Episode 651: The Wellness One – Emily Saul on Race-Day Mindset, Segmenting the Marathon, and Redefining Success
Nov 12, 2025
In this engaging chat, Emily Saul, a licensed mental health counselor and sports psychologist, shares her unique journey from Division I rowing to expert in race-day mindset. She emphasizes movement as a growth vehicle and introduces the concept of helpful vs. unhelpful frames to enhance training decisions. Emily offers practical tools for chunking marathons into manageable segments, defining success through process goals, and staying present during discomfort. Her insights not only calm the nerves but also promote a more fulfilling approach to running and life.
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From Walk-On Rower To Sports Psychologist
- Emily walked onto a Division I rowing team and later earned a scholarship, which kickstarted her interest in sports psychology.
- She combined psychology, coaching, rowing, and November Project leadership before starting a private practice.
Running's Role Changes With Life
- The role of running shifts depending on life context: when life is stable, running challenges you; when life is chaotic, running supports you.
- Recognize that motivation and goals will change as life flips roles with running.
Treat Workouts As Learning
- Treat workouts as learning opportunities rather than tests to reduce anxiety and access capacity.
- Ask "what is the intended effect of this workout?" and focus on the learning outcome, not pass/fail.
