Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

I’m joined once again by my husband, Johnny Coffin, for a lively discussion on the pros and cons of the popular running app, Strava.

Johnny is an avid Strava user—he loves leading by example, engaging with his running community, and tracking his data all in one place. I, on the other hand, am more of a Strava minimalist. My account exists solely to share training logs with my remote coach, Reid Coolsaet. With just two followers (Reid and Johnny) and only three people on my follow list, I’m technically on Strava—but I don’t take advantage of most of its features.

This episode is a somewhat public apology for not accepting friend requests. I know myself well enough to recognize that I’d likely get caught up in comparison, make questionable training decisions, and waste more time than I’d like. So, as a form of self-protection, I choose to stay disengaged.

Our goal today isn’t to persuade anyone to use—or abandon—Strava. Instead, we hope to spark a thoughtful conversation about an app that has captivated both elite athletes and recreational runners alike.

Connect with Johnny:

• Previous Inspired Soles episodes:
  • EP 211: Coffin's Chicago Marathon Recap: The Bodily Fluids Episode
  • EP 202: Paris Olympic Track & Marathon Recap
  • EP 55: Road to the 2021 Boston Marathon
  • EP 12: Slow the BLEEP Down
• Instagram: @bestjohnnyever

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Meet Rob Tétrault —a man whose passion, perseverance, and purpose redefine what it means to make a difference.

Rob’s story begins in the spring of 2021, when a pivotal moment changed his life. Following his father’s Leukemia diagnosis, Rob made a life-altering decision to prioritize his health, trading unhealthy habits for a pair of running shoes. Starting at 250 pounds and a problematic relationship with alcohol, he transformed himself one step at a time and took his final drink on July 2nd, 2022.

Rob ran his first marathon less than six months into his running journey – and he didn’t stop there. Over the past few years, he has competed in the Ironman World Championships, run the Boston Marathon, represented Canada at the Triathlon World Championships in Spain, and achieved a marathon personal best of 2:58.

When he’s not running, Rob wears many hats. He’s cohost of The Running Journey podcast with his brother Charlie, an entrepreneur and award-winning portfolio manager as the founder of Tétrault Wealth Advisory Group, a Canadian TV personality and YouTube content creator dedicated to financial literacy, founder of the Canadian CMV Foundation & CMV Canada, and a soon-to-be PhD graduate. He balances all of this while living in St. Boniface, Manitoba, with his wife Michelle and their four children.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Jessica Drakul's Inspired Soles's interview: From Booze to Boston
• Carolyn's interview on The Running Journey: Marathons, Coaching, and Running's Popularity
• Johnny's interview on The Running Journey: From the Air Force to Marathons

Connect with Rob:

• Instagram: @runwithrobcmv
• Podcast: The Running Journey

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today I’m thrilled to introduce you to the extraordinary, Alyse Gilliver.

At 36 years old, Alyse is living proof that it’s never too late to discover your potential. A dedicated oncology nurse and mother of three young children – ages 2, 4, and 6 – she balances her demanding career and family life with a newfound passion for running. With the unwavering support of her husband and guidance of her coach, Paula Wiltse – a local legend in Brockville, Ontario and friend of Inspired Soles! – Alyse has made incredible strides in the marathon world.

It’s hard to believe that she only started taking running seriously in 2023 where she busted out a jaw-dropping 3:04 and 2nd place finish at the Georgina Marathon in September. Fast forward to today, and her marathon resume includes a 3:01 finish in Boston, an impressive 2:48 and 2nd place female at Petit Train du Nord, and since recording this episode last week, a blazing 2:44:38 at the Houston Marathon, where she placed 2nd in her competitive 35-39 age group.

Beyond her racing success, Alyse has built a thriving online community through Instagram. She’s transparent about how she balances training and racing with her family & career, but she also gives so much support to other athletes and moms who are getting after their own big running goals. This conversation is a great reminder of the many upsides to social media, how it can connect us with like-minded people, and propel our running to new heights.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Alyse's episode on the Miles With Moms podcast
• Episodes with Alyse's coach, Paula Wiltse:
  • Redefining Success in your 50s
  • Run Canada Podcast: Meet Your Sheroes

Connect with Alyse:

• Instagram: @aleebreegee.run

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Today I’m excited to welcome Lynsey Romano – Founder & Head Coach of Skyline Run Coaching – back to the show.

We decided to tackle a topic that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough but is often pivotal in a runner and coach’s journey…changing running coaches.

For many runners, the bond with their coach is deeply personal. It’s built on trust, shared goals, and sometimes years of hard work. But what happens when that relationship no longer serves one or both parties? Changing coaches can feel like breaking up in terms of its emotions and potential awkwardness, but it can also be a normal, sometimes necessary step in an athlete’s growth and development.

In this episode, we’re unpacking the layers of this sensitive topic. Why does switching coaches feel so taboo? How can runners approach this decision with confidence and respect? What if the coach is the one who wants to initiate the move? Is it possible to navigate these conversations with grace so that nobody’s feelings get hurt? Let’s break the stigma and shed some light on what should ultimately be a step toward future athletic success.

Connect with Lynsey

• Instagram: @lynsey_skylineruncoaching
• Website: runcoach.org

Lynsey's other appearances on Inspired Soles:

• Ep 31: Why Runners Can't Afford to NOT Strength Train
• Ep 206: The Science of Marathon Tapering

Connect with Carolyn:

• Email me with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Dr. Duane Scotti is back on the show to discuss the importance of year-round consistent training for marathon success.

