Ali On The Run Show

"We as humans have the capacity to surprise ourselves with how much stronger we are than we think we are. You don’t get to make those discoveries unless you do something that challenges you to probe that question: Can I do this? Am I capable of this?"   The last time Emily Halnon was here, she talked about her big, brave, bold goal: to run the fastest known time (FKT) on the Oregon Pacific Crest Trail. And spoiler: She did it! And now, Emily is back to talk about how she ran 453 miles in 7 days, 19 hours, and 23 minutes. Along the way, Emily also raised more than $30,000 for the Brave Like Gabe Foundation, in honor of her mother, Andrea — "AndyJHa" — who passed away in January after being diagnosed with a rare uterine cancer. And a warning: This conversation may inspire you to go out and set your own big, brave, bold goals!   Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.   What you’ll get on this episode: How Emily feels now, a

“Have those conversations with yourself. Figure out, ‘What is it that I want? What is my goal, essentially?’ Kind of like running. What is your goal?”   Dr. Meggie is back! This week on the Ali & the Experts series, Dr. Meggie Smith, Assistant Professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Southern California specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility, is here to answer listener questions about pregnancy, fertility, periods, birth control, and women’s health during the Covid-19 era.   Thank you to Athletic Greens for sponsoring this series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to athleticgreens.com/ontherun to get a year’s supply of Vitamin D with your first Athletic Greens purchase!   Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava   Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play   SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, plea

“I got to this point where I had to tell myself that I deserve to be there and I deserve to be on the starting line, and say, ‘You are good enough, you’ve put in the work, you’ve put in the training.’ My motto was ‘Just give it a go.’”   Rebecca Mehra is a professional middle-distance runner for Oiselle’s Little Wing team, where she’s coached by Lauren Fleshman. Earlier this year, Rebecca became a household name when she Tweeted about helping an elderly couple grocery shop at the onset of the pandemic — and that story went viral. Rebecca is an incredibly talented runner, but her life off the track is as compelling as her fast 1500m times. When she’s not running, Rebecca is involved in public policy: She’s the special assistant to the mayor in Bend, OR, and is the campaign manager for two local candidates. On this episode, Rebecca talks about going pro, getting political, going viral, and growing up in a biracial family (she’s the daughter of an Indian immigrant father and a Jewish mother from Long Island) in

"Our feelings are truly valid. Remember that the concerns that are leading to your struggles with anxiety and depression are valid and worthy of being talked about, gaining support, and being acknowledged."   Raise your hand if you're feeling anxious! (Mine are both raised.) Then you've come to the right place. On this episode — the second in the six-part Ali & the Experts series — NYC-based therapist Jess Thomas is here to answer listener questions about anxiety, depression, perfectionism, quarantine dating, and how to handle life during a pandemic. Jess, who is part of the Viva Wellness team, also talks about being new to therapy, and debunks all kinds of common mental health myths.   Thank you to Athletic Greens for sponsoring this series on the Ali on the Run Show! Go to athleticgreens.com/ontherun to get a year’s supply of Vitamin D with your first Athletic Greens purchase!   Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon B

"Looking for technical solutions to people problems doesn’t work."   Welcome to the Ali & the Experts series! For the next six weeks, I'll be talking with six different experts who will be answering all of your questions. We're kicking things off today with a major career pep talk, courtesy of Laura Parrott. Laura, who lives in Detroit, MI, is currently the Head of People at Floyd. Before that, she spent eight years leading recruiting work at McKinsey, seven years working in people management and leadership development at Google, and, most recently, she was the lead for manager development programming at Hubspot. Laura is also a fitness instructor and is the founder of her own coaching company. On this episode, she answers questions about people challenges at work, including dealing with a difficult boss, networking during a pandemic, being laid off, and getting back into the workforce after taking time off to have children. A must-listen!   Thank you to Athletic Greens for sponsoring this series on the A

