Ali on the Run Show

“This notion of balance is this unrealistic thing we’re all striving toward. If you allow yourself to know that and believe that, it takes some of the pressure off.” —Liz Plosser When you picture an editor in chief of a major women’s magazine, your mind probably goes right to Miranda Priestly of The Devil Wears Prada fame. Now picture the opposite — someone brilliant, kind, caring, and passionate in the most upbeat, positive way — and you have Women’s Health editor in chief Liz Plosser. Liz was named EIC of Women’s Health at the beginning of 2018, and her rise to the role wasn’t fueled by fate. Liz, who grew up in Kansas City, MO, worked her marathoning booty off to get to where she is today. After starting out as an investment banking analyst, Liz followed her dreams (literally) and moved into publishing. She started out at Self, and rose through the ranks at Time Out Chicago, Cosmopolitan, Well+Good, Canyon Ranch, SoulCycle, and more. On this episode, Liz discusses the challenges and perks of her job, talks about being a busy mom of three, and shares why she’s proud to be a “nice girl.” Enjoy, and wish Liz luck before she lines up at the start of the Popular Brooklyn Half next weekend! Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $30 off your wireless headphone purchase!   What you’ll get on this episode: Liz answers: Was being the editor in chief of a women’s magazine always the goal? (2:45) Why Liz traded investment banking for publishing, and what that transition was like (8:25) The career moves Liz made that led her to her current role as editor in chief of Women’s Health — including the decision to leave New York City for a while (11:30) Liz’s take on whether the publishing industry is a catty, cutthroat one or a place where mentors and nice girls are easy to come by (20:55) What it was like getting the call (22:25) What Liz says makes Women’s Health so special, and whether she was nervous about stepping into the EIC role (24:45) The words, phrases, stories, and topics Liz and her team are avoiding, and the changes Liz has started implementing at WH (26:30) What Liz is doing to make Women’s Health different (29:20) The types of stories that get Liz most excited (33:40) The types of people Liz wants to hire, plus more career advice (43:20) Liz talks about meeting her husband, having three kids, and becoming a runner, plus where her relationship with running is at right now (44:45) What we mention on this episode: Women’s Health University of Chicago Time Out Chicago Seventeen Cosmopolitan Team in Training Lucy Danziger Self Princeton University ASME Canyon Ranch Joanna Coles Hearst Marie Claire Joyce Chang Conde Nast SoulCycle Well+Good Rodale Amy Keller Laird How Not to Get Pregnant via Cosmopolitan SLT Popular Brooklyn Half Desi Linden on Episode 64 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Liz: Instagram @lizplosser Twitter @lizplosser 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!

10 Mai 20181h

Lots of people say I’m just like my mom. Others swear I’m a clone of my dad. On this episode, you’ll get to decide! I am thrilled to welcome Lori and David Feller — my parents! — to the Ali on the Run Show. On this episode, we chat about how they met and fell in love (and their stories don’t exactly match up, so I’m siding with my mom on this one), how they survived long-distance dating in college when social media and texting didn’t exist (there was hitchhiking involved), and what it was like having and raising Ryan (my 19-months-older brother) and me. They share their favorite young Ali memories, as well as a few not-so-favorite ones (that speeding ticket wasn't my fault!). We had a blast recording this episode, and I hope you enjoy joining us on our trip down Feller family memory lane.     What you’ll get on this episode: My mom’s story of how my parents met and when they fell in love (2:40) My dad’s story of how they met and fell in love (4:10) What it was like long-distance dating in the 1970s, and how they made it work (6:00) How my dad proposed to my mom (9:43) Their thoughts on whether it was a big deal for a Jewish guy to be marrying a Catholic girl, and whether their parents cared (12:50) What life was like for each of them once they had kids, and what got them to move from Pennsylvania to Contoocook, NH (18:30) My exciting birth story! (21:45) My parents talk all about what I was like growing up (25:00) What it was like raising two kids with Crohn’s disease (36:30) What made my parents most proud — and most disappointed or frustrated (40:00) What my parents would have done differently when it came to raising children (45:30) How my parents feel about running (47:30) My parents open up about my past relationships, and the moment they met Brian Cristiano (51:30) How to stay happily married for 36 years (54:40) How my parents reacted to the news that Brian and I are having a baby (57:30)   What we mention on this episode: Rider University University of Delaware Millersville University My Crohn’s disease story on Episode 30 of the Ali on the Run Show Quinnipiac University 16 Handles Aldo’s Coffee Company Greenport   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!

