233. On the Job with Amanda LaVergne, Broadway Performer

“I had no idea there was a camera on me. But yes, I have seen all the memes.” — Ryan Linden If Ryan Linden’s last name sounds familiar, that’s because yes, he is married to 2018 Boston Marathon champion Desiree Linden. Ryan was the undeniably proud face the cameras kept cutting to as Des neared the historic Boston finish line, and on this episode, he breaks down every detail from that life-changing Marathon Monday — from his perspective! He also shares what Des is really like on race morning, how they met and got engaged, and how they balance their intense work and training schedules. In addition to being a super husband and stellar spectator, Ryan is also a tremendous athlete himself: He’s a 2:26 marathoner turned Ironman, and is hoping to return to Kona to compete this year. He’s also a new business owner and entrepreneur: Ryan, along with Des and fellow runner-husband-and-wife team Ben and Sarah True, founded Linden & True Coffee earlier this year to much fanfare. 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: Ryan explains what he does for a living, where his Ironman pursuits fit into that lifestyle, and how he became a competitive athlete (4:05) What motivates Ryan, and what the “Linden on the run” partnership is like (9:15) What a day in the life of Ryan is like, and whether he still dreams of a 2:22 marathon and Olympic Trials qualifier (12:30) How Ryan and Des met, started dating, and got engaged — plus what went down at the 2010 Chicago Marathon (17:00) What Ryan and Desiree’s relationship dynamic is like, and whether they ever get competitive with each other (23:20) Ryan shares what Des is like on race morning, then breaks down the 2018 Boston Marathon from his perspective (30:30) What it was like seeing Des make that final turn about to win the Boston Marathon (41:45) What post-Boston life has been like for the Lindens, including walking the red carpet at the Billboard Music Awards, and what Ryan wants to see Des do next (44:00) How and why Des, Ryan, and Ben and Sarah True decided to start Linden & True Coffee, and what that process has been like (46:00) What we mention on this episode: Desiree Linden on Episode 64 of the Ali on the Run Show Desiree Linden on Episode 77 of the Ali on the Run Show Linden & True Coffee Mallory Safety & Supply Tracksmith Follow Ryan: Instagram @rl_linden Twitter @rl_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!

19 Juli 201856min

“You have to be OK with hearing no, but also not letting that be the last thing that you hear.’” — Tim Murphy Tim and Jessica Murphy are the husband-and-wife team behind BibRave — the Yelp for running races. They’re the ultimate industry insiders, and on this episode, they share their journey to becoming entrepreneurs (before going all-in on BibRave, Jessica worked at LinkedIn, Nike, and Runner’s World, and Tim worked just about everywhere, doing a little of everything), and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. They open up about the moments — and emails! — that made them question what they were doing, and ultimately share what has made BibRave so successful. Plus, Tim (an ultra runner) and Jessica (a 20-time marathoner) talk about what they’ve learned from the BibRave community, and what people really love and really hate about races. This is a must-listen for aspiring entrepreneurs or anyone who has thought about going into business with a significant other. 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: Tim and Jessica share how they came up with the idea for BibRave, and when they realized it could be a viable business (5:00) What Tim and Jessica were doing before they became entrepreneurs, and how their careers prepared them to make them jump (11:45) Who’s the boss at BibRave? (18:20) How Tim and Jessica actually grew BibRave into a business, and the moments that made them question what they were doing (19:45) How Tim and Jessica let rejection and tough phone calls roll off their backs (24:30) What Tim and Jessica fight about, and whether they get sick of each other (26:00) What Tim and Jessica spend most of their time worrying about, and what’s next for their business (41:15) What Tim and Jessica say people love — and loathe — most about races (51:20) Tim and Jessica share their best advice for couples who choose to become business partners (57:40) What we mention on this episode: BibRave Ali on the Run Show Live Chicago Marathon The Atlantic Runner’s World Honolulu Marathon Running USA The BibRave 100 Missoula Marathon North Face Endurance Challenge Series Leadville 100 Steamtown Marathon Desiree Linden Meb Keflezighi Follow Tim: Instagram @tmurph135 Twitter @tmurph135 Follow Jessica: Instagram @jmurphy628 Twitter @jnimurph Follow BibRave: Instagram @bibrave Facebook Twitter @bibrave Podcast 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!

11 Juli 20181h 8min

“I said, ‘No way am I running Western States! That’s 100 miles!’” — Rob Krar, Western States Endurance Run winner 2014 Rob Krar is one of the kings of ultra running. He was a middle-distance runner through college, but then threw his running shoes in the trash, insisting he was done with running forever. Famous last words: Though Rob did take a break from running (during which time he worked grueling 12-hour graveyard shifts as a pharmacist), he eventually returned to the sport in a big way — as an ultramarathoner. He has won the most prestigious and competitive ultras, including Western States, Leadville, Run Rabbit Run, and a handful of North Face Endurance Challenge races, to name just a few. Rob is also a vocal advocate for mental health, and on this episode he opens up about his struggles with depression. Rob lives in Flagstaff, AZ, with his wife and fellow ultra runner, Christina. 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: How and why Rob transitioned from the track to ultra running (4:15) How Rob met his wife, Christina, and the role running plays in their relationship (12:10) How Rob says he found his purpose through running after a difficult time in his life, and why he became drawn to ultras (18:45) What Rob’s relationship with pain is like (26:45) How Rob, who is self-coached, plans his training schedule and goal races (33:50) Rob’s advice for dealing with injuries, both physically and emotionally (41:10) What Rob tells people who are interested in getting into ultra running (43:50) Rob opens up about his mental health struggles and experience with depression (45:45) What we mention on this episode: Butler University Western States Endurance Run Boston Marathon TransRockies Run Moab Red Hot 33K Hardrock 100 Emily Halnon on Episode 1 of the Ali on the Run Show Dave Mackey Leadman Series Depressions short film Follow Rob: Instagram @robkrar Facebook Twitter @robkrar 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 Juli 20181h 4min

"I was so petrified of failure for so long that I never ventured outside of things I knew I was good at." —Amelia Boone Amelia Boone is a badass. By day, she’s a lawyer at Apple, and by very early morning, she’s a four-time world champion obstacle racer and self-proclaimed “budding ultra runner.” Amelia lives in San Jose, CA, and is a glutton for punishment — hence her race distance of choice being “long.” On this episode, Amelia — who you may recognize as last month’s Runner’s World cover star — talks about why she’s intrigued by failure, why she loves grueling races, and how she gained her mental strength. She reflects on her go at the 2018 Barkley Marathons, and opens up about the pressure to win. 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: Why the brutality of obstacle races and ultramarathons appeals to Amelia, and why she’s intrigued by fear (2:15) How Amelia got into obstacle course racing (5:00) Amelia reflects on her attempt at completing the 2018 Barkley Marathons (11:15) What it’s like to become the World’s Toughest Mudder (21:15) What Amelia’s family thinks of her crazy endurance adventures, and how she became a well-known figure in the sports world (27:00) What a day in the life looks like for Amelia (30:30) Amelia shares her take on rest days (35:00) What the pressure to keep winning is like (38:40) How Amelia found ultra running (41:00) Amelia shares her best advice for first-time obstacle racers and ultra runners (48:50) What we mention on this episode: The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young Tough Mudder Spartan Race “Amelia Boone Is Stronger Than Ever” via Runner’s World Rest Day Brags Western States Endurance Run Kilian Jornet Follow Amelia: Instagram @arboone11 Facebook Twitter @ameliaboone 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!

28 Juni 20181h 3min

“I’ve been doing this for three years now and I’m still not used to it. I still get nervous. I worry, am I saying the right thing? Do they like me? Am I funny enough?” —Kayla Itsines With nearly 10 million followers on Instagram, and 22 million on Facebook, Kayla Itsines is arguably the world’s most famous fitness personality and trainer right now. She’s the co-creator of the Bikini Body Guides (BBG) workouts (those 28-minute, deceptively tough workouts everyone’s posting about on Instagram) and the brains behind the Sweat app, and she is a bona-fide global sensation. But Kayla, who is from Adelaide, Australia, doesn’t think of herself as famous — and that was definitely never the plan. She just wanted to be a personal trainer and to help women, and along the way she built a multi-million dollar business, a massive reputation, a super supportive community, and a team of 100 employees. 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: Whether being today’s most popular and influential trainer and fitness personality was the future young Kayla Itsines saw for herself, and how she turned her lifestyle into a business (2:25) Whether Kayla enjoys being an entrepreneur (5:15) The a-ha moment that made Kayla realize she had found her place (7:15) Why Kayla gets nervous before her boot camps (8:15) What Kayla’s family thinks of their Insta-famous relative (10:20) Why Kayla decided to call her workouts Bikini Body Guides, and what that means to her (11:00) How Kayla and her fiancé, Tobi, met (11:45) How Kayla hires, manages, and oversees a 100-person team, and what a day in the life looks like for her (15:25) Why Kayla doesn’t want someone taking over her Instagram (17:30) How Kayla created the BBG workouts (18:00) Whether there’s pressure that comes with having a massive following, and whether Kayla likes being famous (20:45) Kayla opens up about what her relationship with her body is like (27:25) Kayla shares what her diet is like (29:50) Kayla’s tips for building body confidence (31:10) Whether Kayla is bothered by negative comments (32:50) Kayla’s best Instagram advice (35:20) What we mention on this episode: Kayla’s E-Books Eataly Nobu Tobi Pearce Follow Kayla: Instagram @kayla_itsines Facebook Twitter @kayla_itsines Sweat App 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!

