Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

Most runners love the feeling of a good workout — that endorphin rush, the sweat, the sense of accomplishment. But here’s the truth: your body doesn’t get stronger during the run. It gets stronger during recovery. In this episode, Angie and Kevin kick off a brand-new series on the science of recovery — because if you want to make progress, stay healthy, and actually feel good while running, recove...

In this week’s Real Life Runners podcast, I’m joined by Kelly Lyons — a nutrition and eating psychology coach who helps women heal their relationship with food and their bodies. Kelly opens up about her personal journey through binge eating, which began back in high school, and how she ultimately broke free by uncovering the root causes and learning to rewire her brain. This conversation is honest...

Teamwork isn’t just for cross-country teams, group runs, or the workplace—it’s a value that can shape every part of our running journey and our everyday lives. In this episode, we wrap up our series on core values with one of the most powerful of them all: teamwork. We explore what it really means to be part of a team, even if you consider yourself a “solo runner,” and how cultivating teamwork can...

In this week’s episode, we’re continuing our Core Values series by diving into one of the most powerful values for runners and for life: resilience. Resilience isn’t just about pushing through—it’s about bouncing back, learning, and growing stronger with every setback. We’ll share stories from our own running and coaching journeys, along with practical strategies you can use to build your own resi...

In episode 427 of the Real Life Runners Podcast, we continue our Core Values series with one of the most powerful keys to lasting success in running—and life: commitment. Motivation comes and goes. Some mornings you’ll wake up ready to run, other days… not so much. That’s why commitment matters more. It’s the steady anchor that carries you through the days when motivation fades. In this episode, w...

We’re kicking off a brand-new series on the podcast all about core values—the guiding principles that shape not just how we run, but how we live. In this episode, we’re diving into respect: Respect for yourself, your training, and your recovery Respect for your teammates, competitors, and the sport itself Respect in how you handle challenges, setbacks, and successes You’ll hear how we teach this v...

In this empowering episode, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Vong, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in women’s thyroid health, especially hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s. We dive into the connection between thyroid function, perimenopause, and weight loss—exploring why so many women struggle with fatigue, weight gain, and hormonal shifts even when they’re “doing everything right.” Dr. Vong breaks do...

In this week’s solo episode, I’m diving into a concept that doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves—integrity. Not just in the big, moral sense we usually think of, but in the everyday choices we make as runners and humans. At a recent business retreat, I had some big “aha” moments about how keeping (or breaking) small promises to myself connects directly to integrity. And honestly? I realize...

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret How to Enjoy Running More: Overcoming Pain, Letting Go of Judgment, and Finding the Fun in Every Run In this week’s episode, Kevin and I dive into something every runner wants more of—joy in running. Because let’s be real, not every ru...

In this episode, I sit down with the amazing Tara Welling — a former professional runner who raced for Nike and Skechers — to hear her powerful story of grit, growth, and finding joy again in the sport she loves. Tara takes us back to her first miles in elementary school, through her rise to the professional circuit, and into the realities most people never see — the burnout, the pressure, and the...

Today we share our recent hiking adventure in Tahoe — and the very real mental battles that came with it. From the moment we started running uphill at high elevation, the physical strain was obvious, but the mental strain was even louder. We pull back the curtain on our internal monologues — the negative thoughts that crept in, the moments of self-doubt, and the “why are we doing this?” questions...

In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the incredible Sheetal Story — a grief counselor, psychic medium, and expert in human design and astrology — for a powerful conversation on how grief, spirituality, and running intersect in the most meaningful ways. We dive into how emotions live in the body, and how movement, especially running, can help us process and release what we’re carrying — physica...

In this solo episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, Coach Kevin gets real about the role of discomfort in growth—on the run and in life. Sharing takeaways from a tough birthday run and the powerful ideas in The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter, Kevin unpacks how stepping outside our comfort zones can lead to real transformation. He talks about why chasing big goals matters, how to avoid falling...

Pushing Through Life’s Challenges: How Running Builds Your Resilience In this episode of The Real Life Runners Podcast, I’m getting real about feeling overwhelmed — from home repairs to family chaos to just life piling up. Honestly? My first instinct is often to shut down. But that’s not where growth happens. Today, I’m sharing how running teaches us to keep moving forward, even when life feels he...

As women runners over 40, we often face a wave of confusing (and sometimes extreme) advice about menopause and fitness — especially on social media. In this episode, we cut through the noise and dive into what really matters when it comes to training during perimenopause and beyond. We break down the most common menopause myths circulating in the running community and explore the physiological shi...

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Holly Bertone — a former FBI Chief of Staff turned certified holistic health coach — who now helps midlife women break free from emotional eating and step into their power. Holly shares her deeply personal journey, from leading high-stakes intelligence operations to uncovering the root causes of her own struggles with food. With a unique blend of co...

Let’s set the record straight: pain and injury are not just things runners have to live with. In this episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, we’re taking on one of the most damaging myths in the running world — the belief that hurting is normal, expected, or even necessary if you want to improve. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Yes, injuries are common — but that doesn’t make them inevitable. And acce...

What would it look like to pay yourself first when it comes to your health? In this episode, we explore how the Profit First principle—typically used in business—can be a powerful tool to help you shift how you think about your time, energy, and well-being. Instead of letting health be what’s leftover, we talk about putting it first—so you can show up stronger in all areas of life. We share person...

In this episode of The Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re diving into a real-life backyard issue—our deteriorating fence—and what it taught us about boundaries, both literal and personal. We use this everyday challenge as a powerful metaphor for the invisible structures that support our lives, our training, and our overall well-being. How often do we let little things slide—like a creaky fence or a...

In this episode of the Real Life Runners podcast, we discuss the importance of starting fall race preparation during the summer months, particularly June and July. We delve into the concept of cycle stacking, emphasizing the need to lay a strong foundation now to avoid last-minute rush and stress. Key topics include the importance of strength training, building mental toughness, adapting to heat,...

In this empowering and eye-opening episode, I sit down with the incredible Dr. Nikki DiNezza—a true expert in the world of gut health. Whether you're a runner, a health-conscious human, or someone who’s just trying to feel better in your own skin, this conversation will resonate with you. Dr. Nikki shares her fascinating journey into gut health and explains how our digestive system is so much...

This week on the Real Life Runners Podcast, we are celebrating the amazing energy and breakthroughs from our recent Running Reignited Challenge ! It was so inspiring to see so many of you reconnect with your goals and remember why you started running in the first place. But here’s the thing we really want to talk about: Inspiration is great—but it’s not enough on its own. If we want to create real...

You need two things to improve your running: strength and stress. If you've been feeling stuck in your performance or sidelined by recurring injuries, this one's for you. We share why simply adding more miles or intensity isn't the answer—and how focusing on quality over quantity can unlock a whole new level of progress. We explore the essential role of strength training in building...

Have you noticed that running can sometimes start to feel like a chore? If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Today we're talking about why this happens—and more importantly, how to reignite that inner spark. We unpack the common culprits behind burnout, from overtraining and life overload to the hormonal changes that often surface for women in their 40s and beyond. If you've...

This week, we’re diving deeper—not just into outdated strategies that no longer serve us as runners over 40, but into the powerful role identity plays in our running journey. As runners, we can define ourselves by pace, distance, or race goals. But over time, that performance-based mindset can start to feel limiting—or even discouraging. In this episode, we talk about what it means to step into a...