No Off-Season Episode 8 | Blake Leeper | Running For His Life

Fabian Domenech | Root Your Life in Authenticity: Over the past decade, yoga participation in the United States has nearly tripled. This comes as no surprise to Fabian Domenech, who found his practice when he was juggling an aspiring fashion career, a full-time service industry job, and a CrossFit coaching schedule in the fast-paced city of London. Thanks to yoga, meditation and his extensive world travels, he’s since learned the power of self-love and the importance of detachment. On this episode, the Nike yoga teacher and CrossFit coach gets real about mental health, shares the feeling of community and belonging he finds in sport, and tells us what we can expect from each of his classes. by TRAINED

29 min listen

James Clear | Building Atomic Habits: With three solid years on the New York Times bestseller list, James Clear’s Atomic Habits has made a habit of success. On this episode, the author and entrepreneur who has inspired millions of readers to change their health behaviors for the better puts it simply: Who we are reflects our habits. With his helpful metaphors and refreshingly straightforward and sustainable mindset techniques inspired by psychology greats, we can all build habits that make us shine. by TRAINED

30 min listen

Maria Wada | Reinvention and Connection Through Yoga: Nike yoga teacher Maria Wada used to be all about chasing dreams. That’s why she left her home country of Japan to pursue — and achieve — a career as a professional dancer in the United States. But in the face of success, she realized the sacrifices she made to get there weren’t always worth it. On this episode, she shares how her practice helped her reconnect with herself and strengthen her relationships with others. She also tells us how she’s been shaped by both Japanese and American culture, and how everyone can let go of ego, perfectionism and expectation to find fulfilment in movement. by TRAINED

28 min listen

Sabrina Strings, PhD | Rethinking Body Image: The ideal human body has been commercialized, stigmatized, fetishized and, yes, even racialized. For women, trying to achieve the “perfect” body is an unattainable and often traumatic pursuit that never seems to end. On this episode, Sabrina Strings, PhD, an associate professor of sociology at the University of California, Irvine, explains why this is and helps us understand its impact on our individual and collective sense of well-being. Drawing from her book, Fearing the Black Body, she dives deep into diet culture, fat phobia, body positivity and the unsettled debate: Is obesity a disease? by TRAINED

34 min listen

Anna Kessel | Elevating Women in Sports: Anna Kessel has been writing about women in sports for nearly two decades. Her work — especially when it comes to women’s football — has been so impactful, she was awarded a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire as part of the 90th birthday honors of Queen Elizabeth II. Many consider her book, Eat Sweat Play, to be a must-read at the nexus of feminism and fitness. On this episode, Kessel breaks down the history of women’s athletics, tells us why societal views are largely to blame for barriers to entry, and shares how we can all play a role in evolving the narrative of women’s place in sports. by TRAINED

36 min listen

Monica Garrison | Opening Doors to Sport and Community: In 2013, Monica Garrison rediscovered cycling as a means to manage stress, stay fit and spend time with her kids. What she gained were mental and physical benefits so powerful that she founded Black Girls Do Bike (BGDB) that same year. An organization that empowers all women to connect and experience the joy of cycling, it’s especially dedicated to opening doors for women of color and addressing health disparities. Now with over 100 chapters, BGDB allows women from across the world to form a deep sense of community through their passion for cycling and for giving back. On this episode, we hear from Monica and other inspiring BGDB members about their experiences with the group and their mission to democratize wellness. by TRAINED

29 min listen

Laurel Proulx, DPT, PhD | Hit Your Pre- and Postnatal Movement Goals: During pregnancy, your blood volume and energy expenditure can roughly double, your heart rate increases 10 to 15 beats per minute…and there are even more changes after you give birth to the human inside of you. So how do you navigate exercise during the endurance event of a lifetime? Enter Laurel Proulx, DPT, PhD, the founder of FEM Physical Therapy and a Nike (M)ove Like a Mother advisory board member. On this episode, she explains the inner workings of the pelvic floor and deep core and how to keep them strong. She also sets the record straight about pre- and postnatal myths and shares how to get back into movement after delivery. by TRAINED

41 min listen

Derrick Henry | Finding Ways to Fuel Your Passions: Derrick Henry loves working out — and not just because he’s heading into his seventh NFL season. The gym is where he finds inspiration, passion and pride. On this episode, he and host Jaclyn Byrer geek out over their fitness favorites. The Tennessee Titans running back also shares how his family has motivated him through ups and downs, how he found success despite the people who said he wouldn’t, and how all of us — whether we’re dreaming of running a half or determined to try out a new fitness class — can push past doubt and achieve our goals. by TRAINED

