in when I visited Fort Myers Beach earlier this year. And I promise that's not only because the class took place on the beach!  If you are ever near Fort Myers Beach, Florida for one of Becky's beach yoga classes, you don't want to miss it.  On the podcast today, Becky shares her inspiring fitness journey. She might be a fitness professional today, but Becky hated gym class and even had doctor's notes written so she could skip it. After sharing her personal journey to a more active lifestyle, Becky shares some of her wisdom with us including one of her greatest lessons.  It's the same one that she covered during Savasana the day I enjoyed her beach yoga class and that got me a little emotional (yes, I have now cried in a yoga class). If you’re going through a tough time, you will definitely benefit from Becky’s insights. Finally, Becky shares more about one of her other passions, animals. To that end, she recently hosted a yoga class and event at Little Bear Sanctuary in Punta Gorda, Florida and once the weather cools down, plans to do an encore class. Be sure to follow her so you don’t miss that and Becky's inspiration on and off the mat.

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 188

Live in Connecticut or plan to visit to the Nutmeg State this summer? Don't want to miss the Winding Trails Triathlon Series! Race Director, Jimena Dolzadelli, stops by to share more about this ten week summer triathlon series that has something for everyone. The Winding Trails Tri Series is now in its 19th season and definitely beginner friendly. But if you're still feeling unsure about tri - ing (get it?!) this event out? You can check out the Demo Day on June 4th 2019. While the event encourages families to register and hosts not only the sprint distance, but also a Tiny Tri and Kids Tri triathlon race; you can also find competition if you're preparing for IRONMAN events. In addition to being the triathlon series' race director, Jimena Dolzadelli is a 2 time Olympian. She shares a few pro tips for mountain biking during the episode as well. After the Demo Day on June 4th this series kicks off on June 11th and ends August 13th.

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 187

Whether you're looking for a fun custom gift idea or way to get excited about putting on your shoes to get in your fifteen minutes (or more) of fitness, you'll love today's guest and founder of Bigfoot Custom Shoes, Stacey Robins. I had the honor of meeting her in Palm Springs, CA earlier this year when we were both in town for Alt Summit. She participated in my fun run and fundraiser for nonprofit Girls on the Run and when I found out about her business, I had to become a client. Find out what I had her paint and why it's made such a positive impact on my mood and get inspired by Stacey's personal fitness journey. Whether you're starting or restarting your fitness journey (what Stacey is currently doing) or an entrepreneur who loves hearing stories about other founders, you're sure to fall in love with painter, drawer, printmaker and crafter Stacey who's on a mission to leave the world a more beautiful place than when she arrived.

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 186

Yesterday, you met Dave Bloomquist (if not head HERE to tune in!), couch potato turned marathoner at age 50. Today, we continue our conversation about Dave's running journey. Dave shares how giving back has been a key part of his fitness journey the past decade as he's completed 30 marathons and many more endurance events. While Dave's contributions to the community have included both the sharing of his time to support runners and raising money, it's hard not to be impressed by the fact that Dave has now raised $25,000 for charity. He's currently working to finish his fundraising goal for the London Marathon, which he will complete this weekend. Learn more about the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation and why it's so important to Dave when you tune in and don't forget to donate: https://endurance.themmrf.org/2019London/DaveB. ANY amount is appreciated! And don't forget to cheer Dave on as he goes after his sixth World Marathon Major's star Sunday.

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 185

Think you're too old or inactive to run a marathon? Today's guest will challenge you to think again. Ten years ago couch potato Dave Bloomquist was 50 years old and getting lectured about his inactivity by his doctor. Today? He's run over 30 marathons, 50 half marathons, and countless other races. He is also a triathlete, having completed three 70.3 Ironman races and an RRCA running coach. What motivated Dave to start and and continue on his running journey? Find out in today's episode and what impressive goal Dave is chasing this coming weekend when he'll complete the London Marathon. In addition to Dave's personal fitness accomplishments, he's also been able to raise over $25,000 for various charities as he's participated in many of these races. Dave is quite proud of this and the new runners and athletes he's been able to support on their own journeys. We talk more about that in the second half of our conversation. Be sure to subscribe to listen to that and get some tips for your own fundraising by tuning in then.

Support Dave's London Marathon fundraiser for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation https://endurance.themmrf.org/2019London/DaveB

Marathoner and running coach Katherine Wuestenfeld completed her first Boston Marathon last week. Yesterday, she shared her journey to a Boston qualifying time (Ep 182). Today, she shares how she trained for the Boston Marathon and her Marathon Monday experience. Katherine's story is very inspirational. You definitely don't want to miss either episode. In today's episode you'll hear how Katherine was able to overcome an injury to get to the start line of Boston 2019. And while she had a challenging training cycle that included lots of wintery conditions in her hometown of Chicago, she was even able to get a PR (personal record) during the Boston Marathon. If you've recently qualified for Boston and want some tips on the course, you'll get those too as Katherine walks us through the race. Find out what those hills are really like and how the weather conditions of this year's Boston, although better than those that runners experienced in 2018, still had an impact on runners.  We also talk about Katherine's next marathon as well as her summer training plans.  Finally, we chat about building mental toughness and some tips and tricks to work on yours. I hope you enjoy this conversation and will continue to follow Katherine's journey with me!

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 183

Did you experience the excitement of Marathon Monday in Boston last week? Today's guest, Katherine Wuestenfeld, shares her journey to qualifying for the Boston Marathon, which she participated in last week. Initially a track and field athlete and cross-country runner in high school, Katherine transitioned to road racing in college. It was then that she started to set her sights on the marathon distance. Learn about her first marathon experience (and why she doesn't recommend completing your first marathon the same way!), some of the marathons she completed along the way to her BQ time, and some of the lessons she's learned along her running journey. Today's episode covers Katherine's journey to her Boston qualifying race at the Berlin Marathon in 2018. Tomorrow, we continue our conversation and Katherine shares her experience running Boston. Feeling inspired by Katherine's story? She's an RRCA Certified Running Coach and coaches with Team Sugar Runs. Learn more about how you can work with her on your goals by visiting the show notes. 

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 182

Heading to London for the London Marathon? Learn more about our pop up fun run and fundraiser: FitArmadillo.com/LondonRun

Tired of trying every fad diet out that comes along? Author of How to Be a Normal Eater: Finally Make Peace with Food and Live a Life Free From Dieting, Jenn Hand, stops by to help you break out of diet and binging cycles. Jenn's tips come from her own experience seeking a more normal relationship with food after years of dieting that started with trying some diet pills to help her lose weight before prom. She shares some mental tips you can try to navigate the challenge of eating and enjoying more nutritious foods and how to avoid feeling guilty when you choose to enjoy less nutrient dense options from time to time. In addition to being a published author, Jenn is a speaker, world traveler, adventure connoisseur, holistic health advocate, creator of the Normal Eaters Club and founder of www.jennhand.com, a full-service boutique that offers coaching and an online program that enables women to transform their relationship with food, fall in love with their bodies, and well, become one of those “normal eaters”!

Show notes: FitArmadillo.com/Podcast The Fit 15 by Fit Armadillo® #TheFit15 @TheFitFifteen @FitArmadillo Ep 179

Find Jenn's book HERE.