Sep 12

How I'm Actually Balancing Work, Homeschooling, Dance Mom Life, and Training

Episode Summary A lot of you have asked some version of the same question: how do you actually fit training in with everything else going on? This bonus episode is the honest answer. I'm working full time, homeschooling this year, and deep in competitive dance and Nutcracker season, and I don't train perfectly; I train in pieces. I share what that actually looks like week to week, and why the perfect schedule isn't the goal. In this episode: Why there's no single open block of time waiting for a run, and what to do insteadTraining in the cracks: early mornings, parking lot loops during rehearsal, strength work while dinner cooksWhy the training schedule has to flex around the family schedule during heavy seasons like Nutcracker, not the other way aroundLetting go of the idea that a lighter training week is failureHow homeschooling's flexibility, once embraced instead of fought, actually made room for trainingThe real takeaway: stop looking for the perfect schedule, start looking for your cracks Quote from this episode: "You don't need a perfect schedule to keep showing up. You just need to find your cracks, and use them." Connect: TikTok: @barirunnermomInstagram: @bariatricrunnermomYouTube: @bariatricrunnermom Still Showing Up is a weekly podcast for runners navigating life after bariatric surgery, without the extremes.

Sep 5

Comparison Is the Thief of Your Miles

Episode Summary A good run can feel small in the time it takes to scroll one feed. This week I'm digging into why comparison steals more runs than injury or bad weather ever could, and what to actually do about it. I share why every body in your feed had a different starting line, why comparison usually stacks your behind-the-scenes against someone else's highlight reel, and a simple practice to bring yourself back to your own run when comparison creeps in. In this episode: Why a genuinely good run can feel ruined after one scroll through social mediaWhy every body in your feed started from a completely different place, surgery, timeline, metabolism, support system, and allWhy comparing yourself to someone else's mile is really comparing two different mapsHow comparison stacks your full, complicated story against someone else's carefully chosen highlightA simple practice for the moment comparison creeps in: "what is true about my run today"Why muting an account that makes this harder isn't weakness, it's protecting your own progress Quote from this episode: "You are not behind. You're on a different map. And the only race that was ever actually worth running is the one against who you were yesterday." This week's challenge: Next time you catch yourself comparing, stop and ask: what is true about my run today? Not their run. Yours. Say it out loud if you need to. Connect: TikTok: @barirunnermomInstagram: @bariatricrunnermomYouTube: @bariatricrunnermom

Aug 29

The Plateau Isn't Failure, It's Data

Episode Summary If the scale or your pace has stalled, the story we tell ourselves is that we've failed. This week I'm challenging that. A plateau isn't silence, it's your body doing something specific, and usually something important. I share the stretch where my mile time wouldn't budge no matter what I did, why panicking and pushing harder made it worse, and a three-step way to respond the next time you hit a wall. In this episode: Why plateaus feel like failure, and why that story is wrongWhat happened when I pushed harder instead of asking what my body neededWhy scale plateaus and fitness plateaus aren't always the same thingWhy bariatric bodies, having already been through rapid change, may plateau while catching upThree steps: ask what changed (not what's wrong), separate the two kinds of plateau, and give it time before you panicWhy a two-week plateau is normal, not a trend Quote from this episode: "The plateau isn't the wall. It's the hallway. You're still moving through it, even when it doesn't feel like it." This week's challenge: If you're in a plateau right now, ask: what is my body doing, and what does it need? More rest. More fuel. More patience. Write down your answer, give it two more weeks, then check back in with data, not panic. Connect: TikTok: @barirunnermomInstagram: @bariatricrunnermomYouTube: @bariatricrunnermom

Aug 21

Fueling the Run vs. Fueling the Surgery.

