The Mother Runners Podcast with Whitney Heins

The Mother Runners I Whitney Heins
  • 4.8 (106)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

This podcast features in-depth and fun interviews with mother runners (aka moms who run). Some names you may recognize, and some you may not. Every mother runner has an incredible story regardless of how far or fast they run. Embedded in each story are chapters of strength, hope, and overcoming. This podcast exists because we need to hear each other's stories to not only lift each other up, but learn, grow, and be inspired. This podcast will motivate and entertain you--while on the run, in the car line, or folding the laundry. Thanks for being here! This podcast is a SandyBoy Production. 

  1. 1d ago

    KATIE BAKSA:, Founder of Bound Running Co., Mom, & Olympic Trials Marathoner

    Send us Fan Mail Earlier this year I ran a rust-buster half-marathon. I heard someone say something about golden retrievers (we have 3, currently about to get a 4th) so I had to chime in. The person talking was Katie Baksa, founder of Bound Running Co. A phenomenal runner, Katie was pacing a couple of friends so I joined. She took great care of us & I got to interrogate her about Bound and her running journey. It was so fascinating, the miles flew by AND I told myself--I got to share her story.  Katie is an Olympic Trials marathoner and social scientist. Her clothing brand is built on the belief that running is more than a sport—it's a shared journey. The motto, “When we run together, we go beyond,” captures the what Bound stands for: community. In this episode, we explore: 🌀Her running breakthrough & experience qualifying and running the Olympic Trials Marathon 🌀How being a mom affected her running  🌀Why she founded Bound & what sets it apart  🌀and learn about a severe injury she sustained from a fall while running & how that has impacted her perspective on life. After hearing her story, you'll see how much you can gain from the running community.  RESOURCES: IG: @bound.running Website: www.boundrunning.com  THANK YOU, SPONSORS: 💗PREVINEX natural & EFFECTIVE SLEEP supplement. Save 15% with code WHITNEYSLEEP. 💗LAGOON SLEEP PERFORMANCE PILLOWS customized & optimized sleep. Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. 💗 ZBIOTICS a pre-Alcohol probiotic drink that breaks down the byproduct of alcohol responsible for rough mornings. SAVE 15% with MOTHERRUNNER. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    1h 8m

  2. Jun 8

    MEGAN MORANT: 2:36 Marathoner, New Mom, WWE Host, "Dream More than One Big Dream"

    Send us Fan Mail Today we get to know Megan Morant’s story of chasing MORE THAN one BIG DREAM at a time. Megan is a WWE broadcaster and co-host of the running podcast, Getting Chicked. She is also a woman who saw the 2020 Olympic Trials marathon and became inspired to try to qualify—but she also wanted to become a mom and have a baby.  She decided—you can do both. Before becoming a mom, she was a 2:45 marathoner. A year after having her baby, she ran a 2:36 marathon, qualifying her for the Olympic Trials marathon.  Megan has called herself a has-been. She had a successful  high school running career that led to a DI college scholarship, but in college, things never really panned out. Deep down inside, she knew she had untapped potential.  In this convo, we talk about: 🌀How Megan manages to do all she does 🌀Her training to reach a 2:36 marathon postpartum  🌀The secret to having a relaxed approach & long runway to big goals 🌀How she stoked her self-belief amidst self-doubt 🌀& her ability to DREAM BIG but not sweat the SMALL STUFF  Megan’s story teaches us the power of self-belief and that you don’t have to choose between your dreams. You can dream more than one big dream. As she says, you can be a career woman, mother, and high level athlete all at the same time.  RESOURCES: IG: @meganmorantwwe  Running Podcast: Getting Chicked Forallmothers.org THANK YOU, SPONSORS: 💗CURE HYDRATION delicious & clean hydration: Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. 💗HUUG dryer-safe, wire-free, & OH SO COMFY bras. Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    1h 17m

  3. Jun 1

    JACI SCHUERHOLZ: Losing My EGO to Find My JOY

    Send us Fan Mail Despite facing years of setbacks, countless medical consultations, a persistent cycle of injuries, managing 4 kids, and reaching the milestone of turning 40, Jaci Schuerholz made a courageous choice: she decided to stop searching for perfect solutions and simply start again.  If you've battled injuries or health challenges, felt frustration with your body, experienced feelings of being lost in motherhood, lost sight of your self-worth, struggled with ego impeding your happiness, or been weighed down by mom guilt—this conversation is for you.  I first connected with Jaci years ago when we were both grappling with persistent hamstring and quad injuries.  Jaci's injury came shortly after she achieved a remarkable 2:52 at the Boston Marathon, just as she felt she was hitting her stride. Despite her efforts, answers continued to elude her.  Jaci oscillated between the desire to run at her previous level and the temptation to give up completely. Ultimately, she chose to meet herself where she was, rediscovering the joy of the sport in the process. We discuss: 🌀Her battle with injuries and trying to find an answer, 🌀How she rediscovered her sense of self and self-worth in motherhood, 🌀Her journey to find joy in running again, 🌀 The prevalence of mom guilt in today’s society, 🌀And reflections on our recent marathon experiences, which we just completed before this recording.  RESOURCES: 🌀 IG: jaci429 🌀 Running store: @charmcityrun 🌀 Run coach: @runningexplained, @nklastava THANK YOU, SPONSORS: 💗 GOODR functional, fashionable, fun, and affordable eyewear. Save $10 off at the link! 💗PREVINEX natural & EFFECTIVE SLEEP supplement. Save 15% with code WHITNEYSLEEP. 💗LAGOON SLEEP PERFORMANCE PILLOWS optimized sleep. Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    55 min

  4. May 25

    CLAIRE SHORENSTEIN, RD: THIS is how to HYDRATE this SUMMER!

    Send us Fan Mail As summer heats up and long distance and marathon training intensifies for many of us, maintaining proper hydration becomes more crucial than ever. In today’s episode, I chat with Claire Shorenstein, a sports RD and endurance athlete herself, and host of the podcast Eat for Endurance, about essential hydration strategies specifically tailored for runners, especially those tackling the challenges of training in the heat.  We talk about: 🌀Hydration tips before, during and after runs 🌀How to tell much sodium & fluids you actually need  🌀GI issues that are clues to whether hydration or fueling are the culprit 🌀The best products for summer hydration, and so much more. MORE ABOUT CLAIRE SHORENSTEIN: Claire Shorenstein is a Board-Certified Sports Dietitian (MS RD CSSD) with over a decade of experience dedicated to helping active individuals achieve their nutrition, health, and fitness goals. A lifelong endurance athlete, she has a particular passion for trail and ultra running.. In addition to her practice, Claire is the host of the Eat for Endurance Podcast, which she launched in 2019. RESOURCES: ·      www.eatforendurance.com ·      Eat for Endurance Podcast THANK YOU, SPONSORS!: 💗LAGOON SLEEP PERFORMANCE PILLOWS customized & optimized sleep. Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. 💗PREVINEX natural & EFFECTIVE SLEEP supplement. Save 15% with code WHITNEYSLEEP. 💗CURE HYDRATION delicious & clean hydration: Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    1h 5m

  5. May 18

    RANDI ZUCKERBERG: Facebook Pioneer, Ultramarathoner, Mom of 3!

    Send us Fan Mail This week, we are getting to hear from Randi Zuckerberg—just a few days after completing the Cocodona 250. That is 250 miles up and over mountains, through the desert, in blistering heat, a lot of this journey done alone. The fact that anyone wants to do this—CAN do this—is mind-blowing. But the fact that Randi Zuckerberg is doing it—is even more so. Because Randi is yes, THAT Zuckerberg. She was a pioneer at Facebook with her younger brother—and she’s gone on to accomplish so many amazing things. She’s won a Tony. She’s produces shows. Sings. Writes. Hosts a Sirius XM business podcast. Founded a media company. She’s a mom of three children. Why would she be driven to put herself through something—running ultramarathons—that are at times, so tortuous? What does she get out of it? Her answer will inspire you and make you think about what happens to us when we CHOOSE HARD. In this episode, Randi and I unpack: 🌀What you learn about yourself when you choose hard & how running ultras makes her a better mom 🌀The fast escalation of her running career  🌀How her ultra running passion has influenced her kids,  🌀And how she fits her training into her already full life, and so much more! I know you are going to love our conversation and come away so inspired!  THANK YOU, SPONSORS!: 💗LAGOON SLEEP customized pillows for your best sleepever : Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER.  💗HUUG dryer-safe, wire-free, & OH SO COMFY bras. Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. 💗 ZBIOTICS a pre-Alcohol probiotic drink that breaks down the byproduct of alcohol responsible for rough mornings. SAVE 15% with MOTHERRUNNER. RESOURCES: IG: @randizuckerberg MORE ABOUT RANDI: Randi Zuckerberg is a prominent entrepreneur, author, and media executive, widely recognized for her role as Facebook’s first marketing director, where she significantly contributed to the platform's branding and communication strategies. She is the founder and CEO of Zuckerberg Media, a production company that creates content across various platforms, and a Tony Award-winning producer in theater. As a host of her own Sirius XM business podcast, Randi shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship and leadership. Randi is a dedicated mother of three and an avid runner. Her commitment to resilience and personal growth inspires others to embrace challenges and pursue their passions in both their personal and professional lives. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    1h 16m

  6. May 11

    NATALIE MITCHELL: Perimenopause Isn't Going to STOP ME from Chasing My Sub-3 Marathon

    Send us Fan Mail If you are going through or will be approaching perimenopause—this episode is for you.  Natalie Mitchell and I have a honest conversation about what it’s like to train for big running goals while experiencing perimenopause symptoms.  Natalie is a master’s runner in her 50s, on a mission to achieve a sub-3 marathon time—a goal she has passionately pursued for years. Recently, she opened up on her Instagram account, @natrunsfar, about the unexpected changes she’s faced in her running journey as she encounters the symptoms of perimenopause, including heaviness, bloating, hot flashes, disrupted sleep, and sluggish runs. We talk about: 🌀Our shared experiences at running past 40, 🌀What has happened us alleviate symptoms so we feel better running, 🌀How we have adapted our training to keep chasing our goals,  🌀And how big goals keep us pushing and living life to the fullest.  MORE ABOUT NATALIE MITCHELL: Natalie Mitchell is a certified running coach with a strong background in distance running. She has written for Women's Running Magazine and has coached many athletes to their first marathon and beyond. A former Division 1 cross country and track athlete at UC Santa Barbara, Natalie has completed 15 marathons, with personal records of 3:05 in the marathon (2019) and 1:27 in the half marathon (2018). Currently, she serves as an Assistant Coach for high school cross country and track, and she engages with athletes both in person and online. Natalie co-hosts the Suite Run podcast with her husband Jerold, where they chat with passionate runners about their journeys. RESOURCES: Instagram: @natrunsfar Blog & coaching: natrunsfar.com.  Podcasts: SuiteRun with her husband Jerold & The Eleven Podcast with her son Josh.  THANK YOU SPONSORS!: 💗CURE HYDRATION delicious & clean hydration: Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. 💗 ZBIOTICS a pre-Alcohol probiotic drink that breaks down the byproduct of alcohol responsible for rough mornings. SAVE 15% with MOTHERRUNNER. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    56 min

