Podcasts about skirt sports

She went to the Olympic Trials for swimming when she was 16. She became a pro triathlete after she graduated from Yale. She met her husband (also a pro triathlete) when he sat next to her on a plane. She designed the first running skirt and created a business that empowered women to feel amazing in their skin. She also became a mom.   Nicole DeBoom is always smiling, which may lead one to believe she's only encountered positives in her life. Not quite. Along with all the highs have come some lows, like waiting tables and putting on a mascot costume with a degree from Yale. She was also a black out drinker (sober now) and found herself fighting like crazy for space in the apparel world once the big brands realized (and copied) what she was doing with Skirt Sports.   Today, Nicole, Tim and their daughter Wilder live in Steamboat after uprooting from Boulder four years ago. She had sold her business and went to find her purpose. She may have just done that by coming full circle with a big announcement in the podcast.

Welcome back to a great episode about bodies, minds, aging & perspective. We - Nicole & Sarah - are of an age where our bodies have displayed signs of the wear and tear we put ourselves through in our earlier decades. These issues have caused not only physical pain, but emotional pain as well. Today we explore what happens when our bodies stop doing what we want them to do - and how it affects our headspace as well.  We talk about: When you break, you can come back stronger How to shift our identities when they are so wrapped up in "what we do" and not "who we are." Perspective is key When you can't fix yourself on your own - and need to turn to medicine & more We even mention female fitness icon (and so much more), Jane Fonda, and her philosophy on fitness in her 80s.  Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!  

This episode is exactly what it says it is - a little dive into the behind-the-scenes world that is fashion design. We start by talking about Nicole's experience with the first product from Skirt Sports that was not designed under her tutelage - the Freedom Sports Bra with Pocket - and then we go down the design rabbit hole from there.  We hit on the following and more! The fitting process: This is how we make magic happen - a range of bodies fit and test our products Patterns: learn the real lingo in the apparel world Timelines: 18 months minimum from start to finish What is most terrifying and most delightful about being a designer from Sarah's perspective How Leaps of faith and Confidence play a role Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Today you're in for a special treat. We had the amazing opportunity to sit down with Rose Wetzel - pro OCR athlete - during her winter training in Costa Rica!  A little background: Rose is a pro obstacle course racer who represents the 40+ crowd. She finished top ten at three world championship races this year (2022 Spartan, Spartan Trifecta, and OCRWC 3k) in an effort to show that middle-aged moms can mix it up with the best 20 & 30-somethings in the world! As a certified personal trainer, certified Precision Nutrition Coach, and certified life coach, Rose love educating people about their health and wellness, and empowering them to take bold steps to live their best lives. This episode is chock full of great stuff. Listen to it, stop when needed, make notes, and keep going! Some highlights include: "If you're stuck in mud, keep picking up your feet." The Winner's Mindset Check out the documentary "The Weight of Gold" Success is... "Being able to develop my talent while being there for my family." When shooting for goals, don't think "What's the goal that's going to make me happy?" Instead think, "What's the goal that's going to turn me into the person I want to be?" Check out the book "Atomic Habits" How to create new habits: Habit coupling & Tiny habits "Tomorrow starts tonight"  What it means to "win the morning" (Look into her sponsor MitoQ for cellular health) Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Money has always been a taboo topic. Most of our decisions are made with money in mind, yet we don't feel comfortable talking about it with people outside our close-knit circles, usually just within our immediate families. Yet when we keep our money concerns private, it can create stress, insecurity and feelings of hopelessness. Our goal today is to crack open the door and encourage all of us to be more open about this previously secretive topic. Today we cover: Generational practices that have created this taboo around money & how we can change it for our kids Money management is a Practice Money is one of the biggest relationship stressors so learning to talk about it is so important How do we invest our money? Budgeting vs Reality Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Today we talk all about coaches. When we look back and think about the people who have played impactful roles in our lives, coaches always stand out. But at some point, after our youth athletic careers are over, most of us never work with coaches again. That's what we explore today including: Examples of great coaches in our lives The best coaches expect a lot from you - which in return teaches you to expect a lot from yourself Great coaches also transcend the sport or activity you do and train you to be a champion "on and off the field" Coaches exist in all areas of life, not just kids' sports Sometimes having a coach is the best way to hold yourself accountable to your goals & so much more! Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Get ready to shut your eyes and go for a ride! Today your ride is a throwback to 1988 - you get to swim the 100 yard breaststroke with Nicole DeBoom!  The backstory: Sarah believes strongly that visualizing your success is one of the keys to achieving it. Whatever you believe is what will come true. But learning how to use visualization to get there takes practice. Today we do a deep dive into what it feels like to visualize a one minute athletic event.  But the message is this: once you learn how to practice visualization, you can transfer that skill to any aspect of your life.  Want to join the life changing workshop Sarah talks about? You can find more details here.  Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Welcome back to a very fun episode of the Yoga Pants Podcast. Today we talk all about happiness. Turns out it's pretty simple. You just need 4 things.  Something to do Someone to love Something to look forward to Some way to give back If you want to read more about Dan Buettner's research on this topic, check out The Blue Zones of Happiness. We certainly love this outlook and whenever things feel off, it makes it much easier to identify which of the 4 is missing. Attaining it is not as easy, but at least you have a starting point!  Want to join the life changing workshop Sarah talks about? You can find more details here.  Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry.  Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

This topic is perfect for the holidays. While some of us are able to find and connect with our people during this time of year, many others go through huge waves of loneliness - from loss, distance or pandemics. While we want it to be a time of connection, it is often the opposite.  Instead of feeling despondent and helpless, we share some ideas on how you can take action and find your people.  1) Think about your current core beliefs. The best tribes share values. 2) Practice unconditional self-acceptance. Stop saying "I'll finally fully love and embrace myself after I achieve xyz!" 3) Make room for "and"  4) Prioritize healing yourself.  At the end of the day, you won't make progress unless you're willing to put yourself out there. It's hard, but good things come when you allow them to, and staying inside your safe place won't allow others in!  Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry. It's not too late to shop for the holidays! Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Today we have some fun talking about the girls & sharing a product that is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Meet the Skirt Sports All In Long Bra! Okay, "all cup sizes" is an impossible task so for the sake of this episode, let's say A to E cups. Today we talk about: Boobs: how they're all different but they have one thing in common - they want a comfortable bra to support them! The All In Long Bra in all its brilliant glory Strappy cuteness Supportive compression without hard-edged underwire Even though Nicole was dubious, Sarah confirmed that even up to E cups are happily supported in this bra! Just for you, our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry. Grab an All In Long Bra now!!! Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

It's that time of year! Time to shop for all the people you love (go ahead and throw something for yourself in the mix too). Meaningful gifts make all the difference. If you have a runner (or athlete of any kind) on your list, listen to these ideas.  And please share your own! The more ideas the better, so post your comments here or pop over to social and send us a note! The Gift of Fitness: Garmin (Sarah wants a new one!) The Gift of Health: InsideTracker (Nicole says get your blood drawn and become your own health advocate!) The Gift of Support & Motivation: ZOOMA Run Club The Gift of Inspiration: Momentum Jewelry (AWESOME stocking stuffers) The Gift of Cute & Comfortable: Skirt Sports (specifically All In High Rise Leggings, Go the Distance Half Zip, Wonderluxe Skirt in the Holiday Print coming soon) Now you can cross off your list and you have more time to workout and do things for yourself during this holiday season. You're welcome! For our listeners, use code POD20 for 20% off Skirt Sports and Momentum Jewelry. Shop now! Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Hot on the tails of our "Best Leggings in the World" episode, we bring you some fun banter about our favorite court sports. Tennis has always been a Skirt Sport, but pickleball, while first created in the 60s is suddenly on fire and you must get the best gear to help you slam that tennis/badminton/ping-pong ball like a pro.  In this episode, we talk about the power of wearing products that were actually made for the game you play, and highlight the features we love about the court-specific styles Skirt Sports offers. Namely the POCKETS. The dual (both thighs), convertible (upper and lower pockets on the same pocket!), deftly hidden pockets that do exactly what you need to play with confidence.  Yes, this episode is pretty product-centric, but don't be fooled, we always sprinkle in some personal stories of triumph and tragedy as we go! Styles we recommend for tennis and pickleball: Triumph Skort "Everything about this skort is a triumph," says Sarah

Sometimes you stumble across something so special you can't imagine life without it. That is what happens when you step into any of our Skirt Sports leggings for the first time. Today we deconstruct: The feminine ideal: Yes these leggings make us dig deep! The fabric The high waist The pockets Why flattery is not a bad thing! Time to get yourself the best leggings in the world! Use code POD20 for 20% off now! Tune in weekly-ish to hear us riff on the topic of the moment. Now grab those yoga pants, get out there and get busy living your best life. See you next time!

Two years ago, Nicole received an email from Sarah Ratzlaff, a follow up from six months prior when Nicole was looking to do a cross-promotion for her business Skirt Sports.  Nicole's response: "No I'm not looking for a cross-promotion right now, but if you want to buy my business, I'd love to talk." Thus began one of the most important relationships in both of their lives, and the framework for the baton hand-off of Skirt Sports was sparked. How it started: May 6, 2020 Nicole was sprinting down the finish chute, slapping hands, and dealing with all the emotions that arise when the end of a huge race is near. Sarah was sitting in the grassy field in the middle of the track watching the events unfold around her, thinking about which one she wanted to do next. How it's going: May 6, 2022 Nicole is chilling out on the high jump mat, recovering after her long race, cheering on her teammates as they zip around the track Sarah is sprinting lap after lap after lap. Working hard, pushing her limits & taking in all the support she can along the way.  When is the last time you took a snapshot of an important moment in time and analyzed what has changed since? It's easy to think that you're not really getting a lot done, but when you really start checking the boxes, you realize you've been more successful, busy and productive than you ever imagined.  Today: Take a moment to list out what you have done in the past two years. Personal. Career. Fun. You name it. Make your list. Take it in. And remember how amazing you are.   

Join the 7-Day Smoothie Refresh Challenge. It's free. It's delicious. It's just what you need right now. Did we mention it's FREE?! Before we dive into all things smoothie, Sarah and Nicole talk about what's really behind the smoothie - it's about prioritizing ourselves, making our health a priority, and doing it with the camaraderie of other active women who want to share tips, tricks and smoothie secrets.  Go to skirtsports.com or click right here to join. The Smoothie Challenge starts May 9th! Sarah & Nicole's Smoothies Tips: Freeze your fruit: Then you don't need to add ice & water it down Sneak in frozen cauliflower for picky kids Greens - esp neutral greens like spinach and kale - can go in pretty much every recipe Lots of protein ideas: nut butters, protein powders, yogurt (esp greek yogurt), silken tofu, guava Add herbs like mint or cilantro - you can freeze herbs in ice cubes and pop into your smoothies To add some "oomph" that gives the smoothie structure and helps you feel full, try fresh avocado or cooked oatmeal Nicole mentions the best blender: She has this Ninja. It's held up for years and gets used every single day! Recipes: Sarah's fave: Cucumber-Pineapple-Celery - Listen to the episode for all ingredients Nicole's kitchen sink concoction - Sarah calls it the Oatmeal Cookie Smoothie: Greens, frozen fruit (mango is a good choice), yogurt, cooked oatmeal, almond extract, honey, cinnamon, unsweetened vanilla oatmilk As always use code POD20 on your next Skirt Sports or Momentum Jewelry order!  

Skirt Sports deal: Use code POD20 for 20% off Today we talk about imposter syndrome: What it is, why we suffer from it, how to stop feeling like a fraud and own our true power.  Notables: Imposter syndrome is when you doubt your abiities and feel like a fraud Sarah felt it throughout her career, possibly stemming from the fact that she was told not to shine her light so bright Nicole did not feel it very often throughout her career: She felt confident and owned her accomplishments. Possibly due to her early sports background instilling confidence and creating a sizable ego :) When we are in male-dominated worlds, we're breaking barriers, it makes sense that we feel like outsiders Overcoming imposter syndrome: vulnerability, stop hiding who you are, open the conversation - admit that you feel out of place and own it Tell us if you have ever experienced imposter syndrome. If yes, how? If no, what do you do to avoid it? 

Today I get the chance to chat with former pro triathlete and the successful entrepreneur who founded Skirt Sports, Nicole DeBoom. We start off talking about our similarities - especially our need to create things and to not stay still. Nicole describes herself as a great starter, but possibly not the best person to hang around in any given business long term. And on that note we talk about how she's spent the last year - not working - and figuring out what is next. It wouldn't be a chat with a triathlete if we don't talk triathlon and we share another goal we both had as we pursued pro careers (her to a much greater degree of success): just to break even. Much like my own journey to start Solpri - Nicole found inspiration to start her own business while training triathlon and seeing a problem she had that she wanted to solve. Before we sign off Nicole gives me the inside scoop on her brand new business that wasn't even launched as we recorded this episode. Her new business is focused on capturing and sharing the stories of our lives and our families lives. Check it out at https://www.inthenood.co/ To get in touch with Nicole go to https://nicoledeboom.com/

Professional athlete and Skirt Sports founder Nicole DeBoom on selling her business, being a beginner again, and what comes next. Connect with Nicole on Instagram @nicoledeboom --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/shinyobjects/message

After retiring from her career as a professional triathlete in 2004, Nicole DeBoom started a women's apparel company, Skirt Sports, with a simple mission: to help women find inspiration, confidence, and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Now, nearly 20 years later, since recently selling the company, she's at another career crossroads. In this episode she shares:Some of the events that led her to become a pro triathlete, including an unsuccessful brush with T-ball and qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials in the 100 meter breaststroke in at the age of 16. How she healed her relationship with food and her bodyHer never-fail method for making hard decisions How sport prepared her for entrepreneurship… and so much more For full details click here Connect with NicoleWebsite: https://nicoledeboom.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeboomIG: https://www.instagram.com/nicoledeboom/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-deboom/Podcasts: https://nicoledeboom.com/category/podcasts/Have a question you'd like me to answer on the podcast?Ask it right hereSign up for my newsletter and get a FREE GIFT, a quick and dirty guide to beating Impostor Syndrome.Want to know my secrets for getting published in top publications?They're all in my e-book, 7 Pitches That Sold. Use the code realfit50 to get half off.Let's ConnectWebsite: https://pam-moore.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pammoorewriter/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pammoore303/Twitter: https://https://twitter.com/PamMooreWriter/Support the show

Today we hear from our own Sarah Ratzlaff about how she build the ZOOMA empire and why it was time to grow it. We also learn more about Nicole's Skirt Sports journey and why it was time to pass the baton. Skirt Sports became the first brand added to Sarah's Empire in August 2020. As of today, Sarah's vision to create an all-encompassing resource for active women includes: ZOOMA: What you DO Skirt Sports: What you WEAR Momentum: What INSPIRES you Run Like a Mother: How you CONNECT IN-PERSON And more coming down the pipeline!  

