Not Your Average Runner, A Running Podcast

Are you filled with rage as you recognize how your fat body is constantly being oppressed? Have you always been told you're both too much and not enough at the same time? Do you feel like you're walking through the world ready to explode as you begin unlearning the oppressive conditioning you've experienced? This week, I'm here with body liberation coach Sophia Apostol. Sophia is the creator of the Fat Joy podcast and she's on a mission to help her clients rewrite the messaging that has told them they are unworthy. Sophia is walking us through the power of coupling rage and joy together, and how she's using rage as rocket fuel for anti-oppressive learning. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/319

Opinions on running on the treadmill truly run the gamut. Some call it the "dreadmill," some will use it if there's no other option, and some only feel comfortable and confident running indoors on a treadmill. Whichever camp you currently fall into, the treadmill is a piece of equipment that's totally worth learning to master, and I'm showing you how. Join me this week to learn how to master the basics of running on a treadmill. I'm covering everything you need to know, from setup and safety concerns to injury prevention tips. Hear my answers to the most frequently asked questions I receive about running on the treadmill, and how adding treadmill skills to your toolbox can make the difference between sticking with your plan and quitting on yourself. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/318

If you're doubting yourself on your running journey, this episode is for you. This idea of not being a real runner stops too many people in their tracks when they're just getting started, and that isn't what I want for you. I'm showing you how to drop these doubts and try on something more useful instead. Tune in this week to explore the difference between healthy doubt and doubt that stops you from going after the things you really want. I'm showing you how to spot doubt that isn't serving you, and giving you a new way to respond to the doubt that is holding you back. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/317

As a fat runner who has coached thousands of women to start running, I've noticed one thing that predicts their success: a beginner's mindset. This mindset is extremely helpful to adopt when starting out as a runner, but the truth is, it can be a game-changer for experienced runners as well. Hear five beginner's mindset hacks that will help you truly enjoy the sport of running. Whether you're a seasoned runner or you haven't pulled the trigger on running yet, I'm showing you the magic that can unfold when you adopt a beginner's mindset. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/316

Coach Elle Dee from the Run Your Best Life program is here to talk about her solo running summer adventure in Alaska. Very little went exactly according to plan, and she had some unique experiences just on her journey to our Alaskan retreat. Hear Elle Dee's running lessons from two months on the road. She's sharing the desires behind undertaking this incredible voyage and the problems she faced just on the drive to Alaska, as well as going deep into everything she learned about running while on the retreat itself. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/315

I'm here this week with the one and only Coach Jen Lamplough! Since declaring her goal of re-doing the Chicago Marathon when she turns 50, Jen has been navigating a variety of changes in her life, which she dives into on this episode. All of us can fall into the trap of using goals to help us feel a certain way, and when we share big goals publicly like Jen has, there's a lot that can happen when you realize an internal shift has occurred. Hear how so many of us torture ourselves over decisions we've made, why we're allowed to let ourselves off the hook, and the difference between doing this from an unconscious versus intentional place. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/314

What are your thoughts on telling people you're a runner? What does it even mean to feel like a runner? What are 'real' runners thinking so they don't have to qualify their statements about their runs? Whether you're struggling to call yourself a runner because you take run-walk intervals, run at a slower pace than others, or think what you're really doing is a light jog, this episode is for you. I've had all of these thoughts and more, but I'm giving you eight ways to start thinking like a runner right now, so you can embrace your identity as a full-fledged runner. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/313

I'm excited to introduce you to Charlotte Rooney, a leadership and anti-burnout coach. She is sharing her own experience of approaching running in the same way as her career, and how it prevented her not only from getting the benefits of intuitive and gentle movement but, most importantly, from enjoying it. Charlotte shares how work and life burnout can affect your running, and what you can do to heal symptoms of burnout. She's offering both the obvious and more subtle signs of burnout to look out for, the role that running now plays in her life, and why success can include prioritizing your well-being, mental health, and whole humanity. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/312

In a world where we've been raised to believe it's shameful, embarrassing, and downright bad to be fat, it can feel impossible to think about living our best lives right now if we're in a fat body. I tell women all the time that all bodies, regardless of shape or size, are deserving of joy, pleasure, and equal treatment, but some people have taken this to mean that I'm anti-weight loss. I offer my take on fat acceptance, and why this is not the same as being anti-weight loss. Hear the difference between being anti-diet culture versus anti-weight loss, what body autonomy means to me, and my top recommendations if you're currently pursuing intentional weight loss. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/311