31 min listen

Judson Brewer, MD, PhD | Unwinding Unhealthy Habits: Whether it’s the struggle to reduce screen time or the battle against overeating sugar, many of us know how hard it is to kick unhelpful habits. And according to Judson Brewer, MD, PhD, the best-selling author of The Craving Mind, it’s not so much about willpower as it is about mindfulness. On this episode, the director of research and innovation at Brown University’s Mindfulness Center explains what happens in the brain when we break and form habits. He also shares habit-mapping tools, acronyms and reframing techniques that can help anyone take better control of their behaviors — for good. by TRAINED

40 min listen

Chandra Cheeseborough | A Running Legacy: Though rarely talked about today, the Tigerbelles, Tennessee State University’s women’s track and field team, is one of the most accomplished sports clubs in the state’s history. During the reign of legendary coach Ed Temple, the all-Black team produced 40 Olympic athletes who took home 23 medals — many while living in the Jim Crow South pre-Title IX. One of those barrier-breaking sprinters is Olympic gold medalist and TSU track and field director Chandra Cheeseborough, or Coach Cheese. On this episode, she recounts stories of her time as a Tigerbelle and shares how Ed Temple impacted her as an athlete and highly successful coach. She also tells us how she’s keeping the history of the club alive and shares advice for other athletes hoping to leave a mark. by TRAINED

29 min listen

Sloane Stephens | Turning a Setback into a Comeback: In 2017, Sloane Stephens didn’t just secure her first Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open. She did it after an injury benched her for 11 months and sunk her world ranking, earning her the World Tennis Association’s Comeback Player of the Year award. On this episode, she tells us how she maintains a positive mindset in the face of obstacles and how she’s become a champion of change in the cyberbullying space. She also describes the unconventional training regimen that took her from surgery to victory and why having an identity outside of sports can make anyone a stronger athlete. by TRAINED

28 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 9 | Michelle Wie West | What Makes a Champion?: Golfer Michelle Wie West reflects on her mental health journey over the course of her extraordinary and groundbreaking career. From 10-year-old phenom to U.S Women’s Open champion to emerging industry leader, Michelle has witnessed, and been at the center of a mental health evolution in her sport. She shares what’s kept her grounded and what she’s learned about tenderness, resolve and raising her own voice along the way. by TRAINED

31 min listen

Kelly Starrett, DPT | The Fundamentals of Fitness: Becoming your most athletic self isn’t just about going harder, lifting heavier or running faster. According to Kelly Starrett, a doctor of physical therapy, improving your performance starts with nailing the basics. On this episode, the CrossFit trainer and co-founder of The Ready State tells us how to build a solid fitness foundation by maximizing our movement and mobility. He explains the basic skills that can help prevent injury and how they’re consistently utilized across all areas of sport and fitness. He also breaks down how anyone can stay fit — in or out of the gym. by TRAINED

32 min listen

Jaelin Howell | Soccer’s Next Generation: Like many of us, Jaelin Howell started playing sports before she could even read. Unlike most of us, she went on to rep jerseys for the U.S. National Women’s Team and Racing Louisville FC. On this episode, the up-and-coming soccer star details every step of that journey. She shares the benefits of coming from a family of athletes, gets real about the struggles of collegiate sports, and explains the training it takes to transition from club to NCAA to pro. She also tells us what she’s learned from the women who came before her, what it’s like to play with her childhood idols, and what kind of legacy she hopes to leave. by TRAINED

29 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 7 | Megan Bartlett | The Coach of the Future: As founder of the Center for Healing & Justice Through Sport, Megan Bartlett engages with sport at every level. From community centers and juvenile detention centers to major college athletic conferences and professional leagues, Megan and her team put a premium on teaching coaches to deliver healing-centered sport experiences while protecting, nurturing, and embracing athletes for every bit of who they are. In this conversation with Crisis Text Line’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shairi Turner, Megan talks about addressing all types of trauma, building resilience through dosed stress, and her game-changing blueprint for the future of coaching. by TRAINED

34 min listen

Timothy Caulfield | Exposing Misinformation in Wellness: With continuously emerging fads like macrobiotics, vitamin IVs and cryotherapy, the wellness industry has been rapidly growing for decades. And the more its monetary value and list of buzzwords grows, the blurrier the line between scientific truth and pseudoscience hype gets. That’s why Timothy Caulfield, a Canadian professor of health law and science policy, has focused his career on clearing up the difference between fact and fiction. On this episode, the bestselling author tells us why the wellness industry is prone to misinformation, how we can spot it and what we can do about it. He then lays out some common misconceptions about the five facets of fitness — mindset, movement, nutrition, recovery and sleep — and shares simple tricks to help us recognize accurate research. by TRAINED

41 min listen

Branden Collinsworth | Activate Your Potential Through Yoga: Yoga teacher and human-performance coach Branden Collinsworth knows what it means to push your potential. Through his journey with movement, he unlocked the perseverance to escape poverty, the tenacity to achieve an Ivy League master’s degree in psychology, and the capacity to connect to the self. Now the Nike trainer is showing us how the skills learned through yoga can help us transcend our own limits. On this episode, he tells us why yoga is a missing link in sport performance and how it bridges the gap between the internal and the external. He also gives us simple steps for turning a flow into a daily habit. by TRAINED

