Choose Strong

Latest Episodes:

#157 | Rachel Drake | Motherhood, Medicine, & Racing UTMB Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Sally chats with her friend, and Elite ultrarunner, Rachel Drake, who shares what it looks like to pursue big dreams while raising two young children and working 65–80-hour weeks as an anesthesia resident. She opens up about UTMB, returning to running after pregnancy, leaning on family support, and learning that different priorities can take the lead during different seasons of life. You will be encouraged by Rachel's drive and commitment to excellence in all she does! Enjoy!

Other Episode Highlights:

How running helps the emotionally demanding experiences she encounters at the hospital
Sally eating Rachel's pre-race sweet potatoes
The perspective of suffering from illness vs suffering in a race
UTMB training 50-60 miles a week
Overnight shifts days before UTMB
Running after pregnancy
Having an older brother helped to develop her competitiveness

Keep Up With Rachel:

STRAVA: Rachel Drake

INSTAGRAM: @rachelraedrake

YOUTUBE: @ultrafamilyhustle

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner⁠

Be sure to take advantage of the deals from our sponsors:

ONESKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SALLY at https://www.oneskin.co/SALLY #oneskinpod

LAGOON SLEEP: Use code CHOOSESTRONG for 15% off at LagoonSleep.com/CHOOSESTRONG

#156 | Rachel Entrekin | Best Year Ever! Sep 19, 2026

Show notes

Fresh off an incredible second-place finish at UTMB, Rachel shares what it was really like navigating the overwhelming crowds, racing alongside the best in the world, and fighting to hold onto second place in the final miles. She also opens up about her surprise mountaintop engagement, life with Will, wedding plans, Switzerland, pickleball, her upcoming Snowman Race in Bhutan, and why she’s more committed than ever to doing things her own way! You'll love this conversation. Enjoy!

Other Episode Highlights:

The overwhelming UTMB start
Glitter on the start line
Being chased for 2nd place
Trying to find her "positive attitude"
Her fiance, Will, "The King of Switzerland"
Wedding planning

Keep Up With Rachel:

Substack: ⁠@rachelentrekin⁠

IG: ⁠@rachel__entrekin

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner⁠

Be sure to take advantage of the great deals from our sponsors!

ORION SLEEP: Visit orionsleep.com/SALLY to get 15% off.

PRIMAL QUEEN: Our listeners get a FREE MONTH of Primal Queen plus FOUR FREE GIFTS at PrimalQueen.com/SALLY#ad

#155 | Sally's Badwater 135 Race Recap Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

Just days before Badwater 135, Sally received an unexpected call offering her a spot in the race after she had already stopped heat training and shifted her focus toward TDS in the Alps. With only five days to prepare, she chose to say yes, reset her expectations, and approach one of the toughest races in the world very differently than she had in the past. Sally shares how slowing down, listening to her body, leaning on an incredible crew, and letting go of performance goals turned into one of her most meaningful race experiences. Enjoy!

Giveaway will last for 10 days from the release of this episode.

Other Episode Highlights:

Another giveaway!
Managing recurring stomach problems during ultras
Knee update after nearly 500 miles of racing
Meeting her crew for the first time the day before the race
Popsicle at mile 25 creates a problem
Running the final miles with Joe Corcione
Barely eating from mile 45-120
McDonald's hash brown saves the day
Community highlights

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner

Be sure to take advantage of the great deals from our sponsors!

MUD/WTR: Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code STRONG at mudwtr.com/STRONG #mudwtrpod

LAUNDRY SAUCE: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code STRONG at https://laundrysauce.com/STRONG #laundrysaucepod

#154 | Sally's TDS Race Recap! Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Fresh off the finish line in Chamonix, Sally recaps her first TDS—one of the most rugged races in the UTMB week—after battling rain, massive climbs, a brutal fall, a badly injured leg, and the loss of her poles. She shares how gratitude, perspective, and repeatedly choosing to take the next step carried her through to the finish line and helped turn a difficult race into a powerful reminder that feeling weak doesn’t mean you have to quit! It’s a long one, but it is worth it! Enjoy!