We all talk about wanting to turn our passions into work. I'm personally attempting to do just that right now during my sabbatical from life. First, we need to identify our passions and then we need to honestly assess whether our skills align with our passions. Today's guest Ryan Van Duzer has done just that. He lives his passion every day - and has fun doing it. I have wanted to interview him since the day I met him at Skirt Sports. He was supporting our mutual friend Dana D (Episode 30 "From Drug Addict to Love Addict") as she delivered the first ever Women Run The World talk that would later become a multi-year monthly speaker series. Ryan was totally at home at the event, even as one of the only men in a packed house of passionate women. I observed him and realized why he was so comfortable. There was something emanating from him that I like to call pure intentions. He was there to support and celebrate his friend. He didn't even notice that he was one of two men, because his intention wasn't to draw attention to himself. It was about being there for someone else's important event. Everything Ryan does is based on pure intentions. That's what makes him so special. He's relatable and vulnerable, something many men struggle with. He puts it all out there. Like truly all out there through his super popular, inspiring YouTube Channel DuzerTV, through his other projects including tv shows like Carbon TV's "Tough Jobs," Discovery's "Out of the Wild," & more. Notables from this episode: "I may not be able to get you everything you want, but I will get you everything you need." - Donna Jobert (Ryan's mama) The gift of being a mama's boy: Watch Donna get to the top of Machu Picchu in "Mama Picchu" Dana D & the Gratitude March Sobriety: Why Ryan needed to end his drinking relationship How to deal with haters Trail Magic & Trail Angels Have as much fun as possible as you're doing whatever you do. Just Get Outside! For more Ryan Van Duzer: His website! https://www.duzertv.com/ DuzerTV on YouTube This video sums up his philosophy. Watch it!      

From the outside, beautiful, great-fitting women's active apparel suddenly appear on an energetic, inclusive website. It's like magic - or is it?  For 15 years, Skirt Sports was owned and operated by Nicole and her team. In September 2020, ownership was passed to Sarah who has experience running a women's event business but no experience making women's apparel from the ground up. Fortunately she is surrounded by much of the same team that was on board prior to the baton pass, and even more fortunately, Sarah has all the qualities needed to take the baton and run with it. Including and maybe most importantly, the 4th takeaway - an ability to ruthlessly prioritize.  Today S & N talk about some of the important details that go into creating a successful clothing line. There is so much more than you see on the surface. And with Sarah's introduction to the business, it's refreshing to start on the ground level again.   Takeaways: 1) You'll never be right, but you can get close. 2) You are not alone, but you have to put yourself out there first. 3) It's all about the details. 4) Ruthless Prioritization is the key to survival!

I discovered Yuma Haidara when she was an ambassador for Skirt Sports. I think I stumbled upon a photo of her crossing a finish line in a Lioness Skirt, all smiles and happiness. Then I dug deeper and saw this gorgeous, tall, glowing woman standing in front of a huge truck only to learn that she is both a runner and a trucker. I was even more intrigued and reached out to feature her for Skirt Sports. She blew me away with her positive outlook and her focus on love; for others but more importantly for ourselves. Just over a year later, I saw another post. This time she was holding a container of something I can only describe as mysteriously delicious-looking. Turns out that's the perfect way to describe her new product: Yummy Butter! Yuma started A Yummy Life after countless friends begged her to make her soothing body lotions for them too. One thing led to another and suddenly, Yuma was an entrepreneur! Her journey has been tough, but through it all, she only shines brighter each day. Just for you, she is offering 15% off all products at A Yummy Life. Use code LOVE for 15% off at checkout! Notables from our conversation: Trigger warning: Yuma is a survivor of child sexual abuse, something I didn't know before we talked. How serving in the military gave her the family environment she had always craved #22aday: Each day 22 veterans take their lives. Yuma is passionate about raising awareness to help veterans so we can decrease this shocking statistic "I'm glad you exist." How to be a healthy trucker: cook your meals in a crock pot in your truck! Recommended books: "Can't Hurt Me" by David Goggins & "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho Nugget: To Just Love... Broccoli Soup recipe forthcoming! More Yuma: @yumahaidara on Instagram Don't forget to use code LOVE for 15% off Yummy Butters and new Yummy Lips!

Sarah is one in a million. In 2006 she visited Boulder to interview for Skirt Sports, this crazy little company with a powerful mission. I hired her immediately, or at least after I asked her to help us move boxes around the warehouse and I realized how strong she was!

Today's episode kicks off the new She Runs It Podcast. Sarah and Nicole share some of the stories that shaped the paths to where they are today. Where is that exactly? Sarah recently became the new owner of Skirt Sports, athletic apparel for women of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities, when Nicole passed the baton to her in August 2020. Nicole recently became unemployed as she ponders her next journey! Listen to their highlight (and lowlight) reels as they roll along.

Meet sparkly down-to-Earth human Nicole DeBoom. Nicole is a 5/1 Manifesting Generator who walked away from her career as a professional triathlete to launch Skirt Sports, bringing the first running skirts to the market. In 2020, Nicole moved on from Skirt Sports and here she is: in the in-between. The in-between is the place that lives between letting go of the “not this” and embracing the “this.” It's a magical place that can also feel terrifying. Nicole is navigating this experience with grounded grace, curiosity and flow. She's learning a ton, and she shares so much with us. We had a lot of fun making this episode with you. We also had a blast hanging out on her podcast Run This World with Nicole DeBoom. Listen to our episode here. Oh and P.S. my microphone started buzzing at the end of the conversation. Please excuse the sound. New to Human Design? Start here: https://www.kelseyabbott.com/what-is-human-design

I don’t know about you, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve really tried to listen and learn from people whose experiences are different than mine. Today’s guest, Emily Harvey, is an amputee who is missing much of her left leg. I met Emily through Skirt Sports several years ago and I think you’ll understand why she is so adored by me and the community. We discuss:Emily’s story as an amputeeHer athletic lifestyleHer thoughts and experience on how to respond to curious childrenThe unexpected benefit of displaying diversity in her book“The Girl with the Robot Leg: Being Brave” and “The Girl with the Robot Leg: Being Bold”The word that describes her bestPurchase Emily's books:The Girl with the Robot Leg - Being BraveThe Girl with the Robot Leg - Being BoldConnect with Emily:https://emily-harvey.com/Instagram: @emharvadaptiveTwitter: @emharvadaptive------Don’t forget to get your download, “How to enjoy shame-free health by breaking 8 health rules” at gracedhealth.com/badrules. Want a little more Jesus in your health? Sign up to receive a free 14-day health and body image devotional at gracedhealth.com/devotional Connect with Amy: GracedHealth.com Instagram: @GracedHealth Facebook: @Graced Health Amy.connell@gracedhealth.com

Kriste Peoples magically fell into my life when I was looking for local models for Skirt Sports. We've always worked hard to showcase real women from the community of all ages, sizes, ethnic diversity and more. From the first moment she smiled for the camera, it was obvious she was special. Kriste has that glow. That magical glow that truly special people exude when they're smiling (and even when they're not smiling) - they light up the world from the inside out. Kriste has been on the show before - Mile Repeat 7 from October 2018 - "Kriste Peoples Says YES." Because that has always been her philosophy which you'll hear more about today. But what's interesting is that she has also realized there are very important times to say no. Like when I reached out to her in June to talk about systemic racism in our country. She was so devastated by the events that had recently occurred that her answer at that time was... no. This is so important to recognize because we do need to support those moments in our lives when we need to regroup, renourish our souls, find our new paths. I'm going through one right now myself. Today Kriste has emerged stronger, with a deep emotional perspective on what is happening to our country. And she has also discovered some new tools to help find the calm within the storm - namely meditation. In fact she is launching her first ever guided meditation course called "Mindfulness: A Contemplative Intro to Awareness Meditation." Check it out! It's only $20 for 4 sessions starting November 16, 2020. For more Kriste Peoples, go to her website, follow her on social @kristepeoples and become a fan because she is doing amazing things!

I met Kerttu when I was winding down Skirt Sports and needed to find a subtenant to take over our lease on our Pearl Street store. In walked this woman with the excitement and determination that you only see in someone with true vision. She was looking to open her first pilates studio. She had been teaching for years and after countless suggestions that she start her own business, she finally decided to do it. Kerttu grew up in Estonia. She was introduced to a very unusual line of work very early by her aunt who owned a circus - she became a contortionist - traveling to shows throughout her young years. In her teens she decided to focus on becoming an actress and eventually moved to the USA to pursue this dream. One day in her early 20s when she was working out at a gym in New York, she was suddenly struck by partial paralysis. It was a mystery - no one could figure out why this happened. After years of struggle, as Kerttu was starting to look at wheelchairs and resigning herself to a life of immobility, she discovered pilates. Her life changed forever and she was able to start knitting her body back together. She found that pilates had both physical and emotional magical effects. She started to move again. She became strong again. And she fell in love with pilates. Kerttu shares this story and more. You will understand her "Why Not Today?" philosophy after you listen. And you will definitely want to visit her studio if you are in Colorado.

How do you transition through life’s changes? Do you embrace them? Run from them? Today I’m speaking with Nicole Deboom, former professional triathlete and founder of Skirt Sports. We dig into the transitions of her life and lessons of her transformative moments including motherhood, entrepreneurship, and even surfing. If you don’t know her, you’ll quickly understand why Nicole is beloved within her community and industry. We discussWhat has grounded Nicole during her many transitions.The change in her relationship to her body after transitioning from a professional triathlete.How she has shifted her workouts in the past 5-8 years.The experience of learning to surf and what surfing means to her.What body image lessons Nicole would give to her daughter.The power of fitness in her life.Notable Quotes:"When my body is fit and strong, my mind is fitter and stronger, too.""There will always be a sport available to me.""What grounds me is making sure I have fitness in my life."Connect with Nicole!Run This World Podcast with Nicole DeBoomhttps://nicoledeboom.com/Instagram: @nicoledeboomFacebook: Nicole DeBoomOther Graced Health podcast episodes mentionedNutrition and body image lessons to my teenage selfHow to raise daughters with healthy body image with counselor Christina ChismarReceive my e-mail only monthly journal (only ONE email per month) full of foods, workouts, music, and private pictures and notes. It’s my favorite way of connecting with you! Sign up to receive next month’s journal at www.gracedhealth.com/monthly-updatesReceive a free 14-day body image devotional to accept imperfection, release your shame, and find your own graced health. www.gracedhealth.com/devotional

Today's guest got her start as a swimmer qualifying for the ‘88 Olympic trials. After graduating from Yale University, she moved on to a professional triathlete career, eventually winning the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin, wearing a prototype she designed of the first-ever running skirt – a skirt that launched a revolution in women's fitness clothing. Nicole DeBoom is the Founder & CEO of Skirt Sports, an athletic apparel brand designed to fit real women's bodies, with the goal of helping them find strength, power and happiness through running. Her non-profit “Running Start” partners women with “barriers to fitness” with Personal Motivators, and trains them for their first 5k. Her inspirational podcast Run This World features visionaries and people who are making change in the world.Today, she sits on the other side of the table for an interview with The Boulderista. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-boulderista/support

I have a wonderful guest on the SATIATE podcast today who has brought so much inspiration and transformation to body positivity and inclusivity movements with her business, Skirt Sports!   In this episode, Nicole DeBoom shares her ardent steps forward in creating positive change for all womxn –– and how we can all follow suit. Because to change our global message we have got to change our global marketing and media. Skirt Sports supports womxn of all body types, activity levels, backgrounds, ages and skin color and creates products that fit woman’s bodies the way they should (and thank Goddess for that). Their mission: Encouraging you to be proud of who you are – just as you are!   https://nicoledeboom.com/ Listen, enjoy and let me know your comments below!

You bonked. When you’re going, going, going and all of a sudden you have no more energy, can’t take another step and are lying on the ground...you bonked.You didn’t eat enough, drink enough, or pace yourself. You bonked...and it hit you like a brick wall.But here’s the thing: You have to bonk to figure out what your bonking signs are in order to offset the bonk next time.How this relates to suffering If you’ve never suffered, the first time you do you have no perspective on it—and it’s brutal. However, sadly, the more suffering you go through, the more comfortable you get in this state of mind knowing you WILL come out of it.It’s important to point out that there’s a fine line between the sabotaging related to suffering (as in you’re intentionally suffering because it’s the only way you’ve found to move forward) and the embracing of suffering when it happens. The former is toxic, the latter is a pathway to healing. Don’t get too comfortable While a level of comfort is necessary when it comes to suffering, you never want to get too comfortable in this state. Getting comfortable in a world of suffering is dangerous. What’s more, no one wants to be around someone who’s suffering all the time—that person’s energy is difficult and can suck all of the other energy right out of the room.The other side of sufferingAfter battling the suffering associated with alcoholism, Nicole went on to become a triathlete, get sober, found Skirt Sports, and today is a wife, mother, founder & CEO, leading the non-profit Running Start and hosting the Run This World with Nicole DeBoom Podcast. Hear more about her incredible journey in this episode.Quotes:3:42It’s how we handle the curve balls, and square up on those curve balls and knock them out of the park that really makes all the difference.7:43 (Nicole)I like knowing that on the other side of suffering can be something better than you ever imagined.10:27There’s a fine line between the sabotaging related to suffering and the embracing of the suffering.12:57 (Nicole)For me, the blackout part of drinking happened fairly early in my life and continued all the way through until I finally stopped drinking in my 30’s.25:20 (Nicole)I had to go through kind of, really sort of a physical body rock bottom, and after that I respected my body more.36:10 (Nicole)Our whole life really revolved around Tim’s success and making sure he was set up for success and I was sort of along for the ride.42:00 (Nicole)[I took 2020] one mile at a time. Just like one day at a time. 42:22 (Nicole)Everything has a life cycle. We, as humans, have a life cycle. Businesses have a life cycle.55:11 (Nicole)We don’t walk this world alone. When we walk the world alone, we suffer more.1:04:13 (Nicole)Sometimes it’s okay to just float in the water, not try to go forward...sometimes you have to turn into it instead of trying to ride a wave out of it.

