Plucky Not Perfect Podcast

We're starting something new! It's called Coaching Corner. It’s a real coaching session recorded live and shared with you. This is an insider’s look at what it’s like to work with Coach Carrie.  In my session with Alex, you might relate if you… * lack community and would like to find more runner friends * are in a phase of life where running isn’t as much of a priority as it used to be * would lik...

In this episode we dive more into the definition of “plucky” –what it is and isn’t. I give examples of plucky people including my friend, Mandy, and Susan Atkey , who writes about her stroke recovery on Medium . She is swimming 100k and raising awareness and funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation .  Learn to be plucky like a baby duck learns to fly–by winging it. Watch baby ducks courageously...

If you’ve lost a bit of who you are, this conversation with Miranda Bush is for you. She’s a triathlete, mom, coach, and author of a new book, “Far Better: Self-Discovery through the Power of Endurance Sports.”  Miranda encourages others to find their authentic selves, live out of love rather than fear, and embrace the transformative power of endurance sports for personal growth.    We talk about...

Discouragement: it's real, and it happens to everyone. We all "fall off the wagon." The trick is getting back on. In this solo episode I share three ways you can defeat discouragement so you can keep going.    Remember to share your #pluckynotperfect moments on social media. Tag me and use the hashtag when you show up bravely and imperfectly. I want to celebrate with you! Connect with your host: C...

Molly Hurford is plucky in many multifaceted ways. As a self-described unathletic bookworm/punk kid, she developed a new identity as an Ironman athlete in her 20s after realizing that donuts and Mountain Dew didn’t make her feel good. She’s now an ultrarunner who hosts The Business of Fitness podcast and co-hosts the Consummate Athlete podcast. She created Shred Girls, a middle-grade fiction serie...

How do you know if you’ve picked the right goal?  Whether you’re an avid goal-setter or a skeptic, this episode will help you look in all the right places when considering your plans for the coming year.  In this solo episode I guide you through a process of looking backward, forward, within, around, and up to discover a “goldilocks” goal that’s just right for you.  Kickstart a fulfilling and inte...

My fun, fierce and fabulous friend from Colorado Springs, Lauren Puretz, recently completed Javelina Jundred 2023, placing fourth. She’s an amazing all-around human who works full-time as OB/GYN, is a mom of two, and an ultra runner who also placed first overall at the Sawatch Ascent 50k this summer, a race she entered on a whim as a training run.  In this conversation, we talk about: How she mana...

Have you ever been held back by fear?  The episode explores the idea of befriending fear rather than resisting or ignoring it.  We talk about the five types of fear and why labeling can be effective.  The show concludes with a five-step guide for moving forward in the face of fear.  Journaling ideas:  If I wasn’t afraid, I would…. If I couldn’t fail, I would…. Write about your why or your purpose....

Megan Williams is CEO of the Forbes-featured publishing house The Self Publishing Agency. She’s also an award-winning author, occasional elite runner, and a former Div 1 all-American collegiate athlete. Whether in athletics or in the realm of words, it’s all about the climb and putting in the work, she says. Runners and writers alike will draw inspiration from Megan’s perspective on excellence ove...

Sandra Mikulic has completed five marathons and two 50Ks. She works full-time, is a mom of four, and self-publishes her magazine, Run Your Life. Sandra shares her journey of running a 5K EVERY day since January 2019, highlighting the transformative power of running and the importance of showing up for oneself. You’ll also hear about: Insights into Sandra's struggles with self-worth, societal expec...

If you've ever doubted your body or your ability to be athletic... If you've ever enjoyed running and then had to take a break or reimagine what it might look like to return to it in a different capacity... If you've ever experienced an obstacle such as a chronic health condition... If you've ever faced feelings of being an imposter... This conversation is for you. Gillian Macgregor-Spurr started...

You’ll be inspired by Zarah Hofer’s story of transformation from non-runner to ultra runner who now helps other athletes nail their nutrition. Even appendicitis couldn’t keep her from finishing the Boston Marathon two weeks after hospitalization.  In her 20s and 30s Zarah was never a runner. She cried if anyone tried to take her on a run. When she decided to run a marathon her goal was to be faste...

Rebecca Roache is associate professor of philosophy at the University of London, and host of The Academic Imperfectionist podcast. Her book,”For F*ck's Sake: Why Swearing is Shocking, Rude, and Fun” will be published by Oxford University Press in November 2023. You’ll hear her fascinating story about a later-in-life start to running and why she runs without shoes. Plus, insights on how swearing ca...

Did you know that your negative thoughts can help you and your running? This is a follow-up to the episode with Courtney McQueen, founder of Run Like a Girl . We talked about having negative thoughts and the importance of writing them down. Negative thoughts are completely normal.  It’s learning how to reframe these thoughts that can help contribute to a more positive and productive running experi...

Becky VanDrunen's path from non-runner to half-marathoner will encourage you to lean into the unexpected joy of "being the worst in the room." It may also spark motivation to build the communities you need.  Favorite quotes:  "When you’re a beginner, it is hard. And it’s not more hard for you than it is for anyone else starting. And because it’s hard, it’s not a reason to stop.” "Being a beginner...

Courtney McQueen is the owner, director and co-founder of Run Like a Girl (RLAG). She’s a mom of two and an ultra-runner who is currently not able to run the long distances she craves. In this episode Courtney talks about how she got started running, why she founded RLAG, and how she copes with negative thoughts and injury. This episode will encourage you to think positively regardless of your cir...

I'm peeling back the curtain on my journey to 70.3. Be encouraged as you hear that on the other side of my shiny medal was a messy middle.  Learn about a fail, a mindset shift, a life-threatening condition, and other obstacles that had to be overcome along the way.  PLUCKY thinking is that You can have plenty of doubts and worries along the way and still have a desirable end result. Feel the fear...

In this episode you'll learn who this podcast is for. It's for you if you:  Feel “not good enough: Wonder if you’re “too much” Suspect you’re “not a real runner” You used to run and you’re not sure you can get back into it Feel a little ashamed you’re not more consistent, or you don’t always love running Doubt you’ll ever get to that goal you dream about Being plucky is all about determined courag...