The Alchemical Life

Summary In this episode, I break down how to manage strength training stimulus for endurance athletes without wrecking yourself. I emphasize the importance of load and stimulus management over merely sports-specific exercises. Your body sees all training as cumulative fatigue. If you're constantly tired despite training "right" or coaching athletes who break down mid-block, this is...

Summary Welcome psycho...therapist Paul Peavy to the podcast! We get real about the dark side of endurance training —anxiety, OCD, comparison culture, and the constant pressure to do more. He gives the ultimate breathwork practice to calm our emotional brain and expand our prefrontal cortex. We also tackle eating disorders in endurance sports, how social media messes with our heads, and why faith...

Summary In this episode, I break down why static stretching isn't the injury prevention hero we've been told it is—and what runners should actually be doing instead. I explain what's physiologically happening when you hold your hamstring stretch and why it's a temporary solution to an ongoing problem. But NO FEAR! Solutions are here. We chat about why strength training and dyna...

Summary One of my favorite episodes to date. Hybrid athlete Alec Blenis is a competitive marathoner with the physique of a body builder. He is proficient across many training modalities- Crossfit, ultra marathons, and olympic lifting, just to name a few. In this episode, I had the honor to pick his brain on  workout quality over volume for the marathon, weekly mileage, the benefits of cross traini...

SUMMARY: Perspective can be a PED. Our mindset can make or break our performance as endurance athletes. As someone that has struggled deeply with this in my own training, business, and life, I am passionate about sharing this with you guys. Mental tools such as, self-talk, visualization, and goal setting (with the research behind it), are crucial for success in sport, and I also go over how you ca...

Let's welcome back fan-favorite Gary Droze!!! He comes back on the pod to discuss the psychology behind sports and racing. We delve into the mental hurdles athletes face, the importance of mental toughness, and practical strategies to overcome performance anxiety. As always, Gary shares personal anecdotes from his coaching career and his own experiences as an athlete, offering you guys valuab...

Summary In this episode, I dive into what happens when your training just isn't clicking-  the mental and physical roadblocks we all hit, when to step back and honestly assess where you're at, and how to deal with getting sick or injured. We get real about managing your headspace and adjusting your training when life throws curveballs because, let's be honest, none of us have it fig...

On this episode of the Alchemical Life Podcast, I interview Blaine McConnell- football player, Crossfit games athlete, Team USA bobsledder, and now freak athlete and creator of "the best damn training channel on YouTube". We chat about the nuances of training, the benefits of sprinting for endurance, and the art of auto-regulation in workouts. We go into topics like nicotine, PEDs, faste...

Summary: a good old Q&A. How I got into running, can you trust your watch, how hard is it really to maintain strength while endurance running AND can you actually get jacked and run fast?!?!?! MY COACHING: https://r.newie.app/fz5ve7j05jk8 MY WEBSITE:  www.alchemical-training.com   DISCOVER YOUR PROGRAM: https://www.alchemical-training.com/quiz   MY SOCIALS: instagram: www.instagram.com/abigail...

Summary In this episode, I use a presentation from a seminar I held to better connect the strength and endurance world. I break down exactly how to balance volume, frequency, and intensity to IMPROVE your performance- not sabotage it. Want to know how to structure your strength sessions, nail the hard-easy training week, and fuel your body to recover and perform?? Listen up, because let's fac...

SUMMARY In this episode, I dish out all the secrets for my mile training: my background, my training, what went right, what went wrong, etc. Learn how to run your FASTEST miles yet.  CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Mile Training Journey 02:29 Background and Initial Training Experience 04:50 Transitioning to Mile Training 09:41 Challenges Faced During Training 13:02 What Went Right in Training 18:07...

Summary Marriage is great, but should you be married to your mileage? Welcome to MA, mileage anonymous. Here we do not judge!! Figure out if you are in fact married to hitting mileage, when it becomes a problem, and most importantly - HOW TO SOLVE IT!  Oh, and I give 3 tips to almost ALWAYS guarantee a great run. Boom baby. You're welcome.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mileage Awareness 02:...

