The Rambling Runner Podcast

Discover Hildee Weiss's inspiring story of late-life fitness, self-belief, and overcoming self-doubt to become an active runner and author. In this episode, Hildee shares her candid journey from a sedentary lifestyle to embracing health, all while balancing a large family and personal challenges.

Main Topics Covered:

Hildee Weiss's motivation to write her memoir about her fitness transformation

How self-belief and confidence evolve through the physical activity journey

The challenges of starting fitness in midlife, especially after pregnancy and raising five kids

Overcoming setbacks, including surgery and re-engaging with running and cross-training

The importance of mindset shifts: from "I have to" to "I get to" in fitness routines

Strategies for cultivating self-confidence and resilience as a parent and individual

The role of community, coaching, and persistence in achieving fitness goals

Future plans for trail running, races, and personal redemption

Embracing My Inner Athlete - Hildee Weiss’s memoir, out June 9th

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website.

Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kelsey Boyer shares her inspiring journey from competitive snowboarding and traumatic brain injury to embracing marathon running and advocacy. Her story highlights resilience, self-advocacy, and the power of neuro-recovery.

Key Topics

Kelsey's background as a competitive snowboarder and early involvement in the sport

The severity and impact of her brain injury, including the emergency surgery

The challenges of navigating medical diagnoses and the importance of self-advocacy

Recovery journey from initial hospital release to intensive brain rehab

The emotional and physical toll of sustaining a brain injury at age 23

Debunking misconceptions around traumatic brain injuries and "mild" concussions

The significance of education, prevention, and safety gear in brain health

Transitioning back to snowboarding and coaching after recovery

Setting the goal to run her first marathon, driven by a desire for challenge and community impact

The process of training with a brain injury and managing stress and nutrition

Developing a new relationship with endurance sports and embracing the beginner mindset

The importance of vulnerability, community support, and redefining athletic identity

Advocacy work through the nonprofit Save a Brain and the Running for Brains campaign

The role of neuroplasticity and dedicated rehab in her journey to regain athletic ability

Links:


Save a Brain Website — Learn more about brain injury advocacy and helmets


Save a Brain Instagram — Follow updates and campaigns


Cognitive FX Brain Rehabilitation — Innovative neurotherapeutic facility


Podcast: The Save a Brain Headquarters — Neuroscience insights and recovery stories


Running for Brains Campaign — Donate and support helmet safety for children

Kelsey's Instagram

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website.

Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Amy Crain shares her inspiring journey as a master marathon runner, highlighting how mental shifts, smart training, and a love for the sport propel her to consistent high-level performances well into her 40s.

Last month Amy finished third in the 45-49 age group, and first American, at the Boston Marathon!

Whether you're an aspiring master runner or simply love running, Amy’s insights reveal how to enjoy the process while competing fiercely.

Main topics:

Amy’s memorable Boston Marathon and the mindset shift that unlocked her potential

Balancing competitiveness with fun and mental preparedness in training and racing

How aging has influenced her approach to running and training strategies

The role of external environment awareness and community support during races

Transitioning from college to lifelong running, with stories from cross-country in Scotland and Ireland

Practical tips on training, nutrition, sleep, and race-day tactics for master runners

The importance of curiosity, consistency, and joy in sustaining marathon performance over decades

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website.

Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Laura Pifer shares her remarkable journey from her early days of national record performances in high school to running her first marathon at age 40, culminating in a third-place finish at the Masters Division at the Boston Marathon. We delve into her life balancing family, her creative endeavors with sewing and upcycling, and her fresh approach to running in her 40s. Also, Laura shares the remarkable story of her husband offering up his gps watch to Sharon Lokedi on the bus to the Boston starting line!

Key Topics:

Laura Pifer’s high school running success, including a national 5K record

Transition from collegiate athletics at Colorado to family life and less structured running

Her late start in marathon training, debuting at age 40 with a 2:45 finish

Recovery from illness during taper week leading to her Boston race

Boston marathon race strategy: conservative start, feeling great in the second half, negative splits

The mental and emotional boost from passing runners late in the race

Unique story of her husband's watch being borrowed by Sharon Lokedi on race day

Perspectives on aging in running and the importance of health, nutrition, and consistency

Laura's entrepreneurial journey: founding and growing Trash to Couture, her upcycling fashion blog

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as Esteban Trujillo shares his inspiring story of returning to marathon running after a seven-year break, fueled by a passion for pushing limits and defying age. From his Oregon cross country days to ultra-competitive Masters racing, Esteban's journey highlights resilience, strategic training, and living the sport authentically.

In this episode:

Esteban's early days at Oregon with stars like Galen Rupp and Matthew Centrowitz

The dramatic story of quitting running at age 27 and living in Alaska

How he rediscovered his love for racing and transitioned back into competitive marathon running

His approach to training, injury prevention, and mental toughness as a master's athlete

Insights on his recent performances, including CIM sub-2:15 and Boston Masters placement

The role of coaching with Brad Hudson and the significance of athlete-supported programs like Puma Project 3

Future goals leading to the 2028 Olympic Trials and beyond

Unique perspectives on balancing passion, health, and ambition in master’s athletics

Sponsors

Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order.

CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices