233. On the Job with Amanda LaVergne, Broadway Performer

“I never thought of myself as someone who was different.” —Tatyana McFadden Tatyana McFadden is one of the most decorated athletes on the planet. She's a 17-time Paralympic medalist, and she has won 24 World Marathon Majors. In 2013 alone, she won the Boston, Chicago, London, and New York City marathons. In 2015, she shattered the New York City Marathon record by 7 minutes and 20 seconds. But Tatyana wasn't born into success — she was born in Russia with Spina Bifida, a disease that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She spent the first six years of her life in an orphanage, crawling on her hands because she didn't have access to a wheelchair. At six years old, everything changed: Tatyana was adopted by Deborah McFadden, who at the time was the Commissioner of Disabilities for the Bush administration and happened to be at the orphanage on a business trip. Tatyana moved to the United States, was introduced to sports as a way to get strong, and by 15 was competing at the Paralympics. In addition to her outstanding athletic accomplishments, Tatyana is an outspoken advocate for people living with disabilities, and later this spring she'll complete her master's degree in pursuit of a career as a child life specialist. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Tatyana talks about her childhood and what it was like growing up with Spina Bifida in an orphanage in Russia and how she made her way to becoming a world-class athlete (2:55) Tatyana’s take on the word “disability” (10:50) What exactly is Spina Bifida? (13:35) What brought Tatyana’s mom to the orphanage in Russia (17:00) What it was like having a disability in high school, and how Tatyana went on to create an important law for high schools around the country — and then meet the Obamas and Ellen DeGeneres (19:00) How Tatyana became confident and outspoken (27:40) Why Tatyana decided to go all-in on the marathon, and what it’s like racing in a chair (30:30) What Tatyana’s training looks like before a goal race (38:30) What it means to be brave (41:00) What can people do to make life easier for people with disabilities? (44:30) Tatyana on insecurities, grad school, what she’s proudest of, and what’s next (47:40) What we mention on this episode: Kennedy Krieger Institute NormaTec Recovery Tatyana on The Ellen DeGeneres Show TCS New York City Marathon New York Road Runners Team For Kids Follow Tatyana: Instagram @tatyanamcfaddenusa Twitter @tatyanamcfadden Facebook 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!

16 Jan 201957min

"I felt broken. Physically. Emotionally. I had a complete breakdown. I felt like a broken human. I was so tired. Lifeless. And I finally Googled the one thing I hadn't really wanted to Google." In just a few days, Annie — my spankin' new daughter — will be three months old. That means I will have reached the end of what is commonly referred to as "the fourth trimester." That period postpartum when the baby still thinks its in the womb, and the mom is — I'm not sure what the mom is. But I know that for me, this fourth trimester has been tough. Trying. Exhausting. Emotional. Wonderful, amazing, monumental — but definitely hard. So on this solo episode, I talk about all of it: the pumping, the boob stuff, the expectations, the realities, and the truths. I talk about why I've been living in fear, and open up about what went down over the holidays, and how it ended with me Googling and really looking into postpartum depression. Plus, I talk about having help — thank god for help! — and answer listener questions. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What I mention on this episode: "I Had a Baby!" Episode 106 of the Ali on the Run Show Laura Anderson on Episode 92 of the Ali on the Run Show Chrissy Teigen Opens Up for the First Time About Her Postpartum Depression, via Glamour Michele Gonzalez on Episode 19 of the Ali on the Run Show Motherhood New Jersey Half Marathon The 5 Love Languages Annie's Birth Story Pregnancy + Baby Q&A 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 Jan 20191h 6min

