Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

Prepping for the Long Haul 100: Training, Mindset, and Fueling Strategies with Kevin With just two days to go before toeing the line at the Long Haul 100, Kevin takes us behind the scenes of his year-long build toward a 100-mile ultra marathon. In this episode, we dive into what really went into his preparation—from how his training evolved over time, to the mindset shifts that made the biggest di...

Skinny culture is making a comeback… and honestly, it’s got me concerned. It’s not only back — it feels like it’s EVERYWHERE. And it’s not serving runners — especially women in their 40s and beyond. In this episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast , Kevin and I have a real, honest conversation about why chasing “skinny” is holding so many runners back — from stronger runs, better recovery, and lon...

As a new year begins, it’s natural to feel the pull to set big goals for what’s ahead. In this episode, we’re diving into why so many New Year’s resolutions don’t last —and more importantly, how to set goals for 2026 that actually stick. We talk about the difference between outcome goals (like hitting a race time or distance) and process goals—the daily and weekly actions that truly move the needl...

On this special Christmas Day episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast (Episode 441), we slow things down and explore a different side of running — one that goes far beyond pace, mileage, or goals. Today’s conversation invites you to see running as a spiritual practice — a space for reflection, waiting, preparation, and renewal. Drawing inspiration from spiritual traditions like Advent, we talk ab...

As runners, it’s so easy to look back on a year and immediately zoom in on what didn’t go as planned — the missed runs, the injuries, the goals we didn’t hit. In this episode, we slow things down and invite you into a different kind of reflection — one rooted in curiosity, compassion, and growth rather than judgment. We guide you through a thoughtful process to reflect on your year in running, hel...

In this week’s episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kate Edwards , a physical therapist with more than 15 years of experience and someone who brings so much compassion and clarity to the running community. From the very beginning, I knew this conversation would resonate deeply with runners who struggle with identity, injury, stress, or the constant pressure to “do it all.”...

December has a way of shining a spotlight on our default habits. With holiday schedules, travel, celebrations, and a million extra to-dos, it’s easy to feel like your running routine gets thrown off track. But here’s what you might not realize: December doesn’t break your consistency— it simply reveals the defaults you fall back on when life gets full. In this episode, we talk about how to shift t...

This week’s episode is all about something we all need a little more of—gratitude, grounding, and giving ourselves grace through the holidays. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re diving into simple, practical ways you can weave gratitude into your running and daily life. Not in a “force yourself to be grateful” kind of way, but in a gentle, real, “let’s slow down and notice what’s goo...

Training Single-Leg Control for Better Running In this week’s episode, we’re diving into something I talk about with runners every single day : your hips. If you’ve ever wondered why certain niggles keep showing up, why your gait feels “off,” or why your stride doesn’t feel as smooth as it should, this episode is for you. Although many people think of running as a two-legged sport, it is actually...

In this week’s episode, Kevin and I dive into something that so many runners (especially my fellow Type A personalities!) will relate to — the paradox of control. As runners, we love our plans, our paces, our structure. Control helps us stay consistent and push toward our goals. But when that need for control starts to take over, it can also lead to stress, frustration, and even burnout — both on...

In this final episode of our recovery series, we’re diving into one of the most overlooked — yet absolutely essential — parts of recovery: your nervous system. So often, runners think recovery is just about foam rolling, stretching, and getting enough sleep. But real recovery goes deeper. It’s about helping your body and mind shift out of “go mode” and into a state where true repair can happen. He...

This week on the Real Life Runners Podcast, we’re continuing our recovery series by diving into the tools that everyone seems to be talking about — cold plunges, saunas, compression gear, massage guns, and more. There’s a lot of hype out there, but what actually works? 🤔  In this episode, we break down the science behind these popular recovery methods — how they affect your body, when to use them...

Recovery isn’t just what happens when you stop running — it’s where the real progress happens. In this week’s episode, we’re diving into the science behind active and passive recovery so you can understand how each plays a vital role in helping you become a stronger, more resilient runner. I’ll break down what’s actually happening inside your body during recovery and why alternating between rest a...

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...