The She Runs Strong Podcast

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassCaffeine, cramping, wearables, and warm-ups - oh my! Nicky and Shona tackle your most pressing questions: does caffeine really trigger cramps, what those Garmin “anaerobic scores” mean (and when to ignore them), and how to warm up properly for different runs. With practical advice, myth-busting, and a few laughs, this episode is your toolkit for smarter, stronger running.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIn this episode, we unpack one of running’s most misunderstood topics—fatigue—and set the record straight on lactate with exercise physiologist and Coach Parry coach Ntutu Letseka.You’ll learn what actually drives that burning sensation, how the brain (the central governor) paces you, and the practical training/recovery moves that boost performance—especially for female runners 45+.What you’ll learn:- Lactic acid vs. lactate: why lactate is a fuel and not the villain- Energy systems 101: ATP, glycolysis, aerobic metabolism & where fatigue really comes from- The brain’s role: how the central governor protects you (and why you can still sprint at the end)- Lactate thresholds (LT1 & LT2): what they mean and how they predict performance- Training that works: build an aerobic base, then add smart threshold work (cruise intervals, controlled tempos)- Recovery that sticks: fueling, sleep, cool-downs & truly easy active recovery (what counts—and what doesn’t)

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassThis week, Shona Hendricks & Nikki Friedman chat with Beth Groh, a Coach Parry community member who started running in her late 50s, broke 2 hours for the half marathon at 62, snagged age-group wins, and is now eyeing the Athens Original Marathon. Beth’s story is a masterclass in mindset, smart training, and why strength work is non-negotiable for women 45+.You’ll hear how Beth:- Shifted identity from “I’m not an athlete” to “I am a runner.”- Came back from a femur stress fracture by slowing down, training smart, and building strength.- Cracked a sub 2 hour half marathon (and a 52-minute 10K) with balanced training.Learned key marathon lessons on pacing, hydration, gut management, and travel—and how she’s applying them for Athens.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassCreatine myths busted, figure skating as cross-training, footcore timing, Achilles-safe speed, and the weird marathon packing hacks you’ll actually use. Nicky & Shona answer your Qs with practical, no-fluff tips you can try this week.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassHot flashes, cold fronts, and real talk. Shona & Nicky bust HRT myths (hello, “second spring”), tackle time-trial plateaus, pick the right shoes for speed vs. long runs, and show you how to juggle a Saturday party with a Sunday long run... without breaking your training or your spirit.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassSo many women start running to lose weight... only to find themselves exhausted, hungrier than ever, and sometimes even gaining weight during marathon training. In this honest chat, we unpack why that happens, how hormones, stress, sleep, and fueling play a role, and what strategies actually help women feel lighter, stronger, and in love with running again.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-Masterclass From pea vs whey protein, to tackling GI issues, and why less intensity might actually make you a stronger runner—this Q&A episode of She Run Strong is packed with practical tips you can use in your training today.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassThis one’s a MUST-LISTEN for every female runner over 40. Hosts Nicky and Shona sit down with world-renowned endocrinologist Dr. Nicky Keay to unpack everything you need to know about hormones, performance, perimenopause, and thriving through midlife and beyond. RESOURCES FROM DR KEAY⬇️⬇️- Dr Keay's website: www.nickykeayfitness.com- Book a hormone coaching appointment: https://nickykeayfitness.com/appointments/ - Dr Keay's new book: https://nickykeayfitness.com/new-book/- Free web-based app validated with our research for those wondering about whether sufficient energy availability and at risk of REDs: https://mypeaq.streamlit.app/

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassAt 60, Ina Donat is chasing big goals: a 65K ultra and a sub-25-minute 5K. In this episode, she shares how she balances ultra training with speedwork, fuels her body with real food (not gels), and stays injury-free through strength and foot core. From sea kayaking to hill running in Edinburgh, Ina’s inspiring journey is packed with wisdom, perspective, and fierce determination.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassFeeling stuck in your running? In this Q&A episode, Coach Nicky & Shona answer your biggest questions, like whether running 6 days a week is helping or hurting, how to handle shin splints with a marathon on the horizon, and what to choose between creatine vs whey protein.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassShould you be lifting heavy as a female runner over 40? It’s a question filled with confusion, conflicting advice, and plenty of Instagram noise. In this episode, we unpack exactly what “lifting heavy” means, why resistance training is essential in your 40s and beyond, and how to start safely without wrecking your recovery or your running.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIn this episode of She Runs Strong, Shona and Nicky answer listener questions and dive into the world of running pseudoscience. From cold plunges and treadmill myths to weighted vests and essential gear for new female runners, they break down what works, what doesn't, and what Instagram might be misleading you about. If you're a woman over 45 looking to train smarter and skip the fluff - this one’s for you.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIn this candid episode of the She Runs Strong podcast, Coach Shona Hendricks becomes the case study herself, sharing personal body composition results that left her surprised—and frustrated. Despite consistent strength training and disciplined running in preparation for the Two Oceans Ultramarathon, Shona lost muscle mass instead of fat.📉 So what went wrong?Together with resident dietician Nicky de Villiers and co-host Nikki Friedman, they unpack the surprising real reason behind muscle loss in female endurance athletes: under-fueling. You’ll learn:✅ Why energy balance matters more than you think✅ The role of protein (and how much you really need)✅ How appetite can be misleading during heavy training✅ Easy ways to prep and plan high-protein meals/snacksIf you’re a female runner over 40, this conversation is a must-listen. It will help you avoid the same mistakes—and keep your training on track without sabotaging your body composition goals.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIn this episode, Shona and Nicky sit down with Rachel — an inspiring runner who went from managing her shops in rural Wales to running across entire countries with her crew of 50-something women. She opens up about what really changed her running in menopause, how CrossFit gave her strength and confidence, and why community, consistency, and cookies (well, trail mix) matter. From running in the Sahara to pacing easy in Pembrokeshire — Rachel proves that bold adventures don’t stop at 50.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassNicky and Shona dive into recovery after marathons and ultras—what happens to your body, why rest matters, and how to come back stronger. If you’ve ever rushed back too soon, this one’s for you.