Hurdle

In just 8 years since their debut in 2010, On Running has become one of the fastest growing running shoe brands, now featured in more than 5,000 running specialty shops across the globe. In episode 26, live from Paragon Sports in New York City, co-founder Caspar Coppetti and I talk about the pressures that come with building an athletic company from the ground up, and how the brand’s cloud technology sets them apart from other huge contenders. We also dive into Coppetti’s #hurdlemoment, when a factory in China charged with manufacturing their shoes went bankrupt, and the necessary break he took after that fiasco to cycle throughout the Swiss Alps and get his mind right. Recorded the week of the 2018 New York City Marathon, Coppetti also shares motivational advice for new and veterans runners and the mantra that propels him to be better, both personally and in business. — @on_running @casparcoppetti @paragonsports @hurdlepodcast Hurdle listeners! Special offer: ON is offering shoes and gear to the test for 30 days! Head on over to paragonsports.com, pick your favorite shoes or apparel pieces, and apply code “paragonhurdle” at checkout. Run in them for 30 days, put them through their paces, and if you love them—keep them. Not convinced, just send back for a full refund! Local to the NYC area? This also works at the Paragon store located at 18th and Broadway (just say it at the registers). Offer good until December 31, 2018.

Former Navy SEAL Randy Hetrick made the first version of the popular suspension trainer, TRX, during a deployment in 1997. The veteran went on to perfect his design, conquer Stanford business school, and eventually pile his savings into launching the company. But he faced a huge #hurdlemoment in 2010, when counterfeiters started to sell a rip-off of his product on Amazon. In episode 25, we talk about the legal battle that ensued to get those listings taken down, the way the TRX team regularly incorporates movement regularly at their San Francisco headquarters, and the advice he’d offer to anyone who feels like they’re starting at square one over and over again. — @trxtraining @randyhetrick @hurdlepodcast

Neha Gandhi has quite the impressive resume. With editorial jobs at Seventeen, Harper’s Bazaar, and Refinery 29 under her belt, she was excited when the opportunity came her way to join the Girlboss team in mid-2017. The new COO/Editor-in-Chief title brought about a lot of change in her life, including a cross-country move to Los Angeles with her husband. In episode 24, Gandhi talks about how she leaned into routines including exercise and meditation to make the transition easier, and she offers up a ton of amazing, actionable advice for anyone ready to level-up in their career. —- @nehaintown @girlboss @hurdlepodcast

I sit down with past Hurdle guests Dr. Jason Wersland, Michael Chernow, and Dan Churchill for the second-ever Hurdle Live. We chat about everything from how to keep your health in mind when on the road to best practices for implementing mediation and recovery into your regular routine (plus, have a few laughs along the way). Huge thank you to Hub Seventeen for hosting us, as well as the 11+ brands that donated door prizes (Headspace, Athletic Greens, Revere, Salthaus, Y7 Studio, ToneHouse, Lyons Den Power Yoga, Mile High Run Club, ReCOVER, Asics, TheraGun). Through ticket sales from the October 9th event, we were able to raise $1,200 for City Harvest. — @drjasonwersland @michaelchernow @dan_churchill @hurdlepodcast

Joey Gonzalez has what he likes to call a “CEO Cinderella story.” At first intimidated to walk through the doors of Barry’s Bootcamp soon after opening in the late 1990s, he was instantly hooked to how the popular boutique fitness class made him feel. Fast forward to the company’s 20-year anniversary this week, and the once-student-turned-instructor now sits in the CEO seat, grateful for all of the #hurdlemoments that he’s overcome along the way. In episode 22, Gonzalez tells me how things have changed over the past two decades of Barry’s, his tricks to shifting fear into focus, and the essential advice he’d offer anyone who feels intimidated by starting fresh with their fitness routine. —- @joeygonzalez @barrysbootcamp @hurdlepodcast

Having “co-founder of SoulCycle and Flywheel Sports” on your resume is kind of a big deal. This week, I sit down with Ruth Zukerman, Creative Director of boutique cycling favorite FlyWheel Sports. After her 1996 divorce, the former dancer and aerobics instructor felt lost and took to the Spin bike. Soon, she became an instructor and was approached by a rider about starting a company of their own—SoulCycle. In 2009, she left to start FlyWheel—which currently has more than 40 locations across the country. In episode 21, she explains why she still teaches classes despite her demanding schedule, and offers advice for making the hard calls in business. We close things out with a little visualization exercise that’ll have you ready to conquer any hurdle that comes your way. —- @flywheelsports @ruth_flywheel @hurdlepodcast

Before Hayden Slater started cult-favorite Pressed Juicery in the back of a small cupcake shop in West Los Angeles, he was a recent NYU graduate eating fast food all the time and felt totally drained by his 9 to 5. Cue a #hurdlemoment-worthy trip to Southeast Asia, complete with a 30-day juice cleanse, that ignited his passion for health and wellness, helped him lose 60 pounds, and inspired him to launch the juice company with two of his good friends. In episode 20, we chat about how Slater finds balance despite his hectic schedule, the time the health department shut down the business, and the craziest health trends out there (spoiler alert: leeches are involved).​​​​​​​ --- @haydenslater @pressedjuicery @hurdlepodcast

