HR Higher Version Podcast is hosted by Kristen Wade, Executive Coach and Mentor for HR Professionals. Her weekly show offers guidance and actionable steps for HR professionals who are wanting to reach the Executive level. Episodes will cover how to develop a Personal Brand, time management and productivity tips/tricks, milestones necessary to reach your career goals, and other topics to help you achieve the Executive role you deserve. This show will also delve into mindset, building confiden ...
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Welcome to Renaissance Voices. My name is Kristene ODell, owner of 8 Owls Publishing. Have you ever wanted to get to know the authors behind the books you read? I have! I'm fascinated by the way Jesus moves in the lives of real people with real stories who have met a real Savior in their time of need. It's these types of authors I love to work with and it's my privilege to introduce them to you.
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Exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Running is a sport that has the power to unite us all and we are here to share conversations about how running has shaped the lives of people within our community, as well as how running has created community in itself. From pro runners and Olympians to ultramarathoners running their first big race to business owners who use running to improve their entrepreneurial journey, we believe in creating community and e ...
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Laying the Foundation for Your Nutritional Health with Dietitian, Rachael Wade
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42:10Are you laying the right foundation for your nutritional health? Rachael (Reddy) Wade is a runner, mom of two, and founder of Rx Nutrition. She ran for the University of Alabama, earned gold medals at the Pan American Games and USA Championships, and now helps others fuel for performance and life. As a registered dietitian with a doctoral degree in…
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37: Introverted and Ambitious: Yes, You Can Still Be an HR Executive
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6:00Today, I want to talk to a very specific group of HR professionals. If you’re someone who: Gets physically tired just thinking about small talk, Feels like “connecting with people” is draining, not energizing, Loves the work of HR but dreads the interpersonal expectations of leadership… Then today’s episode is for you. Because I have heard it befor…
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Driving Decision-Making for Your Outdoor Trips with GOES Founder, Viktor Makarskyy
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40:29Are you actually prepared for your next outdoor adventure? Viktor Makarskyy is the Cofounder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of GOES Health where he is responsible for the product and engineering of their outdoor health platform. He is an avid runner living based in Los Angeles, where he’s currently training for a hilly marathon later this year …
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36: You Don’t Doubt Yourself - So Why Haven’t You Been Promoted?
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6:57Welcome back to The HR Higher Version Podcast! This episode is going live just one day before the first session of my free HR Leadership Series kicks off. If you haven’t registered yet — There’s still time. You can find the link to register in the podcast show notes. Or you can simply go to my website at www.HRHigherVersion.com and download the fre…
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Scott Jurek on The Future of Ultras and Solutions to New Challenges
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1:00:29No matter where you’re at in your running journey, there’s a path for all of us. Scott Jurek has been named one of the greatest runners of all time, claiming victories in nearly all of ultrarunning’s elite trail and road events. More than just a champion, Scott is a true student and ambassador of the sport, known to stay at finish lines cheering un…
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35: You Don’t Have to Fit the Mold to Lead Like an HR Executive
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6:49Today I want to talk to you about something that comes up more often than you’d expect - even among smart, capable HR professionals. I was having a conversation the other day with a talented HR leader. She’s experienced, driven, and respected. But she said something that really stuck with me. She asked: "Can I really be successful if I show up as m…
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Optimize Your Mental Performance with Kristen Schindler
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41:37Having doubts as a runner? Here’s how to reframe them. Kristen Schindler is a mental performance consultant and endurance coach who helps athletes untangle their relationship with sport, self, and setbacks. She is currently completing her Master’s in Applied Sport and Performance Psychology at the University of Western States and working toward CMP…
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34: From Stalled to Strategic: How I Reclaimed My Career and Rebuilt HR’s Reputation
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6:29Let me take you back 10 years - I was a high-performing HR professional, but I hit a career wall. I didn’t see a path forward. Promotion felt out of reach. And what made it harder? My organization wasn’t even interested in looking at internal candidates for promotion … because our HR department had a reputation problem. We were seen as transactiona…
