Skinny culture is making a comeback… and honestly, it’s got me concerned. It’s not only back — it feels like it’s EVERYWHERE. And it’s not serving runners — especially women in their 40s and beyond.

In this episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast, Kevin and I have a real, honest conversation about why chasing “skinny” is holding so many runners back — from stronger runs, better recovery, and long-term health.

We dive into three powerful mindset shifts that can change how you train, fuel, and feel in your body:

• Strong over skinny — because muscle is your superpower for performance, injury prevention, and aging well
• Building over losing — shifting the focus from shrinking your body to building strength, confidence, and resilience
• Fueling over restricting — learning how proper nutrition (and even eating more!) actually supports fat loss, hormone health, and better running

If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to be lighter and wanting to be stronger… or if old diet rules are creeping back into your running life, this episode is for you.

We talk about what actually supports sustainable running, why muscle matters more than the number on the scale, and how to move into 2026 focused on health, energy, and longevity — not deprivation.

This is your reminder:
👉 You don’t need to be smaller to be a better runner.
👉 You need to be strong, fueled, and supported.

Press play and let’s redefine what healthy running really looks like — together. 💪✨

01:06 New Year Reflections and Upcoming Race

01:32 Kevin's Race Preparations

05:22 Angie's New Year and New Planner

10:59 The Skinny Culture Discussion

25:40 Owning Your Space and Voice

26:11 Building a Resilient Body

27:11 The Dangers of Rapid Weight Loss

30:17 The Importance of Muscle for Longevity

34:02 Strong Over Skinny

40:08 Fueling Over Restricting

48:49 Summing It All Up

53:14 Join the Movement

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

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Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

As a new year begins, it’s natural to feel the pull to set big goals for what’s ahead. In this episode, we’re diving into why so many New Year’s resolutions don’t last—and more importantly, how to set goals for 2026 that actually stick.

We talk about the difference between outcome goals (like hitting a race time or distance) and process goals—the daily and weekly actions that truly move the needle. Because results don’t come from willpower alone… they come from consistency, and consistency comes from goals that fit your real life.

From there, we explore something we see all the time with runners: setting goals that don’t align with who you are right now. When your goals clash with your identity, your nervous system, or your season of life, they often create pressure, burnout, or that familiar “I just can’t stick with this” feeling. We share why identity-based goals matter—and how shifting the way you see yourself as a runner can completely change the way you show up.

We also talk honestly about extreme goals and all-or-nothing thinking—why going “all in” sounds motivating but often backfires. Instead, we encourage building goals that allow for flexibility, grace, and trust—especially when life inevitably throws curveballs.

Throughout the episode, we share real-life examples from our own journeys, stories from runners we coach, and a few lighthearted moments (because yes, goal-setting doesn’t have to be so serious). We also touch on the often-overlooked role of the nervous system—how feeling safe, supported, and regulated is a key part of creating sustainable habits.

If you’re heading into 2026 wanting to feel more grounded, consistent, and confident in your running (and your life), this episode will help you shift away from pressure-driven resolutions and toward small, meaningful steps that actually last.

Because big goals aren’t built in January…

They’re built in the everyday choices you make, over and over again.

If you want support as you chase big goals this year, check out the Real Life Runners Team — we’re here to guide you and support you to get there!

🎧 Tune in and let’s set goals that work with you—not against you.

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

On this special Christmas Day episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast (Episode 441), we slow things down and explore a different side of running — one that goes far beyond pace, mileage, or goals.

Today’s conversation invites you to see running as a spiritual practice — a space for reflection, waiting, preparation, and renewal. Drawing inspiration from spiritual traditions like Advent, we talk about what it means to trust the process, honor seasons of growth (and rest), and show up with intention, not just in running, but in life.

We share personal reflections on how discipline can become a form of devotion, how movement can reconnect us to our bodies, and why some of the most meaningful progress happens when we stop forcing and start listening. Whether you view spirituality through a faith-based lens or simply as a deeper connection to yourself, this episode offers a gentle reminder: your body is wise, your journey matters, and you don’t have to rush to become who you’re meant to be.

As you move through the holiday season — and into whatever comes next — we hope this conversation encourages you to run with presence, trust where you are, and step forward with courage and compassion for yourself.

00:16 Spirituality and Running

01:49 Running as a Higher Practice

06:00 Advent and Running

08:51 Trusting the Process

17:33 Discipline as Devotion

27:22 Body as a Gift

29:43 Unlocking Your Body's Potential

30:21 Shifting Perspectives on Fitness

31:48 The Infinite Game of Health and Fitness

34:04 Embracing Numerology and Spirituality

35:48 The Symbolism of Years and Traditions

39:31 Reflecting on Life's Transitions

46:15 Running as a Devotional Practice

47:03 Meditation and Presence in Running

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.