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© 2025 Strides for Strength
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Michaela and Erin are RRCA certified run coaches and Registered Nurses by degree! The Strides for Strength podcast is where running meets everyday life. We focus on mindset, physical strength and all of life’s in between moments of self doubt and fear both on and off the run. Our mission is to make running SIMPLE and FUN while we pull back the curtains around all things running tips, tricks, motivation and lifestyle with athlete interviews, guest experts combined with our many years of running experience going from non runners to now multiple time marathoners to help you become the athlete you were always meant to be.
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The Strides for Strength coaching crew is back together on the mic! In this roundtable catch-up, we get real about marathon training highs and lows, pivoting race plans, pregnancy running struggles, and how to keep running fun when life feels full. Tune in for hot takes on the pro running world, updates on our own training (or lack thereof), and the reminder every runner needs: races will always be there, but your joy matters most. What You’ll Hear: Why pivoting your race plan can be a smart,...
In this bonus episode, Michaela and Erin share their very different experiences with this year’s Boston Marathon registration results. One got in, one missed it by just five seconds. Together, they unpack the emotions, lessons, and logistics behind chasing big goals and how to hold space for both joy and heartbreak in the same moment. What You’ll Hear: The highs and lows of Boston Marathon registration day: acceptance vs. rejectionHow Erin navigated qualifying while pregnant and the decision ...
From cross-country moves and inconsistent summer training to hitting a pull-up PR, we’re catching you up on life, running, and what registering for Boston really feels like (spoiler: it’s not always seamless). We also dive into fears about setbacks, how to reframe “starting over,” and why AI training plans may not always have your best interest in mind. What You’ll Hear: Why one of us is celebrating 3x6 pull-ups in the off-seasonThe reality of moving across the country mid-training cycl...
The finish line isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of what comes next. In this final episode of our Race Series, Michaela and Erin dive deep into the emotional highs and lows after race day, how to process the “post-race blues,” and why reflection is the secret weapon for becoming a stronger lifelong athlete. Whether your race went perfectly or totally fell apart, this episode will help you reset, recover, and refocus without rushing into the next big thing. What You’ll Hear: Why a post-ra...
In this episode of the Race Series, Michaela and Erin swap stories from their first marathons and share the unexpected challenges that pop up on race day—from weather that won’t cooperate to porta-potty disasters. You’ll learn how to prepare for conditions you can’t control, adjust your race plan on the fly, and handle start line stress like a pro. Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your 10th marathon, these lessons will help you show up ready for anything. 💡 What You’ll Hear: The m...
Tapering before a big race can feel more mentally exhausting than the peak weeks of training. In this Fall Race Series episode, Michaela and Erin break down why taper is so tough, how to navigate the spirals, and why the weird aches and anxieties are totally normal. Whether you're deep in the taper blues or just curious what’s coming, this is the pep talk you didn’t know you need to not just survive taper but maybe even feel a little better about what is happening physically & mentally le...
Race day nerves, mid-run meltdowns, and the fear of not finishing—we’ve all faced those moments when things don’t go according to plan. In this episode, Michaela and Erin dive into the mental side of racing: what to do when your goals feel out of reach, how to reframe negative thoughts mid-race, and why training your mindset is just as important as training your body. Whether you’re chasing a PR or simply trying to finish strong, this is about when the doubt or discomfort creeps in bcz let's ...
In this episode, Michaela shares her experience stepping off the roads and onto the trails for her very first trail half marathon. Alongside Erin, the two unpack the differences between road and trail racing, the ego shift required, and why chasing pace isn’t the goal when dirt, rocks, and mountains are involved. If you’ve ever thought about trying trail running—or wondered what it really feels like—this one’s for you. What You’ll Hear: The decision-making process behind skipping another mara...
In this episode of the motherhood series, Coach Jess brings the real talk. As a run coach, fitness coach, and mom of three (ages 5, 7, and almost 11), Jess shares what motherhood looks like in this current season of life—far past the toddler stage, but still deep in the chaos of sports, schedules, and trying to find balance in self-care. From early morning workouts to treadmill runs while her kids are home for summer, she offers wisdom on time management, mom guilt, and why putting yourself f...
