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1 Battle Camp S1: Reality Rivalries with Dana Moon & QT 1:00:36
s5/e11 Redefining Your Athletic Identity as a Multi-Sport Athlete with Alex Parker & Meredith Root
Manage episode 479008218 series 2938381
In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Parker and Meredith Root, co-owners of Tactic Nutrition—two amazing athletes and coaches who are runners AND... compete in CrossFit, strength training, cycling, and more. They’re here to talk about how embracing your identity as a multi-sport athlete can not only help prevent burnout but also make you a better overall athlete.
But it’s not just about doing different sports for the sake of variety. We also talk about WHY we tend to pigeonhole ourselves into a single spoint, struggle with burnout when we try to do it all at the same time, and dive into fueling properly for all these activities. Alex and Meredith share how their approach to nutrition helps athletes fuel for multiple sports without feeling restricted or overwhelmed.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Ditching the "One-Sport Only" Mentality: Alex and Meredith open up about their journey from focusing solely on one sport to embracing multiple sports. They talk about how stepping away from just being “a runner” has been a game-changer for their identity and overall health.
How to Fuel Like a Multi-Sport Athlete: When you’re juggling running, strength training, and cycling, fueling is key. Alex and Meredith share their strategies for staying energized and performing well across different sports.
Tactic Nutrition: With their company Tactic, Alex and Meredith focus on helping athletes build a positive relationship with food and understand how to fuel for different activities. It’s not about restrictive dieting—it’s about nourishing your body for optimal performance in whatever sport you love.
Preventing Burnout & Finding Balance: Running is great, but is it enough? We discuss how incorporating other sports can prevent burnout, give you new goals, and improve your performance, all while keeping the joy in your training.
Strength Training & Cycling: No, you’re not less of a runner if you add strength training or cycling to your routine. Alex and Meredith explain how these activities have actually helped them become better, more resilient athletes.
Reclaiming Your Identity: Is your identity tied too tightly to running? We talk about how easy it is to lose the fun in fitness when you feel like you “have to” do something, and how adding variety can reignite your love for movement.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Follow Alex on Instagram: @aaparker1
Follow Meredith on Instagram: @meredith_root
Key Takeaways:
It’s important to find balance—embracing multiple sports in your training not only prevents burnout but also enhances your performance as an athlete.
Strength training, CrossFit, cycling - or whatever other sports you enjoy - can help you become a stronger, more resilient runner (and athlete overall!).
If you’re feeling burnt out or stuck in a “one sport only” mentality, it might be time to explore new ways of training that bring back the fun and help you stay motivated.
It’s OK to try different things. Whether it’s a different sport or mixing up your running routine, variety is not just good for your body—it’s great for your mind too.
Want More?If this episode resonated with you, make sure to subscribe to The Running Explained Podcast for more conversations on how to make running and fitness enjoyable, sustainable, and rewarding. And if you’re stuck in a training routine that feels more like a chore than fun, share this episode with a friend who might be looking for a change!
189 episodes
Manage episode 479008218 series 2938381
In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Parker and Meredith Root, co-owners of Tactic Nutrition—two amazing athletes and coaches who are runners AND... compete in CrossFit, strength training, cycling, and more. They’re here to talk about how embracing your identity as a multi-sport athlete can not only help prevent burnout but also make you a better overall athlete.
But it’s not just about doing different sports for the sake of variety. We also talk about WHY we tend to pigeonhole ourselves into a single spoint, struggle with burnout when we try to do it all at the same time, and dive into fueling properly for all these activities. Alex and Meredith share how their approach to nutrition helps athletes fuel for multiple sports without feeling restricted or overwhelmed.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Ditching the "One-Sport Only" Mentality: Alex and Meredith open up about their journey from focusing solely on one sport to embracing multiple sports. They talk about how stepping away from just being “a runner” has been a game-changer for their identity and overall health.
How to Fuel Like a Multi-Sport Athlete: When you’re juggling running, strength training, and cycling, fueling is key. Alex and Meredith share their strategies for staying energized and performing well across different sports.
Tactic Nutrition: With their company Tactic, Alex and Meredith focus on helping athletes build a positive relationship with food and understand how to fuel for different activities. It’s not about restrictive dieting—it’s about nourishing your body for optimal performance in whatever sport you love.
Preventing Burnout & Finding Balance: Running is great, but is it enough? We discuss how incorporating other sports can prevent burnout, give you new goals, and improve your performance, all while keeping the joy in your training.
Strength Training & Cycling: No, you’re not less of a runner if you add strength training or cycling to your routine. Alex and Meredith explain how these activities have actually helped them become better, more resilient athletes.
Reclaiming Your Identity: Is your identity tied too tightly to running? We talk about how easy it is to lose the fun in fitness when you feel like you “have to” do something, and how adding variety can reignite your love for movement.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
Follow Alex on Instagram: @aaparker1
Follow Meredith on Instagram: @meredith_root
Key Takeaways:
It’s important to find balance—embracing multiple sports in your training not only prevents burnout but also enhances your performance as an athlete.
Strength training, CrossFit, cycling - or whatever other sports you enjoy - can help you become a stronger, more resilient runner (and athlete overall!).
If you’re feeling burnt out or stuck in a “one sport only” mentality, it might be time to explore new ways of training that bring back the fun and help you stay motivated.
It’s OK to try different things. Whether it’s a different sport or mixing up your running routine, variety is not just good for your body—it’s great for your mind too.
Want More?If this episode resonated with you, make sure to subscribe to The Running Explained Podcast for more conversations on how to make running and fitness enjoyable, sustainable, and rewarding. And if you’re stuck in a training routine that feels more like a chore than fun, share this episode with a friend who might be looking for a change!
189 episodes
All episodes
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1 s5/e12 A Classic Q&A Episode (& Special Announcement!) 1:06:31

