Welcome to Season 21 of Hurdle! To kick off this brand-new chapter, host Emily's going solo to share the deeply personal evolution of her relationship with running, her career, and herself. From being cut from the JV volleyball team in high school to weighing 200+ pounds as a college freshman, Emily opens up about the pivotal moment that changed everything and the simple decision that started it all: learning to keep showing up for herself, one step at a time.

Whether you are a seasoned marathoner, balancing the demands of a freelance career, or looking for the inspiration to conquer your own current hurdles, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that you belong exactly as you are.

Key Takeaways & Highlights

• The Turning Point: Emily revisits her freshman year at the University of Connecticut, stepping on a dusty scale under her bunk bed, and the counter-intuitive sprint that sparked her health journey.

• The "Half-Mile" Summer: The hilarious and humbling realization that the "mile" she thought she was running every day at summer camp was actually just a half-mile—and why being bad at something is the first step to getting good.

• The Career Hustle: A winding look through Emily’s nearly 20-year journalism career—from associate editor at The Stir to fitness editor roles at Rodale and Self, and finally, the leap of faith into full-time freelancing and starting Hurdle.

• Understanding Opportunity Cost: How a casual glass of wine and a conversation on a New York rooftop redefined the sacrifices required to achieve big athletic and personal goals.

• Looking Ahead to Sydney: Emily gives an update on her current training block for the upcoming Sydney Marathon on August 30th, balancing high-mileage goals with a busy travel schedule.

Memorable Quotes

"I am talking about what happens to your mind, and your confidence, and your life when you decide to keep showing up for yourself, one step at a time."

"You belong exactly as you are."

Links & Resources

• Follow Hurdle: @hurdlepodcast

• Follow Emily: @emilyabbate

• Subscribe to the Newsletter: The Weekly Hurdle on Substack

• Email the Show: hello@hurdle.us

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and don't forget to share it with a friend who might need a little extra inspiration to conquer their own hurdles this week!

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ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.