Ali on the Run Show

Latest Episodes:

156. Sarah MacKay Robinson, Elite Runner Jul 10, 2019

Show notes

"It's not sexy, but all the little teeny tiny things add up. Invest in recovery, nutrition, and sleep. That's where you're going to see the big gains — even though it's not as much fun to put on Instagram. You'll see it pay off."

Sarah "Mac" Robinson is an elite runner, mom of two, and freelance brand storyteller. On this episode, she gets very candid about how her life — on the run and beyond — has changed since becoming a mom. She opens up about her experience with postpartum depression and anxiety, what life on medication has been like, and the stigmas surrounding postpartum mental health. She also talks about how she landed an Olympic Trials qualifying time in the marathon in 2016, what the road there was like, and what's next in her running life.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

Sarah's experience with postpartum anxiety and Zoloft (3:15)
Sarah's running story — the high highs and low lows (20:10)
On trying — and trying again and again — to qualify for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon (24:30)
On body image as an elite runner, both before and after having kids, and "skinny privilege" (34:10)
What Sarah's running looks like these days (37:00)
Sarah's career, how she found Oiselle, and what she's up to professionally (42:20)
Sarah's messages to moms and to runners working on big goals (51:40)

What we mention on this episode:

Oiselle

Sarah's Instagram post about weaning off Zoloft

Stephanie Bruce on Episode 104 of the Ali on the Run Show

Lauren Fleshman on Episode 103 of the Ali on the Run Show

Oiselle Mac Roga short

Follow Sarah:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

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!

155. Motherhood Mondays with Dr. Molly Millwood, Clinical Psychologist Jul 07, 2019

Show notes

"There's a fear of the foundation we're standing on having too many cracks in it."

Dr. Molly Millwood is a clinical psychologist and licensed psychotherapist specializing in marital therapy and intimate relationships. She's also the author of the just-released book, To Have and To Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, & the Modern Dilemma. On this episode, Dr. Millwood — a mom of two — expands on many of the new-mom-related topics she covers in her brilliant book, including guilt, shame, missing life before baby, marriage after baby, gender roles for new parents, and social media. Dr. Millwood lives in Vermont with her husband and two sons.

Thank you to Sweaty Betty for sponsoring Motherhood Mondays on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to sweatybetty.com and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your purchase.

What you'll get on this episode:

What tends to hold new moms back from going to therapy (8:00)
The shame and guilt surrounding new motherhood (13:00)
On missing "life before baby" (21:00)
Why no one is talking about what their romantic relationships are like after having a baby (25:00)
How couples can improve their communication when talking about tough stuff (34:30)
On expectations (40:20)
How social media affects new moms (44:50)
Some of the most common reasons women come to Molly for therapy (48:00)
What does a first-time therapy session actually look like? (54:00)

Follow Molly:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

154. Motherhood Mondays with Hitha Palepu, on Postpartum Depression, Breaking Points, & Parenting Unapologetically Jun 30, 2019

Show notes

"You are never going to be the woman you were before, and that's great. Because this woman you are now is so much stronger, more powerful, capable of doing so much more. But you've gotta give her some time and space to heal and figure things out a bit."

Hitha Palepu has many titles. She's an entrepreneur and the CEO of Rhosan Pharmaceuticals, the author of the book How to Pack: Travel Smart for Any Trip, an angel investor and advisor to women-led and women-focused start-ups, the creator of the blog Hitha on the Go, and the brains behind #5SmartReads on Instagram and in her popular weekly newsletter. She's also a mom to four-year-old Rho and seven-week-old Rhaki. On this episode, Hitha, who lives on Manhattan's Upper West Side, opens up about the realities of motherhood, her decision to have children (it wasn't a given!), and her experience with postpartum depression and antidepressants.

Thank you to Sweaty Betty for sponsoring Motherhood Mondays on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to sweatybetty.com and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your purchase.