In this episode of the motherhood series, we sit down with Brittany—run coach, strength coach, nurse, and soon-to-be mom—to talk all things pregnancy, performance, and mindset shifts. From running a half marathon in the first trimester to navigating gym workouts with pelvic floor awareness, Brittany opens up about the physical and emotional rollercoaster of being a pregnant athlete. Whether you’re a runner, a mom, or someone figuring out how to give themselves grace- this episode is for you! ...
In this episode, we chat with Coach Ruth Atkinson—former choir teacher turned full-time run coach and new mama. Ruth opens up about her transition from the classroom to coaching, what it was like running a marathon at 26 weeks pregnant (!!), and her very real, very raw return to running postpartum. We talk about identity shifts, social media comparison traps, setting expectations, and why every mom's journey (and comeback pace) is valid. In this episode, we cover: Ruth’s career pivot from c...
In this vulnerable and honest conversation, Coach Erin shares her unfiltered journey through pregnancy as an athlete who never saw motherhood in her future. From early surprises and shifting identities to navigating training and redefining success, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in a season of transition, especially athletes learning to embrace the unknown. 💡 What You’ll Hear: The honest story behind Coach Erin’s unexpected pregnancyLetting go of control and trusting your body in ne...
The full Strides for Strength coaching crew is back on the mic! In this catch-up episode, we cover everything from summer running and racing wins to Coach Erins pregnancy news, heat training tips, strength training blocks, and what it means to pivot with grace (and a lot of laughter). This one’s for you, the runner navigating life’s seasons, craving connection, and learning how to adjust without giving up! What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Jess’s half marathon PR & return to racingThe men...
In this fun and honest episode, we coaches recap this year’s Peachtree Road Race—including Coach Erin running while pregnant, racing in Atlanta heat, and Jonathan’s legendary beer-per-mile strategy. We dive deep into shifting expectations, what it means to race “for fun,” and how our mindsets have changed over time with a decade of running. What you will hear: What it’s really like to run the world’s largest 10K while pregnantWhy Peachtree is a party… and also hot, humid chaosHow Jonathan d...
You’ve got a goal pace… but how do you actually get there? In this episode, Mich and Erin break down the real process behind learning new paces, mentally and physically. From reframing what “hard” should feel like to running smarter workouts (not just faster ones), this convo is equal parts pep talk and game plan for runners who want to stop winging it and start executing. What You’ll Learn: Why you don’t need to hit a pace perfectly to be making progressThe mental hurdles (and ego checks) th...
If the summer heat has you bonking on every run, you’re not alone—and this episode is your hydration lifeline. We’re joined by fan favorite Chelsea Schmidt, nurse practitioner and sports nutrition coach, to break down hydration, sodium, and why so many runners are under-fueled and overcomplicating it. Whether you’re marathon training or hobby jogging in humid weather, this is your crash course in staying strong (and upright) all summer long. What You’ll Learn: Why most runners are under-consu...
In this episode, Michaela sits down with her bestie and now athlete, Courtney, to unpack a wild ride to Grandma’s Marathon 2025 where Courtney went from a 7 day a week treadmill warrior to sub-4 hour marathon finisher (in 90% humidity, no less). They get real about what it’s like being coached by your best friend, breaking past mental barriers, and fueling for performance after years of associating running with weight loss. This one is loaded with lessons for every runner who's ever doubted t...
Coach Michaela is on the mic this week with an honest breakdown of her 2025 Grandma’s Marathon experience—from battling race week spirals to running one of her smartest marathons yet in brutal humidity. Tune in to hear what it took to shave time off her PR (again), how she stayed in control when race conditions got spicy, and the performance-boosting shifts she made in training, strength, and mindset this season. What You’ll Hear: Why a shorter training cycle actually worked betterHow s...
In this episode, Michaela and Erin dive into the deep parallels between running and life—from resilience to patience to comparison traps. Through personal stories and coaching insight, they explore how lessons from the run carry over into every area of life, especially when it comes to growth, self-belief, and making hard decisions. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or lacing up for your first mile, this one will remind you why running is so much more than just putting one foot in front of...
In this episode, Michaela and Erin unpack the three biggest roadblocks they see runners facing across all levels: running too fast on easy days, not fueling properly, and skipping strength training. Sharing personal stories, athlete lessons, and coaching wisdom, they break down why these habits stall your progress—and how to pivot. Whether you’re chasing a PR or just trying to feel better on your runs, this episode will help you train smarter, not harder. This episode covers: Why running fast...
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