Hurdle with Emily Abbate

iHeart Women's Sports

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. 3 DAYS AGO

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: How To Use Vulnerability As a Productivity Hack

    We all have them: "Monster" tasks on our to-do lists that we avoid for weeks or even months. For 5MF this week, I'm sharing a personal story about how I tackled mine by doing something I used to consider weak: Asking for help. Aside from talking about "body doubling"—simply having another person in the room to keep you focused and anchored while you work, I also answer a listener question on dynamic versus static stretching.  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.

    11 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    [SOLO] The Energy Audit: How To Protect Your Most Precious Asset, Identify Leaks & Strengthen Your Resilience Muscle

    Listen to this episode, and upgrade your quality of life in 2026. In this week's podcast, Emily dives deep into a concept she calls Energy ROI—Return on Investment. As we navigate the start of a new year, it’s common to feel pressured to do more, but Emily challenges us to look at our calendars and ask: "What is the cost of this entry versus the payoff?" Emily breaks down her "Four Quadrants of Effort" to help you identify where you are gaining momentum and where you are leaking energy. She also shares tactical tools like "Firing the Drain" and the "Power of the Floor" to help you move from decision fatigue into a state of strategic underperformance. By the end of this episode, you won't just have a to-do list; you'll have a "to-don't" list and a clear path to making this year one of actual growth, not just grinding. IN THIS EPISODE The Four Quadrants of Effort: A breakdown of the Sweet Spot (Low Effort/High Joy), The Investment (High Effort/High Joy), The Drain (High Effort/Low Joy), and The Ghost (Low Effort/Low Joy). The Health Halo Trap: Why we often mistake suffering for progress and how to identify "healthy" habits that are actually costing you more than they give back. Four Pointed Questions: Emily offers an audit for your performance wellness versus your actual wellness. The Power of the Floor: Defining the bare minimum you do on your hardest days to ensure you never fail or "end up in the red." The 70% Rule: Why giving 70% effort to mundane tasks allows you to save 100% for the things that truly matter. Eliminating Decision Fatigue: How establishing a consistent routine and planning ahead can preserve your finite energy for the big hurdles. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest Gabby Thomas on Hurdle SOCIAL@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.

    32 min

  3. 9 JAN

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Progress Is Never Linear

    At the gym this week, had myself a lesson in not being so hard on myself and appreciating the journey. Plus: Answering a listener question about what to do when you inevitably fall off of your New Year's Resolutions. 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.

    9 min

  4. 6 JAN

    The Pursuit of Purpose: Gabby Thomas On How To Block Out External Critics, Curate Your Internal Dialogue & Define Success On Your Own Terms

    How do you transition from the world’s most promising talent to a triple Olympic gold medalist while balancing a Master’s? For Gabby Thomas, the path to Paris was paved with a refined commitment to her own longevity. After the intense physical toll of the Tokyo cycle and the subsequent seasons of high-stakes racing, Gabby opens up about the essential "choice to choose me"—the deliberate decision to prioritize her health, recovery, and mental wellness over the external pressure to constantly perform. This shift wasn't just about physical rest; it was about building a sustainable foundation that allowed her to walk onto the track in Paris with a sense of calm that only comes from knowing your "why." That intentionality resulted in a career-defining performance in 2024. Thomas cemented her status as the fastest woman in the world over 200 meters, taking home the individual gold in Paris along with two additional gold medals as a dominant force in the 4x100m and 4x400m relays. On this week's episode, we dive into how she manages the "mental load" of being a champion, the data-driven approach she takes to her health, and why her purpose in public health remains the north star for everything she does on the track. IN THIS EPISODE The emotional high of winning individual gold in Paris Juggling Ivy League academics with elite track and field training Why she pursued a Master’s in public health and how it shapes her worldview Her "I’m choosing me first" mantra regarding health and recovery The evolution of her mental toolkit and handling Olympic-level pressure Her partnership with Amazfit and the role of data in her wellness routine Looking ahead: Goals and dreams for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics QUOTABLE MOMENTS On Purpose and Perspective "It’s bigger than me. It’s about my purpose and what I want to show the younger generation." "Success is not defined by the speed at which you reach your goals." On Mental Health and Longevity "I'm choosing me first. Health and longevity beat pressure and headlines every time." "If you get caught up in needing to prove you belong, you've already lost the plot." On Resilience "Setbacks and rejections are all part of the journey and present valuable learning opportunities." "My bronze in Tokyo was a testament to resilience after a year of personal setbacks." SOCIAL@gabbythomas@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.

    1h 6m

  5. 2 JAN

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: What's Your Word For 2026?

    It's about strength for me in 2026, HBU? Also: Answering a listener question about my credentials for doing a closet purge, and how to choose what stays and what goes.  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.

