263. Hawi Keflezighi, Founder & CEO of HAWI Management

“We fail all the time, and we learn from it and we get better. I think that’s amazing. You fail your way to success. That’s how it happens, and I’m super comfortable with that. I have no problem pointing out a bunch of failures in my career. But I don’t define myself or my career as a failure.” —Des Linden Desiree Linden is a professional distance runner who has represented the United States at the London and Rio Olympics. She runs for the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project in Michigan, and is a strong, consistent 2:22 marathoner. In one month, Des will race the Boston Marathon, and on this episode she talks about how her training has been going, and why she’s in it to win it. She also talks about why she thinks women are often hesitant to admit their big, scary, awesome goals, and opens up her recent running burnout — and how she busted out of it. Plus, Des talks about failure — and why she’s not afraid of it — and shares her big post-Boston goal. (Hint: She wants to make big moves in 2020.) This episode is brought to you by Strava, the leading social network for athletes. Click here to join today, and then enter for your chance to win a 2018 TCS New York City Marathon entry and a $500 travel stipend! https://blog.strava.com/nyc-marathon-contest/ What you’ll get in this episode: How Des is feeling a month out from the Boston Marathon and what her training strategy and approach have been this time around (2:10) Whether Des has had any of those magical runs yet in her Boston training (4:50) The marathon taper: Love it or hate it? (6:40) What would make Desi’s husband say, “She’s batshit crazy” (7:45) Whether Des is superstitious or what her pre-race rituals entail (9:45) How Des thinks she’s evolved as a competitive athlete (11:40) How Des evaluates her race performances (13:00) What Des is thinking when she’s standing on the start line (13:35) How Desi became such a consistent runner — and ran perfectly even splits at last year’s Boston Marathon (16:00) Who Des says is her biggest competition at this year’s Boston Marathon (17:00) Des shares her best advice for Boston first-timers (18:10) Whether Des notices spectators when she races — and what YOU need to yell to her when you see her run by! (18:45) Why Des never looks rattled or emotional when she runs (21:40) How Des is feeling about the United NYC Half The women Des loves racing against (24:30) How Des kicked her running slump (25:05) How Des feels about the word failure (26:00) How Des met her husband, Ryan, and the hilarious story about their first encounter (31:05) How Des would describe herself as a runner (37:00) What we mention on this episode: Boston Marathon Hansons-Brooks Distance Project United Airlines NYC Half Arizona State University John Hancock Shalane Flanagan Kara Goucher New York Road Runners Diane Nukuri The Moth Banff Film Festival Bayshore Marathon Joan Didion Joan Benoit Samuelson Amy Cragg Maximum Mobility Follow Des: Instagram @des_linden Facebook Twitter @des_linden Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

15 Maalis 201846min

“Be open-minded and bring snacks.” Dr. Meggie is back! Meggie Smith made her Ali on the Run Show debut last year, when she was wrapping up her OB/GYN residency at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. After graduating, Meggie moved to California, where she’s currently pursuing her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Southern California. On Part II of this two-part episode, Meggie answers listener questions about fertility, infertility, and giving birth, plus all kinds of personal stuff, like what med school is really like, what it takes to gross her out, how to date when you’re constantly on call, and whether delivering babies every day makes her want one more or less. And listen to the very end, because the last question of this episode might be my favorite. What you’ll get in this episode: How long do healthy couples try for a baby? (1:30) What can I do now to become pregnant in a couple years? (4:00) Is it ever too early to start taking pre-natal vitamins? (5:50) Is mid- to late-thirties too late to have kids? (6:20) How long should you wait to conceive after traveling to a country with the Zika virus? (9:20) Birth stuff: Meggie’s thoughts on epidural vs. drug-free births (10:20) What do OB/GYNs really think about birth plans? (11:40) Meggie’s best advice for someone going into labor & the biggest myth about labor (14:00) Postpartum stuff — including why you’re peeing a little when you run (15:15) Are some vaginas weird? (19:20) Meggie’s best advice for studying for the MCATs (21:00) Meggie’s experience with burnout (26:00) Dating & doctoring (28:00) Whether delivering babies every day makes Meggie want one more or less (32:25) What we mention on this episode: Meggie Smith on Episode 61 of the Ali on the Run Show Meggie Smith on Episode 27 of the Ali on the Run Show NYU Langone Medical Center University of Southern California United Airlines NYC Half Every Mother Counts Meggie's Every Mother Counts / NYC Half fundraiser Jamie & Jeff’s Birth Plan via McSweeney’s Abby Bales on Episode 49 of the Ali on the Run Show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy Think Coffee One More Shot on Netflix Follow Meggie: Instagram @mbsthinks Twitter @mbsthinks Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

