About this episode

Emily Abbate shares her personal journey with running and her career evolution in the season 21 premiere of Hurdle.

Welcome to Season 21 of Hurdle ! To kick off this brand-new chapter, host Emily's going solo to share the deeply personal evolution of her relationship with running, her career, and herself. From being cut from the JV volleyball team in high school to weighing 200+ pounds as a college freshman, Emily opens up about the pivotal moment that changed everything and the simple decision that started it all: learning to keep showing up for herself, one step at a time. Whether you are a seasoned marathoner, balancing the demands of a freelance career, or looking for the inspiration to conquer your own current hurdles, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that you belong exactly as you are. Key Takeaways & Highlights The Turning Point: Emily revisits her freshman year at the University of Connecticut, stepping on a dusty scale under her bunk bed, and the counter-intuitive sprint that sparked her health journey. The "Half-Mile" Summer: The hilarious and humbling realization that the "mile" she thought she was running every day at summer camp was actually just a half-mile—and why being bad at something is the first step to getting good. The Career Hustle: A winding look…

More episodes of Hurdle with Emily Abbate

• Finding Peace On The Trail: Becs Gentry On Pushing Physical Limits, Adventure Beyond 40 & Owning Your Realness · July 21, 2026 · 45 min
• 5-MINUTE FRIDAY: In Favor Of Consistency Over Perfection · July 17, 2026 · 10 min
• Mastering Your Mindset: Laura Thweatt On Transitioning From Competitor to Coach & Being Your Own Biggest Hype Human (Hellen Obiri's, Too) · July 14, 2026 · 57 min
• 5-MINUTE FRIDAY: When Everything Starts Clicking · July 10, 2026 · 8 min
• No Bad Days: Masai Russell Talks Confidence Over Cockiness & Shifting From Hurdling Underdog To The One To Beat · July 7, 2026 · 35 min
• 5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Me Vs. Me · July 3, 2026 · 8 min

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