Ali on the Run Show

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266. On the Record with Mario Fraioli, Host of The Morning Shakeout Jul 26, 2020

Show notes

"I won't use my voice unless I can back up whatever argument I'm trying to make. But I've gotten increasingly more comfortable putting myself in those situations and taking a stance on something and then being able to back it up, whether it's systemic racism, whether it's diversity in the sport, whether it's how we should be handling the pandemic right now as runners. We all have thoughts on those things. A lot of us are afraid to share those thoughts. Not all of us have platforms where we can share those thoughts and have it have an impact, and I am very cognizant of the fact that I do, and I want to make sure I'm using my platform for good in those ways and spurring up healthy conversation and debate."

Today, we wrap up the On the Record series with Mario Fraioli, host of The Morning Shakeout podcast and creator of The Morning Shakeout newsletter. Mario comes to podcasting with a background in journalism: He's a longtime sports writer and was the editor of Competitor magazine. On this episode, Mario talks about taking that journalistic approach when it comes to having conversations with running's top athletes, and opens up about getting comfortable taking a stance and using his voice. And he explains why sometimes, you have to let the silence do the work.

Thank you to Gatorade Endurance for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to gatoradeendurance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your order.

What you'll get on this episode:

How and why Mario got into podcasting (11:00)
How Mario prepares for his interviews (18:40)
What's on Mario's mind right now? (29:00)
On choosing guests for The Morning Shakeout (35:50)
Mario shares his dream-come-true moments (43:00)
On speaking out (53:50)

What we mention on this episode:

Ali Feller on The Morning Shakeout

Subscribe to The Morning Shakeout newsletter

Tommy Rivers Puzey GoFundMe

"Interview: Mebrahtom Keflezighi," by Mario Fraioli for mensracing.com

"Retraction Reaction," by Mario Fraioli

Erin Strout on Episode 73 of the Ali on the Run Show

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SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

265. Catching Up with Chris Heuisler Jul 22, 2020

Show notes

"That's what I have now: I have hope."

A lot has changed for Chris Heuisler since the last time he was on the Ali on the Run Show. He turned 40! He's no longer the Global RunWestin Concierge. And he got sober. On this episode, Chris — for the first time publicly — talks about his past with alcoholism, and his journey to sobriety. (SO PROUD OF YOU, CHRIS.)

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.

What we mention on this episode:

Chris Heuisler, National Run Concierge for Westin Hotels

Chris Heuisler's Most Embarrassing Running Moment!

Ali on the Run Show LIVE! Featuring Meb Keflezighi, Andrea Barber, Chris Heuisler, and Des Linden

Des Linden on Finding Mastery

Catching Up with Andrea Barber

Andrea Barber AKA Full House's Kimmy Gibbler

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264. On the Record with Dana Giordano, Host of More Than Running Jul 19, 2020

Show notes

"What matters most to me is talking about athletes, especially female athletes, in the way that I would want someone to ask me questions. I want someone to respect me as a whole person and dig a little bit deeper and learn about who I am and what I have to give beyond the typical rote questions we hear over and over again."

Dana Giordano is a professional middle-distance runner for the B.A.A. and adidas. She's a 4:34 miler and 15:47 5K runner who ran track and cross-country at Dartmouth College and hopes to compete at the 2021 Olympic Track & Field Trials. In April, Dana added another line to her impressive resume: host of the More Than Running podcast. Dana enters the running podcast space with an inside look at the sport. On this episode, she talks about relatability on the track, inspiration on the run, and how she wants to see the industry improve. She also offers her take on how to make running more accessible, and talks about why it's so important to share women's stories and celebrate other women's successes.

Thank you to Gatorade Endurance for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to gatoradeendurance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your order.

What you'll get on this episode:

How and why Dana decided to leave her corporate job to become a professional runner (4:00)
As a podcast host, what's matters most to Dana? (13:50)
How Dana sees her role in the running industry (27:00)
On choosing guests for the show (40:00)
What Dana's running looks like right now (56:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Chris Chavez on Episode 262 of the Ali on the Run Show

"Dana Giordano's Falmouth Run is For a Greater Cause," via Citius Mag

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263. Hawi Keflezighi, Founder & CEO of HAWI Management Jul 15, 2020

Show notes

"I was nervous. But it was the kind of nervousness that really drove me to work as hard as possible, be as persistent as possible, and as thorough as possible."

