Hurdle with Emily Abbate

This week, Emily sits down live at Rivian HQ in New York City with long-time friend of the show, Peloton instructor, and HOKA Global Brand Ambassador Becs Gentry. In front of a live audience, Becs opens up about stepping away from the road-racing spotlight and returning to her trail-running roots as she prepares for two of the biggest, high-altitude, high-heat races of her life. She shares how turning 40 has changed her physical relationship with her body, what diligence looks like while juggling motherhood and a full-time career, and why giving yourself grace to rest is just as important as putting in the miles.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Training for Extreme Heat and Altitude: Becs shares the reality of preparing a sea-level body for thousands of feet of elevation gain in 90+ degree heat while balancing her daily responsibilities.

• The Return to the Trails: Why returning to trail running after years of elite road racing serves as a mental reset, offering much-needed solitude and peace away from constant visibility.

• Navigating 40 and Body Changes: Becs candidly reflects on how hitting age 40 made her feel more vulnerable to stress and fatigue, and how she's learning to listen to her body's evolving needs.

• Redefining Diligence and Grace: How juggling motherhood, partnership, and professional commitments reshaped her definition of success—and why showing up on an "A" level isn't always possible or necessary.

• A Wild Appalachian Trail Run: The unbelievable story of a solo trail run that included close encounters with a bear, a snake, a snapping turtle, a dog, and a porcupine.

• Recovery and Unplugging: The daily recovery habits keeping her grounded, including acupuncture, Normatec boots, magnesium, reduced screen time, and getting back into reading fiction.

• Best Advice for Her Younger Self: The piece of wisdom Becs would offer her 30-year-old self looking back on a decade of growth and career transitions.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

• "Diligence isn't always about showing up on that 'A' level. Diligence is about showing up for all of the hats and the roles that you have Coast to play in your life, and being okay with that."

• "When you're juggling, you need to know which balls are glass and which balls are rubber—and allow yourself to know which one is which each day."

• "The world is tough right now, but there is a chance for all of us to see it as a happy place. We just have to consciously correct our algorithms."

• "Don't be overconfident, but don't undersell yourself."

SOCIAL
@becsgentry
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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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.

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