It’s the Endurance Diaries 100th Episode Celebration!
If you can, this one is best experienced in the video version, with surprise drop-ins and moments you won’t want to miss.

You’ll hear from special guests offering encouragement, wisdom, and perspective for wherever you are on your journey. There’s laughter, honest dialogue, and space to pause and reflect with a lot of gratitude.

Featured Guests: Jeff Mallory, Kevin Rutherford, Carlos Hernandez, Nancy Gale, Van Lai-DuMone, Jenn Huffman

Watch on Spotify/YouTube.

In this episode you’ll learn how curiosity can become a compass through pain, healing, and reinvention.

Kelvin Wang is a first generation Chinese American and walking quadriplegic, whose life shifted after a near death car accident in December 2017. He reflects on the people who showed up, how small moments of humanity and connection carried him through the unknown, and how these experiences continue to shape the way he move sthrough the world today.

Together we discuss living life in chapters, the ongoing nature of healing, and what it means to be mask off in a world that rewards performance. Kelvin also shares how creativity and the performing arts helped him restore a part of himself he thought he lost.

In this episode you'll learn why adding variation to your life and routines might be one of the most powerful tools you have for performance and self-development.

Dr. Andy Bass, mental performance coordinator for the Pittsburgh Pirates, shares how his own experience with the YIPS reshaped the way he thinks about identity, resilience, and what athletes need beyond their sport. He reflects on why so many high performers feel trapped inside narrow definitions of success, and how small shifts in our habits and environments can open the door to creativity and freedom.

Together we explore the science of motor learning, why our minds crave variation, and how small moments of trying something new can expand our capacity. We also discuss burnout, the role of therapy, and the importance of having people who help us notice what we can’t always see in ourselves.

In this episode, I'm joined by former MLB catcher and Pittsburgh Pirates fan favorite Michael “The Fort” McKenry for a raw conversation on faith, identity, and endurance.

Michael shares his journey through baseball and the challenges that came with injuries, surgeries, and transition. He opens up about his evolving relationship with God, what it means to be planted where you are, and why he believes the process shapes us far more than the outcome.

Together we explore the mental side of performance, why questions are essential for growth, and how young athletes can build resilience now, not just when adversity hits.

In this episode, you’ll learn the meaning of spiritual intelligence (SI), how it complements emotional intelligence (EI), and why leading from abundance creates more clarity, connection, and fulfillment.

Dr. Yosi Amram’s story spans war-torn Israel, the heights of tech entrepreneurship, and the depths of personal transformation. After leading two companies to successful IPOs, a spiritual awakening shifted his path from ambition and burnout to meaning and alignment.

In this conversation, we discuss how clarity emerges from self-awareness, the power of connection in leadership, and how surrender can open us to new possibilities.

Yosi is a licensed clinical psychologist, CEO leadership coach, and award-winning author of Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired. Featured in Psychology Today, USA Today, and Forbes, he brings a rare blend of science, leadership, and soul to his work.

Today, he helps leaders awaken deeper self-awareness and lead from wholeness, authenticity, and love.

Learn more at https://yosiamram.net/

In this episode you’ll learn what it looks like to move through bitterness, uncertainty, and change with compassion and endurance to keep going.

Emily Kile is a human behavior expert, founder of Workzbe and author of Bitter to Better. Emily’s work blends faith, neuroscience, and lived experience to help people understand what’s happening inside their own minds when life gets hard.

Together we explore the emotional tension that arises in seasons of transition, how bitterness can sneak up on us, and why awareness is foundational to growth. Emily also shares the stories that shaped her book, including navigating divorce, raising her children with intention, and redefining success after burnout.

Former attorney Casey Berman, founder of Leave Law Behind, and creator of the Unique Genius Framework, joins the podcast to explore how discernment, curiosity, and courage guide us through times of change.

Casey shares his own story of leaving law and finding clarity on the other side of uncertainty, offering perspective and tools that anyone can apply in their career and life. Together we unpack how to recognize when it's time to pivot and take small, confident steps toward what’s next.

What happens when you say yes to something you’re not fully prepared for, but step into the unknown anyway?

In this episode, endurance athlete Connie Blumenthal shares her once-in-a-lifetime experience running 340 miles from Los Angeles to Las Vegas as part of The Speed Project, one of the most extreme unsanctioned endurance races in the world.