8 Maalis 201840min

“It’s OK to struggle, but it’s not OK to give up.” —Gabe Grunewald Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald is a professional middle-distance runner and four-time rare cancer survivor from Minneapolis, MN. Gabe was first diagnosed with Adenoid Cycstic Carcinoma when she was in college and undoubtedly in the best shape of her life. Instead of finishing her college running career on a high note — or, better yet, a podium — Gabe was faced with a difficult and scary diagnosis. She’s undergone several surgeries, including having more than half of her liver removed after the third time the cancer came back. But Gabe keeps fighting, smiling, and running. On this episode, she talks about the difference between fighting and giving up, and explains what it means to be “brave like Gabe.” She also talks about her current project: training Fixer Upper star Chip Gaines for his first marathon! This episode is brought to you by Strava, the leading social network for athletes. Click here to join today, then enter for your chance to win a 2018 TCS New York City Marathon entry and a $500 travel stipend!  What you’ll get in this episode: How Gabe became a professional runner — and why that was never the plan (3:00) Gabe’s first cancer diagnosis (4:45) Gabe’s third — and scariest — cancer diagnosis, and the hug that saved her life (11:00) How Gabe handled each diagnosis emotionally (16:25) The aftermath of Gabe’s liver surgery, followed by her fourth diagnosis (18:25) Gabe explains her current immunotherapy treatment plan (20:50) How cancer has changed Gabe’s relationship with running (23:05) How Gabe maintains her optimistic outlook even after four cancer diagnoses (25:55) How the running community has supported Gabe throughout her health struggles (27:45) The difference between fighting and giving up (28:35) How Gabe’s diagnoses and treatment will affect her fertility and hopes for a family (32:30) What it means to be #bravelikegabe (37:15) What it’s like training Fixer Upper star Chip Gaines for his first marathon! (40:55) Chip’s time goal for his debut marathon (47:50) Introducing the Brave Like Gabe Foundation (48:40) What we mention on this episode: Brooks Running Arizona State University University of Minnesota Fixer Upper Chip Gaines Silo District Marathon Brave Like Gabe Foundation: bravelikegabe.org — coming soon! Brave Like Gabe 5K Kara Goucher Carrie Tollefson Allyson Felix Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Follow Gabe: Instagram @gigrunewald Twitter @gg_runs Facebook Website Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

