Mindful Marathon Podcast

In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I’m joined by Katy Vieira, DPT, physical therapist, run coach, and owner of Re•Move Rehab & Performance, for a practical conversation about running injury prevention and rehab, designed especially for busy women runners. We talk about the most common complaints Katy sees in her practice, the biggest mistakes runners make when it comes to injury...

Asthma is common among runners, yet it’s often misunderstood, minimized, or feared. In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I’m joined by board-certified allergist Dr. Gina Dapul-Hidalgo to break down what asthma really means for runners and how athletes can train safely, confidently, and successfully. We discuss the physiology of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, common sy...

This week, we’re taking a heartfelt look back at 2025 and celebrating the incredible runners who made this year so meaningful. From first races to PRs, from brave comebacks to bucket-list finish lines, our Mindful Marathon athletes showed us how it's done. In this episode, I’m sharing some of the standout moments from the year across a variety of race distances, a half Ironman, a world-major marat...

In this short holiday episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, Coach Michelle shares 12 gentle reminders for runners as we close out the year. Designed to be calming, encouraging, and easy to listen to during a busy holiday week, this episode is a permission slip to let go of pressure and reflect on what truly matters. In this episode: 12 mindful reminders for runners during the holidays Why consi...

Most people wait until January 1st to think about fresh starts, but as runners, physicians, and busy professionals, we know that change doesn’t follow a calendar. In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I’m inviting you to rethink December as a powerful time for reflection, reset, and intentional goal setting. Inspired by the energy of the season (and fresh off an incredible year-end goal...

Winter running is tough. We have darker mornings, colder temperatures, holiday stress, and unpredictable schedules which make it feel harder than ever to stay motivated. If your running has felt off lately, you’re not alone. In this episode, Coach Michelle shares a supportive guide to boost your motivation during the winter months. You’ll learn how to reconnect with your purpose, set yourself up f...

December can feel like one of the hardest months to stay consistent with your running. Between colder temperatures, darker mornings, holiday stress, and disrupted routines, so many runners feel like they’re “falling behind.” In this episode, Coach Michelle shares three things she wants you to stop doing this month - habits and mindsets that make winter running harder than it needs to be. And, she'...

In this Thanksgiving week episode, Coach Michelle shares why the Turkey Trot has become one of her favorite holiday running traditions!  For many women physicians, Thanksgiving can feel like another marathon: cooking, hosting, managing schedules, keeping the family afloat, all while trying to slow down long enough to enjoy the day. The Turkey Trot offers something rare: a moment that belongs entir...

Ever wish you could leave work on time and still have the energy to run, rest, or enjoy your evening? This week on the Mindful Marathon Podcast, Dr. Michelle Quirk sits down with Dr. Mary Leung, physician and certified life coach who helps doctors reclaim their time, energy, and joy. After years of long hours and late-night charting, Dr. Mary discovered a new way forward that was grounded in minds...

Cold weather doesn’t mean you have to hang up your running sneakers. In this episode, Dr. Michelle Quirk — physician, run coach, and founder of Mindful Marathon — shares practical and mindful ways to keep running through the winter. Whether you’re training for a race or simply want to maintain your routine, this episode will help you layer up, stay motivated, and find joy in your cold-weather mile...

In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, Coach Michelle welcomes Sarah Skobeloff, a registered dietitian specializing in sports performance and ADHD, for a conversation that every runner needs to hear. Together, they unpack what it truly means to fuel for performance, and how common diet culture messages can hold us back from running and feeling our best. They dive into the science and min...

In this week’s episode of The Mindful Marathon Podcast, Dr. Michelle Quirk is joined by Dr. Siri Chand for a thoughtful conversation on recovery, resilience, and redefining health in the wake of long COVID. Dr. Chand shares her personal experience navigating dysautonomia and long COVID, and how she’s learned to adapt her approach to movement, rest, and healing. Together, they discuss the importanc...

