TV journalist and multiple IRONMAN triathlete, Michelle Bandur, shares her story of how she took an anonymous bully's mean-spirited letter and turned it into a positive movement that has inspired and empowered thousands of young girls to achieve more than they ever imagined.  Her mission? Inspire you to stand up for yourself, love yourself, and turn around a negative experience.   My Big Fat Nose Website - https://www.mybigfatnose.com/  IronHawk Juniors Website - https://ironhawkjuniors.org/  Michelle's Ted Talk  Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Support the Podcast through Venmo https://www.venmo.com/u/CarrieSappBarrett  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Let me provide give a couple of headlines from the past two years of today's guest, Emily Ballenger. Shock pains in her face, the Berlin Marathon, pregnancy, miscarriage, another pregnancy, the selling of a business, a brain tumor, a birth, massive brain surgery, the London marathon, and the completion of the Six World Marathon Majors. These events would throw anyone off balance (literally and figuratively), but Emily has used them to create a foundation of stability of what’s important in her life. Marathon training truly is a metaphor for her last two years. Sometimes you don’t get the run or the race you want, but you always walk away stronger and more accomplished. The growth comes from the lessons learned and not the time on a clock.  Emily has no idea what the future holds for her health, but she lives boldly for her baby Beau and her family, proving that in those "I could never do that" moments of despair, a little forward motion is sometimes all you need.   Runner's World Article on Emily Ballenger   Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Support the Podcast through Venmo - https://www.venmo.com/u/CarrieSappBarrett  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

It’s no secret that girls – and women – haven’t traditionally had role models for adventure seeking and exploration as we age. Even as young girls, we’re taught to "be careful" while boys are taught to "be strong and brave." It's maddening.  Author Caroline Paul, a longtime adventurer, started to notice the massive decline in the number of women she would see when she would go out paddle boarding, skateboarding, or surfing. In her late 50’s she was asking the questions like,  “Why is this happening?” and, "Shouldn’t we be experiencing adventure at ANY age?” That’s what her new book, Tough Broad seeks to answer with the women Caroline interviews in her book. I’m talking hikers, wing walkers, birdwatchers, BMX racers, boogie boarders, swimmers, and more. These women aren't experts. But their experiences and the scientific studies that back them up offer important insight into our own physical and emotional health as we age, showing that growing older is no reason for women to sell themselves short. One thing that is clear: Adventure doesn’t have to be some adrenaline filled, death-defying act, although there is some of that in this book. No, true adventure and self fulfillment can start with a walk outside. The more time you spend outdoors and the more positive your view on aging, the happier you will be.  That can indeed make you a tough broad.   Buy Tough Broad - From Boogie Boarding to Wing Walking - How Outdoor Adventure Improves Our Lives as We Age Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett   "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

My guest today encountered a personal (and all-too-common) dilemma after she had her son eight years ago. As someone who worked full-time in corporate or tech jobs for most of her career, Jill Jacobs was anxious to get back to work after giving birth. Not only did she love working, but as she says today, she needed to get back to work to support her home, lifestyle, and new baby’s needs. Quickly, she realized how daunting and unsustainable this was. Here she was working full time, paying somebody else to be home with her child and, when she did get home from work, she was clearly not bringing her best self.  Ahhh…the American dream, right? Here’s the deal, though.  Educated women with children are leaving the work forces in droves. What Jill wanted was to work smarter, spend smarter, and love what she was doing. So, since she wasn’t finding it in the workforce, she started it herself. Enter the Better Balance vision. At Better Balance, Jill and her team connect professionals who want to work less than 40 hours a week with the Employers looking to hire them. They help people find fulfilling part-time professional work, leveraging their education, experience, talents and skills while maintaining a balance that fits their priorities in life.  Jill offers valuable and real insights about starting a business from the ground up, taking risks, and the value of finding mentors and supporters in your endeavor. And, as difficult it is, she also stresses the importance of taking small steps and imperfect action. I love this “I Could Never Do That” theme of taking a problem and creating a solution. Not just so you can flourish, but to help others do the same. Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett     Better Balance Website "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Kim Murphy was born and raised on a farm in Texarkana, Texas- about as ordinary an upbringing as you can have. After losing her father to Alzheimer's in 2018, she underwent a massive health and lifestyle change, which led to a complete career change, a booming online coaching business, and a brand new book called, Plant Powered: How to Prevent or Reverse Chronic Diseases, Lose Weight, and Feel Great with the Power of Whole Plants. Kim shares her family's journey to a whole food plant-based diet, highlighting its benefits on weight management, brain function, and energy levels. She offers practical tips for those considering a plant-based lifestyle and emphasizes the importance of community support. Kim provides coaching programs through her website, simplyplantbasedkitchen.com. This is a shared journey of someone who has conquered so many roadblocks that would otherwise stop most of us from achieving WHATEVER we want to do in life.  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

