Hurdle - podcast cover

Hurdle

Emily Abbatehurdle.us
Join veteran journalist and wellness coach Emily Abbate, on Hurdle — a wellness-focused podcast where she talks to inspirational people about everything from their highest highs and toughest moments to essential tips on how to live a healthier, happier, more motivated life. We all go through our fair share of hurdles. Emily's goal through these discussions is to empower you to better navigate yours and move with intention so that you can stride toward your own big potential and of course — have some fun along the way. Tell us: What's your #hurdlemoment?
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Episodes

#HURDLEMOMENT: Goal Setting 101 With Dr. Cheyenne Bryant

Goal setting can be super intimidating, and you're not alone if you're not entirely sure where to start. Today, I'm connecting with Dr. Cheyenne Bryant, a psychology expert and life coach who knows a thing or two about going after big things. We get into what you ~need~ to do before you set a goal, the important list you should make when writing yours down, and tap into the real purpose of them — finding happiness. Plus: How to know when to walk away from a goal, what to do if you hit a hurdle m...

Nov 03, 202149 min

182. Will Valderrama, Runner

On May 7, 2021, Will Valderrama (called Willy by some of his friends) found out that he has Multiple Sclerosis (MS) . On May 10, while at in-person treatment at Weill Cornell, he signed up for a marathon. At the time, he was in a wheel chair — unable to walk in a straight line. Fast forward five months and a lot of difficult moments: On October 16, not only did he run that marathon — but he conquered it, racing through Atlantic City, New Jersey in 4 hours, 22 minutes. When I saw the video of him...

Nov 01, 20211 hr 7 minSeason 7Ep. 182

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: On Not Judging Your Beginnings Too Harshly

This week has been a whirlwind, eh? Welcome, to all of the new Hurdlers listening to the show! On the 5-MINUTE FRIDAY segment, I typically just share a story from my week, then answer a listener question. This week, I'm talking about ~finally~ getting back into journaling, and navigating the holidays when you've got a little bit of family turbulence. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 from Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get five FREE travel packs and a year's s...

Oct 29, 20218 min

HURDLE LIVE! NYC Marathon Pep Talk & Answering Your Running Questions With Matt James, Cheryl Donald, Tim West & Melody Westen

We all navigate hurdles on the run. In this live conversation inside of Hub Seventeen at lululemon on Fifth Avenue, I break down how to navigate them with some fellow members of the New York running community leading up to the New York Marathon on November 7. From fueling and safety to navigating getting involved in a run crew and how to set smart goals — this conversation is full of laughs and leaves no stone unturned. A huge thanks to: Matt James, lululemon ambassador Cheryl Donald, chairperso...

Oct 28, 20211 hr 9 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: Harley Pasternak On Tips To Stay Healthy While Traveling

First things first: Let me reiterate that both Harley and myself agree that travel is to be enjoyed. Indulgent! You don't need to spend your time away entirely focused on your health and wellness routine — however there are small tweaks you can make to your day-to-day that can help you find balance on the move, and maybe even better enjoy your travels. Harley Pasternak is a wellness expert, bestselling author, and past Hurdle guest who knows a thing or two about staying healthy on the road — tra...

Oct 27, 202129 min

181. Carissa Moore, Pro Surfer & Olympic Gold Medalist

Surfing made its debut at the 2020 Olympics, and at 29 years old, Carissa Moore became the sport’s first-ever gold medalist. I’m catching up with the Hawaiian native and 5-time world champion for today’s episode, and let me tell you — she’s one of the kindest, brightest humans. We talk all about her backstory, how she started surfing with her dad at age 5, and the sacrifices she’s made along the way to make a name for herself in her sport. Plus: The #hurdlemoments she’s braved, including a 3-yea...

Oct 25, 202158 minSeason 7Ep. 181

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Is This Listener Flirting With Me?

