Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live happier, healthier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

  1. 19 hr ago

    Hurdling into Your Power: Dawn Harper-Nelson on Olympic Gold, Motherhood & Building an Emmy-Winning Second Act

    This week, two-time Olympic medalist, four-time Diamond League champion, and Emmy Award–winning analyst Dawn Harper-Nelson joins the show. From standing atop the podium in Beijing and London to navigating devastating falls, major career transitions, and the vulnerable leap into motherhood, Dawn’s journey is a masterclass in true resilience. In this conversation, Dawn breaks down what it really takes to build your "second act," how she pivoted from world-class competitor to commanding the mic for NBC and Athlos, and the daily mindset shifts required to navigate self-doubt. We unpack the power of owning your "no" without guilt, protecting your energy, and building relationships anchored in trust and good intentions. Whether you’re stepping into a new career chapter or learning how to give yourself permission to pursue what fulfills you, Dawn’s perspective delivers the exact dose of motivation you need today. IN THIS EPISODE Finding the Second Act: How Dawn navigated the identity shift from elite hurdler to broadcast analyst and event MC with Athlos. Reframing Failure: The lessons learned from falling at the Beijing World Championships and how Bobby Kersee’s high-stakes training prepared her to handle heartbreak. Stepping Away & Returning: The decision to step away from the sport to start a family, learning to accept an evolving body, and coming back to competition on her own terms. Intentional Relationships & Communication: How radical trust, assuming good intentions, and clear communication carried her marriage through six years of living apart while competing. Energy Management & Owning Your “No”: Why setting boundaries and taking guilt-free pauses isn't an inconvenience to others, but a necessary practice to avoid emotional burnout. Redefining Female Competition: Embracing the fierce, "killer" edge required to win at the highest level while staying grounded, kind, and authentic off the track. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "When the world is burning and crashing around you, will you still say fight for your dream? Will you still say, ‘It’s possible’? Will you still believe you’re a good person? Can you still see the brighter side of tomorrow?" "You don't put in that type of work to have it not come true... but one, you will realize, 'Oh, I'm stronger than I ever thought I was.'" "If you take your losses this hard, you will never make it in this sport." "I am a woman forever. That will never change. But I'm an athlete when I step out there, and I'm ruthless. I'm a killer." "Chase your dream, because you can’t come home with that void. I can’t fulfill that for you." "Permission from others to not care gives you permission to have your own permission." SOCIAL@dharp100mh@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.  Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  2. 1 Sept

    The Discipline of a World Champion: Twanisha 'TeeTee' Terry On Navigating Forced Rest, Star Athletics & Finding Clarity In The Comeback

    Olympic and World Champion sprinter Twanisha "TeeTee" Terry joins the show to talk about navigating the mental and physical hurdles of forced rest. Sidelined by a lower back injury during what was supposed to be a dominant year, TeeTee opens up about shifting from “Phenomenal 2026” to “Patient 2026,” working through the frustration of moving recovery timelines, and finding clarity alongside her Star Athletics training group. She also discusses the mental shift between running the 4x100m relay versus the open 100m, how she cultivates passions outside of track—from crocheting and Lego building to authoring children’s books and running her nonprofit—and why staying true to yourself is the ultimate measure of success. IN THIS EPISODE Navigating Forced Rest & Injury: TeeTee breaks down the lower back injury that halted her season, managing timeline pushbacks, and the mental shift required to embrace “Patient 2026.” The Power of Communication & Clear Milestones: How transparent conversations with coaches Dennis Mitchell and Sharif Lewis, alongside PT Brian, helped align everyone on realistic recovery goals. The Need for a True Reset: Why asking for a complete week off to visit family and her college coach helped reset her mental drive. Open 100m vs. 4x100m Relay Mindset: Breaking out of robotic “technical mode” in individual blocks to channel the unmatched confidence she brings to the second leg of the relay. Track & Field’s Accessibility Hurdle: Why the gap between the everyday running boom and track fandom comes down to broadcasting paywalls, fragmented meet schedules, and media access. Life Beyond the Oval: How writing children’s books, crocheting, building Legos, and running Starting Blocks for Dreams provide balance and identity beyond athletics. Academic Discipline: Earning a bachelor’s degree from USC in three years, completing a master’s in one, and balancing 20-unit semesters during heavy training blocks. Learning Healthy Selfishness: Why the natural “team mom” and eldest of seven had to learn to protect her own cup before pouring into others. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "I really was on go all those years, so I’m definitely looking at it as a moment to be able to step back and just rest. Even though it was a forced rest, I’m okay with it." "You have to see yourself working for something. I know you’re not competing, but aim as if you’re working to compete... because that will help your healing." "Comparison is the thief of joy. Make sure you’re focusing on yourself and trusting your own journey." "I never know who’s watching. You want to make sure you’re you, through and through, and you just stay true to who you are." SOCIAL@teeteeterry_@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.  Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  3. 25 Aug

    The Mindset of an American Record Holder: Sinclaire Johnson On Building Self-Belief, Mastering The Mile & Trusting Your Gut