You’re not strong enough, fast enough, skinny enough…You’ll be last…Don’t bother…Ugh. This is the we would NEVER say to our closest friends and, yet, for most of us, it’s the hideous soundtrack of our lives. Today's guest is licensed clinical social worker, Pat Spencer who runs both a clinical therapy practice as well as a mental skills coaching business for athletes called, Getting Your Mind in Gear. Today, we discuss her work around a recent piece she wrote called, “Three Steps to Build Confidence.”  (And, sadly, it doesn’t involve scrolling on your phone to see what everyone else is doing.)   We also spend some time talking about some powerful research and her thoughts around “exercise or cycling as therapy.” There is some surprising research showing that ultra-endurance athletes are actually MORE prone to depression and mood disorders, even though exercise is often recommended as the antidote to depression. W Pat is also an ally and advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community which is facing unprecedented difficulty these days fitting into spaces where ALL should feel welcome.   Getting Your Mind in Gear Website Follow Pat on Instagram: @getting_your_mind_in_gear "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

Being a female in a male dominant space may be rare, but Shannon O'Grady handles it like a boss because, as COO and Chief Product Officer at Gnarly Nutrition, she IS one of the bosses.  As CPO, it is her science and research that are the brains behind every new product development at this company. When Shannon was just a teenager, she had to give up her early passion for running because of a genital heart defect. At the time, medicine didn't have the technology and procedures it does today, so she was essentially told to quit running and pursue something else.  So, Shannon turned to her other passion - SCIENCE. This led her down years of academia, where she pursued and completed her Ph.D. in Nutritional Physiology. She always dreamed of working for a sports nutrition company and, after years of letter writing, and knocking on doors, she landed her dream gig at Gnarly.   Admirably, Shannon later came back to endurance sports and became an avid and accomplished cyclist, triathlete, climber, trail runner…all the things! Today, she is most passionate about the sport and discipline of jiu-jitsu, where she is a brown belt. You’ll hear a lot about how products are developed at Gnarly and how important it is to know and understand your body’s needs in training and racing, but it is her advice and tips for success in life and business that I admire and appreciate most.    https://gognarly.com/    "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)  Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

If you have ever dreamed of being a rock-n-roll star, this episode is gonna light you up. Annie Davis decided, in her mid-40s, that she wanted to become a musician. So, in the middle of the pandemic, she began taking lessons and taught herself how to play drums and guitar from scratch. Music has always been in her DNA. As a kid, she immersed herself in it both personally and educationally. Her instrument at the time was the trumpet.  But here comes that all too familiar story that we've been told - a music degree wasn't going to get her anywhere in life. It wasn't a "real career." So, she ended up learning the sciences because this music nerd was also a biology nerd. She got her bachelor's degree in Human Biology and she eventually found her way to a Doctorate in Chiropractic.  It was while she was pursuing her education that she was also immersing herself in a love of athletics, including running mountain biking, triathlon, and adventure racing. And, because of some bad advice that she received from an Orthopedist, she knew that she wanted to help others, which is why she picked up, moved her stuff to Austin, Texas, and opened her own practice called RunLab, where for the past 10 years, she has helped now 1000s of runners stay active in the game of life. She's now hustling to build another following with her rock band, Trashy Annie. As she says on her website, "Starting an original rock band at the age of 44 during a worldwide pandemic was a surreal experience, to say the least." But in just three years, she was honored as the CMA of Texas Americana Artist of the Year, she was signed to a record label, and she's about to release her full-length, first rock-n-roll record on May 19, 2023.  It is never too late to be the person that you dreamed of being when you were young. TrashyAnnie.com Follow Trashy Annie on Instagram - @trashyanniemusic Trashy Annie Album Release Party - April 25th, 13th Floor Austin "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