1 Maalis 20181h 1min

“KonMari your life, KonMari your uterus.” —Meggie Smith Dr. Meggie is back! Meggie Smith made her Ali on the Run Show debut last year, when she was wrapping up her OB/GYN residency at the NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. After graduating, Meggie moved to California, where she’s currently pursuing her fellowship in reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Southern California. On Part I of this two-part episode, Meggie talks about life in L.A., her recent decision to freeze her eggs and what the retrieval process was like, and the mental and emotional struggles she’s been experiencing. Then, we kick off the Q&A! This week, Dr. Meggie answers listener questions about periods, sex, hormones, and birth control. Listen on Apple Podcasts I SoundCloud I Overcast I Stitcher I Google Play This episode is brought to you by Strava, the leading social network for athletes. Click here to join today, then enter for your chance to win a 2018 TCS New York City Marathon entry and a $500 travel stipend!  What you’ll get in this episode: An update on Meggie’s life since the last time she was on the Ali on the Run Show, including whether she actually likes life in Los Angeles (2:30) Meggie opens up about her recent mental health struggles (7:55) Ice, Ice, Baby! Meggie’s egg freezing experience (15:25) Why Meggie says the day of her egg retrieval was the best day of her life, plus how she felt after the procedure (23:45) What Meggie says is the ideal age for egg freezing — and when it’s too late (30:00) Why Meggie’s running the UA NYC Half, and how you can support her training (34:00) Disclaimer time! (35:20) The listener Q&A portion begins! First category: periods (36:55) The organic vs. regular tampon debate (40:50) Meggie answers your sex questions! (45:10) Hormones and birth control Q&A (50:40) What we mention on this episode: Meggie Smith on Episode 27 of the Ali on the Run Show NYU Langone Medical Center University of Southern California USC Center for Work and Family Life Egg Freezing Calculator TCS New York City Marathon Win an entry to the 2018 TCS New York City Marathon, courtesy of Strava United Airlines NYC Half Every Mother Counts Meggie's Every Mother Counts / NYC Half fundraiser Goop World Health Organization (WHO) Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) BedSider.org Follow Meggie: Instagram @mbsthinks Twitter @mbsthinks Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

22 Helmi 20181h 2min

“The narrative that I couldn’t do things never entered my life.” Emma Coburn is a professional middle-distance runner for New Balance. She’s a world champion in the steeplechase, and competed at both the 2012 and 2016 Olympic games. On this episode, the Crested Butte, CO, native (and newlywed!) talks about being coached by her husband, Joe Bosshard, explains the unintentional way she got into the steeplechase, and talks about what it was like breaking her own American record in the 3000-meter steeplechase in London in 2017. Plus, she opens up about body image, posing nude for the ESPN Bodies Issue, and what inspires her. This episode is brought to you by Strava, the leading social network for athletes. Click here to join today! Listen on Apple Podcasts I SoundCloud I Overcast I Stitcher I Google Play Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: Emma explains what exactly the steeplechase is, how she became a professional steeplechaser, and why it’s such an awesome event (1:30) Why Emma had no interest in running in college (6:25) Emma’s decision to go pro (9:45) How Emma found her mental strength (11:20) Emma’s most recent record-breaking performance — at 7,000 feet! (14:30) What it’s like breaking your own world record (18:00) How Emma met her now-husband — and coach! — Joe Bosshard (22:20) Why Emma wanted to gain 10 pounds for her wedding (23:25) What Emma’s relationship with her body is like (28:10) Emma’s advice for improving your confidence and body image (31:30) What it was like posing nude for the ESPN Bodies Issue (33:45) What’s going through Emma’s head when she’s on the starting line (40:05) What it was like medaling at the Rio Olympics in 2016 — and becoming the first American woman to medal in the steeplechase at the Olympics (41:00) How Emma stood her ground against Rule 40 (44:15) What inspires Emma every day (46:10) Emma’s advice for how to make running fun (48:35) What we mention on this episode: New Balance Western State Colorado University Trent Sanderson Joe Bosshard University of Colorado Aisha Praught Leer Gracie Coburn’s viral video IAAF Kaela Edwards Orangetheory Fitness Jenny Simpson Secret Stash Pizza Do You Believe in Miracles documentary The Plaza Hotel Follow Emma: Instagram @emmacoburn Twitter @emmajcoburn Facebook Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Facebook Twitter @aliontherun1 Blog Strava Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play 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!

