Podcast
Hurdle with Emily Abbate
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts · EN
Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live happier, healthier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.
62episodes
Episodes
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5-MINUTE FRIDAY: When Everything Starts Clicking
Jul 1000:07:36Tap to summarizeIn this edition of 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, Emily dives deep into a word that gets tossed around a lot in the wellness world: alignment. Stripping away the superficial aesthetics of social media, she shares what true alignment actually feels like in practice—and why she is finally experiencing it after seasons of feeling out of it. Plus, she shares a powerful mindset shift for handling good seasons, plugs a new project, and takes a listener question about crafting the ultimate New York City summer vision board. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODECoach Bennett's podcast: Introducing, The After Dark Series SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →No Bad Days: Masai Russell Talks Confidence Over Cockiness & Shifting From Hurdling Underdog To The One To Beat
Jul 700:34:31Tap to summarizeWelcome Olympic Champion Masai Russell back to Hurdle! Fresh off her historic performances in the 100-meter hurdles, recently clocking a 12.14 for the second fastest time in history and a win at Pre Classic, Masai opens up about her rapid rise to the top and the evolution of her mindset. Emily and Masai dive deep into the essential difference between having confidence and being cocky, and how Masai protects her peace by switching her focus from standard expectations to execution. Masai reflects on transitioning from an underdog mentality to navigating the pressure of being the one to beat, sharing how she trains her mind to view every performance—good or bad—as an opportunity to sharpen her greatness. From tracking meticulous micro-improvements to redefining what "speed" truly means to her, Masai reveals what it takes to relentlessly pursue her potential and become an undeniable legend in her sport. IN THIS EPISODE The Reality of Expectations: Masai reflects on her transition from the "underdog" to the reigning Olympic Champion, sharing how she had to learn to navigate the immense weight of external expectations. Confidence vs. Cockiness: How to separate knowing what you bring to the table from being arrogant, rooted in humble beginnings, hard work, and a tight-knit connection to her community. Silencing the Outer Noise: Masai opens up about her mental strategy for keeping the blinders on, treating every major competition as "just another day with the same ten hurdles," and turning down the volume on her own mind. The No Bad Days Protocol: A look at how shifting her perspective allowed her to stop looking at setbacks as failures, choosing instead to view every statistical loss as a critical lesson that sets up future greatness. The Next Chapter: Masai chats about the microscopic physical adjustments that unlocked her 12.14 performance, why she welcomes the pressure of world-record predictions, and her ultimate vision to become an undeniable legend in the sport. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "When that gun goes off, like whatever everyone else says, like none of that matters... at the end of the day, Masai is the one that has to get on that line, execute it, do it, and really not talk about it, but really do it." "I have had very humble beginnings. I have not come from a winning background. I have had to work for everything that I've gotten, which is why I think that my audience... they're so tight-knit because of the confidence that I exude, but it's also in a way that I'm so sure about myself." "I feel like I will never lose ... statistically I may lose, but everything from a loss, I always take it as a lesson to just set me up for where I'm at." "Your thoughts are just your thoughts, and what you put flesh into or what you put life into, that's the reality that you'll get out of it. Quiet your brain down sometimes." SOCIAL@masai_russell@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Me Vs. Me
Jul 300:07:55Tap to summarizeIn this installment of Five-Minute Friday, Emily checks in from the Nike headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. After a whirlwind week of travel—flying from Paris back to Brooklyn, and then straight to Oregon—she opens up about overcoming the mental hurdles of getting back onto the running track. Emily reflects on pushing past old narratives of self-doubt during a challenging interval workout, using the experience as a powerful reminder to practice self-grace. Plus, she answers a listener question on how to safely navigate outdoor solo runs while traveling in unfamiliar territory. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →160+ Miles Of Grit: Des Linden Talks Her Desert Ultramarathon, the Business Of Being An Athlete & The Power Of the Pivot
Jun 3001:03:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Hurdle, host Emily Abbate sits down with two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden for a conversation about redefining limits. Fresh off completing the legendary Marathon des Sables (MDS)—a grueling, self-supported 167-mile stage race across the Sahara Desert—Des takes listeners directly inside her tent. She shares the realities of surviving on grit, managing endless blisters, and navigating the longest run of her life: a staggering 62-mile day. Des breaks down the exact mindset it takes to avoid "negotiation mode" when the going gets tough and explains how her recent transition into the ultra-trail world has altered her relationship with the sport. Plus, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at running the Boston Marathon as a "commoner" alongside her husband, Ryan, and her recent trip to the London Marathon. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS The Reality of MDS: Why Des swapped the roads of Michigan for the Sahara, how she managed self-supported gear, and what it’s really like to share a rudimentary tent with seven other runners. Silencing the Inner Negotiator: Des outlines her mental strategy for pushing through low moments and why reaching a state of self-pity only slows down forward momentum. The Blister Protocol: A look at managing the inevitable physical toll of a multi-day desert race and choosing to stay positive through the discomfort. Boston as a one of us: What it felt like to start further back in the corrals, weave through massive crowds, and burn extra matches to finish right before her husband, Ryan. The Next Chapter: Des chats about her strategic pivot to media and storytelling with her podcast Nobody Asked Us, her upcoming plans for the Chicago Marathon, and her sights set on the Havlina 100. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "The guardrails are off. Let's see where this goes." "This is literally what you signed up for... make the decisions to make the right choices because that's really what the event for me is all about." "As soon as we start to feel sorry for ourselves, it's like, you're just not going to be productive. So, take the little wins." "No one's going to fight for you as much as you... if you're not believing in yourself even more than everyone else, you've got to really think about what you're doing." SOCIAL@des_linden@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Why Runners Have a Secret Weapon In HYROX
Jun 2600:11:49Tap to summarizeIn this episode of 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, Emily checks in from a very warm Paris after a whirlwind trip to Stockholm and Copenhagen. She dives deep into her experience spectating her first-ever HYROX World Championships, as a guest of Red Bull, sharing her top takeaways on the booming fitness phenomenon, the unique dynamics of competing in doubles, and why running endurance might just be your secret weapon to crushing a HYROX event. Plus, Emily answers a listener question about maintaining healthy routines and supplement games while constantly traveling for work. Highlights & Takeaways: The HYROX Breakdown: A run-down of the 8km format and its functional fitness stations, including the ski erg, sled push/pull, rowing, sandbag lunges, farmers carry, and wall balls. Doubles Strategy: Why competing with a partner might be the way to go, and how you can strategically split up stations based on your individual strengths. The Endurance Advantage: Why an aerobic running base is a massive asset in HYROX, and how it differs from a pure strength-focused training approach. Q&A—Routine on the Road: Emily’s top tips for maintaining your workout schedule, journaling habits, and supplement routine (from creatine to AG1) while traveling. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Let Me Reintroduce Myself: Emily Talks Her Running Journey & The Next Chapter For Hurdle
Jun 2300:36:09Tap to summarizeWelcome to Season 21 of Hurdle! To kick off this brand-new chapter, host Emily's going solo to share the deeply personal evolution of her relationship with running, her career, and herself. From being cut from the JV volleyball team in high school to weighing 200+ pounds as a college freshman, Emily opens up about the pivotal moment that changed everything and the simple decision that started it all: learning to keep showing up for herself, one step at a time. Whether you are a seasoned marathoner, balancing the demands of a freelance career, or looking for the inspiration to conquer your own current hurdles, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that you belong exactly as you are. Key Takeaways & Highlights The Turning Point: Emily revisits her freshman year at the University of Connecticut, stepping on a dusty scale under her bunk bed, and the counter-intuitive sprint that sparked her health journey. The "Half-Mile" Summer: The hilarious and humbling realization that the "mile" she thought she was running every day at summer camp was actually just a half-mile—and why being bad at something is the first step to getting good. The Career Hustle: A winding look through Emily’s nearly 20-year journalism career—from associate editor at The Stir to fitness editor roles at Rodale and Self, and finally, the leap of faith into full-time freelancing and starting Hurdle. Understanding Opportunity Cost: How a casual glass of wine and a conversation on a New York rooftop redefined the sacrifices required to achieve big athletic and personal goals. Looking Ahead to Sydney: Emily gives an update on her current training block for the upcoming Sydney Marathon on August 30th, balancing high-mileage goals with a busy travel schedule. Memorable Quotes "I am talking about what happens to your mind, and your confidence, and your life when you decide to keep showing up for yourself, one step at a time." "You belong exactly as you are." Links & Resources Follow Hurdle: @hurdlepodcast Follow Emily: @emilyabbate Subscribe to the Newsletter: The Weekly Hurdle on Substack Email the Show: hello@hurdle.us If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and don't forget to share it with a friend who might need a little extra inspiration to conquer their own hurdles this week! SOCIAL@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →5-MINUTE FRIDAY: The Powerful Perk of Repetition
Jun 500:08:46Tap to summarizeNews: Hurdle is heading into a brief summer season break for the next two weeks! This week: Talking about the powerful feelings of purpose and intention that accompany the start of a new training cycle as she gears up for the Sydney Marathon. Emily reflects on the concept that we become better at the things we do repeatedly—whether that means running, writing, or even letting anxious thoughts drive our decisions. She challenges listeners to audit what they are pouring their energy into and reminds everyone that they have the power to choose the words and behaviors that define their lives. Later in the episode, Emily answers a listener question from Joan about post-marathon recovery. She offers practical, reassuring advice on handling "fitness FOMO," the importance of taking a full two weeks off from running to let the body absorb its hard work, and how to safely cross-train with low-resistance cycling. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →Egg Freezing 101: Unpacking My Experience & Talking Fertility Q&A With Dr. Michelle Kappy
Jun 201:08:19Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Emily sits down with her own fertility specialist, Dr. Michelle Kappy, a board-certified OB/GYN and reproductive endocrinologist at Spring Fertility. After undergoing her own egg freezing journey under Dr. Kappy's care, Emily opens up about the intimate, often overwhelming logistics and physical realities of the procedure. Together, they pull back the curtain on the entire process—demystifying everything from medication protocols and managing your physical movement during stimulation, to understanding the biological changes to egg quality and quantity as women head into their mid-30s. Whether you are actively considering preserving your fertility, are currently in the middle of a cycle, or simply want a better grasp of reproductive health and science, this deep dive offers a comforting, text-book level understanding of the choices available to you. Dr. Kappy brings a patient-centric, empowering approach to the conversation, explaining that information-gathering is the first and most critical step to taking control of your reproductive autonomy. IN THIS EPISODE Emily's personal recovery timeline, physical side effects, and how she safely modified her strength training and running habits post-procedure. Why scaling back physical movement—and avoiding high-stress abdominal workouts—is medically critical to prevent safety risks like ovarian torsion as follicles grow. Demystifying the "35-year-old cliff" and looking honestly at how egg quality and quantity naturally shift as women age. Step-by-step breakdowns of standard stimulation medications, the daily purpose of monitoring appointments, and what actually happens during a 15-minute extraction procedure. Managing expectations around the natural "attrition rate"—from the initial follicle count visible on an ultrasound to the final number of mature, genetically viable eggs that make it to deep freeze. Navigating the intense financial and emotional burdens of the process, and the unique mental load of choosing to freeze your eggs independently. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "It's okay to just get information and just to make a consult and talk to an expert and then decide from there." "Information gathering is one of the biggest goals that I have for patients... so they can feel armed with that empowerment." "The ominous 'cliff' is this biological clock that unfortunately really is a thing. It is a biological change... but you don't fall into a black hole where you are no longer fertile." "People do hang their hats on a number... but it really doesn't define someone. You could have a high number and have done everything wrong in your life, or you could have a low number and have done it all right." "Don't let the number define you... [Egg freezing] is the only thing that you can do to protect your reproductive autonomy and to give yourself optionality." SOCIAL@springfertility@michellekappymd@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Stepping Into a New Chapter
May 2900:07:13Tap to summarizeCan you even believe that it is about to be June? As I approach my 38th birthday, I'm feeling a certain way and doing a lot of reflecting. Sharing a powerful prompt from my Substack newsletter to help you do a personal inventory of your own life. Plus, answering a listener question from Shannon about running shoes, breaking down the difference between a classic neutral shoe and plated carbon-fiber options. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG ChannelSIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle NewsletterASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →From College Standout To Pro Athlete: Samirah Moody On Transitioning To the Big Leagues, the Importance Of Staying Even-Keeled & Finding Strength In Faith
May 2600:45:27Tap to summarizeSamirah Moody is a professional runner for On, recednt USC graduate, and a founding member of the newly minted OAC (On Athletics Club) Sprint team. Coming off a stellar collegiate career—including a 2025 NCAA championship in the 100 meters—Samirah is stepping onto the global pro circuit with a fresh perspective, a deeply hardened sense of resilience, and a powerful inner drive. In this episode, Samirah pulls back the curtain on the intense physical and mental grind of elite training under renowned head coach John "JB" Bolton. She details the dramatic shift from the college routine to the professional world, where the job requires balancing world-class track workouts with photo shoots, media appearances, and constant networking. Samirah opens up about the devastating meniscus injury that threatened her trajectory, the grueling rehabilitation process that followed, and the exact moment she shifted her mindset from "I have to do this" to "I get to do this." Plus, she shares what it’s like to navigate a high-pressure environment as the only short sprint woman on the OAC roster, and how journaling helps her process the weight of big expectations. IN THIS EPISODE The Leap to the Pros: Samirah breaks down what it really looks like to move from a collegiate schedule to the OAC Sprint team, balancing elite physical training with the commercial obligations of a professional athlete. Finding Your "No": Why learning to set boundaries and protect her personal bandwidth has been an essential part of stepping into her own power on and off the track. Overcoming the Hurdle: A transparent look at her severe meniscus injury during her junior year, leaving the stadium in a wheelchair, and the psychological journey of rebuilding her body from ground zero. Mindset Shift: How she reframed her inner dialogue from a place of obligation to an appreciation for the opportunity to compete at the highest level. Being the Only One: What it feels like to hold down the short sprints on the OAC roster, staying even-keeled through high stakes, and the everyday power of processing pressure through a personal journal. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "If I could do all that, why not me?" "You have to believe that you’re a big dog to really line up with the best of the best." "I don’t know when something’s going to click, but I’m just going to keep chugging along because I’ve seen really, really highs and really, really lows, and I’ve been everywhere in between." "The world can put a lot of pressure on you ... but it is really about how much do you want something? I need that pressure to succeed." SOCIAL@samirahmoody_@on@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Transcribe →