Hurdle with Emily Abbate

The CrossFit Open is here, which means now is the perfect time to bring you my conversation with Katrin Davidsdottir. The Iceland native got into CrossFit because her mom thought that she’d be good at it. Fast forward two years, and she was already competing on an international stage at the CrossFit Games in 2012. Now, she’s a 2x Games champion, but she’s also had her fair share of hardships along the way. In episode 78, we talk about the single event that changed the course of her career as an athlete — a #hurdlemoment that some may see as a failure, but she viewed otherwise. I praise her for her optimistic, opportunistic attitude, and we talk about how identifying your values is the first step to success in any endeavor. She also shares what she eats in a typical day, as well as the motivational tool she uses to get her through the hardest rep. Huge thanks to Ascent Protein for the connect. SOCIAL @katrintanja @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. WHOOP | Head to whoop.com to get a free WHOOP band plus 15 percent off any membership by entering the code "hurdle" at checkout. HEARD IN THIS EPISODE  Music And Strategy is a creative music company for brands and agencies.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What should I eat when I’m training? What about the night before a race? What about DURING? Plain and simple: This episode has been a long time coming. In this week’s #hurdlemoment, I sit down with registered dietitian and nutritionist Keri Glassman. She gives us the lowdown on all the things runners need to know about fuel, touching on topics from carbo-loading to energy gels. Plus: What’s up with people giving up alcohol during training and is that post-race burger and a beer OK? Take a breath; we’ve got you covered. SOCIAL @nutritiouslifeofficial @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ariana Grande. Charlie Puth. Jessica Simpson. Harley Pasternak’s lengthy list of celebrity clientele is impressive (total understatement). But long before Pasternak was training A-listers and working with big-name brands like Reebok, Propel, Four Seasons, and more — he thought he wanted to be a doctor. In episode 77, we chat about the frightening experience that made him change his major back in college, and how he started lecturing about performance enhancing substances at just 19 years old. We also talk about something that he really struggled with until recently, and that was intense sugar cravings He tells me about a recent #hurdlemoment involving one-too-many chocolate chip cookies that inspired him to create an essential tool, an all-natural mint called Sweetkick. Trust me: Pasternak’s got a lot of information to give. This is one episode you don’t want to miss. SOCIAL @harleypasternak @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. WHOOP | Head to whoop.com to get a free WHOOP band plus 15 percent off any membership by entering the code "hurdle" at checkout. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE SweetKickSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recovery for many athletes — runners included — is a lot like warming up or cooling down. Most of us know the benefits of it, but many don’t take the time to put in the real work. Fact is, there are a lot of things we can do to give back to our bodies, and doing them can make a major difference. For this week’s #hurdlemoment, I sit down with Dan Giordano, DPT, CSCS, and co-founder of Bespoke Treatments, to chat all things recovery. From foam rolling and percussive therapy to cold water immersion and nutrition, we demystify it all in hopes to give all types of athletes the knowledge they need to rest up and get back out there. Plus, Giordano has some serious thoughts about cryotherapy that you've gotta hear.  SOCIAL @dangiordanodpt @bespoketreatments @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  Bespoke has a lot of great instructional videos for proper movement and foam rolling strategies. Check them out, here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For four years, Brittany Driscoll spent her time learning everything she could from Alli Webb as the vice president of marketing at Drybar, taking the company from $30M to more than $100M. Now, she’s helping launch the brand’s newest concept — Squeeze, the DryBar for massages where treatments cost between $39 and $129, depending on the length of the session, which can run between 20 and 80 minutes. Clearly, she’s passionate about self-care, but she’s also an advocate for overall physical wellbeing. In episode 76, she talks to me about the #hurdlemoment of both her and her husband going through cancer, and how that has influenced her perspective on prioritizing health. We talk about how she managed to make a major career transition while supporting her husband through his cancer battle, and the big lessons she learned along the way that have made her a better partner and executive. We also rap on how often you should get body work and the 27-minute workout she swears by. SOCIAL @britdrisc @squeeze @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. WHOOP | Head to whoop.com to get a free WHOOP band plus 15 percent off any membership by entering the code "hurdle" at checkout. CHICAGO MARATHON WEEKEND MEET-UP | So excited to see the Chicago-based hurdlers. Come join in for a 5K shakeout and post-run brews on 10/11 at 4:30 p.m. at Lululemon Lincoln Park, sign up by clicking here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week's #hurdlemoment is a must-hear, regardless of if you're running a race this fall or not. Whether it’s your first or your hundredth, marathon race day gives runners the same nervous butterflies every single time. For today’s episode, I sit down with Robin Arzon, 26-time marathoner, Vice President of Fitness Programming and instructor at Peloton, and author of the New York Times bestseller Shut Up and Run. We rap about everything you need to do to prepare before and ON race day, from the best things you can do the day before you toe the starting line to exactly how much fuel you should be taking in along the 26.2 miles. This RRCA-certified running coach and marathon veteran has the tips you need to successfully conquer 26.2 miles, then bring that same swagger along with you in everyday life.  SOCIAL @robinnyc @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | New York local? Click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series. WOLACO Women is also releasing some fun new stuff in October. Click this link get 15 percent off your purchase on launch day!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To describe Ally Love with the word “boss” would be an understatement. She is a do-it-all kind of woman: The in-arena host for the Brooklyn Nets, founder of LoveSquad, Adidas global ambassador, and Peloton instructor (among other talents). In episode 75, she tells me all about the #hurdlemoment which framed her “I can” mindset: A horrifying car accident at age nine which landed her in critical condition with a broken femur. We talk about how she came back from the unthinkable, rising up as a dancer and making her mark on New York City. She tells me about how she discovered her voice with the help of hosting classes, the three books she read that helped to guide her in her career, and the unexpected text message that landed her in the saddle at Peloton. If you’re looking for a little motivation to go after you passions, look no further — Ally is a ball of energy and she wants to empower you to be everything you dream of and more. SOCIAL @allymisslove @onepeloton @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. WHOOP | Head to whoop.com to get a free WHOOP band plus 15 percent off any membership by entering the code "hurdle" at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aya Kanai is a powerhouse, at the helm of fashion content for Hearst as the publishing company’s Chief Fashion Director. In today’s special live episode, in collaboration with Trellis Health, Aya gets really vulnerable about her journey to have her daughter. We chat about how a miscarriage encouraged her to brave training for her first full marathon (a #hurdlemoment, no doubt), and what it was like for her to go through the egg freezing process. For anyone who has ever had fertility struggles, this episode will remind you that you are definitely not alone. For those who aren’t sure what the whole process entails? Aya spares no details with her open, honest story. SOCIAL @ayakanai @hurdlepodcast @trellishealth @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Trellis Health | Learn more about the egg freezing fertility studio by visiting their website, trellishealth.com.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It took me a really long time as an adult to feel good with spending time by myself. In today’s episode, I tackle a topic that I get a lot of questions about: loneliness. Important distinction: There is a difference between feeling lonely and being alone. In today’s episode, I dissect that, and offer up four strategies to help you truly embrace your time solo. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | New to the brand? Check out their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). They’re also releasing some fun new stuff in October. Click this link to be kept in the loop and get 15 percent off your purchase on launch day!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This guy isn’t busy at all (sarcasm alert): The CEO of Los Angeles-based Five Four Group works tirelessly building a slew of fashion brands (including Menlo Club, Young & Reckless, Grand Athletic Club, New Republic). He also chimes in regularly on his own podcast, DEETOUR, as well as a thrice-weekly news show with his business partners — Chris ‘Drama’ Pfaff and his brother Anand — called Group Chat. But back in 2007, life looked really different. Struggling to keep his business afloat during the financial crisis, Murthy decided to do some self-work and sign up for a triathlon. That race happened at a critical point for him, and come 2014, Murthy and his team were launching more and more brands and he was really coming into his own. In episode 73, we talk about what he says is the single best thing he's done in his career — create a run club to coincide with his athletic wear brand — and how that has changed him as a business person. The serial entrepreneur offers up must-hear advice for anyone struggling to find their way, and we share a bunch of laughs along the way. SOCIAL @deemurthy @groupchatpod @menloclub @shopnewrepublic @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. WHOOP | Head to whoop.com to get a free WHOOP band plus 15 percent off any membership by entering the code "hurdle" at checkout. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Trellis Health  |  LIVE Podcast with Aya Kanai, Hearst Chief Fashion Director; September 17, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. {Free tickets here}See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.