Summary State champion coach Gary Droze reveals which performance enhancers actually work—from caffeine timing to super shoes to altitude training—and exposes the expensive myths that slow you down. Plus: why your smartwatch might be sabotaging your training instincts. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Gary Droz and His Background 02:40 Transitioning to Coaching and Training Philosophy 05:23 Explorin...

Summary: Hey! Today we chat about the importance of your training background when it comes to programming considerations for runners and lifters. Discover how your origin story can shape your training approach and learn about the benefits of tailored programs designed to meet your unique needs. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction. 02:00 - Understanding Your Background 05:30 - Programming Considerations...

Summary: Elite masters runner Katie Sherron is an incredible runner and complete phenom in races from the mile to the half, but struggled in reaching her capabilities in the marathon. After several poor marathon experiences, Katie decided to go after it one more time. Today, she comes on the podcast to discuss her steps to a 2:50 marathon. Learn about the training, fueling, and race day strategy t...

Summary In this episode, I break down the essential aspects of strength training for runners. I address the 8 biggest DONT'S when it comes to strength training as a runner. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Strength Training for Runners 02:42 Key No-Nos in Strength Training for Runners 08:58 The Importance of Unilateral vs. Bilateral Training 11:46 Rest and Recovery in Strength Training 15:37 Pl...

Summary Welcome Danny Manausa to The Alchemical Life Podcast. Tune in to learn how to train for your best 5k yet, along with strategies for race day. We also talk about the value of training partners, current training, and future race goals.  Chapters 00:00 The Roots of Running 02:39 Lessons from Running 05:22 Training for the 5K 11:15 Injury Management and Strength Training 16:41 Race Day Strateg...

Summary In this episode, I dive into the mental exhaustion that comes with intense training and how it impacts every aspect of life - from performance to relationships. I share my personal struggles with training fatigue and the strategies I've discovered to manage it. We'll explore how to reframe negative thoughts and, most importantly, recognize when your mind is telling you it's...

Summary In this episode, I dive into my current speed training journey as I prep for an upcoming mile race. I get real about why speed work matters even for us endurance folks, break down what my weekly training actually looks like, and talk through the struggle of trying to hit intervals when it's blazing hot outside. I also share what I've learned about fueling properly and why recover...

Summary This episode is a special one. Stephanie Liles-Weyant is a competitive endurance runner, triathlete, and all-around badass. It was such a privilege to sit and talk with her about her beginnings as a runner, her journey into tri training, and the setbacks she experienced that brought her to me as a client...and all the progress she has made since. Join in for some laughs, a couple tears, an...

Summary In today's episode, I define what it means to be an "unbreakable runner" and the importance of being proactive rather than waiting until injury strikes. You learn how to identify weak links in your body and implement targeted strength protocols that address your unique needs as a runner. I talked about the value of structured training and good coaching to guide this process....

Summary In this episode of The Alchemical Life podcast, Veronica comes back on the pod to discuss our biggest pet peeves as trainers, covering a range of topics from gym etiquette to client interactions. We also share some stories about our party days with late-night fast food adventures and the challenges of navigating relationships while maintaining self-awareness in their professional lives. Ch...

Summary Hey runners! In this episode, I dive into the critical issue of burnout that so many of us face on our running journey. What is burnout? How do you know if you have it? How do you fix it? Well, I give you my best action steps for climbing out of the burnout hole - from learning to actually listen to your body (not just your watch), finding hobbies beyond running, and creating a realistic r...

Summary Everyone meet my client and good friend, Kat.  Katrina redefines what it means to be busy. A mom of three, a successful career, a passion for fitness... We discuss the challenges of balancing motherhood with personal fitness goals, the importance of modeling healthy behaviors for children, and the necessity of self-care.  Katrina shares her experiences with gym overwhelm, the guilt of taki...

Summary In today's episode, I'm diving into one of the biggest frustrations I see with runners who start strength training: you're doing the work, but still getting injured! I share the biggest reasons I see a strength training plan fail for runners. Trust me, after implementing these strategies, you'll finally understand why your previous approach wasn't working and how t...