Episode Summary Bariatric nutrition rules and runner fueling rules were built for two different jobs, but most of us are only ever handed one rulebook. This week I'm breaking down where those rulebooks conflict, what happened the day I hit a wall four miles into a run because I was still eating like a "regular Tuesday" instead of a training day, and how to figure out what your body actually needs on the days you're running. In this episode: Why post-surgery nutrition guidance and runner fueling guidance can pull in opposite directionsWhat happened when I ran on autopilot, following portion rules that weren't built for the miles I was coveringTiming: why pre-run eating may need to look different from your regular daily routineProtein: balancing "protein first" with what actually fuels a run wellHydration: why bariatric runners face a higher dehydration risk, and why sipping consistently mattersWhy this is a conversation worth having with your surgical team or dietitian, not something to figure out alone Quote from this episode: "You're not just a bariatric patient anymore. You're a bariatric patient who runs. And that's a different body, with different needs." A note on this episode: This episode shares personal experience and general framing, not medical or clinical nutrition advice. If you're training and adjusting your eating around it, loop in your surgical team or dietitian to figure out what's right for you. This week's challenge: Before your next run, ask yourself: am I fueling for today's miles, or am I just running today's rules on autopilot? If it's autopilot, bring it up with whoever manages your nutrition plan. Connect: TikTok: @barirunnermomInstagram: @bariatricrunnermomYouTube: @bariatricrunnermomStill Showing Up is a weekly podcast for runners navigating life after bariatric surgery, without the extremes.

Aug 14

Why 'Non-Scale Victories' Isn't Just a Hashtag

Episode Summary The scale measures your body. It doesn't measure your life. This week I'm talking about why non-scale victories aren't a consolation prize; they're the whole point. I share what happened on a totally ordinary Tuesday run, why most bariatric messaging is still built around one number, and a simple question I now ask myself after every run instead of stepping on the scale. In this episode: Why "non-scale victory" gets rolled off as a hashtag, and why that's a mistakeThe moment I realized I was running for the scale instead of for myselfWhat most post-bariatric messaging gets wrong by only tracking weightA simple daily practice: one question to ask after every runWhy tracking non-scale wins protects you during the weeks the scale doesn't move Quote from this episode: "The scale measures your body. It does not measure your life." This week's challenge: After your next run (or any hard thing you do), write down one non-scale victory. Share it with me on social — I'd love to hear it. Connect: TikTok: @barirunnermomInstagram: @bariatricrunnermomYouTube: @bariatricrunnermom Still Showing Up is a weekly podcast for runners navigating life after bariatric surgery, without the extremes.

Mar 22

Why You’re Tired All the Time as a Runner (It’s Not Laziness) | Bariatric Athlete Fatigue Explained

If you are training consistently…Running. Strength training. Showing up week after week… But you still feel exhausted? This episode is for you. We are not talking about “tough workout” tired.We are talking about: Heavy legs on easy runs Sluggish turnover Slower recovery A pace that feels harder than it should Brain fog or irritability Fatigue that lingers Here is the truth: Chronic fatigue is not laziness.It is a training signal. In this episode of Bariatric Runner Mom, we break down: The difference between normal training fatigue and problem fatigue Why running culture glorifies exhaustion How bariatric physiology changes recovery demands The 5 most common fixable causes of runner fatigue What to adjust before you panic When labs and medical support may be helpful For bariatric runners specifically, we cover: ✔ Underfueling around training✔ Protein timing and muscle repair✔ Low iron, B12, vitamin D, and electrolytes✔ Too much moderately hard running✔ Lack of planned recovery and deload weeks After bariatric surgery, your body is managing: Smaller meal capacity Altered digestion and absorption Higher protein needs Hydration sensitivity Increased muscle breakdown during endurance training That means your margin for error is smaller. Fatigue is not weakness.It is feedback. And mature athletes do not shame fatigue... they interpret it. We also walk through a simple 5-question reset to help you isolate what might need adjustment in your training. You are not lazy.You are not behind.You are not a bad runner. You may just need better alignment between your training load and your support. --------------------------------------------- If this episode resonated with you, there’s more waiting for you beyond the podcast. 🏃‍♀️ Read the Blog: Deep dives on running after bariatric surgery, fueling strategies, race prep, strength training, and sustainable endurance at⁠ BariatricRunnerMom.com⁠ 🎥 Watch on ⁠YouTube⁠: Training updates, race recaps, gear reviews, mindset conversations, and real-life endurance training after weight loss surgery. 📲 Follow on Social: Daily encouragement, practical tips, behind-the-scenes training, and honest conversations about life as a bariatric athlete. ⁠Instagram: @bariatricrunnermom⁠ ⁠TikTok: @barirunnermom⁠ This community is built on consistency, longevity, and respect for your body. You do not have to navigate the challenges of endurance after bariatric surgery alone. If you found value here: Follow the showLeave a reviewShare this episode with another bariatric runnerTag me so I can cheer you onWe are building strong, sustainable athletes... one intentional step at a time. See you in the next episode. 🏃‍♀️

