Ali on the Run Show

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256. On the Job with Vikki Spruill, President & CEO of New England Aquarium Jun 29, 2020

Show notes

"I loved science. I had a biology teacher who was a bit of a mentor of mine in high school and I said, 'I really think this is what I want to pursue!' And he said, 'There's actually not a place for women in science.' But I never lost sight of my passion."

When Vikki Spruill was growing up, she loved science and, in particular, ocean life. But she was told that "women didn't have a place in science." Today, Vikki is President & CEO of the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA, so it's safe to say she found her place in science. On this episode, Vikki talks about how she got the job and what her days are like, both before and during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. To date, the aquarium has been closed for 16 weeks, and Vikki talks about the plans they're putting into place for when the doors do reopen. Plus, she talks about what it's really like running a huge cultural institution that's home to 20,000 animals, 200 employees, and more than 1.5 million visitors every year.

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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255. Ramblings on the Run with Ali & Matt Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to this month's edition of Ramblings on the Run with Ali and Matt. This month, Matt and I catch up and share how things are going on the run, and then we talk about what we're each loving and are excited about right now. Then, we do a twist on the On the Job series, asking each other questions about our respective careers in podcasting.

What we mention on this episode:

Don't Keep Your Day Job by Cathy Heller

"Influence in the Time of Social Injustice" via Be There in Five

Aliphine Tuliamuk on Instagram

Courtney Carter on Episode 251 of the Ali on the Run Show

The Mina Kimes Show

That's What She Said with Sarah Spain

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254. Samia Akbar, Fastest U.S.-Born Black Female Marathoner Jun 25, 2020

Show notes

"He made an assumption that I didn't speak English and that's why he didn't speak to me. I remember feeling so hurt. Things like that happened to me all the time, being the first and only to do a lot of these distance events on the road racing circuit. And I feel like it was so hurtful. We are the epitome of the American Dream."

A few weeks ago, Peyton Thomas was on the Ali on the Run Show. We talked about Peyton being the fourth-fastest U.S.-born Black female marathoner, which prompted the question: Who's the fastest? That person is Samia Akbar. In 2006, Samia ran a 2:34 at the New York City Marathon, finishing 12th and earning the aforementioned title, which still stands. On this episode, Samia shares her running story, including how her dad instilled in her a love for running, how she went to American University on a full running scholarship, and how she spent seven years as a professional runner sponsored by Reebok. Today, Samia lives in Virginia and is a Global Marketing Manager for New Balance.

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:

Samia explains why she lives in Virginia but works in Boston (3:40)
How Samia became a runner (9:00)
On being competitive (21:35)
What it means to "take up space," and how Samia learned to do that (22:45)
How Samia decided to become a professional runner (33:50)
Why Samia decided to run a marathon (45:20)
On being the fastest U.S.-born Black female marathoner (52:30)

What we mention on this episode:

Peyton Thomas on Episode 244 of the Ali on the Run Show

"A Conversation with Samia Akbar" via Fast Women

"The Undeniable Power of Sport" International Women's Day panel via Hurdle podcast

TedCorbitt.com

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253. On the Job with Steph Blozy, Owner of Fleet Feet Sports West Hartford Jun 22, 2020

Show notes

"We are obviously a business and we need to sell running shoes to make money, but I feel a very big obligation to be that hub of the community and be that leader and driver to connect people and to help out others."

Steph Blozy is the owner of Fleet Feet Sports in West Hartford, one of the leading run specialty stores in the country. Steph is so much more than a running store owner, though: She's truly a community builder and leader, and on this episode, she talks about how she's built such a strong, supportive community in Connecticut. (Her "special sprinkle of magic," she calls it.) Steph's road to running store ownership wasn't a straight one: She got her start as a meteorologist! Click here to hear more from Steph and about how she's adapted during the pandemic both personally and on the job.

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252. Feel-Good Friday with Katie Burke, Chief People Officer at HubSpot Jun 18, 2020

Show notes

"What opportunities does this open up that didn't exist before? How can I adapt my leadership style and how I show up to adapt to that opportunity? Rather than cringing and thinking about the worst case, think about the upside and opportunity that comes with this change."

If I could hire any human on this planet to be in charge of my life and make all my decisions for me, that person would, without a single doubt, be Katie Burke. Katie is the Chief People Officer at HubSpot, and is a returning favorite guest on the Ali on the Run Show. (Check out her first two episodes here and here.) On this episode, Katie offers advice for anyone who is thinking about life going "back to normal" — or finding a new normal — and might be struggling to figure out what comes next. Katie talks about how to find your passion, and what to do when you're faced with the overwhelming sense of wanting to change your life and change the world, but you're not sure where to start. Where do work and passion intersect? How can you stay in the present? How, exactly, should you attempt some soul searching? And what do you do when the comparison trap comes into play? So much good stuff here!

