The Mother Runners Podcast: Moms Chasing Personal Bests

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If you're a mom, a master’s athlete, or someone navigating the ups and downs of running—especially as you chase those BIG goals—this episode is for you! Lisa Goodin made her marathon debut at the California International Marathon this past December, finishing with an impressive 2:36 and qualifying for the Olympic Trials at the age of 39. This was not just her first marathon as a mom but also her first in nearly two decades, having previously sworn off the distance after a challenging college experience.

Lisa's story is one of determination and resilience. After years of competing in shorter distances and half marathons, she finally took the leap back into the marathon world, encouraged and coached by her husband, a sports science professor. 

We chat about:

🌀 Lisa's unique training regimen

🌀 Explore what keeps her motivated during tough moments, 

🌀 and discuss how she expertly balances intense training with the demands of being a mom. 

My conversation with Lisa is sure to give anyone the courage to go after the thing they've dreamed about. 

MORE ABOUT LISA:

Lisa is a wife and a mother of three kids—14, 12 and 10 years old—and a distance runner in San Diego, California. She is coached by her husband of 15 years, is sponsored by Fluid Sports Nutrition, and runs for Prado Racing Team. When she’s not driving kids all over town or training, she loves to read, write, walk with friends, and spend time with her family at the beach. 

In December, Lisa qualified for her first Olympic Trials in the marathon with a 2:36:46. She’s run a 74 minute half marathon and recently placed 20th in the US Half Marathon Championships. She has a 5,000m PR of 16:23. Last summer she took a stab at breaking 5 in the mile and, as a distance runner, was thrilled to hit 4:51. 

RESOURCES:

IG: @lisamichellegoodin 

THANK YOU SPONSORS!:

💗AMAZFIT offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

💗CURE HYDRATION delicious & clean hydration: Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

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Too many runners are overtraining and dependent on their running for mental health—and there are physical and mental detriments and dangers to this.

Today running coach and founder of Filla Endurance Laura Filla and I discuss what overtraining or imbalanced running looks like and have suggestions for how to ensure you have a healthy relationship with running. 

We begin by learning more about Laura Filla, a mom of two, and her running journey. Laura's running story began in middle school thanks to a nudge from her mom to join the track team. From there, her passion for running blossomed, though like many, she took a hiatus during her early adulthood. It wasn't until she became a mom that she rediscovered running, using it as a powerful tool to navigate postpartum challenges, including postpartum depression.

In this episode, Laura and I discuss critical topics such as: 

🌀the importance of mental health for new moms and her personal struggle with low ferritin—highlighting a key sign that something may be off in your health. 

🌀how a fresh perspective on our running journeys can propel us forward 

🌀the often-overlooked issue of unhealthy running habits. 

🌀and, the dangers of overtraining and how maintaining balance in our fitness routines are invaluable for any runner.  

Laura’s truly a gem, and I know you're going to love learning more about her and her approach to running and motherhood.

RESOURCES:

IG: @coachlaura.run, @fillendurance, and @lacesandlegendspodcast 

www.fillaendurance.com

THANK YOU SPONSORS!:

💗AMAZFIT offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

💗CURE HYDRATION delicious & clean hydration: Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Andi Ripley should be angry. But she is filled with gratitude. 

Andi has a lot of running talent and was just getting started when she suffered serious injuries that have since stunted her competitive running career. But Andi was able to see the beauty in this disappointment and re-focus her priorities. 

Starting her running journey at the young age of 8, Andi embarked on a competitive running career that carried her through college. After welcoming her first son, she embraced stroller running and unstructured training, making an impressive marathon debut with a time of 2:55—only to later discover she was pregnant. After the birth of her second son, she became coached by her husband, Zach, also an incredibly fast runner, and achieved a remarkable 2:43 Olympic Trials qualifying marathon time—with bilateral hip labrum tears. 

Andi ran the Olympic Trials and then underwent surgeries for both hips but has battled injury ever since.  

You might think she’d feel frustration over her untapped potential, but Andi chooses to view her challenges differently. 

In this episode, Andi shares how she: 

🌀Embraces the beauty of her need to pivot, shifting her focus from personal records to helping others find joy in movement through her coaching and support.

