In this heartfelt and illuminating episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebeccas has the JOY of talking with her friend, Mirna Valerio—known to many as The Mirnavator. Mirna is an ultra-runner, writer, skier, poet, educator, and unapologetic force of joy. Together, they trace Mirna’s journey from a Brooklyn childhood to discovering mountains and ultimately reshaping what outdoor adventure looks and feels like.

Through stories of summer camp, teaching, motherhood, poetry, and being a plus-size Black woman in spaces not designed for her, Mirna reveals the power of choosing yourself, again and again. This is a conversation about joy as resistance, belonging as birthright, and the ripple effect of being exactly who you are. It’s about introducing yourself with your values, not just your profession—and letting adventure be a lifelong thread in your story.

In this episode, Rebecca and Mirna explore:

1. Finding her voice in both poetry and the outdoors
2. The poem Trophic Cascade and how it mirrors life transformation
3. Nature as the ultimate teacher and refuge—“Nature is always the answer”
4. Core values as non-negotiables, and how to lead with them
5. What it means to take up space—on trails, in life, and in leadership
6. The strongest people often don’t get the support they need—and how to change that
7. Supporting your people in non-threatening, nourishing ways
8. How writing, community, and curiosity became Mirna’s healing practices

Transformative Insights:

1. Nature doesn’t just welcome us—it changes us
2. Your presence can shift a space, even if you weren’t invited in
3. Belonging starts with deciding you’re allowed to belong
4. Cultivating joy is a radical act of self-preservation and leadership
5. Introduce yourself by your values, not just your job title
6. You don’t need to reach the summit to feel the transformation

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Mirna shares what it felt like to not be seen in outdoor spaces—and how she kept showing up anyway
2. She talks about grief, burnout, and the internal tug-of-war of performing vs. simply being
3. Rebecca opens up about her own depression and loss of purpose during recovery from a head injury
4. The two reflect on how writing became a lifeline in the dark
5. Mirna speaks to the exhaustion of being “the strong one”—and how she’s learning to ask for help

Practical Wisdom:

1. How to identify your core values—and use them as navigational handrails
2. The importance of creating judgment-free space for processing, growth, and rest
3. Why vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness
4. Ways to build community through action, not just intention
5. How to hold space for both leadership and learning

Personal Growth:

1. Mirna’s evolution from educator to outdoor leader to published author and DEI advocate
2. Rebecca’s journey from podiums to poetry
3. The ways both women are reclaiming what it means to “perform” and to “belong”
4. Reframing the pursuit of adventure as something that starts with joy—not outcomes
5. Embracing a new season of life where permission comes from within
6. Adventure as a lifelong throughline—for Mirna and for Rebecca
7. Lifelong educator. Lifelong student. Lifelong adventurer.

Helpful Links:

1. Mirna Valerio’s website – The Mirnavator
2. Mirna on Instagram
3. Mirna’s book – A Beautiful Work in Progress
4. Camille T. Dungy’s poem “Trophic Cascade”
5. Mary Oliver’s poem “Wild Geese”

Lisa Congdon’s Live Your Values Deck

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In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares an expansive and grounding conversation with former professional skateboarder turned artist/mindfulness teacher, Teddi Dean. From a countercultural childhood in 1970s Huntington Beach to riding for the legendary Bones Brigade and eventually embracing Buddhist vows, Teddi’s path is a journey of reinvention and self-discovery. Together, Rebecca and Teddi unpack what it means to pause, to look inward, and to reclaim your identity—beyond titles, accolades, or roles.

This episode explores the transformation that happens when we stop running and start listening. Through personal stories, Buddhist wisdom, and practical tools, Teddi reminds us that stillness isn’t the absence of momentum—it’s the beginning of something deeper. Whether you're in transition, chasing purpose, or simply curious about meditation, this conversation is an invitation to begin again.

