Strides for Strength
Michaela and Erin are RRCA certified run coaches and Registered Nurses by degree! The Strides for Strength podcast is where running meets everyday life. We focus on mindset, physical strength and all of life’s in between moments of self doubt and fear both on and off the run. Our mission is to make running SIMPLE and FUN while we pull back the curtains around all things running tips, tricks, motivation and lifestyle with athlete interviews, guest experts combined with our many years of running experience going from non runners to now multiple time marathoners to help you become the athlete you were always meant to be.
Episodes
125 episodes
Seasons Change, So Do You: Motherhood, Time Management & Real Life as a Mom of 3 with Coach Jess
In this episode of the motherhood series, Coach Jess brings the real talk. As a run coach, fitness coach, and mom of three (ages 5, 7, and almost 11), Jess shares what motherhood looks like in this current season of life—far past the toddler st...
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37:06
Running While Pregnant: Strength, Mindset & Letting Go of Control with Brittany
In this episode of the motherhood series, we sit down with Brittany—run coach, strength coach, nurse, and soon-to-be mom—to talk all things pregnancy, performance, and mindset shifts. From running a half marathon in the first trimester to navig...
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32:56
Your Postpartum Comeback Doesn’t Have to Be Fast to Be Powerful w/ Ruth Atkinson
In this episode, we chat with Coach Ruth Atkinson—former choir teacher turned full-time run coach and new mama. Ruth opens up about her transition from the classroom to coaching, what it was like running a marathon at 26 weeks pregnant (!!), an...
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28:54
Cheesy Gordita Crunches & Boston Dreams: Coach Erin's Pregnancy Journey as an Athlete
In this vulnerable and honest conversation, Coach Erin shares her unfiltered journey through pregnancy as an athlete who never saw motherhood in her future. From early surprises and shifting identities to navigating training and redefining succ...
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33:44
[FOUR COACHES, ONE POD] Sauna Sessions, Strength Gains & Summer Training
The full Strides for Strength coaching crew is back on the mic! In this catch-up episode, we cover everything from summer running and racing wins to Coach Erins pregnancy news, heat training tips, strength training blocks, and what it means to ...
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27:31
Beer Miles & Belly Bands: A Very Peachtree Roadrace Recap
In this fun and honest episode, we coaches recap this year’s Peachtree Road Race—including Coach Erin running while pregnant, racing in Atlanta heat, and Jonathan’s legendary beer-per-mile strategy. We dive deep into shifting expectations, what...
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31:39
Let’s Talk About the Ego (and Strategy) Behind Hitting New Paces w/ Coach Mich & Erin
You’ve got a goal pace… but how do you actually get there? In this episode, Mich and Erin break down the real process behind learning new paces, mentally and physically. From reframing what “hard” should feel like to running smarter wo...
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26:04
The Hydration Fix: How to Run Stronger in the Heat w/ Chelsea Schmidt
If the summer heat has you bonking on every run, you’re not alone—and this episode is your hydration lifeline. We’re joined by fan favorite Chelsea Schmidt, nurse practitioner and sports nutrition coach, to break down hydration, sodium, and why...
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33:02
[ATHLETE] Sub 4:00 Marathon Club, 30+ Minute PR, Learning to Fuel & How She Did It w/ Courtney
In this episode, Michaela sits down with her bestie and now athlete, Courtney, to unpack a wild ride to Grandma’s Marathon 2025 where Courtney went from a 7 day a week treadmill warrior to sub-4 hour marathon finisher (in 90% humidity, no less)...
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1:18:16
Racing Smart in the Heat: Coach Mich’s 3:21 Grandmas Marathon Recap
Coach Michaela is on the mic this week with an honest breakdown of her 2025 Grandma’s Marathon experience—from battling race week spirals to running one of her smartest marathons yet in brutal humidity. Tune in to hear what it took to shave tim...
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50:09
Life Lessons From the Run: Our Ode to Running w/ Coach Erin & Mich
In this episode, Michaela and Erin dive into the deep parallels between running and life—from resilience to patience to comparison traps. Through personal stories and coaching insight, they explore how lessons from the run carry over into every...
