This episode will resonate powerfully with anyone striving to live a richer, deeper life: Coach Liz Waterstraat tells host Sarah Bowen Shea about Flourish: The Art of Building Meaning, Joy, and Fulfillment by Daniel Coyle. With a few random LOL detours along the way, Coach Liz details the power of softening your grip to forge more meaningful connections and how to find “presence” on runs and in races. She emphasizes that feeling fully alive in a moment (even the final miles of a race!) is a skill that can be practiced. And find out what the Four H’s are—and how they can spark meaningful conversations with running partners, Masters swim teammates, and more.FeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

Anyone stepping up to a marathon—or considering 26.2—owes it to themselves to listen to this informative episode. The guests are Angie Spencer (a veteran of 70+ marathons!) and her husband, Trevor, founders of Marathon Training Academy. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, the MTA duo details:-knowing when it’s the right time to take on marathon training-understanding and alleviating training anxiety-the importance of being a “fed” runner-pacing advice for training and on race day-the transformative power of training for a marathonThe guests join around 7:14 after Sarah shares some stories from her 25-hour road trip with her son.

Lovers of thrillers will especially enjoy this episode, which kicks off with the hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist discussing the recent New Yorks Times list of The 50 Best Thrillers of the 21st Century. Then they transition to a thriller disguised as a memoir by a talented writer who (to their surprise) didn’t make the list. Two debut novels entranced Ellison, especially a tense, atmospheric one set in rural Wales. The host duo concludes with two DNF books for which they had high hopes. The books reviewed:The Amateur: Chris BohjalianThe Great Wherever: Shannan SandersThe House of Boleyn: Tracy BormanThe Hill in the Dark Grove: Liam HigginsonFeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

Calling all runners: This episode answers all your “but how do I run and strength train?!?” questions. Ann Chisholm, a certified personal trainer, nutrition coach, and ultrarunner based in British Columbia, talks with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Britany Williams (also a trainer) about all sorts of weighty matters, including:-the injury-prevention benefits of strength training-the most-bang-for-your-buck strength moves for runners-to lift or not to lift during the taper-nutritional guidance for fueling your active pursuits-how to “season your year” to achieve the best resultsBefore the guest joins around 7:35, Britany shares some very, very happy news.FeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

This episode is for every active person who understands that the mental side of training is not a one-and-done conversation. Along with host Sarah Bowen Shea, Coach Liz pulls three books off the shelf, plus one new one, to discuss how pre-race fear affects athletes of every pace; how expectation dictates performance; how excellence is about incremental growth and commitment over time, not perfection; and more. A must-listen episode regardless of if you have a race on your calendar or not. The books discussed:Winning the Mental Game: Dr. Amber SelkingBuilt to Finish: Theresa SeitzInner Excellence: Jim MurphyElite Minds: Dr. Stan BeechamFeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

This intriguing episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for straight answers about injury prevention, recovery tools, stretching, running form, and much more. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, physical therapist Denise Smith banishes running-related myths while serving up truths and advice runners can use, including:-when to stop for pain versus when to run through discomfort-why you should hop off your treadmill and head outside occasionally-when it’s really time to replace your running shoes-what a “shiner” is, and why you should get one-Michael Jackson dance moves all runners can learn from!In the intro chitchat, Tish tells a sweet turtle tale, and Sarah shares details of her upcoming sporty-gal/musical theatre getaway; the PT joins around 9:17.FeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

Fans of well-crafted fiction will enjoy this episode: Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist delve deeply into the latest from Daniel Mason, the author of the highly acclaimed 2023 novel North Woods. Ellison rhapsodizes about a debut, multi-generational novel set in coastal Louisiana, then she details another family saga that takes place at a Midwestern island resort. Next up is a buzzy thriller by the author of the popular novel Dietland. The duo wraps up with a lively discussion about a debut novel sparked by a real-life controversy. The books covered:Country People: Daniel MasonShould the Waters Take Us: Stephanie SoileauMake Nice: Ryan EffgenFurious Violet: Sarai WalkerThe Simp: Roshan SethiFeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

Anyone looking for a new running challenge needs to listen to this episode: The guests are running and strength coach Christy Scott, plus three real-world runners who talk about taking on a new-for-them distance: a half-marathon, a marathon, and a 100-mile (!) ultramarathon. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, the guests share:-the power of consistency—and staying present in the moment-how one runner proved her cancer doctors wrong-why one chose marathon training to control the chaos in her life-how they fared in their longer race (blisters and all!)-how one 67-year-old runner fit a shower + nap into her 100-milerBefore Coach Christy kicks things off around 13:54, Sarah shares a story about a sporty friend’s birthday party she just attended.FeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

This is the ideal episode for anyone struggling with an injury or going through a tough time in life. In a bit of a shift from her usual performance-centric books, Coach Liz Waterstraat tells host Sarah Bowen Shea about The Other Side of Change: Who We Become When Life Makes Other Plans by Maya Shankar. As part of the conversation, the host duo talks about the power of awe and its ability to get you out of your own head—a joyous phenomenon that can happen during a run, ride, or game. Coach Liz wisely suggestions ways to reframe a post-injury period. And she details a resonate garden metaphor from the book.FeistyFest Info: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-fest/Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/Women's Mechanic Camp in Tucson: https://livefeisty.com/events/bike-mechanic-school-tucson/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/Hettas: Use code STAYFEISTY for 20% off at https://hettas.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/ PLUS: Register to win a Free Pair of Sunglasses: https://feistymedia.activehosted.com/f/121

This is the ideal episode for runners and walkers to get solutions for all their skin-related issues and concerns—no topic is off-limits or TMI. The guest is Brooke Jackson, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, marathon runner, and author of Skincare for Runners. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Britany Williams, Dr. Jackson offers up:-solutions for post-run heat rash and hives-loads of sun-protection insight + (scared-straight!) wisdom-best practices for effective sunscreen application-deodorant and antiperspirant recommendations-save-the-toenail guidanceBefore the guest joins around 22:52, Molly Williams shares all the happy details about her middle daughter’s recent wedding (part of a family hike last Monday!). Note: The conversation with Dr. Jackson is part of an April 2022 episode, while the Molly-Sarah chitchat is brand new.