Mind Over Mountain

Епизоде

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  The Courage to Start Over with Olympic Swimming Champion Natalie Coughlin 17.09.2026 59мин

  This week I talk with 12-time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin about the mental strength behind her extraordinary swimming career, the failures that ultimately shaped her success, and what it means to keep beginning again. Natalie shares how visualization helped her become a champion, why missing her first Olympic team became a gift, and how she learned to embrace new chapters after swimming. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a woman wondering how to start over and find a fulfilling second career.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Same Dream, a Different Path with Paralympic Swimming Champion Christie Raleigh Crossley 10.09.2026 1ч 2мин

  Paralympic champion Christie Raleigh Crossley spent decades chasing an Olympic dream, even as accidents, motherhood, brain surgery, and disability repeatedly changed the path beneath her. Christie joins us to talk about learning to adapt, letting go of the life she thought she’d have, and finally reaching the podium in Paris. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a mother struggling to accept that parenthood looks different than she imagined.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Thing That Scares You Most: WWE Pro Wrestler AJ Mendez on Finding Your Superpower 03.09.2026 57мин

  Wrestling icon, writer, and mental health advocate AJ Mendez joins me to talk about what happens when we stop hiding the parts of ourselves we’ve been taught to fear. AJ reflects on becoming the trailblazing AJ Lee, walking away at the height of her career, and returning to wrestling a decade later as a healthier, more whole version of herself. We talk about vulnerability, finding power in the things that make us different, and why sometimes the thing that scares us most is exactly where we need to go. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter about heartbreak, emotional intensity, and learning to build the love and security we seek within ourselves.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Don’t Let the Injury Decide: Professional CrossFit Athlete Rebecka Vitesson on Starting Over 27.08.2026 50мин

  Professional CrossFit athlete Rebecka Vitesson joins me to talk about what it means to come back; not just from injury, but from the fear that the thing you love might be over. Rebecka shares how repeated setbacks taught her to be gentler with herself, celebrate small victories, and measure success by the effort she gives rather than the outcome she earns. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter about finding the discipline to begin, and why sometimes the way forward is to make the first step a little easier.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  How Do I Want to Show Up? with AVP Beach Volleyball Player Kelly Cheng 20.08.2026 48мин

  Two-time Olympian and AVP beach volleyball player Kelly Cheng joins Cheryl to talk about what it means to keep showing up—with joy, ferocity, and an open heart. We talk about weathering pressure, trusting the people beside us, and learning to quiet the voice that says we aren't enough. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter about making peace with the bodies we're given.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Forty-Three Days Alone at Sea: Kelsey Pfendler on Letting Go of Control 13.08.2026 53мин

  After becoming the first American woman to row solo across the mid-Pacific—and the fastest person ever to do it—Kelsey Pfendler joins us to discuss resilience, healing through adventure, and what the wilderness can teach us about ourselves. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter about how to choose a path when every dream feels possible.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Building the World You Wish Existed | The Sports Bra's Jenny Nguyen 06.08.2026 50мин

  I sit down with Jenny Nguyen, founder of The Sports Bra, to talk about what happens when frustration becomes purpose. Jenny shares how one ordinary night watching women's basketball sparked an extraordinary idea, why she finally decided to stop waiting for someone else to build the world she wanted to live in, and how trusting a dream that had never been done before transformed not only her own life, but an entire movement. Together we explore the courage it takes to go first, the people who help carry us up the mountain, and why the smallest acts of belief can create ripple effects far beyond what we ever imagined. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a young woman struggling to forgive her parents after their divorce, and reflect on what it means to love imperfect people while making room for grace.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Reissue: I'm Not Lifting Weights; I'm Lifting People with Tamara Walcott 30.07.2026 42мин

  We sit down with world-record powerlifter Tamara Walcott to talk about strength in every sense of the word. Tamara shares her journey from being picked last to lifting record-breaking weight, the difference between motivation and dedication, and how she replaced shame with pride. Plus, they offer advice to a mom struggling with guilt around taking time for herself—and why saving your own life sometimes starts with one rep.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Reissue: Be So Good They Can't Ignore You: Sarah Spain on Persistence 23.07.2026 56мин

  Sarah Spain joins us for a conversation about nonlinear careers, unexpected pivots, and trusting that the path will reveal itself to you. From comedy to ESPN, Sarah reflects on saying yes before she felt ready and what happened next.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Reissue: Blair Braverman on Letting Go and Staying Alive 16.07.2026 59мин

  Iditarod musher and bestselling author Blair Braverman joins Cheryl for a conversation about risk, resilience, and the deep bond between humans and animals. She shares what it’s like to navigate blizzards, isolation, and uncertainty all while being guided by her dogs. Together, they explore fear, leadership, and how trust is built not through control, but through genuine connection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  From WNBA Pioneer to Lifelong Inspiration: Kym Hampton 09.07.2026 49мин