"There’s always someone gunning for that spot. And if you’re off your game at all, they’re going to take it."   Jenny Simpson is the country's most-decorated female miler and 1500-meter runner. Case in point: She's a three-time Olympian, she won gold in the 1500 at the 2011 World Championships, she was the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in the 1500 when she won bronze in Rio in 2016, and she's a two-time world silver medalist. She has won the Fifth Avenue Mile eight times, and her personal bests include a 3:57.22 1500 and a 4:16.1 road mile. On this episode, Jenny talks about how she and her husband Jason have been spending quarantine. She shares her thoughts on retirement (someday!), having a baby (someday!), and "waiting to be slow" (which may never happen!). But mostly, we talk about Truman, the dog Jenny and Jason adopted once the lockdowns started.   Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.   What you’ll get

"There’s this possibility to live with this duality of life. You can both grieve and have a really, truly happy day. You can be really stressed and scared, and also be extraordinarily brave."   In January, the world truly lost one of the greatest lights and coolest women on the planet: Andrea Halnon, or as she's known around here, "AndyJHa." Emily Halnon was the very first guest on the Ali on the Run Show, and is one of my dear friends, and when her mom passed away after a 13-month battle with a rare uterine cancer, it was devastating. On this episode, Emily returns to the show to graciously and openly talk about her badass mom's amazing legacy, and what the grief process is like. She also talks about how she'll be bravely and boldly honoring that legacy starting this Saturday: By running 453 miles across the state of Oregon, from the California border to Washington, in an attempt to run the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the Pacific Crest Trail. In doing so, Emily is also raising money for the Brave Like Gabe F

"I won’t use my voice unless I can back up whatever argument I’m trying to make. But I’ve gotten increasingly more comfortable putting myself in those situations and taking a stance on something and then being able to back it up, whether it’s systemic racism, whether it’s diversity in the sport, whether it’s how we should be handling the pandemic right now as runners. We all have thoughts on those things. A lot of us are afraid to share those thoughts. Not all of us have platforms where we can share those thoughts and have it have an impact, and I am very cognizant of the fact that I do, and I want to make sure I’m using my platform for good in those ways and spurring up healthy conversation and debate."   Today, we wrap up the On the Record series with Mario Fraioli, host of The Morning Shakeout podcast and creator of The Morning Shakeout newsletter. Mario comes to podcasting with a background in journalism: He's a longtime sports writer and was the editor of Competitor magazine. On this episode, Mario talks

"That’s what I have now: I have hope."   A lot has changed for Chris Heuisler since the last time he was on the Ali on the Run Show. He turned 40! He's no longer the Global RunWestin Concierge. And he got sober. On this episode, Chris — for the first time publicly — talks about his past with alcoholism, and his journey to sobriety. (SO PROUD OF YOU, CHRIS.)   Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.   What we mention on this episode: Chris Heuisler, National Run Concierge for Westin Hotels Chris Heuisler’s Most Embarrassing Running Moment! Ali on the Run Show LIVE! Featuring Meb Keflezighi, Andrea Barber, Chris Heuisler, and Des Linden Des Linden on Finding Mastery Catching Up with Andrea Barber Andrea Barber AKA Full House‘s Kimmy Gibbler   Follow Chris: Instagram @chrisheuisler Twitter @runheuisler Brontosaurus L.A. EMAIL: chris.heuisler@gmail.com   Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Fa

"What matters most to me is talking about athletes, especially female athletes, in the way that I would want someone to ask me questions. I want someone to respect me as a whole person and dig a little bit deeper and learn about who I am and what I have to give beyond the typical rote questions we hear over and over again."   Dana Giordano is a professional middle-distance runner for the B.A.A. and adidas. She's a 4:34 miler and 15:47 5K runner who ran track and cross-country at Dartmouth College and hopes to compete at the 2021 Olympic Track & Field Trials. In April, Dana added another line to her impressive resume: host of the More Than Running podcast. Dana enters the running podcast space with an inside look at the sport. On this episode, she talks about relatability on the track, inspiration on the run, and how she wants to see the industry improve. She also offers her take on how to make running more accessible, and talks about why it's so important to share women's stories and celebrate other women

