You Deserve To Wear The Shorts

... and the bathing suit, too.

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Presented by ASICS:

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I was walking to the gym the other day at around 7:00 a.m. in navy blue leggings. It was gloomy and super humid outside, and it was also definitely warm enough for shorts. I was planning to do a strength workout featuring some single-leg lunges before meeting my friend for a few miles, and I thought a full tight would be the best call for the activities on deck.

Well. Within seconds of being outside, I was already warm. I regretted my decision. I caught myself thinking about a period of time — otherwise known as my 20s — when I didn’t own workout shorts. Not a single pair.

I had my reasons. Not being able to find a style that stayed put, for starters. I’ve always had prominent thighs. Thighs that touch when I walk and rub when I run. Loose-fitting or split shorts certainly didn’t feel like a viable option no matter how much Bodyglide or Trislide I put on. The good news? The tech’s certainly evolved over the past 16 years. That was step one to me owning my first pair — from lululemon — around 2018.

The second reason: Showing my thighs made (and transparently, still makes) me uncomfortable at times. I have a decent amount of loose skin on them. Cellulite, too. Especially when I was young, it was constantly in the back of my mind: What do other people think when they see me? Trust me: I’ve talked a lot about this in therapy.

I also have this deep appreciation for my legs. Because they’re just that — mine. I adore what my legs empower me to do. I’m proud of what my thighs (and the muscles inside) are capable of. I can feel both uncomfortable at times and appreciative. I can continuously work to embrace this part of myself, and still have moments of struggle.

This is a funny sentence to type:

The first time I ran in public in shorts was the Miami Half in 2020.

Isn’t that a little bit crazy, that I can tell you the specific place, time, and date? That’s how much that day meant to me. I was frightened of the rub. Frightened I’d regret my decision. However, it was already 80 degrees before the race started with the sunrise. Wearing my go-to leggings for that long would literally be a recipe for disaster. And so, I chose … freedom.

That day was healing for me. I got out there. Finished the race. Survived with very minimal chafe, thankfully. That day, I came to terms with what I know now to be true: Most everyone around you has so much else to be concerned with than how you look in a pair of shorts (or a bathing suit, for that matter). It is so liberating to say;

This is my body. I’m the one who gets to live in it.

For younger Emily, and whomever else needs to hear this on the first “unofficial” weekend of summer: You have so much value, exactly as you are. So get out there. Wear the shorts. Put on the suit. It’s our time to shine — and be comfortable, too.

Keep hurdling,

P.S. I can already sense the comments coming. You want to know what my go-to shorts are, yeah? You can check out my favorites here.

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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK

I’m Listening To: “Bozoma Saint John on the Power of Authenticity, Money as Freedom, and Supporting Black Designers on RHOBH” on Nice Talk with Nikki Ogunnaike
My good friend Nikki’s podcast is back with Bozoma Saint John, and I’m so stoked.

Gear I’m Loving: Athleta Trade Winds Jacket
It’s a wet one in New York right now, and this trench coat is a total life-saver. I also love the guava color, which brings some brightness to an otherwise gloomy vibe. Plus, it’s also on major discount at the moment.

“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Other thoughts and links: New York is getting it’s first alcohol-free members-only club. Would you join? In a conversation yesterday with Kristina Centenari (coming to the show on Monday), she highlighted a study on college football players who were more injury-prone during exam periods because of the impact of exam stress on the body in culmination with their training. Wild. When did our workouts get so hot? I share this from The Cut, shortly before going to hot Pilates myself. I only recently learned about #SkinnyTok (I’m not super active on TikTok), and it makes my heart hurt. In the wake of Trump’s new tariffs, Nike announced they’ll be raising prices on some of their products starting this week between $2 and $10. And! In acquisitions this week: Chobani acquired Daily Harvest (listen to founder Rachel Drori on the show here), The Vitamin Shoppe was acquired by a private equity company, and Dick’s Sporting Goods acquired Foot Locker.

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:

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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 ⬇️

Wednesday, May 14: Natural History Museum
I can’t believe I’m typing this: I’d never been to the Natural History Museum until last week. One of my closest friends came into the city from Rhode Island with her 5-year-old son, and it was the perfect rainy day activity. The whale! The dinosaurs! The hive! All fantastic. Also, they were setting up for some sort of a dinner in one of the main halls while we were there, and I couldn’t help but think how epic it would be to get dressed up for a night at the museum. Anyone have an invite they want to extend to me?

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Thanks to ASICS for sponsoring Hurdle in May.

One mile can change everything. This May, put on your favorite pair of blue jeans and join us for the 5th annual ASICS Blue Jean Mile. Each mile is a step towards awareness and funds for mental health awareness. Learn more at, here.

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🎧 356. Owning Your Narrative: How To Navigate Burnout & Adopt A Healthier Inner Dialogue With Liz Beecroft, LCSW

Welcoming Liz Beecroft, LCSW, back to the show this week for a powerful conversation about the mental and emotional landscape of pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Liz brings her expertise to unpack the common hurdles we face when striving for well-being, offering practical strategies for building resilience, managing expectations, and cultivating a kinder inner dialogue. Emily and Liz swap insights on the challenges of burnout and struggling with identity — plus how to squash negative self-talk.

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