Built on Consistency: Katie Ledecky on Reframing Hard Days, Swimming Into the Record Books & Inspiring the Next Generation

In this week's rewind episode, Emily sits down with four-time Olympian Katie Ledecky, the most decorated American female Olympian in history. Ledecky brings us back to her roots, talking about her first-ever goals in swimming and how she originally fell in love with the sport at age six. The swimm…

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Being A Beginner Is A Prerequisite For Greatness

As she prepares for the Brooklyn Half, Emily's looking back at her first 13.1-mile race in 2008 and the massive health transformation that led her there. Today, Emily discusses the beauty of progress and the reality of "readiness." She's sharing her perspective on why being a beginner is a prerequ…

The Future of Women’s Sports: Amanda Lucci On Breaking Into the Press Room, the Power Of Narrative & Finding Growth In "No"

Amanda Lucci is the Director of Special Projects at Women's Health, where she has spent the last decade evolving the brand’s digital presence and spearheading their expansive coverage of women’s sports. From the sidelines of the WNBA to the mixed zones of the Paris Olympic Games, Amanda is on a mis…

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Stop Overcommitting Your Energy

It's absolutely beautiful in Brooklyn right now. After a whirlwind of travel to Boston, London, and Portland, being back home feels like a massive exhale. But as the weather warms up, social calendars tend to fill up fast. Today, Emily's evaluating how she navigates this busy season without overco…

Bigger Than Volleyball: Carli Lloyd On Surmounting Setbacks, Training Your Mind & the Power of Self-Talk

In this episode of Hurdle, host Emily sits down with elite volleyball champion, Carli Lloyd. Carli shares her journey of grit and professional longevity, from a decorated 13-season international career to leading LOVB Austin to back-to-back League One Volleyball (LOVB) championships. She opens up a…

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Give Yourself Some Credit

Yesterday I got to sit down with the "Quad God", Ilia Malinin. Reflecting on that event—and a specific question about whether or not I have a manager—led me down a path of gratitude for the "hustle" and the career I've built by simply putting myself out there and treating people well. I’m diving d…

Finding The Fun: Jess McClain On Her American Record At The 2026 Boston Marathon, Incremental Gains & The Future Of Women’s Distance Running

In this episode of Hurdle, host Emily sits down with professional runner Jess McClain fresh off her monumental performance as the top American finisher at the 2026 Boston Marathon. Recorded in London, where the duo got to run in the upcoming Brooks' upcoming Hyperion Elite 6 and cheer at the 2026 L…

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Who’s Really In Control?

Talking about how to focus on feel versus external data and validation. Plus: Answering a question about the best shoes to wear for a HYROX. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Nike Pegasus 42 SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast @iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…

Beyond the Highlights: Sarah Spain On Hosting the First Daily Women's Sports Podcast, Rejecting 'Sanitized' Coverage & The Power Of Gratitude

This week's guest is a true powerhouse in the sports media landscape: Sarah Spain. An Emmy, Gracie, and Peabody Award-winning journalist, Sarah spent over a decade as a mainstay at ESPN, becoming one of the most versatile and respected voices in the industry. She recently made waves by joining iHea…

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: A Draft, A Summit & Jury Duty

What a week! Recapping, talking jury duty, a fun run of a 5K, and answering a listener question about my latest workhorse sneaker, the Pegasus 42. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast @iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠…