Women Empower Active

Jacalyn Gross

The Women Empower Active podcast is an initiative to empower and inspire women to find their own active adventure in athletics, health, and fitness, and much more. Hosted by Jacalyn Gross, former collegiate runner. In each episode, she has an honest and open conversation with relatable women about challenges, obstacles, personal experiences, successes, failures, and everything in between. We hope you will find inspiration and motivation to seek out an adventure of your very own!

  1. Oct 28

    Progress Doesn't Have a Timeline | Consistency, Setbacks & Starting Again

    What if progress isn't about how fast you reach your goals, but how you keep moving forward when life gets in the way? In this solo episode of Women Empower Active, I'm talking about the reality of setting goals, navigating life's unexpected changes, and learning that progress doesn't always follow the timeline we have in mind. From setting a personal goal for my birthday in 2027 to finding consistency in the repetitive, sometimes boring parts of training, I'm sharing what it looks like to keep showing up when motivation isn't always there. We also dive into the challenges of injuries and recovery, adjusting expectations when life gets busy, and navigating body image when our fitness doesn't look or feel the way it once did. Because sometimes progress isn't another mile, a faster time, or a new personal record. Sometimes it's getting on the treadmill when you'd rather be anywhere else, giving your body the rest it needs, or accepting that your goals might need to change. This episode is a reminder that you don't need January 1 to start something new, and you don't have to follow anyone else's timeline to be successful. Your goals can change. Your priorities can shift. And your adventure is still yours to define. Host: Jacalyn Gross @jacalyngross Producer: Jeremy Canaria @jeremycanary Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba #WomenEmpowerActive #ConsistencyOverPerfection #RunningMotivation #ProgressNotPerfection #WomenWhoRun

    Progress Doesn't Have a Timeline | Consistency, Setbacks & Starting Again

  2. Sep 30

    Running Her Way Back to Herself | Tiffany Gayle Chenault

    Tiffany Gayle Chenault never considered herself a runner. Running began as a way to move through grief after losing her mother—and eventually became a journey that would take her across all 50 states. Now, Tiffany returns to Women Empower Active as the published author of Black Woman Runner: A Memoir. In this episode, we talk about what it was like to enter running culture as a complete beginner, the unexpected lessons she learned along the way, and the moment she finally realized, "I am a runner." Tiffany also shares what it meant to travel and run across the country as a Black woman, why representation and belonging matter in the running community, and how finding her "running family" helped her reconnect with herself and her father while navigating grief. From Turkey Trots and bears on Florida trails to running in places she never imagined visiting, Tiffany's journey is about much more than checking 50 states off a list. It's about curiosity, healing, community, and defining what being a runner means on your own terms. Her message to women is simple: you don't need anyone's permission to move your body, take up space, or call yourself an athlete. There is a community out there where you can be seen, belong, and unapologetically do it your way. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Tiffany Gayle Chenault (@runisee50) Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba #WomenEmpowerActive #BlackWomanRunner #WomenWhoRun #RunningCommunity #WomenInRunning

    Running Her Way Back to Herself | Tiffany Gayle Chenault

  3. Aug 26

    Chasing the Next Horizon with Manika

    The farther you chase the horizon, the more you discover just how far you're capable of going. From collegiate hurdler to ultrarunner, Manika has transformed her passion for running into a life of exploration—taking on extreme distances and challenging landscapes around the world. In this episode of Women Empower Active, Manika shares her journey into ultrarunning, what continues to draw her toward bigger adventures, and how running has become more than a sport. It's a way to experience the world, embrace the unknown, and discover what's possible with every step. Every mile has taken Manika somewhere new, and along the way, she's encouraging others to chase horizons of their own. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Manika (@manikaruns) Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba #WomenEmpowerActive #ManikaRuns #Ultrarunning #WomenWhoRun #TrailRunning

    Chasing the Next Horizon with Manika

  4. Jul 29

    No Age Limit on Adventure with Ginny MacColl

    What if your greatest adventure is still ahead of you? Virginia "Ginny" MacColl is living proof that it's never too late to pursue something extraordinary. From doing her first pull-up at age 63 to becoming an American Ninja Warrior competitor and Guinness World Record holder, Ginny has spent the last decade redefining what's possible later in life. In this episode of Women Empower Active, Ginny shares how she embraced new challenges, built incredible strength, and discovered that growth has no finish line. Her story is a reminder that age is never a barrier to adventure—it can be the beginning of your greatest chapter yet. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Virginia "Ginny" MacColl (@ginnymaccoll) Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba #WomenEmpowerActive #AmericanNinjaWarrior #HealthyAging #ActiveLifestyle #NeverTooLate Photo Credit: NBC American Ninja Warrior

