Real Life Runners with Angie and Kevin Brown

457: The Hidden Cost of Always Trying to Be Better

Ever feel like no matter what you do in your running… it’s never quite enough? In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between healthy growth and the kind of chronic self-pressure that so many runners are quietly carrying. We see it all the time—constantly moving the goalpost, comparing yourself to others (or a younger or more “ideal” version of you), adding more to the plan even when your body is asking for less… and still feeling behind. We talk about how this pressure can start to shape your entire experience as a runner. Your runs turn into tests. Your workouts become something to analyze instead of experience. And over time, that leads to mental exhaustion, inconsistency from burnout, and a disconnect from what your body is actually telling you. It’s tricky…because it often hides behind the idea of “just wanting to improve.” We also dive into the hidden cost of tying your self-worth to your performance—and how that slowly strips away the joy that brought you to running in the first place. You’ve probably heard the advice: “Get 1% better every day.” But we break down why that can create unrealistic expectations. Growth isn’t linear. It’s more like laying bricks or planting seeds—there are phases where things look still on the surface, but real progress is happening underneath. In this conversation, we invite you to shift your focus—away from constant pressure and toward a more sustainable approach rooted in process, curiosity, consistency, and identity-based training. We also share some exciting updates, including what’s coming in May and a new way we’ll be supporting you inside the app 👀 If you’ve been feeling the pressure lately, you’re not alone—and this episode will help you take a different approach. 01:33 Growth Versus Pressure 04:34 Signs Of Self Pressure 10:16 Cost One Mental Exhaustion 13:56 Cost Two Inconsistency 15:37 Cost Three Body Disconnect 18:27 Cost Four Joy Loss 21:05 Cost Five Worth Trap 23:06 One Percent Better Myth 29:11 Brick Wall Mindset 29:38 Plateaus Are Normal 30:42 Training Cycle Blueprint 34:57 Overwatering Your Training 36:59 Progress Versus Process 39:44 Identity And Curiosity 44:56 Basics And Effort Training Join the 30 Day Running Reset [https://www.realliferunners.com/reset] and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you. Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret [https://www.realliferunners.com/secret] Join the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team [https://www.realliferunners.com/team]  Thanks for Listening!! Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], or your favorite podcast player  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30]. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one! Come find us on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/realliferunners] and say hi!   Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

456: Do It Before You're Ready?

In this episode, we’re unpacking the paradox behind the advice of “Just do it before you’re ready”. Because yes—taking action before you feel fully ready can be powerful. It helps you move through hesitation, build momentum, and start building the confidence you’ve been waiting for. Whether it’s getting back into running, starting strength training, signing up for a race, or making a big life decision… sometimes you do just need to go. But here’s where we see people get tripped up—and honestly, where a lot of runners end up frustrated or hurt. Doing it before you’re ready doesn’t mean skipping the process. It doesn’t mean jumping into advanced training without a base, rushing your timeline, or expecting your body to perform at a level it hasn’t been prepared for yet. That’s where burnout, disappointment, and injury start creeping in. And a lot of this is fueled by what you see online—highlight reels, fast transformations, and people who seem to “just do it” successfully… without seeing the years of foundation, support, or advantages behind the scenes. So in this episode, we’re inviting you to zoom out. Respect the process. Give your body the time it needs—especially if you’re over 40. Be honest about your starting point. And most importantly, get clear on why you’re doing this in the first place. Is this about growth? Or are you just trying to check a box? Because those are two very different paths—and they require two very different approaches. 02:20 Readiness Mindset 06:05 Marathon Excuse Loop 06:42 Two Truths Paradox 07:27 Start Versus Skip 08:03 Timeline And Motivation 09:35 Fail For Experience 11:03 Starting Energy Wins 13:12 Action Creates Motivation 21:54 Where Transformation Happens 29:59 Over 40 Recovery And Resilience 31:52 Mental Vs Physical Readiness 39:09 Box Checking Vs Growth Join the 30 Day Running Reset [https://www.realliferunners.com/reset] and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you. Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret [https://www.realliferunners.com/secret] Join the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team [https://www.realliferunners.com/team]  Thanks for Listening!! Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], or your favorite podcast player  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30]. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one! Come find us on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/realliferunners] and say hi!   Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

