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In this episode we bring you part 2 of our Ask the Coach Q&A as we tackle questions about fueling for an ultra, shin splints, bunions, super shoes, strength training, runner’s trots, knee pain, fueling, and running postpartum.
Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level.Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
Coach Angie Spencer is a running coach and registered nurse who has finished 72 marathons (including 6 ultramarathons). She lives in central Pennsylvania with Trevor and their three sons.
Coach Abby Omerza is the Head Coach at MTA and has a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Fitness Leadership. She’s a Boston qualifier, ultra-runner, and triathlete who lives near Chicago, Illinois.
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In this episode Coach Angie and Coach Abby answer questions about running marathons (and getting faster) after age 50, considerations for female runners in menopause and perimenopause, heart rate training, the Maffetone Method, ultra training and more! Thanks to everyone who sent in a question!
Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level.MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach.
Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
Coach Angie Spencer is a running coach and registered nurse who has finished 72 marathons (including 6 ultramarathons). She lives in central Pennsylvania with Trevor and their three sons.
Coach Abby Omerza is the Head Coach at MTA and has a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Fitness Leadership. She’s a Boston qualifier, ultra-runner, and triathlete who lives near Chicago, Illinois.
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In this episode, we speak with longtime Academy member Cari Masek, who ran her first marathon after being inspired by an episode of this podcast. Running has changed her life — giving her the confidence to set goals, dream big, and inspire others.
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
June 3 is Global Running Day and UCAN is doing their biggest sale of the year! Get 40% OFF sitewide with code MTA40. Stock up on long-lasting, easy-on-the-gut fuel, including the NEW Strawberry Kiwi and Citrus Energy Gel + Electrolytes.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
Cari Masek is an avid runner, race pacer, and coach. She races every distance from 5k to 50k, with her favorite being the Half Marathon. Having completed over 100 half marathons, she is currently working on a ONE STATE goal to run every half in Ohio.
She volunteers as a pacer at seven local half marathons, a race director at two local races, and as a coach for three different kids programs. She has been the head coach of the Centerville Striders Elementary Cross Country team for fourteen years. Knowing she is making a positive impact on the next generation of runners (k-6th grade) means more to her than any personal accomplishment.
Cari ran her first marathon after being inspired by an episode of the Marathon Training Academy and would say running has absolutely changed her life too, teaching her to set goals and dream big. The running community is the best and she is grateful to be a part of it.
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Links Mentioned in This Episode
In this episode we share our top three gear picks, running books, favorite marathons, runners we admire, interesting things we’ve found on a run, embarrassing running mishaps, daily healthy habits and more!Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
Previnex -makers of Joint Health Plus and Muscle Health Plus -two products I take every day that help me maximize my recovery and performance as a long distance runner. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
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In this episode we speak with bestselling author Martin Dugard about the inspiring people who made running mainstream. The first NYC Marathon only had 127 runners (only 1 woman). Now it draws over 50,000 runners (half of whom are women) and over 2 million spectators. Martin Dugard explains how we got here. Hear about Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, Bill Rogers, Jim Ryun, and others.
Links Mentioned in this EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.
Martin Dugard is the author of a dozens #1 NYT bestsellers. He is a Fellow of Great Britain’s Royal Geographical Society, board member of USA Track and Field Foundation, and a high school distance running coach.
His new book is called The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool.
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In this episode Angie and Trevor discuss the watershed moment that just happened at the London Marathon when two runners smashed the 2 Hour Barrier in the marathon. Sabastian Sawe of Kenya ran 1:59:30 and Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia finished 2nd in 1:59:41! How did we get to this moment and what can we learn from it?
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
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In this episode we speak with Sara Hall about her new memoir ‘For The Love Of The Grind’! Sara won the Master’s Division at the 2026 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:31:55.
Sara Hall has been competing for over twenty years and has been nationally ranked for almost three decades. She is a previous American record holder in the Half Marathon when she ran 1:07:15 at the Houston Half in 2022. Sara and Ryan Hall live in Flagstaff, Arizona, and have four adopted daughters from Ethiopia.
For the Love of the Grind is a love letter to running, and the story of Sara’s growth as an athlete, wife, and mom.
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
UCAN -Try the FREE UCAN Trial Sample Pack which includes bars, powders, gels, and hydration products — 6 total items. Just pay shipping. Save 25% on your entire order with code MTA.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
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Trevor and Angie here just jumping into your podcast feed with an important announcement! Do you dream of running the Authentic Athens Marathon? This coming November we are teaming up with Dean Karnazes for a special tour for listeners to the MTA Podcast. Join us in Athens, Greece, for 7 days of running, sight-seeing, trying amazing cuisine, and hanging out with other likeminded runners (and spouses).The trip starts on November 5th and ends November 13th 2026. The tour is near capacity so please email us soon if you want to go!
