Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Nicole Centeno has always loved food. Even when she was working as a media buyer at Condé Nast and other big companies, she longed to turn her love for food into a full-time career. In episode 65, we chat about how she came to start Splendid Spoon, a ready-to-eat, plant-based meal delivery service that boasts an impressive menu of soups and smoothies. We talk about the eating disorder she had in college, a #hurdlemoment that briefly shifted her relationship with what she put in her body. We also rap about how she leaned into the grind of start-up life the most when she was going through a divorce, and the best way to handle someone who approaches a situation with anger. SOCIAL @splendidspoon @niccent @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No. No. No. No. No. Feels good, doesn't it? There's so much power of owning your no. Fact: Saying "no" more means that you accept that you are in the driver's seat of your own life. But why is it so hard to use this little, two-letter word? In today's #hurdlemoment, I'm talking about how to get comfortable with turning things down—and even how to make using it a little bit easier.  SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The moment you start talking with Don Saladino, you’ll feel as though you’ve known him for years. It’s no wonder why big-name celebrities like Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, and Scarlett Johansson have turned to him to get in stellar shape leading up to major movie roles. Owner of New York gym Drive 495, the trainer may be known now for his A-list clientele as well as his stellar physique, but the frequent magazine cover model hasn’t always been in high demand. In episode 64, we chat about how he got his start fresh out of college by walking into big box gyms and asking for jobs, as well as the numerous #hurdlemoments he faced building his brand. He tells me about when he had to completely pivot his business model after the 2008 financial crisis and the complications of losing his apartment to Hurricane Sandy in 2012. We also chat about the attention he pays to his diet, what it’s like to have a no. 1 selling app in Apple's App Store, and how he helped his good friend get “upper abs” in only two weeks. SOCIAL @donsaladino @drive_clubs @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Man, is it hot out there. This week, I’m bringing Nike+ Run coach and ultramarathoner Jes Woods to hang with me for #hurdlemoment and chat about safe summer running. We offer up the tips you need to stay safe on even the most humid days, ranging from hydration best-practices to smarter pacing strategies. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate @jeslynnyc MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | New women’s line is live, and I’m obsessed with their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). NYC local? Click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On any given day, you might find Jes Woods running 100+ miles in one fell swoop. But not all that long ago the Nike running coach and ultra marathoner was working full time at NBC as a project engineer. In episode 63, we talk about the opportunity that came her way to turn her passion for running into more of a full-time gig, her big goals as a coach for the years to come, and what it’s really like to run for 27 hours straight. Yup … 27 hours! She also offers up some must-hear advice for new runners on how to start and stay with the sport, and the biggest tip she’d offer anyone who wants to make a major career pivot. SOCIAL @jeslynnyc @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happiness is how you feel about yourself when you’re by yourself. It’s not something that should hinge on how someone else shows up for you or likes on social media. You have the opportunity every day to do things that make you a better you, a happier you, a person that you are proud of. I’m talking all about this on today’s #hurdlemoment, and I’m offering up an essential, list-making exercise that will help you get out of your own way on the path toward a happier, healthier self.  SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE WOLACO | New women’s line is live, and I’m obsessed with their Walker Crop (but really, I have it in three colors). NYC local? Click to be kept in the loop on WOLACO Wednesday, their weekly free workout series. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“The Gifted”, “Big Hero 6”, “Gotham”. On the big screen, Jamie Chung is a stunner. And in person? Well, she’s one of the most delightful, refreshing people I’ve met over the past few years. During a recent Eddie Bauer trip to Dunton Hot Springs in Colorado, I sat down with the California-born actress in a small cabin and we rapped about everything from the crazy way she landed on MTV’s The Real World to the hardships of auditioning for big roles after her stint on reality TV. In episode 62, she tells me all about eliminating self doubt, and the fun, active way she chooses to relax with her husband—far, far away from the cameras. SOCIAL @jamiejchung @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“All it takes is all you’ve got.” “You didn’t come this far to only come this far.” We all have phrases or quotes we look to when times get tough. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I’m sharing my go-to words of wisdom for the hardest days, as well as tips for choosing the right mantra and how you can use positive words effectively to level up in every aspect of your life.  SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confession: I didn’t know a thing about skincare until give-or-take age 30. I’ve never been the kind of person who thought pricey facials or luxury serums and masks were worth the money. Michael Pollack and Adam Ross made Heyday for people like me. Billed as a destination for “skincare for every day, not just spa days,” their seven New York and west coast locations are a more affordable option for quick skincare treatments. Leading up to their first NYC location in 2015, Ross went through a #hurdlemoment, hanging up his business suits and leaving behind a super lucrative-yet-personally-unfulfilling job in investment banking. He met Michael, realized they had the chemistry to build something great together, and the rest is history. In episode 61, we have a blast chatting about everything from the two essentials all newbies must do for their face, to the most significant learning experience Pollack faced as a startup (FYI: his sewing skills helped). Plus: Ross offers up his must-have diagramming technique for being more productive throughout your day. SOCIAL @heydayskincare @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This past weekend, I ran after a goal (literally) of conquering a mile in under 6 minutes. Spoiler alert: I ran it in 6:07. Rather than dwell on the negatives, I'm taking this race as an opportunity to reflect on the concept of failure. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I dig into the idea that every failure exists to teach us something great. In reality, the only people who never fail are those that don’t try at all. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ask George Foreman III what it’s like to grow up with a two-time heavyweight champion as a dad, he’s pretty humble about it—because that’s all he’s ever known. Graduating with a degree in business administration from Rice University, Foreman went on to preside over his dad’s business, traveling the world meeting celebrities and managing contracts. Amidst all the glamour and chaos, he came face to face with his #hurdlemoment. Standing at 6’5’’ and weighing in at more than 280 pounds, he realized he wasn’t happy in his corner of the world, going as far as to shut himself in a hotel room for three days. Then, he made the jump into boxing himself. After a year of training, Foreman stepped into the ring for his first fight weighing in at 231 pounds. He’d go on to have an undefeated professional boxing career that ended in 2012, a year before he opened the first EverybodyFights in Boston. In episode 60, we chat about everything from depression and the scary side of entrepreneurship to his goals for expanding EverybodyFights dramatically by 2021. SOCIAL @georgeforman3 @everybodyfights @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

About 0.5 percent of the U.S. population runs a full marathon. Zero. Point. Five. Which means that if you’re listening to this week’s #hurdlemoment and you’ve either decided to run a marathon or you’re considering it, that’s pretty rad. Seven marathons down, I’m now a certified run coach with a fair share of experience under my belt. I’ve been getting loads of questions about the process, so this week I’m offering up 7 essential things every marathoner should know heading into a new training cycle. Spoiler alert: things are going to go wrong, and you’re going to be just fine.SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FIFA Women's World Cup starts this week (!!) so it felt like an appropriate time to share my conversation with U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team co-captain Alex Morgan. On episode 59, the California native and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover star talks me through what it’s like coming back from devastating injury, and she shares what it’s like to serve as such an outstanding role model for so many across the globe. Special thanks to Secret for making this conversation possible, thanks to their #allstrengthnosweat campaign. SOCIAL@alexmorgan13@uswnt@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

Sometimes we all need to take a step back and evaluate. Feel like you’re stressed lately? Is something missing? Are you constantly frustrated? Hey, I’ve been there. One way to feel better: analyzing and committing to your priorities. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I chat about Health-Ade CEO Daina Trout’s “bucket theory” (originally discussed in episode 49), and offer up a simple, 15-minute strategy to living every day with intention. Good news: By the end of this episode, you’ll be checking something off your to-do list that’s been there for way too long. SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelly Ripa. Alicia Keys. Karlie Kloss. The powerhouse behind dance based cardio fitness and wellness brand AKT, celebrity trainer Anna Kaiser has some pretty impressive clientele. These days, she's on the brink of opening 300 new studios nationwide, but she’s overcome a lot of hurdles to get here. In episode 58, she tells me about her pivot into the fitness industry after an impressive career as a professional dancer, and how one of her first teaching jobs landed her in the hospital. She offers up must-hear advice about following your passions, tells me a hilarious story about her first time training one of her favorite A-listers, and isn’t afraid to get real about the hardships of building her business from the ground up.SOCIAL@theannakaiser@theaktstudios@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

Invest in yourself. Let the past be the past. Silence is golden. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I’m offering up a little bit of wisdom in honor of my June 2 birthday. Cue 30 different lessons I learned by the end of my thirtieth year. FYI: I don’t have all the answers (and never will), but something tells me you may want to have a notepad handy.SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