Nicole Winhoffer’s helped A-listers like Stella McCartney and Madonna get in top shape. But she wasn’t always a personal trainer. As a teenager, Winhoffer was dancing on Broadway, living a life many only dream of. In episode 19, we talk about the #hurdlemoment that lead the Bronx native to a major career pivot. The NW Method creator shares where she draws her inspiration from, the must-hear advice that helps her navigate tough decisions, and her stance on unplugging and ditching technology to become better at business. --- @nicolewinhoffer @hurdlepodcast hurdle.us

You’ve seen basketballer Kyrie Irving reach for it courtside and CrossFit’s ‘Fittest Man on Earth’ Mathew Fraser use it in the gym. In episode 18, I sit down with TheraGun creator Dr. Jason Wersland, D.C., the creator of the crazy-looking tool made for muscle activation, recovery, and pain management. He shares with me the story behind his invention and his #hurdlemoment, a 2007 motorcycle accident that changed his life forever, sparking his quest to create an effective, portable treatment device for patients—including himself. We talk about what it’s like traveling the world educating others on the importance of muscle recovery and mobility, how his kids inspire him to be a better person, and share a few tears along the way. --- @theragun @drjasonwersland @hurdlepodcast

Khloe Kardashian. Jennifer Lopez. Sofia Vergara. As personal trainers go, Gunnar Peterson has a mega impressive roster of celebrity clientele—past and present. Also the Director of Strength and Endurance for the Los Angeles Lakers, Peterson knows a thing or two about hard work, time management, and the human body. In episode 17, I catch up with him while he’s visiting New York for Propel’s Co:Labs Fitness Festival. We talk about the unconventional way he got started in the health and fitness industry after college, how spending time at the gym helps him work through hard times, and the essential career advice he’s received from A-listers including Bruce Willis and Sylvester Stallone. --- @gunnarfitness @hurdlepodcast

“You can be anything you want to be, whenever you want to be it,” Paralympic medalist and snowboard champ Amy Purdy told me last month in Colorado. A strong message coming from the double-leg amputee, who was given a 2 percent chance of living by doctors after contracting bacterial meningitis in 1999. Although the incident did cost her her legs, it certainly didn’t make her lose sight of her potential. In episode 16, we chat about the horror that surrounded that near death experience at age 19 and how its shaped her perspective for the better. Plus, she spills what it was like competing on Dancing With the Stars, how it felt standing on the Paralympic podium, and the remarkable advice she’d offer to anyone going through tough times of their own. --- @amypurdygirl @hurdlepodcast

Some people hate spending time on the treadmill. And at one point, David Siik was one of them. But when the former college track athlete didn’t make the cut as a professional runner, he turned his passion into his career in an unexpected way by giving the hamster wheel a second thought. Soon enough, the Michigan native was pitching fitness giant Equinox a treadmill-based running program. And today? There are more than 200+ certified instructors for an interval class that Siik created called Precision Running. In episode 15, he talks about the #hurdlemoment that changed his life forever and offers essential advice for beginner and veteran runners alike. --- @davidsiik @equinox @hurdlepodcast

When champion marathoner and New York Times best-selling author Deena Kastor arrived in China for the Beijing Olympics in 2008, she was ready to crush the competition. But 3 miles into her race, the pro felt something snap in her right foot, causing her to fall to the ground and drop out. In episode 14, I travel to London to catch up with the American female record holder for the marathon and half-marathon. She tells me why she’s thankful for that devastating injury, the mental tricks that contribute to her outstanding 5:20/mile marathon pace, and essential advice to beginner runners—or anyone hoping to make a big comeback of their own. --- @deena8050 @hurdlepodcast

The second you meet Liz Plosser, you'll likely strategize exactly how to be her best friend. The editor-in-chief of Women's Health Magazine has got a can-do attitude that's contagious, exemplified by her early morning workouts (often found on her Instagram story) and outstanding career accomplishments alike. In episode 13, Plosser shares how a difficult time conceiving made her realize how important and powerful workouts and health rituals can be—especially in the darkest times. Spoiler: her and her husband now have three beautiful kids. We also chat about what it’s like being at the helm of major media brand, the lessons that running has taught her over the years, and her big-time career advice that you’ve gotta hear.  --- @lizplosser @womenshealthmag

Dan Churchill’s got an impressive resume: chef for Under Armour, published author, TV star, and founder of a soon-to-open New York City restaurant, Charley St. But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing for the Australian-born foodie. In episode 12, Churchill spills what happened during his #hurdlemoment—when his first full-time gig in the states didn’t work out—and how leaning into mindfulness meditation helped him find clarity and dramatically increase his productivity levels. Plus: essential health eating tips, three things you should always have in your refrigerator, and exactly what he cooked for Lindsey Vonn while she was competing in the Olympics. — @dan_churchill @charleyst @hurdlepodcast