36 min listen

Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD | The 7 Types of Rest: Most of us equate feeling tired with needing more sleep. But according to Saundra Dalton-Smith, MD, that only scratches the surface of what it really means to be rested. Through her research, the internal-medicine physician and founder of Restorasis identified seven types of rest that cut across all socioeconomic, cultural and racial barriers. On this episode, she gives us a thorough break-down of what these are and how to know when we’re getting enough of each. Whether you’re a worn-down athlete, a worn-out parent or an overworked employee, Dr Dalton-Smith assures us that her restorative practices aren’t additions to our to-do lists, they’re daily habits that can help us all become our optimal selves. by TRAINED

50 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 6 | Logan Edra | A B-Girl's Battle: As a mental health crisis unfolds amongst American teens, 19-year-old breaking sensation and Olympic hopeful Logan Edra, aka Logistx, joins No Off-Season to share her own experience and to advocate for a more open dialogue about mental health and young people. Identifying as an artist-athlete, Logan is partnering with Nike to help expand and redefine what the future of sport looks like. That includes trailblazing a new normal: a culture where winning and self-worth are separate measures and one in which mental health is perpetually discussed with openness and empathy. For Logan, this means sharing ways she’s navigated stigma in her BIPOC community, confronted generational trauma, and how’s she’s found the resolve to talk publicly about episodes of self-harm. Ultimately, Logan hopes to share a message of healing as she walks listeners through the tools and practices she relies on to heal herself. by TRAINED

31 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 5 | Tatyana McFadden | A Record-Setting Marathoner’s Guide to Mental Health: Born with spina bifida and without the use of her legs, Tatyana McFadden spent her early childhood in an orphanage, learning about self-reliance and inner strength while walking on her hands. Encouraged to participate in athletics by her adoptive American parents, Tatyana would ultimately grow up to dominate wheelchair racing, thus far winning 20 Paralympic medals and 24 major marathons. Throughout her racing career, and during her fight for equality in sport, Tatyana has relied on her mental strength to overcome challenges—a high-pressure lawsuit, a career-threatening condition—establishing herself as a leader as both athlete and advocate. In this inspiring, singular conversation with Crisis Text Line’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shairi Turner, Tatyana reflects on the foundations of her mental health, who she turns to for support and what strategies she’s established to get to the starti by TRAINED

37 min listen

Amanda Beard | Coming of Age in Competitive Sports: Amanda Beard grew up in the spotlight. She graced the Olympic podium by 14, racked up eight USA Swimming national titles and appeared on the covers of numerous sports and lifestyle magazines. But with the glamour and glory came intense media scrutiny that led her to struggle with body dysmorphia, depression and self-harm. On this episode, Amanda shares her coming-of-age story as a young woman in professional sports. She speaks about pressures specific to female athletes and explains why they can be so harmful. Having found confidence and happiness since her early days in the pool, she also tells us how athletes and their support systems can prioritize self-worth and well-being. by TRAINED

45 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 4 | Marko Cheseto | Extreme Losses, Extraordinary Gains: A gifted runner raised in a remote Kenyan village, Marko Cheseto earned a scholarship to race for an American university and moved to Alaska in 2008. As his star rose on the track, Marko began to feel increasingly pressured and displaced, struggling with his own mental health. The struggle worsened when Marko’s cousin and teammate died by suicide in 2011. Later that year, Marko went for a run having taken too many antidepressants. He lost consciousness in the snow for 3 days. Somehow, he survived, but his frostbitten feet were soon amputated. From his hospital bed, Marko didn’t know if he would ever run again. In this episode of No Off-Season, Marko shares his harrowing story with Crisis Text Line’s Natalia Dayan, a licensed social worker and therapist. He explains why mental health care needs more cultural sensitivity, the importance of spreading a message of hope, and what he’s determined to achieve—beyond by TRAINED

33 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 3 | Raven Saunders | Stop the Stigma: Having witnessed domestic abuse as a child, Raven Saunders got strong with the hopes of protecting her family. Her newly developed power also revealed her athletic talent, and the ability to become one of the best shot-putters in the world. But no matter how many victories she amassed, Raven’s trauma was unrelenting and lead to bouts of severe depression and suicidal ideation. In bravely sharing the nuances of her story with Dr. Shairi Turner, Crisis Text Line's Chief Medical Officer, and examining the moment that saved her own life, Raven advocates for more transparency in discussing mental health and shows why she’s becoming one of the most compelling voices in sports talking about mental health today. by TRAINED

