Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Weight is a pretty taboo topic, like money or sex. This week for #HURDLEMOMENT, I'm sharing a recent conversation I had about mine with a follower, and offering up some insight on how NOT to address such a touchy subject (especially with someone you may not know all that well). As someone who has struggled with hers over the years — and is forever a work in progress when it comes to body confidenc...

I absolutely adore Jess Sims. If you’re looking for some motivating, fresh perspective on everything from how to tackle a workout when you definitely don’t feel like it to navigating loneliness — she is your woman. For episode 121, I’m chatting with the Peloton instructor about her upbringing in Massachusetts, her first career as an educator, and the big transition that came with pivoting into fit...

I’ve been seeing the same therapist since October. On Wednesday of this week, we had our last session together. I just had an inkling that I was ready to move on to the next chapter. Toward the beginning of our chat, she said “I’d like for us to round out our final session by you telling me what you’ve learned about yourself in our time together.” A few things stood out, but mainly this: It become...

As Nelly once said: It's. Getting. Hot. Out . There. Summer running, complete with gross, thick humidity, can be uber difficult. Some days, it feels like you're a total slug. Tough conditions can make even the most experienced marathoners wonder whether they've ever laced up before. The good news? There are some tips and tricks that you can use on those hot, hard runs to make things more pleasant....

This is about running. This is not about running. Chris Bennett, better known to athletes worldwide as Nike Running’s Coach Bennett, has a special way with words that encourages athletes of every level to be their best. In episode 120, the first of Hurdle’s season three (!), Bennett talks about the things you may expect from a coach, like best-practice tips for newbies and veterans alike, as well...

Easier said than done, that’s for sure. In this week’s 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I’m sharing a valuable lesson I learned a few years back about the difference between facts and feelings. It's been a game-changer for me when it comes to processing emotions and making positive progress. I'm also sharing a big breakthrough from the past week, involving my bike, a few hills, a bridge, and a supercharged fist p...

At the beginning of April, I got beautiful new bicycle — a Specialized Roubaix. Since then, I've learned a helluva lot. From the must-carry essentials for every ride to the ins and outs of urban cycling, I can vouch that there's a huge learning curve when it comes to being a total newb. Good news: I've got you covered. For #HURDLEMOMENT this week, I'm giving you the download on what I've lear...

What do you get when Whole Foods meets Costco? Cue Thrive Market , an online, membership-driven shop that brings organic, top-quality finds at wholesale, affordable prices. For episode 119, I’m chatting with founder Nick Green, bringing it back to his beginnings outside of Minneapolis. We talk about how healthy living has always been a priority, growing up in a home where his mom sent him to sleep...

I spent a better part of my day yesterday writing. But unlike most days, when I’m working on fitness content or offering up health tips, today’s words were mostly about my love for New York. Every day lately, it feels like someone new is telling me that they’re leaving this special place. Some permanently. Others just for now. New York has been one of the greatest loves of my life, and this week f...

Maybe you're having trouble sleeping. Perhaps, you're dreaming a ton. Or, you keep waking up in the middle of the night. Or *feel* as though you can't hit the pillow before taking melatonin. Sleep is one of the most important things in our lives, period. For #HURDLEMOMENT this week, I'm sitting down with Dr. Brittany Blair, a licensed clinical psychologist, board certified in both sleep and sexual...

Jay Ell Alexander wants to squash the notion that Black women don’t run. She herself recalls a time when she was the only Black female running with her training team, as a recent college graduate who wanted to incorporate more physical activity into her routine and get healthier. Today, she’s the CEO and owner of Black Girls Run , an organization that encourages and motivates women to get active a...

In April I was in a really bad place. Emotionally and physically. On the 10th of that month, I shared a story on Instagram about going into my kitchen 14 different times in one day. I was using food to cope with my problems, and I wasn't feeling good. I wrote about it some for SHAPE . Stepping on the scale was the final straw, reminding me of a difficult college #hurdlemoment , and thus began a lo...

There's a whole lot going on right now. On top of the global pandemic and the fight for racial justice, there's also the everyday hardships that go hand-in-hand with your "regular" routine. It's not easy to have difficult talks with your friends, family members, coworkers, and (especially) complete strangers. But, if there's one thing I do know, it's that a hard discussion is always worth having....