A little diddy about gratitude, remembering not to focus on the crappy stuff, and a legit question about a voicemail I got recently. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 from Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get five FREE travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D with your first purchase. Goodr | Head to Goodr.com/Hurdle and use "HURDLE15" To get 15 percent off a pair of sunglasses today. New York City Live Hurdle Podcast w/ Lululemon NEWLY ANNOUNCED: THE HURDL...

Oct 22, 20217 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: How To Get Out Of a Funk

There are a zillion different types of funks. A funk of not eating well. A funk of not going on any dates (raises hand). A funk of not wanting to exercise. A funk of straying away from your journaling practice (the list goes on). For today's #HURDLEMOMENT, I'm offering up actionable steps to get out of yours — whatever it may be. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 from Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get five FREE travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D wi...

Oct 20, 202121 min

180. Kira Stokes, Trainer & Founder of The Stoked Method

This week I’m chatting with Kira Stokes, celebrity trainer and founder of both the Stoked Method and the KiraStokesFit app . Kira’s a health and wellness expert based in New York City, with over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry. After graduating from Boston College with a degree in psychology and a minor in health sciences, she went on to become obsessed with the beauty of movement — ultimately becoming a personal trainer (with almost too many certifications to count) and group fit...

Oct 18, 20211 hr 21 minSeason 7Ep. 180

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: How Can I Help When Things Feel Hard?

It was a special opportunity, to stand at the 40K marker at last weekend's Chicago Marathon. Today, I'm talking about that special experience and the important lesson it reminded me of. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast SIGN UP: NEW! Hurdle Membership - For all details, click here. JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Leave me a voice message, ask me a question, and it could be featured in an upcoming episode!...

Oct 15, 20219 min

HURDLE LIVE! Answering ~All~ Of Your Running Questions

HOLY WOW it felt good to be back in person! Loved this conversation from last weekend in Chicago at the Tracksmith pop-up, leading up to Sunday's marathon. I chat with trainers and nutrition experts Ciara Lucas and Phoenix Alazam to answer all of your running questions, from how to start to what to eat, wear, and think before you lace up. Plus: We laugh about some of our biggest running fails, and swap stories about what it was like to be true beginners. SOCIAL @ciaravlucas @phoenixalazam @emily...

Oct 13, 202155 min

179. Jordan Larson, Pro Volleyball Player & 3-Time Olympic Medalist

This week I’m chatting with Jordan Larson, a professional volleyball player and 3-time Olympic medalist including a gold from this year’s games in Tokyo. For episode 179, she gives me the rundown of how she got here, growing up in a super small town guided by both of her parents to pursue and love sport. She talks to me about going overseas for volleyball, playing in Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey and China, and what it was like to land on her first Olympic team. We also talk about the hurdles she’...

Oct 11, 20211 hr 10 minSeason 7Ep. 179

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: On the Courage & Vulnerability It Takes To Travel Alone

Italy and Paris, you've been a dream. Today concludes an 11-day international trip (and, I head to Chicago!). This week, I'm talking about the courage something like this required, and my hope for everyone else when it comes to finding the thing that empowers them to sit in stillness and take an inventory of self. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 from Athletic Greens | Head to athleticgreens.com/hurdle to get 5 free travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D with your first purch...

Oct 08, 202119 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: What Is Mental Fitness? An Expert On How To Better Exercise Your Brain

Meet Marc Champagne: A new author (check out his book Personal Socrates , out mid-October!) and mental fitness expert. For today's episode, he talks to us about what mental fitness is, and how we can be better about "working out" our mind to perform better in our day-to-day tasks. We talk about the timing of these "workouts," and the different types. Plus: The benefits of flow state and the importance of asking good questions (and what makes a stellar one!). SOCIAL @mchampagne @emilyabbate @hurd...

Oct 06, 202136 min

178. Taryn Toomey, CEO & Founder Of The Class

The Class, which is often described as a workout for your emotions, really helped me through some tough times — specifically during the pandemic. Today, I'm chatting with its founder and CEO Taryn Toomey. Truthfully, the first time I went to The Class, I thought it was bizarre. But as Taryn and I talk about in episode 178, I wasn't really ready to surrender just yet to what it had to offer. In methodology, it's kind of like a combination of cardio and Pilates. But really, it's so much more than ...

