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. 10h ago

    Confessions of a HYROX World Champion: Alyssa McElheny On How Strength Training Made Her a Faster, More Durable Runner

    From chasing an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier for over a decade to standing atop the podium as the 2026 HYROX Elite 15 World Champion in just seven months, Alyssa McElheny’s athletic trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. But behind the rapid ascent lies years of disciplined foundation, relentless perspective, and an infectious commitment to finding pure joy in the process. In this episode, Alyssa sits down to unpack what happens when your entire life pivots overnight: navigating imposter syndrome on the elite stage, learning to embrace strength training as a lifelong runner, and the mindset reframes that turn unexpected race-day hurdles into podium performances. She also breaks down the two-minute penalty she got in Scotland for spitting on course, how a sprained ankle three days before Worlds became her secret weapon, and why keeping kindness and community at the center of sport matters far more than any podium finish. IN THIS EPISODE The Overnight Shift: What it feels like to go from full-time wedding photographer to sponsored pro athlete with camera crews following your daily routine. Redefining Runner Identity: How dropping mileage from 100-mile weeks to 60 miles while adding heavy lifting eliminated chronic overuse injuries, unlocked PRs across every distance, and shattered body-type stereotypes. The 12-Year Marathon Pursuit: Relentlessly chasing the Olympic Trials Qualifier (OTQ), hitting 2:34:28 after the standard dropped, and learning to leave no stone unturned in training and fueling. Beginner’s Mindset & Community: Overcoming intimidation when stepping into a CrossFit or HYROX gym for the first time, prioritizing movement quality over heavy loads, and the power of team-driven training. Navigating Unexpected Curveballs: In the wake of "Poopgate" (IYKYK) Turning the Glasgow “Spitgate” penalty into a qualifying rebound in Toulouse, and how severely spraining an ankle days before Stockholm flipped her mindset to race free and take the World title. Taming Imposter Syndrome: Strategies for staying grounded in your own lane, muting social media noise, and building self-worth around character and connection rather than accolades. QUOTABLE MOMENTS “If you haven’t taken a dive into strength training, I would really encourage anyone out there to give it a chance. I think you’ll be really surprised by where it takes you.”  “When I look back on this period of my life when I’m 50, 60, 70 years old, no one will give a shit about the win. People will give a shit about how I made them feel on the course and how I was welcomed and treated others.” “There’s potential for a silver lining, or for that negative thing to turn into something really beautiful. That was truly what happened on that day.” “There’s so much more out there than how your body looks. It’s about what your body is capable of, and then being able to fuel it and treat it in a way that allows it to perform at that highest level.” SOCIAL@alyssamcelheny@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. 4d ago

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: I've Run 16 Marathons. Here's What First-Timers Need to Hear.

    Peak fall running weather has arrived in New York City, and as race season kicks into high gear, Emily is diving into what it means to be grounded by community and how to show up for yourself when big goals feel daunting. Ahead of marathon weekend, she shares her two biggest pieces of advice for first-time marathoners: recognizing that the starting line already proves who you've become, and giving yourself grace rather than judging your beginnings too harshly. Later in the episode, Emily answers a listener question from Jen, who is tackling the Chicago Marathon while dealing with a fresh diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. Emily discusses how to navigate the mental battle of letting go of initial time goals, shifting focus toward staying healthy, and using "I Am" affirmations to focus on what you can control when plans change. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports SUBSCRIBE: Hurdle's YouTube 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.