"I was nervous. But it was the kind of nervousness that really drove me to work as hard as possible, be as persistent as possible, and as thorough as possible."   Hawi Keflezighi is one of the greatest agents in running and track and field. As the founder and CEO of HAWI Management, Hawi and his team represent 30 athletes including Alexi Pappas, Nikki Hiltz, Aliphine Tuliamuk, and, of course, Hawi's brother, Meb Keflezighi. On this episode, Hawi talks about how — and why — he started his agency when he was still in law school, and explains what, exactly, agents do. He talks about being one of 11 siblings, and shares his family's story of emigrating from Eritrea to the United States. Hawi, who lives in Indianapolis with his wife and two kids, talks about what the American Dream means to him, and talks about why integrity is so important to him. There's a reason the Keflezighis are some of the best-loved people in sports, and this conversation is a perfect example of that.   Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsori

"Once you have enough of these uncomfortable conversations, you do start to pick up on new ways of going about it and asking different questions. It’s never going to end. Being uncomfortable is just part of it, and you welcome it, and do it over and over and over again to get better."   Welcome to the second episode in the four-part "On the Record" series, talking with fellow running podcasters about their work, their takes on the state of the running industry, and their roles within it. We kicked things off last week with Alysia Montaño, Molly Huddle, and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas — the hosts off Keeping Track — and this week, Chris Chavez is here! In addition to being a full-time writer for Sports Illustrated, Chris is also the host of the Citius Mag podcast, and co-host of the Runners of NYC podcast (alongside former Ali on the Run Show guest Leigh Anne Sharek). He's an important, well-respected voice in the running community, and on this episode, Chris talks about what it means to be an influencer in the ru

"Stop negotiating with yourself. Be like a little kid again and jump into the pool. Don’t stick your foot in to check out the temperature. Don’t think you have to have the right bathing suit on. Jump in the pool."   It's safe to say Jess Sims is one of the most popular fitness instructors in the country. As a Peloton instructor, Jess is known for her no frills, no BS, no gimmick approach to working out. She's the real deal, and she's passionate about helping people feel their best every day. And though Jess says she never dreamed about being a fitness instructor, let alone a global superstar with a massive platform, being an educator has always come naturally to her. On this episode, Jess shares her road to Peloton fame, which started by teaching not in fitness studios, but in classrooms: Jess did Teach for America, and taught kids in Houston, Harlem, and Massachusetts. Jess also talks about the a-ha moment that led her from her role as a principal to one on the podium, and explains why, at first, she actuall

"It doesn’t matter if I’m a man or a woman. It just matters how I do my job. That responsibility I’m given is based on how I’ve done in the past, and how well they think I’m going to do in the future."   Welcome to the final episode in the On the Job series! Today, we are wrapping things up with United States Air Force Colonel Shelly Mendieta, who is the Vice Wing Commander of the 39th Airbase Wing in Incirlik, Turkey. As the #2 in command, Col. Mendieta is responsible for more than 3,500 military, civilian, and contractor personnel on base. She's also a Weapons System Operator in the F-15E fighter plane, having logged more than 2,400 flight hours! On this episode, Col. Mendieta talks about what it's really like flying those planes — which women weren't even allowed to fly when she first enlisted in the Air Force — and what it's like serving the country and being stationed overseas. She also talks about how being a runner makes her better in the air, and shares her take on being a woman in the military.   Tha

"I’m not afraid to have the uncomfortable conversations. Does it mean I feel comfortable? No! And I need my allies. I need my friends to say what I’ve been saying." —Alysia Montaño   Welcome to the first episode in a new four-part series, where I'll be talking with fellow running podcast hosts about how they view the current state of the running industry and their roles within it. We're kicking things off with Alysia Montaño, Molly Huddle, and Roisin McGettigan-Dumas, the hosts of Keeping Track! As current and former professional athletes, these three incredibly accomplished women offer a unique lens on the sport. They are mothers, businesswomen, authors, and important voices in running and beyond. On this episode, we talk about how Keeping Track came to fruition, and discuss representation in the running community.   Thank you to Gatorade Endurance for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! Go to gatoradeendurance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your order.   What you’ll get on this epis

