Olympic heptathlete Chari Hawkins opens up about what it really feels like to keep going when everything falls apart. What begins as a reflection on Chari’s career unfolds into something much more vulnerable—her struggles with identity, the quiet devastation of missing the Olympic team, and a moment where she wasn’t sure she wanted to keep going at all. Together, we explore fear, failure, and the small, brave decisions that shape a life. Our Dear Sugar letter this week touches on what it means to start before you feel ready, reminding us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s learning how to live alongside it.

Olympic heptathlete Chari Hawkins opens up about what it really feels like to keep going when everything falls apart. What begins as a reflection on Chari&rsquo;s career unfolds into something much more vulnerable&mdash;her struggles with identity, the quiet devastation of missing the Olympic team, and a moment where she wasn&rsquo;t sure she wanted to keep going at all. Together, we explore fear, failure, and the small, brave decisions that shape a life. Our Dear Sugar letter this week touches on what it means to start before you feel ready, reminding us that courage isn&rsquo;t the absence of fear&mdash;it&rsquo;s learning how to live alongside it.

Overcoming Hurdles with Olympic Heptathlete Chari Hawkins

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/48302ccb-b78d-42e0-8894-b442011ef35a/transcript

Maddy Schaffrick joins Cheryl for a deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Maddy reflects on becoming a professional snowboarder at just 14, the pressure and injuries that led her to retire at 20, and how she rebuilt her life afterward. She discusses what it's like to go from teen prodigy to burning out and how coaching young athletes helped her discover a new mindset rooted in self-belief rather than external validation. Together they explore the importance of finding your “why,” navigating self-doubt, and learning how to fall and get back up, both on and off the mountain.

Maddy Schaffrick joins Cheryl for a deeply personal conversation about identity, resilience, and rediscovering purpose. Maddy reflects on becoming a professional snowboarder at just 14, the pressure and injuries that led her to retire at 20, and how she rebuilt her life afterward. She discusses what it's like to go from teen prodigy to burning out and how coaching young athletes helped her discover a new mindset rooted in self-belief rather than external validation. Together they explore the importance of finding your &ldquo;why,&rdquo; navigating self-doubt, and learning how to fall and get back up, both on and off the mountain.

The Comeback Mindset with Maddy Schaffrick

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ff7d921b-5ccc-4f3d-bc14-b43b01806d4d/transcript

Iditarod musher and bestselling author Blair Braverman joins Cheryl for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the deep bond between humans and animals. She shares what it’s like to navigate blizzards, isolation, and uncertainty all while being guided by her dogs. Together, they explore fear, leadership, and how trust is built not through control, but through genuine connection.

Iditarod musher and bestselling author Blair Braverman joins Cheryl for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the deep bond between humans and animals. She shares what it&rsquo;s like to navigate blizzards, isolation, and uncertainty all while being guided by her dogs. Together, they explore fear, leadership, and how trust is built not through control, but through genuine connection.

Trust the Dogs: Blair Braverman on Letting Go and Staying Alive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d4b332ff-ebec-40c3-b732-b43301704984/transcript

For Sarah Outen, adventure has meant rowing across oceans alone and navigating some of the most remote places on earth. She joins Cheryl to reflect on the risks she’s taken, the failures she’s faced, and the resilience she’s built along the way. Together, they explore endurance, self-trust, and the question at the heart of every journey: what are you really searching for?

For Sarah Outen, adventure has meant rowing across oceans alone and navigating some of the most remote places on earth. She joins Cheryl to reflect on the risks she&rsquo;s taken, the failures she&rsquo;s faced, and the resilience she&rsquo;s built along the way. Together, they explore endurance, self-trust, and the question at the heart of every journey: what are you really searching for?

Alone at Sea: Sarah Outen on Isolation, Survival, and Inner Strength

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/bb290933-3665-4544-837a-b42e000a1f66/transcript

Cheryl talks with racing legend Katherine Legge about discipline, focus, and the mental strength required to compete at the highest level of racing. Katherine reflects on setbacks, persistence, and carving out space in a male-dominated sport. Together, they explore what it means to hold your ground, even when everything is pushing against you.

Cheryl talks with racing legend Katherine Legge about discipline, focus, and the mental strength required to compete at the highest level of racing. Katherine reflects on setbacks, persistence, and carving out space in a male-dominated sport. Together, they explore what it means to hold your ground, even when everything is pushing against you.

Speed, Risk, and Self-Trust with Katherine Legge

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/e7e85889-1d89-4b03-a10b-b4210188510e/transcript

Soccer icon Abby Wambach joins Cheryl Strayed to explore the inner life behind extraordinary achievement. Abby reflects on the relentless drive that fueled her legendary career, the complicated relationship between success and self-worth, and the emotional journey of redefining identity after elite sports. Together, they discuss grief, sobriety, partnership, and what it means to live with both humility and audacity. The episode ultimately asks a powerful question: how do we measure a meaningful life once the medals are won?

Soccer icon Abby Wambach joins Cheryl Strayed to explore the inner life behind extraordinary achievement. Abby reflects on the relentless drive that fueled her legendary career, the complicated relationship between success and self-worth, and the emotional journey of redefining identity after elite sports. Together, they discuss grief, sobriety, partnership, and what it means to live with both humility and audacity. The episode ultimately asks a powerful question: how do we measure a meaningful life once the medals are won?

The Audacity of Vulnerability with Abby Wambach

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/65abc37e-5de4-4819-a810-b41e013c2a34/transcript

Sarah Spain joins Cheryl for a conversation about nonlinear careers, unexpected pivots, and trusting that the path will reveal itself to you. From comedy to ESPN, Sarah reflects on saying yes before she felt ready and what happened next.

Sarah Spain joins Cheryl for a conversation about nonlinear careers, unexpected pivots, and trusting that the path will reveal itself to you. From comedy to ESPN, Sarah reflects on saying yes before she felt ready and what happened next.

Be So Good They Can't Ignore You: Sarah Spain on Persistence

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/06e9a518-fc97-4071-a651-b418016d167d/transcript

Cheryl talks with ultra runner and human rights lawyer Stephanie Case about what happens when passion, purpose, and motherhood collide. Stephanie reflects on returning to racing after infertility and pregnancy loss, the viral moment when she breastfed her daughter mid-race, and how movement helps her process some of the hardest work in the world. 

Cheryl talks with ultra runner and human rights lawyer Stephanie Case about what happens when passion, purpose, and motherhood collide. Stephanie reflects on returning to racing after infertility and pregnancy loss, the viral moment when she breastfed her daughter mid-race, and how movement helps her process some of the hardest work in the world.&nbsp;

Running Towards Joy with Stephanie Case 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/fa1d2a7a-2bba-4e18-aee4-b41101293a22/transcript

Cheryl talks with record-setting long-distance hiker Heather Anderson about curiosity, courage, and the quiet power of putting one foot in front of the other. Heather shares how she went from a non-athletic kid to setting speed records on America’s longest trails and what hiking has taught her about fear, resilience, and finding your way forward.

Cheryl talks with record-setting long-distance hiker Heather Anderson about curiosity, courage, and the quiet power of putting one foot in front of the other. Heather shares how she went from a non-athletic kid to setting speed records on America&rsquo;s longest trails and what hiking has taught her about fear, resilience, and finding your way forward.

You Don't Have to Be Fearless with Heather Anderson

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/ea1e757e-d786-4f4d-85cd-b40a016e0b3d/transcript

Cheryl Strayed sits down with champion ultrarunner and obstacle racing pioneer Amelia Boone to talk about endurance, identity, and redefining strength. From pioneering obstacle racing to embracing vulnerability through eating disorder recovery, Amelia reflects on pain and what it means to honor her body now without shame.

Cheryl Strayed sits down with champion ultrarunner and obstacle racing pioneer Amelia Boone to talk about endurance, identity, and redefining strength. From pioneering obstacle racing to embracing vulnerability through eating disorder recovery, Amelia reflects on pain and what it means to honor her body now without shame.

The Power of Pain with Amelia Boone

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/94f57729-4ca9-4f0e-8837-b403018a1a72/transcript

From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey.

In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.

From the bestselling author of Wild and co-host of the beloved Dear Sugars podcast, Cheryl Strayed returns with a new kind of journey.
In Mind Over Mountain with Cheryl Strayed, Cheryl sits down with athletes and adventurers from the most high-adrenaline corners of the world (climbers, surfers, ultramarathoners and more) to discuss the inner landscapes that inspired these extraordinary feats, and give advice to listeners on how they too can face seemingly insurmountable moments in their own lives.

Mind Over Mountain

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