In December 2003, Nicole DeBoom, a professional triathlete, caught a glimpse of herself in a storefront window while on a training run in Lyons, Colorado. At that moment, she felt her motivation sizzle into a burning desire to feel more empowered, feel more body positivity, and feel more like her beautiful feminine, fierce self in everything she did. She wanted it all, performance, comfort, and cute-factor, and it was clear from what she saw in her reflection that day that she didn’t have it yet, but knew that she was on to something epic. Nicole created the world’s first performance running skirt; she opened a space for women worldwide to come together and support one another through the Skirt Sports apparel brand. Over the last 15 years, Nicole and her skirt army successfully curated a new category of performance wear for women. They turned a single style into a fully merchandised, multi-category brand. Today, we dive into all the feels around the letting go of Skirt Sports and everything that needed to happen for things to fall perfectly into place. In this episode, we discuss: - the moment she realized why she is here - walking away vs quitting - the awkward the had to happen - healing a deep wound, and the perfection of timing - challenges with alcohol from the first sip, drinking to the edge, and eventually quitting altogether - getting rid of the shame around the things that we know are not good for us - athlete mindset in business - when it serves us and when it doesn't - the support that will fuel her for the rest of her life Thank you so much for tuning in. Please check out our newest launch of the Awake Athlete podcast and the BONUS episodes that just dropped last week. If you are liking the shows and finding they help ease life's navigation, please leave a review on Apple Podcast. Namaste- Jess

It was August 2019 and I couldn't sleep. I had just received word that our biggest account had decided with no notice to simply "not take" the inventory they had committed to that season. My thigh was twitching. It didn't stop for 3 months. I couldn't stop the negative thought cycle. I'd been here before. Not this exact place, but I'd been in a position with Skirt Sports where I wasn't sure how we would get through a tough time. But never before did I question if I could actually pull us out of it. I went from gearing up to sell my business with 3 strong, profitable growth years behind me, to losing more in one year than we had lost combined in ten years. There was no way I would find a buyer for my business and I definitely wouldn't get my dream exit. So I did what I've learned to do over 15 years. I took action one mile at a time. One aid station at a time. In April I realized that the COVID-era had put a stamp on our difficulties and the best decision was to close our doors. All the while I held out hope that a new owner may present herself. I know I had created something special and I hoped that there was a woman out there who had the vision, resources and guts to carry it forward. Enter Sarah Ratzlaff. In late April 2020, she replied to a 6 month old email I had sent her and said, "I know this is pretty late, but do you still want to do a cross promotion?" I replied back, "No, I don't want to do a cross promo, but if you want to buy my company, let's talk!" Four months later the ink is dry. Sarah Ratzlaff of the ZOOMA Women's Race Series is the new owner of Skirt Sports! The most important question is: Who is this woman? Sarah is a brilliant visionary. She spent her childhood in rural Kansas and her adulthood honing her craft and her passion by helping develop the RunDisney race series. She later became an entrepreneur by purchasing the ZOOMA Women's Race Series and infusing it with the new energy it needed to thrive. She's a mom of two young kids. She loves helping women find happiness. And she is driven to make this world an equal playing field for women. I couldn't have found a better fit. I'm honored to help bring Sarah's story to the world - it's her turn to shine!

I met Cindie Collins through the amazing Skirt Sports ambassador community. In 2019, she was one of the featured speakers at the Skirt Ambassador retreat. Her talk was called STROKE - Suffer The Results Or Kickass Everyday. When Cindie was 27 years old, she was pushing hard, working three jobs and striving for what she thought she needed to do to perform and succeed. Then she had a stroke. Because she was so young, it was not a quick or easy diagnosis. Over the years, and through her recovery (which continues today), Cindie has found comfort in this concept: She has been guided through every stage of her life and everything has happened for a reason. It's such a simple concept, especially in a world where we want to have control (or at least believe that we control). When we step back and allow ourselves to be guided, we find more peace and true gratitude. That's my hope for you after listening today: May you find peace and gratitude for yourself and your circumstances. More topics we cover: Experiencing a stroke at 27: Signs, symptoms & how she was finally diagnosed Put yourself on the list: give yourself as much love and attention as you give everyone else This: "I didn't live in my body back then." Support: Why your network is critical for healing Becoming heart-centered: Changing career from hard-driving educator to massage therapist/healer Running: the shift from driving/pushing/going to giving permission to simply move and appreciate Appreciating YOUR Epic The Sit Spot: Finding something that is Just For You Skirt Sports Community: Even if the uniting product no longer exists, the community will because WE LIFT EACH OTHER UP And so much more Hang with Cindie on Facebook & shoot her a message - as she said, she doesn't need to impact the masses, just one person at a time. ❤️

In this episode, John catches up with Nicole, a former professional triathlete, Ironman Triathlon champion, founder of Skirt Sports and the non-profit Running Start, and host of the fabulous Run This World Podcast.

Do you like the idea of selling products, but have no idea what? Maybe you were inspired by our last episode (check it out if you haven't already). (https://blog.tinychipmunk.com/10-great-reasons-to-sell-physical-products/ (I have 10 reasons why it's great, right here!)) If you're stuck for inspiration, no problem! Here are 5 simple ways to help you find brilliant new product ideas. https://app.podscribe.ai/episode/37538777 (Read the transcript) 1.Think about the things you already use and how you could improve them You've probably had the experience of buying, or using something and just knowing it could be better than it is. Perhaps there's a really obvious problem, just a tiny little fix needed to make it perfect. You could be the person do that! A very simple example of this is my Tiny Chipmunk bamboo hooded towels. They were my second product and I created them because I was fed up of buying baby towels that only lasted a few months at best. It was such a simple solution, but people tell me all the time how long they've lasted and I love that! It was entire point! Not only that, but it gives me a selling feature, or USP. If someone asks why buy my towel over another, I can give good reasons. Another real-life example is that my youngest will only sleep if the room's pitch black. We had a black-out blind on her window that attached with suckers, but it took so long to get it on and off that we ended up keeping it on permanently and having the room in constant darkness... I was busy Googling for solutions to this and realised that some (very clever!) companies sell black-out blinds that attach via velcro pads you stick to the window frames, rather than suckers that stick to the glass, Such a simple solution, and a tiny modification, but it's made a huge difference to us and, I imagine, thousands of other people too. Think about where you could do the same… TIP: Next time you're getting frustrated with an item you're using, take a minute to write down the problem and potential solutions. That's an idea, right there! 2.What do you wish existed? Do you ever think, “If I only I had an XYZ?” Some of what we wish for may not be feasible, for many reasons, but some ideas definitely will be! Last year I worked with Silke Thistlewood, https://www.nourishtothrive.co.uk/ (Nourish To Thrive), who created Care Cards for New Mums - a product she wished she'd had when her children were tiny. She already shared tips and tool to enable Mums to care for themselves in her free Facebook community. Creating the cards enables Mums to have something tangible to hand (they make great new-Mum gifts!), plus https://blog.tinychipmunk.com/how-silke-created-her-care-cards/ (created an additional income stream) for Silke.   Another example is an inspiring podcast interview I heard recently with https://www.nicoledeboom.com/skirt-sports/ (Nicole DeBoom). She's a female athlete who created https://www.skirtsports.com/ (Skirt Sports) – a women's athletic apparel brand that combined all the things she wanted that didn't exist – performance, comfort and cute-factor. I've worked with clients who've created all kinds of unique products, because they'd love it and nobody else has made it yet! This is a good enough reason! Chances are, if you'd love it, then others would too. So why wait, when you create it yourself?! TIP: Next time you think “I wish I had an…” write it down! And keep it - that note could be the start of something very special... 3.What's a problem you have? (Or someone else has.) How could it be solved? I remember, a few years back, it was our first winter in our new home and our bedroom didn't get any natural light until quite late in the morning. I was so used to being woken by the sunlight creeping round the curtains that I found it hard to adjust to the (relatively) dark mornings. I looked online for a solution and came across a light alarm...

For her first season hosting Working, Slate’s own Shannon Palus is delving into the world of running, talking to professional athletes and people who do all manner of things to help people run. This week, Shannon talks to Mirna Valerio, professional ultra runner, speaker and author of the book A Beautiful Work in Progress. Mirna started her journey toward becoming a professional athlete with her blog Fatgirlrunning, documenting her progress from casual runner to ultra marathoner. Mirna talks about how she champions inclusivity in the sport through her speaking engagements, partnerships with brands like REI and Skirt Sports and her Slow As F*ck Running Retreats. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For her first season hosting Working, Slate’s own Shannon Palus is delving into the world of running, talking to professional athletes and people who do all manner of things to help people run. This week, Shannon talks to Mirna Valerio, professional ultra runner, speaker and author of the book A Beautiful Work in Progress. Mirna started her journey toward becoming a professional athlete with her blog Fatgirlrunning, documenting her progress from casual runner to ultra marathoner. Mirna talks about how she champions inclusivity in the sport through her speaking engagements, partnerships with brands like REI and Skirt Sports and her Slow As F*ck Running Retreats. Podcast production by Jessamine Molli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Be your inner rockstar." Jen Rockstar Szabo adopted this phrase in the last decade as she's dealt with divorce, anxiety and depression, body acceptance, debilitating injuries and more. To Jen, being your inner rockstar is about shining a spotlight on the moments of your life that we don't openly talk about. It's not about hiding parts of ourselves, but embracing them, or as she says, "Giving them a hug and inviting them in for a cup of tea." Jen is an adult onset athlete. In 2004 she was duped into going to a meeting for a local running group. She tried to walk out the door, but a welcoming hand on her shoulder changed the course of her life (thanks Scott Fliegelman!). Jen is one of my favorite people. We've been palling around for about 15 years, brought together by Skirt Sports when we did an early fashion show at our local Fleet Feet store. You may have seen one of our widely acclaimed triathlon transition videos

If you've been wanting to try Skirt Sports but aren't sure what to get, here are a few of my favorite products I'd love to have you try! There's a HUGE SALE right now so check it out!Get pictures and links to all the gear on the show notes. Let's be friends!Find me on Instagram, Facebook, or at GracedHealth.com

Nicole Deboom is the Founder and CEO of Skirt Sports, a former professional triathlete, host of the Run This World podcast, founder of the Running Start nonprofit, a wife and a mom. How does she have the time? Tune in to find out. Also discover how Nicole continues to evolve both personally and professionally with business pivots that feel more akin to a startup than a 15 year old apparel company, and the confidence factor to tackle any tough challenge ahead. Show notes: https://exploreinspired.com/nicoledeboom Hosts: Jonathan Ronzio, Emily Holland Editor: Chris Plante Presented by: Explore Inspired

Today I share stories from the past 15 years. Actually it started well before 2004, back to when I was a kid and no one could tell if I was a boy or a girl! Today gender is fluid; it's not so much of an issue. But it was back then and it created insecurities about my femininity that ultimately led to the start of Skirt Sports. Today my company is so much more than a skirt created to help me feel pretty. It's a community of women who come together in so many ways to share their love of fitness.  There are a few things I can't quite grasp today. That I've been running Skirt Sports for 15 years. That my company has evolved to something so much more than a seller of products. And that I was in really really REALLY good shape back then!  To celebrate Skirt Sports is giving $20 to everyone! Spend it. Buy something amazing that makes you feel good. Remember my old mantra. Look good Feel good Perform better. Use the code 15YEARS at skirtsports.com or at our Boulder store. Do it now!

I love being active and outdoors, but I also have extremely high professional aspirations. I’ve spent the last 16 years trying to find a way to fit fitness into my life in a way that feels spacious and supportive to my business, relationships and health. In this episode, Nicole DeBoom, pro triathlete turned founder and CEO of Skirt Sports, and I share our thoughts on how to fit fitness into a startup schedule. Before you listen, I recommend listening to our previous conversation in episode 139 of Nicole’s Run this World podcast: https://www.nicoledeboom.com/139-elizabeth-kraus-asks-herself-3-questions-every-day/ While you’re there, subscribe to her podcast. Seriously. Nicole interviews extremely inspiring Olympians, entrepreneurs and just everyday people who have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. As entrepreneurs and startup investors, we all have top and bottom of the roller coaster moments. It’s what I listen to when I’m at the bottom and it never fails to pull me up. For more tips on fitting fitness into a busy schedule, check out: https://www.mergelane.com/post/how-conscious-leadership-bought-me-5-hours-of-extra-time-each-day https://www.mergelane.com/post/how-a-26-inch-powder-day-increased-my-conviction-for-my-business-my-team-and-the-15-commitments https://www.mergelane.com/post/why-my-day-in-the-woods-was-my-most-productive-work-day-yet https://www.mergelane.com/post/how-75-ski-days-made-me-a-better-venture-capitalist Enjoy.