This week, the whole Not Your Average Runner team is here to talk about body image, body confidence, and all things body. If you're not familiar with these three ladies, you're going to love them. Jen Madden is our business manager, and Elle Dee and Jen Lamplough are two of our amazing coaches. Hear the four of us discuss the cult-like effects of the way we've been socialized from a young age around diet and body image. We're discussing the direct impact of the messaging we've received our whole lives about how our bodies should look, how fatphobia shows up where we least expect it, and how to spot the inherited thoughts you have about your body. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/310

A huge part of my mission is to counteract misogyny, patriarchy, and anti-fat bias that exist in our entire society, especially in our fitness spaces. That's why I created the Fat Runner Manifesto: a 10-point distillation of my thoughts about being a fat female runner in a patriarchal and fatphobic world. I offer new thoughts to consider about running, your body, and your right to take up space in this world without apology. My goal is for you to see that these thoughts can be true for you, and I invite you to keep practicing them until you can create a space within your mind where you are respected, loved, and treated with compassion. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/309

Kelly Roberts is the head coach and creator of the Badass Lady Gang. Her philosophy measures success by confidence gained, not pounds lost, and she's coached thousands of women from brand-new runners to those chasing Boston Marathon qualifying times. She's joining me to discuss all things running, body-image resilience, and exercising in a way that isn't entangled with your weight. Discover why weight won't stop being a problem until we stop making it a problem. Kelly is sharing her own struggles with body image, how she's navigated the challenges of being a running influencer, why you don't need to apologize for your shape, and why we need to see more women in different bodies doing powerful things. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/308

Learning to run in all different weather conditions is super important because you can't guarantee the temperature on race day. If you want to get out there and run in the heat safely, this episode is for you. Hear my tips for running in hot weather. I'm discussing how to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion when you're on your summer runs, some useful clothing and gear advice, how to hydrate safely, how to protect yourself from the sun, and how to pace yourself in the safest way possible. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/307

Laine Dubin is a full-time college student, figure skater, and fashion content creator. She started a sustainable thrifting business on Instagram in 2020, specifically thrifting clothes for larger bodies. After going viral on TikTok earlier this year for her skating content, she not only exemplifies the fact that there's room for fat women in fashion, but on the ice too. I quiz Laine about her skating and body acceptance journey. She's sharing her thoughts on why our bodies should be cherished and treasured no matter their size, the beauty of learning how they move regardless of the sport of your choice, and her valuable tips for anyone wanting to try figure skating but who has always believed it's a sport reserved for smaller bodies. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/306

Whether you're a brand new runner considering trying your first race or a seasoned runner who has completed dozens of them, race-day anxiety is extremely common. Stress and worry can arise even if you feel physically amazing, have trained well, nailed your fueling, or are familiar with the race route. So what can you do to never stress about race day again? I offer my top three strategies for mitigating the impact of race-day stress and anxiety. Hear how stress can affect your sleep, digestion, and performance on race day, why getting stuck in a worry loop becomes problematic, and the thoughts that might be triggering a fight-or-flight nervous system reaction in you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/305

If you're feeling disappointed or discouraged because it seems like you're not getting any faster, and you interpret it as a lack of progress, listen in. We are socialized to believe that winning is the ultimate goal, not just in running, but in life. The truth is there are numerous ways to assess your running performance, and pace is just one aspect. Discover why stressing about your running pace is entirely optional, how it hinders your ability to truly enjoy the sport of running, and my top recommendations for shifting your perspective on the pain and suffering your pace might be causing you right now. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/304

My guest this week is someone with a wealth of wisdom and experience to share with the running world. Martinus Evans, also known as 300 Pounds and Running, is the founder of Slow AF Run Club: the best community for slow runners and walkers on the internet that aims to celebrate diversity and change the sport one step at a time. Listen in this week as Martinus shares his running journey with us, and some of the challenges he's experienced as a fat Black runner. He's offering his thoughts on being a back-of-the-pack runner, the importance of cultivating mental toughness, how he quiets his inner critic, and why developing delusional self-belief will change your life. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/303