Other Episode Highlights:

Starting from the last corral
Surviving the midnight storm
The aggressive first cutoff checkpoint
Running, falling, sliding down in the rain
Seven-thousand-foot mountain climbs
Racing the last half of the TDS race without poles (crazy!)
Why mountain gear really matters
An encouragement for YOU to keep going

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Sponsors:

TRUE NUTRITION: Get 20% off your first order at truenutrition.com/CHOOSESTRONG with code CHOOSESTRONG

LAGOON SLEEP: Go to ⁠LagoonSleep.com/CHOOSESTRONG⁠ and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Use the code CHOOSESTRONG for 15% off your first purchase.

#153 | Inside the Crew Behind the Fastest Badwater 135 Ever | Mackenzie Jolliffe & Billy Garner Aug 22, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Sally chats with Mackenzie Jolliffe and Billy Garner. They take us behind the scenes of crewing Max Jolliffe during his historic Badwater 135, revealing the planning, pacing, nutrition, split-second decisions and teamwork required to keep him moving. They also share what the experience taught them about trust, friendship, staying calm under pressure and serving someone else without needing the spotlight. Enjoy!

Connect with Mackenzie & Billy!

Mackenzie: Instagram & TikTok

Billy (William): Instagram & TikTok

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Sponsors:

ORION SLEEP: Visit orionsleep.com/SALLY and save 15% off with code SALLY

QUALIA: Magnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/SALLYto get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code SALLY

#152 | Joe Corcione | The Western States - Badwater Double & Reinventing Your Life Aug 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Sally chats with her good friend, rockstar pacer, podcast host and ultrarunning coach, Joe Corcione! Joe shares how running helped transform his life from addiction and unhappiness into nearly eight years of sobriety, a coaching career, and a deep belief that people can change through consistent effort. Joe also chats about his demanding Western States–Badwater double and the larger lesson that growth comes from embracing difficult challenges! Enjoy!

Other episode highlights:

Prioritizing rest and mental freshness over additional fitness.
His first coach, Zach Bitter, gave him crucial confidence by immediately believing in his ambitious racing goals.
Badwater fulfilled one of Joe’s long-held dream races and became a major “full-circle” moment.
How friendships, crews, and shared moments often become more memorable than race times or placements.
Joe’s coaching mission

Follow Joe:

Coaching: Theeverydayultra.com

Podcast: The Everyday Ultra

Instagram: @joecorcione

YouTube: @everydayultrapodcast1473

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae Strength App⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Book ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Podcast YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sally McRae YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Choose Strong Strava Group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Episode Sponsors:

LAUNDRY SAUCE: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code STRONG at https://laundrysauce.com/STRONG #laundrysaucepod

Mud/WTR: Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code STRONG at ⁠⁠⁠mudwtr.com/STRONG⁠⁠⁠! #mudwtrpod #sponsored

#151 | Max Jolliffe | Badwater 135 CHAMPION Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Fresh off his historic Badwater 135 win, in a time of 20:53:41 (the new course record!), Max Jolliffe joins the Choose Strong podcast to chat with Sally about his race & training leading up to race day. You'll gain insight into his mindset as he raced, his race strategy, how he heat trained, fueling and how hiring a coach changed everything for him. Enjoy!

Keep up with Max!

FAVES (Badwater Gear)

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

Episode Sponsors:

MOUNT TO COAST: Visit mounttocoast.com and use code CHOOSESTRONG to save 10%.

ALLOY: Get your menopause treatment plan today. Visit myalloy.com and use code STRONG for $20 off your first order! #AgeGracefully

ONESKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SALLY at https://www.oneskin.co/SALLY #oneskinpod

#150 | How to Push Past the Wall, Recover From an Ultra & Believe You Belong Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Sally answers listener questions about overcoming mental barriers during races, stepping up from the half marathon to longer distances, recovering after a first ultra, and building a career in trail-running media. We also have an honest and encouraging conversation about body image, comparison, and why every runner—regardless of pace, size, or experience—belongs in the running community. Thanks for tuning in - enjoy!