"The glass isn’t half empty. It’s not half full. It’s just refillable." —Meaghan Murphy Meaghan Murphy just might be the real-life Energizer Bunny. As executive editor at Good Housekeeping, Meaghan has her hands on every page of every issue every month (and fun fact: she gets monthly manicures to match the cover of each issue). Before coming to GH, Meaghan's career in publishing paralleled her life: as a teen, she worked at YM and Teen People. As a single twenty-something living in New York City, she worked at Cosmopolitan. When she started having kids, she spent nearly a decade as fitness director at Self. And now that she and her husband, three kids (ages 8, 6, and 5), and dog (Dempsey, a labradoodle!) have moved to a white-picket-fence house in the New Jersey suburbs, she's at Good Housekeeping. (She's also the Chief Spirit Officer of her town, Westfield — though she'll tell you it's called "Bestfield.") Meaghan is a giant ball of energy and positivity. (Case in point: She starts every day at exactly 5:03 AM, whens he heads to a workout with her #goodvibetribe.) She's kind, confident, and loves getting older. But Meaghan has been through some stuff. On this episode, she opens up about her battle with and recovery from anorexia. She talks about the challenges of parenting. She gets into what makes a marriage work. And we shed a few tears together when she talks about #operationgoodgrief, and how she healed from her dad's death. You'll finish this episode feeling energized, ready to find the good in every day, and excited to create your own #yaylist. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Meaghan’s secret to staying happy and in love, reflecting on the first 10 years of her marriage (2:30) Meaghan shares her love for New Jersey (5:50) What young Meaghan dreamed about for her future, and how she got started in the publishing industry (6:50) Meaghan on fearlessness (12:00) Meaghan looks back on her publishing career as it paralleled her life (13:45) Meaghan shares how exercise helped her recover from anorexia (19:15) What life is like as executive editor of Good Housekeeping — plus insider intel she’s gleaned on the job, like all about the dirtiest items in our homes! (25:05) Meaghan on motherhood, marriage, and parenting (31:25) Meaghan on confidence (41:30) Meaghan on fitness (46:30) All about #operationgoodgrief (49:30) Meaghan talks about her superpower: her on/off switch (56:10) How to be a fun mom (59:00) What we mention on this episode: Rutgers University A Million Little Pieces New Jersey Marathon Home Power Yoga SLT Orangetheory The Blast FitMama leggings POE Yoga Follow Meaghan:  Instagram @meaghanbmurphy Twitter @meaghanbmurphy 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 Jan 20191h 11min

“I knew things were going to unravel at some point… But looking back, I don’t know if I would’ve done things differently.” —Sarah Cummings Few people have a work ethic like Sarah Cummings. Sarah, a 2:34 marathoner, lives in New York City where she runs for the New York Athletic Club and is a two-time New York Road Runners Runner of the Year. Sarah works long hours in the finance industry in addition to running 100-mile weeks — sometimes include 20-mile run commutes! On this episode, Sarah — who is a former competitive figure skater who graduated with top honors from Princeton University — talks about coming back from a grueling hamstring injury to run an Olympic qualifying time at the California International Marathon. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle! What you’ll get on this episode: Sarah recaps her 2018 CIM performance (2:30) Sarah reflects on her figure skating days and how she found running (7:00) Sarah talks about her relationship with her sister — and whether or not they’re competitive on the run (14:30) What it was like being a competitive runner in college (18:10) How Sarah runs 100-mile weeks while working a demanding career in finance (22:10) If given the choice, would Sarah go pro? (31:40) Sarah talks about her hamstring injury and getting through a major setback (35:25) What it’s like competing at the Olympic Trials as a sub-elite runner (48:50) Sarah’s best advice for dealing with an injury (52:45) What we mention on this episode: New York Athletic Club Hospital for Special Surgery Princeton University California International Marathon Follow Sarah: Instagram @sarahccummings 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!

27 Dec 20181h 1min

"I wanted to see if I could do it. And then once I did it, I wanted to see what else I could do." —Yosef Herzog For most people, 3:30 AM is the middle of the night. For Yosef Herzog, it's time to get to work. As stage manager for NBC's Today show, Yosef starts his day early. As a two-time marathon runner, he ends it late. Yosef is on set at NBC by 4:30 AM, leaves after the show wraps at 11 AM, and then runs in the evenings with Brooklyn Track Club. On this episode, he talks about making it all work, shares why he decided to leave his steady, well-paying career in finance to get into television, and opens up about his impressive 50-pound weight loss. Plus, he talks about what it's like working at the Olympics, and what it was like meeting the Obamas. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: All the moves that led Yosef to his job at Today, including the a-ha moment that made him realize he needed to make a total career change (3:15) What it’s like being a part of NBC’s prestigious Page program (6:40) How Yosef landed at the Today show, and what his job as stage manager entails (13:15) What Yosef’s day looks like (17:10) What Yosef says are the biggest challenges about working on live TV (21:25) Yosef talks about major NBC events including Christmas in Rockefeller Center, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Halloween on the Plaza, the concerts, and the Olympics (24:00) What it’s like covering national tragedies (29:30) How Yosef got into running — and lost 50 pounds in the process — and what his lifestyle looks like now (33:00) Why Yosef got into racing (47:40) What’s next for Yosef? (53:30) What we mention on this episode: The Day I Met Celine Dion NBC Universal Page Program Fast Money Yosef in Men’s Health Natalie Morales on Episode 33 of the Ali on the Run Show New York City Half Marathon Team in Training New York Road Runners Follow Yosef: Instagram @yosefherzog 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!

20 Dec 20181h 3min

"Ask the tough questions. Who are you? Who aren't you? What do you want? What don't you want? Be so clear on who, what, where, when, how, why, and don't sacrifice any piece of that puzzle if you want to live a full life." —Olivia Young Olivia Young is the founder and creator of Box + Flow, a yoga and boxing studio in New York City. But her plan wasn't always to be a heavy-hitter in the fitness industry: Olivia, who grew up in Miami Beach, moved to New York City to attend culinary school and to pursue a career in the hospitality industry. She worked with celebrity chefs and made a name for herself in the restaurant world, all the while waking up crazy early to run, box, and do yoga. Those early-morning passions eventually manifested in what is now Box + Flow. On this episode, Olivia, who was recently named "the woman who is redefining how NYC works out" on the coveted PureWow 100 list, reflects on her career path, her business mistakes, her great successes, what she's afraid of, and what it means to "liv young." Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Why Olivia doesn’t bother with fancy workout clothes (3:30) What it means to Olivia to “liv young” (5:30) Where Olivia got her work ethic, and how not getting a lead role in a musical led to her first disappointment — and changed her life (8:15) Why Olivia pursued a career in hospitality, and what culinary school was like (14:00) What it was really like working in the restaurant industry (22:00) All about Box+Flow, Olivia’s fitness studio in NYC (27:00) Did Olivia know Box+Flow would be an immediate success? And what does it mean to “flow through the fight?” (31:00) Where Liv got her confidence, and what has the power to make her feel insecure (37:00) Is it hard working in the restaurant industry and living a healthy lifestyle? And how Olivia feels about the idea of “cheat days” (43:00) What Olivia says she’s proudest of, what she’s afraid of, and how she focuses on being brave (48:45) What we mention on this episode: Box + Flow Lyons Den Power Yoga King Cole Bar Polo Bar Food & Wine Magazine Natural Gourmet Institute French Culinary Institute Two Hands Raoul’s The Ear Inn JG Melon Jack’s Wife Freda Atla Follow Olivia: Instagram @livyoung Website Blog 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!

13 Dec 20181h

“I was like, ‘I need more friends, so I’m going to start running. Everyone looks like they’re having a good time — maybe I can have a good time!’” Jes Woods is always. smiling. And she has good reason to be as happy as she is! As a Nike Run Coach and Flywheel Sports studio manager in New York City, Jes is living a good life — one she carefully crafted herself after an eight-and-a-half year career in broadcast journalism. Jes is an ultra runner who has completed 16 ultramarathons, including four 100 milers. (Most recently, Jes ran the Javelina Jundred.) On this episode, Jes talks about how she went from TV to a life on the run. She talks about working for NBC during the Beijing Olympics, and what it was like being a runner and covering the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. Plus, Jes opens up about a recent breakup and the effect it had on her running, talks about why she struggles not to get too involved with the athletes she coaches (she loves them too much!), and talks about the rewarding parts of her job and what she says is "her Christmas." Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: What did Young Jes want to be when she grew up? Plus, how Jes used her engineering degree to pursue a career in television. (2:55) The big news stories Jes loved — and didn’t love — working on during her time at NBC (5:15) How Jes got her start as a runner (6:50) When and how Jes realized it was time to make a career change (10:45) Jes’s advice for people considering a major career switch (23:20) What makes Jes a good run coach? And what’s her favorite type of runner to coach? (24:10) Jes’s best “game” to play to make your next run more fun (26:30) The most common question Jes hears from runners she coaches (28:30) Why running? (36:50) How Jes got her jobs at Mile High Run Club and Flywheel, and what a day in the life for her looks like now (41:10) What Jes says is the most rewarding part of her career (49:45) Jes talks about her recent breakup, and how it affected her latest 100 miler (56:00) Jes's advice for getting into the fitness industry (57:00) What's next for Jes Woods? (58:00) What we mention on this episode: Nike Running Flywheel Sports Chelsea Javelina Jundred Mile High Run Club Carnegie Mellon University Boston Marathon New York City Half Marathon Team in Training Pittsburgh Marathon Nike Women’s 15K Toronto Western States Endurance Run OSR 30 Follow Jes: Instagram @jeslynnyc Twitter @jeslynnyc 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!

6 Dec 20181h 9min

"I started considering the amazing potential outcomes instead of the worst possible ones." At some point last year, I realized my once stellar confidence had taken a major hit — so I took action. I started making big and small changes to help boost my self-confidence and to feel like a badass again. On this episode — another solo episode — I'm sharing the 11 things I've done to improve my confidence over the past year. I dare you to do at least one thing on this list today if you feel your confidence lacking. Don't wait. Do it today. Do it within the hour. You got this. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What I mention on this episode: Katie Burke on Episode 70 of the Ali on the Run Show Dance Spirit magazine Episode 57 of the Ali on the Run Show Bethany Lyons on Episode 25 of the Ali on the Run Show Ali on the Run Show LIVE in San Diego Ali on the Run Show LIVE at NYRR RunnerCon 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 Nov 201831min