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How to be a Change Maker with Race Director, Libby Jones
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50:59Want change in the way your races are organized? Then speak up about it! Libby Jones is the owner and race director for The Active Joe, a race production company out of Dallas, Texas that focuses on the "average joes" out there getting active. She has directed running races for 17 years and currently produces trail and road running events 6 race da…
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33: Why Your Personal Brand is the Secret to HR Leadership Success - And How to Build It
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5:43Welcome back to the HR Higher Version Podcast — the show dedicated to helping HR professionals unlock their leadership potential and build intentional, executive-level careers. I’m Kristen Wade, your executive coach, and today we’re going to talk about one of the most powerful but often overlooked tools you have in your career toolbox: your persona…
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Young, Fit, and Ready for the Pain Cave at Western States 100: Hans Troyer’s Journey
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42:17When your motto is “young and fit,” what does it look like to train for Western States? Hans Troyer is a 25 year old pro ultrarunner who set the course record at the Bandera 100k in 2024 and who finished second at the 2025 Canyons 100k, earning him a Golden Ticket to the Western States 100. Listen to hear about: Discovering the trail scene and beco…
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32: The 3-Part Leadership Series Every HR Leader Needs to Break Through to Executive Roles
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8:54Welcome back to the HR Higher Version Podcast, where I help HR professionals unlock their full leadership potential and intentionally build the careers they deserve. I’m Kristen, your executive coach specializing in helping HR leaders break through the glass ceiling and land director and executive roles. Today, I’m thrilled to share something very …
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Crewing and Pacing 101 for Western States and Other Ultras with Amelia Boone & Alex Hildebrandt
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52:03This is a double-header episode hearing from two experienced pacers and crew members: Amelia Boone and Alex Hildebrandt. Both have experience successfully crewing and pacing elite athletes. This episode was recorded in 2023, but is full of evergreen content! In this episode we talk about: -tips for assembling your perfect crew team, starting unders…
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Training, Fueling, and Preparing for Western States with Adam Peterman
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58:15Get an inside look at what it’s like to run Western States! Adam Peterman is a professional trail runner living in Missoula, Montana who ran for the University of Colorado. Listen to hear about: Adam’s love-hate relationship with the Mags run in Boulder The decision to pursue a career as a pro trail runner Adam’s approach to racing and embracing th…
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31: Why HR Leaders Need Perseverance Over Perfection
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8:11Welcome back to the HR Higher Version Podcast — where I talk about what it really takes to grow your career in human resources, from the inside out. I’m Kristen Wade — executive coach, HR leader, and your go-to guide for getting unstuck and stepping into the next, higher version of your career. I’m especially excited about today’s episode, because …
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Running By Feel Over Data: Riley Brady’s Journey to Western States, Nike, and Beyond
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45:54We’re only a couple of weeks from the Western States Endurance Run, so we caught up with a pro for an inside look at strategizing for it! Riley Brady is a professional ultra trail runner for Nike Trail living and training in Boulder, CO. Jon chatted with them about: The process of earning a golden ticket to Western States How Riley’s low salt loss …
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30: Why Smart HR Leaders Stall - and How to Break Through
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5:58Let me ask you something: Have you ever looked around and thought, “Why am I not further along by now?” You’ve done the work. You’ve gained the experience. You’re respected and reliable—and yet, the next level feels just out of reach. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Let’s dig into a career pattern I see all the time among incredib…
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Colleen Quigley is Building a New Kind of Olympic Development Team
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1:11:54Athletes are more than their sport, so Colleen’s working to bring a holistic approach to team running. Colleen Quigley is an American middle-distance runner, Olympian, entrepreneur, mentor, National Champion, and lover of women's sports. From her high school days on the cross country and track teams, to her collegiate career and Florida State, and …
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29: Breaking the Rules to Protect Your Energy in Human Resources