🌀How she navigated this transition, honing in on what she loves about running, and replicating it in other faces of life. 

🌀Achieving “unhurried” healing.

Alongside her husband Zach, both Olympic Trials marathon qualifiers, Andi co-hosts The A to Z Running podcast, which I highly recommend. 

RESOURCES:

AtoZRunning.com

@atozrunning

@andiripley

THANK YOU SPONSORS!:

💗AMAZFIT offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

💗CURE HYDRATION delicious & clean hydration: Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever felt like taking a pause in your running journey was holding you back? If so, you won’t want to miss this empowering conversation with Erica Hopper. In this episode, we explore how these breaks can transform into opportunities for growth rather than setbacks.

I’ve known Erica for many years, and while our paths diverged for a bit, we reconnected when we both signed up for the Chicago Marathon this past fall. I was blown away by her incredible running journey, which inspired me to invite her onto the show.

At 40, Erica achieved a remarkable marathon personal record of 2:57 in Chicago, shattering her previous best of 2:58—set 15 years earlier! Just a year prior, she was navigating the challenges of postpartum life with her fourth child and struggling to shed the baby weight. Erica made a pivotal change that she credits for her breakthrough, and we dive into what that transformation entailed.

In addition to her running accomplishments, Erica has launched a new business, Fueled Up Kitchen, dedicated to providing moms and their families with nutritious, wholesome meals. With her background as a seasoned pastry chef, food stylist, and food blogger, she’s well-equipped to guide others on their culinary journey. 

Some topics we chat about:

🌀how she fits in her high-volume training

🌀the big shift she made to have her marathon breakthrough

🌀the power of pauses to redirect your life, 

🌀and the lessons her running is teaching her kids.

Erica is just getting started. As a busy mom of four young kids and now 41, she’s not only pushing the limits of her running as she trains for her 20th marathon but also paving a new career path to inspire and uplift fellow mothers.

Join us for this uplifting episode that showcases the resilience of mothers who run!

Follow Erica on IG: @fueledupkitchen!

BONUS MEAL PREP TIPS at Patreon.com/themotherrunners.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!:

💗Amazfit  offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

💗Previnex offers premium supplements. Save 15% off your first purchase with code MOTHERRUNNER at Previnex.com.

💗RelayActive Cute & comfy run fits. Save 15% here.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Dr. Carrie Pagliano wants to set the record straight on your pelvic health. Women do not need to feel broken if they have incontinence, prolapse, or pain. You can overcome these issues and come back stronger!

With 25 years of experience, Carrie is one of the foremost pelvic health physical therapists in the US and has been a trailblazer in a field that is continually evolving. 

In this episode, we explore Carrie's journey into pelvic health, including the evolution of pelvic health awareness and recent shifts in knowledge.

We talk about:

🌀misconceptions about pelvic health and debunk myths,

🌀main symptoms that people don’t realize are connected to pelvic floor dysfunction, 

🌀the impact of hormonal changes including from pregnancy to perimenopause on our pelvic floor function, and

🌀four crucial insights she wishes every woman knew about pelvic health.

Join us for this insightful & empowering conversation!

THANK YOU, SPONSORS!

Amazfit  offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! I love the Balance 2 watch. Save 10% on the GPS watches.

TravelRunner.com A travel booking site for runners. Get a 5% discount on your first booking with code MRUN5.

MORE ABOUT CARRIE PAGLIANO:

Dr. Carrie J. Pagliano is a pelvic floor physical therapist, running coach, and longtime advocate for helping active women feel strong and confident in their bodies at every stage of life. She has worked in women’s and pelvic health for over 25 years & is double board certified in Orthopaedics and Women’s Health.

Carrie has served on Executive Board of the Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, been a national media spokesperson for the American Physical Therapy Association, & currently serves on the NIH Pelvic Floor Disorders Network Advisory Board. She's held faculty roles at Marymount and Georgetown University School of Medicine.

