Unexpected Curves

Ten years ago, Emily Infeld won bronze in the 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Beijing. A breakout moment and a historic podium finish for American women’s distance running.

In this anniversary episode, Emily looks back on that moment and the years that led to it: the injuries, the pressure, and the complex feelings that came with crossing the finish line ahead of expectations.

One of the wildest moments in track and field history unfolded at the 2016 Olympics during the women’s 4x100m relay. From baton fumbles and lane chaos to lost spikes and late-night second chances, Olympic gold medalist English Gardner takes us behind the scenes to relive the race that nearly unraveled, but ultimately made history.

For decades, the mile has been a proving ground in distance running, but its legacy has mostly been written by men. The four-minute mile? Iconic. But when Diane Leather became the first woman to break five minutes, the world barely noticed. Women’s records have never carried the same cultural weight. That’s where Sharada Maddox comes in. As co-founder and race director of the Crenshaw Mile, she’s not just organizing a race—she’s asserting a women’s place in the legacy of the mile and making sure Crenshaw is part of the story.

Achieving your dreams can be just as terrifying as not chasing them at all. In this episode I'm joined by Olympic gold medalist and World Champion Courtney Okolo to talk about what happens after you reach the pinnacle of your sport. We discuss the transition from dreaming to achieving—and then to redefining what comes next.

Spoiler alert! Success isn’t just about reaching a goal—it’s about continuously growing, learning, and being open to new possibilities. Courtney’s journey reflects the reality that even after achieving greatness, there’s always more to discover about yourself.

All roads lead to the 800 meters.

Success in sports—and in life—often comes down to making the right choices. But how do you know what’s truly right for you? For middle-distance star Sage Hurta-Klecker, the right path is guided by what excites her. In a sport where speculation runs wild and every great performance sparks talk of untapped potential in other events, Sage has learned to tune out the noise and trust her instincts to compete in the 800m. In this episode, we explore the power of discernment: how standing up for yourself, and resisting outside expectations can help you find the path you're meant to take

In 2024, Olympic silver medalist Courtney Frerichs was just weeks away from competing for her third Olympic team when an ACL tear shattered her plans. Women experience ACL injuries at significantly higher rates than men, yet research on female athletes remains limited. In this episode, Courtney shares the emotional highs and lows of recovery, and how shifting her mindset to “dreaming small” has helped pave the way for a big comeback

This week, I catch up with Olympian Kate Grace to talk about her mom, Kathy Smith, and how the fitness empire she built has helped shape Kate on her own journey as an athlete and new mom. We dive into the cultural shifts that brought women into fitness, the trends that have come and gone, and how movement continues to shape identity, health, and balance across generations.

This week, we're lacing up for a deep dive on A'ja Wilson's highly anticipated A1s. I'm joined by E. Scott to discuss the legacy of signature shoes, how women have historically been excluded from this space, and why the A1s mark a shift toward greater representation.

E. Scott, a veteran footwear designer with 25+ years in the industry and currently the Chair of Footwear at The Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design, shares insights into the design process. He also highlights what makes this shoe special, from its Nike DNA to its crossover appeal. Plus, we get into the impact of the 90s and early 2000 sneaker culture on today's designs, and how the A1s reflect a new era for sneaker culture—one that finally recognizes the power of the women's game.

Being the oldest daughter often means stepping up, staying strong, and figuring things out on your own. But that fierce independence? It can be both a superpower and a struggle. This week, I’m joined by U.S. middle-distance star Elise Cranny—Olympian, national champion, and the oldest of three sisters. We dive into how birth order may (or may not) have shaped her as an athlete. Plus, we get into alter egos, leadership, and learning how to harness a competitive edge. Join us!

If you’ve ever played sports, you know it shapes who you are—and the stats back it up. A survey by EY and espnW found that 94% of women in C-suite positions played sports, with 52% competing at the collegiate level.. In this episode, I sit down with Morolake Akinosun, Olympic Gold Medalist and now Head of Athlete Relations at Grand Slam Track, an exciting new elite track event series. Morolake talks about how her experience in sports helped her build the skills that transitioned her from Olympic podium to her new role.