Oct 04, 20211 hr 4 minSeason 7Ep. 178

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: How I Fixed the Fear of Spending Money on Myself

I've had anxiety for a really long time about investing in myself. Over the last few years, though, I've learned the importance of giving back to me. You don't have to make gobs of money to do this, either. Today, I talk about the strategies I use to invest wisely, and also answer a listener question about how I manage big disappointments. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast OFFERS AG1 from Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get five FREE travel packs and a year's supply of vi...

Oct 01, 202111 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: How To Have a More Compassionate Relationship With Your Body

Everyone’s a little bit confused and a little stressed about their bodies - you’re not alone! But which thoughts are worth paying attention to and which are just causing extra stress? This episode is full of helpful insights, tips, and tricks from my friend, writer, editor and new author Casey Gueren. We talk about why we feel stressed about our bodies, the weird fluctuations that happen on a weekly basis (FYI: they are usually nothing to worry about!) and how to "come back to calm" when a new b...

Sep 29, 202145 min

177. Aly Orady, CEO & Founder Of Tonal

On the morning after Christmas in 2013, Aly Orady decided to change his life. Prior to this #hurdlemoment, the then-child prodigy had graduated high school at 15 and college at 19, then worked at a series of tech companies including Hewlett-Packard and computer startup Pano Logic where physical fitness was the last thing on his priority list. In today’s episode, he details this turning point which lead him to losing 70 pounds and creating TONAL. Of course, we get into all of the Tonal specifics ...

Sep 27, 20211 hr 10 minSeason 7Ep. 177

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: On Withdrawing From the Marathon & Acceptance

I'm honestly in a really good place right now, making limoncello out of lemons. Today, I'm talking about the positive progress I've made in the last week re: the injury update, my new travel plans, and the simple comparison that came to me on my first run back the other day. Appreciation for the little things, on high. SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS AG1 from Athletic Greens | Head to AthleticGreens.com/hurdle to get five FREE travel packs and a year's supply of vitamin D with your fir...

Sep 24, 202111 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: Everything a Beginner Cyclist Needs to Know With Pro Alison Tetrick

This episode is jam-packed with every ounce of information I wish someone told me right off the bat when I was ready to get in the saddle. From the importance of a bike fit and what gear you need to get started to the importance of fuel and how much you should be drinking on the ride, pro cyclist Alison Tetrick is buzzing with helpful information. Plus: We talk about a major #hurdlemoment in her life that left her with a traumatic brain injury, and the good that she's doing with her platform to ...

Sep 22, 202147 min

176. Gretchen Rubin, Best-Selling Author

This was an honor. Welcome Gretchen Rubin to the Hurdle family. Gretchen's known to many as the author of The Happiness Project , one of her many best-selling titles. She's also a member of Oprah’s Super Soul 100, was named one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company. For episode 176, we talk about how she walked away from clerking for Sandra Day O'Connor in Washington D.C. to pursue her dream of becoming an author, and how she became the authority on all things happiness (and ha...

Sep 20, 20211 hr 12 minSeason 7Ep. 176

20-MINUTE FRIDAY: So. I'm Injured.

I've been keeping this from the community for a minute, because I needed some time to process. To answer your top question: I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen with my marathon plans. But, I've always been pretty open and honest with the Hurdlers, and I thought it was important to bring a dose of perspective (and some honesty) to the feed. It could be a muscle strain. It could be a hernia (that word frightens me, TBH). But, I'm keeping perspective, taking this one day at a time, seeing ...