Other Episode Highlights:

How to prepare for the mental wall that often appears late in a marathon or ultra.
Why identifying your fears before race day can help you respond differently when things get hard.
The simple race-day strategy of slowing down, walking, fueling, and refusing to let temporary discomfort make the decision for you.
How to know when you are ready to move from a half marathon to a marathon or 50K.
Why curiosity and excitement may be better indicators of readiness than waiting to feel completely confident.
The biggest training adjustment when moving up to the marathon: gradually extending the weekly long run while including recovery weeks.
What nausea, shaking, poor sleep, and temperature-regulation problems after a first ultra may reveal about hydration and depletion.
Practical advice for entering trail-running photography, filmmaking, or media by creating consistently, building relationships, and starting humbly.
Why comparison can convince runners that they do not belong—even when they are already doing the bravest thing by showing up.
Sally’s reminder that your pace, body shape, and clothing size do not determine whether you are a “real” runner.
Choose Strong Community Highlights

Send in your questions! Record Them Here

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

Episode Sponsors:

LAUNDRY SAUCE: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code STRONG at https://laundrysauce.com/STRONG #laundrysaucepod

TRUE NUTRITION: Save 20% off on your first order at https://www.google.com/url?q=http://truenutrition.com/CHOOSESTRONG&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1785516341703360&usg=AOvVaw0YlTvPhlPLHQHv_CxkqjlB

#149 | Courage, Curiosity & the Road to the Olympics | Anna Gibson Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Elite runner and mountain athlete Anna Gibson joins Sally to share the unexpected journey that took her from the 1,500-meter semifinals at the U.S. Olympic Trials to ski mountaineering’s debut at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Anna opens up about saying yes before she felt ready, winning the race that sent Team USA to the Games, the emotional comedown that followed, and why joy, vulnerability, and community matter more than any result. Enjoy!

Other Episode Highlights:

The funny reality of learning a brand-new sport while chasing the Olympics.

Behind-the-scenes moments from Anna’s crash course in ski mountaineering.

How staying curious and being willing to look like a beginner opened unexpected doors.

What it feels like when a casual “yes” suddenly becomes a life-changing opportunity.

Why even elite athletes have awkward moments, doubts, and plenty to learn along the way.

Why the people beside you matter more than any title or finish line.

Follow Anna's Adventures: @annaagibsonn

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

Episode Sponsors:

LAGOON SLEEP: Go to LagoonSleep.com/CHOOSESTRONG and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Use the code CHOOSESTRONG for 15% off your first purchase.

BIOPTIMIZERS: Go to http://bioptimizers.com/strong and use code STRONG to get 15% off your entire order.

BUBS NATURALS: Live Better Longer with BUBS Naturals. For a limited time get 20% Off your entire order with code SALLY at Bubsnaturals.com

#148 | Identity, Purpose & the Road Back to Running | Kat Edwards Anderson Jul 28, 2026

Show notes

In this episode , Sally chats with ultrarunner Kat Anderson in an honest conversation about the winding road that shaped her life—one filled with unexpected detours, difficult seasons, and a renewed sense of purpose. From growing up in a hardworking family to rediscovering her passion for running, Kat shares how every chapter prepared her for the next. Enjoy!

Other Episode Highlights:

Why Kat walked away from running—and what brought her back
The dangers of tying your identity to performance
How a toxic coach nearly ended her running career
The power of faith during life's hardest seasons

How CrossFit prepared her for 200+ mile races
The Cocodona 250 lessons that changed her forever
What it takes mentally to race at the elite level
The value of hard work learned from childhood
How to find purpose beyond winning and losing

Follow Kat!

All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.

Episode Sponsors:

QUALIA: Magnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/SALLYto get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code SALLY

ONE SKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SALLY at https://www.oneskin.co/SALLY #oneskinpod

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected