233. On the Job with Amanda LaVergne, Broadway Performer

“I hope she finds her passion in life, and that she’s never discouraged to go after it.” —Brian Cristiano In honor of our third wedding anniversary and the realization that Baby Cristiano's due date is just one month away, Brian and I decided to record an episode about all things, marriage, pregnancy, baby, and life. We talk about our decision to work with a midwife and how that's been going, and we get into the highs, lows, and surprises of this pregnancy journey. Plus, I put Brian on the spot and asked for his honest reaction to my changing body. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Is marriage what Brian expected it to be? (2:00) Has the pregnancy experience been what Brian expected? Plus what the midwife experience has been like, and why Brian wanted to be at every appointment (4:15) The highs, lows, and biggest surprises of pregnancy so far (15:30) How Brian has reacted to my changing body (26:45) Whether Brian has felt increased pressure in life and at work since I got pregnant (35:00) The advice Brian has received that’s stuck with him (42:15) Brian shares his wishes for our baby, and the kind of dad he wants to be (48:30) Listener Q&A (52:00) What we mention on this episode: “We’re Having a Baby!” 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 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!

27 Sep 20181h 6min

“My greatest fear is letting fear get in my way.” —Mary Wittenberg Mary Wittenberg is the former president and CEO of New York Road Runners and race director of the New York City Marathon, and was the Global CEO of Virgin Sport. Her titles are impressive, and she has the legacy to match. Mary has had an incredible impact on running. She is largely credited for turning marathon running into a spectator sport, and for getting female professional runners to be compensated appropriately. Mary was the brains behind the creation of the World Marathon Majors series, and she was at the helm of NYRR in 2012, when she and the city had to make the very public and controversial decision to cancel the New York City Marathon in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. On this episode, she talks about what it was like making that call, how she went from law school to big law to being a powerful force in the American running boom, and what's next for her since leaving Virgin Sport. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Mary explains whether she’s always been someone who loves being busy and super active (2:00) What it was like growing up surrounded by men, and how that impacted Mary’s future (4:00) How — and why — Mary went from law school to big law to the sports industry (7:20) Mary opens up about her decision to wait to have children because of her career (13:45) What it was like being race director of the New York City Marathon (15:00) Mary shares her favorite memories from her time at New York Road Runners (29:15) What it was like being a race director in a post-Boston Marathon bombings world (32:20) Mary opens up about the 2012 New York City Marathon, and the decision to cancel the race after Hurricane Sandy — plus how she came back from that difficult time (36:50) Who gets to hold the tape at the marathon finish line?! (45:45) Why Mary left NYRR for Virgin Sport, and what it was like working with Richard Branson (48:00) Whether Mary has ever regretted leaving her dream job at NYRR (53:00) What it was like when Mary finally got to run the New York City Marathon for the first time in 2016 (57:00) Mary offers her best advice for women in male-dominated industries (59:20) What’s next for Mary Wittenberg? (1:01.15) What we mention on this episode: New York Road Runners TCS New York City Marathon Virgin Sport University of Notre Dame Molly Huddle Marine Corps Marathon Peter Ciaccia Percy Sutton Harlem 5K New York City Half Popular Brooklyn Half Fifth Avenue Mile Alison Desir John Honerkamp Follow Mary: Instagram @marywruns Twitter @marywitt 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 Sep 20181h 14min

“I’m the one who just puts my head down and works really hard. That’s my thing.” —Amy Cragg In February, Amy Cragg — who runs for the Bowerman Track Club — ran an incredible five-minute personal best at the Tokyo Marathon. She finished third overall, and solidified her spot among the greats, officially becoming the fifth fastest female American marathoner. Now, Amy is gearing up to run the Chicago Marathon in October. On this episode, she shares her goals (she's in it to win it!), how her training has been going, what it's like training with Jerry Schumacher, and how she handles pressure. Plus, she reflects on the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Trials, talks about her relationship with her Olympian husband, and shares her dreams of starting a guitar band with former college roommate and friend Des Linden. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Amy reflects on the 2018 Tokyo Marathon, her five-minute PR, and what her goals were for that race (1:45) Amy’s take on the power of persistence, and whether a personal record matters when you’re a professional runner (4:20) Why Amy decided to run the Chicago Marathon this year, and how her training has been going (7:20) What it’s like when Amy races her teammates (11:35) Amy describes what it’s like to train with the Bowerman Track Club (12:50) Whether Amy and Des Linden — who were roommates in college — always knew they were destined for greatness (15:50) Amy looks back on the 2012 Olympic Trials, when she came in fourth, and then reflects on the 2016 Trials, which she won! (19:30) Amy compares the pressure of competing at the Olympics to the pressure of competing at the Trials — plus how she handles pressure (26:30) Amy talks about her relationship with her husband, Alistair (29:30) Amy shares the biggest challenge about being a professional athlete (33:00) Amy’s advice for anyone running the Chicago Marathon (38:30) What we mention on this episode: Tokyo Marathon Chicago Marathon Bowerman Track Club Gwen Jorgensen Molly Huddle Desiree Linden Kate Grace Mammoth Track Club KIMbia Athletics Follow Amy: Instagram @hastyhastings Twitter @hastyhastings 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 Sep 201847min

