197. Aisha Praught Leer

Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

Run, Health & Fitness, Women, Inspiration, Runner, Entrepreneur, Sports, Fitness, Health, Running

4.9 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 1 January 2020

⏱️ 75 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

"Most people would describe me as kind and warm. But I have this other part of my personality: I am insatiably competitive."

Aisha Praught Leer is a professional middle-distance runner for Under Armour, a national record holder in the 5000 meters, a 2016 Olympian (she competed in the 3000-meter steeplechase), and a gold medal winner at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. On this episode, Aisha talks about her progression as a professional athlete, her decision to race for and represent Jamaica (she's a Jamaican-American dual citizen), and her dedication for giving back and helping inspire the next generation of runners. She talks about what it's like being married to fellow professional runner Will Leer, and opens up about her decision to leave Eugene, OR, where she trained with the Oregon Track Club Elite, and move to Colorado to train alongside Emma Coburn, under the direction of coach Joe Bosshard. She also shares her thoughts on imposter syndrome, working with a sports psychologist, and building mental strength.

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your Aeropex wireless headphone endurance bundle!

What you’ll get on this episode:

Why do you do what you do? (4:30)
On building mental and physical strength as a professional athlete (14:00)
On competitiveness (23:30)
What it’s actually like working with a sports psychologist (25:30)
Why Aisha left Oregon Track Club to train with Joe Bosshard and Emma Coburn in Colorado (30:00)
Aisha’s decision to switch from the steeplechase to the 1500m (42:00)
Aisha’s decision to race for Jamaica (49:00)
All about drug testing (54:50)
How Aisha met now-husband Will Leer (1:03:00)

What we mention on this episode:

The Biggest Little Farm

Oregon Track Club Elite

Melissa Todd, Sports Psychologist

The Overstory

Follow Aisha:

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Listen & Subscribe:

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Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Aftershocks.
0:08.3	Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. I'm your host Allie Feller and every week I talk with
0:13.2	inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond. And while running is what
0:18.5	brings us all together on these episodes, we cover so much more than that. So join me right here
0:23.9	every Thursday to learn about the decisions people have made to get where they are today
0:28.0	and how getting sweaty has factored in. I could not be more excited to kick off 2020 with this
0:33.6	episode because for two years I have been trying to get Aisha brought Lear on the show. Two years
0:41.1	and we finally made it happen. Aisha is an absolute powerhouse on the track. She set national records
0:48.0	in the 5,000 meters. She competed in the steeple chase at the 2016 Olympics. Last year she won gold
0:54.4	in the 3,000 meters. She is a fierce competitor and a dynamite human. And as much as I love talking
1:02.6	about her hard earned wins and her progression as a professional athlete, we got into so much more
1:07.9	on this episode as we always do, right? Now I'm recording this intro the day after I talked with Aisha
1:14.1	and there are a few bits of our conversation that are still really fresh on my mind. One of them
1:19.5	Aisha talking about her decision to race for and represent Jamaica. I love that part of the
1:23.9	conversation. I loved hearing her talk about her dedication and passion for giving back and helping
1:29.0	inspire the next generation of runners. And oh my gosh I loved her talking about her competitiveness.
1:35.6	Oh you're gonna love that part. And of course she shared some funny stories about what it's really
1:39.6	like being married to fellow professional athlete will Lear. You're gonna love this one. I love
1:45.1	this one. So without any further ado, please welcome Aisha, Pratt Lear to the Alley on the Run Show.
1:57.2	I am so excited to be sitting down today with Aisha, Pratt Lear. Aisha,
2:02.4	welcome to the Alley on the Run Show. Thank you so much for having me. I'm really excited.
2:07.0	All right we start every episode of the Alley on the Run Show by just putting you right on the spot
	...

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