Sep 17, 202120 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: How to Set Boundaries (& Keep Them) With Self-Healing Expert Yasmine Cheyenne

I needed this conversation. My hope is that maybe you do, too. Today I'm chatting with Yasmine Cheyenne, a teacher and advocate for mental health and spiritual wellness as well as host of The Sugar Jar Podcast. We're connecting on all things boundaries: what are they, how to set them, how to not feel guilty about having them, and how to have productive conversations about them. SOCIAL @yasminecheyenne @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate OFFERS LMNT | Head to DrinkLMNT.com/hurdle to get a FREE LMNT Sampl...

Sep 15, 202153 min

BONUS EPISODE: Emily Answers Your Listener Questions

What do I do to manage burnout? How do I know whether to keep pushing or take a rest from my weekly workout routine? What do you see when ~you~ look in the mirror? So many great questions have been coming in recently from the Hurdle community, and I'm answering them today in a special season premiere week bonus episode! Want to ask me a new question? Leave a voice message, and I'll tackle it in an upcoming episode! SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate NEWLY ANNOUNCED: THE HURDLE MEMBERSHIP For all...

Sep 14, 202125 min

175. Adrian Williams, Peloton Instructor

Season. Seven. WHAT IS GOOD! I'm beyond excited to kickstart a new season of the show with Adrian Williams, Peloton instructor and all-around wonderful human. For episode 175, we learn all about his backstory. Born and raised in the Bronx, Adrian tells me about the two distinct #hurdlemoments that shaped him into the man he is today, dealing with devastating loss. We rap about the importance of family, movement, and therapy — all critical tools in his toolbox so that he can regularly show up for...

Sep 13, 20211 hr 6 minSeason 7Ep. 175

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Finding Calm In a Hurricane

Definitely didn't expect to get caught in the remnants of Hurricane Ida over here in New York on Wednesday, but alas, I did. Telling that story on the show today, and offering up a beautiful silver lining that came from the chaos. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast JOIN : THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you ! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the...

Sep 03, 202111 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: How to Own Your Morning Routine To Unlock Your Big Potential

So excited to welcome Liz Plosser back to the show! Liz is a dear friend of mine, the Editor-in-Chief of Women's Health , and the new author of Own Your Morning: Reset Your A.M. Routine To Unlock Your Potential . In honor of the book's release on September 7, Liz filled me in on a slew of expert-backed tips and tricks she learned reporting the title. So often, I'm getting messages asking me about my morning routine. And although there are science-backed benefits of getting a sweat in first thing...

Sep 01, 202138 min

174. Devon Still, Former NFL Player & Advocate for Childhood Cancer Awareness

Wow. I probably say that word at least 15 times in today's episode with Devon Still, former NFL player, author, speaker, and advocate for childhood cancer awareness. In 2014, Devon's world was turned upside down when his then 4-year-old daughter Leah was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma in 2014 and given a 50-50 chance to survive. In today's episode, he talks me through all of it — from feeling powerless at her bedside to how he learned to embrace vulnerability. A huge thank you to United Th...

Aug 30, 202130 minSeason 6Ep. 174

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: A Morning With Zero Anxiety That Made Me Rethink ... Everything

Tuesday was monumental for me in the most special of ways. Talking about that and a few big lessons for this week's 5-MINUTE FRIDAY, which feels a lot more unfiltered than normal. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast JOIN: THE *Secret* FACEBOOK GROUP LEAVE ME A VOICE MESSAGE! Whether you just want to say hi or have a question you want to ask, I’d love to hear from you ! Bonus: Your listener question could be answered in an upcoming episode of the show! P.S. No topics are off limits....

Aug 27, 202115 min

#HURDLEMOMENT: Everything You Should Know About Trail Running With Mirna Valerio

Summer is one of my favorite times to get out in nature, so what better time to talk about all things trail running than right now. Bringing on an expert today: Meet Mirna Valerio. She's an endurance athlete, author, speaker, and Merrell ambassador! You may recognize her name because she's been on the show before ! Today, she's back to school us in tackling the trails. From what you need to know about trail running sneakers to safety precautions to take and what apps you can use to help map out ...

Aug 25, 202137 min
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