Helen Thayer competed in the Commonwealth Games as a discus thrower in 1962 after marriage. She also represented Guatemala as a thrower in the Caribbean games. 

The Thayers moved to Washington State in 1965. She was the fourth-best thrower in the country at that time, PB was 204 ft. Her athletic endeavors did not stop with Track and Field. She also became a National Champion in luge in 1975. The Thayers also made an intentional decision not to have children because of her husband’s risky occupation (helicopter pilot who sprayed crops for a living) and the couple’s lifestyle. 

To get ready to fulfill her attempt to ski the magnetic North Pole prompted her to ten mile-a-day runs, an hour-long gym workout, and pulling concrete-laden sleds up a grassy hill for an hour.  In 1988 she went to Resolute Bay in Northern Canada to live with the Inuit and learn how to live in the polar regions. Skills included skiing on pack ice and pitching a tent in a storm as well as how to avoid/discourage polar bear meetings. She credits the Inuit as helping her better survive and helping her gain an understanding of survival in this area.

Equipment included:

7 ft fiberglass sled

160 lbs. food, gear, and fuel

Included in the gear were a flare gun and rifle to discourage polar bears

Dog Charlie

Host: Jacalyn Gross

Guest Host: Erica Mann

Producer: Jeremy Canaria & Jacalyn Gross

Editor: Jacalyn Gross & Jeremy Canaria

Copy Writer: Elizabeth Gross

Originally we interviewed Tiffany in January of 2021, and if you haven’t yet go back to the links below and listen to part 1. In this episode, we catch up with Tiffany about what has happened since we last spoke specifically how the pandemic impacted her goal of 50 races in 50 states. She also discusses her recent races and the races left to run. During this period Tiffany also faced a diagnosis of breast cancer, after losing her Mom to cancer. We talk about that and dig into how bodies process emotional pain. We of course touch on her book and how that’s coming along. It’s a great conversation and you won’t want to miss it.

Check out the original episode https://ursportswear.com/blogs/news/women-empower-active-tiffany-chenault-part-1

In this episode we talk to Rachel Cundy, she is a 5k, 10k and cross country runner. She was inspired by her aunt to start running which really opened her eyes to how running can be a part of your whole life. Rachel really enjoys being around racing and recently started assistant coaching at Everett Community College. Her words of empowerment are not to be missed!

DM @racundy for more information on the EVCC team.

Amazing Guest: Rachel Cundy

Host: Jacalyn Gross

Producers: Jeremy Canaria & Jacalyn Gross

Editors: Jacalyn Gross & Jeremy Canaria

In this episode, I talk about my recent 50K race in Lake Chelan. In the first part of the episode I breakdown the race flow in detail from my perspective. I also give my words of racing empowerment. In the second half of the episode guest Nicole Bush, my good friend, amazing athlete, and coach talks about how she manages training individuals for 50Ks (or any “Ks”) and how she worked through my training in particular.

Guest: Nicole Bush 

Host: Jacalyn Gross

Producer: Jeremy Canaria & Jacalyn Gross

Editor: Jacalyn Gross

Nicole builds training around your lifestyle check her out, [email protected]. 

Instagram: @NicoleBBush

@jacalyngross

@jeremycanary

@ursportswear

Sponsor: www.ursportswear.com

In this episode we talk to  Sarah Fowler she is a runner who specializes in the steeplechase and she is also a coach. We start by discussing how Sarah discovered running and later steeplechase. We talk about her goals for the 2022 season and what running has given her. Sarah talks about how she found her Steeple coach and how she coaches her athletes when it comes to the harder topics. Finally, we go into what training mistakes Sarah has made in the past and how she remedies them now. We close with Sarah’s words of empowerment. You’re not going to want to miss this episode, it will make you want to race.

Awesome Guest: Sarah Fowler

Host: Jacalyn Gross

Producer: Jeremy Canaria & Jacalyn Gross

Editor: Jacalyn Gross

Today we are interviewing the woman who inspired me to be active, my mom Elizabeth Gross. She was a collegiate swimmer for Nothern Michigan University, she is a runner, she does yoga, she hikes and more recently she started climbing. 

In this episode, we talk about how Elizabeth started swimming at a young age, as a high school athlete she was made to change in the equipment room and how it felt going from the only athlete on a team to a full group of like-minded women. We also discuss the hard part of athletics; overtraining and understanding nutrition, also how a coach's poor choices can make a lasting impact on an athlete's relationship with food. Finally words of empowerment and trying new things the advice is worth the listen. Happy Mother’s Day to Moms and Mother figures.

In this episode, we talk to CamE Tasker who is an amazing person. She is a combat veteran who loves being outside. She has done some truly incredible ultra races but also loves yoga, snowshoeing, and cycling. After struggling to navigate the VA herself she started a nonprofit to help pay the medical bills of other combat veterans like herself. To support her efforts donate below.

CamE Tasker

Website: https://www.runningforcombatveterans.org/  

Host: Jacalyn Gross

@JacalynGross

@URsportswear

www.ursportswear.com

Producer: Jeremy Canaria

@jeremycanaria

Producer: Jacalyn Gross

Editor: Jacalyn Gross & Jeremy Canaria

In this episode, we speak with Cobi Harris Seslar who is truly an inspiration. She is a mountaineering guide, a climber, a yoga instructor, a skier and so much more. We discuss how she started doing all of these activities. Cobi tells us how her 2nd summit attempt on Denali helped her to face her fears head-on. We even go into yoga philosophy, which is really interesting. Finally, we talk about the different phases of life and how motherhood and mountains changed her perspective on life.

The Amazing Guest Cobi Harris Seslar

Host Jacalyn Gross

Producer Jeremy Canaria & Jacalyn Gross

Edited by Jacalyn Gross & Jeremy Canaria

In this episode, we talk to Kim Holstine who is a runner who focuses mainly on the half marathon distance. We talk about managing an unusual nursing schedule with training. She also discusses how the pandemic has impacted her and the people in the medical field. We focus on mental health and how Kim sees signs of mental fatigue. Overall she is amazing and a wonderful example of the importance of consistency in all things.

Emotional PPE Project is the program referenced by Kim in this episode.

Aubrey is a trail runner, a hiker, and a solo backpacker. She has a zoology degree and we talk a little about her work on reducing salt used in the winter. We also talk about anxiety and being outdoors. Aubrey has such a refreshing concept of challenge and goals. I really think we can all take something away from this interview.

The amazing guest @sunriseandwildlife 

Host @jacalyngross 

Producer @jeremycanary & @jacalyngross 

Edited by @jacalyngross & @jeremycanary