What's The Rusch

In this heartfelt and illuminating episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebeccas has the JOY of talking with her friend, Mirna Valerio—known to many as The Mirnavator. Mirna is an ultra-runner, writer, skier, poet, educator, and unapologetic force of joy. Together, they trace Mirna’s journey from a Brooklyn childhood to discovering mountains and ultimately reshaping what outdoor adventure looks and feels...

In this episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch shares an expansive and grounding conversation with former professional skateboarder turned artist/mindfulness teacher, Teddi Dean. From a countercultural childhood in 1970s Huntington Beach to riding for the legendary Bones Brigade and eventually embracing Buddhist vows, Teddi’s path is a journey of reinvention and self-discovery. Together, Rebe...

In this raw and fearless episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch is joined by legendary snowboarder, filmmaker, and community builder Jess Kimura. Known for her gritty street style and fearless progression, Jess has redefined women’s snowboarding—both on the board and behind the scenes. Together, Jess and Rebecca unpack everything from trauma and transformation to head injuries, grief, imposte...

In this rich and wide-ranging episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch welcomes beach volleyball legend, author, entrepreneur, and wellness icon Gabby Reece. Known for her powerhouse presence on and off the court, Gabby joins Rebecca for a real and reflective conversation on what it means to live a full-contact life—with strength, clarity, and compassion. Together, they explore the transitions...

This week on What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch shares space with ultra-endurance cyclist, storyteller, and Indigenous athlete Alexandera Houchin for a deeply honest and resonant conversation. A citizen of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, Alexandera is rewriting what it means to be a modern Native woman, professional athlete, and cultural steward—on her terms. Alexandera lives in northe...

This special episode of What’s the Rusch , comes to you live from the main Ideas stage at Outside Festival. Rebecca Rusch shares the stage with friend and pioneering mountaineer Melissa Arnot Reid. As the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, Melissa is no stranger to pushing boundaries. But this conversation goes far deeper than altitude. Together,...

This powerful in-person episode of What’s the Rusch was recorded live at the Outside Festival in Denver, where Rebecca Rusch is joined by legendary swimmer, author, and speaker Diana Nyad. Famous for her record-breaking swim from Cuba to Florida at age 64—after four failed attempts and 35 years of persistence—Diana shares more than a story of grit. She opens up about resilience, reinvention, the i...

In this episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch shares an intimate and inspiring conversation with Dr. Hebah Hefzy—a neurologist, mother of three, first-generation Egyptian American, and the first Muslim woman to complete the Western States 100 in hijab. A true trailblazer, Hebah's story is about far more than sport. It’s about rewriting the narrative, being a visual representation, and living...

In this vibrant episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch welcomes artist, writer, cyclist, and creative trailblazer Lisa Congdon. Known for her bold use of color and voice as an artist and activist, Lisa didn’t start her art career until nearly 40—proving that it's never too late to uncover your calling. In this candid conversation, Lisa and Rebecca explore what it means to build a life you lov...

In this episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca reconnects with longtime friend and fellow endurance athlete Travis Macy. Known for his career in ultra-endurance racing, bestselling books ( The Ultra Mindset and A Mile at a Time ), and coaching, Travis brings a powerful story of transformation shaped by sport, fatherhood, concussion recovery, and caring for a parent with Alzheimer's. Together, Rebec...

In this episode of What’s the Rusch , Rebecca Rusch connects with her longtime friend, world-renowned photographer and filmmaker Corey Rich. Known for hanging off cliffs with a camera in one hand and a story in the other, Corey reflects on a life built around capturing raw, authentic moments—in sport, in nature, and in the human spirit. Their conversation is a journey through decades of friendship...

In this deeply insightful episode of What's the Rusch , host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Dr. Allen Lim, renowned sports scientist, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Skratch Labs. Allen’s journey from a young, curious cyclist to one of the most influential figures in human performance is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and care. Through a raw and heartfelt conversation, Allen...

In this heartfelt episode of What’s the Rusch , host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Maureen Kolenyo, Regional Director of East Africa for World Bicycle Relief, transformational leader, and mother of five. Maureen shares her incredible journey from corporate powerhouse to purpose-driven changemaker, revealing how a simple bicycle can unlock safety, education, and opportunity for girls across Africa....

In this deeply introspective episode of What's the Rusch , host Rebecca Rusch sits down with world-renowned photographer, explorer, and endurance athlete, Chris Burkard. Known for capturing some of the most remote and untamed places on Earth, Chris reveals the deeper motivations behind his relentless pursuit of adventure. Chris shares his journey from being a self-taught photographer living out of...

In this deeply insightful episode of What’s the Rusch , host Rebecca Rusch sits down with acclaimed science writer and nature advocate Florence Williams . Known for her groundbreaking books The Nature Fix and Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey , Florence explores the profound ways that nature heals both the body and mind. Florence opens up about her personal journey of heartbreak follow...

In this episode of What's the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Haley Batten, a world-class mountain biker and Olympic silver medalist, to explore the delicate balance between competition, joy, and resilience. Haley shares her journey from a teenage prodigy in mountain biking to navigating the highest levels of the sport while facing personal challenges, including multiple concussions that...

In this powerful episode of What’s the Rusch , host Rebecca Rusch sits down with pioneering snowboarder, entrepreneur, and mother, Kimmy Fasani. Kimmy shares her extraordinary journey from breaking boundaries in professional snowboarding to facing one of life’s most difficult challenges: an aggressive cancer diagnosis. Through candid and heartfelt storytelling, Kimmy reveals how she found resilien...

In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca sits down with world-renowned photographer, adventurer, mental health advocate, and storyteller Cory Richards for an unfiltered conversation about resilience, identity, and the power of letting go. Cory has been on the highest peaks in the world and captured some of the most breathtaking images. But his greatest expedition has been the journey within. F...

Rebecca Rusch welcomes Chip Conley and Christine Sperber, co-founders of Modern Elder Academy (MEA), the world's first midlife wisdom school. This insightful conversation explores how to reframe midlife transitions from crisis to chrysalis, the importance of embracing physical well-being through all life stages, and how to navigate personal reinvention with intention and purpose. Transformative In...

In this powerful and intimate conversation, Rebecca Rusch sits down with renowned scientist and women's performance expert Dr. Stacy Sims. Together they explore the intersection of science, athletics, mental health, and what it means to be a woman pushing boundaries in male-dominated fields. From childhood curiosity to professional triumphs and personal struggles, this conversation dives deep into...

In this revealing episode of What's the Rusch, Rebecca sits down with fitness pioneers Kelly and Juliet Starrett to strip away the polished exterior of their fitness empire and explore the raw, human journey that shaped their approach to resilience, relationships, and redefining strength. Show Notes: The Layers We Shed: Kelly's journey from competitive paddler to injury, forcing him to shed his at...

In this inaugural episode of What's the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch sits down with renowned performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais for an intimate conversation about the journey from high performance to true mastery. Together, they explore how sometimes our greatest breakthroughs come not from pushing harder, but from having the courage to be still. Show notes: In this episode, Rebecca and Dr. Gerv...

In the inaugural episode of 'What's the Rush' podcast, "At the Trailhead", Rebecca Rusch shares her journey of how this all began, as a world champion athlete and adventurer, exploring themes of personal growth, identity, and the importance of introspection. Through her experiences in endurance sports and transformative expeditions, particularly the emotional journey of finding her father's crash...