In this episode, Dr. Michelle Quirk sits down with Dr. Alex Fiks — pediatrician, researcher, and endurance athlete — to talk about his evolving fitness journey. Alex shares how an avid cyclist found his way into running, what he learned from completing a Half Ironman relay, and why he’s now training for the Philadelphia Half Marathon with a mission that goes beyond the miles. Together, they discus...

Join Dr. Michelle Quirk and Dr. Laurel Kilpatrick for a heartfelt conversation about letting go of mom guilt and learning to rest. They share personal stories about burnout, solo travel, and the power of giving yourself permission to recharge. Dr. Kilpatrick opens up about her own journey through burnout, her leave of absence, and how coaching helped her rebuild a sustainable, fulfilling life in m...

In this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing reflections from my recent Mindful Movement Retreat, where a small group of incredible women physicians stepped away from their busy lives to exhale, rest, and reconnect with themselves. We jogged and walked by the beach, practiced yoga, experienced a sound bowl session and yoga nidra, and most importantly, gave ourselves permission to pause. So often we...

Fueling well is one of the biggest challenges for runners and one of the most important pieces of training. This week, I’m joined by Rebecca Jaspan MPH, RD, CEDS, CDCES, registered dietitian, eating disorder specialist, and founder of Rebecca Jaspan Nutrition. Rebecca is also a runner herself, so she knows firsthand the obstacles athletes face when it comes to eating enough, finding the right bala...

In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Marion McCrary, a primary care physician, national board-certified health and wellness coach, and fellow runner who didn’t lace up until her 30s. At age 42, she crossed the finish line of her very first half marathon. Dr. McCrary shares the ups and downs of her running journey, from training for three half marathons in 18 months,...

The 10k is often overlooked, but it might be the most underrated race distance of all. In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, Coach Michelle unpacks why the 10k is such a powerful distance: Why it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned runners. How it helps build confidence and bridges the gap between the 5k and half marathon. The science: how 10k training builds aerobic efficiency an...

We did it! 52 episodes, one full year of the Mindful Marathon Podcast! In this special anniversary episode, I’m reflecting on the journey so far and sharing some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned along the way. You’ll hear: Why solo episodes stretched me outside my comfort zone and how that’s a lot like trying something new in running The power of consistency and how scheduling podcast time beca...

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Amelia Bueche - osteopathic physician, lifelong athlete, coach, and founder of This Osteopathic Life. We explore how the lessons of running and triathlon translate into everyday life: adapting to new paces, finding complementary movement, and recognizing when it’s time to shift gears. Amelia shares her own journey with athletics, mindset, and burnout, including...

Building a strong running base is one of the most important steps you can take as a runner, whether you’re just starting out, coming back from an injury, or resetting after a big training cycle. In this episode, I break down what base training is, why easy miles matter, and how long you should spend in this phase. You’ll learn the key goals of base building, how it sets you up for future success,...

Do you ever feel like you’re not a “real runner”? Maybe you think you’re too slow, need to run a certain distance, or have to look a certain way to belong on the pavement. I’ve been there too, and I’ve learned that these are just stories we tell ourselves that hold us back. In this episode, I’m sharing the 5 most common running myths that stop beginners from starting or enjoying running, and the t...

Every runner starts somewhere, and for me, it started with just five minutes around the block. In this episode, I’m sharing the story of how I went from a stressed-out new physician to crossing the finish line of my very first 5K. Whether you’re brand new to running or just getting back into it, you’ll hear the simple, sustainable steps that helped me build consistency, confidence, and joy in runn...

Curious about how to navigate running during pregnancy and after baby arrives? In this episode, Coach Michelle is joined by OB-GYN and mom of four, Dr. Carolyn Moyers, for a candid and informative conversation all about running through the seasons of motherhood. We cover listener questions and key topics like: Safe ways to keep running while pregnant, the best gear for pregnancy and postpartum (bu...

What does a half Ironman teach you about running, racing, and doing hard things? In this episode, I’m recapping my experience at the Musselman 70.3, where I teamed up for the relay and coached my husband Tony to complete the full race. I’m sharing the highs, the rough parts (hello, ocean-like waves!), and the key takeaways that apply to any distance or challenge: trusting your training, leaning in...