What you'll get on this episode:

Getting to know Hitha — on the decision to have kids, having help, breastfeeding, and parenting unapologetically and gratefully (1:50)
On the transition from one kid to two, and how Hitha is doing right now (23:00)
On resentment (27:50)
Hitha's experience with postpartum depression, and the breaking point that got her to therapy (33:00)
How Hitha "recalibrated her mental state" (42:30)
Talking "balance" and identity loss in motherhood (45:40)
Hitha's take on mom guilt (52:40)
Hitha's message for new moms (56:00)

What we mention on this episode:

The Motherhood Center

Follow Hitha:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

153. David Willey, Former Editor in Chief of Runner's World Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

"If you are struggling, it does not mean that you are failing. It does not mean that you're doing something wrong. It just means that you are coming up against some hurdles, whether they're physical or mental or emotional, and it's important to listen to those and try and understand what's underneath them. But by no means do they imply that you're not going to achieve your goal. You just need to see them as part of the process. Struggle is just as important as the elation and the sense of fulfillment that we all get after a great workout or a PR."

David Willey spent 14 years at the helm of Runner's World magazine. But after announcing his departure from the brand in 2017, David went off the grid. On this episode, David's back on the grid, opening up about what made life for the past two years "outlandishly fun, intentionally challenging, unexpectedly hard and depressing, and newly regenerating." David talks about his time at Runner's World — the highs, the lows, and the part of the job that had him ambushing runners on live television during the New York City Marathon — and talks about his take on the brand now. He talks about his old dog and his new dog (we both shed a few tears there), his battle with Lyme Disease, and how he fulfilled his decade-long dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

How David got the job at Runner's World, and why it was a dream job (3:45)
David looks back at his favorite Runner's World covers, stories, and adventures (10:00)
Why David left Runner's World after 14 years (18:40)
All about David's "Moonshot Marathon" (24:30)
Why David says Runner's World readers get so heated online (32:20)
What it's like interviewing runners live on the course during the New York City Marathon broadcast (35:20)
Does David still read Runner's World? (43:15)
David looks back on his time with his dog, Trucha, and his book proposal in the works (45:30)
On an unexpected battle with Lyme Disease (56:30)
David's message to runners who are struggling right now (1:05:10)

What we mention on this episode:

Runner's World covers through the years

Mary Wittenberg on Episode 98 of the Ali on the Run Show

Joe Holder

Julia Lucas

"A Very Good Dog" — David's editor's letter about his dog, Trucha

Camp Canine

The Runner's World Show podcast

The Human Race podcast

The Hive Life podcast

Neely Spence Gracey on Episode 42 of the Ali on the Run Show

Bayshore Marathon

Follow David:

Twitter @davidmwilley
Send dog photos to davidmwilley67@gmail.com

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

152. Motherhood Mondays with Sashea Lawson AKA Sassy Fit Girl Jun 23, 2019

Show notes

"Everything I thought would happen did not happen."

Sashea Lawson is perhaps best known by her social media moniker: "Sassy Fit Girl." Sashea is a mom to 2.5-year-old Skye and three-month-old Marley, and on this episode she talks about what life is like right now as a toddler mom and newborn mom. She talks about why she's been so vocal about making a slow return to fitness after baby number two, and opens up about recovering from two c-sections, her first baby's emotional NICU stay, and the pressure she felt to breastfeed. Sashea, who has eight sisters and two brothers, owns and runs a marketing and entertainment company with her husband, and they live in West Orange, NJ.

Thank you to Sweaty Betty for sponsoring Motherhood Mondays on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to sweatybetty.com and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your purchase.

What you'll get on this episode:

Getting to know Sashea (1:30)
Did Sashea always know she wanted to be a mom? (8:30)
On recovering from two c-sections, and the importance of postpartum recovery (10:15)
How prepared did Sashea feel for the postpartum period? (20:30)
How Sashea's feeling at three months postpartum (25:40)
What Sashea's marriage is like since having kids (30:00)
A look at the highest highs and lowest lows of new motherhood, including a scary NICU stay (35:50)
Sashea's message to moms in all stages (47:50)

What we mention on this episode:

Orangetheory Fitness

Velcro swaddles

Alysia Montaño on Instagram @alysiamontano

Follow Sashea:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

151. Jen Bigham AKA Local Elite Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

"Be happy with your life! Run races that are exciting to you. Set goals that are exciting to you. Maybe it's a goal that everyone in the world has. Maybe it's something that no one has. It doesn't matter. Just be true to yourself. If you're setting these goals that aren't for you, it's not going to fulfill you in the end."

You may know Jen Bigham as the 2019 winner of the Eugene Marathon. You may also know her the way much of the internet does: as "Local Elite." (Her Instagram and Twitter handle is, appropriately, @localelite.) On this episode, Jen talks about what it means to be a local elite runner, and it's pretty impressive. Not only did Jen win Eugene this year, she ran a 10-minute marathon PR in the process, finishing in 2:41 and nabbing a well-deserved Olympic Trials qualifying time. The road to an OTQ wasn't an easy one for Jen, who has been trying to land one since 2010. On this episode, Jen, who runs for Oiselle and is a high school track and cross-country coach, talks about the highs and lows along that road, and the illnesses, injuries, and series setbacks she faced. She talks about going from a 3:14 marathon before having kids to becoming a 2:41 marathon as a mom of three, and opens up social media and that dreaded comparison trap.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

What does "localelite" mean to Jen? (3:00)
What it felt like to win the Eugene Marathon, run a 10-minute marathon PR, and get that sought-after Olympic Trials qualifying time (4:30)
On getting faster after having kids (9:30)
The heartbreaks along the way to an OTQ (16:00)
Coming back from injury and illness (26:00)
The role social media plays when chasing down big goals (31:00)
On re-signing with Oiselle's Haute Volee team (39:20)
On parenting and how Jen sets an example for her children (43:10)
Jen's message to everyone chasing big goals (50:40)

What we mention on this episode:

Eugene Marathon

Grandma's Marathon

California International Marathon (CIM)

Oiselle

Follow Jen:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

150. Motherhood Mondays with Jill Koziol & Liz Tenety, Co-Founders of Motherly Jun 17, 2019

Show notes

"I wish I knew that it was normal to feel this way." —Jill Koziol

When Jill Koziol and Liz Tenety were new moms, they felt alone, terrified, and overwhelmed by this new adventure. Five — soon to be six — kids later (two for Jill, three with a fourth on the way for Liz), and Liz and Jill are the co-founders of Motherly, a website, community, and brand for moms in all stages of parenthood. With Jill as CEO, Liz as Chief Digital Officer, and a work-from-home team of 40 spread across the United States, Motherly sees more than 20 million monthly views, and is home to an active, engaged community. On this episode, Jill and Liz reflect on what new motherhood looked like for them, what it means to be motherly, and what they found in their second annual "State of Motherhood" survey.

Thank you to Sweaty Betty for sponsoring Motherhood Mondays on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to sweatybetty.com and use code ONTHERUN for 20 percent off your purchase.

What you'll get on this episode:

Getting to know Jill and Liz (3:00)
Why Motherly needed to exist (11:30)
What were Jill and Liz like as new moms? (21:30)
A look at the State of Motherhood survey — what were the surprises and validations? (24:30)
"New-parent relationship tension stuff" (30:00)
Why 85 percent of millennial moms don't feel understood or supported by society — and what we can do with that information (45:00)

What we mention on this episode:

This is Motherhood

State of Motherhood survey

Whitney Port on The Motherly Podcast

Simple Habit app

Follow Motherly:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

149. The Women Reporting on Women's Running Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

"There's a lot of work that goes into this, and we take it really seriously." —Sarah Lorge Butler

Welcome to the first-ever Ali on the Run Show roundtable! I was thrilled and honored to get to have this conversation with four of the women leading the charge reporting on the women's running industry: Erin Strout (Women's Running), Sarah Lorge Butler (Runner's World), Lindsay Crouse (The New York Times), and Alison Wade (Fast Women). On this episode, we talk about what it's like covering professional women's running — both the highlights and the challenges. We talk about whether the four of them are competitive when it comes to breaking major stories, like Lindsay's recent "Dream Maternity" piece in the Times. They open up about their relationships with the best-known professional runners, and sound off on the current state of the industry as they see it. They also share their perspective on how to cover the industry critically and thoughtfully while also wanting to support runners of all abilities and advance the sport.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