Liz Delise is tenacious. She’s a mom of 5 kids, one of whom has autism, a military wife, a chronic illness warrior, a runner and one of the most inspirational, positive energy people you'll ever come across. She’s also a Skirt ambassador and a Patron of this podcast. When I launched my Patreon account a few months ago, she was the first person to jump on board and support me in this effort to bring more positivity to the world. It makes sense because she is also a purveyor of positivity – despite the hurdles she faces on a daily basis. Today we go beyond the surface of this seemingly everyday woman juggling kids, marriage, health and her passions. We talk about issues many of us face on a daily basis and some we've never experienced before and how Liz always comes back to a place of positivity despite the obstacles: Becoming a mom of five kids (when her husband originally said he didn't want any kids at all!) Autoimmune diseases: Liz was diagnosed with five difficult to pronounce diseases & continues to manage them today Being a mom of an autistic child: The guilt she has overcome due to a work incident when she had her autistic son Tedy Being a military wife How she adapted when her husband was injured Antepartum depression Her running journey began when she was 9 months pregnant with her second child Liz sent me an update after we recorded: "The kiddos and I completed the North Carolina State Parks Passport Adventure.  We visited all 41 of North Carolina's state parks in under a year.  We had started in early July 2018 and finished up June 26, 2019.  It was such a fun adventure for us.  The kids did amazing hiking.  While hiking it was the first time I truly realized that Tedy can actually read - he has been so good about identifying trails for us when I ask him to point the way." The thing about Liz is that she makes everyone around her feel loved and supported. I’m sure you could feel that. So how about we give her some love and support and follow her at @ramblingmom. Today has been a blast! Let’s keep the momentum going. Become a Patron like Liz – go to patreon.com/nicoledeboom And don’t forget we need to celebrate women in business! Skirt Sports turns 15 on Sept 12, 2019. Who woulda thought that the running skirt would not be a fad after all. That it would instead lead the way for women’s fitness empowerment. That it would become the first official athleisure product that allows women to go from function to function without a change of clothing, without missing a beat. Celebrate with me on Sept 12 by posting about Skirt or sharing this podcast or something that brings you inspiration and confidence, hashtag #skirtsports and encourage people to shop our brand because we’re all in this together in the end.

Lisa Jhung just released a book called “Running That Doesn’t Suck: How to Love Running (Even if You Think You Hate it)." She grew up a running hater. She hid when she was told to run. She avoided it at all costs. Until one day she was told she had to run in order to make the college volleyball team. So she started. And each day she went a little further. And it didn’t suck after all. In fact it became awesome. And not too long after that, when she realized volleyball wasn’t going to be her thing, running was still there for her. Today Lisa has crafted her entire career from the sport of running. She’s a writer, adventurer, runner, reviewer. She’s a fan of the sport and a lover of the sport. And she realized that there are probably so many other people out there who think they hate running, but maybe, just maybe, if she gives them a different approach, they may love it too one day. GIVEAWAY ALERT! We're giving away a Skirt Sports product and a book! – to enter, you just need to share this episode on Instagram or Facebook, and hashtag #runningthatdoesntsuck – it also helps if you follow me @nicoledeboom and lisa @lisajhungwrites. We’ll pick a winner Aug 1. If you’re already a runner, listen to this episode with something else in mind. Something that you feel like you should try but you’re making all the excuses. Because when you just give it a chance, it could turn into the next big thing. Today we talk about: Fun & Play: Why these are important to ingrain in your kids! The hating of running & the hiding in the pit! How Lisa start running: Because she wanted to play volleyball in college Running as a foundation sport that can carry you through life Injuries: Specifically coming back after pregnancy The Book! Why Lisa wrote it and how she hopes people will use it Running & writing and how they're connected How running helps you connected deeper into yourself You know what time it is – it’s time to use you code RUN20 at Skirtsports.com – and it’s time to get out there and Run This World! Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

Lara Merriken is a dreammaker. I have so much love and respect for this woman. I knew she was special from the minute I met her at VeloSwap in 2003, slinging energy bites in plastic baggies. I had a feeling she would change the world, I just didn’t realize how much she would change it and how quickly. Lara is the founder of Larabar. If you aren’t familiar with Larabar, I’d be shocked, because it’s now an absolute empire. She had the idea to create healthy, nutritious energy bars when she was frustrated with her options on a hike many years ago. The goal was to use clean, simple ingredients. She started by dreaming up flavors and then mixing dried fruits and nuts in her kitchen. That was almost 20 years ago. Today Lara is a free agent of sorts, as she sold Larabar to General Mills a mere 5 years after she officially launched. Hers is a massive success story on the business front, but it’s what she’s done since that many don’t think about – how to redefine yourself after a company with your own name is no longer yours. We talk about that and so much more in today’s episode. You may not know that I have a special connection to Larabar. When I officially debuted Skirt Sports at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin, I was sponsored by Larabar. My claim to fame is that I’m the only athlete Larabar ever sponsored! Anyway, in my special needs bag on the bike, I had 2 food items: an Oatmeal Cream Pie from the gas station $.50 rack and a Cashew Cookie Larabar. I ate them both and won the race! Proof that real food is power!  Today we talk about:  Growing up sporty Competitive volleyball: How Lara learned discipline & teamwork The 10,000 Hours Rule: It takes that long to truly master something (Malcolm Gladwell coined this concept) Why being OPEN "with intention" is important How to truly be open Overcoming the need to make other people happy All things Larabar: humble beginnings, fast growth, successful exit The next frontier: How do you redefine yourself when your namesake is no longer yours? Tennis: Renewed passion, healthy obsession & drive to succeed How motherhood has changed her outlook After the interview I pulled out a few Larabars and offered them to her. Which is funny because don’t you think she probably has her own? Anyway, I asked, "Do you still eat a lot of Larabars?" and she said, “I always test them.” She wants to know that they’re fresh and delicious and spot-on with the recipes. I love this about her. I’ve always respected Lara and really appreciated that she is such a genuine, “normal” person. The trick is when a normal person does something so extraordinary, how does she adapt and integrate her “new normal” into her life without compromising who she is? The really cool thing? This can apply to any big life change. How do you retain your core essence: the beautiful things that make you who you are when you experience change? Somehow Lara has navigated these waters with grace and self-love and is passing them down to her son as we speak. If you haven’t tried Larabars before, go do it. Her original Cashew Cookie will always be my fave. I saw that they just released a new Protein line which I’m now salivating to try. Allright then, you know what time it is. It’s time to get over to the grocery store and pick up some new Larabar Flavors! It’s also time to get out there and Run This world! Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Nicole DeBoom was a standout swimmer, qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials and later graduating from Yale University. She decided to pursue the sport of triathlon, and a lucky seat assignment introduced her to her future husband, Tim DeBoom (who would later become a 2-time Hawaii Ironman World Champion), on a flight to the 1995 Triathlon World Championships. Nicole started racing professionally in 1999, racking up countless podium finishes. During the final stage of her racing career in 2004, Nicole created and introduced something that had never been done before – the very first running skirt. Shortly afterward, Nicole went on to launch Skirt Sports with the mission of helping women find inspiration, confidence, and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Today, Skirt Sports is a national women’s apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real women’s bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 7-year-old girl, Wilder. Nicole’s energy is as big and dynamic as her racing career.  I think you’re going to love this conversation as much as I did! Listen in to hear Nicole share: How she went from being a professional athlete who didn’t want kids to have a daughter that completely changed her sense of identity How she adapted to NOT doing it all Her evolution from a professional athlete into a working mom with a mission (and the shift in identity when you no longer workout 3 times a day) Her mission in building a company that makes athletics and working out more feminine and more accessible to women of all abilities and body types What inspired her to start a nonprofit and the impact it’s had on other women Links mentioned: Connect with Nicole Shop Skirt Sports Use the code SHAMELESS20 for a discount Check out Running Start Nicole’s Podcast: Run This World Facebook: @nicoledeboom Instagram: @nicoledeboom Thank you to our sponsors: Lola: Get organic cotton tampons and other hygiene products delivered right to your door. To get 40% off all subscriptions, go to Lola and use the code SHAMELESS40 at checkout. Instacart: Get your groceries delivered to your door! Save $10 off your first order at Instacart or on the Instacart mobile app when you use the promo code SHAMELESS10 at checkout.

Special bonus podcast featuring Dimity chatting with Nicole DeBoom, the founder of Skirt Sports. In a crossover episode that also ran on Run This World with Nicole DeBoom, the duo talks about:Being a leader of a movementFinding “what you were created to do”Reinventing yourself in middle life (after you started a running movement and can no longer run)The beauty and insanity of trying new sportsHow to stay motivatedThe importance of community within a community: finding your peopleTo save 15% through June 21, use code TLAMSKIRT at skirtsports.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dimity McDowell has been a friend of mine for over a decade. The first time I remember interacting with her was when she was writing for Runner’s World. She was prepping for a women's marathon, and she let her readership choose her outfit. Our 2007 Marathon Dress was in the running and  won! So Dimity wore a very short Skirt Sports dress and crushed her marathon (it was even shorter on her 6'5" body)! Anyway, we’ve been mutually respecting each other for years since. When she started her Like a Mother community which evolved into Another Mother Runner, I knew she was going to change the running world - and she's still changing it. Today, Dimity is the co-author (alongside her partner in crime Sarah Bowen Shea) of 3 books, founder of the insanely successful Another Mother Runner Podcast, a huge community of women including moms and non-moms who want support, resources and encouragement in their athletic journeys. In fact, our missions are so closely aligned that we should probably hang out a lot more than we actually do! I’ve been thinking about what makes Dimity so special and I think it’s that she is the original authentic voice. Before authenticity was a buzzword. Before people started sharing the good AND real of their lives. There was Dimity. She understand inherently that the only way to help people in this crazy world was to be her true messy self and share it in an open and honest way. That’s what I have always loved about her. Today we talk about all sorts of cool stuff in a candid dual-interview that is also posted on Dimity’s Train Like a Mother group. To further inspire your training, Dimity is giving you a discount on Train Like a Mother programs. This is no joke. They have running programs from 5k to 50 miles from beginner to advanced. Tri programs from a Sprint to an Ironman. Heart rate programs. Nutrition programs and a full on amazing community that will keep you motivated. Check out trainlikeamother.club, and use code TLAMSKIRT for 15% off any program through June 21. Other topics discussed: Being a leader of a movement Finding "what you were created to do" Reinventing yourself in middle life (after you started a running movement and can no longer run) The beauty and insanity of trying new sports How we stay motivated The importance of community within a community: finding your people And so much more! Dimity is a person that I could hang with every day. I love her take on pretty much everything. Think about how hard it must be when you have created an entire identity on being the “mother runner” and then one day you realize you can no longer run. It’s not life or death, but in a way it is, because it’s a recalibration of your identity and those are tricky things to navigate as we go through the different chapters of our lives. Thanks for sticking around to the end of the long episode today. But now it’s time to move on – it’s time to get out there and run this world. Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

D’Anne Rudden is an expert in the field of audiology. She is basically a hearing therapist because what she does for people goes beyond the actual mechanics of your ears. She takes more of a holistic approach to your ears and hearing. I first met D'Anne when I saw her on stage at Evoso Live, delivering a speech called "Listen with More Than Just Your Ears." One of her messages was that sound is simply vibration; and that when you change your vibration, you change your life. This message resonated with me on a deeper level and I have a feeling it will resonate with you too. After our interview (after hours at the Skirt Sports store), I had the opportunity to visit D’Anne in her actual practice in Longmont, Colorado, the Longmont Hearing & Tinnitus Center. I went in for a few reasons. D’Anne suggests that we all get a baseline hearing check by age 50. I’m 47 so for once in my life, I’m early. I’ve been asking Tim to repeat certain words and phrases when we watch shows together and I can tell he’s sort of annoyed. An annoyed spouse is one of the signs of hearing loss so I figured I should check. A couple years ago I hit myself in the bottom of the jaw with a 20-lb slam ball which I slammed really hard and thereby bounced equally hard into the bottom of my face. My ear/jaw hasn’t been the same since, so again, a reason to check it out. D’Anne met me after-hours so we had the place to ourselves. The office is covered in brilliant emotional photos of D’Anne around the world, helping fit people for hearing aids. We went into a little sound room and she did some testing that I’ve never had done before. Afterward we went over my results and this is the nutshell. I’m on the low side of healthy hearing in both ears. Still in a normal range for most frequencies, but right on the line. My takeaway? Now I know where I stand so in a few years if I’m having more issues, I can go in and get tested again. Plus, maybe Tim’s just annoyed with me in general not because I ask him to repeat things! Today we talk about: The ear mechanism What Hearing really is: listening, comprehension, cognition, memory, balance How to overcome being lazy communicators Signs of hearing lossConfidence How yoga saved D'Anne's life: teaching yoga outside the studio Giving back: Starkey Hearing Foundation Do's & Don'ts for hearing care And so much more I was surprised at all the directions this episode took from hearing to listening to yoga to life coaching to helping others and more. I’m just so interested in how people come to find the work they do with such passion. D’Anne’s path was not obvious, yet here she is over two decades later, helping people with one of the most basic functions that so many of us take for granted. I think the quote that struck me most powerfully was when she said “We communicate most poorly with the people we love the most.” I believe she’s right and if we want to make a single change from this episode it would be to change that statement.

Fran Dunaway is the co-founder of TomboyX – a gender neutral apparel brand that made its name in undies. She describes herself as coming out of the womb a boss, but I would say that Fran is the farthest thing from bossy. She’s gracious, humble, compassionate, thoughtful. She’s also incredibly smart, one of the best strategic thinkers I’ve ever met, incredibly brave and she’s seriously disrupting an industry. She says that when they launched their first women’s boxers, they accidentally stepped into a white space that so desperately needed to be filled. Well, they filled it! And they didn’t stop at boxers either. TomboyX added a full line of underwear from thongs to mid thigh shorts; now they offer bras, sleepwear, sweats, swimwear and more. Today we uncover some of the core values that drive Fran; the stuff that makes her tick. And like so many others, that secret sauce is rooted in experiences good, bad and ugly. I will say that when we stumbled upon Fran’s journey with eye cancer which floored me, she mentioned that it was 5 years after her breast cancer journey. For some reason during the interview, that statement didn’t hit me. I think I was hung up on the eye cancer journey so I literally didn't absorb that statement. It wasn’t until after I listened to the episode on a hike that I realized, Fran is a two-time cancer survivor. This woman is an absolute gift to the world and she is meant to be here doing exactly what she’s doing. Episode DEALS! TomboyX is offering 15% off with the code BLOOM15 – the funny thing is that after the interview she said she meant to say BOOM but it came out as BLOOM which I thought was sort of a play on Bloomers! We had a good laugh about that – so BLOOM15 it is. Go get some skivvies! Skirt Sports has your back – use code RUN20 for 20% off at Skirt Sports – if we’re doing a big sale, the code won’t work, but other than that, it’s yours to get a deal on our high performance, super comfy, thoughtful women’s products that work for your insanely busy lives. I love this company I've built and hope you’ll check it out because we are doing so much good in the world! Today we talk about: TomboyX didn't start with undies - it started with button-ups! (not button-downs) The power of a name Coming out: closed doors opening & why some people weren't happy about it Naomi: Fran's wife & business partner - how they make it work plus their wedding story Eye cancer came out of nowhere TomboyX in all its glory: the origin, genesis and where they are today Gender neutral clothing: How is this possible? Leadership nuggets Side note: Do you think Skirt Sports should partner up with TomboyX and make some active undies?