455: Choose Your Hard… But Not Like You Think

We hear it all the time: “choose your hard.” But here’s the truth—not all “hard” is created equal. In this episode, I break down the difference between aligned hard (the kind that builds you) and misaligned hard (the kind that leads to burnout, injury, and disconnection). Because constantly pushing isn’t discipline—it’s often your body being ignored. Aligned hard looks like showing up when you don’t feel like it, staying consistent, and being patient. Misaligned hard looks like pushing through exhaustion, running hard every day, or ignoring pain. We also reframe “easy” as intentional recovery—and a necessary part of progress, not a step backward. Think of your training like a volume knob, not an on/off switch. You can adjust based on what your body needs. I’ll also walk you through four simple questions to help you decide when to push and when to pull back—plus a quick story that highlights why restraint matters just as much as effort. Because the goal isn’t to choose hard all the time. It’s to choose what actually helps you grow. 00:38 Why Hard Matters 04:31 Aligned Hard Growth 05:56 Misaligned Hard Burnout 10:01 Intentional Easy Recovery 15:10 Volume Knob Balance 17:17 Lent Purposeful Sacrifice 22:59 Four Discernment Questions 29:02 Safety Story Bench Press Join the 30 Day Running Reset [https://www.realliferunners.com/reset] and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you. Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret [https://www.realliferunners.com/secret] Join the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team [https://www.realliferunners.com/team]  Thanks for Listening!! Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], or your favorite podcast player  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30]. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one! Come find us on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/realliferunners] and say hi!   Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

454: The Hidden Weeds Sabotaging Your Running

In this episode, we share a real-life story about our dog coming back from the backyard completely covered in sticky weeds—and how it’s the perfect analogy for what so many runners are experiencing. So often, we think progress comes from doing more—more miles, more strength, more data, more plans. But in reality, it’s the weeds—the things that don’t belong—that are quietly holding you back. We define weeds as anything that drains your time, energy, recovery, or mental bandwidth. They tend to creep in unnoticed and spread over time—especially when life gets busy and stress is high (which makes this even more important for runners over 40). In this episode, we walk through some of the most common weeds we see: * Focusing on small details instead of the big rocks * Constantly switching training plans * Running most of your runs in that medium-hard “gray zone” * Doing strength work that isn’t actually supporting your running * Getting overwhelmed by watch data and metrics * Letting negative thoughts turn into limiting beliefs We also talk about how to start identifying your own weeds, why consistency matters more than complexity, and how to begin clearing them out—one at a time. Because the truth is, your breakthrough might not come from adding more… It might come from finally letting something go. 10:53 After 40 Recovery Reality 12:49 ACSM Strength Guidelines 16:43 Ask What to Remove 19:03 Weed One Obsessing Details 23:55 Weed Two Plan Hopping 24:32 Weed Three Gray Zone Running 28:35 Plateau Weed Warning 29:52 Random Strength Mistakes 31:48 Balance Load and Intensity 33:54 Data Overload Trap 37:28 Negative Beliefs Root 51:21 Pulling Weeds Action Plan 54:44 Training With Intention Join the 30 Day Running Reset [https://www.realliferunners.com/reset] and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you. Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret [https://www.realliferunners.com/secret] Join the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team [https://www.realliferunners.com/team]  Thanks for Listening!! Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], or your favorite podcast player  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30]. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one! Come find us on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/realliferunners] and say hi!   Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

453: Training Upgrade or Shiny Object Syndrome? How to Know the Difference

Have you ever felt the urge to switch plans, apps, races, or gear—thinking something new will finally move you forward? In this episode, I’m talking about shiny object syndrome and how it quietly keeps runners stuck. I share a personal example from our business where we changed platforms to “fix” a problem, only to realize later that we didn’t need something new—we just needed to go deeper with what we already had. It’s the same in running. Many runners jump from plan to plan after a tough race or when things start to feel boring. But more often than not, the issue isn’t the plan—it’s consistency. Real progress comes from mastering the fundamentals: easy running, strength, mobility, fueling, and recovery. Speed work has its place, but it’s not the foundation—it’s the finishing touch. There are times when change is necessary—like if you’re dealing with frequent injuries, running everything too hard, or don’t have a clear structure. But a lot of the time, we’re reacting instead of truly progressing. In this episode, I also share four simple filters to help you decide whether it’s time to adjust—or stay the course. If you’ve been feeling stuck or like you’re constantly starting over, this will help you refocus and build real, lasting progress. 00:49 Why Runners Chase Fixes 05:37 Blaming Plans After Races 07:02 Apps Metrics And Reality 08:34 Races As Distraction 11:39 Gear And Super Shoes 15:14 Four I Framework Explained 17:14 Basics Over Trends 21:58 When Overhauls Matter 25:55 Flexible Plan Structure 28:43 Spotting Shiny Objects 30:07 Escape Versus Improve 34:19 Implement What You Know 35:39 Simplify Training Basics 42:09 Speed Work As Seasoning 43:26 Focus On Big Rocks Join the 30 Day Running Reset [https://www.realliferunners.com/reset] and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you. Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret [https://www.realliferunners.com/secret] Join the Team! -->  https://www.realliferunners.com/team [https://www.realliferunners.com/team]  Thanks for Listening!! Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30], or your favorite podcast player  Leave a review on Apple Podcasts [https://open.spotify.com/show/4eGgcWP4ZQzvcHHzt6ryUH?si=ff81c468aa114b30]. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one! Come find us on Instagram [http://www.instagram.com/realliferunners] and say hi!   Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.