Yoga has become a practice that's seemingly reserved exclusively for the privileged few: wealthy, thin, young, flexible, white, and able-bodied. If you don't feel like you quite fit into the yoga space, you're not alone, and this week, you're hearing from an amazing yoga teacher whose mission is to be a change agent in this realm. Dianne Bondy is an accessible yoga teacher, social justice activist, and leader of the Yoga For All movement. She's offering her own experience of feeling "othered" in yoga, the challenges she's come across as she's built her business, and her top tips for advocating for yourself in yoga. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/302

Are you struggling with starting to run because you think your body size is holding you back? In this bonus episode you'll hear about a free class I'm teaching that will help you get past those challenges and become a runner in the body you have right now! Sign up for the free class here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/runningfat/

I hear from runners all the time who say they're not real runners because they're slow, practice the run/walk method, or they believe they just aren't good at it no matter how hard they try. And in a world where we're taught that we should always be striving to be the best or improve in anything we do, whether running or otherwise, this is no surprise. I explore why we believe we suck at running, and how I know this is far from the truth. I'm sharing what you might not have considered about the people you deem to be good runners. If believing you're a good runner is important to you, I'm offering you a whole new perspective on what it means to be a good runner. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/301

When I started this podcast almost six years ago, I could not have predicted where the show would be today or how far we have come. And here we are, celebrating 300 episodes! You have been a significant part of my evolution by listening to the podcast, and I am grateful for your support. I share how I have evolved over the 300 episodes of this podcast and why fatphobia no longer lives rent-free in my brain. Initially, I thought this show was going to be about helping plus-size women start running, but the more I have shown up, the more it has become a voice for fat women who resist the belief that being fat is bad. I am excited to see what the next 300 episodes hold for us. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/300

Christine Chessman is an online strength and movement coach who helps women over 40 move more freely, feel strong, and take up space, and she's also the host of the Find Your Strong podcast. Christine offers her experience of disordered eating and exercise behaviors, and what helped her approach her body with more love and kindness. She's sharing her take on what women taking up space means, why it's vital for us to do so, and her top tips for making strength training and running more accessible to you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/299

Have you ever felt hopeless about your running? Does it feel like nothing is going your way? Do you wonder why you even bother when running feels this challenging? Hear how our brains distort facts into unfair stories in our minds, and why it's vital for you to look at all the facts of your runs. I'm showing you why we are all about the numbers and data in Run Your Best Life, and how to start seeing the truth of your runs, instead of letting your brain run amok with drama. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/298

My incredible guest this week is Sandra Mikulic. Sandra is a self-described 250-pound runner who has done a minimum of 5K a day of running or walking for the past 1562 days or four years, three months, and 10 days. She's also the founder and editor of Run Your Life magazine, which is a publication for athletes of all shapes and sizes and the only body-positive athletic magazine out there. Sandra shares her 5K-a-day journey with us and how she came to start it in 2019. She's letting us in on her inner mean girl thoughts, her experience with trolls online, and how she decided to drop all expectations and create a running practice she loves. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/297

I recently sat down with Christine Chessman of the Find Your Strong Podcast to talk about my favorite topic ever: running. For those of us in larger bodies, there are so many myths and misinformation out there that instruct us to not run, or tell us we can't be runners, and it's time to bust the BS. Christine quizzes me on my running journey, and why there is truly no wrong way to approach the sport of running. We are sharing our thoughts on the Couch to 5K program, how we've been conditioned to use exercise against ourselves, and my top tips for building a sustainable and truly joyful practice of movement. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/296

Spring is finally here which means it's officially half marathon training season! Whether it's your first half marathon or a comeback race after a long break, many of you are thinking of making that jump to the half marathon distance. Half marathon training is a time commitment and it also takes a whole lot of mental and physical readiness, but when done right, it will be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do. I offer my top tips for creating a solid training plan so you can feel great on race day. I'm breaking down the guidelines for half marathon training for beginners, what to expect during training, and how to take the best care possible of your mind and body as you go through this process. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/295