  Kym Hampton was there at the beginning of the Women's National Basketball Association, helping to pave the way for generations of athletes to come. But this conversation isn't just about basketball—it's about how we continue evolving throughout our lives. Kym and I talk about resilience, reinvention, and the quiet power of choosing kindness, even when the path ahead isn't clear. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a listener wondering how to handle a complicated work relationship.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Audacity of Vulnerability with Abby Wambach 02.07.2026 1ч 5мин

  Soccer icon Abby Wambach joins Cheryl Strayed to explore the inner life behind extraordinary achievement. Abby reflects on the relentless drive that fueled her legendary career, the complicated relationship between success and self-worth, and the emotional journey of redefining identity after elite sports. Together, they discuss grief, sobriety, partnership, and what it means to live with both humility and audacity. The episode ultimately asks a powerful question: how do we measure a meaningful life once the medals are won?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Walking through Loss with Author and Hiker Cara Benson 25.06.2026 1ч 1мин

  Writer and hiker Cara Benson joins us for a deeply personal conversation about grief, addiction, healing, and the solace found in wild places. We explore how hiking helped us navigate profound loss, what it means to keep moving forward when life shatters, and how nature can offer connection, perspective, and comfort when words fail. We also answer a Dear Sugar letter from a woman searching for meaning after a lifetime of caring for everyone but herself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Panic, Presence, Self-Compassion and Yoga with Adriene Mishler 18.06.2026 46мин

  Yoga teacher and founder of Yoga with Adriene, Adriene Mishler, joins us for a conversation about courage, self-care, and learning to truly listen to yourself. Adriene reflects on the lessons that emerged from an unexpected panic attack, the importance of showing up imperfectly, and why meaningful change often comes through small, consistent acts of care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  The Olympian Who Never Planned to Be One - Speed Skater Erin Jackson 11.06.2026 47мин

  Olympic gold medalist speed skater Erin Jackson joins us to discuss embracing unexpected opportunities, finding joy in the journey, and navigating life's setbacks. Erin reflects on her improbable rise from roller skating in Florida to Olympic champion, the teammate whose selfless act helped send her to the Olympics, and we answer a Dear Sugar letter about how to keep moving forward when life keeps knocking you down.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Olympic Cross-Country Skier Julia Kern on Falling Short and Moving Forward 04.06.2026 49мин

  Olympic cross-country skier Julia Kern joins us for a candid conversation about resilience, recovery, and the courage to keep dreaming. Fresh off the Milan-Cortina Olympics, Julia reflects on the highs of making an Olympic final, the heartbreak of falling short of a medal, and the years-long battle with chronic pain that nearly made her walk away from the sport. We'll explore the parallels between athletic setbacks, heartbreak, healing, and the importance of finding joy in the journey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Headfirst into Fear with Olympian Skeleton Racer Mystique Ro 28.05.2026 48мин

  This week we're joined by Olympian skeleton racer Mystique Ro for a conversation about fear, control, and learning to trust yourself at 80 miles per hour. Mystique opens up about the mental discipline behind skeleton racing, navigating the sport as a Black athlete from a working-class background, and the unlikely journey that took her from track and field to the Olympic stage and we'll answer a Dear Sugar letter from a bride-to-be.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  What Strong Women Know with Heptathlete Louise Hazel 21.05.2026 51мин

  On this episode we're joined by Olympian heptathlete Louise Hazel for a personal conversation about strength, grief, endurance, and what our bodies are truly capable of. Louise reflects on her journey from a sports-obsessed kid in rural England to competing at the 2012 London Olympics and what led her to opening her own gym, SLAY, in Los Angeles. We talk about loss and grief, navigating miscarriage, and how movement became her way through heartbreak. Our advice this week focuses on body image, women’s health culture, resilience, and why learning what your body can do matters far more than what it looks like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Polo, Pressure, and Paving the Way with Shariah Harris 14.05.2026 47мин

  This week we talk to trailblazing polo player Shariah Harris to discuss resilience, identity, and the unexpected journey that led her from a chance encounter with horses in Philadelphia to making history as the first Black woman to compete at the highest level of the U.S. Women’s Polo Championship. Shariah reflects on growing up through the Work to Ride program, navigating predominantly white spaces in elite sports, and balancing the demands of being both a professional athlete and an operating room nurse. Together, we explore the lessons horses can teach us about patience, courage, and trust — and what it means to pave the way for the next generation while staying grounded in your love for the sport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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  Overcoming Hurdles with Olympic Heptathlete Chari Hawkins 07.05.2026 40мин

  Olympic heptathlete Chari Hawkins opens up about what it really feels like to keep going when everything falls apart. What begins as a reflection on Chari’s career unfolds into something much more vulnerable—her struggles with identity, the quiet devastation of missing the Olympic team, and a moment where she wasn’t sure she wanted to keep going at all. Together, we explore fear, failure, and the small, brave decisions that shape a life. Our Dear Sugar letter this week touches on what it means to start before you feel ready, reminding us that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s learning how to live alongside it.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.