In this episode, Rebecca and Teddi explore:

1. How Teddi went from pro skateboarder to mindfulness teacher
2. Identity, reinvention, and the chapters of a lifetime
3. Why community is essential for transformation
4. The importance of pausing in a hyper-productive culture
5. Navigating midlife transitions with grace and curiosity
6. How MEA (Modern Elder Academy) supports mindful aging

Transformative Insights:

1. Identity is fluid; we live many lives within a lifetime
2. Meditation helps us observe and reset—not escape
3. The antidotes to suffering (loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, equanimity) are tools for realignment
4. Vulnerability is strength—it builds authentic relationships and internal peace
5. You don’t have to “fix” yourself to start healing; just begin

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Rebecca shares how she’s learning to sit still after decades of “moving meditation” as an athlete
2. Teddi reflects on his struggles with addiction, identity loss, and rediscovery through mindfulness
3. They both explore the discomfort—and necessity—of letting go of former versions of ourselves

Practical Wisdom:

1. Why meditation is not about stopping your thoughts
2. How to apply “beginner’s mind” to aging, creativity, and career
3. Creating space for discomfort as a doorway to change
4. The role of ritual and daily practice in emotional hygiene
5. Why we must learn to forgive ourselves first

Personal Growth:

1. Teddi’s evolution from a skateboarding icon to MEA’s Head of Mindfulness
2. Rebecca’s journey from “Queen of Pain” to explorer of the inner landscape
3. How community and storytelling accelerate healing
4. Learning to be a “kook” again—embracing the beginner within

Helpful Links:

1. Teddi Dean’s Website
2. Book Recommendation: Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening
3. MEA (Modern Elder Academy)
4. Teddi on Instagram

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In this raw and fearless episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch is joined by legendary snowboarder, filmmaker, and community builder Jess Kimura. Known for her gritty street style and fearless progression, Jess has redefined women’s snowboarding—both on the board and behind the scenes. Together, Jess and Rebecca unpack everything from trauma and transformation to head injuries, grief, imposter syndrome, and the pressure to succeed in male-dominated spaces.

What emerges is a conversation about healing, identity, and purpose—one where Jess reminds us that being “the uninvited” is sometimes what it takes to change the game.

In this episode, Rebecca and Jess discuss:

1. Breaking into a sport where women weren’t invited—and staying there
2. The connection between athletic ambition and grief
3. The power of mentorship and building opportunities for others
4. The creation and impact of The Uninvited film and invitational series

Transformative Insights:

1. Why “showing up uninvited” became a guiding force in Jess’s career
2. How redefining success helped Jess shift from accolades to impact
3. The evolution from performance to purpose after personal tragedy
4. Why surfing became a lifeline—and what fear in the water taught her about fear in life

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Jess opens up about the sudden loss of her partner and the grief that followed
2. She reflects on the isolation and pressure at the top of her sport
3. The long-term mental effects of head injuries and how they shape identity
4. How she pushed through being undervalued, overlooked, and underestimated
5. The raw truth about loneliness, mental health, and the need to ask for help

Practical Wisdom:

1. Navigating burnout by redefining work-life boundaries
2. Learning to build support systems—even when independence feels easier
3. Understanding how to take up space without permission
4. The importance of community, visibility, and fair investment in women’s sports

Personal Growth:

1. From snowboarder to producer and event founder, Jess charts a new course
2. Finding strength in softness—and realizing that you can lead with both
3. Developing intergenerational friendships and learning across differences
4. Building legacy not by being the best, but by helping others rise

Helpful Links:

1. The Uninvited Invitational 
2. Jess Kimura on Instagram 
3. Learning to Drown (film) 
4. Feisty Media’s Brain Health Course
5. Brain Storm Podcast with Rebecca Rusch & Selene Yeager
6. Rebecca’s Concussion Video Resources

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In this rich and wide-ranging episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch welcomes beach volleyball legend, author, entrepreneur, and wellness icon Gabby Reece. Known for her powerhouse presence on and off the court, Gabby joins Rebecca for a real and reflective conversation on what it means to live a full-contact life—with strength, clarity, and compassion.

Together, they explore the transitions that come with aging, identity, motherhood, and purpose, as Gabby shares how she continues to evolve from athlete to leader, from competitor to creator. They talk about the need for structure and stillness, learning to surrender as a parent, building sustainable wellness practices, and why perfection has no place in a purposeful life. Gabby opens up about her upbringing, her challenges, and the deep personal work she’s done to lead with integrity, balance both masculine and feminine energies, and continue making an impact.

This episode is an invitation to do the work—and to keep asking what truly matters?