38 min listen

Tunde Oyeneyin | Tap Into Gratitude: Tunde Oyeneyin’s reputation as a fitness icon has been 36 years in the making. And according to the personal trainer and cycling instructor, all of her highs wouldn’t have been possible without the lows. On this episode, Tunde tells us about the ups and downs of her life and career. We’ll hear how losing her mom helped her step into the greatest version of herself, why self-doubt is a catalyst for change and how missed opportunities can shift you in the right direction. Tunde’s story is one of grace, gratitude and realizing your dreams. by TRAINED

47 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 2 | Laurie Hernandez | The Path to Peace: By the time gymnast Laurie Hernandez turned 16, she’d reached the peak of her sport. But success came at a cost and her mental health suffered. In this honest and intimate conversation with Crisis Text Line’s Natalia Dayan, a licensed social worker and therapist, Laurie shares what she endured, how she found the resolve to recover, and the profound therapeutic steps she has taken to heal. by TRAINED

36 min listen

No Off-Season Launches: Trained's Jac Byrer introduces Nike's new podcast, a limited series called No Off-Season, and its hosts from Crisis Text Line, Dr. Shairi Turner and licensed social worker Natalia Dayan. Featuring in-depth, personal conversations about mental health with athletes like Karl-Anthony Towns, Laurie Hernandez, Raven Saunders, Tatyana McFadden and more, No Off-Season will run right here—Tuesdays on Trained's feed—for the next few months. In centering mental health, No Off-Season asserts that there is strength in asking for help, power in sharing our inner experiences, and healing in community. From dealing with loss to working through depression and anxiety to overcoming trauma, the stories presented on No Off-Season show those of us facing mental health challenges that we are not alone and serve to unite all of us around an issue with universal impact. Crisis Text Line, a Nike nonprofit partner, provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support an by TRAINED

5 min listen

No Off-Season Episode 1 | Karl-Anthony Towns | Finding Purpose Through Pain: With the loss of several family members to COVID-19, including his beloved mother, and getting sick with the virus himself, NBA All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been forced to examine mortality and grief in all new ways. On this debut episode of No Off-Season, Karl joins Crisis Text Line's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shairi Turner, to discuss what he's learned from dealing with loss, the ways he manages his own self-worth and how he hopes to enhance the mental health of his entire community. by TRAINED

35 min listen

50 Years of Nike | 10 Seasons of Inspiration: At Trained, we believe in the boundless capabilities of the body and mind. So as Nike celebrates its 50th anniversary, we dug through our archives to find our favorite informational and inspirational moments. Our guest athletes and experts have played key roles in helping us understand the five facets of fitness: mindset, movement, nutrition, recovery and sleep. As host Jaclyn Byrer walks us through guidance from Shalane Flanagan, Simon Sinek, Angela Manuel-Davis and others, we’ll revisit topics like the best training routine for long-term success, recap how to cope with anxiety by embracing it and recount the journeys of athletes who endured trauma and healed through sport. No one can say what the next 50 years will hold. But one thing we know for sure? You can count on Trained to continue keeping pace with the changes in science and the expanding needs of athletes all around the world. by TRAINED

45 min listen

M. Sanjayan and Joan Benoit Samuelson | The Race Toward a Greener Future: What do a top conservation biologist and a legendary marathoner have in common? Their passion for the environment. On this episode, two unique perspectives come together to tell the story of one goal: to preserve our planet so we can all thrive. First, scientist M. Sanjayan, the CEO of Conservation International, lays out the state of our climate. He explains why athletes — no matter what they play or where they train — are affected by environmental change, the impact of our food choices, and simple steps to take for a better future. Next, longtime Nike athlete Joan Benoit Samuelson details how decades of running have forced her to adapt to poor air quality and irregular weather patterns and inspired her to join local climate initiatives. Both share a hopeful look at how they continue to embrace the outdoors and the ways every one of us can lace up for the race against climate change. by TRAINED

53 min listen

Ann Nwabuebo, DPT| Improve Your Pelvic Health: Like many people who have pelvic floor issues, Ann Nwabuebo, DPT, unknowingly lived with hers for years. It wasn’t until a physical therapist called out her symptoms of pain and urinary frequency as atypical that she realized they were treatable. Within just a few sessions, Dr Ann got relief — and directed her career toward becoming a pelvic rehabilitation practitioner to help others achieve the same. On this episode, the founder and CEO of Body Connect Physical Therapy sets out to reduce the stigma around pelvic floor dysfunction, offers strategies to prevent problems, and explains when it’s time to seek professional care. By sharing exercises to strengthen those muscles, she enables people across all genders, fitness levels and stages of motherhood to make sure a weak pelvic floor doesn’t restrict their life. by TRAINED

43 min listen

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No Off-Season Episode 8 | Blake Leeper | Running For His Life

No Off-Season Episode 8 | Blake Leeper | Running For His Life

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