4 Simple Things Making Life Better Right Now
On jet lag, dropping your ego, and the summer staples in my rotation.
Welcome back to the Weekly Hurdle! This newsletter is free, but consider becoming a paying subscriber for $7/month to support the work that I’m doing.
Also, don’t forget to tap on the “heart” button while you’re at it. Your likes (and comments) are also another ~great~ form of support. For partnership inquiries, please email hello@hurdle.us.
We are officially into July (!!), the heat’s cranked up, and we’ve crossed the halfway mark of the year. Instead of a heavy deep-dive this week as I’m currently lingering around six hours of sleep debt according to my Oura Ring (good ‘ol international travel), I wanted to share a few specific things—mindset shifts, tools, and gear—that are keeping me grounded, efficient, and moving forward right now.
1. The Mindset: Divorcing Your Ego from the Data
Lately, my mantra has been simple: Do the best you can with what you have, and let the ego go.
In the middle of summer training and bopping from one city to another, it’s so easy to get caught up in the targets—the exact paces, specific weights, or metrics on your wrist. But some days, showing up and just doing the work is the win, even if you don’t hit the exact numbers you wanted. Consistency isn’t built only on your perfect days; it’s built on the days you show up, give your honest effort for that moment, and refuse to let a missed target ruin your momentum. This week, that looked like getting into the gym for a workout on Wednesday morning, even if I didn’t have it in me to do the effort as prescribed. I swapped 100-pound power cleans for 85, and was proud that I showed up and put in the work to the best of my ability.
2. The Audio: Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone on The Better Mind
If you need a serious hit of inspiration to refocus your energy, I keep going back to the recent episode of The Better Mind podcast featuring Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone.
She talks about performance, pressure, and the mental architecture it takes to perform at the highest possible level. The takeaway: Mastery isn’t just about physical capability; it’s about your relationship with your own mind when the stakes are high.
3. The Tool: Momentous Creatine Travel Packs
Like I said, my brain’s not exactly operating at max capacity at the moment. So! Tools that help to eliminate friction wherever possible are crucial. These single-serve creatine packs from Momentous have been a total game-changer for my routine lately.
Instead of dealing with messy tubs or forgetting my scoop when I’m away from home, I can just throw a few packs into my bag and go. It takes zero thought, keeps my recovery on track, and saves me that extra mental energy in the morning.
4. The Summer Staples: Bandanas & ASOS Black Shorts
Lately, I’ve been leaning into bandanas for my runs to help alleviate the sweat-dripping-down-my-face situation. Opted for this simple, inexpensive five-pack from Amazon, and I’m immediately transported back to the days of rocking them at summer camp. Also, big fan of my new black denim shorts from ASOS (if you follow the newsletter regularly, I’m clearly on an ASOS kick right now). They’re a longer length, super comfortable, and will be in my weekly rotation for the foreseeable future.
Your turn: What’s one small thing, mindset shift, or tool that is making your life better or easier this week? Hit “leave a comment,” and let me know. I read every single one.
Keep hurdling,
Links and Other Thoughts: Local to New York? Nike announced the return of their marathon training program, Project Moonshot, yesterday. Get more information here. After watching France play in France and soaking up the excitement of the locals, I think I’m starting to become obsessed with the World Cup. Do intense workouts spike your cortisol? The New York Times has your answer. Excited for Pre Classic this weekend, and watching some of my favorites do what they do! Peyton Manning, Sue Bird, and Alex Morgan just teamed up on a women’s sports series, and I’m hyped.
NEW ON THE SHOW
Two-time Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon champion Des Linden is back on the show! Fresh off completing the legendary Marathon des Sables (MDS)—a grueling, self-supported 167-mile stage race across the Sahara Desert—Des takes listeners directly inside her tent.
She shares the realities of surviving on grit, managing endless blisters, and navigating the longest run of her life: a staggering 62-mile day. Des breaks down the exact mindset it takes to avoid “negotiation mode” when the going gets tough and explains how her recent transition into the ultra-trail world has altered her relationship with the sport. Plus, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at running the Boston Marathon as a “commoner” alongside her husband, Ryan, and her recent trip to the London Marathon.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT HURDLE?
I’m so, so glad you asked!
SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW HURDLE:
Go on, get after it. It takes 30 seconds!
iTunes | Spotify
Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered.
Do me a quick favor? Click the “heart” below before you graduate onto the next thing of your day, yeah? Your likes, comments, and support mean the world to me.