Many runners lose motivation after completing their goal race in the fall or struggle to get back on track over the holiday season or colder months. And while this is completely understandable, it sets you up to leave time on the table in your next goal race -- even if that race seems really far away. In this episode we talk about the importance of mindset, strength training, and following a properly structured run plan so that you’re not starting back at square one when you decide to officially begin your next training cycle.

Dr. Duane Scotti is a Connecticut-based running physical therapist, run coach, host of the Healthy Runner podcast, and founder of Spark Healthy Runner.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• [Download] Duane's Marathon Training Resource (including strength and base building) https://learn.sparkhealthyrunner.com/marathon
• Duane's past episodes:
  • Ep 66 | SPARK Your Training With Prehab (Jan 4, 2022)
  • Ep 75 | Why Road Runners Should Try Trails (Mar 8, 2022)
  • Ep 113 | It's All About That Base (Training) (Nov 29, 2022)
  • Ep 171 | Return to Running Safely After Time Off (Jan 9, 2024)
  • Ep 200 | Celebrating 200 Episodes of Inspired Soles + A Big Announcement (Jul 30, 2024)

Connect with Duane:

• IG: @sparkhealthyrunner
• Website: Sparkhealthyrunner.com
• Healthy Runner Podcast
• Healthy Runner Facebook Group
• SPARK Your Training YouTube Channel

Connect with Carolyn:

• Email me with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram: @inspiredsolescast
• Carolyn's Instagram: @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

As the year comes to an end, I thought it would be fun to highlight excerpts from some of the most downloaded episodes from the previous 12 months. 2024 was packed with amazing guests, from dietitians, coaches and authors to everyday and elite level road and trail runners. You’ll even hear the voice of my former co-host Kim Sankey in many of the clips from the first half of the year and I want to take this time to give her a shoutout for helping me guide many of these powerful and important conversations.

For all of you devoted podcast fans out there, let this episode be a reminder of your favourite lessons from your favourite guests. For those newer to the show, consider this a mini Cliff notes version of 2024, which will hopefully entice you to mine through the archives and dig into episodes you may have missed.

Episode Links:

• 172. Val Schonberg | Fueling for the Menopause Transition (SPONSOR: Canadian Masters Athletics Menopause Series 6/6)
• 173. Dave Proctor | Author of Untethered: The Comeback Story of One of the Longest Fastest Runs in History
• 185. Priscilla Forgie | Finding My Fire
• 190. Natasha Wodak | On Missing the Olympic Marathon Standard
• 204. Jessica Wylychenko, RD | Fueling Your Next Marathon PR
• 211. John & Carolyn Coffin | Chicago Marathon Recap (The Bodily Fluids Episode)
• 219. Jeff Cunningham & Polly Moody | On Polly's 2:44 Marathon PB in Chicago

Connect with Carolyn:

• Email me with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram: @inspiredsolescast
• Carolyn's Instagram: @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Sarah Carroll is a former social worker turned personal trainer, run coach and nutritionist who specializes in helping others move and fuel their bodies through her Winnipeg-based business, Underdogs Coaching. As a former competitive bodybuilder, Sarah struggled with body dysmorphia and disordered eating patterns that negatively impacted her health, and today she’s passionate about helping athletes celebrate everything their bodies CAN do by building healthy and sustainable habits.

In this episode we cover everything related to getting started (or re-started) with running, including:

• Identifying your WHY
• Setting goals
• Assessing your schedule
• Structuring training to avoid injuries (Hint: it most likely includes some walking!)
• Essential gear
• Tracking apps
• Fueling & strength training considerations, and of course
• Keeping it fun!

Sarah sprinkles in many of her own personal experiences with running. But the big take home point is to not overcomplicate it. Running can be a simple and affordable sport if you want it to be, but you can rest assured knowing that once you have the basics established, there are an almost infinite number of ways to make it more complex and expensive in the future (if you so desire)!

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• 7 Functional Movement Patterns for Building Strength

Connect with Sarah:

• Instagram: @underdogs_coaching
• Website: underdogscoaching.com

Connect with Carolyn:

• Email me with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram: @inspiredsolescast
• Carolyn's Instagram: @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

41-year-old Polly Moody is back – along with her new coach, Jeff Cunningham – to break down her brilliant run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

Polly was on the show just after she and Jeff began working together in the summer, and despite having to hit the ground running and overcome a few significant challenges in training, their teamwork prevailed. Polly managed to shave close to two minutes off her personal best from 2023 and run a blazing time of 2:44:38, which was good enough for 4th Canadian and 6th in her age group.

Jeff is a man of many eloquent words and by the end of this conversation, you’ll not only get a sense of how funny he is, but also how much he cares for and believes in his athletes.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Relay Podcast | Marathon SZN: Beware of the Dragons

Connect with Polly:

• Instagram: @mommytosubthree
• Inspired Soles: 2:46 Masters Marathoner on Overcoming Injuries & Setbacks

Connect with Jeff:

• Instagram: @jdcunningham97 @cunninghamrunning
• Website: cunninghamrunning.com

Connect with Carolyn:

• Email me with guest ideas: inspiredsolescast@gmail.com
• Inspired Soles Instagram: @inspiredsolescast
• Carolyn's Instagram: @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.