Hurdle with Emily Abbate

There’s something undeniably contagious about Lindsey Simcik’s personality. It’s no wonder why the podcast and brand she co-founded, Almost 30, along with Krista Williams is thriving. Real talk: I had a total fangirl moment when the two of us sat down in Los Angeles recently. In episode 98, Lindsey talks to me about her upbringing, what it was like as an aspiring Broadway star (also: part-time drink-slinger) in New York City, and the unexpected proposition that had her moving to the west coast. She tells me about laying the groundwork for Almost 30, and the important steps that the duo took before going live with their big idea. We chat going on tour, being vulnerable with a whole lot of strangers, dating life woes, and so much more. If you like what you hear here, click on over to Almost 30 in the iTunes Store. SOCIAL @lindseysimcik @almost30podcast @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Almost 30 Episode 154: The Sacredness of Being Single Hurdle: Ruth Zukerman, Co-Founder Flywheel Sports Your Podcast ProSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Long runs can be really intimidating. The word “long” is also interpretive, right? Regardless of whether going “long” means tackling a 5K or 50K (or more!) — being out there for some time can get a little mundane. Don’t worry, I’ve got your back. On today’s #hurdlemoment, I’m talking you through a few of my tried-and-true strategies for making long runs more enjoyable. From teaming up with friends or joining a run club to building a playlist and setting reasonable expectations, these tricks have helped me check off eight marathons (so far!) from my bucket list. And when it feels really hard? Always remember: It all starts with a simple step, and often times that’s the scariest part. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Beam | Head to beamtlc.com to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Episode 89: Robin Arzon, VP Fitness Programming at Peloton Episode 75: Ally Love, Founder LoveSquad & Peloton InstructorSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Popping into your feed today with a special live episode of Hurdle, recorded this past weekend at the Olympic marathon trials in Atlanta at the Brooks Hyperion House. For those unfamiliar with how this works, men and women around the country have the opportunity to go to the Olympics, based on their fastest marathon times. For men that’s 2:19:00 and for women, it’s 2:45:00. (Also, half-marathon times of 1:04:00 and 1:13:00 qualify men and women, respectively.) I sit down with three super-humans — Kelly Calway, Allison Macsas, and Dylan Belles — to chat about their road to this epic race. They share their best advice for beginner runners, how they found their fast, and how they incorporate training into their regular routines. Looking for inspiration to lace up? Look no further. A huge thanks to Brooks for hosting us! SOCIAL @allison_wanders @wikigazelle @runlikedylan @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast @brooksrunningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After googling “wellness Southern California” Megan Monahan found herself at a weeklong program at the Chopra Center that awakened her spirit and saved her life. In episode 97, we chat about how studying meditation under the famous Deepak Chopra has positively influenced her in so many ways, including enabling her to forgive her father — who struggled with alcoholism — before he passed in 2013. Megan tells me about leaving a job in the music industry and Los Angeles for San Diego to work at the Chopra Center for 2 1/2 years, and what it was like to return to LA and take a leap of faith to teach meditation full time. She offers up simple strategies to incorporate the practice into your every day, debunks myths about what meditation is versus what it is not, and we also dive into both of our personal relationships with therapy and how it has positively impacted us both for the better. SOCIAL @megmonahan @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Don’t Hate, Meditate!: 5 East Practices to Get You Through the Hard Sh*tSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a perfect world, a lot of us would choose to avoid confrontation at all costs. Reality check: Tough conversations aren’t ideal, but there’s always growth on the other side of adversity. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I’m highlighting four strategies I use to navigate rough dialogues, and offer up the best piece of advice I’ve been given over the past few years. Plus: A necessary reminder on what it means when someone approaches a situation with unshakeable negativity, and how to best greet that person with grace. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Beam | Head to beamtlc.com to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For those of you who feel like you just don’t understand CBD at all, this episode should fix that. For today’s show, I'm chatting with Matt Lombardi and Kevin Moran, the co-founders of Beam, a company that makes CBD products for wellness, rest, and athletic recovery. Both former pro athletes, Matt and Kevin have similar stories about unexpectedly departing from their sports, Matt with hockey and Kevin as a pitcher for the White Sox. For episode 96, we talk through the hard times that followed that — both of them feeling a bit lost and unsure of how to pivot to the next chapter. We also talk about how the once-college acquaintances became best friends and ultimately, business partners. These guys are hilarious, their enthusiasm is contagious, and their stories will motivate you to get up, get out, and push your comfort zone.  SOCIAL @beam @mattlombardi24 @moranimal34 @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast  OFFERS Beet Elite | My new muscular endurance secret sauce. Exclusive offer for Hurdle listeners! Go to livehuman.com/hurdle and get 20% off your first purchase, no code necessary. Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary. Beam | Head to beamtlc.com to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.  MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Get your #thelaceup on! Tag @emilyabbate and @hurdlepodcast if you’re doing #thelaceup in your Instagram story this week for a chance to win a 20-pack of Athletic GreensSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It didn’t hit me until about an hour into last week’s Miami Half Marathon: I wasn’t paying attention to anything around me. I wasn’t taking in the experience. Instead, I was so in my head, worrying about paces and a potential outcome, missing out of the real point of taking on this challenge in a faraway city. An interaction with another runner made me remember the importance of being where my feet are. This week, I’m tackling the important subject of “presence” for #hurdlemoment. Because really, showing up is important and a great first step, but if you’re not aware of you’re surroundings and open — you may miss out on the best takeaways. That's an opportunity that's too good to pass up. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Beam | Head to beamtlc.com to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There is nothing easy about the road to Tokyo for “400M Diva” Natasha Hastings. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, the sprinter recently celebrated another major, magical milestone: Becoming a mom. In episode 95, I sit down with Natasha at the Under Armour Human Performance Summit at their Baltimore headquarters. To say that I’m in awe of her strength, determination, and power would be a total understatement. She talks to me about a few #hurdlemoments in her career that made her realize that she had to squash negative thoughts to reach her full potential, and how working with a sports psychologist helped her get through that. She also shares what it was like to stand on the podium at the Games in 2016 and — fast forward to now — hit the track for the first time post-baby. Bonus: 5-month-old Liam joined in on our interview (fun fact: at one point she was both podcasting AND breastfeeding, because she’s a champ). This one’s full of inspiration you won’t want to miss. SOCIAL @natashahastings @400mdivacollection @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Daily Harvest | Go to DailyHarvest.com and enter promo code “HURDLE25” at checkout to get $25 dollars off your first box. Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

So, this is a vulnerable one. We meet again, Valentine's Day. Whether you're attached or not this year, there's something I can't stress enough: No other person can fill the void if you don't love yourself. It's called self-love for a reason, right? It starts with you. Today, I'm finally writing myself a letter that I should've written long ago. Today, I'm encouraging you to write one, too, to take note of the things that you appreciate about yourself — from strong personality traits to physical characteristics. You are worthy. Today — and every day going forward — I'm working hard to remind myself of that. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Beam | Head to beamtlc.com to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Growing up in the Chicago area, Neen Williams knew from a young age that skate was his calling. Moving to Los Angeles on a whim to embrace his passions after dropping out of high school, Williams recalls a life where skate and partying were intertwined. In episode 94, Williams opens up to me about the #hurdlemoment involving a trick gone wrong and an ACL tear that changed his life forever. Now five years sober, Williams says he’s in the best mental and physical shape of his life — as he’s shifted his focus and prioritized his well-being. We chat about what that looks like on today’s pod, as well as his new spice business called — seriously — and the great things have come from his choice to invest in his own potential and open up to a greater community on social media. SOCIAL @neenwilliams @nadcoffical @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($79 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary. LinkedIn Jobs | Find the right person for your business TODAY with LinkedIn Jobs. Get $50 off your first job post by visiting linkedin.com/hurdle, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.