In this episode, we dive into the messy journey of transitioning away from a beloved sport with Dimity McDowell, an experienced athlete and author of The 27th Mile. How do you know when it's time to quit or move on?

Dimity shares her personal struggles and triumphs in navigating her retirement from running, shedding light on the complex relationship between athletic identity and self-worth.

And she leaves us with some actionable strategies for embracing change beyond the finish line.

Key takeaways:

1. The deep emotional ties we all have to our athletic identities and how to navigate that transition gracefully.
2. How to maintain your running friendships when you're no longer running.
3. Practical strategies for dealing with social media and race events after stepping back.
4. Set realistic expectations for your interactions with your former sport.

Dimity McDowell is a seasoned athlete, author, and co-founder of Another Mother Runner — now a part of the Feisty family.

Links and Resources:

1. Dimity's Website
2. The 27th Mile book: Available on Amazon and other book retailers.
3. Follow Dimity on Instagram: @DimityOnTheMove

Join us at Feisty Fest - September 18-20th, 2026: https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Sign up to Receive The Feisty Women's Performance Newsletter:

https://feisty.co/newsletters/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram:

@feisty_womens_performance

Visit the Feisty website at https://feisty.co/ for info on all of our events and podcasts

Support our Partners:

Use code PERFORMANCE for 20% off at http://cozyearth.com

Momentous: Head to https://www.livemomentous.com/ and use promo code PERFORMANCE for up to 35% off your first order

Wahoo: Learn more about Wahoo Fitness Products at: https://wahoofitness.pxf.io/0GAByR

Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/