Joy Before Fear

Joy Before Fear

Health resilience keeps runners, ultrarunners, and endurance athletes adapting, recovering, and thriving for the long haul. Joy Before Fear is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. A shift beyond grit-and-grind culture to what truly sustains performance. Because it’s not just about training—it’s about whether you can recover and get the adaptations you’re chasing. Through real strategies, athlete stories, and live race spotlights, this podcast helps you train smarter, recover better, and build an athletic life that lasts. Be bold. Put your health first. You got this. Choose Joy Before Fear™

Episodes

  1. JAN 14

    12. Annette Kennedy: “Recover, Adapt, Evolve” — Ankylosing Spondylitis, Vegan Strength, and Stepping onto the Bodybuilding Stage

    In this episode, Stacey shares a conversation she had in November of 2025 with Annette Kennedy. Annette shares her “Fit for Life” approach to health, movement, and her athletic goals. In this conversation, we learn what it took to turn the dial from daily survival mode into thriving while living with ankylosing spondylitis. Annette was generous in sharing her story and candid about the ups and downs of navigating a chronic health condition while holding down jobs, being a mom, being a wife, and being a community builder, all while continuing to fight for her athletic identity. She shares how becoming vegan helped turn the dial from survive to thrive, how her quality of life changed, and what it was like to participate in her first bodybuilding competition in 2025 at the age of 50. This is a grounded and honest conversation about health, resilience, and athletic identity. 🏃‍♀️💪 Curious about coaching with Joy Before Fear? Schedule a free consultation call or send Stacey a note. coaching@joybeforefear.com 🎙️ Have a story to share? Interested in being a guest on the Joy Before Fear podcast? Send Stacey a note. coaching@joybeforefear.com 🌱 Curious about The Vegan Gym? Learn more here: https://www.thevegangym.com Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear. https://www.joybeforefear.com⁠ Instagram: @joybeforefear

    1h 23m

  2. 10/29/2025

    11. Angel Mathis: "Biology Reacting to an Injustice", Lessons from the Pacific Crest Trail, the Power of Financial Resilience, and Nurse Wealth Coaching

    In this episode, Angel Mathis shares lessons from hiking the entire Pacific Crest Trail and her path from nursing burnout to financial freedom and resilience. She’s a powerful example of what happens when we step into our own power, build our resilience, and then turn around to help others do the same. We talk about athletic identity as something rooted in choice, and how sport and time on trail can create both simplicity and agency. Angel reflects on how her experience in nursing shaped her approach to well-being and led her to become a nurse wealth coach. If you’d like to connect with Angel or learn more about the work she’s doing with nurses, here’s where to find her: Nurses Investing for WealthTeaching nurses to fund their future with small portions of their paycheck so they can work less (or retire early) if they want to. 🌐 Visit the Website: learn.nursesinvesting.com📱 DM Angel on Instagram: @nursesinvestingforwealth 👉 Interested in Athlete Health Resilience Coaching?⁠Contact me directly⁠ or ⁠schedule a free consultation call⁠. Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear. ⁠www.joybeforefear.com⁠

    1h 39m

  3. 10/27/2025

    10. Monday Mindset Snack: Rest, Recalibrate, and Return

    🎧 Monday Mindset Snack: Rest. Recalibrate. Return. This week’s Monday Mindset Snack is about rest— the reminder that every living thing needs recovery to adapt and grow, including you. Rest isn’t weakness — it’s biology. Every living thing needs recovery to grow, adapt, and thrive — and that includes you. In this episode, Stacey shares three connected mindset snacks: Rest — Needing rest is not a failure; it’s a necessity. Learn to recognize what kind of rest you need and catch it where you can. Recalibrate — Being a leader of your own life requires being honest about what is sustainable for you. Slow down, zoom out, and make intentional adjustments in training and in life. Return — Returning after rest, illness, or time away from training isn’t about quickly jumping back to 100%. It’s about rebuilding with alignment, support, and purpose so you can sustain longevity in sport and life. ✨ Rest. Recalibrate. Return. ✨ Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear. 👉 Interested in Athlete Health Resilience Coaching?Contact me directly or schedule a free consultation call.

    19 min

  4. 10/20/2025

    9. Monday Mindset Snack: Core Values, Seasons, and Capacity

    Monday Mindset Snack Episode: the weekly mini-series from Joy Before Fear.Stacey shares three quick mindset snacks to help you start your week in the Joy Before Fear way — grounded, intentional, and connected to what truly matters. ✨ Core Values — Your values are your foundation — the why behind your goals and choices. When your training and life goals reflect what truly matters to you, everything feels more purposeful and sustainable. Revisit them often. They evolve with you. Build a living, breathing relationship with them — not just a list on paper. 🌿 Seasons — We move through seasons in life, sport, and energy. Honoring the season you’re in helps you plan and train from where you are vs. where you wish you were. 🔥 Capacity — Your capacity is dynamic and shifts with your physical, emotional, relational, mental and other life loads. Be real about what’s sustainable right now. You can "Be the person who....", no matter what your capacity is. 👉 Interested in Athlete Health Resilience Coaching?Contact me directly or schedule a consult call. Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear.