In this episode, Rebecca and Gabby discuss:

1. The mindset shift from performance to lifestyle
2. Using structure and discipline to protect your stillness
3. Navigating transitions with purpose and self-awareness
4. Learning to parent through surrender, not control
5. How failure plays a key role in shaping purpose
6. The truth about visibility, beauty, and aging
7. Why strong doesn’t have to mean hard—and soft doesn’t mean weak

Transformative Insights:

1. “White space” is not a luxury—it’s part of the discipline
2. Doing something well doesn’t mean doing it forever
3. The body is a portal for deeper emotional and spiritual clarity
4. We can reframe aging as wisdom, not loss
5. Surrender is not weakness—it’s a form of strength

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Gabby opens up about growing up without consistent parental support
2. Her honest reflections on failing in business, parenting, and marriage
3. How she’s working to release the internal governors holding her back
4. The fear of running out of time—and what she’s doing about it

Practical Wisdom:

1. Make “doing nothing” part of your practice
2. Don’t chase metrics—trust your own inner signals
3. Create your day around your energy, not just your to-do list
4. Let your body reflect your values, not just your aesthetics

Personal Growth:

1. Gabby’s journey from sports icon to wellness entrepreneur
2. Learning to hold space for both strength and softness
3. Reinventing yourself again and again without apology

Helpful Links:

1. Gabby Reece’s Website
2. The Gabby Reece Show (Podcast) 
3. Laird Superfood
4. XPT Life

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This week on What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares space with ultra-endurance cyclist, storyteller, and Indigenous athlete Alexandera Houchin for a deeply honest and resonant conversation. A citizen of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, Alexandera is rewriting what it means to be a modern Native woman, professional athlete, and cultural steward—on her terms.

Alexandera lives in northern Minnesota—on the land her ancestors lived on– where she now trains for some of the world’s toughest bikepacking races. Alexandera shares her journey from disconnection to deep cultural reconnection. What began as a tool for freedom during a difficult time has become her path to visibility, voice, and purpose.

Together, Rebecca and Alexandera explore what it means to claim space—in sport, in community, and within yourself. This conversation goes beyond endurance to examine identity, representation, responsibility, and the quiet strength it takes to build something meaningful for those who come next.

In this episode, Rebecca and Alexandera explore:

1. The intergenerational impact of cultural disconnection—and how Alexandera reconnected with her Ojibwe roots
2. Her early experiences with addiction and the bike as a tool for survival, then transformation
3. How storytelling, sport, and representation can be tools of reclamation and healing
4. The struggle of turning passion into profession—and keeping purpose at the center
5. Her dream of becoming a fully supported professional athlete in ultra-endurance bikepacking
6. Why she’s shifting from avenging past injustices to building a future of visibility and strength
7. Her big goals for the Tour Divide, and what “winning” means on her terms

Transformative Insights:

1. “I used to want to avenge what was done to my family. Now I want to become the person I needed to see growing up.”
2. Representation isn’t performative—it’s a responsibility to those who come next
3. Belonging is power. Community is performance fuel.
4. You can’t be what you can’t see—visibility matters

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Alexandera opens up about her family’s forced separation due to federal Indian policy
2. Her journey with addiction and how cycling became a tool for freedom and identity
3. The conflict between pursuing sport professionally and staying grounded in purpose
4. How Rebecca’s mentorship helped her take the leap into being a full-time athlete

Practical Wisdom:

1. The importance of cultural storytelling—and the tension between oral tradition and written legacy
2. Why bikes are a vehicle for both personal sovereignty and collective connection
3. “Don’t worry about being fast. Worry about being full—full of purpose, connection, and intention.”
4. You don’t have to do it all alone. Ask for help. Build your village

Personal Growth:

1. Alexandera’s evolution from bike courier to competitive athlete to cultural advocate
2. Her transition from pushing through pain to honoring process
3. Letting go of scarcity mindset and embracing mentorship, partnership, and legacy
4. How sport, when rooted in identity and community, becomes ceremony

Helpful Links:

1. Alexandera’s Trackleaders for Tour Divide
2. Alexandera Houchin on Substack
3. Alexandera on Instagram
4. Watch “Connections” with Rebecca & Alexandera

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This special episode of What’s the Rusch, comes to you live from the main Ideas stage at Outside Festival. Rebecca Rusch shares the stage with friend and pioneering mountaineer Melissa Arnot Reid. As the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, Melissa is no stranger to pushing boundaries. But this conversation goes far deeper than altitude.

Together, they unpack the themes of Melissa’s new memoir, Enough—a raw, reflective look at her life beyond the summits. More than a climbing story, the book (and this episode) explores what it means to constantly redefine your identity, let go of perfection, and step fully into your truth.

From guiding on Everest to navigating grief, from challenging gender dynamics in male-dominated spaces to learning how to write through pain, Melissa shares with honesty, clarity, and courage. This episode is about evolution, visibility, and the quiet bravery it takes to say: who I am is enough.