He was given a 30 percent chance of living. Suffering burns to 75 percent of his body, this was nothing that Omar “Crispy” Avila imagined when he joined the U.S. Army as an infantryman in 2004. On May 14, 2007, his life forever changed when his vehicle drove over a 200-pound, deeply-buried IED. In episode 57, the Purple Heart recipient gives the intense details of that experience and talks about how he came back from the unthinkable losing his right leg in the process, not only surviving—but thriving—as a Paralympic powerlifter and public speaker. He tells me about finding fitness at the right time in his life, leaving behind some bad influences and embracing a community that he’s so thankful to be a part of. On this Memorial Day, I’m grateful for my time with Omar, thankful for both his sacrifice in honor of our country and the other service members across the U.S.SOCIAL@crispy11b@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

I knew absolutely nothing about podcasts when I decided that I wanted to create one. It’s been a wild ride, but I’d like to think that after 18 months of recording, I know a thing or two about starting one of these from scratch. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share some insight into exactly what being a podcaster entails, including the total time commitment, equipment I use, and how to get your show on popular platforms like iTunes and Spotify. Fact is, you only get to be a beginner once—but if you do it right, once is enough.SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spend 5 minutes with Sjana Elise Earp, and it’ll feel as though she’s your new best friend. The warm, welcoming yogi brings her kind, bubbly personality to her more-than 1.6 million Instagram followers daily. But life hasn’t always been sun salutations and smiles. She had a really tough time as a teenager growing up in at home in Australia. From the outside looking in, things seemed idyllic, but she was dealing with severe depression that got so bad by age 16, that she even attempted suicide. In episode 56, we talk about the #hurdlemoment that landed her in the hospital, how she got the help she needed to deal with the disease, and soon leaned into journaling and moving her body to move forward. Earp tells me about how yoga helped save her from depression, we chat imposter syndrome, and she confesses how she shifted her relationship with social media from obsessive to healthy (spoiler: she still reads all her comments). SOCIAL@sjanaelise@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

Sometimes, hitting a workout feels great. Other times, it feels like climbing Mount Everest. I’ve come a long way from my time despising fitness back in college, now finding some way to move my body every single day. For the moments that feel hard, use these motivational strategies to get you going.SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chat with Kenny Santucci and you’ll immediately realize a few things: he’s clearly from Jersey, got an affinity for fitness, and a no BS sort of guy. These days, the former reality star is spending his days coaching and running operations at Solace, a New York City gym offering everything from CrossFit to yoga classes. But just over 15 years ago, as a high school freshman, Santucci tipped the scale at over 225 pounds. In episode 55, we talk about how picking up wrestling helped him shed the weight and develop some essential confidence, which propelled him all the way to traveling the world for MTV. We talk about the post-filming #hurdlemoment that had Santucci living out of his car, the recent family struggles that have shaped him into being a better son, friend, and business partner, and how he’s managed to turn his passions into his full-time, dream career.SOCIAL@kennysantucci@solacenewyork@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

You can be whoever you want to be if you’re willing to put in the work. And while being your own boss can be a blast, it also comes with a fair share of challenges. For the past couple years, I’ve been building a brand from the ground up and learning what it truly means to be an entrepreneur. I don’t have all of the answers and often feel like I’m totally winging this thing, but I’ve learned a TON in the process. In this week’s #hurdlemoment, I’m chatting the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and offer a few smart strategies for starting something from scratch.SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Let me tell you: Leila Janah is unlike anyone I’ve ever met. She’s compassionate, bold, and a total powerhouse leading up two large (very different) companies, united by a common social mission to end global poverty by giving work to people in need. As a busy founder and CEO, she’s under intense stress all the time. In 2017, she logged nearly 500,000 miles and 44 days (!!) in the air. Then, an unexpected #hurdlemoment happened. She was at a conference in Helsinki that December when she felt a pain in her abdomen and was rushed to the ER. Doctors told her if she had not had an emergency surgery, she would have died. Post-surgery, she developed an infection, was hospitalized for two weeks, and once she was out—leaned into her relationships and love for kite surfing to help her recover. In episode 54, she gives some insight as to what life’s like in some of the world’s poorest countries, and we chat about how she manages it all while making time for her most valuable relationships. Emily’s note: since recording episode, Leila announced that she has a rare but treatable form of cancer called epithelioid sarcoma. Please, send Leila your well-wishes and support on Instagram (@leilajanah).SOCIAL@leilajanah@samasource@lxmioffical@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERS 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.