Mar 15

Why Easy Running Is the Key to Getting Faster (Especially After Bariatric Surgery)

If most of your runs feel hard… If your legs feel heavy more often than strong… If you are exhausted all the time… You might not need more discipline. You might need to slow down. In this episode of Bariatric Runner Mom, we’re talking about why easy running... real, intentional, slower running... is not weakness. It’s strategy. And for bariatric runners, it is often the difference between burnout and building endurance that actually lasts. After bariatric surgery, your body has already experienced: Rapid weight change Muscle loss risk Hormonal shifts Hydration limitations Fueling constraints That means your margin for error is smaller. Running hard all the time does not make you tougher. It makes you vulnerable. In this episode, we cover: Why most runners accidentally run too fast, too often What happens when every run becomes a test The science behind aerobic base building Why easy miles are not junk miles How slow running protects your joints and recovery The ego struggle (hello, Strava) What an easy run should actually feel like How slowing down now allows you to run faster later Hard runs are the spice. Easy runs are the meal. If you want to last as a bariatric runner, easy running is not optional. It is foundational. Strong runners are not always the fastest. They are the ones who last. ----------------------------------------- If this episode resonated with you, there’s more waiting for you beyond the podcast. 🏃‍♀️ Read the Blog: Deep dives on running after bariatric surgery, fueling strategies, race prep, strength training, and sustainable endurance at⁠ BariatricRunnerMom.com⁠ 🎥 Watch on ⁠YouTube⁠: Training updates, race recaps, gear reviews, mindset conversations, and real-life endurance training after weight loss surgery. 📲 Follow on Social: Daily encouragement, practical tips, behind-the-scenes training, and honest conversations about life as a bariatric athlete. ⁠Instagram: @bariatricrunnermom⁠ ⁠TikTok: @barirunnermom⁠ This community is built on consistency, longevity, and respect for your body. You do not have to navigate the challenges of endurance after bariatric surgery alone. If you found value here: Follow the showLeave a reviewShare this episode with another bariatric runnerTag me so I can cheer you onWe are building strong, sustainable athletes... one intentional step at a time. See you in the next episode. 🏃‍♀️

Mar 8

You Are an Athlete: The Mindset Shift That Changed My Running After Bariatric Surgery

What if the word athlete applies to you... right now? Not after you lose more weight. Not after you get faster. Not after you “look” the part. In this episode of Bariatric Runner Mom, I share the mindset shift that completely changed how I train, fuel, recover, and see myself after bariatric surgery. The word that changed everything: athlete. Inspired by Peloton instructor Alex Toussaint, I began to realize something powerful: Athlete is not earned by pace. Athlete is defined by intent. If you clip in. If you show up. If you train with purpose. You are an athlete. In this episode, we talk about: Why many bariatric runners struggle to claim the word “athlete” The difference between diet mentality and athlete mentality Why fueling, recovery, and strength training shift when you identify as an athlete How to stop rushing progress after weight loss surgery Why bariatric surgery does not disqualify you from athletic identity What it means to train strategically instead of emotionally How adopting an athlete mindset protects your long-term health After losing 130 pounds, I had to unlearn years of diet culture thinking. Diet mentality asks: How do I control this? Athlete mentality asks: How do I support this? That shift changed everything. This episode is for: Bariatric runners at any stage Women redefining what strength looks like Runners training for longevity, not burnout Anyone who needs permission to take their training seriously If you train with intention, you are an athlete. Right now. If this episode resonated with you, there’s more waiting for you beyond the podcast. 🏃‍♀️ Read the Blog: Deep dives on running after bariatric surgery, fueling strategies, race prep, strength training, and sustainable endurance at BariatricRunnerMom.com 🎥 Watch on YouTube: Training updates, race recaps, gear reviews, mindset conversations, and real-life endurance training after weight loss surgery. 📲 Follow on Social: Daily encouragement, practical tips, behind-the-scenes training, and honest conversations about life as a bariatric athlete. Instagram: @bariatricrunnermom TikTok: @barirunnermom This community is built on consistency, longevity, and respect for your body. You do not have to navigate the challenges of endurance after bariatric surgery alone. If you found value here: Follow the show Leave a review Share this episode with another bariatric runner Tag me so I can cheer you on We are building strong, sustainable athletes... one intentional step at a time. See you in the next episode. 🏃‍♀️