Show Notes:

In this episode, Melissa and Rebecca explore:

1. Why Enough isn’t a book about Everest—and what the title truly means
2. How identity shifts over time, and the permission we need to evolve
3. What it’s like to guide in a male-dominated industry—and how gender still shapes perception and opportunity
4. The difference between doing something impressive and creating something meaningful
5. The power of storytelling, self-reflection, and writing as a form of healing
6. How parenthood, grief, and community shaped Melissa’s current chapter
7. The vulnerability of public honesty and what Melissa has gained—and lost—by sharing her full self

Transformative Insights:

1. Enough is a moving target: Melissa reveals how the definition of “enough” transformed for her—from achievement to self-acceptance.
2. The summit is for the ego, but the journey is for the soul: Why what happens on the way up matters more than the peak.
3. We are all complicated: And sharing that truth gives others permission to do the same.
4. Creation vs. Accomplishment: What it means to create something lasting, instead of just doing something impressive.

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Melissa shares the fear of public rejection before releasing her memoir—and the surprising liberation that followed.
2. She opens up about parental estrangement, and the emotional toll of letting go of hope for their approval.
3. Rebecca and Melissa reflect on how their perceptions of each other evolved through honesty and friendship.
4. Melissa discusses internalized misogyny and the challenges of being one of the only women guiding on Everest.

Practical Wisdom:

1. Let go of the container: Identity isn’t rigid—it’s amoebic, ever-changing, and dynamic.
2. Mentorship matters: Especially in male-dominated spaces, visibility and honest mentorship create real change.
3. Create to heal: Writing helped Melissa process her past and give shape to her truth.
4. Your story is enough: There is value in being fully seen—not just for the polished parts.

Personal Growth:

1. From projecting perfection to embracing complexity, Melissa’s story is a blueprint for honest evolution.
2. Rebecca reflects on her own experiences with vulnerability and the power of female friendship built on truth.
3. The episode redefines leadership as visibility, advocacy, and sharing lived experience with others.

Helpful Links:

1. Melissa Arnot: https://www.melissaarnot.com/
2. Enough by Melissa Arnot: Order here 
3. The Juniper Fund: https://www.melissaarnot.com/the-juniper-fund
4. Melissa on Instagram: @melissaarnot 

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This powerful in-person episode of What’s the Rusch was recorded live at the Outside Festival in Denver, where Rebecca Rusch is joined by legendary swimmer, author, and speaker Diana Nyad. Famous for her record-breaking swim from Cuba to Florida at age 64—after four failed attempts and 35 years of persistence—Diana shares more than a story of grit. She opens up about resilience, reinvention, the importance of awe, and what it really means to live a life without regrets.

From pushing physical limits to rewriting what’s possible at any age, this conversation dives deep into the psychology of endurance, the value of failure, and the beauty of evolving with each chapter of life. Diana’s voice is clear, bold, and unflinchingly honest as she reflects on personal trauma, the pursuit of legacy, and the softening that comes with wisdom.

Whether you're staring down your next big dream or simply trying to remember that it's not too late, Diana’s story is a masterclass in finding purpose, holding onto passion, and daring to begin again.

In this episode, Rebecca and Diana talk about:

1. Why true endurance is more mental than physical—and how it applies to life beyond sport
2. How failure, not success, built Diana’s legacy
3. What it takes to dream big, assemble a team, and come back after defeat
4. Why aging is not a limitation, but an invitation to rewrite your identity
5. The role of awe, nature, and connection in fueling purpose
6. Diana’s powerful reflections on her relationship with her mother, personal trauma, and healing

Transformative Insights:

1. “Courage to fail” is more valuable than a perfect track record.
2. The physical body may falter, but the mind’s will can carry you to the shore.
3. Endurance is a human quality, not an athletic one—it lives in all of us.
4. Sometimes the longer path is the one that leads to the deepest growth.
5. The goal isn’t always to win, but to show up and discover who we are.

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Diana reflects on her childhood sexual abuse and how it shaped her drive.
2. She shares the regret of not being more forgiving to her mother—and the healing that came just before her passing.
3. She opens up about living with intensity and learning, even at 75, to soften.
4. Rebecca shares how a concussion changed her relationship with movement, identity, and purpose.

Practical Wisdom:

1. "Be in the arena.” The critic on the sidelines doesn’t count.
2. Learn to pause: sometimes slowing down helps you see more clearly.
3. Don’t buy into age limits—dreams have no expiration date.
4. Use awe—nature, connection, challenge—as a gateway to meaning.
5. Start where you are. There’s magic in beginning.

Personal Growth:

1. Diana’s shift from ego-driven achievement to team-centered leadership
2. Letting go of perfection and embracing authenticity
3. The never-too-late power of second (and third) acts
4. Being curious as you are wise—staying in the game with intention
5. Turning adversity into your greatest strength

Helpful Links:

1. Diana Nyad’s website
2. EverWalk Foundation
3. “Find a Way” by Diana Nyad

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In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares an intimate and inspiring conversation with Dr. Hebah Hefzy—a neurologist, mother of three, first-generation Egyptian American, and the first Muslim woman to complete the Western States 100 in hijab. A true trailblazer, Hebah's story is about far more than sport. It’s about rewriting the narrative, being a visual representation, and living with confidence and comfort in her identity.

Together, Rebecca and Hebah explore the intersections of identity, faith, visibility, and wellness. From struggling to run a single mile during her medical residency to finishing one of the world’s most iconic ultramarathons, Hebah’s journey is a powerful reminder that transformation doesn’t require perfection—it requires courage.

They dive into what it means to show up authentically and how she’s navigating life as a single mother, endurance athlete, and physician. Hebah’s voice brings vulnerability, warmth, and strength to conversations on cultural barriers, representation, and the importance of doing hard things to grow.

Transformative Insights

1. Owning Multiple Identities – Why claiming every part of who you are can be a radical act of self-love.
2. Running as Transformation – How sport became Hebah’s entry point to confidence, health, and spiritual growth.
3. Redefining Representation – The impact of showing up visibly in male-dominated and non-diverse spaces.

Vulnerable Moments

1. Hebah recounts the discrimination she faced wearing hijab as a medical student post-9/11.
2. She opens up about the guilt and exhaustion of raising three young kids while navigating medical residency.
3. A turning point: a patient calls her out for not practicing the health habits she preached—sparking a wellness journey.
4. Hebah shares the weight of representing an entire community on the world’s biggest endurance stage.

Practical Wisdom

1. How to build fitness and confidence from the ground up—even in your 30s with no athletic background.
2. The importance of showing your children that your well-being matters too.
3. Creative ways to fit training into family life—like running circles around a cul-de-sac or the soccer field.
4. Why doing something hard on purpose prepares you for life’s unexpected challenges.

Personal Growth

1. Hebah’s evolution from doctor to mother to athlete—and finally claiming the title of athlete out loud.
2. Learning to slow down, rest, and recognize that doing “nothing” can be deeply healing.
3. Why your identity is allowed to evolve—and how embracing change can unlock your greatest self.
4. Reframing visibility as opportunity: showing up publicly in a hijab and transforming perceptions of what an athlete looks like.

Helpful Links

1. Dr. Hebah Hefzy GU Athlete Profile
2. Hebah's Instagram

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In this vibrant episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch welcomes artist, writer, cyclist, and creative trailblazer Lisa Congdon. Known for her bold use of color and voice as an artist and activist, Lisa didn’t start her art career until nearly 40—proving that it's never too late to uncover your calling. In this candid conversation, Lisa and Rebecca explore what it means to build a life you love from scratch, why imperfection is essential to creativity, and how movement and meaning are inextricably linked.

Lisa opens up about the vulnerability of starting over, navigating self-doubt, and the hard-won freedom that comes with aging. From living as a broke aspiring artist to becoming a renowned creative entrepreneur and elder Gen Xer with a powerful voice in the cycling and art worlds, Lisa’s story is an inspiring reflection of reinvention, identity, and enduring curiosity. 

Together, Lisa and Rebecca discuss how to use our creativity to not only express ourselves, but also to make change—and why embracing flow, community, and self-defined success is the real masterpiece.

Show Notes:

In this episode, Rebecca and Lisa discuss:

1. Building a thriving art business from the ground up in her late 30’s without formal training
2. What cycling gave her that art didn’t—and vice versa
3. How community and connection power both endurance and creativity
4. The emotional and physical impact of aging and identity shifts

Transformative Insights:

1. There’s No Perfect Time to Begin: Lisa’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to become who you’re meant to be.
2. Imposter Syndrome Can Be Conquered: Success doesn’t eliminate self-doubt—but it can be dismantled with age, experience, and intention.
3. Movement and Art as Medicine: Both cycling and creativity offer essential healing, especially during times of physical or emotional recovery.
4. Redefining Success Through Values: Knowing your values gives you a compass to navigate the choices that shape your life.