  3. Oct 6

    Progress Over Perfection: Olympic Medalist Jess Hull On Grit, Mindset, & What Makes a ‘Good’ Run

    Olympic silver medalist, indoor world championship medalist, and 2,000-meter world record holder Jess Hull sits down IRL in Australia to talk through the mindset, patience, and grit behind her historic career. Jess opens up about leaving home at 18 to run for the University of Oregon, the evolution of being coached by her father, and how walking away hungry from the Tokyo Games laid the foundation for her monumental medal run in Paris. She also breaks down the freedom found in speed, the supportive yet competitive camaraderie defining the women’s 1,500m field, why delayed gratification is an athlete’s superpower, and the vital role of celebrating progress over perfection. IN THIS EPISODE Chasing Dreams Across the Globe: The decision to leave Australia at age 18 to compete collegiate-level at the University of Oregon, adapting to a new country, and catching the travel bug. The Father-Daughter Coaching Dynamic: Evolving from high school coaching to working under Maurica Powell in college, to reuniting with her father in 2023 as a mature athlete on the exact same wavelength. Tokyo Heartbreak to Paris Glory: Why placing 11th in Tokyo sparked a crucial mindset shift, and what it felt like to capture the momentum and soak in a victory lap in Paris. Delayed Gratification & Internal Validation: Why athletes have to embrace the long, invisible grind, manage days when things don't click, and measure success by personal feeling rather than just external hardware. Finding Freedom in Speed: What running fast really feels like at altitude in St. Moritz, the role of rhythm over forcing effort, and the power of "spinning" instead of fighting the track. Sisterhood in the 1,500m: The unique mix of fierce rivalry and genuine warmth inside the call room, spearheaded by leaders like Faith Kipyegon. Keeping Perspective: Balancing professional identity with life off the track—new homes, growing families, and keeping eyes fixed on the long runway toward the 2032 Brisbane Games. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "When you're going after something... you get to do this. You're chasing it because your heart's got the desire for it... when you can embrace the process of something and you truly learn to love the journey along the way, that's what you're going to remember."  "I had an Olympic dream growing up... but achieving it and the rush of capturing a wave in 2024 and the momentum into an Olympic Games—it's what every athlete wishes that they could have." "You have medals, but you don't pull them out and look at them every day... it's a token for a lot of hard work, but if you're just searching for the medal, you're not even scratching the surface of what the journey is." "The harder you try, the slower you run. If you kind of just go with the flow of it, you'll be surprised at how much more effortless fast feels." "It was never with this whole desire of being the best from such a young age. It was celebrating just progress." SOCIAL@jessicaahull@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. Sep 29

    ‘I Refuse To Lose’: Olympic Champion Sanya Richards-Ross On the 90% Mental Rule for Winning in Sport & Life

    Five-time Olympic medalist, NBC track & field analyst, entrepreneur, and author Sanya Richards-Ross sits down to talk about elite performance, mental conditioning, and redefining life after track. From moving to the U.S. from Jamaica as a kid to holding the 400m American record for 19 years, Sanya shares what it truly takes to dial in the mental side of competition, navigate crushing defeat, and step boldly into broadcasting and motherhood. IN THIS EPISODE Navigating the Chaos of Modern Motherhood: Balancing ambition, travel, and career demands while managing working-mom guilt with the support of family. Roots, Relocation, and Rising Up: Immigrating from Kingston, Jamaica, adjusting to school in Florida, and finding community on the track. The Defining Father-Daughter Talk: How a junior-year hamstring injury sparked an intentional shift toward elite-level discipline and work ethic. Why the 400m Chooses You: Breaking down the strategy, pacing, and pain cave that make the 400m arguably the toughest footrace on the oval. Reframing Heartbreak at Beijing 2008: The mental recovery required after a crushing Olympic bronze and the rally to win 4x400m gold three days later. The Psychology of Gold: Working with a sports psychologist, building vision boards, and internalizing the race-day mantra: "I refuse to lose." Manifesting the Broadcast Booth: Stepping away from competitive track due to foot injuries, declaring career ambitions out loud, and debuting live to 30 million viewers. Saying Yes When You’re Scared: Facing high-stakes moments with courage, embracing television, and launching businesses like Co-Ordinates and MommiNation. Looking Ahead to LA 2028: Highlighting the depth of Team USA talent and the next generation of track and field stars. QUOTABLE MOMENTS "In your pursuit of excellence, you never really draw a finish line. You keep on figuring out what is that next level of excellence that I can attain."  "Being great wouldn't just happen because I was talented. I would have to be intentional about being great."  "When you get to that level of competition—when you're at the Olympics, at the World Championships—it’s 10% physical and 90% mental. Everybody there is physically capable of winning."  "Most of us are doing it scared. The biggest stars ... they're not Mr. Cool. You have nerves and anxiety because it matters to you."  "Closed mouths don't get fed. You want to speak those things into life."  "Failure is a necessary ingredient in the recipe for success. Embrace it and just keep going."  SOCIAL@sanyarichiross@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.

