891. Laura Thweatt, On Athletics Club Assistant Road Team Coach

"When she said those words to me on that run, I was like, 'It's the same thing, Laura. You're gonna do the same thing that you've done. You were OK after every decision, after every scary thing you did in your career. It opened up new doors, it opened up new opportunities, I met new people. Some of those people who changed my life completely and it impacted me in ways I would never have imagined. But none of that would have happened if I didn't have the courage to trust myself to make the scary decisions and not stay in something that was no longer working because it was safe.' I just needed someone to remind me of that."

Last year, Laura Thweatt chose to retire from professional running. Now, she's the Assistant Road Team Coach for On Athletics Club in Boulder, CO, and she's thriving. But the road to post-pro fulfillment wasn't easy. In this conversation, Laura talks about that heavy retirement decision, and shares the advice she got from fellow retired pro Jenny Simpson that made the decision a little easier. She talks about how she approached the next chapter in her life, about learning the art of the corporate interview, and about the emotional side of life after going pro. Plus, how she got the OAC job, why she feared her first day on the job would also be her last, and what it's like traveling the world with Hellen Obiri.

SPONSOR:

• Oofos: The best in the recovery footwear game. Click here to check out Oofos's new CLUB+ line! Your feet are going to be so happy!

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Laura's "Summer of 10Ks" traveling the east coast (2:00)
• What race-day nerves are like as a coach (5:45)
• What's making Laura happy today (7:55)
• What Laura's into right now (14:40)
• Laura plays favorites with her OAC athletes (25:00)
• Laura talks about her decision to retire from professional running, and the life-changing advice she got from Jenny Simpson in the process (30:00)
• On figuring out "what's next?" (37:35)
• Laura recounts her first day as an On Athletics Club coach (52:30)
• On getting comfortable in a coaching role (1:02:00)
• Has Laura ever questioned whether retiring was the right decision? (1:05:30)
• What race weekends are like as a coach (1:10:05)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!