Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown Angie and Kevin Brown

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In this week's episode, we debunk some common misconceptions about stretching for runners. Drawing on my experience as a physical therapist, we discuss how many runners wrongly blame pain and injuries on inadequate stretching. We focus on correcting the top three stretching mistakes: not stretching at all, stretching too much, and stretching incorrectly. We stress the importance of dynamic mobility work over static stretching, offering practical tips to enhance performance, prevent injury, and maintain mobility. I advise on dynamic pre-run stretching and highlight the benefits of dynamic stretching post-run.


02:18 Diving Deep into Stretching: Myths, Mistakes, and Methods
06:05 Understanding Flexibility vs. Mobility: A Key Distinction
10:22 The Role of Stretching in Running and Daily Life
15:49 Starting Your Stretching Routine: Tips and Techniques
21:44 Dynamic vs. Static Stretching: What You Need to Know
22:26 Understanding Your Body's Needs for Stretching
23:51 The Dangers of Overstretching: A Deep Dive
27:58 Addressing Weakness and Misalignment Through Proper Stretching
33:44 Dynamic Stretching vs. Static Stretching: Best Practices
39:29 Maximizing Post-Workout Recovery: Stretching Do's and Don'ts


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Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.
Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.
Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!







Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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In this podcast episode, Megan Blacksmith, co-founder of Zesty, shares her transformative journey from extreme running and health complications to discovering the power of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). Megan discusses the idea that 'success leaves clues' and how to overcome limiting beliefs and patterns in both life and running. She details her personal experiences with postpartum anxiety and depression, triggered by extreme marathon training, and how it led her to explore holistic health, functional medicine, and ultimately NLP. Megan emphasizes the importance of language in uncovering one's model of the world and strategies for achieving one's goals. The podcast highlights how NLP can aid not just in improving running performance but in various aspects of life by uncovering and reprogramming deep-seated beliefs. Additionally, Megan mentions the upcoming habit training event in Dallas, inviting listeners to join and discover how NLP can transform their lives and leadership skills.


Megan Blacksmith is a holistic health coach, Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, speaker, NLP Trainer and mindset ninja. She is the co-founder of Zesty and the Becoming Zesty podcast. She trains coaches, practitioners and leaders with the tools for faster (inner) transformation without fighting themselves along the way through Functional NLP, a combination of the principles of NLP, functional medicine and compassionate coaching.


If you want to connect with her, you can find her at the links below!
Habit Transformation Accelerator August 20-21 in Dallas, TX
Website: https://becomingzesty.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/becomingzesty/


02:12 Megan's Marathon Journey: From Challenge to Change
07:45 The Impact of Running on Health: A Personal Story
13:20 Discovering Holistic Health and Functional Medicine
16:46 Unlocking Potential with NLP: Tools for Transformation
21:49 The Runner's Mindset: Overcoming Subconscious Barriers
25:00 Empowering Change: The Role of NLP in Personal Growth
34:07 Transformative Experiences Through NLP Training
35:45 Personal Stories of Growth and Realization
40:45 Understanding and Applying NLP Beyond Running


Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!


Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.
Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.
Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!







Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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The episode delves into three primary motivations for running: to challenge oneself, improve health, and for the sheer joy of it, emphasizing how these reasons can evolve over time. 
Running serves as a medium to connect with something greater, be it through personal achievement, community, or a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose. Throughout, personal anecdotes and practical advice are shared to encourage listeners to reflect on their own running journeys and embrace the diverse benefits running offers beyond physical fitness.


00:32 5ks and Fruit Snacks
04:06 Finding Joy and Purpose in Running
08:09 Challenging Yourself Through Running
12:28 Getting Specific with Our Health Goals
24:42 The Power of Lifestyle Changes for Long-Term Health
29:03 Understanding Fun in Running: Levels of Enjoyment
41:40 Running as a Gift: Gratitude and Connection
45:41 Expressing Your Potential Through Running


Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!


Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.
Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.
Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!







Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

Send us a Text Message.
We explore the multifaceted nature of stiffness in runners. We discuss how stiffness can be both beneficial and detrimental, affecting efficiency, energy transfer, and overall performance. Our perspective emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between 'good' and 'bad' stiffness, and we offer insights into managing stiffness effectively. Through strategies like resistance training, eccentric contractions, and plyometrics, we aim to empower runners with the knowledge to optimize their performance while mitigating negative effects.


02:56 Good Stiffness vs. Bad Stiffness: An In-Depth Look
08:24 The Causes of Joint Stiffness and How to Combat It
28:10 The Role of Strength Training in Enhancing Mobility
29:01 Functional Strength Training: Beyond the Machines
31:06 When Stiffness is Actually Beneficial: A Deep Dive into Tendons
39:58 Strategies for Improving Tendon Stiffness
47:29 Plyometric Training: The Final Piece of the Puzzle


Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!


Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.
Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.
Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!







Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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Why do 80% of runners get injured? If you are one of the unfortunate many, you know how frustrating and painful running injuries can be.  That's why we are diving into the 5 main causes of running injuries in this week's episode to help you avoid some of the common mistakes that sidelines so many runners.


01:28 Exploring the High Injury Rate Among Runners
02:02 Running Injuries vs. Soreness
07:03 Training Mistakes: The Law of the Toos
20:53 The Role of Weakness in Running Injuries
24:44 The Power of Strength Training for Runners and The Effectiveness of Single Leg Exercises
31:03 The Importance of Proper Fueling for Runners
40:07 The Critical Role of Recovery: Sleep and Nutrition
45:08 Life Stress and Its Impact on Running Injuries


Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!


Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.
Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.
Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!







Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

Send us a Text Message.
In episode 353, we dive into the significance of leveraging training cycles to boost both running performance and overall health. We explain what training cycles are and why they're crucial, and we guide you on how to make the most of them for ongoing enhancement. 
We discuss common pitfalls that runners encounter, such as inconsistency and a lack of variety in training during non-race periods, and offer practical strategies to overcome these hurdles. 
We cover various types of training cycles, including strength building, mileage building, and race preparation, outlining the advantages of each and how they contribute to achieving your running goals. 
Additionally, we introduce the concept of cycle stacking, emphasizing the importance of planning multiple cycles strategically to attain greater success over time. Our goal with this episode is to empower you with the knowledge and tools needed to break free from the cycle of progress and regression in your running journey, fostering continuous growth in your capabilities.


01:39 Breaking the Cycle of Inconsistency: Why Variety Matters in Training
02:23 The Pitfalls of a Monotonous Routine: How It Leads to Decline
05:36 Beyond Races: The Versatility of Training Cycles for All Runners
11:10 The Art of Progressive Overload: Building Strength and Speed
20:53 Navigating Mileage Building and Strength Training
24:37 The Importance of Listening to Your Body
27:27 Maintaining Speed and Strength During Mileage Building
30:32 The Role of Mobility and Drill Work


Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!


Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.
Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.
Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.
Come find us on Instagram and say hi!







Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.