Throughout our conversation, Connie reflects on what it means to find peace in discomfort, take the pressure off performance, and reconnect with yourself through movement.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between who you were and who you’re becoming, this episode will remind you that curiosity is how we evolve. It’s what invites us to keep asking, keep learning, and keep showing up even when the path looks different than we expected.

Jason Bahamundi, founder of Run Tri Bike and host of The Everyday Athlete Podcast Network is back on Endurance Diaries for a conversation about curiosity, connection and giving ourselves permission to change our goals.

Jason first joined me on Episode 65, where they explored the role of failure, storytelling, and vulnerability in building meaningful community. In this follow-up, they go even deeper talking about how curiosity helps us not only connect with others but also better understand ourselves, navigate fear, and evolve through changing seasons of life.

If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your love of sport into meaningful work and real-world impact, this conversation is for you.

Kara Sanford, founder of Women’s Lax Drills, shares how a step of courage turned a one-year coaching job in Germany into a 12-year journey across Europe, a thriving platform serving thousands of lacrosse coaches, and a reminder that confidence comes by doing.

Throughout our conversation, we discuss:

In this episode you’ll hear from Joe Sclafani, Director of Player Development at the Toronto Blue Jays, who shares what it takes to make it to the big leagues and achieve at the highest level on and off the field.

Through his journey from Dartmouth to being drafted by the Houston Astros, to now his current role in player development, Joe discusses the journey including the mental toughness, grit, and commitment it takes to make it.

He shares the journeys of Blue Jays players Davis Schneider and Nathan Lukes as examples of perseverance and daily consistency, and how stories like theirs fuel belief across the whole organization.

His perspective extends far beyond baseball, emphasizing the power of resilience, determination, and importance of being anchored in your why.

In this episode you’ll learn how dance and movement communicate emotion beyond words, why embracing vulnerability builds courage, and the endurance it takes to persevere through life’s challenges.

Heather Cagle is a professional dancer and fitness coach based in Chicago. From teaching herself ballet in her kitchen in Toledo to performing on the biggest stages, Heather’s journey shows how courage, connection, and perseverance can turn obstacles into growth. She opens up about how movement became her language of expression, how mentors shaped her path, and why showing up, even when it’s uncomfortable, leads to transformation.

Heather also leads Sweat and Sizzle, a fitness movement built on community, confidence and connection.

Shop TYIK x Sweat and Sizzle Collection

Her story is one of resilience, courage, and a relentless drive to take on the next challenge.
Nicknamed “The Fish,” Marlynne Stutzman is a Special Olympics USA Games gold medalist and Florida Hall of Famer who recently conquered the legendary Escape from Alcatraz open water swim. She also made history as the first person with autism to complete the IRONMAN® World Championship in Kona and run the Boston Marathon.

Beyond her incredible athletic achievements, Marlynne is an Athlete Leader, using her voice to inspire communities and encourage fellow athletes to believe in themselves and push beyond limits.

In this episode you’ll learn how to shift from fear to curiosity, build self-trust, and translate elite sport lessons into everyday leadership at work and in life.

Australian Olympic Gold Medalist rower Rosie Popa joins Ashley to share the 15-year journey to becoming a Champion at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Rosie opens up about performance anxiety, identity beyond sport, and her idea of mental efficiency, learning to get out of your own way so you can unlock your best. She explains how world-class team cultures are built on clear roles, honest feedback, and unconditional support, and how those same principles can help us navigate work, relationships, and life transitions.

You’ll also discover the power of showing up for yourself, being on your own team, and learning to surrender the outcome and step into unfamiliar spaces as opportunities for growth.

Steve Sanders is the CEO of SPIRE Academy, one of the nation’s top training and education centers for student-athletes. As a former U.S. Army Captain, he shares his journey from military service to executive leadership and the lessons that shaped his approach to building the next generation of athletes and leaders.

In this conversation, Steve reflects on the role of hard work, resilience, mental skills, and the importance of holistic athlete development. He also shares practical strategies for overcoming fear, adapting to change, and leading with endurance both on and off the field.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to reframe your story, why embracing uncertainty opens new possibilities, and the power of expressing what people mean to you while you still can.

