185: [Mary Cain] Nowhere Else to Turn

185: [Mary Cain] Nowhere Else to Turn

July 10, 2026 · 37 min · Episode 185

About this episode

Mary Cain discusses her journey from a young running talent to an advocate for athlete rights and mental health.

Content warning : bullying, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, systemic abuse, systemic betrayal, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Mary Cain is an author, athlete, and non-profit board member that was once hailed as one of the greatest young running talents in the world. But behind her success was a much more complicated story involving the pressures of elite competition, her experience inside the Nike Oregon Project, and the challenges she faced as she tried to find her voice. In the years that followed, and through civil legal accountability, Mary transformed from an athlete into an author and advocate examining the culture of sports and the treatment of young athletes. In this episode, Mary reflects on her journey, the highs and lows of her running career, and all that came next in this new chapter beyond the track. The Broken Cycle Media team is extremely grateful for Mary’s advocacy, energy, and willingness to share with our community. Follow & Support Mary: - Mary's Instagram: http:www.instagram.com/runmarycain - Mary's Book, This is Not About Running : https://www.harpercollins.com/products/this-is-not-about-running-mary-cain?variant=43897601589282 - The Athlete…

People in this episode

Host: Broken Cycle Media

Guest: Mary Cain

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Nike Oregon Project, Broken Cycle Media, The Athlete Survivors' Assist, Associated Press, Sports Illustrated

Books & works: This is Not About Running

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