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Hurdle with Emily Abbate

From Heartbreak to World Champion: How To Navigate Expectations, Think Forward & Journal Your Way To Success With Heptathlete Anna Hall

Hurdle with Emily Abbate

iHeartPodcasts

Health & Fitness

51.4K Ratings

🗓️ 30 December 2025

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

When world champion heptathlete Anna Hall broke her foot in 2021, she thought her career might be over at just 20 years old. Today, she's a world champion, an Olympian, and a redefined athlete who understands that success isn't just about the gold medal—it’s about the grit it takes to get there.

In today’s conversation, Anna opens up about the "good busy" season of life she’s currently navigating, from intense training sessions to wedding planning. She reflects on the heartbreak of the Paris Olympics and the subsequent journey of returning to the track with a refreshed perspective. We dive deep into her mental toolkit, including her specific journaling process, how she compartmentalizes challenges during a multi-event competition, and the vital role that nutrition and her dog, Cross, play in her wellness routine.

IN THIS EPISODE

  • How Anna navigated the disappointment of the Paris Olympics
  • The "good busy" of wedding planning alongside pro-athlete training
  • Her specific "good things only" track journaling process
  • The role of nutrition and her partnership with Nulo
  • How to compartmentalize during a multi-event competition like the heptathlon
  • Learning to be uncomfortable in order to grow
  • The influence of icons like Jackie Joyner-Kersee on her career

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

On Resilience and Disappointment

  • "I’ve been really low before; I’ve wanted to quit the sport before. That was temporary. So now I have that perspective where I can zoom out a little bit."
  • "You think, 'Oh, my whole life will change when I get the gold medal.' And it really doesn't. You're still you."

On the Mental Game

  • "In my track journal, I only write down good things. I only write down things I want to remember, do again, or feel."
  • "I feel like I write my mindset for track day into existence the night before."

On Growth and Grit

  • "You need to be uncomfortable to grow. That’s what all of training is."
  • "No matter what is going on in my life, off the track, on the track, no matter what injury, it’s like I always just come back to the work."

SOCIAL
@annaa.hall
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

CHECK OUT
Anna's sponsor, Nulo

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ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected] to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

No matter what is going on in my life, off the track, on the track, no matter what injury,

0:04.7

it's like I always just come back to like the work.

0:24.1

Hey, everyone. Emily Abadi here.

0:26.8

You are listening to another episode of Hurtle,

0:30.0

a show that dives into the true stories and mindset secrets of the most inspiring women in sports and wellness,

0:33.4

empowering you to conquer your own hurdles

0:35.5

and live a healthier, happier, more motivated life.

0:38.9

Today, I am joined by the incredible Anna Hall, a world champion Haptoply and Olympian,

0:45.3

who is truly redefining what it means to be resilient.

0:49.9

Fresh off of her big win in Tokyo, Anna opens up about the good, busy season of life she's currently navigating from intense training sessions to wedding planning.

0:59.1

In this conversation, we get real about the highs and lows and professional sports.

1:03.5

She reflects on the heartbreak of the Paris Olympics and the subsequent journey of returning to the track with a refreshed perspective.

1:11.1

So what many gems in this conversation, including insight into her journaling process,

1:15.0

how she compartmentalizes challenge during a multi-event competition, like the heptapelon,

1:19.9

say that sentence, five times fast, and the important role that nutrition plays in ensuring

1:25.0

that she's able to perform her best.

1:28.2

Speaking of nutrition, Anna and her dog Cross partnered recently with the brand Newlo for their

1:35.0

fuel credible campaign, which is designed to highlight the profound connection between

1:39.4

athletes and their pets, illustrating that success is not just measured in medals and titles,

1:43.9

but also

1:44.8

in the shared journey of wellness and mutual support. So thank you to Nulow for connecting me

1:51.6

with Anna. Make sure you're following along with Hurtle on social. It's over at Hurtle podcast.

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