Trail Society

In this episode of Trail Society, Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger dive into the topic of goal setting for athletes, focusing on the importance of aligning both goals and values to enhance performance and motivation. They discuss the common tension between being process-oriented versus outcome-driven, and how athletes often get caught up in the race calendar without understanding their deeper "why" or core values. The conversation emphasizes how discovering your personal "North Star"—the driving force behind your actions—can help avoid burnout and misalignment, leading to more fulfilling and sustainable progress. The trio also reflects on the challenges of staying consistent with basic principles, even when more glamorous solutions seem tempting. Drawing from insights in Brad Stulberg's work, they stress the value of focusing on the process itself rather than obsessing over the outcome. The episode encourages athletes to embrace their core values—whether it’s perseverance, integrity, or self-improvement—and use them as guiding principles throughout their training and race journeys. Ultimately, they highlight that true success lies in the commitment to consistent, incremental effort rather than expecting a singular goal to change one's life.   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us!  FOLLOW US on Instagram: @trail.society And go follow our NEW youtube channel @trailsociety_podcast   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK   Citations:  Master of Change: Brad Stulberg   More stats on 2024 women’s sports :https://www.togethxr.com/blogs/guides/by-the-numbers-2024?_kx=lrdFRyNT-PlztwSbxDjX88wCmSuos977_JoL3d_VE5BOntfP8JIuz4SPKCi2tKL_.UMrVFv [https://www.togethxr.com/blogs/guides/by-the-numbers-2024?_kx=lrdFRyNT-PlztwSbxDjX88wCmSuos977_JoL3d_VE5BOntfP8JIuz4SPKCi2tKL_.UMrVFv]

In Episode 90 of Trail Society, we sit down with Leela Srinivasan, the CEO of Parity Now, a pioneering platform that aims to close the gender income and opportunity gap in professional sports. Parity, founded in 2020, works with over 1,000 women athletes across 80+ sports, from archery to weightlifting, empowering athletes through impactful brand partnerships. Leela, a runner, mother, and passionate advocate for women's sports, brings her unique perspective to the conversation, exploring how her platform is reshaping the future of women's athletics. Her leadership at Parity is focused on tackling the financial inequities faced by female athletes, with an emphasis on securing meaningful sponsorships and creating long-term opportunities for women in sports. A key highlight of this episode is the release of Parity's groundbreaking research, "Beyond the Game: Exposing The Economic Realities of Professional Women Athletes". The study sheds light on the harsh financial realities faced by many female athletes, with findings such as 50% reporting a negative or zero net income, and 74% working another job to make ends meet. Leela discusses the contrast between the booming investment in women’s sports leagues, like the NWSL and WNBA, and the ongoing struggles for athletes themselves. Despite these challenges, the research also highlights the potential for growth in women’s sports, with consumers increasingly backing brands that support female athletes. Leela’s insights into the disparity between league success and individual athlete earnings offer a sobering look at the financial landscape, while also providing a call to action for brands and fans to invest in women’s sports to create lasting change.   Follow Leela on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leelasrinivasan/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leelasrinivasan/] Learn more or partner with Parity Now: https://paritynow.co/ [https://paritynow.co/] Parity Report: https://20518965.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/20518965/Parity%20Athlete%20Survey%20Report_Dec2024.pdf Sponsors: This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK & Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society   Study participants needed for NSAID use in ultra endurance https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/nsaid-use-in-ultra-running?fbclid=PAY2xjawGrFxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpvuapRmCwZbGr1EUWHfwFKESpScIckcrKajtfiwy76m7LfUWDQh9r-lFBA_aem_Vvg3cX6CUqqjF0uPWb2JbQ [https://app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/ljmu/nsaid-use-in-ultra-running?fbclid=PAY2xjawGrFxRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABpvuapRmCwZbGr1EUWHfwFKESpScIckcrKajtfiwy76m7LfUWDQh9r-lFBA_aem_Vvg3cX6CUqqjF0uPWb2JbQ] Citations: Díaz‐Lara, Javier, et al. “Delaying Post‐Exercise Carbohydrate Intake Impairs Next‐Day Exercise Capacity but Not Muscle Glycogen or Molecular Responses.” Acta Physiologica, 12 Sept. 2024, https://doi.org/10.1111/apha.14215.