Last summer, one of my Instagram reels went viral. It showed me running in different locations and I talked about how you don't need to lose weight to be a runner. However, there was a set of commenters who suggested I'm glorifying obesity, and this blew my mind. I share why the notion that I'm glorifying obesity is ludicrous. You'll hear the history behind our opinions about obesity, how BMI is being used with no consideration to whether it's actually relevant, and how I'm glorifying body acceptance rather than trying to influence everyone to be fat. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/294

I recently taught a class on the three mistakes most fat runners make, and it was so life-changing that I knew I had to share it here on the podcast. Whether you're a fat woman who wants to learn how to start running safely and confidently, or you're already running but need help with challenges you're facing, listen in. You'll hear the most common mistakes fat runners make and what will actually change the game for you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/mistakes

I'm sitting down with my two favorite people, Coach Elle Dee and Coach Jen! The three of us make up what I call the dream team of coaches in the best running party on the planet, a.k.a. Run Your Best Life. We've got listener questions to answer but we're also chatting and catching up so you can get to know all of us a little better. They're sharing why you get to identify as a runner no matter what you look like, how fast you are, or what your goals might be, how they navigate motivation dips, and how to qualify what an easy run looks like for you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/293

The concept of motivation is constantly shoved down our throats especially on social media. We've been conditioned to believe that if we're not perfect, whether that's in relation to running or anything else, we have to start all over. Discover why motivation is bullshit and what you should do instead. You'll hear why forcing yourself to run isn't a useful strategy, what happens when you think perfection is the only path to success, and three simple thought shifts that will not only transform the way you approach running, but change your entire life. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/292

Something I talk about extensively on this podcast and all over social media is how you can be a runner at any size. The trolls love chiming in about how running while fat will destroy your knees, or why fat people need to lose weight before starting to run. I bust the myths surrounding the notion that some people are too fat to run. You'll hear how these comments are based on misinformation, confusion, and fatphobia, why there's truly no such thing as being too fat to run, and how to advocate for yourself and your choice to move your body. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/291

Now that spring is just around the corner, many of you are probably starting to think about 5K training. One very common way to approach your training is to download a free app like Couch to 5K. This episode is not a slam on the Couch to 5K program, but rather an assessment of what might be missing from it to make it something that truly everyone can use. Join me this week to hear the features of Couch to 5K that might mean it's not the best choice for you, and how you can solve these problems in a way that works for you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/290

I click on lots of clothing ads from companies that make clothing for fat folks. It was no surprise then when one recently came up on my feed as I was scrolling... but when I saw it, I totally lost my cool. This ad was titled "Things that should not be in the closet of plus-sized women." It showed fat women wearing different outfits, with their measurements listed, and a commentary on what each woman should and shouldn't wear. You already know this did not sit well with me, and we're getting into it on the show this week. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/289

Menopause is an experience half of the world's population has, is, or will be going through, so why are we shying away from talking about it? Elizabeth Sherman is a Master Certified life and menopause coach, and she's here to shine a light on all things menopause and to share some incredible suggestions for self-care when your body is going through menopause. Discover the importance of embracing and appreciating this stage of life, how to advocate for yourself, and her top tips for feeling better and looking after yourself as you navigate menopause. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/288

If you, like me, are larger-breasted, you've probably been unsuccessful in finding a comfortable sports bra that helps you run or engage in any sport you enjoy. That changed for me when I found the Enell sports bra. I'm so excited to have Enell founder Renelle Braaten on this week to share her passion for big boobs, and how she came to create Enell. Renelle is sharing the thought that spurred her mission to serve larger-breasted women, and we're talking about how women's lives have literally been changed because of the Enell sports bra. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/287

If you're on the cusp of wanting to give up because you're frustrated that you're not making progress, you need to hear today's episode. You'll learn how to question your belief that you need to be making progress at all times, what happens when you think progress is what will make you feel proud or fulfilled, and why it's so powerful to engage in an activity without ever expecting to make progress. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/286

If you're brand new to running, welcome to the ultimate guide to your first 30 days as a runner! I'm sharing everything that will make your running experience smooth, easy, and maybe even fun, from my top tips for injury prevention to my favorite gear, and so much more! Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/285