If you think you could never come up with a different concept for running shoes, well then let me introduce you to the minds behind the latest shoe on the walls of local retailers, Vimazi Shoes. Vimazi is the first-ever pace-tuned shoe, designed for energy, or as they say on their website, “Goldilocks cushioning and an ultra-efficient push-off.”   Founders, Scott Tucker and John Zilly, join me today to share their inspiration and research behind this innovative new shoe design. I mean, what does it mean to be “pace tuned,” right?? Of course, I asked that question (and no I won’t be running a 4-minute mile anytime soon just by wearing these shoes).   But more than the science and engineering, I loved talking with them about their extensive backgrounds, their passion for running and writing, and their friendship that has lasted for decades. They also talk about the challenges of launching a new running shoe brand during the pandemic in a crowded space. These are my people. The people who, in spite of all of the challenges and obstacles, get up every day and say, “We’ve got something good here.” In fact, they're in tune with what runners want and need.  From a 4-minute mile to a 20-minute mile, Vimazi is tuned to your needs.    https://vimazi.com/ - Vimazi website Follow Vimazi on Instagram - @vimazi Blog Post on How Vimazi Running Shoes Feel - and Why - https://vimazi.com/blogs/news/how-vimazi-running-shoes-feel  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)  Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

Adina O'Neill is a fitness coach and motivator.  This former accountant and teacher found her passion in endurance sports and coaching when she realized that so many were coming to her for advice and inspiration.  Team B-REAL, is a roster of endurance athletes where every BODY is accepted. She is motivational and inspiring, but her own side passion is what made me go, "Oh, I could NEVER do that!" Adina LOVES cold water swimming. And by cold water swimming, I mean, breaking open a frozen lake in the middle of New England in February and jumping in right away kinda swimming.  Yes, my friends, there is even such a thing as a winter swim festival where you walk out into the middle of a frozen lake, submerge in 30-degree water without a wetsuit, and compete against others in 25s, 50s, 100s…It is Un-freaking-believable. So, yeah, I had to learn more and that’s what today is all about. We get real about her personal journey, about the imposter syndrome of coaching others, and the overwhelming sense of pride she receives watching others succeed.  Mostly, though, we discuss her passion for cold water swimming and the unexpected joy it has brought to her life.    Episode Resources Adina's Website https://adinaoneill.com/ Follow Adina on Instagram: @adina_oneill_real_fitness Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett   Register for the 2024 Memphremagog Winter Swimming Festival https://kingdomgames.co/memphremagog-winter-swimming-festival-2023-registration/ "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Ginna Hoben was born to be a performer.  Ginna and I went to high school together and bonded over the very cool subculture of musical theater. Of course, she gracefully danced her way through Oklahoma while I stood in the background as an awkward chorus girl in a prairie dress singing “Surrey the Fringe On Top.” We went on to do several plays together and the one thing (of many) we had in common?!? We both loved attention and adoration and as she says, as the middle child, she would do pretty much anything to get attention — and she meant it! This led to both a BA and MFA in acting. It also led to stints in Chicago and LA before landing in New York as an actor, director, and playwright. Imagine that - the young girl who dreamt of moving to New York and being an actor did it!  Ginna Hoben still lives in New York with her husband and daughter and continues to make her living as a writer, director, and actor. She was most recently on an episode of the Equalizer featuring Queen Latifah and her plays have been produced at theaters across the country. She currently has another play in the works with an upcoming live reading of that new show. Today, we quite literally catch up and talk through everything she went through to live out that childhood dream and how many "I could nevers" she's had to navigate. This "dream life" has taken some unexpected tragic turns, but she is very clear - this is what she was born to do and, to me and everyone who knows her, she is a star. Ginna Hoben's Website "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)   Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