    11 min

  6. 30/12/2025

    From Heartbreak to World Champion: How To Navigate Expectations, Think Forward & Journal Your Way To Success With Heptathlete Anna Hall

    When world champion heptathlete Anna Hall broke her foot in 2021, she thought her career might be over at just 20 years old. Today, she's a world champion, an Olympian, and a redefined athlete who understands that success isn't just about the gold medal—it’s about the grit it takes to get there. In today’s conversation, Anna opens up about the "good busy" season of life she’s currently navigating, from intense training sessions to wedding planning. She reflects on the heartbreak of the Paris Olympics and the subsequent journey of returning to the track with a refreshed perspective. We dive deep into her mental toolkit, including her specific journaling process, how she compartmentalizes challenges during a multi-event competition, and the vital role that nutrition and her dog, Cross, play in her wellness routine. IN THIS EPISODE How Anna navigated the disappointment of the Paris Olympics The "good busy" of wedding planning alongside pro-athlete training Her specific "good things only" track journaling process The role of nutrition and her partnership with Nulo How to compartmentalize during a multi-event competition like the heptathlon Learning to be uncomfortable in order to grow The influence of icons like Jackie Joyner-Kersee on her career QUOTABLE MOMENTS On Resilience and Disappointment "I’ve been really low before; I’ve wanted to quit the sport before. That was temporary. So now I have that perspective where I can zoom out a little bit." "You think, 'Oh, my whole life will change when I get the gold medal.' And it really doesn't. You're still you." On the Mental Game "In my track journal, I only write down good things. I only write down things I want to remember, do again, or feel." "I feel like I write my mindset for track day into existence the night before." On Growth and Grit "You need to be uncomfortable to grow. That’s what all of training is." "No matter what is going on in my life, off the track, on the track, no matter what injury, it’s like I always just come back to the work." SOCIAL@annaa.hall@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports CHECK OUTAnna's sponsor, Nulo 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.

    40 min

  7. 26/12/2025

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: The Perks Of New Traditions

    As we wrap up the holiday season and look toward the new year, Emily's reflecting on the beauty of long-standing traditions. Now's as good of a time as any to take inventory of your life and consider what new traditions you want to establish moving forward. She also answers a listener question about the fears of solo travel, sharing her top safety tips for women exploring the world on their own. 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.

    8 min

  8. 23/12/2025

    Stronger Than You Think: On Resilience & Redefining What's Possible With 2X Paralympic Medalist & Shark Attack Survivor Ali Truwit

    Ali Truwit didn't know if she would survive. Shortly after graduating from Yale, where she was a competitive swimmer, she was on vacation when she was attacked by a shark. Thanks to her incredible strength and the quick actions of her friends—one of whom applied a life-saving tourniquet—Ali survived, though she lost her lower leg in the attack. And now? She's a two-time Paralympic silver medalist and amputee who has turned a senseless tragedy into a powerful mission of hope. Ali shares her remarkable journey of recovery, from the early days of facing a debilitating fear of water to becoming an American record holder and medaling at the Paris Paralympics. We discuss everything from the power of community and support systems to the "stronger than you think" philosophy that led to the creation of her nonprofit and documentary. IN THIS EPISODE The emotional experience of running the NYC Marathon with her support system The details of the shark attack and the heroic actions of her friend, Sophie Learning to find hope and joy after trauma The "permission to feel and intention to reset" strategy Redefining what's possible in a "new body" The mission behind her nonprofit, Stronger Than You Think Representing the Paralympic movement in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and in her work as a Nike athlete QUOTABLE MOMENTS On Mindset and Resilience "The message that we're stronger than we think is for everyone. We all go through hard times and trauma and hardship and I think that message that you have more in you is something that I hope everyone sees." "If you ask 'why me?' ... make sure you're asking it in both directions." "Our fears and our feelings are not facts." On the Power of Community "Community really is so important. I think about my journey as a testament to the power of community and support." "There really is no wrong form of support. Whatever you have to give, whenever you have to give it, matters and moves the person forward." On Growth and New Beginnings "I'm swimming faster than I ever swam in certain events with two legs. It's a message to myself of what is still possible for me in this new body." "I can take this bad, senseless trauma that happened to me and use it for good." "It's just as likely that things can go better than you expect than it is that they might not go well at all." SOCIAL @alitruwit@strongerthanyouthink@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.

    51 min
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Hosts & Guests

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Channel
    iHeart Women's Sports
  • Creator
    iHeartPodcasts
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    910
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    2026 iHeartMedia, Inc. © Any use of this intellectual property for text and data mining or computational analysis including as training material for artificial intelligence systems is strictly prohibited without express written consent from iHeartMedia
  • Show Website
    Hurdle with Emily Abbate
  • Provider

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