Mar 1

Welcome to Bariatric Runner Mom: Running After Bariatric Surgery Without Extremes

If you’ve had bariatric surgery and you’re running, or thinking about running, you already know this journey does not fit into standard advice. Most post-bariatric conversations focus on weight loss.Most running conversations assume a body that hasn’t gone through a massive change. Bariatric Runner Mom lives in the overlap. In this first episode, I’m sharing: Why I started running after bariatric surgery Why this is not a weight loss podcast What endurance looks like in a post-surgery body How fueling, recovery, and training require a different level of awareness Why progress is not linear and why that’s okay After bariatric surgery, running is not about shrinking yourself further.It’s about building something sustainable, strong, and honest. This podcast is for: Bariatric runners at any stage Moms balancing training and real life Runners who want longevity, not burnout Anyone redefining what “athlete” means Here, we talk about:✔ Running safely after bariatric surgery✔ Fueling for performance without extremes✔ Strength training & injury prevention✔ Race prep and race day realities✔ Confidence built one run at a time✔ Endurance in real life This is a space for learning, not comparison. You are allowed to take this journey seriously.You belong on the starting line. Welcome to Bariatric Runner Mom.

Jan 6

Showing Up Undertrained: My Holiday Half Race Recap

There was a moment on race morning when no one would have blamed me for leaving. In this episode of Still Showing Up, I’m sharing an honest Holiday Half race recap—including what it felt like to stand on the starting line undertrained, alone, cold, and navigating a hard mental health day. This race wasn’t about pace or proving anything. It was about staying when it would have been easier to walk away, running after gastric sleeve on a day when confidence felt fragile, and remembering that progress doesn’t disappear just because life gets heavy. I talk about: Showing up to a race feeling emotionally and mentally depleted Running after gastric sleeve when motivation is low Racing in cold, rainy Oregon weather Hills, self-doubt, and unexpected wins This episode is for bariatric runners, beginner runners, and anyone who’s ever questioned whether showing up was worth it—especially on the hard days. You don’t have to be fast.You don’t have to be ready.Sometimes, staying is the win. 🔗 Mentioned in This Episode Foot Traffic Holiday Half Nike Zoom Flys (full shoe review coming soon) 💛 If This Episode Resonated If you’re running after weight loss surgery, navigating mental health alongside training, or learning how to trust your body again, you’re not alone here. You can find more reflections, race recaps, and resources at Bariatric Runner Mom, or connect with me on social. Thanks for being here—and for still showing up.

Still Showing Up

Episodes

How I'm Actually Balancing Work, Homeschooling, Dance Mom Life, and Training

Comparison Is the Thief of Your Miles

The Plateau Isn't Failure, It's Data

Fueling the Run vs. Fueling the Surgery.

Why 'Non-Scale Victories' Isn't Just a Hashtag

Why You’re Tired All the Time as a Runner (It’s Not Laziness) | Bariatric Athlete Fatigue Explained

Why Easy Running Is the Key to Getting Faster (Especially After Bariatric Surgery)

You Are an Athlete: The Mindset Shift That Changed My Running After Bariatric Surgery

Welcome to Bariatric Runner Mom: Running After Bariatric Surgery Without Extremes

Showing Up Undertrained: My Holiday Half Race Recap

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