Hugh Gaither, founder and former CEO of the sock brand, Feetures shares his origin story of growing up in the hosiery business to making the transition to one of the most recognizable sock companies in the athletic space.  What prompted this decision to enter an entirely new market?What strengths did he have to launch a new company in a brand new category?Where did they get the name of the company? Where did he start with the product design? Was it based on style? Material? Color?How should entrepreneurs approach any new venture that excites them? No matter the goal, Gaither stresses the importance of treating other people with kindness and respect. It goes a long way toward success and happiness in life.  Feetures Website - https://feetures.com/  The Feetures Origin Story - https://feetures.com/pages/our-story  Article on Gaither's transition   Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

This episode is so much fun! How can it not be when you’re interviewing the partners of “Team Adorkable” — the zany Swimrun duo of Amy Bush and Trista Mennen?! I’ve known Amy for a long time and she’s always doing something epic from 100 milers, Ironmans, Ultramans, etc…she’s always an inspiration, but recently, I’ve seen her kicking it up and, together with Trista, going off the deep end (pun intended) on this relatively new phenomenon of a sport — Swimrun…and specifically, the Ötillö World Championships in Sweden, which is the notoriously difficult Super Bowl of Swimrun.   Swimrun isn’t just a triathlon without a bike.  This is a cross between rock climbing, trail running, open water swimming, orienteering, and adventure racing- swimming from island to island and running through trails, forests, or whatever landscape the race director dreams up. It's not uncommon to have upwards of 40-50 transitions between the two sports. And, you’re doing this all with your equipment and nutrition with you at all times — buoys, paddles, shoes, goggles, gels, etc. It sounds SO incredibly intimidating, which is where my, "I Could Never" came into play and why I had to get them on this show.  For as frightening as it sounds, these two make it sound SO DANG FUN!!!! My mission was to have them get me from, "I could never," to "maybe I can," and you know what?! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. No doubt, they'll inspire you too!  Episode Resources: Team Adorkable: https://teamadorkable.blogspot.com/  Ötillö Swimrun: https://otilloswimrun.com/  Odyssey Swimrun: https://www.odysseyswimrun.com/  Ark Sports - Swimrun Gear and Equipment: https://www.arksports.com/collections/swimrun  Envol Swimrun Coaching: https://envolcoaching.net/  The Swimrun Experience Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheSwimRunExperience/  Wild Swimrun Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/wildswimrun?mibextid=LQQJ4d Swimrun Lake James: https://www.facebook.com/SwimRunLakeJames?mibextid=LQQJ4d  Swimrun Swap Meet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/swimrunswapmeet/  Low Tide Boyz Swimrun podcast: https://lowtideboyz.com/  Show Resources "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett    Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

On June 15th, one of my longest and dearest friends, Lisa Diamond, suffered a stroke at age 48. No warning signs, no acute trauma, not even a hint that this would happen when it did.  Today, for the first time, Lisa gives us a play-by-play of what happened in those moments — an hour and 43 minutes to be exact from the time she had the stroke to the time they wheeled her out of the OR into recovery from emergency surgery. She also talks about the physical and emotional repercussions of this event, and the ongoing processing, which is why she wanted to finally open up and start talking about it.  So, if you’re struggling in life right now in health, career, or relationship, Lisa is an open book and a wonderful resource. She invites anyone to reach out to her at any time because, by talking about these difficulties, we can begin to move through them and extract some sort of meaning and purpose in moments of fear and uncertainty. Lisa Diamond Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/lisadiamondcoaching  Lisa Diamond Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisadiamondcoaching/?hl=en (@lisadiamondcoaching) Email: lifecoachlisa23@gmail.com  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

