Emma Spencer is an elite distance runner, running coach, software engineer and runs for the Tracksmith Hare AC. She has a marathon best of 2:37 (BMW Berlin Marathon 2018), which qualified her to race the 2020 US Olympic Marathon trials. This interview is in two parts, and takes place the day before and day after the trials in Atlanta. Emma ran 2:41:40 and placed 56th out of 390 women.This conversations covers the following:Emma’s introduction to runningWhat her early years of running looked like and her transition into collegeHer experience of hazing, bullying, and a toxic culture in her college running programHer experience with depression and vulnerability in collegeHer introduction to the marathonHow she navigated being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritisHer experience of gaining an Olympic Trials Qualifying time and what that means to herHer goals and expectations for the trialsEmbracing mental and physical discomfortHer thoughts on the Olympic Trials post raceWorking as a software engineer and her move to North CarolinaHer goals for the future and what running means to her____EPISODE LINKSEmma's InstagramEmma's TwitterAtlanta 2020____SPONSORSXenduranceXendurance is a nutrition company based out of Phoenix Arizona, providing high quality nutrition and recovery products for athletes. Xendurance proudly makes products that are science based for optimal health and performance. They have a large Pro-Team of talented athletes, including ROO’s own Soul Sister Abbey Cooper. All their products are made with the finest ingredients and to the highest quality. They are certified by multiple standards and all their products undergo strict analytic testing to comply with the World Anti Doping Agency, International Olympic Committee and other major sporting leagues.ROO listeners can receive 10% off any purchase by using ROO’s link: shop.teamxnd.com/runningonomFor more info visit runningonom.com