“It’s every competitor for themselves, and there’s no mercy after the gun goes off.” —Jenny Simpson I was thrilled when New York Road Runners asked me to be part of the organization's first RunnerCon event to kick off the world-renowned 5th Avenue Mile weekend in New York City. The Ali on the Run Show LIVE event was sandwiched between a panel with YouTube sensation (and super speedy runner!) Casey Neistat and one with professional runner and cancer-fighting superstar Gabe Grunewald — not bad company to be in! Enjoy the recording from the live show, where I had the best time chatting with an all-star lineup including New York Road Runners President of Events and Race Director of the TCS New York City Marathon Peter Ciaccia, and professional runners Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn. (And biggest thanks to everyone who came out to support the show in person. The crowd was amazing and so much fun!)   What you’ll get on this episode: Peter Ciaccia — the man behind asking for “clearance on the roadways” at New York Road Runners events — talks about how he got into the running industry and ended up at the helm of NYRR Peter reflects on the pressure that comes with being in charge of the world’s biggest marathon, plus whether he checks the weather obsessively before the race and whether he sleeps the week of the marathon (6:30) Peter’s advice to anyone who has ever worried about “coming in last” at a race (10:15) Peter shares his favorite memory from his 18-year NYRR career — and his most memorable race-day blooper (12:20) Jenny Simpson and Emma Coburn talk about what it’s like being both friends and competitors (23:15) Jenny shares whether pressure comes with defending her 5th Avenue Mile title (26:00) Jenny and Emma talk about confidence, and how social media comes into play (28:20) How Jenny defines failure, and what has the ability to rattle both women on the start line (32:15) What Emma’s competitive about off the race course (37:00) Jenny and Emma sprint to the finish (40:40) What we mention on this episode: TCS New York City Marathon New York Road Runners Jack LaLanne Dash to the Finish Line 5K Popular Brooklyn Half Emma Coburn on Episode 60 of the Ali on the Run Show Mary Wittenberg New Balance Fifth Avenue Mile Boys in the Boat Follow Peter: Instagram @peter_ciaccia Twitter @peter_ciaccia Follow Emma: Instagram @emmacoburn Twitter @emmajcoburn Facebook Follow Jenny: Instagram @trackjenny Twitter @trackjenny 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!

10 Sep 201850min

“I learned to get paid to do what I loved and enjoyed doing.” —Keri Blunt Keri Blunt is the VP of Everything at Goodr, the sunglasses company that has taken over the running world. But Keri’s goal wasn’t always (or ever) to work in the running industry. Her original plan — after graduating high school valedictorian at 16 years old — was to become a doctor. She went to college, where she double majored in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and English literature — and realized her actual passions along the way. Today, Keri splits her time between overseeing content at Goodr and being a dancer, actor, and comedic rapper. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Why Keri wanted to be a nudist growing up, and how she went on to become a 16-year-old high school valedictorian and college student double majoring in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology and English literature (2:30) How Keri figured out what she actually wanted to do with her life (8:00) What exactly Keri does now, and how she got involved with Goodr (12:00) What it means to be the VP of Everything (22:10) How Goodr grew to success over the past 3.5 years (24:15) Where the name Goodr came from (32:15) Whether Keri considers herself an entrepreneur, and how Goodr defines success (37:50) What Keri’s relationship with running is like (42:00) Meet Wendy, Keri’s [NSFW] rapping alter ego (49:00) What we mention on this episode: Goodr Kara Goucher Goodr in Runner’s World The Running Event LA Marathon Kara Goucher’s Stop and Smell the Rosé glasses Goodr Flamboyance Follow Keri: Instagram @keriblunt 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!

