Taking Lemons & Making Some Damn Good Lemonade
It's from our difficult moments that we learn the greatest lessons.
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Presented by InsideTracker:
I haven’t really opened up about the tough start I had to this year. Back in January I was crying almost every day on my couch by 5 p.m. with the sun setting to the west outside my window. I was having a hard time finding work, and not knowing where my next paycheck would come from was frightening. I’ve created a life for myself that I’m very proud of, living in a two-bedroom apartment on my own that’s my happy place. Transparently, this life is not cheap. While I have a slew of different revenue streams, including speaking and hosting, podcasting, coaching, and writing, it felt like each of them were drying up. Every day I’d send new ideas or pitches to past and potential clients, brands, editors. Nothing was clicking.
… I felt paralyzed.
When the daily bout of anxiety would hit me like a tsunami in the late afternoon, I’d get up and do one of two things: Clean my apartment or go for a walk. I felt helpless. I’d find my calm in about an hour or so, and then it was back to my laptop to start thinking contingency plans and pivots.
I began cutting expenses: Stopped seeing my life coach, canceled the once-monthly cleaning service, no more regular physical therapy, no coffees outside the house, no more dinners. And in the midst of all of this chaos, I held onto one thing tightly:
I am good at what I do.
I am good at interviewing. I am good at seeing the bigger picture. I am good at empowering others. I am a good coach. I am also great … at “I am” statements.
Despite my anxiety, I never doubted who I was, who I’ve become, or what I’m capable of. Grounding in that kept me going. What happened next, one of the proudest moments of my career, was born out of this turbulent period.
… Over the past few years, I’ve written less as the podcast has evolved. At the beginning of the year during this difficult time, I was open to doing whatever it took to secure the bag. So, I started checking in with my friends within editorial. I emailed one, who happens to be the editor-in-chief of Marie Claire, inquiring about the next few issue topics.
She told me that they had their annual Women In Sports issue on deck … and that the pitches were due on Monday. At the time, I was sitting at a desk in North Carolina prepping for a friend’s rehearsal dinner. I stopped what I was doing (read: traded curls for a low bun) to work on some ideas and get them over. At the end of the following week, I heard back that they liked one. A very, very special one. Fast forward nearly three months later: My first-ever cover story on the inimitable Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce came out on Wednesday.
It’s hard not to feel super emotional about all of this. Firstly, because I’ve dreamed of writing a cover story for my entire life (well, as long as I can remember). Secondly, because I can’t help but reflect on what a rough start to the year I had and how proud I am of myself for persevering through moments that really tested me. One small win turned into two. Two turned into three. That’s the funny thing about alignment: One moment, things just start to … happen.
It’s hard to see that there is good to be found, in each and every moment, when things feel out of your control. There is always an opportunity, you just have to be willing to persevere. I promise you; the most difficult, frustrating moments are our biggest teachers. And now? This celebration feels so much sweeter.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
What I’m Reading: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry
Just starting this. Also simultaneously listening to It Takes What It Takes by Trevor Moawad.
“I’m here to inspire someone who may not find success until they’r in their thirties. Now they have a blueprint.”
— Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
Other thoughts and links: A study recently came out addressing the positives and negatives of the viral 12-3-30 workout. Essentially, it produces the same benefits as a self-paced run, however, 12-3-30 just takes longer. So, dealer’s choice! Also from the Women In Sports issue, love this item on Liberty Head Coach Sandy Brondello’s style. Speaking of the Liberty: This cute video of Sabrina wiping away a fan’s tears makes me FEEL things! Iga Swiatek made it to her first Wimbledon final. Congrats to Liz Plosser of Best Case Scenario on joining the team at Tone It Up! A massive congrats to my friend Amanda Calabrese and the team at Sequel for becoming the first official menstrual care company to sponsor a WNBA team!
I really enjoy compiling links to share with you week after week. Are you digging it? Have something you want me to nod to in an upcoming Weekly Hurdle? Or, just want to say hi? Let me know by clicking here:
MY SOMETHING NEW
One of my goals for 2025 is to do something new every single week. I wrote about this earlier this year. Love these recaps? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ Also! Always looking for recommendations of what to do for my weekly something new!
Tuesday, June 17: DC United Game
Was so bummed when I realized we missed an opportunity to go to watch the U.S. Women’s National Team while I was visiting D.C.! However, got my soccer fix last Saturday night with my first trip to Audi Field. Loved the atmosphere even on a super hot night, and think it’s so cool that the soccer and baseball stadiums are so close to each other in the Navy Yard! I’m making it a point to get back to planning more outside-the-box new things in the next few weeks, as I’ll be home in New York for a bit. Things are about to get exciting.
Thanks to InsideTracker — the only healthspan analytics program that integrates data from your blood work, DNA, fitness trackers, and nutrition to give you a comprehensive picture of your health — for sponsoring Hurdle.
I want to talk to you about something that has genuinely changed how I approach my health data. And! More importantly, how I think about optimizing my health, performance, and vitality for the long run.
Your body is constantly sending you signals through your biomarkers, your DNA, and your fitness data. The problem is, most of us don't know how to listen to our body or interpret these signals. That's where InsideTracker comes in. I've been on my own ongoing personal transformation now for over 15 years. After my recent birthday, I wanted to dive into some data to see where I’m at, especially after making some changes, like adding four days of strength training to my routine. I did it with the help of InsideTracker — guiding me on a personal path to my very best self.
Shortly after a quick blood draw, my results appeared in my InsideTracker dashboard within a few days. It was easy for me to understand the ranges and readings; Their biomarker scores show the optimal zone for my body, not generic ranges that treat everyone the same.
New to me this time around using InsideTracker: Terra, their AI health coach. Terra has access to over 10 billion curated data points and more than 7,000 peer-reviewed studies. So when you have a question like "Why do I feel tired every afternoon?" Terra doesn't just give you generic advice — it analyzes your specific biomarkers and creates personalized recommendations you can actually follow.
InsideTracker is giving away their Ultimate InsideTracker bundle to one lucky Hurdle listener, which includes a free one-year membership, the Ultimate Test, and a Healthspan Category Test. That's a package worth over $580, completely free. Enter to win here! Plus, you can get 20% off everything at InsideTracker when you use the code “ITHURDLE” at checkout.
🎧 363. Going All In: How To Rise To Any Challenge & Let Your Confidence Shine With WNBA Player Sophie Cunningham
Look up "powerhouse" in the dictionary, and you may just find Sophie Cunningham's photo there. Bringing back this REWIND from July 2023 to celebrate the strong season that we're seeing from Indiana Fever's Sophie Cunningham. The WNBA guard has been a force since she first stepped onto the court at a young age, and she's got some big goals on her radar. In this week's episode, she talks about growing up on a farm, how she came to embrace mentors in life, and the excitement she has over dipping her toes into broadcasting.
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Always appreciate your grounded, grateful perspective! Congrats to you for powering through. I hope the momentum continues!!!
Stories like this are so so needed, because we often forget the friction before the victory and how scary and unnerving life can feel for ANYONE! I hope so many people see this, because we’ve all been there and often we forget that we’re not alone!!