1 s5/e11 Redefining Your Athletic Identity as a Multi-Sport Athlete with Alex Parker & Meredith Root 1:16:12

1 s5/e10 Taking The Ultimate Running Vacation – No Races, Just Adventure! with Michael Mazzara of Rogue Expeditions 1:18:35

1 s5/e09 Injury Management 101: What Every Runner Needs to Know with Alyssa Ford, DPT 1:13:53

1 s5/e08 Running Across America: Kallup McCoy’s 3,000-Mile Mission for Healing and Hope 1:11:45

1 s5/e07 How Much Does Running VOLUME Matter For Your Goals? with Jason Fitzgerald 1:11:56

1 s5/e06 Carb Loading for the Boston Marathon with Caila Yates, RD 1:18:49

1 s5/e05 Running Against Time: Overcoming the Anxiety of Aging and Unmet Goals with Sara Manderscheid 1:02:46

1 s5e/04 When You Can’t Run Anymore: A Story of Grief, Growth, & Resilience with Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards PT, DPT, OCS 1:17:47

1 s5/e03 Run Your Best in 2025: The Top Trends You Can’t Ignore with Ashley Mateo 1:16:54

1 s5/e02 The Runners Who Became Coaches: Our Stories! with The Running Explained Coaching Team 1:10:19

1 s5/e01 The Science of Habit Formation: Building Habits & Behaviors That Support Your Running Goals! with Karin Nordin, PhD 1:21:32


1 s4/e31 Where Does My Performance Anxiety Come From? (& How Can I Make It Go Away??) with Emily Perrin, LCSW 1:05:49

1 s4/e30 How Much Faster Can I REALLY Get as an Adult Runner? with Matt Chittim 48:56

1 *s4/e18 Your Hybrid Training Crash Course with Dr. Alyssa Olenick, PhD (@doclyssfitness) 1:32:18

1 s4/e20 The "Zone 2" Journey with Dr. Lisa Mitro, DPT (@dr.lisa.dpt) 1:12:24

1 s4/e15 Quitting Alcohol & Finding Running with Luc Zoratto @marathon2sobriety 1:14:01

1 s4/e29 Rewiring Your Brain & Body for Better Running with Jay Dicharry, MPT, SCS 59:38

1 s4/e28 Smash Your Mental Blocks & Perform Like a Champion with Sports Psychologist Ashley Eckermann, MS, MPM 1:01:03

1 s4/e27 Paris Preview: The 1500m Battle, Sifan's Triple, the Battle of the Marathon GOATs , & more! 1:04:38


1 s4/e25 “Why Am I Gaining Weight During Marathon Training?” and Other Questions About Weight & Body Composition with Holley Samuel, RD 51:07

1 s4/e24 Heat Series Part 2: Heat Acclimation, Cooling Strategies, & Hyperhydration 58:07

1 s4/e23: Heat Series Part 1: Why Running in the Heat Slows You Down So Much 1:12:59

1 s4/e/22 How Mobility Can Help Chronic Injury & Improve Running Performance 1:04:50

1 s4/e21 Data Driven Training for the Everyday Athlete with Jonah Rosner, MS, CSCS 1:02:19


1 s4/e19 Can You Do TOO MUCH Base-Building? & Other Questions Answered! with Coach Elisabeth 1:08:46

1 s4/e17 When Is It Time to STOP Chasing a Goal? with Claire Bartholic @theplantedrunner 1:05:08
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