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8:40Welcome to the Higher Version Podcast - the space where HR professionals and leaders like you explore intentional leadership, executive growth, and the messy but beautiful balance between work and life. Here’s a reflection for you today: Do you need a break from what you’re supposed to do? Not because it’s wrong. Not because it’s overwhelming. But …
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How to Enjoy the Whole Process of Long Distance Running with Makena Morley
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48:01There are a million and one ways to train for running. But the best way? To Makena, it’s whatever gives you the most fun. Makena Morley is a long distance runner living in Bozeman, MT and running for ASICS. She graduated from University of Colorado in 2020 and now coaches via RunDoyen. Listen to hear about: Struggles and challenges of transitionin…
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Q+A with Caitlyn Miller: Run Recovery, Business, and Race Day Prep (Live Recording at Fleet Feet in Boulder)
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30:49We love in-person events. If you missed this one at Fleet Feet in Boulder in April 2025, you can catch up with this recording! Caitlyn Miller is a 26 year old business owner and marathon runner. Caitlyn’s business, Expntl Athletics, specializes in activewear for distance runners. She joined Jon live at Fleet Feet for this live discussion and audien…
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28: You Are More Productive Than You Realize
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7:16Welcome back to the HR Higher Version podcast! I'm so glad you're here. Today, I want to talk about something that’s deceptively simple - but incredibly powerful. It's a mindset shift that helped me get through a chaotic week and still feel like I was making real progress. And I think it’s going to resonate especially well with you - my fellow HR p…
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Defying the Odds, One Marathon at a Time with Annie Kalter
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48:29What does it mean to show up with joy even in the midst of the hardest seasons? Annie Kalter is a 15-time Boston Marathoner, a mom, a school culture professional, and a woman with an extraordinary story of resilience. After surviving a heart attack that required her to be revived four times, Annie defied the odds to complete her 15th Boston Maratho…
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27: Is Your HR Office Viewed As The Dentist Office?
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7:56I had some dental work done the other day and as I was sitting there with my mouth wide open, that little suction tube gurgling in my ear, it occurred to me… the dentist and I have a lot in common. And not just because I’ve had my fair share of dental work done over the years. But because I’ve regularly heard through the years – “You never want to …
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Make Time for Triathlons and Ultramarathons Even with a Packed Life: Pro Runner Allison Baca
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54:22Hoping to make time for your goals even when you have a million obligations to manage? Allison Baca is a professional trail runner for HOKA. She juggles parenting a 3-year-old and working full time in finance while squeezing in training to compete in big mountain races. Listen to hear about: Getting into endurance sports with triathlons and transit…
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26: “Don’t Be Afraid. Be Focused. Be Determined.”
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5:56Today’s episode is centered around a quote I’ve been thinking about a lot lately. It’s from Michelle Obama. She said: “Don’t be afraid. Be focused. Be determined.” Simple. Powerful. And incredibly relevant to HR leaders. Because let’s be honest - fear is part of the journey. Whether you're navigating a tough conversation, advocating for a seat at t…
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A Shame-Free Look at Eating Disorders, Recovery, and Mental Health in Runners
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43:43Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders. Athletes face a lot of mental and physical pressure around fueling, so we need to break taboos. Kate Ringwood is a licensed therapist that specializes in eating disorders in athletes. Kate's personal experience navigating her own recovery while competing in cross country and track influenced…
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25: Traditional HR Executive Presence Doesn’t Work Anymore!
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5:05Early in my career, I thought success meant being perfectly polished all the time. You know the look: tailored suit, calm voice, always in control, never showing emotion. I believed that was what executive presence meant - and honestly, a lot of us in HR were taught to think that way. But that version of leadership? It’s outdated. Today’s workplace…
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Blending Faith and Fitness after Sudden Cardiac Arrest with Dom Fusco
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49:21This runner took a scary setback and turned it into a message of hope. Dom Fusco is a health and wellness creator, coach, endurance athlete, and community builder based in Austin, Texas. After surviving a sudden cardiac arrest in 2023, Dom made it his mission to help others strengthen their bodies, sharpen their minds, and deepen their faith to liv…
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24: Are You Dying From A Thousand HR Papercuts?