5 Sep 201857min

“I finally thought, ‘Why not me? Why not give it a shot?’” —Ellen Latham Ellen Latham is the creator and co-founder of Orangetheory Fitness. Orangetheory is the fastest-growing fitness franchise in the world: It's currently in 18 countries, it brought in more than $700 million in sales last year, and Ellen and her team recently celebrated the opening of the brand's 1000th studio. Of course, the road to super success hasn't been simple for Ellen. Before she was the founder of Orangetheory, she was a single mom who had just gotten fired from her job and had to figure out what to do next. On this episode, Ellen, who lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL, reflects on those challenges, how she decided to become an entrepreneur, and what makes OTF special. She also talks about her greatest successes and scariest failures and growing pains. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: How Ellen made her way into the fitness industry (1:50) How being a single mom who got fired from her job led Ellen to create Orangetheory, and how she bounced back from extreme discomfort (2:40) Whether Ellen always knew she would be a huge success, and how she learned to be an entrepreneur (8:45) What Ellen says are the most important decisions she’s made to grow Orangetheory to become the fastest-growing fitness franchise in the world (16:00) Why Orangetheory’s motto is “More Life,” and what that means to Ellen (22:30) What a day in the life of Ellen Latham is like (26:00) Ellen shares her future goals for Orangetheory (28:00) Ellen’s advice for first-time Orangetheory-goers and for women who want to pursue careers in the fitness industry (30:45) What keeps Ellen up at night (33:45) What we mention on this episode: Orangetheory Fitness Ellen’s Ultimate Workout Massage Envy 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 Aug 201851min

“You only have a fallback plan if you plan to fall back.” —Jeni Novak When I was 12 years old, my cool older cousin was dating the coolest girl I'd ever met. She wore high heels, she was a dancer, and she would always do my hair and makeup when I saw her. That girl — woman — is Jeni Novak. We called her "Little Jen," because she was teeny tiny, but today, Little Jen has gotten up to some big things: She went on to become a professional dancer, eventually dancing for Miley Cyrus and becoming not just her go-to dancer, but also one of her closest friends. (Jealous.) Jeni met her now-husband while dancing for Miley (my cousin went on to marry the other coolest girl I've ever met), so if you're a Miley Cyrus fan (I am!), there are lots of fun Miley stories in this episode. Today, Jeni is a hair and makeup artist in Hollywood. She and her husband started their own creative agency and production company, Novak Entertainment, and their clients include Lululemon, Tone It Up, Reebok, and more. Jen has so many inspiring stories to share, so if you're looking for someone to help whip you into shape and up your hustle game, you'll get it in this episode. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Jeni recalls her early days as an aspiring professional dancer, and how she made her dance dreams come true — including the fateful way she ended up moving to Los Angeles for good (4:10) How Jeni has built her confidence, and whether she’s ever felt insecure in this industry (22:30) How Jeni ended up dancing for — and becoming close friends with — Miley Cyrus (25:15) How and why Jeni decided to start a production company (36:30) The big job Jeni was preparing for when we recorded this episode (48:40) How Jeni made her way into the health and wellness space (1:00:10) What we mention on this episode: The Juilliard School Legends in Concert Broadway Dance Center L.A. DanceMagic Miley Cyrus performing Melancholy Hill Matte Black Follow Jeni: Instagram @jeninovak Website Novak Entertainment 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!

23 Aug 20181h 13min

“I haven’t always failed gracefully, but I’ve always come back.” —Laura Anderson Laura Anderson is a full-time working mom and McKirdy Trained running coach based in Rochester, NY. Laura had her daughter, Hannah, a little over a year ago, and in May she ran — and won — her first big postpartum race. On this episode, Laura reflects on her 2018 Buffalo Marathon win (she finished in 2:57, which was also a marathon PR) and the training that helped her break the tape. She also honestly and candidly talks about her experience with postpartum OCD, body image, and goal setting. Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $55 off your wireless headphone bundle!   What you’ll get on this episode: Laura reflects on her recent Buffalo Marathon win and what race day was like (2:50) How Laura’s Buffalo Marathon training went — her first postpartum training cycle — and what she does for cross-training (11:40) Why Laura chose not to run during her pregnancy (17:15) Laura talks about whether not running throughout pregnancy made her postpartum comeback easier or more challenging (22:00) How Laura got into running (28:30) What Laura’s training for now, plus how and when she sets her running goals (32:00) Laura’s advice for aspiring Boston Marathon qualifiers (36:30) How and why Laura decided to become a running coach, and what she’s like as a coach (38:30) Laura talks about the most common mistakes she sees most runners making (41:30) Laura opens up about her postpartum OCD (44:15) How Laura takes care of herself in spite of an extremely busy schedule (52:30) What we mention on this episode: Buffalo Marathon McKirdy Trained Lake Effect Half Marathon *Learn more about Postpartum OCD* Follow Laura: Instagram @losingrace Twitter @losingrace Coaching Blog Salty Running 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 Aug 20181h 1min