Runners of all ages and paces will be intrigued by this conversation with two “runfluencers,” both of whom are founders of popular run clubs—Renee Buckingham and Laura Thornton. With host Sarah Bowen Shea and new, occasional co-host Rachel Domb, the runners discuss:

-how they morphed from novice runners to runfluencers in just a few years

-how joy fuels their endeavors

-the changing culture of run clubs

-ways to make running more inviting + inclusive

-how motion changes emotions

-plus, the names one guest has given her knees!

Before the first runfluencer hops on, new, occasional co-host Rachel shares her running and professional back stories.

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Fans of Brené Brown and folks interested in attributes like mastery, curiosity, and confidence will find this episode riveting. Coach Liz Waterstraat delves into Strong Ground: The Lessons of Daring Leadership, the Tenacity of Paradox, focusing on one especially fascinating chapter. Coach Liz discusses the difference between confidence and what Brown calls “grounded confidence,” as well as compliance versus commitment. And, for the first time ever on the show, Coach Liz reads a poem, making this a can’t-miss episode!

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

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If you’re moving into a more chill time of year, yet want to maintain your fitness, this episode is a must-listen: Host Sarah Bowen Shea talks with Coach Liz Waterstraat, who shares wisdom and insight gained from years of endurance coaching and racing. The duo discusses:

-ways to diversify your training (+ reasons to do so)

-the pros and cons of relying on a treadmill

-whether it’s okay to “always be half-marathon ready”

-a clever winter running hack

-why post-race is not the time to get a dog—or make a baby!

Before Coach Liz switches from co-host to guest around 8:40, she and Sarah dive into a convo about swimming, especially in 64-degree water. (Here's a PDF of the drills Coach Liz mentions.)

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/ Use code AMR50 to get $50 off.

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

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JAMBAR: Use code AMR20 to get 20% off at http://jambar.com/

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Looking for some slow-boil intrigue, unreliable narrators, and unexpected plot twists? Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist serve up four well-crafted novels that check those boxes—and more. Sarah thoroughly enjoyed a languid thriller set in Mexico, while Ellison appreciated the wit of a modern-day murder mystery nestled in the English countryside. A short debut novel tells an intriguing tale from numerous points of view. And Ellison talks up a Rebecca spinoff headed to Hollywood. The books detailed:

The Silent Appeal: Janice Hallett

Mia: Leslie Bazzett

The Four Wives and Five Deaths of Richard Milford: Nafissa Thompson-Spires

The Housekeeper: Rose Tremain

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/ Use code AMR50 to get $50 off.

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

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JAMBAR: Use code AMR20 to get 20% off at http://jambar.com/

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Anyone looking for inspiration, especially when going through tough times, will appreciate this candid conversation with Theresa Seitz, finisher of 50+ marathons and author of Built to Finish: The Discipline and Mental Strength to Finish What You Start. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams, Theresa talks about:

-overcoming a health crisis that left her unable to walk, let alone run

-the importance of having a “finisher identity”

-why being slightly scared in the face of a challenge is a good thing

-not letting a new health challenge stand in her way of 2027 London Marathon

Before the guest joins around 7:15, Molly shares her excitement about soon welcoming her firstborn grandbaby. (Update since recording: Molly’s grandson was born on October 11; both mother and baby are doing great!)

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/ Use code AMR50 to get $50 off.

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Support our Partners:

JAMBAR: Use code AMR20 to get 20% off at http://jambar.com/

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Calling all strivers: In this episode, Coach Liz Waterstraat and host Sarah Bowen Shea talk about how to move toward personal excellence. Coach Liz highlights two books creating buzzes in the sports world—Inner Excellence and The Art of Learning—starting with the intriguing back story of each tome. She shares how awareness unlocks success and the importance of looking for small moments that feel like gifts. Loads of Liz love-language points, including the importance of having a beginner’s mind and that anything worthwhile takes time. One critical takeaway: Give the best of what you have that day. Words to live (and learn) by!

This episode originally aired on August 12, 2025.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Support our Partners:

JAMBAR: Use code AMR20 to get 20% off at http://jambar.com/

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If you’re looking for books that’ll keep you glued to your couch, we’ve got you! Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist dish on Liane Moriarty’s long-awaited sequel. Then they share their delight over the newest one from mystery-writer master Richard Osman. Ellison details a romp of a novel with sly, rebellious undertones. Finally the duo can’t heap enough praise on a narrative non-fiction book that Sarah didn’t want to put down—even to go work out with a friend! Books discussed:

Big Little Truths: Liane Moriarty

We Chase Shadows: Richard Osman

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman: Deesha Philyaw

The Vanishing Family: Robert Kolker

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Support our Partners:

JAMBAR: Use code AMR20 to get 20% off at http://jambar.com/

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Previnex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off your first purchase at https://www.previnex.com/

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No matter where you finish in a race, you’ll enjoy this episode that was recorded in front of an audience at FeistyFest: Host Sarah Bowen Shea talks with triathlon coach and endurance swimmer Marty Munson and back-of-the-pack triathlete Ann Sywensky. They discuss:

-why you should lose the “just” and the “but”

-replacing comparison with curiosity

-using fun as a metric instead of pace

-the beauty of training by heart rate

-choosing a race suited to your strengths

Hosting solo, Sarah jumps right into things with the first guest.

Feisty Running Retreat, Feb. 5-8, 2027 in Austin: https://livefeisty.com/events/feisty-womens-running-retreat/

https://livefeisty.com/training/

Courses and Coaching: https://livefeisty.com/courses/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

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