Last year, I had the deep pleasure of going to Alaska on a trip organized by the company Run Alaska Trails. We did a bunch of trail running, hiking, and exploring, and I realized I never really talked about how it went. So this week, I have Run Alaska Trails founder, owner, and operator, Kim Ryals, on the show to discuss all the fun we had, the incredible things we saw, how Alaska is constantly trying to kill you in the coolest ways, and why a guided experience of Alaska is the best way to make the most of your adventure. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/284

Listen in this week as everyone's favorite coach Jen Lamplough and I share seven secrets that will help you stay committed to your long-term running goals. You'll hear our personal running goals, how we've dealt with feeling discouraged along the way, the truth about commitment and sacrifice as they relate to your goals, and some of the less obvious things you might not be accounting for that will set you up for success. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/283

Unless you're in some magical race where everyone runs side-by-side and crosses the line together holding hands and singing Kumbaya, someone's got to finish last. But so many of you make coming in DFL (dead f*cking last) mean something bad, so this week we're unpacking the most common beliefs about finishing DFL, and I'm showing you why they're all BS. If you have some negative thoughts about even just the idea of coming last in a race, that's totally normal, but it's time to change it. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/282

Tune in this week to discover everything you need to know about fueling for endurance. Not Your Average Runner ambassador and certified nutrition coach, Bethany Shields, is sharing the science behind fueling for endurance running, some general how-to guidance to get you started, and what you can expect as you start to change the way you fuel your amazing body for endurance running, or any other form of endurance exercise. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/281

We're nearing the end of the year which means many of us are starting to think about our goals for 2023 and what we would like to achieve. Join me this week to hear my running goal for 2023 and the tools I'm using to support myself throughout this training journey. I'm sharing why I changed my running goal for next year, the power of collecting data as you train, and how I'm planning out my training in phases. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/280

This episode is for anyone who wants to start exercising, whether it's running or something else. If you used to exercise but stopped and want to start again, or you've been trying to get into a routine but are struggling to make it happen, what I'm sharing today will apply to you too. You'll hear how to create an exercise plan that makes sense for you, your life, and your body so it becomes a consistent part of your life that you love. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/279

Think about the last time you had a run scheduled. Maybe it was first thing in the morning, the alarm goes off, and you think, "Oh, hell no. I'm tired. It's cold. I don't have time. I'll just go tomorrow instead." But the truth is you're probably going to do the same thing the next day. Before you know it, it's been days, weeks, or months, and breaking this habit feels impossible. But you're in luck because this week, I'm sharing a tool that will help you stay consistent with running or anything you apply it to. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/278

This week, I'm sharing my head-to-toe overview of how to nail your running form so you can avoid those dreaded injuries and start seeing some amazing results. You'll hear why continuously adjusting your form is absolutely vital, how to conduct a form check, and my tips for implementing each piece one by one so you can eventually put them all together. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/277

Tune in this week to discover the jaw-dropping realizations that happened during the Run Your Best Life retreat. I'm sharing what it means to 'choose your ass' and why it's so important, how to start focusing on the possibilities of the future instead of the failures of the past, and why your resting-nope face (you might know it by another name) is a surprising asset. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/276

Join me this week for some tough love on finishing 2022 strong so you don't have to survive the last six weeks of the year, but make it your b*tch. I'm sharing three no-bullshit steps that might be a tough pill to swallow at first, but will have you excited and motivated to slay when 2023 rolls around. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/275

I've been working with some clients recently on planning for their goals in 2023. But we can't have a conversation about goals without talking about failure, what it means to us as runners and humans, and why we're so scared of failing. So, tune in this week to discover what to do when you've f*$@ed up. I'm sharing why real success never happens on the first try, why not acknowledging this reality is stopping so many people from doing incredible things, and how to get clear on where your beliefs about failure are holding you back. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/274

This week, I'm so excited to introduce you to endurance athlete, activist, and mental-health advocate Alison Mariella Désir. When Alison was at rock bottom, searching for meaning and structure, running and marathon training saved her life. We're discussing the paradigms that Black runners face, what we can do as a society to improve diversity, access, and equity in the running sphere and the world at large, and why this work will never end. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/273

This week, I share the brutal reality of training for a half marathon. You'll hear how to identify if you're ready to train, what to expect during the training period, the dangers of approaching your training before you're ready, the importance of having a support group in place, and how to create the appropriate plan for you. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/272