Chasing Bravery

Latest Episodes:

Episode 32: Alice Wright Jul 29, 2018

Show notes

In this episode I am speaking with Alice Wright. Alice is a freshly signed professional distance runner for Hoka One One and was an absolute pleasure to get to know better. Alice moved from her home across the pond to the United States as a freshman in college. Her move would have been a big transition no matter where she settled, but Alice decided to go to the University of New Mexico- talk about a climate and scenery shock. Alice and I chat about how her freshman year didn’t go smoothly on the running front (she likes to say she was social networking), and how she returned home for the summer with a dedication to coming back in the fall ready to really secure her spot on the team and make her coach proud. Alice did just that, graduating as an 8x NCAA All American- including two runner-up finishes in the 10k. Alice and I talk about her decision to become a professional runner, what it’s like to live with Steph and Ben Bruce, how exited she is for her career going forward, and so much more! Alice is kind, sweet, determined, brave, and fierce and it was such a pleasure to have her as a guest on the show!

Episode 31: Felicia Chen Jul 15, 2018

Show notes

Hello everyone! Welcome to episode 31 of the Chasing Bravery podcast! I am your host Kait, and I am so happy that you are listening today. For those of you who have been listening for awhile- thank you for sticking with me. This summer has been a bit hectic, and I haven’t been able to get episodes out the way I really wanted to. For those of you who are new, welcome! I am so pleased that you are joining me, and this amazing group of women who are willing to share their brave stories. Today my guest is Felicia Chen. Felicia and I recorded a while ago – as in way back in May, but I am certain that this episode is a must listen regardless the month or time of year. Felicia is a speedy marathoner, holding a PR of 2:59. One might assume that this means Felicia is a life long runner, maybe even that she ran in high school or college, but that’s not the case. Felicia has a non-traditional intro to running story, as well as an interesting journey in the sport that included some big injuries, being underweight, and overtraining. Felicia also has a fascinating career in the city of Chicago (we live so close to each other!), and I was so intrigued by her day to day, as well as her unique perspective on some big topics. Felicia is witty, brave, kind, humble, and so intelligent and I know you will enjoy listening to her story as much as I did.

Episode 30: Lauren Floris (and baby no.2!) Jul 07, 2018

Show notes

Episode 30 with Lauren Floris and her little stowaway is out! Lauren has been on the show before (episode 8) and it’s always so lovely to catch up with this busy lady. Lauren is a mom to her beautiful daughter, and pregnant with baby number 2! We chat about how she feels about the timing of her pregnancy, what she foresees the future looking like career wise with two littles , and SO much more. Lauren is a refreshing example of a woman unapologetically living her best life- pursuing her own dreams and goals , while raising a beautiful family, and I’m so excited for you all to hear this latest episode! Thank you Lauren for being a returning guest on the podcast!

Episode 29: Dr. Rachel Davis Jun 29, 2018

Show notes

Welcome back to the Chasing Bravery Podcast after a very long hiatus. As some of you know I have been in South Dakota since the first week of May living and working on the Cheyenne River Reservation with an amazing organization called Simply Smiles. When I first decided to take on this summer position I was a bit naïve about some of the technical barriers that would exist for me (such as no Wi-Fi) as well as the general exhaustion that seems to follow me at the end of each day. While the work out here has been so rewarding and so meaningful, it has left little time for some of the more auxiliary parts of my life right now – aka anything that isn’t sleeping, eating, and occasionally running sanity miles. Now that I have gotten into a bit more of a groove, I’m so excited to bring you all episode 29 with Rachel Davis. Rachel Davis is a woman with so many amazing accomplishments under her belt. Rachel is 27 years old, and lives in Birmingham, AL with her husband and their cat. Rachel has a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, a master’s degree in nutrition sciences, and is currently finishing up her PhD in nutrition. She hopes to use her doctoral training to educate others on proper nutrition- which I personally think she is already doing a fantastic job of. Rachel is also a very speedy runner. She ran collegiately as a 400 meter hurdler- working her way up to the 800 in which she holds a PR of 2:06. Rachel also has some endurance in her legs. In 2017 after only 1 prior marathon experience, Rachel ran a 2 hour and 48 minute Boston PR. Like any runner, Rachel was determined to quickly get back on the wagon and make that 2:45 OTQ happen…only to find herself emotionally and mentally burnt out. Join me, as I chat with Rachel about her comeback to running, her most recent Boston marathon this past April, and a deep dive into the reality that sometimes we simply can’t do it all- and that is okay. Rachel is kind, smart, funny, and warm- and I am so excited for you all to hear her message.