15 Helmi 201858min

“When you show up with this army, this incredible mob of people around you who are willing to believe in you and tell you that you can do it… Who the hell are you to disagree?” Emily Saul is the co-leader of November Project’s Boston tribe, where she leads free weekly workouts for up to 1,000 eager Bostonians who are looking to get fit, enjoy their city, and form powerful human connections. Emily is a powerful force for positive change, and she’s all about bringing a sense of warmth and community to cities that may otherwise feel cold and distant. (November Project is currently in 45 cities worldwide.) Proof she’s crazy strong: Emily has set an annual goal for herself to do 40,000 push-ups a year. (And she’s done it the last two years in a row!) Emily is also a former collegiate rower, and works for the Life is Good Kids Foundation. Join me for Emily’s push-up challenge! Starting February 8, I’m committing to 50 push-ups a day for the next 30 days. Join the fun and share your daily push-up progress using the hashtag #alispushupparty. Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: • What November Project actually is & how it creates community (2:55) • What it’s like hugging and high fiving people at 5:30 AM (10:10) • How Emily found November Project (11:05) & eventually became a co-leader (14:05) • What the famous Harvard Stadium workout entails and feels like (22:00) • Emily’s best tips for working out in the very early morning (28:00) • How Emily fits workouts into her busy schedule (30:00) • Emily’s history with athletics and sports — including what it was like being a collegiate rower (32:00) • How Emily got into marathon running (36:30) • Emily answers: What’s the deal with the push-ups? (Plus her challenge for everyone listening!) (42:15) • All about Emily’s job with the Life Is Good Kids Foundation (50:30) What We Mention on this Episode: November Project: http://november-project.com/ Life Is Good Kids Foundation: https://content.lifeisgood.com/kidsfoundation/ Brogan Graham: https://www.instagram.com/brogangraham/ Bojan Mandaric: https://www.instagram.com/bmandaric/ Caleb Daniloff: http://www.calebdaniloff.com/ November Project’s Runner’s World cover story: https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/hugs-sweat-cheers Harvard University: https://www.harvard.edu/ How to start a November Project tribe in your city: https://november-project.com/how-to-start-november-project/ How Emily became a November Project leader: https://november-project.com/the-big-announcement-in-boston/ University of Tulsa: https://utulsa.edu/ Boston’s Run to Remember: http://www.bostonsruntoremember.com/boston/index.html Essex Half Marathon: http://www.essexhalf.com/ Chris Payne: https://november-project.com/no-payne-no-fun-bos/ Saucony: https://www.saucony.com/en/home Mizuno: https://www.mizunousa.com/ Chris Heuisler: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/03/01/episode-6-chris-heuisler-national-run-concierge-westin-hotels-resorts/ Follow Emily: Instagram @emilysaulboston: https://www.instagram.com/emilysaulboston/ Twitter @emilysaulboston: https://twitter.com/emilysaulboston Follow November Project: Instagram @novemberproject: https://www.instagram.com/novemberproject/ Twitter @nov_project: https://twitter.com/nov_project Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NovProject/ Website: http://november-project.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting 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!

8 Helmi 20181h 1min

“It was this weird moment of knowing I was on the precipice of my entire life being about to change. And that was terrifying. The moment I had been the most scared of my entire life was about to come, but somehow I would be OK.” Theodora Blanchfield is the creator of the blog Preppy Runner — formerly Losing Weight in the City — and is a social media maven, digital content strategist, writer, and marathoner living in New York City. On this episode, she talks going from overweight and unhappy to losing 50 pounds to eventually running seven marathons and more than 30 half marathons. Plus, she opens up about the past year, which involved losing her mother to ovarian cancer and exploring the grief process that followed. Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: • How Theodora got into blogging & her career story (3:00) • How Theodora kicked off her fitness and weight-loss journey — including the game-changing bet she made with her mom (5:30) • Exactly what helped Theodora lose 50 pounds (14:40) • When and how Theodora’s blog, Losing Weight in the City, became popular (16:00) • How Theodora got her start in digital media — and what that actually means (18:00) • What happened when Theodora landed her dream job (20:45) • How Theodora started running — and eventually running marathons (21:00) • Why Theodora left her dream job, and what she’s up to now (24:45) • Theodora’s story about her mom passing away from ovarian cancer last year (27:20) • The grief process (50:15) • The role running and therapy played during the grief process (54:30) What We Mention on this Episode: Preppy Runner: https://preppyrunner.com/ Daily Burn: https://lp.dailyburn.com/201701/index.html American University: https://www.american.edu/ Campaigns & Elections: https://www.campaignsandelections.com/ New York Sports Club: https://www.newyorksportsclubs.com/ Woman’s Day: http://www.womansday.com/ TCS New York City Marathon: https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/ Theodora’s 2017 New York City Marathon recap: https://preppyrunner.com/2017/11/2017-nyc-marathon-recap/ Uplift Studios: https://www.upliftstudios.com/ United Airlines NYC Half: http://www.nyrr.org/races-and-events/2018/united-airlines-nyc-half “Moments to Hold Onto” via Preppy Runner: https://preppyrunner.com/2017/09/moments-to-hold-onto/ Meggie Smith on Episode 27 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/05/11/ali-run-show-episode-27-meggie-smith-md-chief-resident-ob-gyn-nyu-langone-medical-center/ Dan’s Papers: http://www.danspapers.com/ New York Junior League: https://www.nyjl.org/ The Crown: https://www.netflix.com/title/80025678 Follow Theodora: Instagram @theodorable: https://www.instagram.com/theodorable/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/preppyrunner/ Twitter @tblanchfield: https://twitter.com/tblanchfield Blog: https://preppyrunner.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!