Vulnerable Moments:

1. Lisa recalls the early years of building her business while struggling financially and feeling insecure about her skills.
2. She shares the deep impact of imposter syndrome even as her fame and recognition grew.
3. Lisa and Rebecca reflect on the emotional and identity shifts that come with physical injury, aging, and transitioning careers.
4. Lisa talks about the fear—and eventual freedom—of slowing down post-knee replacement and how art carried her through.

Practical Wisdom:

1. Flow Follows Familiarity: Mastery brings presence—when you know your tools, whether a paintbrush or a bike, you can get lost in the moment.
2. Set Boundaries to Preserve Joy: Lisa’s shift to a 4-day workweek helped her rekindle her love for art—and for life beyond work.
3. Make Space for Play and Recovery: Whether in creative practice or physical pursuits, recovery time is essential to long-term joy and success.
4. Use Your Platform for Good: Lisa uses her art to raise awareness, fundraise, and share values—because creativity can be activism.

Personal Growth:

1. Lisa’s evolution from broke, self-taught artist to respected voice in the creative and cycling worlds.
2. Embracing elderhood as a Gen Xer and using life experience as power.
3. Letting go of external validation and instead aligning with personal values and joy.

Links:

1. Lisa Congdon Website: https://lisacongdon.com/
2. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisacongdon/
3. Lisa’s "Live Your Values" Deck:

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In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca reconnects with longtime friend and fellow endurance athlete Travis Macy. Known for his career in ultra-endurance racing, bestselling books (The Ultra Mindset and A Mile at a Time), and coaching, Travis brings a powerful story of transformation shaped by sport, fatherhood, concussion recovery, and caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.

Together, Rebecca and Travis reflect on two decades of friendship, racing, and the evolving meaning of success. They explore how legacy, grief, and deep love fuel purpose—how presence, not podiums, can be the true marker of achievement. Travis shares raw stories from his journey through burnout, concussion recovery, and the emotional terrain of navigating his father’s memory loss while raising kids of his own.

From redefining impact to embracing play, this conversation is a powerful reminder that life’s deepest challenges can also offer the most meaningful connections—and that being still can sometimes be the bravest move of all.

Transformative Insights

1. Legacy Through Connection – Why Travis defines success not by accolades, but by the emotional depth of his relationships.
2. Redefining Impact – The shift from measuring success by breadth (likes, downloads, podiums) to depth (personal meaning and contribution).
3. Healing Through Storytelling – How writing, podcasting, and fiction helped Travis process grief and share his truth.
4. Slowing Down to Speed Up – The unexpected clarity and growth that comes from rest, reflection, and nervous system regulation.

Vulnerable Moments

1. Travis opens up about the emotional toll of his father’s Alzheimer’s and the grief of “losing someone while they’re still here.”
2. He shares how concussion recovery forced him to stop, re-evaluate, and rebuild from the inside out.
3. Rebecca and Travis exchange stories of personal loss—including Rebecca’s mother and father, and Travis’s beloved teammate Emma Roca—and how grief fuels their present-day purpose.
4. Travis reveals his inner battle with perfectionism and how he’s learned to embrace nuance, playfulness, and uncertainty.

Practical Wisdom

1. Impact Isn’t a Metric – How to reframe success in your career, sport, or creative work through personal resonance, not just reach.
2. Navigating Identity Shifts – Tools for evolving from athlete to author, or competitor to coach, without losing your sense of self.
3. Coaching with Heart – Why Travis emphasizes emotional intelligence and long-term growth over PRs and watts with his clients.
4. Building Rituals for Presence – From stopping mid-run to take in the view to daily gratitude reflections, Travis shares practices that ground and restore.

Personal Growth

1. Letting go of all-or-nothing thinking around athletic identity.
2. Using nature, storytelling, and parenting as daily teachers.
3. Discovering spiritual connection through plant medicine, meditation, and flow.
4. Embracing midlife reinvention not as a crisis, but as an opportunity to build deeper meaning.

Links

1. Travis Macy Website
2. Books: A Mile at a Time & The Ultra Mindset
3. Instagram
4. Skimo Gold Podcast
5. Travis Macy Show with Steven Kotler - Ep130
6. Travis Macy Show with Mike Kloser - Ep24
7. Brain Storm Podcast - Rebecca Rusch & Selene Yeager

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