When Self announced it was discontinuing its print edition in 2016, former fitness editor and Hurdle podcast host Emily Abbate needed to find a new outlet for her creativity. "I was sitting on my couch one day chatting with a girlfriend when I said the sentence, 'I just want to get over this hurdle.' And suddenly, it all clicked," Emily told POPSUGAR. "I wanted to connect with big names in the industry to hear about how they got to where they are and the hurdles they've conquered along the way."
The first official episode of Hurdle went live on New Year's Eve 2017. It discussed Emily's own "hurdle moment" that kick-started a 70-pound weight-loss journey in college. Now, 40 episodes later, she said she hopes people will find inspiration "to be better" with just one listen.
Hurdle, though unique in its own right, is not alone in the realm of fitness podcasts that promise to motivate and inform. It's one thing to stay fit, but to stay fit while keeping up on wellness news and trends can be a daunting task. That's where podcasts come in. Some shows, like FoundMyFitness, spend a lot of time delving into studies on health and how the body works. Others are sport-specific, like the running-focused Morning Shakeout. Ahead, we've compiled a handful of shows that provide insight from pro athletes, trainers, and nutritionists alike. Whether you're into weightlifting, racing [1], or clean eating [2] (or all three!), you'll find something on this list for you and your fitness journey.
Get-Fit Guy
Got a question? Host Brock Armstrong will most likely have the answer. With episodes about metabolism [4], training for long distance, and workout recovery, Get-Fit Guy is a one-stop shop for fitness-lovers.
Listen now on SoundCloud: Get-Fit Guy [5]
Trained
Trained by Nike is a relatively new podcast that "explores the cutting-edge of holistic fitness to help make you a better trainer and athlete." Shalane Flanagan, 2017 NYC Marathon winner and Olympian, was the podcast's first official guest (which gives you an idea of how legit it is).
Listen now on Apple Podcasts: Trained [6]
Hurdle
As mentioned before, journalist, trainer, and UESCA run coach Emily Abbate officially launched Hurdle at the very end of 2017. This weekly podcast features interviews with "badass humans" like Ethan Agarwal, founder and CEO of the popular Aaptiv app [7], and Olympic runner Colleen Quigley. You'll definitely want to give it a listen.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts: Hurdle [8]
FoundMyFitness
Rhonda Patrick, PhD in biomedical science and expert on the brain, nutritional health, and aging, hosts FoundMyFitness, a podcast about more than just physical activity. She interviews other experts on topics like depression, seasonal eating, and chronic stress. Sure, it's super science-based — or as Dr. Patrick says, "scien-terrific" — but that's what's so great about it.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts: FoundMyFitness [9]
Morning Shakeout
This podcast is specific to the sport of running. Host Mario Fraioli interviews top athletes like Olympian and 2018 Boston Marathon winner Des Linden [10] as well as other professionals like Kara Goucher and industry coaches.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts: Morning Shakeout [11]
The Jillian Michaels Show
Jillian Michaels is a household name when it comes to fitness. Her podcast, The Jillian Michaels Show, tackles a wide range of topics, from wellness hacks and body image to the keto diet and finding the right trainer.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts: The Jillian Michaels Show [12]
Shrugged Collective
Shrugged Collective features episodes like "Why Your Training Is Leaving You Injured and How to Fix It" and "Should You Open a CrossFit Gym?" It's a combination of different segments such as Barbell Shrugged, The Strong Coach, and Real Chalk. You can read about the different segments here [13].
Listen now on Player FM: Shrugged Collective [14]
Mind Pump
This podcast, hosted by Sal Di Stefano, Adam Schafer, and Justin Andrews, reveals the "raw truth" about fitness. It has a "no BS" approach to the industry and discusses topics like how to "bulk on a budget," how to train according to your goals, and how to lose fat.
Listen now on Apple Podcasts: Mind Pump [15]