What if you treated your mental health with the same consistency, care, and intention as your training plan?

In this episode of Dear Runner Bod, I’m joined by Sarah Strong, a licensed clinical social worker and performance coach known as The Trail Therapist. Sarah blends movement, trail-based therapy, and mental health support for athletes across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond.

We dive into her journey from runner to therapist and how her work sits at the intersection of performance and mental well-being. Together, we unpack why mental health is still often treated as optional… while physical health gets all the structure, metrics, and attention.

Sarah shares:

Subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs your mental health might need support

Why runners are especially vulnerable to ignoring these signals

How perfectionism, identity, and performance can blur the line between discipline and distress

Practical ways to build mental health habits that actually stick

This episode is your reminder that feeling strong isn’t just about your splits, your pace, or your race day performance… it’s about your capacity to show up fully in your life.

Follow Sarah on Instagram @the_trail_therapist. You can check out her website www.thetrailtherapist.com.

This episode originally aired November 6, 2023.

If you would like to feel stronger and more supported on your runs and actually enjoy your strength training routine, you can try ANDA App for free for 7 days and 20% off your subscription with my code SERENA

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