Are these women friends, competitors, or both? (4:45)
Lindsay talks about the reaction to her "Dream Maternity" stories (6:00)
Finding the balance between being critical and wanting to elevate and advance the industry (17:00)
How the Fast Women newsletter comes together every week (19:30)
On reading the comments (23:50)
What is the current state of the women's running industry? (24:40)
Who do these women love interviewing, and what are their relationships with the pros like? (33:30)
What is the biggest struggle right now when it comes to covering women's running? (48:30)
How to measure success in reporting (56:00)

What we mention on this episode:

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

"Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby," by Lindsay Crouse for The New York Times

"Allyson Felix: My Own Nike Pregnancy Story," by Lindsay Crouse for The New York Times

"7 Pearls of Wisdom From a 103-Year-Old World Record Holder" via Women's Running

Lauren Fleshman on Episode 103 of the Ali on the Run Show

Des Linden on Episode 100 of the Ali on the Run Show

Sara Hall on Episode 144 of the Ali on the Run Show

"How the 'Shalane Flanagan Effect' Works," by Lindsay Crouse for The New York Times

"How Emily Infeld Cross-Trained Her Way to the Olympics," by Erin Strout for Runner's World

Follow Erin:

Follow Sarah:

Follow Alison:

Follow Lindsay:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

148. April Cargill on Becoming a Marathoner at 50 Jun 06, 2019

Show notes

"I thought oh, London Marathon, that sounds cute! So I signed up. And then I was like Paris Marathon? Oh my god, that sounds so cute, too. So I signed up for that, too."

In her twenties, April Cargill was a two-pack-a-day smoker working long days and staying up late nights in the fashion industry in New York City. Today, at 55, the Harlem native is a six-time marathoner on a quest to complete all six World Marathon Majors. On this episode, April — who is the director of production for designer Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss — talks about why she started running in her fifties, what finally got her to kick the smoking habit, and what it's like being a hard-working single mom.

Thank you to the New York Road Runners Virtual Pride Run 5K for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE to register (it's free!) and complete your run between June 22–30. Everybody's doing it!

What you'll get on this episode:

What was 20-year-old April up to? (3:00)
What April's job in the fashion industry is like (4:50)
How April got into a serious smoking habit — and found fitness when she quit (7:40)
What it was like starting running in her fifties, and the intimidation factor that came with it (23:00)
On joining November Project, and working out with her son, Aubrey (32:00)
April opens up about being a single mom (41:40)
How running has helped April get through tough times (47:11)

What we mention on this episode:

Project Start

Candice Huffine on Episode 11 of the Ali on the Run Show

Pratt Institute

New York Road Runners

John Honerkamp on Episode 4 of the Ali on the Run Show

November Project

Harlem Run

Alison Desir on Episode 3 of the Ali on the Run Show

April's November Project post

Meaghan Murphy on Episode 113 of the Ali on the Run Show

Follow April:

Instagram @abril413

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

147. Jess Movold, Running & Strength Coach Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

"He said, 'I get it. The mountain's too steep.' And I said, 'No. It's just the wrong mountain.'"

Jess Movold is perhaps best known as the super positive, super uplifting, super kind and empowering run and strength coach at Mile High Run Club and The Fortitude Strength Club in NYC. She's the current face of Runner's World (check her out on the cover!), and is the official "Runner's World Coach." So surely the 3:13 marathoner and 1:29 half marathoner from Missouri always envisioned this über-fit life for herself, right? Not quite. Jess began her career in the fashion industry, and she has stories that rival the ones in The Devil Wears Prada. On this episode, she shares her journey from high fashion to ultramarathons, and it's one that's packed with endearing and hilarious stories along the way — including the best "nothing new on race day" story I've ever heard. Up next: Jess wants to break three hours at the Berlin Marathon.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you'll get on this episode:

How it feels to see herself on the cover of Runner's World (2:55)
How Jess got her start in the fashion industry — and found running along the way (7:00)
The crazy stories about what being an executive assistant in the high-fashion industry looked like for Jess (31:00)
Why Jess left the fashion industry and went all-in on fitness instead (41:15)

What we mention on this episode:

The Fort

Mile High Run Club

"The Workout That Helped This Runner Trim 20 Minutes Off Her Marathon Time" via Well+Good

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected