Ali on the Run Show

Happy Mother's Day! Earlier this week, I had the honor and privilege of hosting a virtual live show with four inspiring, iconic women: Lauren Fleshman, Alysia Montaño, Stephanie Bruce, and Dawn Harper-Nelson. It was an open, honest, totally unfiltered conversation about the realities of motherhood — the good, the bad, the messy, the 4 AM feedings, and the pressure we put on ourselves to, sigh, "do it all." We talked about asking for help, and why that can be more complicated than it seems, and talked about what mothers need — like really need — to thrive in society today. (And we raised more than $5,000 for &Mother — Alysia's organization that is dedicated to breaking down barriers that limit a woman's choice to pursue and thrive in both career and motherhood — in the process!) And on a personal note: Whatever stage of motherhood you are in, please know that I see you, and you are not alone. If you're an aspiring mom, if you are trying to conceive, if you are basking in new motherhood, if you are struggling in new motherhood, if you're a seasoned mom, if you have a complicated relationship with your own mother, whatever stage or phase you are in right now, know that I see you. I see how hard you are working, how hard you are trying, how you are showing up every day, doing your best. And if no one has told you yet today: You're doing great. Truly. Mother's Day can bring up a lot of emotions for a lot of people, and I want you to protect your heart, today and always. I hope this conversation will help some people feel seen or less alone, but I also know that spending 90 minutes hearing about motherhood may not serve a lot of people right now, so please do what is best for you. [Hug.] SPONSOR: Picky Bars — Visit pickybars.com/ontherun, where code ONTHERUN gets you 20% off. (Join the Picky Club and get an extra 20% off.) For more: Lauren Fleshman on Episode 103 of the Ali on the Run Show Lauren Fleshman & Jesse Thomas on Episode 161 of the Ali on the Run Show Alysia Montaño on Episode 259 of the Ali on the Run Show Steph Bruce on Episode 104 of the Ali on the Run Show Steph & Ben Bruce on Episode 206 of the Ali on the Run Show Steph Bruce on Episode 354 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 iTunes or Apple Podcasts. And, as always, spread the run love by sharing this episode with your friends, family members, running buddies, or favorite internet strangers!

8 Maj 20211h 32min

"Having an invisible illness yourself is a constant reminder that you never know what other people are dealing with." Welcome to Ask Ali, a bi-weekly series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about what I'm looking forward to (and what I'm anxious about) as life begins to return to "normal," whether podcast guests ever annoy me, my personal running progression over the years, what life without Crohn's disease could have been like, and new motherhood. Thanks to everyone who called in for this one. Enjoy! If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you! SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! What I mention on this episode: Natalie Morales on Episode 33 of the Ali on the Run Show Matty Maggiacomo on Episode 350 of the Ali on the Run Show The Motherhood Center of New York Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Maj 202159min

“So, there is hope. I am still an optimist about this, and I’m doing as much as I can to keep myself healthy. If this is my destiny or whatever and there’s nothing I can do to stop it, that’s fine. But I’m gonna live my life to the fullest in the meantime, because nothing is guaranteed. So I’ll keep challenging myself to do things while my mind and my body are able.” I have been following Devon Pass since before she was Devon Pass. Devon was one of the OG bloggers in the early 2010s, and I loved following her travel adventures on Tumblr. (She was Devon Mills at the time.) Today, Devon is married to her husband, Aaron, and they live in Washington with their five-year-old daughter, Evie. Devon is a copywriter for Nordstrom (cool!), and is a six-time marathoner. We cover a lot of ground in this episode — it really was just catching up with an old friend. Devon talks about how she learned to save money in her twenties, and how she was able to support herself while she traveled the world. She talks about the moments that made her stronger along the way, and talks about how she met her now husband. She shares her running story, and talks about what she's doing right now to get faster and stronger. She talks candidly about new motherhood, and what it was like being the first in her friend group to have a baby. And she talks about her mom, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in her sixties. (Tissue warning for this part of the conversation.) It's a well-rounded conversation that perfectly showcases this well-rounded woman. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: How was your run today? (5:30) Devon shares her running story, and talks about a recent unsettling encounter on the run (9:00) On having a goal-oriented mentality, and where that came from (22:50) Devon looks back on her time traveling the world alone in her early twenties (28:30) Reflecting on new motherhood (40:00) What Devon’s days are like as a copywriter for Nordstrom (49:20) Why Devon says her marriage has been “stronger and happier than ever” during the pandemic (54:20) Devon talks about her mother’s Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis (1:03:30) What we mention on this episode: Down Dog app @trackclubbabe @charihawkins American Glutton podcast The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey The Art of Non-Conformity "Puzzle Pieces," Devon’s post about being a new mom Keep Sharp by Sanjay Gupta Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor Follow Devon: Instagram @dev.on.running Blog Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Maj 20211h 36min

"I don’t chase podiums and PRs. I have a tendency to chase clocks and cutoffs. And that’s fine with me." Welcome to the newest series on the Ali on the Run Show: The Everyday Runner. On this series, we’re hearing from runners who are just like you and me. Not professional athletes — these runners have jobs, families, and responsibilities beyond this sport we all love so much. Last week, we kicked things off with Jen Correa, the mom of two whose family lost everything in Hurricane Sandy. Today, meet Meg Navatto! Meg is a cell genetic technologist from Long Island who started running at age 37. Meg's running story began when she and her husband set out to get healthy with a Couch to 5K program. Today, Meg is a 14-time marathoner and ultramarathoner. (She's run Badwater three times!) On this episode, Meg talks about what it took to (finally!) call herself a runner, and talks about why she's proud to be a back-of-the-pack runner. She talks about her emotions around finishing last in a race, and how that's changed over the years, and shares the story of the time she was told she was "too fat to be a runner." Meg is so fun, so inspiring, and so positive — you're going to love her. SPONSOR: Picky Bars — Visit pickybars.com/ontherun, where code ONTHERUN gets you 20% off. (Join the Picky Club and get an extra 20% off. What you’ll get on this episode: What Meg’s childhood was like, and how she decided on a career path (2:45) How Meg found running and, eventually, racing (6:45) Meg reflects on her first 5K (16:25) On identifying as a runner (19:00) On finishing last at races, and why the back of the pack is awesome (23:30) The allure of ultramarathons (27:30) Why Meg runs to raise money for The Herren Project, and why that cause is so important to her and her family (31:50) The time Meg was out for a training run and overheard two women say, “She’s too fat to run” (42:45) What life is like for a cell genetic technologist (49:30) What we mention on this episode: Couch to 5K November Project The Herren Project Chris Mosier on Episode 13 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Meg: Instagram @megatron_runs DONATE to The Herren Project Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 iTunes or Apple Podcasts. And, as always, spread the run love by sharing this episode with your friends, family members, running buddies, or favorite internet strangers!

4 Maj 20211h 15min

“I’m pretty close to living the dream right now.” What do you do when you can't decide whether you want to go pro as a runner, or pursue your dream of being a registered dietitian? For Maddie Alm, the answer was "do both." Maddie lives in Boulder, CO, where she trains with Team Boss (coached by Joe Bosshard) and is the owner and founder of Fueling Forward, a sports nutrition consulting business. She's a former All-American from UC Boulder, and was a two-time USA Championships qualifier. Today, she's chasing a 5K qualifier so she can compete at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials this summer. (She recently ran personal bests in both the 3K and the 5K, so things are looking good.) And when she's not chasing down her running dreams, she's working with athletes to help them improve their relationships with food. On this episode, Maddie talks about what her training is like right now, and talks about experiencing her first year being fully healthy since college. She talks about building physical and mental toughness, and shares what failure means to her. Plus, she talks about entrepreneurship during a pandemic and shares the five foods she recommends for all runners. SPONSOR: AfterShokz — Visit ontherun.aftershokz.com for 15% off wireless headphones. What you’ll get on this episode: How was your run today? (3:15) Maddie reflects on her first year since college being fully healthy on the run (6:30) On failure (11:45) Maddie’s road to professional running, and how she became a member of Team Boss (15:00) What is a registered dietitian? (26:30) On launching Fueling Forward — during a pandemic! (28:15) How Maddie grew her business (33:10) Maddie talks about her own relationship with food over the years (37:30) What is “the dream?” (42:15) What are the most-asked questions Maddie gets as a registered dietitian? (43:45) What Maddie does when she’s not running or RD-ing (50:15) Follow Maddie: Instagram @madsalm12 Instagram @fueling_forward Fueling Forward Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Apr 20211h 5min

“The water took everything, but we had ourselves and all of our communities and friends who made sure we had everything else.” Welcome to the newest series on the Ali on the Run Show: The Everyday Runner. For the next four weeks, we’ll hear from runners who are just like you and me. Not professional athletes — these runners have jobs, families, and responsibilities beyond this sport we all love so much. First up: Meet Jen Correa! Jen is a mom of two (plus two dogs!) from Staten Island, NY. She works in insurance, and we met through the running blog world in the early 2010s, when Jen was blogging at Mom’s Gotta Run. On this episode, Jen shares her running story, which started when her friend convinced her to run a Corporate Challenge race. She wasn’t an athlete growing up — “I have nightmares of gym class,” she says — but after her first race as an adult (and a pack-a-day smoker), she was hooked. Eventually, Jen gave up smoking, but she stuck with running, including marathons. In 2012, Jen and her family lost everything when Hurricane Sandy touched down in Staten Island. Their house was lifted off its foundation, and floated nearly a mile away. They had to start over, and on this episode, Jen, 46, talks about how, exactly, they did that. She shares her poignant takeaways from losing it all, and talks about the controversy surrounding the New York City Marathon’s cancellation at the time. SPONSOR: Picky Bars — Visit pickybars.com/ontherun, where code ONTHERUN gets you 20% off. (Join the Picky Club and get an extra 20% off. What you’ll get on this episode: Reflecting back on the early 2010s, and what it was like being a part of the running community in New York City during that time (5:45) Jen talks about her childhood, and about how she found running (9:00) On adopting and owning the “runner” title (15:45) On being a New Yorker on September 11, 2001 (18:30) What Jen’s relationship with running was like during and after her pregnancies (20:00) Jen talks about her family’s experience in the wake of Hurricane Sandy (31:30) “When you’ve lost everything — except each other — what do you do?” (46:00) What running — and finally running the New York City Marathon — was like after Hurricane Sandy (52:00) What it was like running the 2016 New York City Marathon representing Staten Island as part of the Foot Locker Five Borough Challenge (1:01:30) What we mention on this episode: Michele Gonzalez on Episode 87 of the Ali on the Run Show Michele Gonzalez on Episode 19 of the Ali on the Run Show Follow Jen: Instagram @jenjencorrea Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Apr 20211h 16min

"We spend so much time in our lives comparing ourselves. So my mantra is, life isn’t about what you don’t have. It’s what you do with the gifts you are given." Tatyana McFadden is one of the most-decorated athletes of all time. She is a 17-time Paralympic medalist (she's been competing at the Games since she was 15!) and 23-time World Marathon Majors winner, and she's currently gearing up for this year's Paralympic Games in Tokyo, where she hopes to compete in every distance from the 100m up to the marathon. On this episode, Tatyana catches us up on all that's happened since the last time she was on the Ali on the Run Show. She talks about her film, Rising Phoenix, which she both helped produce and stars in. She talks about her friendship with Prince Harry, and about being on an episode of Project Runway. And she talks about her ambitious plans for Tokyo this summer, where she will compete in the Paralympics for the sixth consecutive time. SPONSOR: AJC Peachtree Road Race — Register for this year’s race today at ajc.com/peachtree. What you’ll get on this episode: Tatyana talks about her upcoming race plans (4:45) How is Prince Harry doing? (6:45) All about Rising Phoenix (9:00) Tatyana’s advice for extending longevity in this career (25:30) Reflecting on life a year ago (33:20) All about being on Project Runway (41:00) On Joe Biden including the word “disability” in his victory speech last year (47:20) How Tatyana trains to be successful at such a range of distances (50:45) Who does Tatyana look up to? (54:30) What the qualifying process looks like for the Paralympics (56:00) What we mention on this episode: Tatyana McFadden on Episode 115 of the Ali on the Run Show Rising Phoenix on Netflix Ya Sama! by Tatyana McFadden Follow Tatyana: Instagram @tatyanamcfaddenusa Twitter @tatyanamcfadden Facebook Website Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 20211h 3min

"I wanted this to be a show for so long where everyone loved every episode. And don’t get me wrong, I’d still love for that to be the case! But I’ve learned that that is kind of impossible. So I’ll keep trying to trust my leaky gut and hoping many people find many things to love, but knowing I can’t be everything to everyone." Welcome to Ask Ali, a bi-weekly series where I answer all of your questions. This time around, we’ve got listener questions about building running mileage, making friends as an adult, the future of journalism, regrets, and my love for having someone else pump my gas. Enjoy! If you want to be part of a future “Ask Ali” episode (yay!), call 917-947-9699 — introduce yourself, and ask whatever’s on your mind! I can’t wait to hear from you! SPONSOR: goodr. Click here and use code ONTHERUN15 for 15% off your entire goodr order! What I mention on this episode: 36 Hours in Bar Harbor, Maine Emilia Benton on Episode 340 of the Ali on the Run Show Ali on the For the Long Run podcast Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon 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 Apr 202157min