Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

In this episode, we’re unpacking the paradox behind the advice of “Just do it before you’re ready”. Because yes—taking action before you feel fully ready can be powerful. It helps you move through hesitation, build momentum, and start building the confidence you’ve been waiting for. Whether it’s getting back into running, starting strength training, signing up for a race, or making a big life deci...

We hear it all the time: “choose your hard.” But here’s the truth—not all “hard” is created equal. In this episode, I break down the difference between aligned hard (the kind that builds you) and misaligned hard (the kind that leads to burnout, injury, and disconnection). Because constantly pushing isn’t discipline—it’s often your body being ignored. Aligned hard looks like showing up when you don...

In this episode, we share a real-life story about our dog coming back from the backyard completely covered in sticky weeds—and how it’s the perfect analogy for what so many runners are experiencing. So often, we think progress comes from doing more—more miles, more strength, more data, more plans. But in reality, it’s the weeds —the things that don’t belong—that are quietly holding you back. We de...

Have you ever felt the urge to switch plans, apps, races, or gear—thinking something new will finally move you forward? In this episode, I’m talking about shiny object syndrome and how it quietly keeps runners stuck. I share a personal example from our business where we changed platforms to “fix” a problem, only to realize later that we didn’t need something new—we just needed to go deeper with wh...

Ever feel tired and wonder what to do about it? With the recent shift from daylight saving time, a lot of runners are feeling the effects of disrupted sleep—and that small change can actually increase fatigue, slow reaction time, and even raise injury risk. That’s why we wanted to walk through how we think about fatigue as coaches and runners ourselves. One of the biggest things we see is that not...

Last week we introduced the Three I’s of change: information (knowing), implementation (doing), and integration (becoming). But this week, I realized something was missing. In this episode, I expand the model into the 4-I Framework by adding the most important piece: intention. Because here’s what we see all the time — runners have plenty of information. You know easy runs should feel like a 2–3/1...

You likely know what to do. Strength train. Eat more protein. Fuel with carbs. Run easy. Sleep more. So why is it still so hard to actually do those things consistently? In this episode, we dive into the real reason knowledge alone doesn’t create change — and why lasting progress happens when habits become part of who you are, not just something you try to check off a list. We break down the three...

If running has started to feel harder after 40—more aches and pains, lingering tightness, slower paces, low energy, or frustrating injuries—you’re not alone. In this episode, I’m breaking down the 3 essential pieces of a strong running foundation and why so many runners skip them (even the ones who are “doing all the right things”). You’ll learn why running alone doesn’t build the foundation you n...

The winter olympics have returned, and if you’ve been listening to our podcast for awhile, you know we love the Olympics! The grit. The perseverance. The stories.  Unless you’ve been living under a rock this week, you’ve probably heard of Lindsey Vonn’s comeback. After devastating injuries and stepping away from professional skiing for several years (her last Olympics was 8 years ago), she chose t...

In this solo episode, I’m taking some time to pause, reflect, and look back on 45 years of life, growth, and learning—both on and off the run. I’m sharing the lessons that have shaped me as a runner, a coach, and a human, and the shifts that continue to guide how I show up today. I talk about how my relationship with health and fitness has evolved over the years—from wanting to be skinny to wantin...

Fear doesn’t always look obvious. Sometimes it shows up as overthinking, second-guessing, or feeling stuck and unsure of your next move. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to choose faith over fear — not just in running, but in everyday life. Inspired by a meaningful Christmas gift with the words “Faith Over Fear,” this conversation dives into how fear can quietly impact training,...

In this episode, we share an honest recap of Kevin’s experience at the Long Haul 100. We dive into the emotional highs and lows of race day, the challenges Kevin faced along the way, and the mix of pride and disappointment that comes with tackling a 100-mile race. We also talk about what mattered most in the buildup and during the race—strength training, mobility, fueling, mindset, and the power o...

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...