  5. Sep 22

    Writing the Playbook: Kayla Green on Building Athlos, Scaling Women’s Track on the World Stage & Why You Shouldn’t Wait for Permission

    What does it truly take to disrupt traditional sports and build an organization that puts female athletes first? In this episode, host Emily Abbate sits down with Kayla Green, Acting President of Athlos, fresh off the heels of the groundbreaking Athlos London meet. Kayla pulls back the curtain on the decision-making process behind Athlos, from navigating the difficult late-August cancellation of the New York event to protect athletes’ well-being, to creating a high-energy meet culture combining world-class track and field with entertainment, Tiffany & Co. crowns, and record-breaking prize purses. She shares what she learned as employee number three at Angel City FC, why Athlos grants participating athletes equity in the league, and the advice she’d give anyone waiting for permission to take a leap. IN THIS EPISODE: The Athlos Formula: How Athlos merges elite competition, entertainment (like DJ Trauma trackside), and culture to make track and field accessible and electric for new and seasoned fans alike [source: 1]. Protecting the Athletes: The transparent conversation behind calling off the late-season New York meet to prioritize athletes’ physical recovery after a grueling Olympic season [source: 1]. Speed to Feed & Storytelling: Why Athlos partners with ScorePlay to deliver content directly to athletes' phones immediately post-race so they can own their narratives in real time [source: 1]. Disrupting the Playbook: Lessons carried over from Kayla’s time as founding CMO (employee #3) at Angel City FC—including challenging traditional sponsorship models and introducing the 10% giveback framework [source: 1]. Equity & Ownership: Why Athlos is providing participating athletes with equity in the league, investing in their long-term advisory role, and pushing for pay parity and media equity [source: 1]. Navigating High-Stakes Uncertainty: Kayla’s mindset on operating without a blueprint, finding clarity in your “why,” and why you should never wait for permission to jump into something new [source: 1]. QUOTABLE MOMENTS: “I’m really proud of the times when I said ‘yes,’ or the times when I believed with conviction that going against the status quo was the right thing to do.”  “Athletes are our North Star and our fans are our compass. As long as we focus on those two points, everything else falls into place.”  “When it comes to the physical toll on these women, especially after an intense championship season, putting their bodies and health first isn’t just the right move—it is the only move.” “You have to have a lot of bravery. You have to have a lot of belief that like, something isn't right, we can ask the question why and try to come up with a better solution.”  “Don’t wait. Just jump, just go do it... because the world is moving too fast and we need to be ahead of it.” SOCIAL@athlos@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.

  6. Sep 18

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: If You Run, You're a Runner

    Back in Australia! In this 5-Minute Friday, I’m checking in from Bondi Beach to clear up my recent travel whirlwind, AKA why I bounced between Sydney and LA, and preview the upcoming live show with Coach Bennett for the Nike After Dark Tour. Plus, we dive into the psychology of staying consistent on the road. After receiving a bunch of DMs about signing up for a local gym pass right after the marathon, I’m sharing the mindset behind it: where there is a "why," there is a way—and why motivation almost always follows action, not the other way around. Later, I answer a great listener question: Is running really for everyone, and should everyone run a marathon? I break down why anyone with a body who runs is a runner (pace and distance don't matter!), why you never need to chase someone else’s finish line, and the power of pursuing movement that genuinely feels good to you. Prompt of the Week: What goal is lighting you up right now? Whether it’s a big milestone, a habit change, or a short-term challenge, reach out and let me know on social. SOCIAL@emilyabbate@hurdlepodcast@iheartwomenssports SUBSCRIBE: Hurdle's YouTube 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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