SEE THIS PAGE FOR DETAILS: https://www.marathontrainingacademy.com/athens-marathon-tour-with-mta-and-dean-karnazes
The Authentic Athens Marathon follows the historic route from the seaside village of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. This route commemorates the legendary feat of the marathon runner Pheidippides, who, according to tradition, ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Greek victory at the Battle of Marathon, before collapsing and dying of exhaustion.
Our host Dean Karnazes is author of the book The Road to Sparta -Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World’s Greatest Footrace. Dean has been featured on The Today Show, 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS News, CNN, ESPN, The Howard Stern Show, NPR’s Morning Edition, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the BBC, and many others. He has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World, Outside, and Wired magazine’s, and has been featured in TIME, Newsweek, People, GQ, The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal and the London Telegraph, to mention a few.
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In this episode, Trevor and Angie take you behind the scenes of what happened after Trevor completed his first marathon in 2011. Flashback with us to a sub-4 breakthrough in New Orleans, road trips to Alaska, running through the Olympic Stadium in Munich, trail adventures in the Alps, and the incredible listener community that literally hosted us in their homes from Missoula to Switzerland. You never know what running a marathon will lead to next!
Links Mentioned in this EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.
Previnex -makers of Joint Health Plus and Muscle Health Plus -two products I take every day that help me maximize my recovery and performance as a long distance runner. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order.
Drury Hotels -where the extras are not extra! Use our link to save 10% on your stay.
MTA meetup in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 2014MTA meet up at the 2015 Marine Corps Marathon2016 MTA meet up at the Berlin MarathonWith Andy and Franziska at Oktoberfest 1 week before the Munich Marathon2018 camper trip to Alaska for Angie to run the Juneau MarathonWith Barbara and David after The Jungfrau Marathon in SwitzerlandTony, Dominique, and boys. This family was a Godsend at the end of the Kaisermarathon in AustriaRunning in the Italian Alps in 2021Lake Tisza relay in Hungary with Krisztian and HuckWith MTA fans Fiona, Ron, and Brummell at the Beer Lovers’s Marathon in BelgiumGroup photo with the amazing runners who joined us in 2024 for the TMBfrom our 2025 running retreatRace morning at the Dublin Marathon 2025 -
In this episode Coach Angie shares what she’s learned about training as she’s gotten older. She ran her first marathon in 2008 and has since completed 72 marathons and ultras. What has she learned about recovery, nutrition, strength, and balancing running with life? Enjoy!
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeLagoon Sleep -take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.
The North Face offers everything you want to outfit your next outdoor adventure from rugged, expedition-proven luggage to haul all of your gear, to award-winning trail running footwear and performance apparel! Never Stop Exploring
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
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In this episode we speak with Mike Wardian -the 51 year old adventure runner who recently set the record for fastest 50k on Seven Continents in Seven Consecutive Days! He’s also planning to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
Air Doctor Pro air purifier: use promo code MTA to get UP TO $300 off today! AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, plus a 3-year warranty—an $84 value, free!
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
Michael Wardian short bio: Husband, Father, Ship Broker, Sponsored Elite Runner (sponsored by Teva), Speaker, Running Coach, Chess Player, Pickleballer, Beekeeper, Guinness World Record Holder, Race Director, Dog Runner. Wardian has set 25 Fastest Known Time running records in five countries and he races frequently at multiple distances. He has won national championships at 50k, 50 miles, and 100k. He has completed the 7 Continents Challenge three times, set a FKT on the AT, and has run across the US.
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In this episode Angie shares the story of how she went from struggling to train for her first marathon to becoming a Marathon Maniac, 50 State Marathon finisher, ultra-runner, and coach. We hope her story will be an inspiration to you!
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.MetPro.co -See what it’s like working with your own metabolic coach!
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
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In this episode we pay tribute to Jeff Galloway (1945-2026) who passed away on February 25th at the age of 80. Jeff was an Olympian, author of over 20 books, and the creator of the Galloway Run/Walk/Run method (also called “Jeffing”).Hear an excerpt from our 2015 interview with Jeff; plus Coach Angie explains how to incorporate the Run/Walk/Run Method in your training.
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
MetPro.co -See what it’s like working with your own metabolic coach.
UCAN -get the Trial Sample Pack for free with our link, just pay shipping!
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In this episode we reach into the podcast vault and play a recording from when Trevor ran his first full marathon. This is an entertaining look at the joy and agony a first-timer feels, especially someone who once hated running.