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9:48When you’re asked the question – Are you dying from a thousand HR papercuts? You may automatically think about all the little administrative tasks that steal your time and energy. And that is an entirely fair assumption. We all get stuck in the daily minutia that is essential, but doesn’t necessarily move the needle in your career. Today, however, …
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Designing the World’s First and Smartest Running Shoe: Avelo’s Founder Royi Metser
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54:42Royi Metser is the founder and CEO of Avelo, the company behind the world's first smart running shoe. Running changed Royi’s life in 2021 after a blood test was the kick in the butt he needed to make a change. Three days later he signed up for his first marathon. It was through his personal mission to improve at running that he decided to build a p…
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23: Is Kool-Aid the Key to Your HR Success?
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10:26Have you ever heard of a limiting belief? It’s that little voice inside your head that tells you that you aren’t good enough or smart enough or too old or too young or you don’t have enough time. Those beliefs can stem from past experiences, criticisms, or societal expectations. But the worst part, is that you believe them to be true. Those beliefs…
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How to Build Your Confidence and Self-Compassion for Running with Certified Mental Performance Consultant Neal Palles
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1:02:37Want to build your mental strength and confidence before your next race? Neal Palles is an ultrarunning coach and a psychotherapist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Through his private practice, Colorado Psychotherapy and Sport Performance, he works with athletes who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or a performance related issu…
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The Ultimate Guide to the Boston Marathon with George Woodward
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43:07Boston is coming up next week, and to celebrate, we have a special bonus episode with you to give you the complete guide to the Boston Marathon experience with George Woodward. George Woodward is a father, data scientist, runner, and certified coach who came to running and racing late in life. Boston 2025 will be Marathon number 21 and Boston numbe…
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Regardless of your religious or spiritual affiliation, you’ve probably heard the story of Noah’s Ark. Where God told Noah that he was going to destroy the world and Noah should build an ark and put two of every kind of animal on it. I want you to think about something for a minute - It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark. This may seem like a no…
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The Realities of Balancing Parenthood, Entrepreneurship, and Running with Jenny Jurek
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57:54Family life in an athletic family can be a balancing act. Jenny Jurek is an avid runner and adventure seeker sharing her passion of the outdoors with her two young children and husband, Scott Jurek. After twenty years designing sustainable outdoor apparel, she recently launched her own business, “Always Up”, which offers performance products that e…
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Whether you’re already leading a team or on the path to becoming an HR executive, you know that the road to success can sometimes feel like a series of hurdles—challenges you’re expected to solve on a daily basis, decisions that require your expertise, and the constant balancing act of leading others while also managing your own career growth. But …
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How Caitlyn Miller Went from Math Teacher to Runner and Owner of Expntl Athletics
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1:03:11What does it take to build a passion-based activewear line? Caitlyn Miller is a 26 year old business owner and marathon runner. Caitlyn’s business, Expntl Athletics, specializes in activewear for distance runners. Listen to hear about: How social media helped Caitlyn connect to audiences and build a brand Navigating the mental and physical aspects …
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In today’s episode, we’re diving into a topic that speaks directly to the heart of what you do every day: balancing priorities. As an HR leader, your role is filled with decisions that affect your organization, its people, and your own professional growth. Whether you're juggling recruitment, leadership development, compliance, or employee engageme…
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Lessons from Pro Golfer Scott Stallings on Training for the Boston Marathon
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53:58Golfing might help your running more than you’d think. Scott Stallings is a 3x PGA Tour winner who earned the reputation as "The Fittest on Tour" due to his fitness-first lifestyle. In April, Scott will be participating in the 2025 Boston Marathon - his first-ever Marathon - while raising funds for and supporting Golf Fights Cancer, a non-profit or…
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19: How To Keep Your HR Conversations From Going Up In Smoke
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7:42One of my favorite things about summer is spending time around a bonfire at night. There’s something almost magical about watching the flames dance under the stars. But there’s an interesting process that happens when you're making that fire that always gets me thinking about communication. When you build a fire, you start with a few small embers—m…
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How an Elite Runner Manages Imposter Syndrome and Finds Joy in Training with Adam Vadeboncoeur
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54:52Elite athletes deal with many of the same challenges that recreational runners do. Adam Vadeboncoeur’s been running for over 20 years but is now finding his stride in his mid 30’s. Over the past few years, he’s gained his first Team USA spot for 50km World Championships, a 100k road national title, and a sub 2:18 marathon. Listen to hear about: Imp…
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18: What the Heck is an HR Executive Coach Anyways?