3 Mai 20181h 9min

“The best possible way to start my career was not getting what I wanted. Failure teaches you a lot, and it helped me figure out a path to success that worked for me.” —Katie Burke Katie Burke is the Chief People Officer at HubSpot, a marketing software company in Boston that employs more than 2,300 people worldwide. And of those 2,300, Katie was the company’s first female to land a spot in the c-suite. (Today, 45 percent of the company’s vice presidents are women.) In this super inspiring conversation, Katie shares why she’s so passionate about empowering women in the workplace, and candidly opens up about her own massive career failures — including how bombing the LSATs turned out to be the best thing that could’ve happened to her. She offers up interviewing advice, explains why prospective employees should add “we” to their vocabularies, and shares the one word she’s trying to add to her own life. Katie is the oldest of six kids, and she has a fascinating family story. Her dad, Brian Burke, is extremely well-known in the hockey world, and her brother, Brendan, was a hockey player at Miami Ohio when he famously came out as gay to his teammates — and the world. Brendan was later killed in a tragic car accident, and Katie gladly shared stories of his incredible legacy with me. Of course, Katie is also a runner. She’s a four-time marathoner and 20+-time half-marathoner, and she's currently training for the Popular Brooklyn Half Marathon in May. Apologies for the slightly off audio on this one! Despite recording in a professional podcast studio, I had the audio settings wrong on my computer. Don’t let a little echo deter you from this fantastic conversation!   What you’ll get on this episode: What it means to be a Chief People Officer, and how Katie landed this job (1:53) Katie’s advice for getting over a fear of failure (7:00) How Hubspot has grown and evolved since Katie became the first woman in the company’s c-suite (8:00) The best — and worst — things Katie says prospective employees can say in an interview (9:45) Why Katie is so passionate about empowering women (12:55) What Katie tells people who say she got her job “because she’s a girl” (14:15) Where Katie’s confidence comes from (18:30) Katie’s “strong opinion” on mentors, and why she believes in having a “personal board of advisors” (19:35) Katie’s biggest piece of advice for women in the workplace (21:10) The greatest challenge Katie faces at her job (25:30) Katie’s take on work perks and whether they actually matter (28:00) What it’s like coming from a big — and very high-achieving — family, and the challenges of having a father who’s in the public eye (29:30) Katie’s running story, and how she prioritizes workouts with a demanding schedule (39:30) The advice Katie would give to her younger self (45:45) What we mention on this episode: Bates College HubSpot “Because I’m a Girl” via Huffington Post Always #LikeAGirl commercial Shine Theory “This 1 Word Will Help You Do Less and Achieve More in 2018” via Inc. Brian Burke Calgary Flames You Can Play Project Miami University Ohio “We love you, this won’t change a thing” via ESPN Portland Half Marathon November Project Popular Brookyn Half SoulCycle JP Morgan Corporate Challenge Kristin Armstrong New York Road Runners Follow Katie: Instagram @katieburke16 Twitter @katieburke LinkedIn 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!

26 Apr 201857min

“I think that’s what unites us as runners — we’re all trying to overcome excuses and doubts to get out there.” —Sarah Sellers “Who is Sarah Sellers?” That’s the question everyone was asking after the Tucson, AZ runner finished second at the 2018 Boston Marathon. Sarah isn’t a professional runner. She doesn’t have a sponsor. And she paid her own Boston Marathon entry fee. But on a brutally rainy and windy day in Boston, the 26-year-old nurse anesthetist ran a 2:44.04 — good enough to land her in the spot behind winner Desi Linden. Sarah had no idea she finished second (and, in doing so, nabbed a cool $75,000 prize), and when we recorded this episode just 48 hours after the race, she was still processing the results. Enjoy as she breaks down every detail from before, during, and after the race — including the surreal moment when she passed Shalane Flanagan! (And fun fact: Boston was only Sarah’s second marathon ever!)   What you’ll get on this episode: Sarah shares how she’s feeling 48 hours after placing second at the Boston Marathon (1:30) What Sarah’s Boston buildup was like, and how she balances high-mileage training with a demanding full-time job (4:20) The very cute story of how Sarah met her husband, Blake (8:00) How working long days helped prepare Sarah for Marathon Monday (8:45) Whether Sarah ever considered dropping out on race day (9:45) Sarah’s unexpected pre-race detour (10:00) Sarah shares her pre-race goals and the weather factors she dreads the most (11:35) What it was like starting with the elite field (13:00) Sarah breaks down the race from the soaking start to that triumphant finish (16:10) What it was like passing Shalane Flanagan (19:00) How Sarah found out she finished in second place (20:45) How Sarah plans to spend her $75,000 winnings (26:00) The moment that stands out as the ultimate high point from Sarah’s Boston Marathon experience (27:00) What’s next? (30:30) What we mention on this episode: Boston Marathon Deena Kastor Acadia National Park Boston Athletic Association Desi Linden Shalane Flanagan Kara Goucher Gwen Jorgensen Jordan Hasay Meb Keflezighi 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!

19 Apr 201841min

“We’re gonna go through tough times. And we’re gonna be fine.” Brian and I are so excited to tell the world that we are having a baby! I am 12 weeks pregnant (at the time we recorded this), and am due October 23. On this episode, we answer all the questions we keep getting from friends, family, and total strangers (namely, “Was this planned?! Were you trying?!”), and share how we’re both feeling, why we’re frustrated with the medical system (as usual!), and whether we think Ellie knows she’s about to be a big sister (she totally does). Thanks for following along on this crazy ride — we can’t wait to share it all with you. What you’ll get on this episode: “Were you trying?! Was this planned?!” (1:30) How I found out, and how I felt when I got that positive pregnancy test (3:30) How I told Brian the big news (10:00) How I’ve been feeling (17:45) Our experience with doctors so far — the good and the bad (19:20) How we told our families the news (34:00) How Brian’s feeling right now (38:35) My response to people who ask, “Do you want a boy or a girl?” (42:50) What has surprised us both so far (46:30) Does Ellie know what’s up? (54:00) What we mention on this episode: Brian on Episode 2 of the Ali on the Run Show Brian on Episode 17 of the Ali on the Run Show Brian on Episode 47 of the Ali on the Run Show Brian on Episode 52 of the Ali on the Run Show Brian on Episode 57 of the Ali on the Run Show Lilia The Modern Orangetheory Dr. Meggie on Episode 61 of the Ali on the Run Show Bermuda Triangle Challenge recap Hackensack UMC New Jersey Half Marathon Follow Brian: Instagram Facebook Twitter Growing BOLD BOLD Worldwide 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!

12 Apr 20181h 1min

“I’m trying not to call it a comeback because I’m a completely different person now.” —Tina Muir Tina Muir is an elite runner from England (she’s a 2:36 marathoner!), a new mom, and the host of the Running For Real podcast. Tina went viral last year when she announced her surprising decision to stop running. Her reason: She hadn’t had her period in nine years. Tina opened up about her struggle with amenorrhea and her desire to start a family, and on this episode she explains why she decided to share her story, what it was like going viral and having People magazine write about her period, and what she was afraid people would think about her. Tina also discusses body dysmorphia, how she handled intentionally gaining weight, her eventual pregnancy, and how giving birth compares to running a marathon. And check out Running For Real in a few weeks, when I’ll be Tina’s guest! 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!  What you’ll get on this episode: What it means to be a professional runner, and how Tina made it work after college (3:30) Why Tina decided to stop running (6:50) Tina’s journey with amenorrhea (11:40) The steps Tina took to try and beat her amenorrhea (17:50) Why Tina shared her story when she did (20:00) What it was actually like setting out to gain weight, and how Tina dealt with it emotionally (22:30) Tina’s timeline: How long it took from when she stopped running to when she got pregnant (28:45) Why Tina decided to start running again at six weeks pregnant, and how running went throughout her pregnancy (33:50) How Tina approached childbirth with the same mentality as running a marathon (37:00) Tina’s triumphant return to running after having a baby — and whether she’s worried about amenorrhea striking again (39:00) How Tina got into podcasting (42:55) What we mention on this episode: Tina in Runner’s World Tina in People magazine The Crown Saucony Runner’s Connect Gold Coast Marathon Neely Spence Gracey Heidi Greenwood Tina in Self Tina on Well+Good No Period. Now What? Hypnobabies Tina’s take on Hypnobabies Running For Real Run to the Top Kara Goucher on Running For Real Michael McIntyre Kelly Roberts Follow Tina: Instagram @tinamuir88 Twitter @tinamuir Facebook Running For Real 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!

5 Apr 201852min

“I’m bringing the track speed to the marathon.” —Molly Huddle On April 16, professional runner Molly Huddle will be among a strong field of indomitable American women racing the Boston Marathon. This will only be Molly’s second marathon: She made her 26.2-mile debut at the 2016 TCS New York City Marathon. On this episode, Molly, who is from Rhode Island and chatted with me from Arizona, shares all things Boston: how her training has been going, what she’s excited about, what she’s nervous about, and what she learned from her first marathon that she’ll take with her into her second. Plus, she answers the question I’ve always wanted to ask: How in the world do pro runners grab their water bottles off those tables mid-race without slowing down, missing a bottle, grabbing someone else’s bottle, or dropping a bottle?   What you’ll get in this episode: How Molly’s feeling a month out from Boston, and how this training cycle has been different from her NYC Marathon training (1:50) How fast Molly runs her track workouts and how slow she runs her recovery runs (3:30) Molly reflects on setting a new American half-marathon world record in Houston in January (5:00) Molly shares the high and low points of Boston Marathon training so far (6:45) What Molly’s weekly mileage will peak at leading up to Boston (8:50) Molly’s taper strategy, and her thoughts on tapering (9:15) Molly’s Boston fueling strategy (11:35) The greatest lesson Molly says she learned from her first marathon (14:45) What Molly has that the rest of the American women don’t (15:45) What race week will look like for Molly (18:50) Molly shares her Boston Marathon goals (23:30) What we mention on this episode: Molly Huddle on Episode 51 of the Ali on the Run Show Desi Linden on Episode 64 of the Ali on the Run Show Boston Marathon Saucony Houston Half Marathon Deena Kastor Ugly Delicious Gatorade Energy Chews Gatorade Endurance Formula Gatorade Endurance Energy Gels Jordan Hasay Sarah Marie Design Studio Shalane Flanagan Dathan Ritzenhein Tim Ritchie Jared Ward Abdi Abdirahman Follow Molly:  Instagram @mollyhuddle Twitter @mollyhuddle Website 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!

29 Mar 201828min

“The stories you tell can change the world.” —Bianna Golodryga Bianna Golodryga is a CBS News correspondent and a contributor at CNN. She’s the former weekend anchor of Good Morning America, and worked at Yahoo News alongside Katie Couric. Bianna was born in the former Soviet Union and moved to the United States with her parents — and only $150 in their pockets — when she was 18 months old. On this episode, Bianna talks about growing up Russian in Texas (her classmates called her a “Commie Spy,” and she was the only Jewish kid in her entire school), and talks about the decisions that motivated her to move to New York City to pursue a career in finance and, eventually, on television. Bianna has interviewed the world’s top personalities, politicians, and celebrities, from Katy Perry and Reese Witherspoon to Bill Clinton and Borat. (Right before she sat down to record this episode with me, Bianna was interviewing Oprah alongside Gayle King.) Bianna was also the first journalist to interview and talk to the father of the Boston Marathon bombers, and was actually the one to tell him that his sons were the ones behind the bombings. It’s one of many crazy stories Bianna — who is also a mom, a step-mom, and, of course, a runner — shares on this episode, which is a must-listen for anyone who wants to be involved in any aspect of the news or television industry. 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: What it was like growing up as a Russian Jewish immigrant in Texas (1:30) How Bianna worked her way from Wall Street to network TV (4:30) The skills Bianna says you need to get a job in television today (10:35) What it was like interviewing Oprah (12:30) How Bianna became an anchor on Good Morning America (17:30) Why Bianna decided to leave GMA for Yahoo News (20:15) What Bianna says is the greatest lesson she learned from working with Katie Couric (26:50) Bianna’s take on being a woman in media right now, and what it’s like covering stories like the Women’s March, the #metoo movement, and Harvey Weinstein-style scandals (30:00) Bianna reflects on the most life-changing — and most challenging — interviews of her career so far (34:00) What Bianna wishes everyone understood about consuming news (44:45) What it’s like being a Russian journalist in today’s crazy news world (48:15) The very cute and high-profile place Bianna met her husband (50:30) How Bianna got into running (52:00) How Bianna manages two demanding jobs, two young kids, and taking care of herself (57:00) What we mention on this episode: High School for the Performing and Visual Arts Maria Bartiromo 60 Minutes Good Morning America Cici’s Pizza Buffet CBS This Morning Gayle King A Wrinkle in Time SoulCycle Lyons Den Power Yoga Robin Roberts Dan Harris Ron Claiborne Katie Couric Morning Joe Fed Up Now I Get It Bianna Golodryga interviews Warren Buffet Brooks Running Shattered: Inside Hillary Clinton’s Doomed Campaign United Airlines NYC Half New York Times The Daily podcast Follow Bianna: Instagram @biannagolodryga Twitter @biannagolodryga Facebook 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!

22 Mar 20181h 4min