
Ep 77: When "Push Harder" Isn't the Answer - Finding Your Own Path, with Dr. Sonal Kamalia & Dr. Michelle Quirk
From Mindful Marathon Podcast by Michelle Quirk, MD
March 2, 2026 · 29 min · Episode 77
About this episode
Dr. Sonal Kamalia discusses her journey of burnout and self-discovery in running and life.
Many of us come to running or to life in general with a drive to prove ourselves. Whether it’s chasing a personal best, keeping up with training plans, or juggling a high-demand career, the pressure can sometimes outweigh the joy. In this episode, Dr. Sonal Kamalia shares her journey of burnout, self-discovery, and what it really means to run your own race, both on the pavement and in life. We discuss: *How to recognize when “proving yourself” is costing more than it gives. *Strategies for listening to your body, mind, and intuition instead of following external pressure. *Reconnecting with joy and creativity in both running and daily life. *Practical tips for runners who want to move intentionally and sustainably. Who this episode is for:Runners, busy professionals, and anyone feeling stuck in the cycle of overachievement or burnout. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re running from pressure or running for yourself, this episode is for you. You can find Dr. Kamalia on her website. www.sonalkamalia.com And on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/balance.sonalkamalia Follow Coach Michelle on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Marathon If you have questions about your…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Michelle Quirk
Guest: Dr. Sonal Kamalia
Topics covered
- burnout
- self-discovery
- running
- overachievement
- joy in life
- sustainable training
Keywords
- running
- burnout
- self-discovery
- overachievement
- joy
- sustainable training
- mindfulness
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Mindful Marathon Podcast, www.sonalkamalia.com, Instagram, mindful-marathon.com
More episodes of Mindful Marathon Podcast
- Ep 91: GLP-1s and Running - Fueling, Muscle Loss, and the Bigger Picture, with Dietician, Ann Kent & Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon · June 8, 2026 · 31 min
- Ep 90: Heat, Humidity, & Expectations - A Smarter Way to Train, with Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon · June 1, 2026 · 20 min
- Ep 89: Mindfulness Moments - Softening the Inner Critic, with Coach Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon · May 25, 2026 · 15 min
- Ep 88: Healing the Athlete Within - A Conversation About Anorexia, Running, and Recovery, with Dr. Jillian Rigert & Dr. Michelle Quirk · May 18, 2026 · 30 min
- Ep 87: Friendship, Character Stops, & My Favorite 10-Miler Yet - runDisney Springtime Surprise 2026 Recap, with Coach Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon · May 11, 2026 · 24 min
- Ep 86: Running with What We Carry - Finding Our Strength and Grace, with Coaches Gerald Collins & Michelle Quirk · May 4, 2026 · 29 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Mindful Marathon Podcast podcast page.