  7. May 4

    AUTHOR HILDEE WEISS: It's Never TOO LATE to Change Your Life

    Send us Fan Mail Moms are notorious for putting themselves last. Hildee Weiss was the epitome of this. At 46, she was adevoted wife, mother, and grandmother, who moved through life feeling worn down, invisible, and convinced that transformation belonged to other people—thinner people, younger people, braver people.   Then one ordinary day, she asked herself a question that would rewrite everything she believed about who she could become: What if I tried? What you are about to listen to today is the definition of inspiring—of someone who feels like it is too late or that change belongs to other people—taking the step and realizing, that yes, they can – you can—change your life. Hildee is the author of the book Embracing My Inner Athlete, published by Library Tales Publishing, out next month, where she shares her inspiring journey from a sedentary lifestyle to becoming an avid runner, completing numerous 5Ks, half marathons, Spartans, and trail races. Hildee and I discuss: 🌀the importance of prioritizing health and wellness for moms, 🌀emphasizing the need to pursue passions that bring purpose and fulfillment, 🌀her experiences with injuries, 🌀and the powerful mindset shift from feeling obligated to run to truly embracing the joy of movement.  More than a running story, Hildee’s experience is a testament to second chances and the quiet, radical act of choosing yourself. For every woman who has ever felt stuck, sidelined, or “too late” to begin, her journey offers one powerful truth: You’re stronger than you think — and your next chapter can start with a single step. RESOURCES: 💗Instagram at @momoffive68 and @Hildeeweiss 💗Pre-order her book on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Library Tales Publishing. THANK YOU, SPONSORS!: 💗HUUG dryer-safe, wire-free, & OH SO COMFY bras. Save 15% with code MOTHERRUNNER. 💗PREVINEX natural & EFFECTIVE SLEEP supplement. Save 15% with code WHITNEYSLEEP. Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    59 min

  8. Apr 29

    BONUS!: My friend AMANDA MARTIN just ran a 2:34 MARATHON!

    Send us Fan Mail Today's BONUS EPISODE features not an amazing mother runner but an amazing HUMAN, my dear friend: Amanda Martin.  Amanda just crushed the Eugene Marathon with an astounding time of 2:34:20, marking an 8-minute personal record. This impressive feat makes her the third fastest woman in the history of the Eugene Marathon and the seventh fastest American woman on an unaided course in 2026. Despite not being a mom, Amanda's story is one that needs to be heard and I know it will inspire you.  Her success didn’t come easily; it was the result of an 8-year journey filled with significant life changes, moves, family losses, injuries, self-doubt, and marathon challenges. Even just a week before the race, Amanda and I were discussing her goal of achieving the Olympic Trials marathon qualifying time, and possibly pivoting to the half-marathon qualifying time as the final 10k of the marathon had always eluded her.  But not anymore.  In this episode, we dive deep into Amanda’s inspiring story:  🌀exploring her incredible negative split during the race, where she closed strong with 5:30 mile splits and still had more to give; 🌀we discuss the mental shifts, training adjustments, and nutritional choices that fueled her success; 🌀and what fuels her unwavering determination to pursue her Olympic Trials dreams, despite facing heartbreak and setbacks. I am so excited to share Amanda's remarkable story.  RESOURCES: Instagram: @Amanda.e.martin & her coach @jdcunningham97 / @cunninghamrunning Nonmio NeverSecond Whitney Heins is a mom of 2, a lifelong runner, a VDOT-certified running coach for moms who run, and founder of the resource, themotherrunners.com. When training for her first marathon as a mom, she found a dearth of information related to running and motherhood. She also felt extremely isolated as a new mom. As a former TV journalist and a freelance writer she decided to use her skills to fill the void with an online resource and community, called The Mother Runners. Whitney also recognized a need for run coaches who understood the demands of motherhood, so she also became a running coach—unearthing a passion for helping moms reap the rewards and empowerment of running. Coming out of a long injury cycle, she ran a 2:54 marathon and 1:20 half marathon in her 40s. She lives in Knoxville, TN with her husband, two kids, and three dogs. www.themotherrunners.comInstagram: @themotherrunnersYouTube: The Mother Runnerswhitney@themotherrunners.com

    45 min
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4.8
out of 5
106 Ratings

About

This podcast features in-depth and fun interviews with mother runners (aka moms who run). Some names you may recognize, and some you may not. Every mother runner has an incredible story regardless of how far or fast they run. Embedded in each story are chapters of strength, hope, and overcoming. This podcast exists because we need to hear each other's stories to not only lift each other up, but learn, grow, and be inspired. This podcast will motivate and entertain you--while on the run, in the car line, or folding the laundry. Thanks for being here! This podcast is a SandyBoy Production. 

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