After two years of hard work Trevor was able to transform himself from a desk potato to a successful marathon finisher. He ran the 2011 St. Louis Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon with a finishing time of 4:31:40. He’s since completed 25 marathons and two 50ks.
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
Drury Hotels -where the extras are not extra! Use our link to save 10% on your stay.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you can focus on what really matters: Getting out there!
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In this episode we are joined by Coach Henry Howard to talk about the myths and facts around ultramarathon training . . . and answer questions from podcast listeners.
Henry Howard was coached by Angie from 2014-2016 and was able to PR, BQ, and run his first ultra. Now he is a coach on our team helping clients reach their potential! He is a Certified Running Coach, 3:16 marathoner and has multiple Boston, NYC, and Chicago qualifiers. He has finished more than 45 marathons and ultras (50k to 100 miles) with some podium finishes. Most recently he finished the Dinosaur Valley 100k in 15:11!
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you can focus on what really matters: Getting out there!
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Links Mentioned in This Episode
In this episode Ultramarathon Man Dean Karnazes shares the 4 P’s for achieving big goals and how he pushes through the tough miles. Plus, you will learn the history of the world’s first marathon (held in 1896). And we share details about the epic 2026 Athens Marathon Tour which will be co-hosted by MTA and Dean Karnazes!Athens Marathon Tour with Dean Karnazes and MTA. The tour starts on November 5th and ends November 13th 2026. Space is limited so please email us if you want to go!
Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you can focus on what really matters: Getting out there!
UCAN -get the Trial Sample Pack for free with our link, just pay shipping!
Dean Karnazes has pushed his body and mind to inconceivable limits. Among his many accomplishments, he has run 50 marathons, in all 50 US states, in 50 consecutive days. He’s run across Death Valley in the middle of summer, and he’s run a marathon to the South Pole.
His list of competitive achievements include winning the World’s Toughest Footrace, the Badwater Ultramarathon, and winning the 4 Deserts Challenge, racing in the hottest, driest, windiest and coldest places on earth.
He’s the author of 5 books:
Ultra Marathon Man -Confessions of an All Night Runner50/50 -SECRETS I LEARNED RUNNING 50 MARATHONS IN 50 DAYS Run -26.2 Stories of Blisters and BlissA Runner’s High -My Life in MotionThe Road to Sparta -Reliving the Ancient Battle and Epic Run That Inspired the World’s Greatest Footrace
A NY Times bestselling author, he’s been featured on The Today Show, 60 Minutes, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS News, CNN, ESPN, The Howard Stern Show, NPR’s Morning Edition, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, the BBC, and many others. He has appeared on the cover of Runner’s World, Outside, and Wired magazine’s, and has been featured in TIME, Newsweek, People, GQ, The New York Times, USA TODAY, The Washington Post, Men’s Journal, Forbes, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal and the London Telegraph, to mention a few. -
In this episode we bring you a marathon success story with Katie Low -who was able to transform her training and achieve the dream of running a BQ at the California International Marathon. In this conversation Katie shares how she went from being chronically fatigued and under-fueled to having more energy for training and running a marathon without hitting the wall!
Katie works as a character animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios and is co-host of the Animation Happy Hour Podcast.
Talk to our Head Coach about your goals in 2026. Free 30 minute consultation.
Joint Health Plus by Previnex -prevention is the best medicine and you need to protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Get 30% off during their Black Friday Sale (no coupon code needed) or use code MTA for 15% off your first order the rest of the year.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
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This is our annual book episode! Angie and Trevor discuss the books they enjoyed in 2025– top picks for both fiction and nonfiction.
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.
MetPro.co -See what it’s like working with your own metabolic coach.
Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you can focus on what really matters: Getting out there!
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
The Book Episode: Our Top Reads in 2025Angie got through a total of 241 books in 2025. (95 fiction and 146 nonfiction)(audio = 144, hardcopy = 94, ebook = 3).
Authors We Interviewed on the PodcastHere are the books we featured on the podcast this year. See links to the author interviews.