21 Juni 201845min

“You can make a career shift at any time. Because why not pursue something that you think would make you happy?” —Wesley Little Wesley Little is a licensed professional counselor specializing in couples therapy, and she’s here to answer all of my — and your — burning questions. On this episode, Wesley talks about her indirect route to becoming a therapist (including a detour through law school), and the schooling and education required to pursue a similar career. She debunks common misconceptions about therapy, explains why most couples seek therapy together, and shares what she thinks holds most people back from seeing a therapist. Now more than ever, this conversation is so important, and I hope you enjoy it. (Plus, Wesley and her husband are both two-time marathoners. As for whether they have a “perfect marriage” and never fight? I asked. And she answered.) 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: How Wesley decided to become a therapist, and what her journey to her dream career entailed (3:10) The kind of therapy Wesley practices, and why she decided she wanted to work with couples (9:45) Wesley debunks some common misconceptions about couples therapy (13:40) Wesley’s advice for finding a therapist, and what she says holds most people back from going to therapy (15:10) Wesley breaks down the most common reasons couples seek therapy (20:20) When is the right time to start seeing a therapist? And how do you get your partner to agree if he or she is hesitant? (29:25) Wesley opens up about her own relationship, and how running plays a role in it (38:00) Wesley shares whether or not she thinks you should go to bed angry (43:00) Wesley answers listener questions! (45:15) What we mention on this episode: University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Dr. Sue Johnson Psychology Today Terry Real Vanessa Marin The 5 Love Languages Follow Wesley: Website Becoming a Therapist 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!

14 Juni 20181h 8min

“In order to find out what you can do, you have to show up. Give yourself a chance and see what happens.” —Desiree Linden When I launched the Ali on the Run Show in February 2017, I knew right away I wanted to eventually host live events. I love sharing conversations on this show every week, but human, in-real-life connection is so powerful. I wanted to have those conversations with a live audience. It was a dream in 2017, and on June 2 at the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter — alongside Meb Keflezighi, Andrea Barber, Chris Heuisler, and Des Linden — it became a reality. Here's the full episode. (And here's a recap from San Diego.)   What you’ll get on this episode: Why Meb Keflezighi is, according to Chris Heuisler, like Mr. Miyagi (5:20) How everyone on the panel knows each other (6:00) What brought everyone to running — and what keeps them running (8:40) Andrea isn’t a fan of red carpets, but she was happy to do this live show — here’s why (11:00) The sacrifices Meb, Andrea, and Chris all had to make throughout their careers and lives, in running and beyond (12:10) What Meb’s retirement looks like (15:00) “When it comes to running, how do you get your family to get it?” (21:30) Meb, Andrea, and Chris open up about their insecurities, how they developed their confidence, and mental health (25:45) How Meb’s identity has changed since retirement, and what it’s like to show up to a race when you’re not there to win (32:20) “Do you have any haters?” (36:00) Listener Q&A: Meb’s tips for mastering mental toughness, and everyone shares their favorite spot for a long run (40:30) Sprint to the Finish — with a surprise guest! (44:00) What we mention on this episode: Andrea Barber on Episode 45 of the Ali on the Run Show Chris Heuisler on Episode 6 of the Ali on the Run Show Chris Heuisler on Episode 44 of the Ali on the Run Show Des Linden on Episode 64 of the Ali on the Run Show Westin Hotels and Resorts Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Rock N Roll San Diego linden & true Coffee Follow Meb: Instagram @runmeb Facebook Twitter @runmeb Follow Andrea: Instagram @andreabarber Facebook Twitter @andreabarber Follow Chris: Instagram @chrisheuisler Twitter @runwestin 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!

7 Juni 201859min

On this bonus episode, Brian Cristiano, founder and CEO of BOLD Worldwide (and my husband!), tests out a new round of Sprint to the Finish questions. Click here to listen to Brian on Episode 75 of the Ali on the Run Show.

1 Juni 20184min