In this season one finale, Laura and her guest co-host delve into the intricate relationship between motherhood, mental health, ADHD, and athletic pursuits. They emphasize the critical importance of practicing self-care without guilt, highlighting how it serves as a foundation for mental health and resilience. Through heartfelt discussions, they share inspiring stories of overcoming trauma and adversity, illustrating how running and athletic goals can be powerful tools for healing and personal growth. The hosts also explore strategies for setting and achieving personal goals, breaking free from societal expectations, and fostering a supportive environment for both parents, caregivers and children.

Chapters

00:00 Season One Reflection and Community Building

03:11 Motherhood, Goals, and Self-Care

12:47 Identity Beyond Motherhood

20:41 The Guilt of Personal Goals

27:12 Mental Health and the Oxygen Mask

33:34 Balancing Family Needs and Personal Aspirations

41:21 Balancing Commitments and Guilt

44:04 Setting an Example for the Next Generation

46:12 Facing Health Challenges with Resilience

49:50 Reframing Training as Restoration

52:36 Understanding the Needs of Special Needs Parents

55:06 The Impact of Parental Involvement on Children

1:00:55 Empowering Moms to Pursue Their Goals

1:01:53 The Importance of Self-Care for Caregivers

1:02:50 Decoding the Soundtrack of Resilience

If you’re enjoying Wired To Run, leaving us a quick rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast and help more runners find the show. We’d also love for you to come hang out with us on Instagram: @wiredtorunpod and Facebook: Wired To Run Podcast where we keep the conversation going beyond the episode. Thanks for being part of this community and running with us.

Have a song that runs you? Send it our way on Instagram, Facebook, or email, and we may feature it on the show during our new series, “Songs That Run Us”

If this episode reminded you that you're not the only runner whose brain sprints faster than their legs, spread the word! Share it with a friend, post it on your stories or send us a message at laceup@wiredtorun.com. We're building the ADHD/neurodivergent running community that should've existed ages ago, and you're helping bring us all together. Even if you don’t have ADHD, but you sometimes relate to feeling overwhelmed, struggle with consistency or motivation in your running journey, you are welcome here!

In this episode of Wired to Run, Will and Laura delve into the emotional and psychological aspects of running, exploring the comparisons we make and the expectations we set for our running journeys. They discuss the healing power of running, the impact of life changes on our goals, and the importance of finding joy in the process. The conversation emphasizes the need to adapt our expectations and embrace our unique journeys as runners, while also addressing the dangers of chasing an idealized version of ourselves. They discuss the challenges of comparing oneself to past performances and the mental health implications of such comparisons. The dialogue explores the idea of looking ahead, redefining success in running, and the significance of community and support.

Chapters

1:15 This Week's Topic

2:50 Q&A: Who Did You Think Running Would Make You?

5:43 Goals, Confidence & Discipline

8:29 Running as Healing

13:26 When Progress Is Slower Than Expected

16:08 The Fantasy Runner

21:38 Marathon Training & Body Image

29:21 When Life Gets in the Way

36:53 Chasing the Ghost

43:51 The Danger of Chasing the Ghost

48:19 How to Make the Shift

53:18 Redefining Success

57:42 The Runner You Never Saw Coming

64:20 The Runner Who Kept Going

If you’re enjoying Wired To Run, leaving us a quick rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast and help more runners find the show. We’d also love for you to come hang out with us on Instagram: @wiredtorunpod and Facebook: Wired To Run Podcast where we keep the conversation going beyond the episode. Thanks for being part of this community and running with us.

Have a song that runs you? Send it our way on Instagram, Facebook, or email, and we may feature it on the show during our new series, “Songs That Run Us”

If this episode reminded you that you're not the only runner whose brain sprints faster than their legs, spread the word! Share it with a friend, post it on your stories or send us a message at laceup@wiredtorun.com. We're building the ADHD/neurodivergent running community that should've existed ages ago, and you're helping bring us all together. Even if you don’t have ADHD, but you sometimes relate to feeling overwhelmed, struggle with consistency or motivation in your running journey, you are welcome here!

Join us as Heather shares her inspiring journey of transforming challenges into triumphs from her military service and a unique health condition to conquering ultra distances as a push rim wheelchair racing athlete at iconic races like the Donna 110 and Dopey Challenge. As an ADHD athlete, Heather also reveals how she balances focus and energy, offering insights on race accessibility, race day etiquette, the power of community, mental grit and perseverance.

Chapters

00:00 The Journey of Resilience in Running

03:06 From Air Force to Adaptive Athlete

05:49 Transitioning to Wheelchair Racing

08:55 Challenges and Triumphs in Racing

11:47 The Importance of Community and Support

15:05 Navigating Race Etiquette and Safety

18:08 Advocacy and Inclusivity in Racing

21:00 Experiences in Ultra Racing

24:03 The Role of Costumes in Racing

26:56 Memorable Moments in Disney Races

47:08 Running My Own Race

49:25 ADHD and Racing Life

53:38 The Role of Coaching and Support

54:55 Navigating ADHD and Sports

01:01:00 Understanding ADHD in Athletes

01:02:30 Finding Your Tribe

01:04:34 Favorite Races and Experiences

01:07:22 Upcoming Goals and Challenges

01:10:23 Songs That Run Us

01:32:41 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

If you’re enjoying Wired To Run, leaving us a quick rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast and help more runners find the show. We’d also love for you to come hang out with us on Instagram: @wiredtorunpod and Facebook: Wired To Run Podcast where we keep the conversation going beyond the episode. Thanks for being part of this community and running with us.

Have a song that runs you? Send it our way on Instagram, Facebook, or email, and we may feature it on the show during our new series, “Songs That Run Us”

If this episode reminded you that you're not the only runner whose brain sprints faster than their legs, spread the word! Share it with a friend, post it on your stories or send us a message at laceup@wiredtorun.com. We're building the ADHD/neurodivergent running community that should've existed ages ago, and you're helping bring us all together. Even if you don’t have ADHD, but you sometimes relate to feeling overwhelmed, struggle with consistency or motivation in your running journey, you are welcome here!