Think Like a Runner by Jeff HorowitzHow to Run the Perfect Race by Matt FitzgeraldThe Norwegian Method by Brad CulpThe Explorer’s Gene by Alex HutchinsonBallistic by Henry AbbottExtreme Balance by Joe DeSenaThe Runaway Housewives of the Appalachian Trail by Kitty RobinsonFuel for Thought by Renee McGregorDon’t Call it a Comeback by Keira D’AmatoLootie’s World Run by Marie LeauteyThe Running Ground by Nicolas Thompson
Angie’s Top 10 Non-Fiction Reads:The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
Memoir is one of my favorite genres and this book takes a peak behind the scenes on writing an engaging memoir. In fact, Mary Karr weaves in so many personal anecdotes that it doesn’t feel like a how-to book at all. Some of the core principles she talks about have to do with dealing with the truth as you remember it, turning vulnerability into art, and finding your unique story. Everyone from the casual reader to someone who wants to write a memoir will enjoy this book.Awake by Jen Hatmaker
I’ve followed Jen Hatmaker on Instagram for a number of years and she has a very funny and relatable way of sharing her life. Her latest book is a memoir and talks about the dissolution of her 25 year marriage and how she had to come awake to many important areas in her life as a result.Bad Therapy- Why The Kids Aren’t Growing Up by Abigail Shrier
The author is an investigative journalist who argues that aspects of the mental health industry is harming American children by over-diagnosing and over-treating normal struggles. It’s important to get children the mental health help that they need but Shrier warns that normal developmental challenges and emotions are sometimes mislabeled as mental disorders which can lead children to adopt an “illness identity.”It Didn’t Start With You -How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle by Mark Wolynn
This book talks about how trauma and epigenetic are linked. Trauma can change how our genes work and influence stress responses, health, and mood and these alterations can be passed down to future generations, which can help explain intergenerational trauma. This was a very eye opening book and helpful for anyone processing struggles linked to family history.The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs by Joel Salatin
Since reading Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, I’ve been working on getting the meat our family eats from ethically sustainable sources. Joel Salatin, owner and operator of Polyface Farms, makes the case for how farming and ranching practices need to change (for the good of the environment, the animals, the farmer, and society in general).Inner Excellence by Jim Murphy
This is a book that was first published back in 2009 and was updated in 2020. It has been used by many professional athletes and high achievers to develop a stronger mental and emotional game. NFL player, A.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles, was filmed reading this book on the sidelines of a January 2025 playoff game and the book started selling thousands of copies. Some of the principles in the book that resonated with me were detaching self-worth from outcomes so that your identity isn’t tied to results or achievements. Instead of asking, “How did I do?” Ask, “What did I learn?” Another important take-away was learning to gain control over my inner world. We don’t have to believe everything our mind tells us. Yes, we should recognize emotions and thoughts but then come back to our core values to develop self-mastery.Estrogen Matters -Why Taking Hormones in Menopause Can Improve Women’s Well-Being and Lengthen Their Lives- Without Raising the Risk of Breast Cancer (Revised and Updated) by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris
As a woman in perimenopause I’ve been educating myself on how to make this transition in life work for me. As a result I started using Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) two years ago and it has improved my life physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thankfully the FDA removed the black box warning on HRT in 2025 after years of misinformation. This book is a must read for women in their mid-30’s and up, those who have experienced surgical menopause, or anyone who wants to understand the role of estrogen more completely.From Strength to Strength– Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks
Brooks is a Harvard professor and happiness columnist for The Atlantic. He draws on philosophy, social science, biography, and spirituality to offer a helpful roadmap for aging well in the second half of life. In order to embrace, and not fight, the inevitable decline we need to redefine success (moving away from being primarily validated by money or job titles) and look to internal measures like a deeper sense of purpose, wisdom, strong relationships, and service to others.Nuclear War: A Scenario by Annie Jacobson
Annie Jacobson is one of those authors from which I will read anything she writes. In this rather bleak (but fascinating) book she lays out the history of nuclear programs throughout the world and presents a scenario in which nuclear weapons are used. Spoiler alert- there are no good outcomes.Breath- The New Science of a Lost Art by James Nestor
Honorable Mentions (nonfiction)Hidden Potential by Adam GrantAll the Way to the River by Elizabeth GilbertSlow Productivity by Cal NewportEvidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler RoseRevenge of The Tipping Point by Malcolm GladwellThe Let Them Theory by Mel RobbinsInvisible Women by Caroline Criado PerezEverything is Tuberculosis by John GreenYou Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie SmithThe Next Conversation by Jefferson FisherAngie’s Top 10 Fiction Reads:
I’ve struggled with allergies since childhood, dealing with a lot of nasal congestion. As a result I was a mouth breather and this book challenged me to take a look at my breathing patterns and make some changes. Over the course of a year I trained myself to breathe through my nose during the day (but nighttime was a bigger challenge). A few months ago I started using mouth tape at night (and an airflow clip nasal dilator called Snore Less Now to open up my airway). I’ve experienced better mouth hygiene and deeper sleep as a result.The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (#19 in the Armand Gamache series) and The Black Wolf (#20 in this series)
