The Fueling Forward Podcast

This episode is a Q&A episode where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners.Questions for today’s episode include:I’ve been struggling with a bone stress injury since June 2025 and have been mostly cross training. I’m struggling with body image and acknowledging that I still need to fuel. Do you have any advice?I know I should fuel with carbs before a run, but should I also be fueling before strength training sessions? If so, what would be a good example?I’m a high school runner trying to dial in my nutrition. I have an hour commute after practice, should I be fueling during this window? If so, what should I be having?I’m a collegiate athlete and have been struggling to fall asleep at night. Is there anything I can do from a nutrition standpoint to try to improve this?Thanks so much to everyone who has submitted questions so far! If you would like to submit a question for future episodes, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is an interview with runner and pelvic floor PT, Jessica Dorrington. Jess grew up in North Dakota, where she fell in love with running and went on to run at the collegiate level. Through her experience with injuries, she was inspired to pursue a career in physical therapy. She went on to get her Master's in Physical Therapy, and became a Board Certified Orthopedic Specialist and Certified Manual Physical Therapist. Throughout her time as a PT, she discovered that she was passionate about pelvic floor health and became Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner Certified, a certification that only 150 practitioners have nationwide. She is now the Director of Physical Therapy at Therapeutic Associates Bethany and Rock Creek, where she works with everyone from recreational to pro runners to help them manage injuries and a wide scope of pelvic health related issues.On top of her incredible career as a PT, Jess has also finished 10 marathons and has run a sub 3-hour marathon twice, most recently at Chicago in 2025. She's also a mom of 2, and her experience with pregnancy and postpartum and working with athletes going through this phase inspired her to co-write the book Strong as a Mother with former professional runner Shannon Rowbury.In today's episode, we talk about:How Jess got her start with running and what the running and nutrition scene was like in North DakotaWhat she learned navigating injuries and how this inspired her to become a physical therapistThe overlap between physical therapy and nutrition when it comes to preventing, managing, and treating injuries in runnersWhat pelvic floor PT is and why pelvic health is important for runners of all ages, genders and levelsHow Jess balances fueling with a busy life schedule, and her tips for runners to help them stay on top of their needsHer book, Strong as a Mother, and why she hopes it will help empower women to find the balance between staying active and listening to their body throughout pregnancy and postpartumYou can learn more about Jess and her services as a PT HERE and you can find Jess's book Strong as a Mother HERE.

This episode is a Q&A episode where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners.Questions for today’s episode include:My husband and I are both former collegiate athletes and have noticed our bodies shifting as we enter our 30's. Is this normal, and if so can you explain the science behind why this might be happening?I recently learned that calcium can block iron as well as other things. How do you recommend splitting it up at meals and with other supplements?My daughter has to take thyroid medication in the morning and can't eat for 30 minutes before she runs. I don't want her to train fasted and she doesn't want to wake up earlier to take it. Is there anything we can do?I lift a lot and have gotten bulkier in the off season, and I'm worried this will prevent me from running a PR during track. Do you have any advice on race weight?Thanks so much to everyone who has submitted questions so far! If you would like to submit a question for future episodes, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpodcast@gmail.com.If you're interested in our free Zoom webinar that will take place on Wednesday 3/18/26, you can register for that HERE.

This episode is an interview with runner and coach, Amy Haas. Amy is from Columbus, Ohio and is better known on Instagram as Race Across the States because she has completed a half marathon in every single state. In addition to that accomplishment, she is also a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a running and strength coach. Amy is expecting her first baby due in a few weeks, and has been able to train and even race throughout her pregnancy.In today's episode, we talk about:How Amy discovered her love for running, and how that love for running eventually turned into a way to control how her body lookedAmy's worsening struggles with her relationship with food and body image, and the rock bottom that ultimately served as her wake up call to make some changesHow increasing her fueling and not focusing on weight allowed her to go from a 1:58 to a 1:19 half marathoner, and why weight isn't everything when it comes to performanceAmy's journey to becoming pregnant, navigating a miscarriage, and experiencing pregnancy after lossWhat it has been like for her to continue to train and race throughout pregnancy, and why it has been an important part of her pregnancy journeyIf you'd like to keep up with Amy, you can find her on Instagram @raceacrossthestates and you can also learn more about her coaching business HERE.***Trigger warning: this episode discusses pregnancy and pregnancy loss, so you may want to skip it if you're not in a place to hear about those topics.***

This episode is a Q&A episode where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners. Today's episode starts off with a fun personal announcement 👀.Questions for today’s episode include:Can you talk about how to fuel when you’re sick, and also maybe how to decide if you should train or rest when sick?You mentioned in a previous episode that high hamstring and plantar fasciitis injuries are often related to under fueling. Can you talk more about why that is?I really struggle with hydration in the winter. Do you have any tips or suggestions?I’m a high school athlete involved in 2 sports, and I’m noticing it’s hard to tel when I’m full or not. I often feel unsatisfied after meals, but if I eat more I feel bloated. Do you have any tips on how to navigate this?Thanks so much to everyone who has submitted questions so far! If you would like to submit a question for future episodes, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is an interview with American middle distance running great, Shannon Rowbury. Shannon grew up in San Francisco, where she switched from Irish Dance to running. She found herself on a full ride scholarship to Duke, and was offered a professional contract with Nike out of college. During her professional career, Shannon was an 8 time member of Team USA, including a 3 time Olympian. She was the American record holder in the 1500, running a time of 3:56, and has won 3 bronze medals: one at the 2009 World Championships, one at the 2016 Indoor World Championships, and as of recently was upgraded to a bronze from the 2012 Olympic Games due to 3 athletes getting caught doping. She will receive her bronze medal at the 2028 LA Olympics. She is also an Emmy winning sports broadcaster, co-author of the books Medalist Mindset and Strong as a Mother, and co-founder of the non-profit Imagining More.In this episode, we talk about:How growing up with dance allowed her to develop skills that eventually translated to running, and why it's important to her for her kids not to specialize too early in sportsWhat her relationship with food was like growing up, and how that foundation was tested when she moved across the country to attend college at DukeHow she navigated her first major injury while trying to sign a pro contract and pursue a pro running career out of collegeWhat it was like training in a toxic environment as a pro, and how she realized she could have done things in a healthier wayHer experience training throughout pregnancy and postpartum, and why staying on top of fueling is key to avoiding injuryWhat her new book, Strong as a Mother, is about and why it was so important to her to create this resourceHer non-profit, Imagining More, and how she hopes to inspire young girls to get active in sportsIf you're interested in learning more about Shannon's Projects, you can find them here:Strong as a MotherImagining More

This episode is a Q&A episode where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners.Questions for today’s episode include:I'm in a busy phase of life and am eating more convenience foods. Is there a difference between eating convenience vs. whole foods, and are there convenience foods that are better than others?I took some time off of running and noticed that I was feeling super hungry. Can you explain what might be going on in my body and do you have any advice for what I should do during the rest of my break?I'm 1 year postpartum and have been struggling with how much my body has changed. As a runner, I know how important fueling is, but it's also hard not feeling like myself. Is there a way for me to safely lose weight, or is that not something I should focus on?I’ve been really focusing on incorporating more post-run fuel, but I'm still feeling like I'm chronically sore and not recovering well. Do you have any recommendations for anything else I should be focusing on?Thanks so much to everyone who has submitted questions so far! If you would like to submit a question for future episodes, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is an interview with UK based runner, Pippa Woolven. Pippa grew up in the UK and found her way into the sport of running. She was offered a scholarship to compete at the D1 level with Florida State University, where she found herself struggling with food and body image. After a decline in her health and performance left her unable to train or compete and with no diagnosis from doctors, Pippa did her own research and discovered she was likely suffering from RED-S. She went on to recover through the help of medical professionals, and went on to have a successful running career at the elite level. Her experience inspired her to found Project RED-S, a resource for athletes, coaches, and parents to help educate people around what RED-S is and how to prevent it and recover from it.In today's episode, we talk about:How sports in the UK are different from sports in the US, and how Pippa's transition to the US was a big culture shockWhat it was like for her suddenly being surrounded by athletics, and how comparison to her teammates led her to make slow, subtle changes to her fueling that resulted in weight loss and RED-SWhat her decline into RED-S looked like, and what it felt like when she finally was able to receive a diagnosis Why she decided to start Project RED-S, what it is, and what resources they can offer to athletes, coaches, and anyone who works with or supports athletesWhat her experience with RED-S taught her and why it's so important to her to spread the word about RED-SYou can head to red-s.com to learn more about Project RED-S and checkout their resources like the toolkit and the FAQ section