    20 min

  5. 10/13/2025

    8. Monday Mindset Snack: Be Bold, Stand in Your Power, and Shine Your Light/Be the Lighthouse

    This Monday Mindset Snack continues the weekly mini-series from Joy Before Fear. Stacey shares three quick mindset snacks to help you start your week grounded, strong, and radiant: Be Bold — Boldness is a daily practice of showing up in your truth — through your body, your voice, your choices, and your self-talk. It’s not about being loud or reckless; it’s about being real, compassionate, and aligned, even when your voice shakes. Stand in Your Power — It isn’t about control; it’s about connection — first with yourself, then with others. It grows through consistency: speaking your truth, setting boundaries, honoring your body, and remembering you are your own source of strength. Shine Your Light / Be the Lighthouse — When you live boldly and stand in your power, your light naturally shines brighter. Be the steady, imperfect light that helps guide others through their storms — and allow others to guide you when your own light needs tending. We thrive and shine together. 👉 Interested in Athlete Health Resilience Coaching?Contact me directly or schedule a consult call. Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear.

    10 min

  6. 10/06/2025

    7. Monday Mindset Snack: Trust the Reflection / Take the Action, Be the Mirror, and Building Consistency

    This first Monday Mindset Snack kicks off a new weekly mini-series from Joy Before Fear. Stacey shares three quick mindset shifts to start your week strong: Trust Reflection / Take the Action — Borrow belief from those who see your potential and take the step anyway. Be the Mirror — Reflect belief back to others so they can borrow it too. Small Actions Build Consistency — Go small and go consistent; big goals grow from repeatable steps. 👉 Interested in Athlete Health Resilience coaching? Contact me here or schedule a consult call. Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear.

    10 min

  7. 09/22/2025

    6. Stacey’s Corner: Navigating Healthcare Appointments, Connecting Personal Health to Public Health Realities, and the Women’s Running Outdoor Safety Survey

    In this episode of Joy Before Fear, Stacey shares practical ways to make healthcare appointments less stressful and more effective. She talks about tracking symptoms, writing down questions, and bringing someone you trust so you don’t have to navigate it all alone. Stacey also digs into the lack of attention to women’s health, especially around perimenopause and menopause, and why finding a practitioner who has taken the time to get certification in evidence-based practices and science is critical for advocating for yourself during this stage of life. She also highlights an important new study, Experiences of Sexual Assault Among Women Engaged in Wilderness and Outdoor Activities: An Online Survey, urging listeners to take part and share it widely so the data can help create safer conditions for everyone. These conversations show how deeply personal challenges—like struggling for evidence-based menopause care or feeling unsafe while running outdoors—are also public health realities. By recognizing them as collective issues rather than individual shortcomings, we can better support one another, advocate for change, and push back against the barriers that keep people from accessing care and safety. 👉 Take the survey here: Women’s Running Outdoor Safety Survey 👉 Reach out for coaching inquiries or to share your story as a podcast guest

    36 min

  8. 07/03/2025

    5. Bonus Episode: Holly Grahn with Science Behind Hypnotherapy, Nervous System Resilience and Pacing for Ultramarathons, Working Through Limiting Beliefs, and More!

    In this bonus episode, Holly Grahn shares more science behind hypnotherapy and how it impacts both the brain and nervous system—across our life stages, and within the context of ultrarunning performance, and long-term health resilience. Learn about how early childhood experiences may play a role in your current limiting beliefs, how nervous system resilience affects your pacing in an ultramarathon, and the power of your subconscious. If you haven’t listened to Holly’s full interview in Episode 4, I highly recommend going back to check it out. It’s a do-not-miss conversation full of depth, insight, and inspiration. Reach out to Holly at Leading Edge Hypno, book a free consultation and/or learn more about what she does. https://leadingedgehypno.com/hypnotherapy/ Holly's Hypno Gold App Link https://hypnogold.passion.io/join Interested in Athlete Health Resilience Coaching? Have a story to share? https://www.joybeforefear.com Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This! Choose Joy Before Fear.