If you enjoy mysteries and thrillers this series is excellent. I’ve particularly enjoyed listening to them on audiobook since I’m not a French speaker and would probably mispronounce many names and places otherwise.The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
I’ve enjoyed every book that author Matt Haig has written and this one was no exception. The Life Impossible follows a retired math teacher named Grace who is grieving the loss of her husband and son. She receives an unexpected inheritance which forces her outside of her comfort zone, helping her to deal with her past and find new purpose for the future.Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
This book is a modern retelling of Charles Dicken’s David Coperfield. It follows a boy named Damon Fields who is born into poverty in modern rural Appalachia. He has a very tumultuous life particularly because of the weakness of the foster care system. The book deals with some very heavy subjects but it’s ultimately a story of resilience and the power of finding hope in community and through art.The Burning White by Brent Weeks
This is the fifth and final book in the Lightbringer Series, a modern fantasy set in a world governed by light and the magic of Chromaturgy. In this world, some people called drafters have the ability to harness light to create a physical substance called “luxin.” Each color has unique powers and identity and the drafter is changed over time.Red Rising Series by Pierce Brown
My teens had read this series a few years ago so I was a bit late to the game. But once I finished the first book, Red Rising, I devoured the other five in this fantasy/sci-fi series and am eagerly waiting for the final book to be released in the summer of 2026. The series centers on class warfare because of a rigid caste system and the main character gets involved in an attempted revolution. This fast paced series is full of action and violence and is set in space.The Measure by Nikki Erlick
In this book everyone who reaches a specific age receives a box revealing their lifespan. The story follows eight people who wrestle with the decision whether to open their boxes or not and what to do with the information they get. Ultimately it’s an uplifting book that encourages us to live life to the fullest.Twice by Mitch Albom
This is a magical realism novel about a boy named Alfie who discovers that he gets two chances at everything in his life. It has a very engaging storyline (which kept me guessing until the end). It really made me see even more value in imperfection and the growth that comes from learning.Marble Hall Murders by Anthony Horowitz
This mystery follows freelance editor Susan Ryleland who finds herself unwillingly entangled in the death of an author whose book she is working on. I enjoy a mystery that keeps me guessing.The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
Trevor’s Top Reads in 2025:
I enjoyed the audiobook version of this book which follows the story of Sonia and Sunny who are both Indian immigrants to the United States and who are navigating love, family, country, class, and race.Trevor managed to finish 41 books last year. These ones rose to the top:
How the Irish Saved Civilization -The Untold Story of Ireland’s Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe by Thomas Cahill. Basically, the Irish saved civilization because their monasteries preserved classical texts, learning, and book making after the fall of the Roman Empire. Irish monks later established monasteries on continental Europe which became centers of learning.
American Nations -A History of the Eleven Rival Regional Cultures of North America by Colin Woodard. This was a paradigm shaping book and provides the best explanation that I’ve heard for regional differences in the USA.
As You Wish -Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride (1987) by Cary Elwes. If you love the movie, listen to the audio book as Cary Elwes and other cast members share behind-the-scenes stories.
The Shortest History of Ancient Rome -A Millennium of Western Civilization, from Kingdom to Republic to Empire: A Retelling for Our Times by Ross King. Trevor is a big fan of the Shortest History Series because they provide short overviews without getting too myopic or tedious.
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow. This is a 1,200 page tome or 45 hours on audio book. Fun fact! Twain smoked between 22-40 cigars per day. Let’s end with some Mark Twain quotes:
“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d druther not.”
“Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”.
“Never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.”
“The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who cannot read them”.
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It’s time for our annual Year In Review where we take a look back at the top records, breakthroughs, and notable stories to come out of the running world in 2025. We bring you both the inspiring and the bizarre, it’s all in here!
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In this episode Coach Athena joins the podcast to answer questions about optimizing running form. Athena ran her first marathon in 2002 and she learned some lessons the hard way! Listen as she answers questions about over-striding, heel striking, glute activation, core strength, proper form while running hills, and if it makes sense to tinker with your natural running form. Enjoy!
Links Mentioned in This EpisodeRun Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach.
Join the Academy and access our new course Optimizing Your Running Form by Coach Athena!
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Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters: Getting out there.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.
AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes 5 AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2.
Coach Athena has a Masters degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and is an Exercise Physiologist. She is also a RRCA Level 2 Certified Running Coach, UESCA Ultra Run Coach a Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Performance Enhancement Specialist, and Certified Coach in Menopause for Athletes and Women Are Not Small Men courses and Menopause Fitness Specialist. She has completed 18+ marathons (5 Boston qualifiers), 11+ ultras, countless half marathons and numerous obstacle race 1st place finishes. She lives and trains in San Antonio, Texas.
- Visa fler