This episode is a Q&A episode where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners. This is the first episode of 2026 and start of season 2 of the podcast!Questions for today’s episode include:Can you talk more about collagen and when someone might benefit from using it?I lost weight last track season and ran a PR. I then lost my period and am now underweight, which I know isn’t sustainable, but I can’t help but associate my performance with weight loss. Do you have any advice on how to change my mindset to be a healthier runner?What would you look for in a multivitamin for a runner in their 30’s?I’m a new parent struggling to find the time and energy to deed myself. As an athlete I know how important it is, do you have any advice?If you would like to submit a question for future episodes you can do so on my website HERE or you can email me at fuelingforwardpocast@gmail.com

This episode is a Q&A episode where I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners. This is also the season finale for the 2025 season of The Fueling Forward Podcast! Thank you so much to everyone who has been listening and submitting questions, I can't wait to come back in January of 2026 with more episodes for you. At the end of this episode, I give some bonus tips on navigating the holidays.Today's questions include:I have been dealing with muscle soreness after doing PT, are there any foods that could help me like anti-inflammatory or high protein foods?I have a hard time knowing when I'm full. I think I serve myself enough food then feel hungry 2 hours later, but I'm not sure if I actually am. How do I know when I've eaten enough, and how should I portion my meals?Do you have any tips for someone who feels like they look different or bigger than teammates and feels like that's why they are slower?I'm a high school xc and track runner and I'm gearing up for my indoor track season. Do you have any tips on fueling for evening races, as most of my races are between 5:30-9pm?Links mentioned in the podcast:Apply for 1:1 coachingSign up for the waitlist for the high school boot camp seriesSign up for the waitlist for the spring marathon group nutrition coaching program

This episode is an interview with professional runner for ASICS and 2:22 marathoner, Emma Bates. Emma grew up in Minnesota where she discovered a love for distance running that led her to receiving a full ride scholarship to run at Boise State University. While at Boise, Emma was a 12x All-American and a NCAA champion in the 10k. After college, she went on to run professionally for B.A.A., but decided that environment wasn't a good fit for her. She moved off the grid into the wilderness of Idaho, working full time and training alone while living in the mountains without running water. She ultimately decided she missed the team atmosphere and moved to Boulder, CO to join Team Boss and pursue a career on the roads. Emma was the runner up finisher at the 2021 Chicago Marathon, has been a 5x top 10 finisher at a World Major Marathon, and has been a 3x Team USA member including a 7th place finish at the 2022 World Championships in the marathon.We talk about:How growing up in a small town in the midwest allowed her to find running, and how being involved in the sport inspired her whole family to create healthier habitsWhat it was like transitioning to college and navigating the dining hall, while also being diagnosed with celiac disease and having to eliminate glutenHow internal and external pressure got to her as a senior, leading to a disappointing NCAA finish, and what she learned from that experienceHer transition to running professionally in an environment that encouraged some not so great eating habits, and why she ultimately decided she needed a changeWhat is was like moving to a house in the mountains without running water, and how that experience helped her reconnect with herself and with runningWhy she ended up moving to Boulder to join Team Boss and focusing on the roads, and what inspires her to compete

This episode is a Q&A where I answer questions that have been submitted to me by listeners. Today's questions include:I had a running coach tell me I shouldn't combine gels and electrolyte drinks with carbs or it will cause GI distress. Is this true, or is there a way to use both without having GI issues?I'm 5 months postpartum and have been dealing with night sweats. They may not just be postpartum related, as I've noticed they also occur during the second half of my cycle. Is there anything I can do nutrition wise to help with night sweats?I'm a high school swimmer training 7x per week and lifting 2-3 times per week. I'm trying to follow the performance place models but I'm not sure what qualifies as a hard or moderate training day. How should I be using the performance plate models to fuel the training I'm doing?I'm a D1 collegiate runner and I think I've been struggling with low iron, but I can't swallow pills. Do you have any advice on how I can support my iron or alternatives to iron pills?If you would like to submit a question for a future Q&A episode, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpodcast@gmail.com.