1 Helmi 20181h 10min

“I went on this amazing trip, and I thought everything would change. But your problems don’t just go away because you run away. They will follow you anywhere until you fix them.” This episode got a little heavy. Last Friday night, over a bottle of Pinot Grigio, Brian and I sat down to catch up, since it’s been just about a month since my life-changing “CAli on the Run” trip. What started out as a conversation about learning to be more present turned into the most honest, most scared, and most raw I’ve ever been on this show. This episode is on the heavier side for me, and I seriously debated even releasing it. But why not do something that feels a little scary? And scary, right now, is sharing all this brutal honesty with the world. So here we go! (Plus, listener Q&A!) Here’s what you’ll get in this episode: • “The Story of Last Monday” & lessons on being present (3:00) • All about the amazing gift I gave Brian for his birthday — and why he returned it (10:00) • What it really means to be Ali on the Run lately (11:40) • “I don’t know what I wanna be when I grow up” (16:10) • Ali starts to cry (21:13) • “What are you curious about?” (25:30) • On success, and what it meant growing up vs. what it means now (30:40) • Ali cries again (31:10) • Fear and failure (32:15) • The single biggest challenge in our marriage right now (39:00) • On inspiration (45:40) • Brian reflects on his dad’s legacy (52:00) • Listener Q&A (56:50) What We Mention on this Episode: CAli on the Run: My 7-Day Pacific Coast Highway Road Trip Itinerary: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/12/18/california-coast-road-trip-itinerary/ “Making It Count”: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/12/04/making-it-count/ Ali’s Bermuda trip: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2018/01/17/bermuda-triangle-challenge-2018-recap/ Orangetheory Fitness: https://www.orangetheoryfitness.com/ Dance Spirit: http://www.dancespirit.com/ Mia Michaels on Episode 35 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/06/08/ali-on-the-run-show-mia-michaels/ Ali’s New Year’s Resolutions: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2018/01/04/2018-new-years-resolutions/ Brian on Episode 2 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/03/01/episode-2-brian-cristiano-married-someone-crohns-disease/ Brian on Episode 17 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/04/06/ali-on-the-run-show-episode-17-brian-cristiano/ Brian on Episode 47 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/11/22/ali-run-show-episode-47-brian-cristiano-newport-pie-run-turkey-trot/ Brian on Episode 52 of the Ali on the Run Show: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/2017/12/21/ali-run-show-episode-52-brian-cristiano-ali-feller-solo-travel/ Follow Brian: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boldceo/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/boldceo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/boldceo Growing BOLD: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCc0OV-7Bct-i1h_7a7pXA-A BOLD Worldwide: http://www.boldworldwide.com/ Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1: https://www.instagram.com/aliontherun1 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliontherun/ Twitter @aliontherun1: https://twitter.com/aliontherun1 Blog: http://www.aliontherunblog.com/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/13333410 Thank you for listening to and supporting the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on iTunes. Spread the run love!

25 Tammi 20181h 11min