We all have this idea in our head of what it’s going to take to be happy. Maybe it’s a dream apartment, that perfect job, or ideal partner. But the truth is that happiness starts from within. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share my six tried-and-true habits for happier living—some of which have gotten me through even my toughest days. Make sure to shoot me a DM or an email to [email protected] and let me know what yours are, too!SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When Paddy Spence lost his brother unexpectedly in 1995, his entire world changed. He pivoted jobs, decided to give up sugar (and hasn’t looked back since), and re-evaluated the “important” things in life. In episode 53, the Zevia CEO talks about this #hurdlemoment’s drastic impact on his wellbeing, the research on diet soda consumption in the U.S., and we swap stories about endurance racing (spoiler alert: his are a tad more intense than mine).SOCIAL@zevia@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

The beginning of 2019 was a little rough for me. To everyone else, it looked like I was living my best life. Traveling from Spain and Paris to Austin and Los Angeles; working hard and living it up. I was struggling. Being on-the-go constantly made it hard for me to keep up with my healthy habits, and I fell into somewhat of a rut. As a result, I realized in early March that I wasn’t proud of how I was talking to myself. In today's #hurdlemoment, I open up about that struggle and how I got through it. I share with you the four strategies I used to shift the dialogue, eliminate negative self talk, and get back to being the Emily that I love. The Emily that’s proud of the woman she’s become, and accepts that every day is a work in progress. SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Not all that long ago, CrossFit’s “Fittest Woman On Earth” wasn’t working out at all. In 2011, she was enrolled in the nursing program at Queensland University of Technology, and felt as though she was in a total rut. “I had gained weight, I didn’t feel like I was doing what I wanted to do.” In episode 52, I sit down with Tia-Clair Toomey for a refreshingly honest conversation about her rise to the top of one of the most fascinating sports there is (I might be a little biased). The Australian-born Reebok athlete tells me about the #hurdlemoment that had her depressed, and how getting into CrossFit helped her get through it. We talk diet, a typical day of training, and get real vulnerable about managing expectations and going after life’s biggest challenges. Plus: her trip to the Olympics, how to handle being a beginner, and just wait until you hear how much this woman can deadlift.SOCIAL@tiaclair1@reebok@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

We all have 24 hours in a day (including Beyoncé). It’s normal to wonder how you can make the most of them. Ever since embracing life as a freelance journalist and solopreneur at the beginning of 2017, I’ve homed in on certain strategies to squeeze out every ounce of productivity from the moment I wake up in the morning until my head hits the pillow at night. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share my seven strategies to being more productive. Grab a pen and paper (or get your fingers ready) for a few notes, these will help you maximize your time and make room for the things that matter.SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy Marathon Monday! If you’ve never heard of running legend Kathrine Switzer, then you’re in for a treat. Not only because she has a stellar 2:51:37 marathon PR (for comparison, I ran my first HALF marathon in 2:43:33). In 1967, the Syracuse University student became the first woman to ever run the Boston Marathon as a registered entrant. In her #hurdlemoment—now a photo seen around the world—race officials tried to tackle her to get her to drop out, not wanting a woman in their race. When she crossed the finish line that day, she made history. In episode 51, we talk about the chaos of the 1967 Boston Marathon and how she even got a bib to begin with, how she felt when women were finally admitted into the race in 1972, and what it was like to run the same course 50 years later in 2017. Plus: SO. MUCH. INSPO. Trust me, this is one you don’t want to miss. SOCIAL @kathrineswitzer @261fearless @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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, I’m a certified run coach and seven-time marathoner. But not too long ago, I could barely run a mile without wanting to pass out. In today’s #hurdlemoment, I share my tried-and-true tips on how to start running—and stay running. I totally understand why you might feel intimidated. Picking up any new hobby can definitely feel overwhelming. The good news? With the right attitude, you too will be crushing morning miles in no time. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listening to Joe Holder talk is fascinating. Not necessarily because of the vocabulary that he uses—which is admittedly impressive—but because he’s so darn knowledgeable about his craft. A health and wellness consultant based in New York City who regularly works with major brands like Nike, Whoop, and Smart Water, the New Jersey-born trainer is constantly studying to better his performance—both in and out of the gym. In episode 50 (!!), the former college football player tells me about how breaking his leg during his senior year at the University of Pennsylvania became the trying #hurdlemoment that shaped his personal health philosophy called the Ocho System. He also discusses the pressure he feels working regularly with A-listers, the way emotions impact our food choices, and why 2019 is the year of “strategic laziness.”SOCIAL@ochosytem@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

Mornings are pretty polarizing, right? Either you love them and fully embrace the phrase “the early bird gets the worm,” or you’re more of a snooze button enthusiast. If you’re the latter, you may want to reconsider your daily kickoff, and here’s why: Research shows that morning people are more proactive, happier, and more consistent with their workout routines. In today’s episode, I’m answering the most popular question I see in my DMs: How do I become a morning person, too? Good news! This 5:32 a.m. alarm-setter has got the hacks you need to become a successful earlier riser. Oh, and FYI future morning people: you’re going to need a fresh notebook and some willpower (a stellar sweat-friendly playlist won’t hurt, either).SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven years ago, Daina Trout, her husband, and her best friend launched Health-Ade with $600 in their pocket. Today, more than 120,000 bottles of the brand’s 14 flavors (with five more to launch this year) are brewed every single day and shipped to 20,000+ stores around the country. In episode 49, Trout tells me about the difficulties they experienced building the business from the ground up and the 2014 #hurdlemoment where she nearly died in a refrigerated truck accident—an experience that taught her the true value of self love and compassion. She also educates me on SCOBYs, gives me the lowdown on her “bucket theory,” and explains how teaming up with a personal trainer forever changed her life for the better.SOCIAL@dainatrout@healthade@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic 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.

No one has the perfect life, but you have the opportunity (key word: “opportunity”) to get pretty darn close. In #hurdlemoment—my new bite-size series launching today—I offer easy-to-digest tips and strategies to get over the speed bumps we face on the regular. The goal of this brand new Hurdle offering? Give #hurdlers a little motivation every Wednesday, in the form of a quickie episode, complete with actionable advice, techniques, and strategies. Some of these weekly segments will be solo-casts, and others may feature guests. In the first #hurdlemoment, I’ll be sharing a bit about a list-making exercise I did last year that helped me focus in on the things I enjoy and stop doing a lot of the things I don’t. After listening, make sure to shoot me snapshots of your lists, and tag Hurdle on Instagram so we can get this conversation going. And check back every Wednesday for a new #hurdlemoment!SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you want to build your booty, Bec Donlan is your girl. After relocating to the U.S. from Australia six years ago, the personal trainer built a name for herself as the designer of derrieres with a splash of fun (she sells her own loop resistance bands at her website). In 2017, the self-proclaimed “cakemaker” was teaching up to five group fitness classes and 45 personal training clients a week when she hit a #hurdlemoment that sidelined her: back-to-back injuries including a broken foot and a bulging disc in her back—plus a little finger-slicing knife accident. That’s when she leaned into CBD for pain management. In episode 48, the entrepreneur talks about building her edibles brand Go Basic from the ground up, she spills what’s really inside their highly Instagrammable chocolates, and gets real about the struggle behind being on the injured list.SOCIAL@sweatwithbec@gobasic@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeff Provenzano studied at New York City’s School of Visual Arts, but the last thing he wanted to do after college was get a job in graphic design. After taking a break from the books and tackling his first tandem jump with friends, he was absolutely hooked. In episode 47, we talk about the #hurdlemoment he faced post-grad, diving head first into his passions (pun intended), relocating to Arizona and buying a trailer to work at the no. 1 skydive school in the country. More than 20,000 jumps later, he’s one of the pioneers of the high-speed, high-stakes