Well, if there was ever an “I Could Never,” this one might be it. My guest today, Raymond (@the Noodnick) is a master of what is known as artistic calisthenics - which is basically some crazy combination of pure strength, gymnastics, core work, and cirque du Soleil all done with the grace of a ballet dancer. He literally defies gravity and anyone that specializes in something called “The Human Flagpole” is superman in my book. .  What I dig about Raymond is that he is an open book — both on his training and techniques, but also about his life philosophies. You know when you’re having a wonderful dream and time means nothing? Well, through his training and art form, Raymond wants to, as he says, “Live Lucidly" - when hours feel like minutes because you’re so in the flow of love.  That’s certainly something we can all aspire to. He calls himself “The Noodnick” because it’s a play on the Yiddish word for “Boring pest,” but believe me, he's anything but boring.  Follow Raymond on Instagram @thenoodnick Follow Raymond on TikTok @thenoodnick "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

FKT - It’s an acronym that stands for “Fastest Known Time” and if you’re completely unfamiliar with this concept, there is an official website, fastestknowntime.com, where you’ll find hundreds, if not thousands, of routes around the world where people have submitted their times to get that coveted spot of having the FKT - the Fastest Known Time.  About a year ago, my guests were searching for new adventures and noticed something when they went to the fastest known time website. The majority of the routes were submitted by men AND many of the routes (regardless of length or terrain) didn’t even have female times. So, women do what women do…They got after it and started the Women Who FKT Project. This group of women in the Oregon/Washington area set out to tackle a bunch of the FKT routes in their region. Women Who FKT started as a small project between these runners and coaches and, in the last year, has grown into a full-blown global movement. Their mission? Calling women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved minorities in to claim space on the trails. You'll learn: What is an FKT?What are some of the misconceptions about FKTs which often prohibit people from attempting them?What sort of equipment do you need to get started?What are some reasons WHY women should pursue an FKT?Is it best to do it solo or with a group?Advice for newbies Of course, I left the conversation completely jazzed to seek one out and give it a go — and I hope you do.  So, let’s claim some space on the trails and welcome Marta, Dana, Teri, Danielle, and Stacy - The power behind Women Who FKT. Episode Resources Fastest Known Time Official Website - https://fastestknowntime.com/  Women Who FKT Website - https://www.ultraufitness.com/fkt.html Women who FKT Instagram -https://www.instagram.com/womenwhofkt/ "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett

As Robine Bots says, "she may have lost her mind, but she found her soul." Robine is the founder of Harmony Farm Sanctuary, a little slice of heaven for humans and animals nestled on about 10 acres of land between Bend and Sisters, Oregon. What started out as one pet pig for her daughter (Pig Floyd!) has morphed into a forever home for over 145 beautiful souls including pigs, horses, donkeys, ducks, bunnies, an alpaca, a llama, goats, sheep, turkeys, chickens, and one awesome barn cat named Ronald Weasley.  Harmony Farm Sanctuary is just that - a sanctuary for these animals to live out their years to only know love, kindness, and compassion. For the staff and volunteers, it’s also a place to find those same things. Whether it’s brushing, feeding, or scooping , the feeling of helping another sentient being is unmatchable.  And that’s the legacy that Robine wants to leave with her guests who visit, volunteer, or stay on the on-site air-b-n-b. These animals have personalities and they have voices. These animals feel love and they give love. (Trust me - especially when they’re hungry!) I’m sure many of us feel like we could never do something of this magnitude, but that’s why we're thankful for people like Robine and her family. In fact, she would probably say, it’s what she was born to do. Episode Resources HarmonyFarmSanctuary.com "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Matt Whitcomb is the head coach for the US Cross Country Ski Team, where he’s coached at the past three Winter Olympic games. Even if you don’t know much about competitive cross-country skiing, you understand the value of a good coach and mentor when it comes to achieving anything in life, whether it’s athletically motivated or not.  Today, we focus a lot on the ingredients in developing a world-class athlete. Is it the number of hours you train, or is mindset the superpower of success? Does a dictatorship coaching style breed success, or does it come from a more autonomous “hands off” approach to coaching? When you’re working with a group of people at the top of their game (especially at the Olympics), how do you get that extra 1%,  and how do these athletes deal with the pressure of a glaring spotlight, where that light shines extra bright every four years?  We discuss definitions of success, failure, and the most important question: “Could Coach Whitcomb Ted Lasso his way into coaching a completely different sport altogether?” Essentially, are the key elements of a successful coach transferable to any sport? It’s an eye-opening chat  and if you’re going to learn from anyone, heck, it may as well be an Olympic head coach. Episode Resources: US Ski and Snowboard - Cross Country Ski Team US Ski and Snowboard on Peacock Best of Tokyo Moments Jesse Diggins at the 30K "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Here are just a few athletic accomplishments from today's guest Deanna McCurdy: Six national championships, Four Pan-Am championships, 5th overall at ITU Cross Worlds, she’s finished as the top American female and 4th overall twice at the XTERRA World Championships. USA Triathlon awarded her Off-road Triathlete of the Year honors in 2017, 2018, and 2021.  In 2019, she competed as a Pro (at age 45), placing 2nd at XTERRA Quebec and winning XTERRA Fruita. WHEW...Even if you don’t know what any of those races are, you certainly recognize a powerhouse when you see and hear those results. BUT, what makes Deanna’s success story so incredible is that she didn’t start doing triathlons until 2009 after she had her second daughter. Yes, Deanna is also currently raising two teenage daughters (which is an “I Could Never Do That” unto itself) — one of which was diagnosed with Angelman’s Syndrome at just 16 months. Life can change in an instant. Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder that affects approximately one in 15,000 people – about 500,000 individuals worldwide. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: delayed developmental milestones; gross and fine motor impairment; difficulty with feeding and swallowing; issues; loss of functional speech and epilepsy. As you’ll hear today, her daughter Hayden is one of the main reasons she races and trains —all in an effort to raise awareness and funds for a cure for this rare disorder. In fact, her most recent endeavor was truly epic — It was the Breck Epic, a six-day mountain bike race in the Breckenridge mountains. She and her partner crushed the race, but her fundraising goals continue and today, we talk about her athletic journey, and also the joy, difficulty, reality, and gift of raising a child with Angelman's Syndrome. She speaks beautifully and candidly about this privilege of giving her baby angel the wings to fly.  Episode Resources: Deanna's "Epic Climb for an Epic Cure" Fundraising Page - https://cureangelman.org/deanna-mccurdys-epic-climb-for-an-epic-cure  To learn more about FAST Athletes, their mission and inspiring stories, check out our FAST Athletes page - https://cureangelman.org/fast-athletes  Deanna's Team USA Blog Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com -  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)

Ashley Brush was born and raised in a strict, religious upbringing and, by her early 20s, she was married, with a young son, and was also a stepmother to two other children. At this time, because she was playing by a strict set of rules,  she says she had no idea who she really was because she was so young and never gave herself an opportunity to find out. Resentment and depression were the norms, which led to drugs and binge eating to numb the pain.  Just a couple of years ago, Ashley went back to one joy she had as a child/teenager — running. She quietly started running again and, magically, a portal opened to happiness, joy, self-confidence, and profound freedom.  THIS is what she was meant to do…and today she’s doing it. Ashley is a coach, trainer, and ultra-endurance athlete. She runs redjasperrunning.com and the Rising Runners group in Bend, OR. She's also a coach for Team RunRun, working with runners of all levels.  By “pouring love all over herself,” she has started to discover the woman she was meant to be.    Episode Resources: Red Jasper Running - https://www.redjasperrunning.com/  Rising Runners FB Group Team RunRun - https://teamrunrun.com/coach/ashley-brush-bend-running-coach/  Support the Podcast through BuyMeACoffee.com - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/CarrieBarrett  "I Could Never Do That" Website - https://www.podpage.com/icouldneverdothat/  "I Could Never Do That" Instagram - @icouldneverdothat Theme Music: Your Love by Atch -License: Creative Commons License - Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0)