86: Yoga For Faster Running + Mental Health

In this episode of the Female Athlete Podcast, I talk with founder of Runners Love Yoga and Relay Run Co, and US Olympic Marathon Team Trials qualifier, Ann Mazur. We dive straight into a discussion about identity, both in sports and life, touching on the challenges presented when athletes finish playing their sports after high school or college. Just because your most competitive days may be over, you can still be an athlete! Without the fixed structure and routine of college athletics, we talk about how this opens up more opportunities to try new activities, training and racing approaches, be involved with communities, and move purely for the love of it. Ann explains her identity struggle when she was no longer "Ann the D1 college runner for Notre Dame" but still felt her best running days were ahead. Post collegiate athletics We touch on parallel transition struggles after Ann received her Ph.D. in English and wasn't content with the typical career trajectory of becoming an English professor. Ann shares how she redefined what being a teacher meant to her, transferring her skills from the classroom to teaching yoga. Ann explains she was introduced to stretching and yoga as an inflexible high school runner, then sharing this with her college teammates; after incorporating yoga into her routine, Ann noticed her own running improve, as well as her teammates', alongside a reduction in injuries. I also share how I found yoga during a stressful period in college, first noticing the mental and stress relieving benefits before reaping the physical.  Ann discusses the many hats she wears: founding Runners Love Yoga while getting her Ph.D. in English, running at the NCAA Division 1 level and later progressing post collegiately to run in the 2020 US Olympic Team marathon trials, starting Runners Love Yoga apparel company recently rebranded as Relay Run Co, filming and sharing hundreds of yoga and fitness videos through Runners Love Yoga TV, and more! Ann explains how Runners Love Yoga TV really expanded during the pandemic as she sought a way to teach virtually, helping her community stay mentally and physically well during a stressful time. We talk about how she seemingly "does it all" and the importance of pursuing your passions, regardless of what others say, and building the career path you want for yourself. Ann and I explore the intersection between yoga and nutrition: building that mind-body connection through yoga can foster mental freedom, body awareness and mindfulness that helps us all be more intuitive and self-accepting, including with our food choices and body image. Ann shares her experience with toxic team culture in college and the food freedom she has found now that gives her the energy to do everything she does and run faster at all distances. Newly rebranded at Relay Run Co, Ann talks about developing an activewear company, her love of fashion and helping everyone feel comfortable and confident in their clothing. A mom to 3 adopted cats and always wanting to give back, Relay Run Co donates 1% of profits to animal charities and can be found at relayrunco.com and via the handles below. Follow Ann and all she does on Instagram: @runnersloveyoga for Ann’s personal page @relay_run_co for Relay Run Co. @doyogarunfaster for Runners Love Yoga TV And online at: runnersloveyoga.com runnersloveyoga.tv relayrunco.com  Ann’s Official Bio: Ann is founder and CEO of Runners Love Yoga, the mission of which is to help runners through yoga designed specifically for them. Through Runners Love Yoga TV, she is a one-woman yoga filming and editing crew which brings accessible yoga to runners worldwide: at runnersloveyoga.tv and with the Runners Love Yoga TV iOS and android apps, you can do 200+ yoga classes with her anytime! Recently, the RLY (Runners Love Yoga) brand of activewear has branched off to become Relay Run Co. Relay Run Co. activewear is built upon the 4 legs of fashion, art, performance and comfort. Ann has been in the clothing industry for a decade and is excited for the direction that Relay Run Co. is headed, especially as they are donating 1% of all purchases to animal rescue. Ann is a 2020 Olympic Trials marathoner who loves racing all distances from the mile to 26.2, and whose own training unorthodoxly combines running, swimming, and yoga. While at Notre Dame, she was an English and math double major, and she founded Runners Love Yoga while earning her Ph.D. in English at UVa.  Learn more about Lindsey's Services and the Team at Rise Up Nutrition: www.riseupnutritionrun.com Worried that you have RED-S? Curious to know how we could help or how you can recover fast?! Download the RED-S Recovery Race & see how you place for more support:www.riseupnutritionrun.com/reds

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As a Sports Dietitian for NCAA, professional, and recreational athletes alike, I know how powerful nutrition can be. I also know how quickly a female athlete can fall into the trap of disordered eating, under fueling, or amenorrhea which severely limits their health and physical potential. That’s why I’m sharing my knowledge of female-specific nutrition, training, body image, and mindset to help you fuel your body to perform at your highest level. Whether you are looking for a competitive edge with your nutrition training and mindset, or looking to overcome harmful nutrition habits and body acceptance, you’ve come to the right place!