Episode 28: Neely Spence Gracey, returning guest May 12, 2018

Show notes

Neely Spence Gracey is back for another episode with the Chasing Bravery Podcast! As always, Neely was a joy to chat with and was totally up front and genuine about the highs and lows of pregnancy so far...oh wait...spoiler alert for those of you who didn't know- Neely is expecting her first baby in August. Neely and i also chat a bit about her impressive professional running career, her contract with Adidas, and so much more!

Episode 27: Heidi Greenwood May 04, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode 27 with Heidi Greenwood! Heidi is a very naturally talented athlete, excelling in sports from volleyball to the marathon (you don't hear that everyday). Heidi is originally from Roseau, Minnesota , moving to the University of North Dakota as a volleyball player. While she was there she was recruited by the Fighting Hawks' track and field coach, going on to have a very successful running and volleyball collegiate career including winning a national title in the 1,500-meter run. Heidi and I talk about her surprisingly natural, organic journey to the marathon in which she holds a PR of 2:42. I think it's pretty evident that Heidi has a proclivity for all things athletic and I have to admit I am a bit jealous. Heidi and I also talk about some tough topics. We talk candidly about amenorrhea- which is a loss of a menstrual cycle common among many female athletes. Heidi shares interesting insight into some of the reasons why she believes that amennoreah is so common, and we also talk about how confusing and misleading it can be to be a so healthy physically- with the only exception being a loss of a period. This phenomenon is sometimes why female athletes don’t feel so concerned about their lack of a menstrual cycle, which of course can be problematic. Heidi and I also talk about her angel babies Leni and Jules. Heidi is a mother who experienced the loss of her daughters during gestation. While it may be difficult for people to hear her story, it doesn’t make it any less a part of who Heidi is, and it also doesn’t make her any less proud of the beautiful babies that she and her husband sadly will never watch grow. Heidi is not aone in her loss, and the courage and bravery she has shown in sharing her story is a beacon for other mothers and parents who have shared similar losses and grief. To honor theirs, and other lost babies, Heidi and her husband started the Angel Baby Mile. The Angel Baby Mile is an opportunity to honor lost babies. Mile 23 of the Fargo Marathon, on May 19, 2018, will be called the Angel Baby Mile. Those interested in honoring a baby may sponsor a balloon. The balloons will be placed along the side of the race course and will be released at completion of race. While there is limited space and helium left for balloons, there are still ways you can honor a lost baby in your life and I will put all the links to that information in the show notes.

Episode 26: Dr. Alyssa Berlin Apr 30, 2018

Show notes

Hello everyone! Welcome to a episode 26 with a very special expert guest- Dr. Alyssa Berlin. Dr. Alyssa Berlin is a clinical psychologist "specializing in pregnancy, postpartum and parenting. She offers private counseling for women individually and with their partners on issues such as anxiousness and emotional fluctuation during pregnancy, postpartum blues and depression, and the complex issues that can arise between and around new and expectant parents. Dr. Berlin is the creator of The After Birth Plan Workshop, a program that prepares couples for what to expect after a baby is born and how to prepare for a physically and emotionally healthy postpartum transition for the baby, for each partner and for the evolving relationship. For all information regarding everything discussed by Dr. Berlin and I, check out the show notes or visit the Chasing Bravery Website. Discussed in this episode: Who can suffer from a maternal mental health issue? Are there individuals who are at higher risk? What are things that partners can be attuned to pre baby and post baby that can first help their partner feel supported, and second be alert if there is a problem? What role does a traumatic birth experience, or extremely difficult pregnancy play in the risk of PPD? What can individuals do to lower the likelihood of developing PPD? Can you experience maternal mental health issues after a miscarriage or abortion? Is there evidence to show that women who have experienced pronounced maternal mental health issues after one pregnancy ?will most likely experience it again in subsequent pregnancy’s?