Louise Green is a badass. Her passion is to create a more inclusive world. Her work focuses mainly on women (including herself) who are often polarized due to their size. Louise reached out a while ago to work with Skirt Sports on one of the projects she is spearheading within her Big Fit Girl empire. I knew immediately that I needed to learn more about her work, so Louise and I finally had today's incredible conversation which really boils down to this... What it means to find happiness and health no matter what your circumstances are. Sound note: I want to apologize for the sound quality. It’s not bad but it’s not as good as in-person interviews. Louise sounds a little tinny, like she’s sitting in a metal room or something, so hang in there. The conversation is so good that I’m sure you won’t really notice too much! Today we talk about: Big Fit Girl: Louise's business and philosophy Diet culture: how the entire industry is based on failure Becoming sober Changing her life: quitting smoking and starting running! Invisibility Fitness Trauma Shaming Why All or Nothing is dangerous Louise is open and honest about her her journey to health, her struggle with alcoholism, and her quest for self-love. All she truly wants is to help others find happiness. I love when she says, “the more we can see the more we can be.” I loved it so much I named this episode after that quote! It’s all about celebrating each other as we continue to seek our full potential – at all stages of the journey. Because when we have support from positive like-minded people, we will enjoy it so much more. For more Louise Green Buy her book "Big Fit Girl" Train with Louise Sign up for her newsletter Watch her TedX Talk Facebook @louisegreen.bigfitgirl Instagram @louisegreen_bigfitgirl New Project: Now you can be a bigger part of the podcast! I just launched a project to help me improve the podcast, continue to spend time and energy on it, and someday get enough support so I can do all my interviews in person which enhances everyone's experience. It’s called Patreon. Some other well-known podcasts (like my friend Rich Roll who will be my next guest!) also use this service. Basically, if you love and appreciate what I put out on the podcast, you can now back my work with donations at whatever level you feel is appropriate. I didn’t create any tiers; you can decide. Most people are supporting with $5-10/month which is incredible. Please hop over to patreon.com/nicoledeboom – when I opened my account, Patreon asked me to describe what I am creating, and off the cuff I wrote "Nicole DeBoom is creating a more positive world." That’s how I hope you feel when you listen to my show. Thank you so much for your support!

One of my early 2019 highlights was helping to coordinate the Skirt Sports spring studio shoot. This was basically the culmination of my creative vision for our brand and our new products, so while coordinating all the details of a shoot is not really in my wheelhouse, the energy, the fun, and the final product are worth going out of my comfort zone. One of the collections that we are very excited to launch is our new line for women who wear sizes 1x, 2x and 3x. Some companies refer to this as plus sizing or extended sizing. We prefer not to call it out but simply refer to the fact that we now offer sizes that include even more women. At the end of the shoot, four of us sat down and talked all things empowering. Over the past few years it has hit me that the old definition of a sponsored or featured athlete has changed dramatically. I should know – I used to be a sponsored athlete who made money because of my great race results. Today, brands are discovering that winning races is not necessarily the end-all. As the leader of Skirt Sports, I realized long ago that it is so much more powerful to showcase real women’s stories, from all the different places in the pack. Today’s podcast is about strong, empowered, imperfect women who are moving their lives forward in positive ways while learning from and supporting each other along the way. They are all featured women in the launch of our new Collection for women who wear sizes 1x to 3x. Get ready to meet Katie Kelly @rrockkelly , Jen Rockstar Szabo @rockstarszabo , Jill Angie @notyouraveragerunner , and in her 5th appearance on the pod in 3 years, the amazing Mirna Valerio @themirnavator. Check out the show notes for a 7 minute behind the scenes video too! Episode Sponsor: Skirt Sports! Please use this special 20% discount on the new collection, or anything else in the line. New styles are dropping almost everyday and they’re fantastic. Use the code RUN20. At skirtsports.com or in our Boulder store.

Note: This episode has a few swear words so please be aware of your surroundings when listening out loud! I recently took a free self defense class at Way of the Crane in Boulder. It was hosted by Newton Running and the sensei, Melanie Murphy, was fantastic. She was strong and bold and in just one hour, she made us feel stronger and bolder. I knew immediately when she started talking that I needed to get her on the podcast. We recorded a couple weeks ago and I decided her message was the perfect way to start the new year. Today we talk about: Traumatic events that push us to find our power Melanie's philosophy on self-defense Dis-ease: turning someone else's disease into a weapon you can use to defend yourself Asshole repellant Tricks that predators use: intimidation, manipulation & more What we can do to help our kids develop their power and avoid being preyed upon Flipping the power switch I know this episode will resonate in some way with each of us. For more empowerment, Melanie offers free classes on the calendar every month and a 4-hour intensive class that will drive home what you learn so that it starts to become second nature. If you’re in Colorado, this is a great opportunity for you to gain strength and confidence. Check the calendar here for more info. In the very short term, she has a free intro class on Wed Jan 9 6-7PM and she’s taking enrollment for her 4 hour workshop on Jan 27 from 12-4. To further enhance your strength and empowerment this year, Skirt Sports is offering you 20% off your orders through March. Just use the code RUN20. If you aren’t familiar with Skirt Sports, I founded the company in 2004 because I wanted clothing that didn’t ride up or chafe, that fit my body, and that was cute! So I figured out how to start a clothing company and I did it. Over the years, we have grown and evolved. Today we offer a full line of women’s athletic apparel that fits our bodies and makes us feel good. So be sure to use the code RUN20 as we’re launching all sorts of incredible stuff this season. To close out, it’s Melanie's final nugget that you need to hold close as you enter this new year. “Speak from your heart. Believe your soul. And trust your body.” As always, thank you so much for giving me a very long 5k of your time. If you have any recommendations for guests, feedback, questions or more, let me know. I’m here for you. All right then, you know what time it is. It’s time to get out there and run this world. Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

The first experience I had with Erin Weed was sitting in her office in Boulder for two days sharing the stories of my life with the goal of getting to the heart of who I am and what I was meant to do – in one word. One powerful word. Erin calls this process The Dig. She has administered countless DIGS in her professional life. I wouldn’t say I was lost when I did The Dig, but I was unsure of exactly where I was and where I should be going. I needed some clarity. I had created an identity as the founder of Skirt Sports, but I was SO TIED UP in my business that I couldn’t see myself outside of that beautiful thing I created. In fact I was at the point of resenting that beautiful thing I created and that’s the last thing I wanted. So I did The Dig. Erin has many magical gifts. One of which is to help people remember. This is no small feat as many of us want to push some of our often very important memories deep down into the darkness and pretend they didn’t happen. Erin helps us bring them out and then her next magical gift surfaces. She helps people see memories that are important – memories that we may discard as not formative or helpful. Basically over two days, she creates a storyline of your life’s important events illustrated by sticky notes on her wall. This storyline is whittled down to one word that forms the foundation for who you are. My word is Relationship. I went in thinking my word would be compassion or connection, these words support my final word. But in the end, it makes sense. I’m about Relationships – with my body, my family, my community, with people I don’t even know yet! It became more clear that whatever I did in the future, I needed to allow myself to sink into this word. Think about this podcast. This was a direct result of my Dig. I knew that I needed an outlet to connect and form relationships not only with my guests but to allow my listeners to also form this relationship. To help them grow from others’ stories. So we can thank Erin Weed for Run This World! Side note: Erin has helped nurture my love for the stage. It all came full circle when we sat side by side at eTown for the Truthtellers Tour (when I came out of the closet with my history with alcohol). Erin means a lot to me and I'm so honored to finally have her on the show. So now you have an understanding of the kind of work Erin does. Today you will not do a literal dig on the pod, but you will gain a new way to think about your purpose as we discuss the following: Girls Fight Back: the nonprofit Erin founded after her college roommate was raped and killed in her dorm room Divorce & Motherhood Confronting hard situations The PURGE Protecting your inner spirit Check out the Boulder Psychic Institute in Boulder if you're intrigued! Learning to tap into your innate gifts The Dig: ins & outs & more Challenge! Post your word! Or at least what you think your word is. Tag @nicoledeboom and @erinweed & then challenge yourself one step further. What’s on the other side of that word? If you think it’s one thing, push a little further to see if one final word surfaces. For more Erin Weed: I highly recommend that you check out Erin’s TEDx Boulder Talk – she mentioned it today – imagine the pressure of the speaking coach putting herself out there to speak. Her talk is everything she helps other people be. Open, honest, vulnerable, and powerful. You can find a link on the show notes. And finally, take a breath and absorb Erin’s final nugget: You have no idea how beautiful the most real version of you is. And if you don’t believe that, borrow her belief. Find and connect with Erin here! Website: https://www.thedig.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erinweed77 Instagram: @erinweed Twitter: @erinweed

Dawn Miller was living what she thought was the perfect life. Mom of 4. Homeschooler. Happily married. Doing all the right things. Believing that her way was the best way. And admittedly judging people who didn’t subscribe to her way. Until one day when a car accident rattled her brain enough to cause a serious concussion and a warning from the doctor, “Don’t get another concussion in the next few months.” 19 days later, another more serious car accident sealed the deal. Dawn’s brain was rattled yet again, and this time, she was changed forever. It is now over 5 years since Dawn’s traumatic brain injury. She has been through hell and back; at her lowest point, Dawn simply felt that she had no value on this earth and the world would be better off without her. I’m so glad she turned it all around and today Dawn 2.0 is thriving. Today we talk about: Dawn 1.0: Who Dawn was before TBI Homeschooling What love really is Being perfect: what the hell does that really mean!? Two brain injuries in 19 days Recovering from TBI Wanting to quit. Wanting to give up. Wanting to leave this world because you feel like it would be better off without you. Dawn 2.0: Who Dawn is after TBI Lawsuits and how they really suck Running: How this supportive community helped Dawn truly is the best. Take it from her, "Be who you really truly are. Don’t shy away from it. Embrace who you truly are. You are worth it. You will be a better person when you take care of yourself." Dawn, I so appreciate you. This world is a better place because you are in it. Thank you for your vulnerability to talk about Dawn 1.0 with such honesty. I know so many people are relating to your story in so many ways. Keep telling it! And let’s also report on Dawn’s Blue Sky Trail Marathon experience – results are in and yes, she finished! Her mini race report: “The trail was a killer. I fell and got a cut on my knee. Running with friends is so amazing.” If you or someone you know is suffering from a TBI, traumatic brain injury, please reach out. There are many support networks for you to connect with. The toughest part is that this injury is invisible but causes so much pain and suffering in other ways. You can reach Dawn here: Blog: themendedone.com Facebook Instagram: @upbeforedawn13 See you next week! This episode sponsored by the amazing company I started back in 2004, Skirt Sports. Dawn understands the power and confidence that come through finding a brand that resonates with you – from a product perspective and a community perspective. Skirt Sports is a safe place for women to be exactly who they are. A few years ago we were doing a video to launch the Gotta Go Skirt on Kickstarter. I asked if anyone was willing to come on video and talk publicly about pee problems. Dawn signed right up! Talk about confidence! Today I have a new discount for you – 20% off. For anyone who has not yet tried Skirt Sports, we make head to toe outfits for women athletes to move their bodies all year round. Pause a sec and write this down - runthisworld20 – got that? 20% off through 12/24. This is for non-sale items only – the newest latest and greatest. If you aren’t sure what to get, just ask me.

I met Kriste Peoples on location at a Skirt Sports photo shoot a couple years ago. Within five minutes, I was asking her to change outfits, run around and be happy. You know what she said? Yes! Today's Mile Repeat is quite a bit longer than the 8-20 minutes I promised, but we couldn't help it! More on Kriste & her incredible journey here: Kriste is a Denver-based writer, producer, speaker, Skirt Sports ambassador, and women's trail running coach in search of the perfect sock. Her work in the field of equity and inclusion in nature combines speaking and facilitating transformational experiences for others. And as founder of Black Women’s Alliance of Denver she extends her passion for connecting underrepresented communities to new, empowering narratives of wellness.

I had you at coffee, didn't I? Something about coffee taps into a universal language for so many of us hard-chargers who reach for a caffeine kick instead of considering that we may just need to back off and recharge sometimes. Alex Hanifin is no stranger to the concept of hard-charging. She is scrappy. She is smart. She is accomplished well beyond her years. She is the 28 year old founder of a company that is changing the world. The world of coffee. You’ll get the sense immediately that I know Alex. I do. I met her through a CEO group I participate in and immediately sensed that I was in the presence of someone who was meant to do big things. Alex started her first real business in high school. She didn’t go to college, but it wasn’t because she wasn’t smart or driven. She is in fact one of the smartest and most driven women I know. She just struggled in school and that environment stifled her instead of helping her grow. So she trusted her gut and her heart to lead her down her path to happiness. Today we talk about: The importance of health: "If you're not healthy, your business is not healthy" How what our parents say and do matters Her unique path to entrepreneurship Starting a business in high school Talking your way into a job when you have no idea what you're doing! Listening to your gut Alpine Start coffee: How much love and care goes into her business And more Happiness is a brand that is kicking serious ass and completely blowing open a really old, crotchety category – instant coffee.  It's called Alpine Start and is making the most delicious, high quality coffee – it’s just such a great surprise when you have your first sip. Instant coffee doesn’t have to suck! Alex is offering you 50% off online at alpinestartfoods.com. Use code skirtsports. Definitely try their original Instant Coffee, the new dirty chai latte or coconut creamer latte – so good. If you are a supporter of women-led business ventures, forward this one. And if you want to actually SEE Alex in person, check out the Skirt Sports website. I talked her into modeling this season. She has such incredible energy I wanted to capture it! All right then, let’s chug some more coffee and get out and move your body because you know what time it is. It’s time to get out and run this world! Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

Rebels, I had a total fangirl moment this week because I got to interview Nicole DeBoom for the podcast! Nicole is the host of the Run This World Podcast and founder of the wildly popular brand, Skirt Sports, which I know all of you know I absolutely love. Join Nicole and me for a seriously fun conversation where we discuss entrepreneurship, habits, and self-love. Get full show notes and more information here: https://notyouraveragerunner.com/47

Meet the ultimate champion of women, Jill Angie, aka Not Your Average Runner. As implied she is absolutely NOT average in any way, shape or form. First, she’s a self-described fat runner who started running in her late 20s because she believed being thin was the secret to the universe and the path to happiness. What she found after many stops and starts is that the REAL secret to the universe is to understand that the only thing we have control over is our brains and the choices we make. Including the choice to be happy. Jill and I traveled in concentric circles for many years. We came to the worlds of health and fitness in very different ways, but our end-goals are the same. We want to help women find happiness! And men too because when women are happy, let’s face it, men benefit too! When Jill and I finally connected on the phone, it was like a match made in heaven. I felt so special until I realized something. Jill is the kind of human being who makes every single person she comes into contact with feel special. So I felt even more special to have the opportunity to spend an hour with her. This episode is a dual play – we both have podcasts, so we’re both publishing it. Be sure to check out Jill’s other episodes at Not Your Average Runner Podcast. Did I mention she’s also a life coach, so there is a lot to learn from her! Before we start, I have two quick updates. The first is to make sure you get over to skirtsports.com and use the code RTWPODCAST15 for 15% off the best women’s activewear ever in history! We’re going on our 14th bday soon, so lots of energy and excitement in my world! Finally, Jill and I are doing a GIVEAWAY! We’re giving away a Skirt Sports product of your choice AND Jill’s first two books plus a Not Your Average Runner swag bag. Now listen up: Here’s what you have to do. Write a review for both of our podcasts on iTunes. You have to literally go to the itunes app and search our podcasts. When they come up, you’ll see the link to review. But you have to search them first. It’s kind of annoying, but that’s the only way I could figure it out! You can also submit your reviews on Stitcher for non iphone listeners. We'll start tracking new reviews after Sept 3rd to be eligible. If you already wrote a review (cuz you’re awesome), then share the episode on IG and tag us. We’ll look in all of those places to pick a random winner on or around Sept 30th! Today we talk about: Our journeys to health and fitness The REAL secret to the universe Habits Inner Mean Girls Labels Founding principles Being married to athletes on their own quests while we're on ours Skirt Sports genesis Willing it to happen Getting 1 MILLION MORE women running This is one of my favorite episodes. Jill is literally one of my new favorite people who I feel like I’ve known forever and now want to hang with forever. It was also fun sharing some of my key life moments that have been catalysts for change or self-discovery. I hope you found inspiration, joy and even some new ideas on how to tackle life’s challenges. If you are not yet a runner and want to become one, then reach out to Jill, join her community and become one of her 1 Million MORE women running! And at the end of the day, no matter where you are, remember this. You have the power to Choose your thoughts, so choose them wisely! Thanks Jill! Now you know what time it is. It’s time to get out there and Run This World! Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

Emma Coburn is delightful. Yes I said delightful. I never call anything delightful. I don’t think of myself as someone who calls things delightful. One of my friends, Jillian Lakritz, founder of Yoee Baby and a previous guest on the podcast, once said, “Wilder was delightful” when she was there for a play date. And it sounded totally natural and I thought I wonder if I’ll ever call anything delightful. Well guess what? Emma Coburn is delightful – pure and simple. She is fundamentally grounded. She admits her flaws and faults and takes ownership and responsibility for them. The flaws make her human and the ownership of them make her likable and relatable. She is clearly a superstar, like a physical specimen of a human being that in my opinion was created to excel in physical activity. But there's so much more than meets the eye. Yes, Emma is drop dead gorgeous. Her body is a beautiful, finely-tuned machine that she treats with love, care and constant attention which she should because it’s the vehicle by which she makes her living. But at the end of the day what is really cool about her is that she has perspective. So many athletes are caught up in the grind when they’re chasing their dreams. They are emotional, easily demoralized and completely consumed by what they are doing, often sacrificing other things that are critically important. They just can’t see it at the time. Not Emma. She is definitely consumed, but she also sees and respects that world around her, it’s not all about Emma all the time. She has remained solid, grounded and yes delightful, even though she has been racing on the international pro circuit since she was 21 years old, has won countless races, an Olympic bronze in 2016 (the first American to medal in steeplechase), and she followed that by becoming the first American to ever win the world championship. I think part of this may be due to her upbringing in both Boulder and Crested Butte. If you think Boulder is a bubble, Crested Butte is undoubtedly even more so. Emma believes so much in what Crested Butte has to offer that she launched the Elk Run 5k to help promote the town and give back to Living Journeys, the local nonprofit that helps so many families deal with cancer. It’s Sept 29th this year – the race itself sounds amazing, but it’s truly about the experience. I highly recommend you get out there – make it a girls weekend! We recorded in the Skirt Sports store after-hours so for a little inspiration, be sure to use the code RTWPODCAST15 for 15% off too! Today we talk about the above and much more: Steeplechase: What the heck is this crazy event Being married to your coach Winning World Champs & then getting beat Raising the bar Growing up in a small mountain town: Crested Butte Rocks! Gaining weight in the off-season Elk Run 5k - be there or be square - Emma will be picking up trash and setting up cones! Surrounding yourself by the right people If you have a chance, pop over to my Youtube channel to see this episode on video! Yes, I’m playing around with that format too. There are always some funny little quirks you can’t catch on the audio version. Finally and very importantly, we’re sending Emma off to kick ass at her biggest race of the year! Follow her on IG and FB – I say we send her a message or post on her page. One thing that you loved about this interview. Do it! It will give her even more confidence and joy that she is surrounding herself by people who have her back; people who really care. Because after all, that’s what makes this life truly special. All photos courtesy of Emma Coburn's Instagram feed!

This week on the podcast I am bringing you an amazing interview/conversation with Nicole DeBoom. Last week I released an episode about my recent journey in sobriety which was sparked by this honest and very candid conversation with Nicole.We get curious.. About our identities through drinking, why we drank, what we were searching for through drinking, and how we decided it was time to give it up altogether. We talk about coping mechanisms, suppressing emotions, redefining who you want to be, and in Nicoles words:“Accepting who you are, accepting the shit you did, (good bad or ugly) with whatever emotions are tied to it, accepting it and realizing that *you are not alone.* So no matter what you did in the past that you may feel ashamed about, embarrassed about, sad about, proud of, whatever, someone else out there is sharing those same feelings and has trumped you. We are not alone, you have not done the worst thing in the world or the best thing in the world, we are here together.”A little about Nicole: Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Nicole was a standout swimmer, qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials and later graduating from Yale University. She decided to pursue the sport of triathlon and started racing professionally in 1999, racking up countless podium finishes. During the final stage of her racing career in 2004, Nicole created and introduced something that had never been done before – the first running skirt. Shortly afterward, Nicole went on to launch Skirt Sports with the mission of helping women find inspiration, confidence and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Today, Skirt Sports is a national women’s apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real women’s bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 6-year-old girl, Wilder.This episode is just two people sharing our lives, our struggles, our vulnerabilities, our learnings. And it goes to show that connection stems from humanness. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.Connect with Nicole:Nicoles websiteNicole InstagramSkirtsports websiteNicoles PodcastNicoles Sobriety TalkAdditional Resources:Hang out with me on Instagram (@stephaniedankelson)Newsletter SignupIf you are interested in being a guest on my podcast, email me at hello@stephanie-dankelson.com

Welcome to Mile Repeats! These are short-form vignettes about people's lives capped with a nugget of inspiration that we can all learn from. Kriss S has been running for 10 years. Running completely changed her life. She has completed 62 half marathons to date and 4 fulls; the half is by far her favorite! Kriss also dabbles with yoga, totally a novice, and enjoys taking yoga classes weekly. Running is her social hour! She can be found running the streets, trails and the track. Kriss is also an ambassador for Skirt Sports for the past three years and cannot say enough wonderful things about the women she has met all because of a skirt! Be sure to check out Kriss' blog and follow her on Instagram at @pinkbetsy.

Meet Dyenna McConnell. I’ve known Dye for a few years. She is a Skirt Sports ambassador with a passion for helping others find health and happiness. On the outside, she is a beautiful, strong, healthy woman who is a natural athlete with a seemingly happy career, a new marriage, and a loving relationship with her children. But as you will hear in this episode, nothing is exactly as it seems. Dye has endured life experiences that most of us will never be able to understand or relate to. She has overcome horrible abuse and neglect and today has created a life path that has so much potential for happiness. Dye, like all of us, is very much still on her journey of healing and seeking her purpose. She has not fully processed her experiences. Part of her hope is that as she does, she can help others who have been hurt and need to know that they too can survive. Today’s episode is tough at times. If children are listening with you, you may want to pre-listen to this conversation. We discuss serious topics including sexual abuse of a child and suicide. But ultimately Dye shows us that no matter how difficult our pasts, our futures can still be beautiful. Today we talk about: Growing up a victim of sexual abuse The foster system Abandonment issues Teenage pregnancy Giving up a child for adoption - and the shame she still feels about it Pumping milk in the bathroom stalls in high school Smoking, Drinking & Drugs Turning your life around Coping by not coping Fitness as a part of the recovery puzzle And more This is a deep episode. Very tough in many ways. My biggest fear is that my daughter will be hurt in the ways that Dye was hurt as a little girl. I personally struggled when Dye said that she still copes by not coping. But I also understand it because Dye didn’t have anyone in her life who had her back. She was all alone through everything. But now she’s not. She’s coming out the other side and it’s like watching a beautiful butterfly emerge slowly. As she says, the most important thing you can do is share your story. You may not know the people you can help. You can find Dye on her blog Run Eat Tri Yoga and please follow her on Facebook and Instagram! That’s it for today. I hope you enjoyed this episode and get ready to tune in soon to my next Mile Repeat mini pod. I’m experimenting with that new format and so far so good! All right then you know what time it is. It’s time to get out there and run this world. Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week.

Meet my old friends Jessica and BJ Gumkowski, the Yogi Triathletes. I first met them many years ago; in fact, Jessica was one of our very first Skirt Sports ambassadors back in 2005ish. At that time, they were a young married couple pursuing a life of triathlon, in the hyper-competitive town of Boulder, measuring their happiness by their successes on the race course and in the workplace. At some point along the way, an ad for tiny homes on BJ's computer screen sparked an "a-ha moment" which ultimately led to a completely new life for them. They quit their jobs, gave away 95% of their stuff and decided to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Today they have completed rebuilt their lives to be based around mindfulness, meditation and helping others. Their Yogi Triathlete Movement is spreading quickly, with a focus on training the whole athlete, inside and out, mind/body/soul. As they say, before there was mindfulness in coaching, there was Jessica and BJ!  Today we share the mic and essentially interview each other in a dual conversation that hits on so many fun and interesting topics such as: Letting go of our identities when defined by what we do Going from bitch to your best Sober living Anxiety and depression White light pantsuits A difference between men & women; men internalize Ironman Wisconsin Having (or not having) a child: Acceptance both ways The Divine Schedule Maker Going minimal and erasing "Decision fatigue" True happiness  This is such an awesome conversation. One of my biggest regrets is not asking Jessica more about her past life. And also not having them give me a guided meditation! I hope you enjoy - and PLEASE CHECK OUT THEIR PODCAST! For more of the YT's, they have some incredible episodes I'm sure you will enjoy. All right then, you know what time it is. It's time to get out there and Run This World. Have a great workout and I'll see you next week!

Nicole DeBoom is a lifelong athlete. If there was a sport she played it but nothing captured her heart like swimming. The pool became her home and for years she relentlessly followed the black line. At the age of 16, she qualified for the Olympic Trials and soon became a highly recruited college athlete. Nicole swam for Yale University and when she graduated she said goodbye to her swimming career and began the next chapter of her life. Nicole discovered a new love for sport when she was introduced to triathlon. She turned professional in 1999 and supported her husband Tim through both of his Ironman World Championship wins in 2001 and 2001. Nicole opens up about the sacrifice of singular focus as she watched her husband give up almost everything for his championships. She realized she was not ready to give that to her sport. She knew that there was something beyond triathlon for her but it had not yet been fully revealed. On a training run in 2003, she passed by a storefront window and caught her reflection staring back. What she saw was unflattering and uninspiring. She was so tired of looking like a boy in her ill-fitting triathlon attire and felt a pull from inside to be the change she wanted to see. Nicole cut that run short and went home to scribble the first notes of what would become the global community of Skirt Sports. She knew she was onto something good and in the fall of 2004, she won Ironman Wisconsin in a prototype design of the first-ever running skirt. Today we see running skirts covering the pages of popular magazines and websites but Nicole was the first to bring this vision to life. We talk about how it felt when larger companies quickly began to copy her idea and how she let go to grow more. We talk about the importance of finding balance through being flexible, being willing to redefine our roles in life and to practice sitting in the hub of our perspective. This podcast is not just an interview, it's a two for one. Nicole had the brilliant idea of having two podcasts in one, so she does a fair amount of the interviewing in today's show. This same episode with Nicole's touches will also be aired through her podcast Run this World. This is one of my favorites convos and we think you're going to enjoy it too. Let us know what you think and thank you so very much for your support. We could not do what we do without this strong community fueling us every single day.

Meet Clare Gallagher - renowned ultrarunner with several major wins including the 2nd fastest female time ever at the 2016 Leadville 100 mile race, first American to win the CC Ultra Marathon in the Alps in 2017, and more. The truly amazing thing is that she did all of this in the few short years after she graduated from Princeton in 2014! Yes – she is one of the fastest-rising athletes I’ve ever known. Think about it. It took me 10 years to win an Ironman! The really amazing thing about Clare is her depth. She is so much more than an athlete. She has a passion for doing the right thing by our planet and she has crafted a career to include sponsors and events that allow her to focus on this platform. It’s funny, I interviewed Clare just an hour after my daughter Wilder’s Kindergarten graduation. I was of course totally emotional as the little 6 year olds sang songs about their wide open futures. And I was thinking about what kind of girl I hope wilder will be. Then Clare walked up. Literally walked up. We didn’t realize that she lives about 8 houses away from me! I looked at her and thought – her parents must be so proud. She is so strong and clear minded. I hope I can craft a future for Wilder that allows her to find strength and clarity of mind too. Today we talk about: Growing up as an "adventurer" in her own backyard Ballet, yes, ballet :) Injuries: how they stop when you stop depriving your body Celiac disease Overcoming self-doubt Earthraging Ultrarunning & saving the planet: How they go hand in hand Valuing health over everything Bucket lists There are lots of gems in this one that we can take away as people, as parents, and as humans who walk this precious earth. I love the basic truth that Clare explains so simply, “Value your health over everything.” That’s the key folks. Our health is our ticket to happiness. Yes age happens, bodies change, things happen outside of our control, but if we prioritize the things we can control to prioritize our health, we have a better chance of happiness. I also love Clare’s passion for our planet. Her final nugget is so cool. I’m working on it right now for myself and Wilder: Make a list of the places you want to go this summer and start ticking them off. You will discover beauty you didn’t realize was there. So let’s get on it and make our bucket lists! Check out the post on Skirt Sports facebook page about this episode. Post your bucket list and we’ll give away a $25 gift cert to one of you!

Kelly McNelis is a community builder, an innovator, mom, wife, and more. Kelly has a very difficult past - she is an incest survivor who finally started processing her abuse and subsequently healing later in life. As she went through this process, she identified the stages that helped her heal most powerfully and realized that her path could help others; that sharing our stories both helps us heal and helps others feel less alone in the world. This realization resulted in Women For One, a massive virtual community of women supporting women. Kelly recently wrote Your Messy Brilliance: 7 Tools for the Perfectly Imperfect Woman and then launched the inaugural Truthteller Tour in Boulder, Colorado. The Tour is truly the culmination of all her efforts - a live audience watching and feeling the emotions of the women on stage who are brave enough to share their truths. That’s why she was in Boulder and why we finally connected in person. I spoke at the Truthteller Tour about something I have often mentioned but haven’t gone into detail about – my history with alcohol. When I went up on stage, I had a bunch of points I wanted to make but when it was over I had no idea what I said. It took me a while to actually watch my talk. When I did, I don’t know why, but I watched it backwards in sections. And I realized that while it was difficult and embarrassing and painful, it was important that I did it. For myself and maybe for some other people out there. This is what Kelly’s life’s work is all about. Helping people move forward, gain acceptance and find support and love. In case you're curious (which is the first tool Kelly mentions in her book), here is my speech from the Truthteller Tour. Today we talk about: Messiness Shame Coping mechanisms Relationships Tools to help embrace your messy life And more! This episode is sponsored by Health IQ - they help healthy people get awesome rates on life insurance and by the best fitting, most comfy, cutest athletic apparel in the world - Skirt Sports! Go to skirtsports.com and use the code RTWpodcast15 at checkout for 15% off (excluding cycling, tri and outfit deals).

Coach Christen is an All-American Division one swimmer, college swim coach, author of Naked Confidence: Revealing Your Whole Truth and Finally Moving Forward, speaker and entrepreneur/founder of Confidence Nuggets. After many false starts and disappointments, she uncovered the power of confidence coaching and realized that this would be the new direction for her life. She started infusing confidence coaching into all her endeavors and it paid off both with herself and her athletes. I think that most epiphanies come when we finally open ourselves up to our issues, whether we are stagnating or failing or just running in place. It’s when we allow ourselves to be humbled that we can start moving out. Christen speaks to this process and so much more. Today we talk about: The ugly emotions: Regret, Shame and more 3-part process to creating confidence: Wake up. Own it. Transition it to the Positive. How when we try to predict the future, it's always the worst case scenario. Fear: What is the root of fear? Expectations: How they can keep you stuck & lead to disappointment Reframe the What-if's to I-am's Speak your truth And so much more! Christen is one of my new favorite people. It’s tough when you are talking to a life coach of sorts. Because you feel like they’re sort of looking through all your bullshit to the real stuff deep inside. Personally I always want to just get it all out so that I don’t feel like I’m hiding anything and I can look them in the eye! What you don’t know is that after we hung up, we stayed on the line and talked about some more personal hangups/those things that creep into your mind on a hike that you don’t even realize you remembered. Christen really reiterated the three part process for healing: Wake up. Own it. And transition it to the positive. It can be that simple. But the toughest part for many people is to Own It. To forgive yourself for whatever negative emotions you are holding onto and then letting it go and moving forward in a positive way. I want to share that she sent me one of her Confidence Nuggets. I close the “I will lead” bracelet. I’m not kidding, during a meeting I found myself focusing in on some small details and realized that I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to do during that meeting – leading. That little visual trigger got me back on track. I love Christen’s final nugget. Speak. Speak your truth. When you know and accept who you are, the more confidence you will generate in your life. This episode sponsored by Skirt Sports (best women's fitness apparel on the market!) and Health IQ (they find great rates on life insurance for healthy people). All right then, you know what time it is! It's time to get out there and Run This World. Have a great workout and I'll see you next week!

Deena Kastor grew up a running phenom and a highly recruited student athlete. In college she struggled to maintain the momentum of her high school running career and seriously considered dropping out of the running world to pursue baking. Good thing she decided to give it one last go. Through hard work, an open mind and the right people in her life, Deena turned the corner and found the magic bullet that allowed her to fully tap into her potential – as an athlete and a person - the power of a positive mindset. Deena competed at the top tier of distance runners for over a decade, winning countless races from the 5k to marathon. She still holds the American records in the marathon, 10-mile, 15k and 8k. Deena ran all the way until she found out she was pregnant with her daughter Piper in 2010, and she’s running again, chasing masters records and crushing them. Be sure to cheer for her this weekend at the Boston marathon. I reconnected with Deena recently when I read her new book, "Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory," which launches today on many outlets – basically anywhere books are sold. It is a truly incredible, emotional, educational book about the power of positive thinking in sports. Of course I was drawn to how someone as seemingly as invincible as Deena has had to work hard to tap into the positive power inside of her, that at times, she strongly doubted. Some highlights from our conversation: Growing up a runner Skin cancer: Facing your own mortality Being a mom to Piper How your greatest gifts can often be your greatest disappointments Being "all in" in everything. The key? Turn off your phone! Aging as a runner: what to expect (or not expect!) Positivity: How do we create more positivity in our lives? Deena's new book "Let Your Mind Run" - available now! What I love about Deena is that she is wise and full of amazing advice that she’s learned the hard way, but she’s also real and human and approachable. She has a newfound perspective on what is truly important in life and I can literally feel it as I talked to her. I think that her final nugget “Pay attention to your thinking” is so compelling and can help all of us gain just a little bit of that perspective she’s worked hard to achieve. This episode is sponsored by Skirt Sports, the amazing company I started all the way back in 2004. We are giving you a 30% discount on all the new stuff! Use code DONTGIVEUP - not valid on sale items. This episode is also sponsored by innovative Health IQ - a life insurance agency that helps healthy people get better rates on life insurance. To see if you qualify, go to healthiq.com/rtw - tell them I sent you!

Can I say how much I LOVE NICOLE DEBOOM? Thiiiiiiis much! Nicole is the founder of Skirt Sports - she started with the goal of helping women find strength, power and happiness through running. Today Skirt Sports has expanded from its initial running skirt to a full line of inspirational women’s fitness apparel sold in hundreds of stores across the US and throughout the world as well as a huge focus on events as the main driving force for women to move their lives forward. Shes continue to lead the company as the Founder & CEO, now balancing the challenge of staying fit, running a business and chasing around a young daughter!   She also has an amazing podcast "Run this World" where we first "met" officially!   Listen to this episode for a discount!   Follow Nicole on Social: Web: https://www.nicoledeboom.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicoledeboom/  Podcast: https://www.nicoledeboom.com/category/run-this-world-podcast/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicoledeboom?fref=ts My friend Bob who created that “I like to make stuff” business… he now has 3.1 million subscribers on YouTube. He’s gotta be CASHING in… pretty amazing

“When my body is fit and strong, my mind is fitter and stronger too.” After winning IronMan Wisconsin in 2004, Nicole set out to change the image of women's running...and she did just that when she founded Skirt Sports three days later. Today Skirt Sports has expanded from its initial running skirt to a full line of inspirational women’s fitness apparel sold in hundreds of stores across the US and throughout the world, as well as a huge focus on events as the main driving force for women to move their lives forward. We chat about balance and integration of owning a company, raising a family, and racing triathlons. We also joke about not being the most accomplished triathlete in your household. :-) I was truly humbled to be able to chat with Nicole and you can hear more from her on her podcast: Run This World. Follow Nicole @ instagram.com/nicoledeboom and www.skirtsports.com

Today I share with you a story. It's about a trip I just took to Costa Rica. It’s a good time to talk about it because I’m still very emotional and having a little trouble adapting back to “real life” after a magical experience. I’m in the heat of a term I just learned – reentry. I’ll be honest, it’s a little harder than I thought partly because going on this trip was something I didn’t know I needed. Think about that concept – something you don’t know you need until you do it. I didn’t realize the emotional impact it would have on me. Throughout this episode I’m going to do my best to explain what this means. Maybe you’ll feel something resonate with your own life, maybe you'll feel a spark light somewhere inside. I’ve been thinking about this term a little more and I think I undergo reentry on a much smaller scale on a daily basis. To me, reentry is when you leave one very unique experience and you enter back into a baseline experience. So for instance, when I host our amazing Skirt Sports events and I’m surrounded by the power of the feminine and all that oxytocin in one room, and then I go home to Tim and Wilder and it’s a completely different energy. I used to fight it and resent the reentry process. Now I accept it but it doesn’t mean it’s easy or I don’t mourn just a little bit each time. But I do my best to let the process happen and sink into it. Sort of like a wave which you’ll hear about in a little bit. I don’t know when I decided to go. There was just a little tug in a corner of my heart that said, “you need this.” I didn’t even know what “this” was at the time. I am not at a crossroads like many people are when they sign up for retreats. I don’t have a major conflict I’m trying to resolve. I’m not getting over a trauma. My marriage isn’t in crisis. My business is booming. It was nothing major. I just started to experience this subtle tension in my heart. Like a tiny little spark had been lit but I didn’t know why. Maybe it was a yearning for something, for expansion, for growth. Or maybe for the exact opposite: A fear of getting stale. When I heard about the Women’s Quest Surf & Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica the spark glowed a little brighter, like someone had blown on it for an instant. I continued moving around in my regular life, doing all the busy things I do, but the spark didn’t die. Today I talk about: Tapping into things you didn't even know you needed Trust Listening to your body and mind Security blankets Having faith that things will work out even in times when you feel so uncertain "If she can do it, I can do it." Riding a wave - all by myself! Re-entering your real life after a life-changing experience My nugget for you is this. When you feel a spark come alive, don’t try to squash it. Look at it, explore why it ignited. let it take life, listen to it, and do what it tells you so you can grow and expand on this incredible journey we call life. Maybe this could also be called simply listening to your gut, but I think it goes deeper. It’s about acknowledging the things that you sometimes don’t even realize are calling to you but when you stop for a moment and give them some attention, they bloom and you realize your life is about to change – one way or another. Thanks for tuning in. If you love my podcast, please share it with all your closest friends! If you have a favorite episode, please let me know. I’ve got some really incredible guests lined up for 2018 – let me just say that there is no lack of amazing people in this world.

Today I caught up with an old friend from Downers Grove, IL. Tracy O’Malley and I grew up together and graduated from Downers South in 1990. I went on to become a pro triathlete and start Skirt Sports. Along the way I battled many demons and tackled many barriers. Tracy went on to become one of the most sought-after speakers, network marketing experts and lifestyle entrepreneurs out there. But as we know, there’s always a story behind the woman. Tracy has battled her own demons and tackled countless barriers before she has finally found the strength and courage to step into her own truth and become exactly who she was meant to be. This episode covers so many topics that will rock you to your soul, especially if you or someone you love has experienced them. Tracy grew up in an alcoholic household. Her dad was a feisty, Irish, high-functioning “archer bunker” style alcoholic and the eggshell-type environment his drinking created in her home laid the foundation for Tracy to create that exact environment as she got older. Like father like daughter, Tracy’s relationship with alcohol played a huge part of her life for 25 years, through multiple stages, until it became so obvious that she was not the person she wanted to be as long as she included it in her life. But even when she was sort of flimsily trying to kick alcohol she held onto another more powerful addiction – bulimia. Tracy talks a lot about the need for outlets to relieve the pressure she was feeling in her life. Like any good hero story, we need to find and hit a rock bottom. Tracy finally painfully bottomed-out and entered a gritty and honest period of recovery where she came to terms with her true self. As she searched for a new financial outlet – because she needed to cut ties with all of her previous relationships to truly move forward – she discovered a product line that helped her feel great again physically. After resisting the idea of working for a network marketing company, she finally opened her mind to exploring Isagenix and was both encouraged and excited to give it a try. Today, Tracy is in their Elite 50 Millionaire's Club as their #35 earner (of 600,000!). I’m not a network marketing person, I have not been drawn to that particular business strategy, but I truly respect and honor how Tracy has built her business and reformed herself along the way. She is one of the most open, real, honest and available people you will come across. She lays it out there – good or bad. As she says, she’s a bottom-line-me kinda girl so she doesn’t suffer a lot of bull! I know you’ll enjoy this one – toward the end we announce a giveaway that is posted on the Skirt Sports facebook page. Tracy asks you this, “If you could choose any breakthrough in your life to happen today, what would it be?” Answer this question to win her new book, available very soon “Grace, Grit, Guts: From effed up to Freedom.” Today we talk about: Drinking Losing a parent How trauma changes us Relationships: with our parents, spouses, children and ourselves Eating disorders Getting help for real If you can’t admit to bulimia, how can you truly get sober? Getting rid of our masks and embracing who we truly are Let me tell you, while Tracy and I talked for at least a 10k, we didn’t even hit on her more current life experience, something she is dealing with as we speak. You see Tracy has been suffering from an unexplained very serious health issue for 3 years, that was only recently diagnosed and treated. We talk about this on an Live Video Call which will be posted on the Skirt Sports and Nicole deboom social sites. So for more Tracy, be sure to check out this video, follow her on Facebook, Instagram, tracyomalley.com or just google her and see what comes up!