Hawi Keflezighi is one of the greatest agents in running and track and field. As the founder and CEO of HAWI Management, Hawi and his team represent 30 athletes including Alexi Pappas, Nikki Hiltz, Aliphine Tuliamuk, and, of course, Hawi's brother, Meb Keflezighi. On this episode, Hawi talks about how — and why — he started his agency when he was still in law school, and explains what, exactly, agents do. He talks about being one of 11 siblings, and shares his family's story of emigrating from Eritrea to the United States. Hawi, who lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two kids, talks about what the American Dream means to him, and talks about why integrity is so important to him. There's a reason the Keflezighis are some of the best-loved people in sports, and this conversation is a perfect example of that.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Hawi became an agent (5:00)
What exactly does an agent do? (14:10)
What it means to Hawi to lead with integrity (16:40)
What's the vibe among running agents like? (25:00)
Hawi reflects on the biggest days for his athletes (27:00)
On navigating floods of athlete media requests (41:00)
Reflecting on Aliphine Tuliamuk's win at the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials, and what race day looks like from an agent's perspective (48:00)
What does the idea of the American Dream mean to Hawi? (53:00)

What we mention on this episode:

Ali on the Run Show LIVE! Featuring Meb Keflezighi, Andrea Barber, Chris Heuisler, and Des Linden

LIVE at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with Carrie Tollefson, Meb Keflezighi, & UCAN

You Can Run a Marathon with Meb Keflezighi

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262. On the Record with Chris Chavez, Host of the Citius Mag and Runners of NYC Podcasts Jul 12, 2020

Show notes

"Once you have enough of these uncomfortable conversations, you do start to pick up on new ways of going about it and asking different questions. It's never going to end. Being uncomfortable is just part of it, and you welcome it, and do it over and over and over again to get better."

Welcome to the second episode in the four-part "On the Record" series, talking with fellow running podcasters about their work, their takes on the state of the running industry, and their roles within it. We kicked things off last week with Alysia Montaño, Molly Huddle, and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas — the hosts off Keeping Track — and this week, Chris Chavez is here! In addition to being a full-time writer for Sports Illustrated, Chris is also the host of the Citius Mag podcast, and co-host of the Runners of NYC podcast (alongside former Ali on the Run Show guest Leigh Anne Sharek). He's an important, well-respected voice in the running community, and on this episode, Chris talks about what it means to be an influencer in the running space, explains how he decides who to feature on his shows, and reflects on what the future of the running industry and community might look like.

Thank you to Gatorade Endurance for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to gatoradeendurance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your order.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Chris decides what to cover where (3:45)
Why podcasting? (11:30)
What does it mean to be an influencer in the running space? (16:00)
On deciding who to feature on the podcast (28:00)
Chris talks about his recent "Black Off the Track" piece for Sports Illustrated (37:00)
The future of the running industry and community (46:45)

What we mention on this episode:

The Sports Gene by David Epstein

Humans of New York

Henna Rustami on the Citius Mag podcast

"Black Off the Track," by Chris Chavez for Sports Illustrated

"Mary Cain Speaks Out Against Nike and Coach Alberto Salazar Over Emotional, Physical Abuse," by Chris Chavez for Sports Illustrated

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261. Jess Sims, Peloton Instructor Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

"Stop negotiating with yourself. Be like a little kid again and jump into the pool. Don't stick your foot in to check out the temperature. Don't think you have to have the right bathing suit on. Jump in the pool."

It's safe to say Jess Sims is one of the most popular fitness instructors in the country. As a Peloton instructor, Jess is known for her no frills, no BS, no gimmick approach to working out. She's the real deal, and she's passionate about helping people feel their best every day. And though Jess says she never dreamed about being a fitness instructor, let alone a global superstar with a massive platform, being an educator has always come naturally to her. On this episode, Jess shares her road to Peloton fame, which started by teaching not in fitness studios, but in classrooms: Jess did Teach for America, and taught kids in Houston, Harlem, and Massachusetts. Jess also talks about the a-ha moment that led her from her role as a principal to one on the podium, and explains why, at first, she actually turned down the opportunity to teach at Peloton. Plus, she talks about growing up in Peabody, MA, in a biracial family, and offers her take on diversity in the fitness industry today.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

Did Young Jess plan for a future in the fitness industry? (4:15)
How Jess became a teacher (7:45)
How Jess broke into the fitness industry (16:15)
On getting hired at Peloton, and what life looks like as a Peloton instructor (20:00)
On both "personal branding" and diversity in the fitness industry (41:00)
What it means to Jess to "take up space" (47:20)

What we mention on this episode:

Teach For America

Rebecca Kennedy

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260. On the Job with United States Air Force Colonel Shelly Mendieta Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

"It doesn't matter if I'm a man or a woman. It just matters how I do my job. That responsibility I'm given is based on how I've done in the past, and how well they think I'm going to do in the future."

