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Hurdle

345. Learning True Balance: Jess McClain On Finding The Fun In Running & The Power Of The Reframe

Hurdle

Emily Abbate

Health & Fitness

51.4K Ratings

🗓️ 3 March 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Welcoming Jess McClain to the show! Jess is a pro runner for Brooks, and she made big waves last year when she came in fourth in both the Olympic Marathon Trials and the 10K at the Olympic Track and Field Trials. In this week's episode, she talks so beautifully about rediscovering the fun in running by involving herself in other activities and pursuits. Jess shares what it’s like to work full-time for a non-profit while also following her passions within sport, and she gives some really beautiful advice on the importance of listening to your body.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

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IN THIS EPISODE

(8:00) How pressure got the best of Jess early in her career.

(10:13) Jess reflects on her 20+ years of running.

(12:50) How Jess finds the joy on the days that don’t feel so exciting and easy.

(14:55) Jess talks about walking away from professional running for a bit during the pandemic. 

(18:00) How Jess found the fun in running again.

(20:18) Jess shares what it was like to run her first marathon.

(24:09) Jess talks about her new coach David Roche.

(39:15) What changed for Jess McClain in 2023 that unlocked her potential in 2024.

(42:47) How Jess felt about coming in fourth at the Marathon Olympic Trials.

(44:30) How Jess re-imagined her relationship with failure.

(50:10) How Jess felt about flying to the Olympics in Paris as an alternate and not racing.

(55:49) What Jess sees when she looks in the mirror.

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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

I've learned so much from running over my 20 years of doing it.

0:03.0

And so much of what I've learned for my coaches and past teammates and current teammates,

0:07.3

I've been able to apply to life and work and things outside of the sport.

0:37.5

Music Hey, hey, Emily Abadi here. You are listening to Episode 245 of Hurtle, a wellness-focused podcast where I talk to inspirational people about everything from their highest ties and toughest moments to essential tips on how to live a healthier, happier, more

0:42.9

motivated life. We all go through our fair share of hurdles. My goal through these discussions

0:48.5

is to empower you to better navigate yours and move with intention so that you can stride

0:54.0

toward your own big potential.

0:56.1

And of course, have some fun along the way.

1:00.5

For episode 245, I am welcoming Jess McLean to the show.

1:04.9

She's a pro runner for Brooks and made some big waves last year when she came in fourth

1:10.5

in both the Olympic marathon trials,

1:12.7

and then in the 10K at the U.S. track and field Olympic trials.

1:18.6

Now, also have to give just her flowers for her performance at this weekend's U.S. half marathon championships,

1:24.8

where she ran a one hour, eight minutes, and 37 second half marathon

1:32.0

for fourth place there as well. In today's podcast conversation, Jess talks so beautifully

1:38.9

about rediscovering the fun in running by involving herself in other activities and pursuits, which she said

1:45.1

has helped alleviate some of the pressure that she was putting on herself after spending 20 plus

1:49.9

years in the sport. Jess shares what it's like to work full time at a nonprofit while also

1:56.0

following her passions within running and gives some really beautiful advice on the importance of listening

2:01.4

to your body.

2:03.4

And of course, we talk about both of those fourth place finishes, I mentioned, how it felt

2:08.2

being an alternate and just missing her chance to compete in Paris, plus the grateful perspective

...

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