    No Age Limit on Adventure with Ginny MacColl

  5. Jun 24

    Many Little Steps with Gwen Rudy

    Today's guest is Gwen Rudy — a member of the USA Ski Mountaineering National Team, sports acupuncturist, coach, and mountain athlete whose journey proves that big goals are achieved through consistent effort and small daily steps. In this episode, Gwen shares how she found her way into ski mountaineering, what drives her passion for moving through the mountains, and how her work as an acupuncturist helps athletes recover, perform, and return to the activities they love. We talk about perseverance, finding joy in the process, and why her favorite motto, "Many little steps gets you there," continues to guide her both on and off the mountain. Whether you're training for a race, tackling a new challenge, or simply looking for inspiration to keep moving forward, Gwen's story is a reminder that progress happens one step at a time. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Gwen Rudy (@gwen_rudy) @alpine_start_acupuncture Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba #WomenEmpowerActive #SkiMountaineering #MountainAthlete #WomenInSports #OutdoorAdventure

    Many Little Steps with Gwen Rudy

  6. May 27

    Fear, Focus & Performance with Lynn Barlow

    In this episode of Women Empower Active, Jacalyn sits down with Lynn Barlow, a mental performance coach helping athletes strengthen the one muscle we often overlook: the mind. Through her work with Mindfullsend, Lynn helps athletes navigate fear, build confidence, and perform under pressure in some of life’s most demanding moments. With a background rooted in outdoor sports and high-risk environments, she understands what it feels like to stand at the edge — where fear and possibility meet — and how powerful it can be to move forward anyway. But this conversation goes deeper than performance. Today, we get to know the person behind the mindset work: Lynn’s journey, the experiences that shaped her, and the passion that led her to help others unlock their potential. Because performance isn’t just physical — it’s mental. And when the mind is trained, everything else follows. 🎙️ Tune in for a conversation about fear, resilience, confidence, and finding strength from within. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Lynn Barlow (@mindfullsend_mpc) Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba

    Fear, Focus & Performance with Lynn Barlow

  7. Apr 29

    The Queen of Gainz on Building Strength, Grit, and Showing Up

    What does it really take to become a national champion in streetlifting—and what does strength look like beyond the podium? In this episode of Women Empower Active, host Jacalyn Gross sits down with Danae Morgan, a national champion streetlifter, record-holding athlete, and powerful presence in the world of calisthenics. From dominating the USA Streetlifting National Championships to competing on the world stage, Danae has built her reputation through discipline, consistency, and relentless effort—one muscle-up, one pull-up at a time. But this conversation goes deeper than medals and records. We get to know the person behind the performance—Danae’s journey into streetlifting, the mindset required to compete at an elite level, and what it really takes to keep showing up when things get hard. From building confidence to pushing past physical and mental limits, Danae shares how strength is developed over time—and why the most powerful move you can make is continuing to lift yourself up. If you're passionate about fitness, strength training, calisthenics, or finding your own version of an active adventure, this episode will leave you feeling motivated and ready to take action. In this episode, we cover: Danae Morgan’s journey into streetlifting and calisthenicsCompeting at the USA Streetlifting National ChampionshipsThe mindset of a champion athleteBuilding strength, confidence, and consistencyOvercoming challenges and staying committed Women Empower Active is a podcast dedicated to empowering women to find their own active adventure through movement, mindset, and real stories. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Danae Morgan (@queenofgainz) Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba

    The Queen of Gainz on Building Strength, Grit, and Showing Up

  8. Mar 25

    Moments of Gratitude: Maiki Cofer

    Today’s guest knows what it means to push past limits—both physically and mentally. Maiki Cofer is a triathlete who has taken on the grueling challenge of Ironman 70.3 Hawaii multiple times, a race that tests endurance, resilience, and grit at every level. In this episode, we dive into the mindset behind endurance racing, the journey to the start line, and what it really takes to keep showing up for something this demanding—again and again. Host: Jacalyn Gross (@jacalyngross) Guest: Maiki Cofer (@kahuku) Producer: Jeremy Canaria (@jeremycanary) Editor: Jacalyn Gross Original Music by Pete Alba

    Moments of Gratitude: Maiki Cofer
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Women Empower Active podcast is an initiative to empower and inspire women to find their own active adventure in athletics, health, and fitness, and much more. Hosted by Jacalyn Gross, former collegiate runner. In each episode, she has an honest and open conversation with relatable women about challenges, obstacles, personal experiences, successes, failures, and everything in between. We hope you will find inspiration and motivation to seek out an adventure of your very own!

Information

  • Creator
    Jacalyn Gross
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Jacalyn Gross
  • Show Website
    Women Empower Active