    American record holder in the mile and Hoka professional athlete Sinclaire Johnson joins the show to discuss navigating the intense highs, setbacks, and transitions of elite middle-distance running. Sinclaire gets real about rebounding from a misdiagnosed sacral stress reaction, the emotional aftermath of placing fourth at the 2024 Olympic Trials with a personal best, and taking a leap of faith to sign with HOKA. She also breaks down how working with a sports psychologist redefined her inner dialogue from chasing perfection to pursuing excellence, her lap-by-lap tactical mindset during the mile, and her life away from competition—including first-dance choreography and wedding planning with her fiancé and coach, Craig. IN THIS EPISODE Navigating Injury & Recovery: Managing the frustration of a misdiagnosed sacral stress reaction and rebuilding base fitness during an off-year. The 2024 Trials Perspective: Processing the heartbreak of missing the team by one spot while still celebrating a two-second PR. Coaching & Life Dynamics: What it looks like to be coached by her fiancé, Craig, and how their partnership reignited her joy for training. The Move to Hoka: Stepping into a major sponsorship shift, collaborating directly on shoe prototypes in Portland, and feeling valued as an athlete. Excellence Over Perfection: Shifting self-talk, overcoming imposter syndrome on global start lines, and leaning into unfiltered vulnerability on YouTube. The Anatomy of a Fast Mile: A detailed look inside her race strategy, from staying relaxed through 800m to the physical blur of the final 200m. Life Off the Oval: Wedding preparations, practicing dance lifts, and staying true to her everyday self. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "We’re not striving for perfection, because no one’s perfect. Instead, we’re striving for excellence. How can I be excellent today? How can I be excellent tomorrow?" "There’s nothing that makes you feel more alive than feeling like you’re going to die on the track." "Your gut, your intuition, will never lead you astray. If you trust yourself and listen to that inner voice, you’re on the right path." "I am an ultracompetitive person on the line, but at the end of the day, we put the guard down and celebrate each other. That camaraderie is what makes middle-distance running so special." SOCIAL@sinclairejohnson@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.  Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  4. 18 Aug

    At What Cost: Jess Sims on Setting Boundaries, Injury Lessons & Embracing Imperfection

    Peloton favorite, ESPN host, and sideline reporter Jess Sims sits down for an intimate, vulnerable conversation about what it truly means to slow down, listen to your gut, and navigate life’s biggest transitions. Jess opens up about expanding her broadcast career onto national stages like First Take and College GameDay, how she actively quiets her inner "Gremlin," and why she now filters every new opportunity through the question: “At what cost?” She also shares how she navigated the profound grief of losing her father, what a multi-year injury journey taught her about self-worth and starting over, and the power of embracing neutral self-talk over toxic positivity. IN THIS EPISODE Slowing Down & Setting Boundaries: Why Jess is moving away from the "it'll slow down after this project" mentality and how she creates restorative space at her upstate home. Expanding Her Role at ESPN: Entering her fifth year, making the leap into guest-hosting First Take, and the distinct mindset shift required for live national television debates. Taming the "Inner Gremlin": Recognizing negative self-talk, separating automatic emotional reactions from intentional responses, and leading with gut instinct. Aligning Decisions with Your Mission: Rooting choices in core values (health, community, purpose) and learning how Jess's background in education and team sports shaped her lifelong mission to uplift others. Navigating Difficult Conversations: Why clarity gives you what you need (even if it’s not what you want) and the courage required to live outside the gray area. Grief, Loss, and Honor: Experiencing the loss of her father, reframing the non-linear nature of grief, and creating space for raw emotion in fitness classes and community spaces. Reframing Injury as Information: Overcoming a torn meniscus, finding joy in being a beginner again, and keeping identity separate from physical output. Her Current Training Stack: Transitioning away from marathon training, working with a personal trainer, and balancing discipline with real-life fun. Neutrality Over Toxic Positivity: How Jess looks in the mirror today, embracing imperfection, and giving herself grace on the days when "positive" feels out of reach. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "Becoming is better than being ... there's something about learning that excites me."   "Clarity gives you what you need, even if it doesn't give you what you want." "I'm me. I'm never going to be anyone else. Might as well hype myself up in the best way that I can. And if I can't push myself to positive, just keep it to neutral." SOCIAL@jesssims@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.  Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  5. 14 Aug

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Returning to Seawheeze & Dreaming Bigger

    In this episode of 5-Minute Friday, Emily reflects on a major full-circle moment after returning to Vancouver for the lululemon SeaWheeze race weekend. Eight years ago, standing at a lululemon Vision & Goals session in that very same city, she put a terrifyingly big goal out into the universe: to make Hurdle her full-time job. Fast forward to today, and that vision has grown bigger than she could have ever imagined. Emily shares why it's crucial to give yourself permission to "think big," allow room for best-case scenarios, and celebrate every step of the journey. Plus, she answers a listener question about transitioning back into a regular routine post-marathon training and shares her go-to quick post-workout hacks. WEEKLY THOUGHT PROMPT: "What is one big goal you want to put out into the universe right now, and how can you take the first step toward going after it?" MENTIONED & RELATED LINKS: Read Emily's Marathon Prep Playbook (Part 1) on Substack SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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About

Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live happier, healthier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

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