Welcome to the final episode in the On the Job series! Today, we are wrapping things up with United States Air Force Colonel Shelly Mendieta, who is the Vice Wing Commander of the 39th Airbase Wing in Incirlik, Turkey. As the #2 in command, Col. Mendieta is responsible for more than 3,500 military, civilian, and contractor personnel on base. She's also a Weapons System Operator in the F-15E fighter plane, having logged more than 2,400 flight hours! On this episode, Col. Mendieta talks about what it's really like flying those planes — which women weren't even allowed to fly when she first enlisted in the Air Force — and what it's like serving the country and being stationed overseas. She also talks about how being a runner makes her better in the air, and shares her take on being a woman in the military.

Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsoring the On the Job series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to tracksmith.com/ontherun and use code ONTHERUN15 at checkout for 15% off your first Tracksmith purchase!

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259. On the Record with the Hosts of Keeping Track Jul 05, 2020

Show notes

"I'm not afraid to have the uncomfortable conversations. Does it mean I feel comfortable? No! And I need my allies. I need my friends to say what I've been saying." —Alysia Montaño

Welcome to the first episode in a new four-part series, where I'll be talking with fellow running podcast hosts about how they view the current state of the running industry and their roles within it. We're kicking things off with Alysia Montaño, Molly Huddle, and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas, the hosts of Keeping Track! As current and former professional athletes, these three incredibly accomplished women offer a unique lens on the sport. They are mothers, businesswomen, authors, and important voices in running and beyond. On this episode, we talk about how Keeping Track came to fruition, and discuss representation in the running community.

Thank you to Gatorade Endurance for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to gatoradeendurance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your order.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Keeping Track came to fruition (9:10)
The hopes, dreams, plans, and goals of Keeping Track (13:10)
Reflecting on Keeping Track's "Representation in Running" episode, and the reactions to that conversation (21:15)
What does the future of the running industry look like? (41:40)
What are Molly, Ro, and Alysia's dreams for the running industry? (51:50)

What we mention on this episode:

A Message & A Promise From Ali

Molly Huddle on Episode 66 of the Ali on the Run Show

Molly Huddle on Episode 51 of the Ali on the Run Show

Feel-Good Fitness by Alysia Montaño

"Racing for Representation" via Keeping Track

&Mother

Believe & Compete Training Journals.

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258. Feel-Good Friday with Claudia Thompson, President of Claudia Connects Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

"You're the one. If you want to do something...you're the one that's going to do it."

My greatest wish for my daughter is that she never lacks confidence. Some people are born with it, but for others, cultivating confidence takes work — it's like a muscle that has to be flexed repeatedly in order to get stronger. Claudia Thompson is the president of Claudia Connects, a personal and professional training, development, and networking events company, and on this episode, she shares all her best tips and tricks for building your own confidence. She shares her own confidence journey, reflecting on being a Black woman — her mom is from Jamaica and her dad is from Panama — in predominantly white spaces. She also talks about practicing vulnerability, and explains how confidence in life will help us all on the run.

Feel-Good Fridays on the Ali on the Run Show are brought to you by UCAN. Click here and use code ONTHERUN25 for 25% off your first UCAN order. Returning UCAN fans can use code ONTHERUN for 15% off.

What we mention on this episode:

Rachel Wyman on Episode 166 of the Ali on the Run Show

Landmark Forum

Eloquent Rage by Brittney Cooper

Claudia's Facebook post

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257. Nutrition Q&A with Starla Garcia, Registered Dietitian Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

"Sustainable changes happen over months of time. And there's nothing to be ashamed of it it takes you a long time. When you come out of it and you do the work and you're gentle on yourself and you're looking for progress over perfection, you're going to be so much happier because you got to know yourself so much better."

Starla Garcia is back on the Ali on the Run Show! Starla is a registered dietitian (and Olympic Marathon Trials runner!) and is the founder of The Healthy Shine, a sports nutrition consulting practice in Houston, TX. On this episode, Starla answers listener questions about nutrition, fueling on the run, sugar addictions, protein, disordered eating, and what she wants everyone to know and understand about fad diets and buzzwords like "keto," "intermittent fasting," and "macros."

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.

What we mention on this episode:

Starla Garcia on Episode 200 of the Ali on the Run Show

Evelyn Tribole on 10% Happier with Dan Harris

SmartyPants multivitamin

Picky Bars Performance Oats

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