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. -8 H

    A New Chapter: Becs Gentry On Her HOKA Partnership, How To Protect Your Peace & Setting Priorities Without Guilt

    This week, I’m sitting down with the incredible Becs Gentry. Many of you know her as a powerhouse Peloton instructor, but she is stepping into a massive new chapter as a HOKA Global Brand Ambassador. It’s a synergy that marks her return to the trails and ultra-running—the place where she first fell in love with the running community. In this episode, Becs gets real about the logistics of being a global athlete and a mother. We dive deep into her discipline and how she manages to schedule high-stress training alongside her non-negotiables. She shares a powerful perspective on priority, noting that while she is deeply disciplined, she has learned that training isn't always the highest priority—the health and happiness of herself and her family, especially her daughter Talulah, always come first. We also discuss the lessons she’s learning in this chapter, from the importance of protecting her mental health by setting boundaries with social media to the value of reassessing goals when the passion starts to fade. Becs reminds us all that life is too short not to enjoy what we do in our spare time, and sometimes, the best thing you can do for your growth is to step away and find a new route to the top of the mountain. IN THIS EPISODE This episode is a masterclass in navigating life's major pivots with grace and a "family-first" filter. Here are the highlights and most quotable moments from your conversation with Becs Gentry: "In This Episode" Highlights The HOKA Era: Becs discusses her new role as a HOKA Global Brand Ambassador and how the brand's focus on community and versatile performance aligns with her current chapter. The Reality of Discipline: A deep dive into how Becs manages a grueling training schedule, highlighting that discipline isn't about being "perfect" every day, but about making things happen within the reality of your current life. Family as the North Star: Becs opens up about how her daughter, Tallulah, has completely reframed her "why," and why she chooses to set strict boundaries with technology to remain present. The Power of "No": She shares the vulnerable story of why she walked away from a marathon goal in June 2025 because she realized she was "climbing a slippery wall" with no passion for the project. New Representation: The transition to being represented by Always Alpha and how having a team helps her value her own worth in a "dog-eat-dog" business world. Intentional Living: From using a "Brick" to block social media apps to recording memories on a vintage camcorder, Becs shares her strategies for reclaiming her time from the "pocket computer". QUOTABLE MOMENTS "HOKA is a brand that blends performance with a very welcoming community to every type of runner... It is not just about having the fastest, flashiest, most expensive shoe on the market. It is about so much more than that." "Burnout doesn't come from overtraining or overdoing something. It comes from trying to achieve something that you have no passion for. It's like trying to climb up a slippery wall. You may get there, but you're going to be so exhausted and cut up and bruised and defeated by the time you get to the top." "Humans get a sense of having done it—this sense of achievement—when we tell somebody what we're working toward. The more and more people you tell and they give you that same response, it waters down and lessens your want to feel that thing when you've actually done it." "Everything I do as a woman in sport and business is striving to help my daughter not have to go through what our generations and all the generations before us have had to go through, which has been struggling to get ourselves heard and recognized for the goodness that we have and do." SOCIAL@becsgentry@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.

    1 h 4 min
  2. 17 FÉVR.

    Taking Back Control: Skier Jessie Diggins On Pushing Through The Pain Cave, Navigating Recovery & Her Final Olympic Run

    This week, we're sharing an episode from Olympic medalist and cross-country skiing legend Jessie Diggins, which originally aired in 2025. Jessie opens up about her journey to the top of her sport, what it’s like to embrace the intense pressure of elite competition, and how she pushes herself to her physical breaking point — sharing vivid details of the "blurry vision" and sheer grit required to win. She also gets candid about her mental health journey, specifically her experience with an eating disorder and a relapse in 2024, discussing what support looks like in her daily life today. When we had this conversation — there was just under a year left until the Winter Olympics, and Jessie reflected on training in Italy, her recent World Cup wins, and her decision to retire at the end of 2026. IN THIS EPISODE The Physical Breaking Point: Jessie describes the sensation of pushing her body to its absolute limits during a race, including the "blurry vision" that often accompanies her hardest efforts. Mental Health & Recovery: A vulnerable discussion on her history with an eating disorder, navigating a relapse in 2024, and the importance of a strong support system. The Final Stretch: Jessie shares her mindset heading into her final Olympic run in Milan-Cortina and why she has decided to retire after the 2026 season. Legacy & Integrity: Reflecting on being awarded the Holmenkollen Medal, Jessie explains why racing with integrity and being a role model outside of the sport is as important to her as her results on the snow. Training Philosophy: How she and her team plan "super peaks" every four years for the Olympics and the unexpected benefits of "toe yoga." QUOTABLE MOMENTS "I’ve realized that I don’t have to be a perfect person to be a good role model. I just have to be an honest one." "The 'pain cave' is a place I know well, but I’ve learned that you can’t live there. You have to have a home to come back to that is full of joy and balance." "Winning is amazing, but it’s the feeling of crossing the line knowing you gave every single thing you had—that’s the part that stays with you." "I want the next generation of skiers to see that you can be the best in the world and still be a human being who struggles and asks for help." SOCIAL@jessiediggins@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.