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27:20
3 Roadblocks Holding You Back in Your Running (& What to Change)
In this episode, Michaela and Erin unpack the three biggest roadblocks they see runners facing across all levels: running too fast on easy days, not fueling properly, and skipping strength training. Sharing personal stories, athlete lessons, an...
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36:51
The Thick of Marathon Training + Three Legged Races w/ Coach Mich + Erin
In this episode, Michaela and Erin are catching up post-Denver retreat and deep in the thick of race season prep. Michaela shares her final peak week reflections before Grandma’s Marathon (including why she skipped an 8-miler with zero regrets)...
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29:00
The Chicago Marathon Episode You’ll Want to Save (and Replay)
It’s back. Our most downloaded episode of 2024. Whether it’s your first time running the Chicago Marathon or your sixth (hi Coach Michaela!), this episode is your one-stop listen for everything you need to know before race day...
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50:04
Stop Guessing: How to Pick a Race and a Plan That Fit Your Goals
We’re re-airing this crowd favorite from our 6-part Race Series — because picking your next race shouldn’t be a shot in the dark.Whether you’re signing up for your first-ever race or chasing a PR, this episode is packed with adv...
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37:22
Summer Running Survival Guide: How to Train Smarter (Not Harder)
Summer running season is here... and let's just say some of us are thrilled and some of us are fighting for our lives 😅. In this episode, Michaela and Erin get real about the mental, physical, and emotional rollercoaster that ...
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27:10
[ATHLETE] Tokyo Marathon: The Race,The Snacks, The Doll-Shaped Pancakes w/ Michael
Tokyo Marathon recap, but make it ✨unfiltered✨. In this episode, returning guest and Strides for Strength athlete Michael Gabriel shares the highs, curveballs, and aid station quirks of running the Tokyo Marathon. From sweating it out in unexpe...
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48:14
Macros, Metabolism & Menstrual Cycles: A No-BS Convo About Performance w/ Katy Saltsman
In this episode, we’re joined by nutrition coach and trainer Katy Saltsman to talk all things hormones, metabolism, recovery, and performance. We go beyond the macros and dive into why less isn’t more, how rest builds stronger athletes...
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40:14
What Every First-Time Marathoner Needs to Know (From Coaching 100+ Runners)
In this heart-filled and humor-packed episode, Michaela and Erin reflect on their own first marathon experiences and share hard-earned wisdom from coaching countless first-time marathoners. From the mindset shifts and belief-building moments, t...
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39:58
Yap & Chat aka Everything You Didn't Ask For with Coach Erin & Mich
In this playful and real-time “yap and chat,” Michaela and Erin reunite post-retreat to catch up on everything from mini mics and mid-hike bathroom emergencies to off-season gains and bold new biz moves. Erin shares updates on training for a De...
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37:04
Four Coaches, One Mountain, and Zero Snacks
In this hilarious and heartwarming episode of the Strides for Strength podcast, all four coaches — Michaela, Erin, Jess, and Sarah — reunite to recap their in-person coaches retreat in AZ. From epic hiking mishaps (including questionab...
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32:28
Why Running More Won’t Always Make You Faster (And What to Do Instead) w/ Collin McGee
In this episode of Strides for Strength, we welcome back Colin to dive deep into the science of running performance. If you've ever felt stuck in a fitness plateau, wondering why you're logging miles but not getting faster, this episod...
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48:31
The Stronger Strides Challenge: Strength Training for Runners & The Key to Longevity
In this episode of Strides for Strength, Michaela and Erin are coming to you live from Arizona, fresh off their coaching retreat! They reflect on the power of in-person connection, the growth of Strides for Strength, and what’s next—in...
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24:19
Building Resilient Runners: Injury Prevention & PT Insights with Dr. Morgan Kamau
In this episode we welcome Dr. Morgan Kamau of Tempo PT and Performance—a physical therapy clinic dedicated to treating runners and endurance athletes. Dr. Kamau shares her personal journey from collegiate running to overcoming tendon injuries ...
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33:11
The Surprising Truth About Running and Weight Loss: What You Need to Understand w/ Chelsea Schmidt
Are you a runner who’s been focusing too much on the scale? It’s time to shift your mindset and approach! In this episode, we chat with the amazing Chelsea Schmidt, who brings a wealth of knowledge in nutrition and endurance training. Together,...
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33:47