Kerri Walsh Jennings is probably one of the best female athletes of all time. Bold statement, I know, but I grew up watching this beach volleyball player dominate year after year. As 5-time Olympian, Walsh Jennings has come back time and time again, showcasing her tenacity and strength not only in her sport — but as a human. In episode 117, I chat with Walsh Jennings about her journey, growin...

#REPOST: This week on Hurdle, I’m reposting five back-to-back episodes featuring Black guests, hoping to amplify their voices and continue my commitment of being a better ally. Today's episode was originally recorded in November 2019. Spoiler alert: This Is one of my favorite live episodes to date. When Charlie Dark ( @daddydarkrdc ) started running, he was in a bad place. Dropped by his record la...

#REPOST: This week on Hurdle, I’m reposting five back-to-back episodes featuring Black guests, hoping to amplify their voices and continue my commitment of being a better ally. Today's episode was originally recorded in June 2019. If you ask George Foreman III what it’s like to grow up with a two-time heavyweight champion as a dad, he’s pretty humble about it—because that’s all he’s ever known. Gr...

#REPOST: This week on Hurdle, I’m reposting five back-to-back episodes featuring Black guests, hoping to amplify their voices and continue my commitment of being a better ally. Today's episode was originally recorded in February of this year. There's nothing easy about the long road to Tokyo for “400M Diva” Natasha Hastings. A two-time Olympian and gold medalist, the sprinter recently celebrated a...

#REPOST: This week on Hurdle, I’m reposting five back-to-back episodes featuring Black guests, hoping to amplify their voices and continue my commitment of being a better ally. Today's episode was originally recorded in December of 2019. I could listen to Knox Robinson (better known to his 28K+ IG followers as @firstrun) talk for a while, which is no wonder why this is my longest Hurdle to date. T...

#REPOST: Showcasing guests of all races and backgrounds has always been important to me as a creator. I value every single person that gives me their time and energy, from the individuals I sit down with to the listeners tuning in on the regular. This week on Hurdle, I’m reposting five back-to-back episodes featuring Black guests, hoping to amplify their voices and continue my commitment of being...

Aliphine Tuliamuk almost quit running in 2014. Fast forward about 6 years, and in February 2020, she made the U.S. Olympic team. Coming in first place at the Olympic marathon trials in Atlanta, she broke the tape with an outstanding time of 2:27:23. In episode 111, we chat about everything from her upbringing in rural Kenya, running to and from school (as well as just about everywhere else), and h...

My 32nd birthday’s next week. With June 2 on the horizon, I’ve been doing a decent amount of reflection. I’ve stopped to think about the past 365 days. I’ve thought about my hopes for the next 365 days. I’ve reflected on all of my years as a whole. The other day I was standing in my bathroom, when I had a really unexpected, emotional moment thinking about where I'm at in my life. In today's episod...

It’s no secret that I’m a morning person. If you follow me on social media, then you know I’m typically up with the sun. But my morning routine has definitely changed since we’ve been in quarantine, and this experimentation has actually done me a world of good. This week for #HURDLEMOMENT, I’m talking you through the four things I’m doing differently right now that actually make me better and more...

Matt Taylor is super passionate about the sport of running, and TBH — it makes me pretty giddy. For episode 110, I chat with the Tracksmith CEO & founder about how he got to where he is today. He tells me about his aspirations of running professionally after growing up in Pittsburgh, running cross country in high school and then at collegiate level at Yale. He tells me that his times just...

This week for 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, I'm sharing a story about a really special summer. Back in 2008, I was about halfway through my weight loss journey and about to embark on a new job as a programming director at a summer camp in Madison, Conn. Before I pulled up to 463 Summer Hill Road, I stopped to make a purchase that would change my life. The best part? It only cost me $45.  PROMPT: How have...

First and foremost: Fast is interpretive. When I started running back in college, I was running a half-mile in 14 minutes, trying to learn to love a sport that I was "never good at." Fast forward to now: I’ve run a 6:04 mile, a 1:44:39 half-marathon, and a 3:28:08 full. In today’s #HURDLEMOMENT, I’m sharing strategies on how to become a faster runner. From incorporating speed work into your regula...