Bib and Tiara: Miles, Mindset, and Figuring It Out As We Go

Princess Panic, Pivots, and Possibilities

The Princess Half Marathon registration day was a mess, and like a lot of runners, I found myself on a roller coaster of excitement, frustration, and uncertainty. This week I'm talking about how I try to handle those moments when plans change unexpectedly--and why disappointment doesn't always have to be the end of the story. I'm also sharing highlights from my recent Disney trip, including a fun "Disney run" adventure, trying the new attractions, and discovering a trip without race weekend chaos (and with actual sleep!) has it's own kind of magic. Plus, with my first triathlon right around the corner, I'm reflecting on nerves, excitement, and what it means to stay open to new possibilities even when things don't unfold as we expected. Sometimes a closed door really does lead somewhere interesting.

Baby Steps and Bonding with Strangers

This week, I'm sharing a story about taking baby steps to get to and through an open water swim when my anxiety was trying very hard to convince me not to. We'll talk about the difference between confidence and courage, why having my husband come with me made all the difference, and how a group of strangers reminded me that people are often kinder and more welcoming than our fears expect them to be--particularly in a new place where we aren't sure if we belong. If you've ever been nervous to try something new, worried you wouldn't fit in, or needed a little help borrowing courage from the people around you, this episode is for you. Sometimes growth doesn't come from giant leaps, sometimes it comes from one small step into the water.

Chickening Out or Changing Your Mind?

This week I found myself wrestling with a question many of us face: Am I changing my mind....or am I chickening out? With an open water swim on the calendar, a healthy does of anxiety, and plenty of second-guessing, I started thinking about the difference between avoiding something because we're afraid and choosing not to do something because it simply isn't worth it to us. As someone who has spent years learning to live alongside anxiety, I've discovered that facing fears matters--but so does knowing when you don't need to prove anything. In this episode, I share some of my own experiences with anxiety, why I intentionally seek out challenges that stretch me, and how practicing courage in everyday life can make it easier to face the things that truly matter. Whether you're training for a race, considering a big decision, or simply trying to figure out what your gut is telling you, this conversation is for you. Because sometimes courage means doing the scary thing. And sometimes courage means giving yourself permission not to.

When You Start Wondering if It's Worth It

Sometimes the hardest part of a goal isn't the training--it's staying encouraged when things stop going the way you hoped. In this episode of Bib & Tiara, I talk honestly about something I've been struggling with lately: discouragement, comparison, and the temptation to wonder if all the effort is even worth it when growth feels slow...including with this very podcast. Whether you're training for a race, chasing a dream, building something creative, or just trying to keep showing up in a hard season, this episode is about circling back to your why instead of getting lost in outside validation. I also share a quick race recap after running a 4-miler with my now-faster-than-me 13-year-old son--which, honestly, is both humbling and kins of awesome.

Doing it Nervous: Racing on Empty and Doing New Things

This week on Bib & Tiara, I'm talking about doing hard things before you fully feel ready. After an emotional and exhausting weekend, I lined up for a windy 10K just hoping to hold it together--and somehow ended up running one of my strongest races in a long time, almost setting a PR and locking in my proof of time for runDisney. We're talking about racing on empty, beginner energy, and what it feels like to step into new spaces where your confidence suddenly disappears a little...including my newest adventure into triathlon training and the nerves leading up to my first group bike ride. If you've ever felt excited and intimidated at the exact same time, this one's for you.