Episode 25: Kristen Garzone Apr 27, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode 25 of the Chasing Bravery Podcast! This podcast is meant to be a platform for women to share their true narratives and discuss topics that we simply don't converse about enough. Today that topic is post partum depression, and my guest is Kristen Garzone. Kristen is a woman with many roles (sound like any of you ladies out there?) Kristen is a career woman, wife, mother, runner, friend, and so much more. Kristen is also a woman with a history of mental illness and post partum depression (ppd). Anyone flinch when they heard that- the mental illness, ppd thing? Maybe you didn't flinch, but you did get a funny feeling somewhere in your body. Maybe you felt funny because it was off putting to hear the words mental illness and post partum depression in connection with a woman who is smart, beautiful, capable, and accomplished. Regardless of what you feel, this is conversation that needs to be had. 1 in 5 women will experience a full blown maternal mental health illness, and this illness does not discriminate. There is no one person who is guaranteed to suffer- and no one person that isn't. I encourage you to listen, as this is a conversation that will ultimately leave you feeling inspired, informed, empowered, and maybe less alone. Kristen is currently honoring and remembering her friend Kristin who lost her battle with post partum depression in June of 2017 through a virtual 5k or 10k on mothers day weekend. All of the proceeds from this race will go towards Every Mother Counts. I am most certainly going to be taking part in this and I encourage you all to as well. The link to register can be found in the show notes of this episode. Stay tuned- this episode will be followed up with two more on the topic of Maternal Mental Health. I will release episode 26 this weekend with Dr. Berlin who is an expert in the area of MMH. Episode 27 will feature Peggy Tanous, who some of you may remember from season 6 of the Real Housewives of Orange County. Peggy sheds light on the fact that even a woman whose life seems ideal can still be gripped by this powerful illness, and the stigma needs to stop.

Episode 24: Sarah Mahaney Boston Check In Apr 24, 2018

Show notes

Sarah is BACK! And she is stronger than ever. Sarah ran the Boston marathon exactly a week ago today, and I had the pleasure to chat with her about the whole experience. Sarah was as sweet, introspective, genuine, and tough as ever- and I was so impressed about her ability to "check her pride" as she put it, and run smart race for the weather (and her body that was dealing with a sinus infection). Sarah has so much wisdom when it comes to the marathon, and she also tolerates my thought tangents- which means she is patient and kind as well! Enjoy this fantastic follow up episode with Sarah!!

Episode 23: Dr. Stephanie Howe Violett Apr 20, 2018

Show notes

Welcome to episode 23 of the Chasing Bravery podcast! Today I am chatting with Dr. Stephanie Howe Violett. Stephanie is an extremely accomplished human both in the sport of ultra-running, as well as professionally. I am actually awe struck by how much this woman has accomplished so far in her life, while remaining a totally warm and open person to chat with- I suppose that this quality of hers goes back to one of her simple rules- don’t take yourself too seriously. Stephanie and I chat about her career as a professional ultra runner, as well as what it was like working towards her doctorate degree and some of the challenges that she faced upon deciding to push forward with her chosen research proposal. If anyone is interested in checking out Dr. Violett’s published work just scroll down to the show notes for that information. Stephanie is an undeniably accomplished and motivated individual but that does not mean she doesn’t have set backs like everyone else. She was very open about some of the injury’s she has dealt with in her career, as well as the tough decision she made to just completely call it quits at one point. Stephanie did the thing that most of us dedicated athletes fear- she stopped exercising altogether and just let her body recover. Stephanie’s message was one I think many of us need to hear, which is that there is life without intense daily exercise, and that it is possible to discover who you are outside of your sport. Enjoy this fantastic conversation with Stephanie!

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