This episode is an interview with Bobby Stuckey, a Boulder based award winning Master Sommelier, restaurateur, winemaker, and cookbook author. Bobby grew up in Arizona and is a graduate of NAU. He worked his way up from being a busboy to working with Thomas Keller at The French Laundry, where he met his business partner Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson. Together in 2004, they opened Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, CO, and went on to found the Frasca Hospitality Group that now includes 5 sister restaurants. In 2004, Bobby received his Master Sommelier diploma, making him just one of 279 people in the world to have this title. In 2020, Bobby became a founding member of the Independent Restaurant Coalition, which saved thousands of restaurants during the pandemic. Bobby is the recipient of 3 James Beard Awards, including the 2013 award for Outstanding Wine Service, the 2019 award for Outstanding Service (changed to Outstanding Hospitality in 2020 per Bobby's recommendation) and the 2025 award for Outstanding Restaurant. Bobby currently lives in Boulder, is a 2:45 marathoner, and tries to run a marathon every year with his brother.In this episode, we talk about:How Bobby found running as a kid who was struggling in school academically with undiagnosed dyslexiaHow his first job in the restaurant industry as a busboy led to him finding his passion in hospitality and set him on his path to work at award winning restaurants like French LaundryThe overlap between the skills it takes to be a runner and the skills it takes to work in the hospitality industry, and why it's important to Bobby to protect his timeWhat it means to be a Master Sommelier and how you become oneWhat goes into opening a restaurant and planning a menu, and what inspires the food and wine Bobby's restaurants Why Bobby's relationship with food is about so much more than fueling, but about honoring culture and traditionHow his background in cooking has helped him prioritize fueling to support his own trainingIf you would like to learn more about the Frasca Hospitality Group offerings, you can do so on their website HERE.

I did it!! I officially am a marathoner. I finished the NYC marathon in 3:07:48, and although this was slower than my A goal time of sub 3, I wouldn't change a thing about the race or weekend.In this episode, I talk about:The travel to NYC and the busy weekend we had with friends and familyWhat it was like navigating logistics leading up to the marathonHow I executed my carb load starting 2 days out from the raceWhat my fueling looked like the day and night beforeHow I fueled the morning of the race, and what it was like getting out to Staten Island for the startBreakdown of the race itself, including the point at which we realized a sub 3 hour marathon wasn't happening, and how I pivoted in the moment to have funI experienced no cramping or stomach issues, so I share how I fueled and hydrated throughout the raceWhat my favorites parts of the race were and how I got through the dark moments in the raceThank you so much for following along on this journey! I had so much fun training for and racing the New York City Marathon, and loved getting to document all parts of my training and race day. Special thanks to anyone who donated to my fundraiser for TrackGirlz! I was able to exceed my goal of raising $4500 for them by race day.

This episode is an interview with professional runner for Brooks and 2:22:43 marathoner, Jess McClain. Jess grew up in Arizona, where she was a 4x Footlocker qualifier and 14x state champion while in HS. She went on to run for Stanford and became a 7x All-American. Jess signed a professional contract with Brooks out of college and went to train with Brooks Beasts in Washington, but really struggled with the transition and to stay healthy. She ultimately ended up moving back home with her parents and stepping away from running professionally, and transitioned to working full time in marketing. After deciding to train for a marathon for her 30th birthday, Jess ended up running an OTQ and placed 4th at the 2024 Olympic Trials in the marathon. She signed a new professional contract with Brooks, and since then has finished as the top American and 7th overall at the 2025 Boston Marathon and represented Team USA at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo where she placed 8th in the world in the marathon. Jess also works full time for the nonprofit LoveUp foundation, focusing on foster youth advocacy, and as the executive director and marketing consultant of her own LLC.In this episode, we talk about:What is was like finding immediate success in high school and how she learned to navigate race day nervesHer transition to collegiate running and why it's important to give you and your body time to adjust to college without putting pressure on yourself to achieve big things right awayHow she struggled in her transition to professional running and why hitting the eject button was the best thing she did for herself and her running careerThe importance of advocating for yourself and surrounding yourself who have a good relationship with food, body image, health, and the sport in generalWhat it was like to OTQ without expecting to, and how that experience inspired her to keep the joy in runningWhat she has learned about fueling for the demands of marathon training, and how fuelingThe process of having her eggs frozen, and why she made that decision this yearYou can follow along with Jess on Instagram @jesstonn.

Today's episode is a Q&A where I answer questions submitted by listeners. It's also my last Q&A episode before I run the New York City Marathon, so I talk a little about my training block and race day goals.Questions answered in today's episode include:Do you have any good snack ideas for night time? I usually like to have something sweet before bed.Recently I started waking up really hungry and was wondering if this is normal or a sign of under fueling? I only have noticed this recently after being more intentional with fueling.What are your thoughts on caffeine pills or beetroot juice before races?I recently ran a 10 mile race, but when I tried increasing my carbs the week before my race I experienced tons of GI distress that disrupted my race. What did I do wrong and what can I do differently next time?Links mentioned in the episode:New York City Marathon pre-race shakeout on Saturday November 1: register HEREDonate to my fundraising campaign for Trackgirlz HERE. For every $50 you donate, you get 1 entry to win a race day support pacakge (a free pair of Hettas shoes, a t-shirt, a race day strategy Zoom call with me, and more from brands who believe in women's sports)If you would like to submit a question for a future Q&A episode, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpocast@gmail.com.