"You're the one. If you want to do something...you're the one that's going to do it."   My greatest wish for my daughter is that she never lacks confidence. Some people are born with it, but for others, cultivating confidence takes work — it's like a muscle that has to be flexed repeatedly in order to get stronger. Claudia Thompson is the president of Claudia Connects, a personal and professional training, development, and networking events company, and on this episode, she shares all her best tips and tricks for building your own confidence. She shares her own confidence journey, reflecting on being a Black woman — her mom is from Jamaica and her dad is from Panama — in predominantly white spaces. She also talks about practicing vulnerability, and explains how confidence in life will help us all on the run.   Feel-Good Fridays on the Ali on the Run Show are brought to you by UCAN. Click here and use code ONTHERUN25 for 25% off your first UCAN order. Returning UCAN fans can use code ONTHERUN for 15% off.   Wh

"Sustainable changes happen over months of time. And there’s nothing to be ashamed of it it takes you a long time. When you come out of it and you do the work and you’re gentle on yourself and you’re looking for progress over perfection, you’re going to be so much happier because you got to know yourself so much better."   Starla Garcia is back on the Ali on the Run Show! Starla is a registered dietitian (and Olympic Marathon Trials runner!) and is the founder of The Healthy Shine, a sports nutrition consulting practice in Houston, TX. On this episode, Starla answers listener questions about nutrition, fueling on the run, sugar addictions, protein, disordered eating, and what she wants everyone to know and understand about fad diets and buzzwords like "keto," "intermittent fasting," and "macros."   Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.   What we mention on this episode: Starla Garcia on Episode 200 of the Ali on the Run

“I loved science. I had a biology teacher who was a bit of a mentor of mine in high school and I said, ‘I really think this is what I want to pursue!’ And he said, ‘There’s actually not a place for women in science.’ But I never lost sight of my passion.”   When Vikki Spruill was growing up, she loved science and, in particular, ocean life. But she was told that "women didn't have a place in science." Today, Vikki is President & CEO of the New England Aquarium in Boston, MA, so it's safe to say she found her place in science. On this episode, Vikki talks about how she got the job and what her days are like, both before and during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. To date, the aquarium has been closed for 16 weeks, and Vikki talks about the plans they're putting into place for when the doors do reopen. Plus, she talks about what it's really like running a huge cultural institution that's home to 20,000 animals, 200 employees, and more than 1.5 million visitors every year.   Thank you to Tracksmith for sponsor

Welcome to this month's edition of Ramblings on the Run with Ali and Matt. This month, Matt and I catch up and share how things are going on the run, and then we talk about what we're each loving and are excited about right now. Then, we do a twist on the On the Job series, asking each other questions about our respective careers in podcasting.   What we mention on this episode: Don't Keep Your Day Job by Cathy Heller "Influence in the Time of Social Injustice" via Be There in Five Aliphine Tuliamuk on Instagram Courtney Carter on Episode 251 of the Ali on the Run Show The Mina Kimes Show That's What She Said with Sarah Spain   Follow Matt:  Instagram @rambling_runner Rambling Runner podcast Road to the Olympic Trials podcast   Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava   Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play   SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying

"He made an assumption that I didn’t speak English and that’s why he didn’t speak to me. I remember feeling so hurt. Things like that happened to me all the time, being the first and only to do a lot of these distance events on the road racing circuit. And I feel like it was so hurtful. We are the epitome of the American Dream."   A few weeks ago, Peyton Thomas was on the Ali on the Run Show. We talked about Peyton being the fourth-fastest U.S.-born Black female marathoner, which prompted the question: Who's the fastest? That person is Samia Akbar. In 2006, Samia ran a 2:34 at the New York City Marathon, finishing 12th and earning the aforementioned title, which still stands. On this episode, Samia shares her running story, including how her dad instilled in her a love for running, how she went to American University on a full running scholarship, and how she spent seven years as a professional runner sponsored by Reebok. Today, Samia lives in Virginia and is a Global Marketing Manager for New Balance.   Than