skydiving discipline of swooping and just can’t get enough. We chat about how he hooked up with Red Bull Air Force, what it’s like to train government agents, and the insane jump he did landing on a barge in the Hudson River.SOCIAL@jeffprovenzano@redbullairforce@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSATHLETICS GREENS | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Denyelle Bruno was born to stand out. The California native realized a couple of life-shaking things in her teen years: that she was a lesbian and had natural passion for leadership. Today, the President and CEO of fast-casual favorite Tender Greens has a remarkable resume that includes impressive gigs at big brands like Peet's Coffee and Tea, Macy's, Apple, and Drybar. In episode 46, Denyelle talks with me about owning her “executive presence,” something she was heavily criticized for throughout her rise to the top, and the ah-hah moment that changed her life forever when she was running around a lake in Oakland. With nuggets of wisdom like “it’s the things that make you stand out that make you successful, not the things that make you fit in,” it’s no wonder that I walked away from our conversation in Los Angeles with goosebumps. SOCIAL@denyellebruno@tendergreens@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.Jaybird | Head to jaybirdsport.com to get 20 percent off the new RUN XT True Wireless headphones and free shipping through the end of March with code “HURDLE” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The second you meet bubbly personal trainer and Training Mate founder Luke Milton, you’ll want to be his best friend. It’s no wonder he attracts great celebrity clientele like Khloe Kardashian, Elle McPherson, Rachel McAdams, and Teri Hatcher. One night in 2011, the former Australian professional rugby player was working late when he was involved in a serious hit and run car accident. It landed him in the hospital, temporarily unable to walk. This frightening #hurdlemoment made him reevaluate his life and goals. Soon after, he proposed to his wife (she said yes!) and the couple relocated to the United States where he would open his first studio. In episode 45, the E! Revenge Body star talks to me about setting a solid foundation for better health and shares his biggest regret in launching his company.SOCIAL@milts1@trainingmate@revengebody@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2015, Rachel Drori was hangry. Working at Gilt Groupe, she didn’t have enough time to recipe plan and cook healthy meals every single day. Come 3 p.m., she’d grab whatever was available for convenience sake—like a bar or trail mix—instead of putting good, clean food into her body. She felt totally depleted, and to make matters worse, was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder called Hashimito’s disease. In episode 44, she talks to me about this #hurdlemoment which encouraged her to start smart meal prepping and eating healthier, enabling her to manage her disease, forgo prescription medication, and concept a brand new company. Today, farm-frozen favorite Daily Harvest has expanded to more than 50 recipes including smoothies, harvest bowls, oat bowls, chia bowls, soups, activated lattes, and cookies (yes, please). Rachel dishes on the truth behind the fruits and vegetables you see in the grocery store, how she manages to run a 100-person company while raising her two boys, and explains what a “shiggle” is.SOCIAL@dailyharvest@racheldrori@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.Headspace | Head to heaspace.com/hurdle to get 30-day free trial of the entire Headspace library, no code necessary. Daily Harvest | Head to daily-harvest.com to get $25 off your first box using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There’s no better way to describe Alex Williamson than kind. The Chief Brand Officer at Bumble has had more than her fair share of #hurdlemoments. From dealing with her mother’s breast cancer diagnosis to finding out she had fibromyalgia in her early 20s, these challenges have help shape her into the woman she is today. Williamson even tells me about a recent divorce that drove her to try a digital detox that forever changed her for the better. In episode 43, she shares what it’s like being at the helm of a tech company which now boasts more than 50 million users in over 150 countries. We get super vulnerable, talking about powering through persistent pain, the power of positive thinking, and that sometimes—it’s OK to go looking for a “quick swipe.”SOCIAL@williamson@bumble@bumblebizz @bumblebff @bumblehoney @hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, GT Dave is often referred to as the “king of kombucha.” But in late 1994, he was brewing small batches of the fermented tea in his parents’ kitchen. At the time, his mom was diagnosed with a highly aggressive form of breast cancer. When she healed, she shared with doctors that she’d been drinking her