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Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Hurdle with Emily Abbate

By: iHeartPodcasts
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Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live happier, healthier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

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Episodes
  • 385. Stronger Than You Think: On Resilience & Redefining What's Possible With 2X Paralympic Medalist & Shark Attack Survivor Ali Truwit

    385. Stronger Than You Think: On Resilience & Redefining What's Possible With 2X Paralympic Medalist & Shark Attack Survivor Ali Truwit
    Dec 23 2025

    Ali Truwit didn't know if she would survive. Shortly after graduating from Yale, where she was a competitive swimmer, she was on vacation when she was attacked by a shark. Thanks to her incredible strength and the quick actions of her friends—one of whom applied a life-saving tourniquet—Ali survived, though she lost her lower leg in the attack. And now? She's a two-time Paralympic silver medalist and amputee who has turned a senseless tragedy into a powerful mission of hope.

    Ali shares her remarkable journey of recovery, from the early days of facing a debilitating fear of water to becoming an American record holder and medaling at the Paris Paralympics. We discuss everything from the power of community and support systems to the "stronger than you think" philosophy that led to the creation of her nonprofit and documentary.

    IN THIS EPISODE

    • The emotional experience of running the NYC Marathon with her support system
    • The details of the shark attack and the heroic actions of her friend, Sophie
    • Learning to find hope and joy after trauma
    • The "permission to feel and intention to reset" strategy
    • Redefining what's possible in a "new body"
    • The mission behind her nonprofit, Stronger Than You Think
    • Representing the Paralympic movement in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and in her work as a Nike athlete

    QUOTABLE MOMENTS

    On Mindset and Resilience

    • "The message that we're stronger than we think is for everyone. We all go through hard times and trauma and hardship and I think that message that you have more in you is something that I hope everyone sees."
    • "If you ask 'why me?' ... make sure you're asking it in both directions."
    • "Our fears and our feelings are not facts."

    On the Power of Community

    • "Community really is so important. I think about my journey as a testament to the power of community and support."
    • "There really is no wrong form of support. Whatever you have to give, whenever you have to give it, matters and moves the person forward."

    On Growth and New Beginnings

    • "I'm swimming faster than I ever swam in certain events with two legs. It's a message to myself of what is still possible for me in this new body."
    • "I can take this bad, senseless trauma that happened to me and use it for good."
    • "It's just as likely that things can go better than you expect than it is that they might not go well at all."

    SOCIAL

    @alitruwit
    @strongerthanyouthink
    @emilyabbate
    @iheartwomenssports

    JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.

    Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    51 mins
  • 5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Do This Essential Self-Audit Before 2026

    5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Do This Essential Self-Audit Before 2026
    Dec 19 2025

    Taking some time to relax and reflect before the new year this weekend, and sharing a helpful exercise I do twice a year. Plus: Answering a listener question on how to maintain routines during a hectic holiday season.

    SOCIAL
    @emilyabbate
    @hurdlepodcast
    @iheartwomenssports

    JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
    ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    8 mins
  • 384. Beyond Calories: Ditching Diet Culture to Heal Your Gut and Fuel Your Life With Best-Selling Author Elyse Kopecky

    384. Beyond Calories: Ditching Diet Culture to Heal Your Gut and Fuel Your Life With Best-Selling Author Elyse Kopecky
    Dec 16 2025
    This week on Hurdle, Emily is joined by Elyse Kopecky—three-time New York Times best-selling author, educator, and co-author of the Run Fast, Eat Slow cookbook series with Olympian Shalane Flanagan—for a conversation that dives deep into the power of real food and the journey of turning personal struggle into a successful, mission-driven career. Elyse opens up about her intense personal history with a low-fat diet mentality as a young athlete, which led to severe health complications like athletic amenorrhea, low bone density, and stress fractures. She shares the pivotal moment in her 30s—while living abroad—when she realized that simply introducing healthy fats like butter and high-quality dairy allowed her body to heal and regulate naturally. We discuss the key to her philosophy: Indulgent Nourishment, which promotes celebrating whole, delicious food as the true opposite of deprivation. Elyse shares why focusing on real food, rather than counting macros or calories, is the best path to a healthier life. We also dive into the non-negotiable role healthy fats play in hormonal and brain health, how to spot misleading packaging on food labels, and the truth about high-protein fads and refined white flour. She also talks about the full-circle journey of leaving a successful corporate career at Nike to go to culinary school, and ultimately launching her own company. OFFERYou can snag a coupon code for 15% off your Superhero Muffins order by using HURDLE15 at checkout, here. QUOTABLE MOMENTS “Raising kids that are watching me do something that I’m so passionate about is the biggest gift of all in this whole career journey.” “I think so many Americans have no idea how good you can feel.” On her philosophy: "You don't need to stress about like measuring things and counting macros, all you need to do is get in your kitchen and cook." “Real food does not cause weight gain. Let’s just like stop even thinking that.” On the longevity of her message: "I think that's why our books continue to sell well is because the nutrition messaging is still upholding 10 years later." “You’ll have a horrible stomach ache if you eat when you’re super stressed.” On her pivot: "I think if I had known what I know now about the world of grocery and retail and how complex it is, I probably never would have started the company. But I think it's always been my thing like I jump into it." On the surprising benefit of her injury struggles: “Sometimes those lowest points of your life ... will teach you the biggest lessons. So your low points or your failures can become your greatest success in life.” IN THIS EPISODE Pivoting to CPG: The decision to launch the direct-to-consumer Superhero Muffins baking mix. The Low-Fat Lie: Elyse's experience suffering from athletic amenorrhea, low bone density, and stress fractures due to not eating enough healthy fats. The Power of Real Fat: Why healthy fats (like butter and olive oil) are essential for hormone balance, brain health, satiation, and absorbing fat-soluble vitamins. Dieting & Deprivation: How to shift the mindset from deprivation to "Indulgent Nourishment". Label Literacy: What red flags to look for on ingredient lists, including artificial sugars, refined flours, natural flavorings, and cheap protein fillers like refined gluten. Protein Obsession: Why high-protein diets are often overdone and the importance of balanced meals that include healthy fats and complex carbohydrates. Gut Health & Stress: How high stress and not eating during a "rest and digest" state can destroy your digestion and prevent nutrient absorption. Stress Combatting Tip: Using movement—like a short walk or quick sprint—to lower cortisol levels before sitting down for a meal. The Entrepreneurial Grind: The challenges of launching a small food brand against major competitors with large marketing budgets. Career Resilience: The journey from a successful career at Nike, to a culinary school detour, and finally finding her passion. SOCIAL@elysekopecky@hurdlepodcast@emilyabbate@iheartwomenssports JOIN: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Daily Hurdle IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    59 mins
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