Let Me Reintroduce Myself

... for those that may be new(er) around here.

Welcome back to the Weekly Hurdle! This newsletter is free and will stay free thanks to sponsors and the individuals that opt-in to give. If you love reading this week after week, consider doing so by clicking the button below. Your support is truly, really appreciated!

Presented by Future, which is now 75% off your first month of training (which happens to be the biggest deal they’ve had since I started using the service):

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Another year’s winding down, and I realized yesterday that there are a lot of new folks around these parts. In fact, the Weekly Hurdle has actually grown almost 3K subscribers this year! Which, to some may be chump change, but for me feels special. Comparison is the thief of joy, right?

I digress: Felt appropriate to do a little re-introduction this week. There’s only one rule: If you keep reading, then you’ll comment below and tell me a fun fact about you too, yeah? OK? OK. Deal.

My name’s Emily.

I’m a podcaster, event host, and wellness coach on a mission to empower women to live healthier, happier, more motivated lives. My overarching, big goal: When someone is working on something that empowers women in areas of sport and wellness, I want them to immediately think “Emily Abbate should be involved.”

I’m a career journalist.

I grew up in Connecticut and went to the University of Connecticut (hence why Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart are on the top of my dream podcast guests list) for journalism and political science. I got my first job as an editorial assistant straight out of college. I worked at CafeMom, Rodale, and SELF Magazine. My last in-house job was as SELF’s fitness editor before the magazine folded in 2016. I was frightened to exclusively work in health and fitness (worried I’d get bored!), but homing in on one category was the best thing I could’ve done for my career.

I pride myself on education.

As a health and fitness journalist, it was imperative to me that I got relevant education to ensure that I was creating safe, effective content. I became an ACE-certified trainer back in 2015, and it’s still active. I’m also a UESCA run coach, hold a level one Precision Nutrition certification, and became a certified professional coach (CPC) in 2023 through iPEC (you can liken this to a life coach). It is a responsibility and a privilege to help people on their individual journeys, and I don’t take it lightly.

Running is my happy place.

I’ve run 14 marathons and completed the Abbott World Majors earlier this year. When I was younger, I never thought I could be a runner. I didn’t make the JV volleyball team in high school because I couldn’t run a mile in under 10 minutes. I started running in the summer of 2008 as a tool for weight loss. It ultimately helped me lose 70 pounds, changed the entire trajectory of my life, and also — changed what I believed I was (and am) capable of.

Hurdle is about to be 7!

Hurdle’s birthday is December 31! The show’s cusping 10 million downloads, and it has listeners in 220+ countries. The podcast started as a side project when I was freelance writing for my main income. At the time, I was going through a really rough patch personally and was seeking a sense of purpose. The first time I said “I want Hurdle to be the main thing” was nine months later.

Hurdle is only the “main thing,” because I’ve leveraged the brand to do more of what I love: Host live events and podcasts, keynote speaking, and cultivate special community-focused moments and workshops collaborating with big brands I admire. Over the last 8 years of being my own boss, I’ve had to opportunity to do some pretty rad stuff. Some of these opportunities come to me, but a lot of it are concepts I brainstorm on runs. Examples: Lead 40-person women’s empower workshops set to the backdrop of the French Alps with HOKA or in Paris with ASICS, podcast during the Olympics thanks to brand support by Athleta, and host a 150-person women’s community night in Austin with Nike.

Being an entrepreneur has taught me to bet on myself.

If the worst thing that happens is you hear “no,” then that means you’re exactly where you started and I promise you — that place probably isn’t all that bad. Fact is: I’m not even living “remember when you wanted what you have now,” because I have so much more than even I conceptualized from the get-go. And that? It’s a pretty special thing to think about.

I’ve lived in New York for 13 years.

Manhattan for almost 10, and then Brooklyn up until now. I could see myself living in BK for the rest of my days, but that will require a lot of money (and also, entirely dependent on the whole +1 situation). I feel like my best, most creative self in New York. I love not needing a car and walking to grab a sandwich or something from Target. I love the energy of the city and that there’s no shortage of options or opportunities. I love the sweet man at my local bodega that waves to me when I walk by, and the way that my nail tech asks where I’ve been traveling when I’m gone for a tad too long.

I’m so grateful for who I’m becoming.

Transparently, I think a big part of this is that I’ve spent a lot of time in my thirties single (and still am). All of this alone time has forced me to examine what I actually like, what I want for myself, what’s important to me, and so on. I love early mornings while the city sleeps, think it’s hard to beat the corner seat at my favorite restaurant on Bowery, love a good bourbon on a big rock or Montepulciano, showing up for others is my love language (and I love HARD) — and get absolutely hyped over women’s sports.

Any more questions? Feel free to ask them in the comments.

Keep hurdling,

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

I’m Listening To: The Wicked Soundtrack
Live footage of me from my run on Monday morning on the Brooklyn Piers.

I’m Watching: A Family Affair on Netflix
OK this took me a second to get in on, but it’s cute. I love seeing Nicole Kidman get the younger guy who’s obsessed with her.

Gear I Love: lululemon Fast & Free Gloves
Let’s face it, it’s cold outside. These are a must for my chilly morning miles, and also a great gift for anyone on your holiday list.

Quote I Love: “The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential ... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” — Confucius

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Thanks to Future — a workout experience that pairs you one-on-one with your own fitness coach — for supporting Hurdle.

I receive messaged from hurdlers who are feeling lost with their workout routine every single day. I don’t want you to feel lost, but if you are — I am happy that I have this offer to give you. Enter Future, a workout app that pairs you with a coach who will map out a plan based on your goals, with workouts delivered to your phone each week.

Future, your Apple Watch (don’t worry, then loan you one for free if you don’t have!), and the app all pair seamlessly so you and your coach can track your progress, celebrate achievements, and keep you accountable every day. I have absolutely loved working with my coach Brandon, and I feel comfortable knowing he’s got my best interest in mind — planning workouts specifically for me (and my body/injury history). He’s so good at following up with me post-sweat, asking how the different movements felt, and communicating to help me get to where I want to be.

Get started right now with an INSANE DEAL — 75% off your first month with the special Hurdle offer. Head on over to TryFuture.com/Hurdle to get the deal today!

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🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 331. Turning Pain Into Purpose: Paralympian Noelle Lambert On The Moped Accident That Changed Everything, Going On 'Survivor' & Finding Power In Perspective

Noelle Lambert is grateful that she lost her leg in a tragic 2016 accident. Without that hurdle, she says that she wouldn't be the person she is today. For episode 331, the two-time Paralympian opens up about what life's been like coming into her own as an adaptive athlete, and how she needed to grieve the loss of her limb to truly be able to move forward despite wanting to be "strong." She also shares how her village helped her during her toughest moments, what it was like competing at the Paralympics in both the 100m and long jump events, as well as some insight onto her time on Survivor and what it was like integrating back into society post-reality TV.

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HOW CAN I SUPPORT HURDLE?

I’m so, so glad you asked!

SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW HURDLE:
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.