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11:53Welcome back to my HR Higher Version podcast where I want you to become a higher version of yourself. No matter what stage you are at in your career, or what level you want to achieve, you can always strive to be a better version of yourself. If you’ve been listening to my podcast, you probably know that I have worked in the field of Human Resource…
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This Marathon’s Not Just a Race, But a Premier Experience: The Marathon Project with Ben Rosario
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58:08The Marathon Project is back and bigger than ever. Ben Rosario spent two years as a member of the Hansons Brooks Distance Project, was the special events director for the GO! Saint Louis Marathon, founded the Northern Arizona Elite professional team, and co-founded a specialty running store--Big River Running Company. Now, Ben’s the CEO of The Mara…
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A friend of mine returned from an HR conference the other day. I asked her how it went, and she raved about the breakout sessions, the networking opportunities, and the fresh ideas she came back with. She was buzzing with excitement about implementing all these new strategies in the office. But then, something happened. As soon as she stepped back …
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Cutting through the Noise in Sports Nutrition with Your Diet Sucks Hosts Kylee Van Horn and Zoë Rom
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53:48In a world of diet culture, nutrition for running can feel complex and exhausting– but it shouldn’t be. Zoë Rom is a writer and journalist based in Carbondale, CO. Kylee Van Horn is the founder of sports nutrition business Flynutrition, which helps runners, triathletes, cyclists, and skiers to learn not only the ‘why’ but the ‘how’ behind fueling f…
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16: The Missing Ingredient in Your HR Leadership Journey
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7:51When I was about ten years old, I decided I was going to make cookies. Not just any cookies, mind you, but my mom’s famous butterscotch chip cookies. They are absolute perfection—crunchy on the outside, chewy in the middle, and those butterscotch chips just melt in your mouth. Now, my mom was the expert baker, and I was just a kid. But that didn’t …
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A More Affordable Way to Fuel Your Running and Endurance Adventures
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1:04:10Fueling your sports can be a lot simpler than you may think. Aaron Gouw and Gabe Multer co-founded Carbs Fuel, an emerging brand in the endurance sports nutrition space. Carbs Fuel believes that fueling shouldn’t be reserved to the affluent minority. Their flagship product is their Original 50g Energy Gel. Listen to hear about: How Aaron’s and Gabe…
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15: Discover the Key To Overcoming HR Setbacks
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8:26Today we’re diving into a theme that might sound simple but carries a powerful lesson for leadership: “I’m OK.” I want to take you back to when my kids were little. You know, those early years when they’re constantly on the go, running around, tripping, falling, and then bouncing back up like nothing happened? I’m sure you’ve seen it—little ones tr…
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Set More Meaningful Goals for Yourself, Your Community, and the Planet with Coach Tucker Grose
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50:49This chat with a coach will have you reworking your running goals to be even more impactful. Tucker Grose is an endurance athlete and coach who enjoys competing over a variety of distances and surfaces. In 2024 alone, he completed events from 800m on the track to 100k on the trails. Tucker’s helped over 100 athletes incorporate running into their l…
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