Oleg Lougheed’s story began in Russia, marked by adversity at home and the uncertainty of his childhood. At just nine years old, he relinquished his parents’ rights and entered a local orphanage, beginning a journey defined by resilience, courageous choices, and a commitment to rewriting his narrative.

Oleg is the founder of Overcoming Odds and Moments Worth Remembering, where he reminds us that our stories, and the people in them, are worth honoring while we are still here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Oleg's Journey

01:38 Reflections on Childhood Decisions

07:42 Embracing Uncertainty in Decision-Making

12:52 The Power of Storytelling and Meaning

19:08 Reframing Life's Cards

24:17 The Importance of Journaling

28:34 Understanding Internal Conflicts

34:55 Experiencing Life and Learning

38:33 Moments Worth Remembering

46:20 The Power of Encouragement

48:32 Valuing Relationships and Vulnerability

54:52 Defining Endurance

What can the ancient wisdom of Job and Ecclesiastes teach us about living in the tension of joy and suffering? In this episode, Ashley is joined by author Daryl Potter for a raw conversation on faith, self-awareness and the search for meaning when life doesn’t make sense.

Daryl shares his personal story of raising a daughter with a degenerative medical condition, the crisis of faith it sparked, and the 10-year journey of studying the Book of Job and the Book of Ecclesiastes that shaped his perspective and inspired his writing behind Even the Monsters and Something More. He offers practical and spiritual wisdom for anyone wrestling with unanswered questions, loss, or uncertainty.

Learn more about Daryl: https://www.darylpotter.com/

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Grief and Meaning

04:40 Daryl's Journey: From Banking to Writing

09:40 Exploring 'Even the Monsters': A Deep Dive into Suffering

18:54 The Shift from 'Why' to 'What': Understanding Life's Challenges

24:43 The Burden of Prophecy: Jeremiah's Journey

26:40 Finding Purpose in Suffering

28:43 Ecclesiastes: The Search for Meaning

33:29 Living in the Moment: Embracing Life's Breath

37:45 The Role of Self-Awareness in Healing

42:33 Faith and Endurance: The Unfolding Story

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is believe in yourself and go for it.

Caroline Fitzgerald is the founder and CEO of GOALS, an independent media platform dedicated to women's sports. In this episode, she shares how her childhood experiences in sport fueled a lifelong passion, and why she left a thriving career to follow her purpose. She also discusses persistence in entrepreneurship, encouraging others to take risks and pursue their dreams.

Caroline is also the host of the Business Case for Women's Sports Pocast, where she interviews business executives, thought leaders, athletes, and change makers who are driving the growth and visibility of women’s sports across the globe.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Caroline Fitzgerald and GOALS

02:50 The Journey to Starting GOALS

07:43 Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Purpose

13:10 Surprising Moments and Community Support

15:52 The Future of Women's Sports

20:12 Reframing Women's Sports as a Business

25:17 Building Confidence and Taking Risks

In this episode, Ashley is joined by Katrina Ghazarian, strategic advisor and the founder of GAMEDAY HR to discuss the challenges of compensation in the sports industry, particularly how underpayment affects culture, retention, and overall profitability.

They also dive into a conversation on personal growth, decision making, and learning to trust yourself in the process.

Katrina is creator of Kat Walks Audio Series where she shares her best ideas, perspectives and moments of bliss. Subscribe to her Substack here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:53 The Impact of Compensation in Sports

07:52 Navigating Career Dynamics in Sports

14:30 Advice for Aspiring Sports Professionals

19:43 The Business Model of Professional Sports

22:05 Fair Compensation in Sports

23:19 The Complexity of NIL and College Athletes

25:35 The Impact of Remakes in Hollywood

26:07 Personal Growth and Decision Making

28:10 Trusting Yourself in The Process

30:07 The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation

What if confidence isn’t something you have before you begin, but something you build because you began?

Christina Unkel is the President & GM of the Tampa Bay Sun, attorney, former FIFA referee, and trailblazer across sports and media. In this episode, she shares what it means take risks, lean in to self-trust and build for impact.

She discusses her journey in leading the Tampa Bay Sun to its inaugural USL Super League Championship title, the power of choice in personal and professional life, and how endurance evolves through different life stages.