“Instead of being ashamed of doing what you do or being what you are, I ask two important questions: Why not celebrate it? Why not be proud of the fact that the body you are in can do great things?” Mirna Valerio What is a runner? How do we define an athlete? What does it truly mean to be fit and healthy?Challenging stereotypes, today's guest demands that we broaden our limited definition of these terms.She may not be fast, but she runs. In fact she runs a lot, an impressive slew of ultramarathons to her name.She's also not skinny. In fact, she's big.250 pounds big.But Mirna Valerio is without a doubt a runner.In fact, the force of nature affectionately known as The Mirnavator is one of the most inspirational athletes I have ever met — a true ambassador of sport on a mission to empower women of all shapes and sizes to proudly embrace their bodies, expand their horizons, and own their truth.Carrying herself with grace, an intelligent self-confidence and a smile so gleeful it brightens all in her path, Mirna's appeal has less to do with her ability to run long distances and everything to do with her unapologetic celebration of her personal truth.Mirna's joyful self-acceptance is both real and rare. It's both authentic and bold. It's as infectious as it is inclusive.And it's incredibly empowering to the millions of people who suffer body shame issues silently.When she’s not running, the Brooklyn native (now living in the North Georgia Mountains with her husband and teenage son) is a Spanish teacher, diversity practitioner, cross-country coach, and author of the wildly popular blog Fat Girl Running. She also writes frequently for Women's Running Magazine and recently released a remarkable memoir I thoroughly enjoyed entitled, A Beautiful Work In Progress*.She’s been profiled in the Wall Street Journal and Runner's World and on NBC Nightly News. She’s also an ambassador for a variety of brands like REI, Merrell, Skirt Sports and Swiftwick. Just this week Mirna became one of the faces of JC Penney’s newly launched Here I Am campaign.I first came across Mirna’s story by way of a mini-documentary produced by REI called The Mirnavator that went viral. Hooked, I was determined to share her powerful story with you. Mirna more than delivered.Much like past episodes with Josh LaJaunie, Adam Sud, David Clark and my most recent episode with Charlie Jabaley, this is an incredibly inspiring underdog every person story.But unlike those tales, Mirna's journey is not one marked by dramatic before and after photos. On the contrary, this is a story about body acceptance and body positivity.It's a conversation about self-empowerment and self-acceptance. It’s about tackling stereotypes, overcoming prejudice and the importance of inclusion. And it's an exchange about the need to redefine how we think about and define athleticism, the spirit of sport, and fitness in general.But more than anything, this is a conversation about owning your truth.I adore Mirna and I absolutely love this conversation. I think you will too.Please stick around to the very end for a treat. In addition to her impressive accomplishments, Mirna is also an extremely talented, Julliard-trained opera singer. I was able to convince her to take us out with her angelic, etheral voice. It's insane!Peace + Plants, See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When something is new in your life, it generally symbolizes a start. Think about any starting line – the emotions, expectations, uncertainty that come with it. Some people are made for the starting line. They thrive in this nervous energy, they bubble with excitement, they know that the finish line is out there, but they just love the first few steps. I’m not sure if people are born this way, if it’s genetically wired into them or if this ability to embrace and THRIVE in the starting line is a result of our upbringing. Either way, there are people in this world who were made to start things. People who were made to nurture and maintain. And people who were made to help finish and move along. Some magical people can do it all. Meet the incredibly talented young entrepreneur, Katarina Samardzija. Kat is a 20-year-old junior in college who had an idea and decided to hit Start. Her business is called Locker Lifestyle - she is solving a problem that she and her friends encountered when they would go to the gym. All they really needed was a way to carry their essentials without lugging bulky bags or bringing purses that could be stolen. So she created what she calls the Wrist Locker to tote around her ID, keys and even a phone without ever leaving her arm. When I was introduced to Kat, I knew immediately that she is a very special person who will not only find her own happiness and success, but I believe she will help many others find theirs too. I share something in common with her. We are both fantastic starters. When you create a business out of nothing, you enter the startup phase. It’s a phase full of intense clarity, the kind of energy that keeps you awake at night, not because you’re worried but because you are so excited. Your adrenals are pumping like crazy. Every small win feels like you won the Ironman. Everything you learn on a daily basis gives you a literal buzz. Until your brain and your body and your energy just can’t take in much more! Kat Samardzija is a starter. You will hear it in her voice. You will feel it through the airwaves. But she is also incredibly mature, incredibly disciplined and incredibly smart. Much more mature and disciplined at 20 than I was when I started Skirt Sports at 32. I think we just may find that Kat is one of those rare magical beings who can start, nurture, and finish, all with grace, compassion and panache. Today we talk about: Kat's upbringing: Watching her mom work hard taught her the power of the "hustle" How being an athlete formed the foundation for success as an entrepreneur Millennial generation: Why they get a bad rap Locker Lifestyle: How she started her business and where she wants to go Discipline and other keys to success The importance of connecting: Never stop making friends. I’m sure you’re feeling the same emotion I am: Impressed. Who is this 20 year old future business phenom? Who is this woman who is clearly showing such beyond-her-years leadership ability? Don’t forget this name: Katarina Samardzija. She is going places! So much of this interview contains such valuable advice for any of us. My favorite, because remember I’m a starter AND a connector is her final nugget: Never stop making friends. And on that note, get over to the Skirt Sports Facebook page for the Dec 2 post about this episode for a chance to win a Head Locker headband that can store your necessities by Kat’s company, Locker Lifestyle. All you have to do is answer this question, "What is your greatest strength?" All right everyone, let’s call it a day. I hope you enjoyed this episode. Please share it with friends and don’t forget to write a review on iTunes – it helps the show gain exposure and we all know we can use a little more inspiration in our lives. Okay then, you know what time it is. It’s time to get out and Run This World. Have a great workout and I’ll see you next week!

Meet Mirna Valerio - the Mirnavator. Mirna stepped from relative obscurity into the national spotlight when she so brazenly announced as a 200 pound black woman that she was going to do an ultramarathon. This shouldn't be a big deal, but it was. Mirna stoked emotions within all of the different movements that are currently growing, most of which are in support of her efforts and tout her as an inspiration to people everywhere who don't think they can change their lives. In the past year, Mirna has written her first book called "A Beautiful Work in Progress," appeared in numerous national media outlets and campaigns including Skirt Sports, Women's Running Magazine, Buzzfeed, Lane Bryant's recent campaign, REI's Forces of Nature series, and more. This is an episode that features someone who many people will look to for inspiration with the thought that, "If she can do it, so can I." Instead of taking offense, Mirna opens her arms and acknowledges that we all need to start somewhere. The key is to start. As she says, "Remain open to failure. Be prepared for adventure." I personally love this outlook. I also want all of us to be able to say "I'm in the prime of my life right now. The world is my oyster." We can all have some of what Mirna's having. We just need to accept that we are all beautiful works in progress!

Meet Nellie Acevedo. I discovered Nellie because she is a Skirt Sports ambassador and I’ve always been drawn to her energy and ability to connect to women on a very real level. Nellie is a New Yorker with Jamaican roots who climbed the ladder in the financial world to find herself in a position where she had a great job and made great money. But she just wasn’t happy. Today she is a full time entrepreneur and blogger at Brooklyn Active Mama with 2 young kids and a long-time husband she met in middle school! While she makes a lot less money, she is a whole lot happier. I think you’ll find Nellie’s outlook refreshing. She is a deep thinker who shares openly about the path she has taken. Pay attention to the core values she mentions. We could all benefit from stepping back for a moment, pushing pause and thinking about what our core values are today. And do our lives reflect our core values? Because when things are in alignment, that’s when the magic happens.

MR63: In this week's episode, I talked with Mirna Valerio. Mirna has broken stereotypical of running. Even with her big size body, Mirna runs distance races - including ultra marathons. Her love for running started early in her life, but she became distance runner later part of her life. In this episode, we talk about her running journey and beyond. It is a fun interview to listen. Mirna Valerio's Bio: Marina, a native of Brooklyn, New York, is a Spanish teacher, diversity educator, cross-country coach, marathoner, ultrarunner, and blogger. Valerio’s blogs about all things running appear at Fat Girl Running and in Women’s Running Magazine. Her story was featured in the Wall Street Journal, Runner’s World, NBC Nightly News, and CNN. Valerio is a global ambassador for Merrell, an ambassador for Skirt Sports, and an athlete for Swiftkick. She is married to Cito Nikiema, and together they have a basketball-loving teenage son, Rashid. She loves being in nature and frequently runs trails in the North Georgia mountains. In this episode, Mirna and I talked about: - Mirna's Running Journey - Founding of Fat Girl Running blog site -Running distance races -Training - More More About: https://about.me/themirnavator/ Website: http://fatgirlrunning-fatrunner.blogspot.com photo by: Jenny Nichols Enjoy the episode! Music by: bensound.com

Meet Latoya Shauntay Snell. Latoya is a 32 year old Skirt Sports ambassador. That's how we first came together. But there's more. Much more. She's the mom of a 9 year old boy recently diagnosed with a lifelong disease, type 1 diabetes. She’s a woman who has gone through and is overcoming personal issues from health to work to self-confidence. She is outspoken, funny, wise and humble. She has multiple identities which you will notice when you start checking her out online. In a nutshell, Latoya is one of the most inspirational women you'll ever know, just by being herself. Enjoy!

Nicole Deboom joins us to discuss some great gift ideas from Skirt Sports! And we talk a little Ironman as well :)

Born and raised in the Chicago suburbs, Nicole was a standout swimmer, qualifying for the 1988 Olympic Trials and later graduating from Yale University. She decided to pursue the sport of triathlon, and a lucky seat assignment introduced her to her future husband (future 2-time Ironman World Champion), Tim DeBoom, on a flight to the 1995 ITU World Championships. Nicole started racing professionally in 1999, racking up countless podium finishes. Her triathlon career culminated in a win at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin, wearing a prototype of the first-ever running skirt a skirt that would launch a revolution in womens fitness clothing just a few months later. Nicole founded Skirt Sports in September 2004 with the mission of helping women find inspiration, confidence and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Today, Skirt Sports is a national womens apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real womens bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 4-year-old girl, Wilder. Nicole started racing professionally in 1999, racking up countless podium finishes. Her triathlon career culminated in a win at the 2004 Ironman Wisconsin, wearing a prototype of the first-ever running skirt a skirt that would launch a revolution in womens fitness clothing just a few months later. Nicole founded Skirt Sports in September 2004 with the mission of helping women find inspiration, confidence and courage through the transformative power of running and fitness. Today, Skirt Sports is a national womens apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real womens bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 4-year-old girl, Wilder. Today, Skirt Sports is a national womens apparel brand offering a full line of products that fit real womens bodies and support their busy running lives. Currently, you can find Nicole chatting with customers at the Skirt Sports Boulder flagship store, helping women change their lives through her non-profit organization Running Start, interviewing visionaries for her popular podcast Run This World and chasing around her 4-year-old girl, Wilder.

Dana D is one of the most brutally genuine people on this planet. She does everything hard; there is no half-assedery in her world. I met Dana many years ago when I knew her only as the Walnut-Cafe-Lady. I later came to know her as so much more. Dana recently came to Skirt Sports to speak about a topic important to her - love. Today she elaborates on that topic and her path to this place in her life.

I think company founders who are also world-class athletes bring a unique form of tenacity to their businesses. Nicole DeBoom founded Skirt Sports after wearing her own homemade running skirt in an Ironman World Championship that she won. Nicole has excelled at so many things. A Yale graduate who chose triathlon after realizing she wouldn't likely go to the Olympics in swimming. Nicole brings all of herself to the growth and evolution of Skirt Sports. Her commitment to showing up vulnerably gives Skirt Sports incredible loyalty and connection with its growing customer base and the company's important mission.

Listen in as we talk with founder and CEO of Skirt Sports, Nicole DeBoom, at her monthly women's get together at her flagship store in Boulder.   Hosts Laurie Nakauchi and Kelly McConnell talk with runners Silke Koester, Ilene Bloom, Jenn Coker and Melissa Hoskins about how their running communities keep them motivated and inspired, while sharing some of their personal experiences and perspectives.  Tune in for some bonus pro tips, like why "poison remover" is required gear at an ultramarathon in Japan, and how to beet world records. #SkirtSports  #REALwomenmove Rocky Mountain Runners Colorado Columbines  Front Range Cross Country (FRXC) Ultra Dirt Divas

Nicole DeBoom wanted pretty and running to be synonymous. And so she made it so. She wanted women of all sizes to feel sexy and strong as they were active. Hers was the first running skirt. Her inspirational message to women that a strong body means a strong mind is the foundation of the business. She's still as excited about the company as she was in 2004.   Reach Nicole at Skirtsports.com Join the #REALwomenmove movement beginning late April 2015 and use your hashtags and share your stories. Inspire       As always you can connect with Debra at: www.voiceforfitness.com www.fb.com/voiceforfitnessbiz www.twitter.com/fitnessvoice www.Youtube.com/voiceforfitness

Nicole DeBoom, the Founder and CEO of Skirt Sports, Inc. creator of the original running / fitness skirt talks to Maria about her workRevolutionizing Womens Fitness.

Active Cities Magazine visits Nicole DeBoom, owner of SkirtSports located in North Boulder, Colorado.