    28 min

  9. 06/14/2025

    4. Holly Grahn: "Resilience is Knowing Who You Are", the Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Hypnotherapy for Athletes, and Orcas Island 100 Miler

    In this episode, Holly Grahn shares her transformative journey in becoming an ultrarunner, hypnotherapist, and life coach. Her story is a beautiful example of becoming what you needed. She discusses the importance of understanding the subconscious mind, the role of positive language, and how running has served as a therapeutic outlet. Holly talks about some of the science behind hypnotherapy and its effectiveness in addressing deep-seated issues that traditional talk therapy may not reach. You will learn how tapping into your subconscious mind can help you grow more into your own power, as well as bolster your athletic performance. She recounts her experience at the Orcas Island 100 miler and how her own deep work with hypnotherapy and mindset training supported her during the race. This is a must-listen-to episode! Reach out to Holly at Leading Edge Hypno, book a free consultation and/or learn more about what she does. https://leadingedgehypno.com/hypnotherapy/ Holly's Hypno Gold App Link https://hypnogold.passion.io/join Rainshadow Running, the amazing folks that put on Orcas 100 mile race, plus other awesome races. https://www.rainshadowrunning.com Athlete Health Resilience Coaching with me, Stacey, at Joy Before Fear. https://www.joybeforefear.com Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This! Choose Joy Before Fear.

    1h 56m

  10. 04/30/2025

    3. Jenny Low:"Try and Try Again", Working Towards a 100 Mile Finish, and Resilience Rooted in Nature

    In this episode, Jenny Low shares how her connection to nature, her inner voice, and her “try and try again” philosophy shape her approach to life, running, and long-term goals. She reflects on reaching 90 miles at the Orcas Island 100 miler—her furthest distance yet—and how mindset training supported her decision-making and focus on race day. Jenny discusses setting clear DNF criteria, making peace with downtime injuries, and the value of preparing for discomfort ahead of time. She also speaks to the role of community in her journey, highlighting how support, connection, and shared experience have made ultra running more than just a sport. She offers a refreshing outlook on the process of working toward goals, grounded in patience and self-trust.   ⁠Rainshadow Running⁠⁠ The amazing folks that put on Orcas 100 mile race, plus other awesome races. Share your story⁠⁠ on Joy Before Fear Podcast. Learn about Athlete Health Resilience Coaching⁠⁠ with Joy Before Fear. Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear.

    1h 25m

  11. 03/06/2025

    2. Ted Clifton: Turning "I Can't" into "I Was Born For This", Becoming an Ultrarunner

    In this episode, Ted Clifton shares his transformative journey into ultra running, emphasizing the importance of joy over fear. He discusses his experiences at the Orcas 100, the mental and emotional resilience developed through running, and the supportive community found in ultra running. Ted also highlights his work in building net zero energy homes, connecting the themes of personal growth and environmental sustainability. The conversation encourages listeners to redefine success, embrace their athletic identities, and find joy in movement. ⁠TC Legend Homes⁠ Ted's net zero home building company ⁠Rainshadow Running⁠ The amazing folks that put on Orcas 100 mile race, plus other awesome races. ⁠Frosty Mountain 50K⁠ Beautiful and fun race in Manning Provincial Park, BC. ⁠Share your story⁠ on Joy Before Fear Podcast. ⁠Learn about Athlete Health Resilience Coaching⁠ with Joy Before Fear. Be Bold. Put Your Health First. You Got This. Choose Joy Before Fear.

    56 min

  12. 02/09/2025

    1. Welcome to Joy Before Fear and Athlete Health Resilience...Let's Go!

    Welcome to the first epsisode of Joy Before Fear Podcast!! In this espiode you will learn: What athlete health resilience coaching is and who it is forWhy health resilence mattersWhy "Joy Before Fear"A little bit about your host Stacey Nievweija...that's me, and how ultrarunning, swimming, and strength training have given me strength and resilience I never knew I had.Get some takeaways to support your own health resilience foundation as you navigate this year and work towards your big and bold running, ultrarunning, and athletic goals. Let's Go! If you are an runner, ultrarunner, or athlete that would like to share your journey on the podcast,send me a message. You can check out my website to learn more about coaching:www.joybeforefear.com Be bold. Put your health first. You got this. Choose Joy Before Fear™.

    36 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Health resilience keeps runners, ultrarunners, and endurance athletes adapting, recovering, and thriving for the long haul. Joy Before Fear is more than a podcast—it’s a movement. A shift beyond grit-and-grind culture to what truly sustains performance. Because it’s not just about training—it’s about whether you can recover and get the adaptations you’re chasing. Through real strategies, athlete stories, and live race spotlights, this podcast helps you train smarter, recover better, and build an athletic life that lasts. Be bold. Put your health first. You got this. Choose Joy Before Fear™

Information

  • Creator
    Joy Before Fear
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Joy Before Fear
  • Show Website
    Joy Before Fear