In Episode 89 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger reflect on their personal journeys and careers, answering listener questions about their professional paths and how they found success in their respective fields. They explore topics such as Keely's decision to finally pursue medical school after many different pursuits, Hillary’s evolving relationship with sport and her partnership with Brooks, and Corrine’s entry into broadcasting. The hosts also share insights into their early sports experiences and offer advice to a listener navigating post-graduation uncertainty. The conversation highlights how each of them found their way to trail running and how they balance career ambitions with their athletic goals. The episode also includes a reflection on the year 2024, where the hosts share their proudest moments, biggest challenges, and lessons learned. They discuss the future of trail running, including trends to watch for in 2025 and personal goals they’re excited to pursue in the upcoming year. The hosts also delve into what they’re keeping and leaving behind in 2025, from embracing boundaries and focusing on protein to letting go of performative behaviors and doom scrolling.  Sponsors:   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK & Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society   Articles: Role of PT in management of RED-S: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/early/2024/10/25/bjsports-2024-108751.long

In episode 88 of Trail Society, hosts Corrine Malcolm, Hillary Allen, and Keely Henninger take a deep dive into all things trail running as they answer listener questions in a special "Ask Us Anything" format. From training theories to nutrition hacks, they tackle everything from treadmill hill intervals to how to train for mountain races while living in an urban environment. The trio also shares their personal must-do exercises for the off-season, discusses the nuances of ultra-marathon training, and offers tips on improving technical trail running skills. The episode also touches on the importance of community and how to find your tribe, whether you're new to the sport or looking to connect with other trail runners. The hosts give advice on how to overcome the intimidation factor of running on trails and how to build meaningful connections without relying on formal running clubs. They also explore the challenges of balancing relationships with training and share their experiences with sponsorships, providing candid insights into what it's like to be a professional athlete. To round out the episode, the team answers a series of fun "rapid fire" questions, including dream running partners from any era, the best advice they've ever received, and their thoughts on what makes someone a "real" runner. They close by highlighting a special cause—an endurance festival to support the hurricane-devastated town of Old Fort, North Carolina—and remind listeners to give back this holiday season. Whether you're looking for expert training advice or a good dose of motivation, this episode has something for every trail runner.   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail & Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle! Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society Links: Donate to Old Fort Community: https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/NC/OldFort/OldFortStrongEnduranceFestival [https://runsignup.com/Race/Donate/NC/OldFort/OldFortStrongEnduranceFestival]

In Episode 87 of Trail Society, the gang is back together for a deep dive into the intersection of ultra running and cognitive performance. Corrine, Hillary, and Keely unpack recent research from the world of Backyard Ultras, where a group of Belgian scientists explored the effects of extreme endurance on the brain. The study, conducted during an April 2023 event, found that while sleep deprivation and fatigue did slow reaction times, for the athletes that lasted the longest, physical performance remained stable. This episode explores how mental fortitude — the ability to push through the struggle to continue — might be just as critical as physical endurance in ultra running and beyond. Can the mental endurance required for these extreme races teach us how to better manage our effort and focus in other areas of life? We also shift gears into the world of self-esteem and positive self-talk, exploring how these mental strategies can enhance athletic performance and improve overall well-being. With insights from psychological research, Hillary guides us through the latest findings on how positive self-talk can boost motivation and confidence in athletes. Whether you're running a race or tackling a big challenge in life, the ability to stay focused, motivated, and positive can make all the difference. Tune in for a conversation on how ultra runners and everyday athletes alike can leverage their mental game to go further, faster, and stronger. We are launching our own YOUTUBE channel!  Subscribe and watch us live every week and stay tuned for other drops in the future! <3 Sponsors:   This episode is brought to you by Freetrail @runfreetrail www.freetrail.com - subscribe and JOIN US IN SLACK & Our Title Sponsor is The Feed!!! Follow the link to get $20 to spend every quarter ($80 every year!): https://thefeed.com/trailsociety + a cool Trail Society water bottle!   Keep sliding into our DMs with your messages, they mean so much to us! @trail.society Articles:  Outside: How Often Should You Replace Your Sports Bra? https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/how-often-should-you-replace-sports-bra/ [https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/how-often-should-you-replace-sports-bra/] Outside Debrief on Backyard Ultra Article by Alex Hutchinson: https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/effects-of-backyard-ultras/ [https://www.outsideonline.com/health/training-performance/effects-of-backyard-ultras/] Backyard Ultra: De Pauw K, Ampe T, Arauz YLA, Galloo X, Buyse L, Olieslagers M, Demuyser T, Corlùy H, Lamarti S, Provyn S, Jones AM, Meeusen R, Roelands B. Backyard running: Pushing the boundaries of human performance. Eur J Sport Sci. 2024 Oct;24(10):1432-1441. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11451558/ [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11451558/]   Self Esteem and Self-talk Articles: Orth, U., & Robins, R. W. (2022). Is high self-esteem beneficial? Revisiting a classic question.American Psychologist, 77(1), 5–17. https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2022-48842-002.html [https://psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/2022-48842-002.html]   Park SH, Lim BS, Lim ST. The Effects of Self-Talk on Shooting Athletes' Motivation. J Sports Sci Med. 2020 Aug 13;19(3):517-521. PMID: 32874104; PMCID: PMC7429435.