In addition to clinical practice, Carrie is a certified running & weightlifting coach. She speaks internationally on postpartum return to sport and is the founder of Carrie Pagliano Physical Therapy in Arlington, Virginia. She’s the host of the Active Mom Podcast, a wife, mom of two, and early-morning mover.

Resources:

@carriepagliano

https://carriepagliano.com

https://carriepagliano.com/patients/free-resources/

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Just over three years ago, Amanda Blake Turner faced a shocking diagnosis: a rare form of thyroid cancer. After living an active and healthy life into her mid-40s, she felt betrayed by her body. Yet, guided by her doctor’s support, Amanda chose to fight back with determination. In the year following her diagnosis and surgery, she embarked on a mission to complete as many ultramarathons as possible. Each clear scan was met with a celebratory race, symbolizing her resilience.

In this episode, Amanda shares her journey and offers invaluable advice for athletes dealing with health issues. She also provides hope for anyone navigating tough times. We discuss:

🌀 Balancing her passions for running, career, and family

🌀The evolution of her running journey through motherhood

🌀Tips for supporting her teenage daughter as a runner

🌀Learning to trust her body again after her cancer battle

Join me for this uplifting conversation with Amanda, an entrepreneur, educator, and mom of a 13-year-old daughter. She ran collegiately and found her passion for trail running in her 20s. Follow her on Instagram @amandablake_123.

THANK YOU SPONSORS!:

Amazfit  offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

Previnex offers premium supplements. Save 15% off your first purchase with code MOTHERRUNNER at Previnex.com.

RelayActive Cute & comfy run fits. Save 15% here.

TravelRunner.com A travel booking site for runners. Get a 5% discount on your first booking with code MRUN5.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

If you are unsure of even fearful about running during pregnancy or returning to run postpartum—this episode is for you! 

Join me for an enlightening episode featuring Dr. Margie Davenport, an exercise physiologist and professor at the University of Alberta, who is revolutionizing the conversation around exercise during pregnancy and postpartum. In this episode, we challenge outdated misconceptions and delve into the latest research that demonstrates not only the safety but the benefits of exercising while pregnant and after giving birth.

We explore the empowering message that:

🌀yes, you can run long distances

🌀lift heavy weights, 

🌀and even start running during pregnancy. 

Dr. Davenport shares critical insights on how exercise can significantly reduce the risks of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, and postpartum depression. 

Moreover, we tackle important topics such as: 

🌀the mental and physical health benefits of exercise, 

🌀the potential impact of breastfeeding on injury risks, 

🌀and whether running affects your chances of conceiving. 

Having published over 200 manuscripts and collaborated with prestigious organizations like FIFA and the World Health Organization, Dr. Davenport brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. We dive into her recent findings, discussing how exercise should be approached during pregnancy for optimal health, the limits athletes should consider, and what postpartum return to running entails. 

RESOURCES:

Website: exerciseandpregnancy.ca

Questionnaire:  https://csep.ca/2021/05/27/get-active-questionnaire-for-pregnancy/

IG: @drmargiedavenport

THANK YOU SPONSORS!:

Amazfit  offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

RelayActive Cute & comfy run fits. Save 15% here.

TravelRunner.com A travel booking site for runners. Get a 5% discount on your first booking with code MRUN5.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

What Amy Will did is not normal. This homeschooling mom of 4 boys ran two super-fast marathons back-to-back. This fall, Amy ran a 2:47 at the Every Woman’s Marathon and then turned around and ran a 2:45 marathon at The Marathon Project five weeks later! While knowing this was a risky move, Amy shares why and how she achieved this incredible feat. 

Amy’s running journey is also not typical. She started running later in life, discovering long distance and the marathon after finishing college. From running her first few marathons and then the Boston Marathon to training through four pregnancies to break 3:00 hours in the marathon and beyond, her goals have changed over the years, and running has adapted to fit each season. 

Amy shares how:

🌀 she balances her high-level training with her family commitments

🌀 her marathon training strategies have progressed

🌀 the loss of her mother to brain cancer has impacted her training, and

🌀 running makes her a better mom 

Follow Amy’s journey on Instagram at @sherunsbyfaith and at sherunsbyfaith.com. 

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE'S SPONSORS!

Previnex offers the highest quality supplements that can help runners feel and perform better. Save 15% off your first purchase with code MOTHERRUNNER at Previnex.com.

Amazfit  offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! I love the Balance 2 watch. Save 10% on the GPS watches.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wonder if it is worth it to get up the nerve to ask that potential woman to run with you? After listening to this week's episode, you will see that YES! YES IT IS! 

Today I chat with best friends Erin Wolf and Kristy Perkowski—and you are going to love them and our conversation. These incredible women, who light up any room with their humor and charm, share the secret behind their unmissable weekly run dates and their fabulous matching outfits that have caught media attention not just once, but twice! 

We discuss the challenges and triumphs of navigating life as moms in their 40s to three energetic boys, while managing demanding careers—Erin as a lawyer and Kristy as a doctor. They candidly open up about supporting each other through running injuries and Kristy’s courageous battle with breast cancer last year.

Some topics we touch on:

·      The how-to of keeping run dates with a friend to build a bond

·      The best ways to show up for friends in hard times

·      Navigating running injuries and cancer diagnoses,

·      The power of showing our kids that moms do hard things

Get ready to laugh, perhaps shed a tear, and be inspired by their stories of resilience and friendship. If you enjoy this episode, don’t forget to share it with your own running best friend!

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS: 

Previnex offers the highest quality supplements that can help runners feel and perform better. I have been a long-time Previnex customer and credit Previnex supplements to feeling healthier than ever. Save 15% off your first purchase with code MOTHERRUNNER at Previnex.com.

TravelRunner.com is a new website dedicated to enabling runners to find the best hotels for them. The website features hotel reviews by runners and athletes making sure that what is important is reviewed: How’s the Running, How’s the Gym, How’s the Pool, How’s the Bike access? Are there any other activities available? These things plus the normal review items are all searchable and filterable by location and hotel. Get a 5% discount on your first booking with code MRUN5 at TravelRunner.com.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]

Send us Fan Mail

This episode is the final installment of this month's GOAL GETTER series setting you up for success in the new year. 

Today, I'm PUMPED to talk with Christina Honkonen, a Mental Trainer and Certified Consulting Hypnotist at Honkonen Hypnosis—and a dear friend of mine. I have personally worked with Christina to overcome self-limiting beliefs and re-find joy in running. 

Christina synthesizes hypnosis, mental skills coaching, and strategies inspired by Natural Language Processing and Cognitive Behavior Therapy to assist high-achievers in breaking through limitations and enhancing their performance.

We dive into topics like: 

-pre-race anxiety

-the negavitiy that can arise during a race

-setbacks including injuries and bad races

-mom guilt 

-imposter syndrome

-and how just trying to stop negative thoughts or replace them with a positive doesn’t work. And so much more. 

Get a BONUS Pre-race audio at patreon.com/themotherrunners!

MORE ABOUT CHRISTINA:

Christina C. Honkonen of Honkonen Hypnosis is a Mental Trainer and Certified Consulting Hypnotist who helps kids, teens, and adults build the confidence, resilience, and focus essential for success in sports, academics, and everyday life. Her unique approach blends research-backed mental training with subconscious techniques to enhance performance and emotional well-being.

With nearly two decades in marketing for Fortune 500 companies, Christina's journey shifted dramatically when she explored hypnosis to support her child. Initially skeptical, she witnessed remarkable progress, revealing the subconscious mind's profound influence on behavior and confidence.

As the creator of The Champion Mind Lab, a hybrid program focused on mental resilience, Christina empowers clients nationwide through virtual sessions and workshops. 

THANK YOU TO THIS EPISODE’S SPONSORS:

Previnex offers the highest quality supplements that can help runners feel and perform better. Save 15% off your first purchase with code MOTHERRUNNER at Previnex.com.

Amazfit offers high-quality wearable tech for half the price! Save 10% on the GPS watches.

TravelRunner.com helps runners to find the best hotels for them. Get a 5% discount on your first booking with code MRUN5.

Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs.

• www.themotherrunners.com
• Instagram: @themotherrunners
• YouTube: The Mother Runners
• [email protected]