This episode is an interview with Elise Cranny, Colorado native and professional runner for Nike. Elise found immediate success in the sport as a high school runner, and went on to run for Stanford. While at Stanford, Elise struggled with RED-S and several bone injuries that disrupted much of her collegiate career, but despite these struggles she was still a 12x All-American and NCAA runner up, and signed a contract with Nike right out of college. Elise credits her post-collegiate career to learning how to properly fuel herself, and since going pro in 2018 Elise has won 4 US titles, represented Team USA 5 times, and is a 2 time Olympian.In this episode, we talk about:What is was like finding immediate success in the sport in high school, and some things she wished she had known were signs of under fuelingHow allowing her body to shift in college saved her running career, and how she navigated the adjustment to that body shiftWhy it’s important to trust the process when you’re going through an injury cycle despite making changes to your fueling, and how to stay the courseWhat is was like coming close to wanting to quit the sport, then signing a professional contract and finding her way back to being healthy and loving the sportWhat it meant to her to make her first Olympic team after coming out the other side of an injury cycle and RED-S, and how it helped reinforce that she made the right choices with fuelingWhy it’s important to her to create a training environment that allows her to be happy outside of runningSigns and symptoms of RED-S, what to be on the lookout for interns of what is normal and what is a red flag, and how she adjusts accordingly if she notices warning signsYou can keep up with Elise on Instagram @elise.cranny and you find her on the Voice in Sport platform as a mentor.

This episode is a Q&A where I answer questions submitted to me beforehand by listeners. Today's questions include:I'm a busy college runner who relies heavily on pre-packaged foods and bars, often grabbing them for snacks or before or after runs. Do you have any recommendations for conveniences foods that won't hurt my stomach?Should I consume 60g of carbs per hour on all long runs, even the "shorter" long runs that are 10-15 miles?What is a good strategy for taking in fluids during the marathon? Should I use on course options or carry my own?My cholesterol recently came back as borderline high but I'm super active and don't have a family history. Should I be concerned, and are there dietary changes I should be making?Links mentioned in the episode:New York City Marathon pre-race shakeout on Saturday November 1: register HEREDonate to my fundraising campaign for Trackgirlz HERE. For every $50 you donate, you get 1 entry to win a race day support pacakge (a free pair of Hettas shoes, a t-shirt, a race day strategy Zoom call with me, and more from brands who believe in women's sports)If you would like to submit a question for a future Q&A episode, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpocast@gmail.com.

Today's episode is an interview with professional runner for New Balance, Dani Jones. Dani and I were teammates at The University of Colorado Boulder, and became teammates after college while on Team Boss. Dani was a standout collegiate runner, earning 12x All-American honors and becoming a 4x NCAA Champion. After her 5th year track season was cut short due to covid, she signed with New Balance and went pro, focusing on the 1500. Dani has competed in 8 USATF championships and most recently was selected to represent Team USA at the NACAC Championships, where she earned a silver medal in the 1500.In today's episode, we talk about:How Dani found her love for running after playing every sport under the sun, and why her high school's xc/track team was so special to be a part ofHer transition to collegiate athletics and navigating the challenging of wanting to compare herself to other athletesWhat it was like working with a dietitian in college, and how that helped Dani feel more confident in her fueling choicesHow Dani discovered she has a genetic condition called hemochromatosis that causes iron overload, and what she does to manage itWhy working with a dietitian has been so key to her performance and confidence around fuelingWhy it's important to Dani to be happy outside of running, and how giving back to the sport inspires herIf you are interested in Dani's camp, you can learn more and register HERE.

In this Q&A episode, I answer questions that have been submitted by listeners.Today's questions include:Why do runners get side cramps and how can you avoid them?What advice do you have for high school coaches for helping athletes continue to run and train if they have a history or past of disordered eating? How do you balance training along with long term health?How can I handle triggering comments from relatives and friends who don't run?I notice that whenever I get my period, my running takes a nosedive and I struggle with hard workouts because my legs feel really heavy. Is there anything I can do?If you want to join me in NYC on Saturday November 1st for a pre-race shakeout before the NYC Marathon, you can learn more about it HERE.If you're interested in making a donation to enter to win the Race Day Package giveaway, you can make a donation HERE.Thanks so much to everyone who has submitted questions so far! If you would like to submit a question for a future Q&A episode, you can do so on my website HERE or email me at fuelingforwardpodcast@gmail.com.