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:

Untamed by Glennon Doyle

Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations with Tim Storey

"In Her Own Words: For HubSpot's Katie Burke, it's all about avoiding the second arrow"

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251. Courtney Carter, Oiselle Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Jun 17, 2020

Show notes

"People have to start looking at what's going on globally, but also locally. What does your running club look like? Who do the people you run with look like? What are the books you read? Who are they by? These individual decisions and choices that we make all come together and change the landscape."

You probably know Courtney Carter by her Instagram moniker: EatPrayRunDC. Both on- and offline, Courtney's work has a major impact on the world. The 10-time marathoner is a former practicing lawyer who now leads diversity initiatives at a large law firm in Washington, DC, and she was recently named Oiselle's Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. On this episode, Courtney talks about what that means, what her vision is for both Oiselle and the running community at large, and shares her own running story and goals.

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:

Why it was a good day for Courtney (2:55)
What Courtney's job entails, and her path to her current role (8:00)
All about Courtney's role as Oiselle's Advisor for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (21:20)
Courtney's wishes for U.S. distance running right now (32:25)
Courtney shares her running story (46:50)

What we mention on this episode:

"A Wish for U.S. Running From a Black Marathoner," by Courtney Carter for Women's Running

"Let's Talk About the Word Colorblind," by Courtney Carter for the Oiselle blog

Peyton Thomas on Episode 244 of the Ali on the Run Show

Aliphine Tuliamuk's Resiliency Beanies on Etsy

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250. On the Job with Grace Kim James, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Atlantic Records Jun 15, 2020

Show notes

"Music literally changes peoples' lives. It really has the ability to uplift people, especially during today's times. That's a really powerful thing, and that, to me, is success. Beyond the sales and the accolades and the awards — being able to create positive change through music."

As Senior Vice President of Marketing at Atlantic Records, Grace Kim James works pretty much 24/7. On this episode, she talks about breaking into the music business, and what it's really like working for the number one label in the U.S. She talks about working closely with artists including Lizzo and Missy Elliott, and recalls that fateful day in the dining hall at NYU where it all started. There's glitz, glamour, and long, late nights on set or "at the club" — and somehow in between all that, Grace has trained for and run eight marathons.

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249. Feel-Good Friday with Jess Movold, Running Coach Jun 12, 2020

Show notes

"Now more than ever is the time to learn how to be a leader for ourselves, and to learn how to handle a pivot — and thrive."

Welcome to the second episode in a four-part series called Feel-Good Fridays. (Be sure to check out the first episode, too, with therapists Jor-El Caraballo and Rachel Gersten.) These short episodes are intended to leave you feeling lighter, better, more optimistic — whether temporarily or for the rest of your life. These conversations with experts are meant to be uplifting without being fluffy or delusional. Today, running coach and 3:13 marathoner Jess Movold is here to talk about how to find meaning, purpose, and motivation on the run right now. She talks about how to connect to your "why" as a runner, and offers up some fun workouts to add to your routine. (Warning: death by burpees!)

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.

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248. The Future of Running: The Next Step Forward "Live Show" Jun 11, 2020

Show notes

I was honored when UCAN asked me to host a conversation with five running industry leaders and experts called "The Next Step Forward: The Future of Running." This conversation is about how we get back on our feet and on the run in a post-pandemic world, and you'll hear some really eye-opening insights about what's happening now in the running community, and where we go from here. Enjoy hearing from Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray, renowned running coach Greg McMillan, super-agent Hawi Keflezighi, professional runner Sarah Sellers, and Steph Blozy, owner of Fleet Feet West Hartford.

This conversation is 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.

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247. Mary Kate Shea, John Hancock Senior Director of Endurance Marketing & 23-Time Boston Marathon Finisher Jun 10, 2020

Show notes

"There is nothing we will not do for this team."

Mary Kate Shea — or "MK," as she's known to the fastest marathoners in the world — is the senior director of endurance marketing for John Hancock, the title sponsor of the Boston Marathon. Every year, it's Mary Kate's job to woo, recruit, and get the best distance runners to come run the historic Boston Marathon. On this episode — which we recorded at the beginning of May, before the 2020 race had been officially canceled — Mary Kate talks about how, exactly, she puts together the 50-person pro field every year. She talks about the first thing she said to Desiree Linden after Des won the 2018 race, explains what she says is the most stressful part of her job and her entire year, and shares lots of stories about everyone's favorite elites. But don't think Mary Kate is just watching this race from the media center: She says the fastest way from Hopkinton back to Boston is by foot, which is why, after she checks the elites in and gets them on their way, she joins the second wave of runners and runs the marathon herself. MK is a 23-time Boston Marathon finisher, she's run ultramarathons including 100-milers, and she's a mom of four. Superwoman, indeed.

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:

What Marathon Monday is like every year for Mary Kate (8:00)
MK's "Day in the Life" on Marathon Monday (15:40)
What makes Marathon Monday a success? (31:10)
How the recruiting process works (37:00)
Which runners are on MK's "Boston wish list?" (44:40)
What it means to be a "technical expert" at major marathons (49:55)
How MK got her job (51:40)

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