    1 h 1 min
  3. 10 FÉVR.

    The Art of Storytelling: Documenting the World's Greatest Endurance Athletes & Why Every Milestone Matters With Documentary Photographer Aisha McAdams

    In this episode, Aisha McAdams—photographer, filmmaker, and former competitive runner—shares her journey of navigating the transition from elite athlete to creative visionary. She dives into the making of her documentary Learning to Fly, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, and the founding of Rhoam Creative Studio to elevate women in the creative industry. IN THIS EPISODE The Pivot to Creative Arts: Aisha discusses the shift from being the subject of the lens as an athlete to capturing the stories of others through photography and film. "Learning to Fly": A behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and production of her documentary, which explores the human spirit and the pursuit of greatness. Empowering Women in Media: The mission behind Rhoam Creative Studio and the importance of increasing female representation in male-dominated creative spaces. The Athlete’s Mindset in Art: How the discipline, resilience, and focus learned through years of competitive running fuel her creative process today. Redefining Success: Aisha reflects on finding fulfillment outside of race results and learning to embrace the "uncomfortable middle" of career transitions. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "I realized that the same tenacity I had on the track was exactly what I needed to survive the uncertainty of a creative career." "With Learning to Fly, I wanted to show that the finish line isn't the only part of the story worth telling." "Starting Rhoam wasn't just about taking pictures; it was about taking up space in an industry where women's voices are often sidelined." "You have to be willing to be a beginner again. The transition from athlete to artist is essentially learning a new way to breathe." "Photography allows me to stay connected to the sport I love, but from a perspective that celebrates the vulnerability behind the performance." SOCIAL@ai.shoots@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.

    1 h 6 min
  4. 3 FÉVR.

    The Power Of Experience: Finding Harmony Over Balance, Scaling a $2 Billion Brand & The Future of High-Performance Footwear with HOKA's Erika Gabrielli

    In this episode of Hurdle, Emily sits down with Erika Gabrielli, the Vice President of Global Marketing at HOKA. Erika shares the story of HOKA’s meteoric rise from a niche ultra-running brand to a $2 billion global powerhouse. She delves into the importance of brand authenticity, the power of listening to the community, and why "maximalism" in footwear is about more than just aesthetics—it's about performance and comfort. Erika also opens up about her professional journey, offering tactical advice for those looking to break into the sports industry, the importance of trusting your intuition, and how she balances the demands of a high-profile executive role with being a mother. IN THIS EPISODE The Evolution of "Maximalism": Erika traces HOKA's journey from being "counter-culture" in a minimalist era to leading the industry with its focus on solving the problem of running downhills faster. Scaling with Soul: How the brand reached its $2 billion revenue milestone while maintaining core values like curiosity and inclusivity. Marketing via Experience: Why Erika believes experiential marketing is the most powerful tool for building emotional connections and lasting memories with consumers. Co-Creation over Control: Shifting the marketing narrative from "talking at people" to "world-building" alongside the running community. Career "Harmony": Erika's perspective on rejecting the myth of work-life balance in favor of finding a daily "harmony" that allows for both professional leadership and motherhood. QUOTABLE MOMENTS On Marketing & Community "It’s not about controlling the narrative ... it’s much more about embracing that idea of co-creation. It’s a shift from talking at people to being in a space where we’re doing more world-building." "In terms of greatest brand building, it comes from an experience because it evokes a memory ... that memory evokes emotion, and that’s what always is going to bring people back to a brand." "The work is never done. We can talk about ourselves all day long, but if it's not directly drawn to that consumer insight and how we're solving problems for them, it's not going to pass the bar." On Leadership & Intuition "The paranoid survive. You're always looking around corners to where there's opportunity but also where there's risk. Part of that to me is also tied to trusting your intuition." "It's not always the loudest voice in the room, it's not always the most senior voice in the room that is sharing the right paths or the right ideas." "The only person that's truly going to bet on you is you. Have the inner confidence to know that. You won't know until you try, and sometimes you won't know until you fail and you try again." On Life "Harmony" "I stopped looking for balance a few years ago. I think it's unrealistic. I switched my language into finding harmony. Harmony is about the acknowledgment that I’m not going to be perfect at all the roles I have to play, and that’s okay." MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEHoka Cielo X1 3.0 SOCIALErika on LinkedIn@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.

    55 min

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À propos

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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