son’s very pungent, homemade tea that experts said helped her fight the battle. As a teenager, GT became one of the first people to mass market the beverage. Today, kombucha sales exceed $600 million globally according to Inc., and GT’s commands about half of that. In episode 42, the California native talks to me about everything from gut health to changing food trends, and confesses just how much tea he’s drinking every single day. Spoiler alert: It’s a lot.SOCIAL@gtskombucha@gtdave3@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At age 15, Juice Press founder Marcus Antebi entered a 3-month drug rehab program, and he’s been sober ever since. In episode 41, the Brooklyn native tells me about how he leaned into athletic interests like skydiving and Muay Thai in his young adulthood and became really focused on the quality of the foods he was putting into his body. In 2010, the vegetarian opened up the first Juice Press in the East Village—arguably the world’s largest organic, plant-based grab-and-go health food provider. Today, Marcus and Juice Press CEO Michael Karsch have 89 locations in seven different states. We chat about how scary it was expanding beyond that first shop, the one thing you need to cut out from your diet today, and how they decide what stays and goes on the 120+ item menu.SOCIAL@juicepress@marcusantebi@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.Headspace | Head to heaspace.com/hurdle to get 30-day free trial of the entire Headspace library, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Forty. Episodes (!!!). This live pod comes from a discussion I had last week in collaboration with WeWork Labs, featuring past Hurdlers Adam Kallen of Jane Motorcycles, Jessy Dover of Dagne Dover, and Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi of Shine. We laughed a lot, and we talked about a lot of great stuff—from what it means to live a balanced lifestyle (and what that looks like for busy entrepreneurs) to really rad book suggestions and what “joy” is all about.SOCIAL @wework @shinetext @janemotorcycles@adam_janemoto@dagnedover@jessydover@hurdlepodcastOFFERSSHINE | Head to shinetext.com/hurdle to get 50 percent off a premium plan.DAGNER DOVER | Head to dagnedover.com and use the code “HURDLE20” at checkout for 20 percent off your purchase, now through February 31, 2019.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To say that Carolyn Kylstra has had an impressive career path as a journalist would be a total understatement. From stints at Men’s Health and Cosmopolitan to Women’s Health and BuzzFeed, now she’s the editor-in-chief of SELF at Condé Nast. But her rise to the top wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. In her #hurdlemoment, the new mom shares that she found out she was pregnant around the same time her entire career was about to shift, and how she managed to keep it together despite abundant—sometimes overwhelming—amounts of responsibility (plus, morning sickness). In episode 39, we talk about everything from the scary climate of the publishing industry to how she manages to take time for herself. She also tells me an insane story about how she almost died from a tick bite and offers up a ton of insight about what it means to be “healthy,” no matter what size you are.SOCIAL@carolynkylstra@selfmagazine@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When we feel like we’re waiting for instructions (gimme a sign!) we can forget our power. That’s just one example of the you-got-this texts that more than 2 million Shine users receive on a daily basis. App co-founders Marah Lidey and Naomi Hirabayashi met working at a non-profit just over 8 years ago, and they immediately hit it off. Becoming fast friends, the duo leaned into each other to get through #hurdlemoments like speed bumps in their relationships and hard-to-have conversations at the office. In 2016, they left their jobs to focus on Shine full-time, raised millions of dollars in funding, and began to grow their team. In episode 38, we talk about the challenges they’ve faced as women of color co-founders and they offer-up best-practice tips on how to silence your inner critic.SOCIAL@shinetext@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Special episode alert! Live from the Tory Burch store on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles, I’m sitting down with Nichelle Hines—the chief ride officer at Cycle House—and Sarah Larson Levey, the founder and CEO of Y7 Studio. This conversation is about as real as it gets. Hines shares how the writer’s strike of 2008 turned her life upside down and lead her down a path she never expected, and Sarah dishes on what it was like in the early days of creating her hip-hop yoga empire alongside her husband. In episode 37, talk about everything from our worst days as entrepreneurs (negative Yelp reviews, anyone?) to the best lessons we’ve learned with a side of sweat, sharing a bunch of laughs and a few tears along the way. This is one you don’t want to miss. SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@sarah_ayako@nichelle@y7studio@cyclehouse@torysportOFFERSTORY SPORT | Head to torysport.com/ and get 20 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE20” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2013, the now-CEO was working as a consultant — tired, traveling constantly, and 40 pounds overweight. Fitness wasn’t a priority for him because—in his words—it was hard to make it a priority. The catch: he wanted to be healthier. In his #hurdlemoment, Ethan dropped 40 pounds by building the first version of Aaptiv, which brings top-level digital-only, audio-based training sessions with personal trainers right to your headphones. In episode 36, the founder tells me hilarious stories about the early days of Aaptiv, posing as a surveyor at the gym asking strangers for feedback. He offers essential advice for anyone trying to adopt a new fitness routine and gives the lowdown on his 6 a.m. habit that makes him more productive throughout his entire day.SOCIAL@ethanagarwal@aaptiv@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSHeadspace | Head to headspace.com/hurdle to get 30 days of the entire Headspace library for free.Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.Aaptiv | Enter code “HURDLE” at checkout for a 7-day free trial, then 30 percent off an annual Aaptiv membership ($99.99 to $69.99).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever since she was a young girl, Ali Feller had her heart set on working in the publishing industry. Not just any job in publishing, though: Editor-in-chief of a teen dance magazine, perfect for someone who grew up on stage. By 25 (!!) she landed it. Right off the bat, she was working crazy hours, in endless meetings, on set at photoshoot after photoshoot living that New York City grind life that I know oh so well myself. Around that same time, she fell in love with running, tackling her first marathon. But soon, the stress became too much. Battling Crohn’s disease, Ali realized in her #hurdlemoment that she needed to step away from her dream job to get better and rediscover her purpose. In episode 35, we talk all about the transition that lead her to creating the Ali on the Run Show podcast, how Crohn’s has impacted her life, what it’s like to be a new mom to her beautiful babygirl Annie, and commiserate over the self-inflicted pressures (and benefits!) of being your own boss.SOCIAL@aliontherun1@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateOFFERSAthletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 20 free travel packs ($99 value) with your first purchase, no code necessary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HURDLE! Exactly one year ago today, Hurdle hit iTunes. In this combo anniversary/year-end episode, I’m giddily recapping eight of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned from 365 days behind the microphone, including some gems from fan-favorites including Hayden Slater, Kirsty Godso, Robin Arzon, and more. A huge, huge thank you to all of the listeners, guests, and everyone else who helped to make my first year as a podcaster one for the charts (literally).SOCIAL@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbateI mention a ton of past episodes in today’s. Check them out, here:Episode 28: Robin Arzon, VP Fitness Programming & Head Instructor PelotonEpisode 16: Amy Purdy, Snowboarder & Paralympic MedalistEpisode 20: Hayden Slater, Founder Pressed JuiceryEpisode 27: Kirsty Godso, Nike Master TrainerEpisode Three: Fred Santarpia, CDO Conde NastEpisode 14: Deena Kastor, Marathoner & American Record HolderEpisode 7: Liz Plosser, Editor-in-Chief Women’s HealthEpisode 18: Dr. Jason Wersland, Creator TheraGunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In his early 20s, Mark Hunter was known as a thriving photographer nicknamed “The Cobra Snake”. He was a fixture in the New York and L.A. party scenes, traveling all over the country and world to snap everyone from Kings of Leon to Lindsay Lohan. Known for his wacky outfits and great aesthetic, his #hurdlemoment coincided with the rise of Instagram. With social media—as he puts it—everyone’s a photographer in their own right. Mark knew he needed to pivot if he wanted to stay relevant and continue to build his brand. He stopped going to so many parties, began advertising free group hikes on a new Instagram account (@cobrafitnessclub), and now he’s making friends and having fun taking photos with a side of sweat. In episode 33, he shares how hiking Runyon Canyon has changed his life forever, his super approachable, all-inclusive view on fitness, and what it’s like to be good friends with Steve Aoki.SOCIAL@thecobrasnake@cobrafitnessclub@hurdlepodcastOFFERSKaari Foods | Head to kaarifoods.com/ to get 15 percent off your purchase using the code “HURDLE” at checkout.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.