823. The Support Squad Series, Episode 3, with Michael Anne Bailey

"We really are having the best of times during the worst of times." I'm fresh off my third round of chemotherapy (round two was rough!), and am back on the couch recording with friends. This time for chemo, I was joined by my best friend (and former Dance Spirit colleague!) Michael Anne Bailey, and this is our recap from the day at the infusion center and the few days we spent together. We share our friendship origin story, gush about the things we love most about each other, and talk a lot about eyebrows. SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

“A great thing about having cancer is people are so nice to you!” This is my attempt to catch you up on what life has looked like since Chemo Round 2. Buckle up! SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order. Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

Last summer, Grant Fisher made history by becoming the first American man to win Olympic bronze in both the 5000m and 10000m at the Paris Olympic Games. Last month, he dropped down in distance and ran an 11-second personal best at the Bowerman Mile at the Prefontaine Classic. Now, he's gearing up for the USATF Outdoor Championships, where he's hoping to land a spot on Team USA for this year's World Championships in Tokyo. In this episode, he talks about how his training is going, how he reflects on being an Olympian (never an under-dog again!), and what it was like being Faith Kipyegon's right-hand man during her Breaking 4 attempt. (Spoiler: If you don't already love Grant Fisher, you're about to love Grant Fisher.) FOLLOW GRANT @grantfisher_ SPONSORS:  Boulderthon: Join me in Boulder, CO, on September 28, 2025! Click here to register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids run, and use code ALI for $20 off your marathon or half registration.  New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"Ask questions. I always encourage people to ask me questions. If your question comes with good intentions, I’m not going to be mad at you for it! I’m not going to fault you for that. You just simply don’t know." Sofia Camacho is officially one to watch on the NYC running scene. The transgender nonbinary elite runner holds a 2:29:14 marathon personal best, won the nonbinary division at the 2024 New York City Marathon, and, this past weekend, broke the tape at the Bandit Grand Prix. By day, Sofia is a tattoo artist and coach at Mile High Run Club. And by night: Meet Xana Whoria.  FOLLOW SOFIA @sof_camacho SPONSORS:  Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. Oofos: The best in recovery footwear! Check out Oofos's 2025 Project Pink collection, where 10% of every purchase is donated to cancer research.  In this episode: All about Sofia’s win at the Bandit Grand Prix (4:35) What Sofia’s racing for these days (9:35) All about Young Sofia and their childhood (12:45) Why Sofia started running during their junior year of high school in France (17:30) TW: Sofia’s experience as a sexual abuse victim (22:15) What it was like running cross country at Columbia University (34:45) Sofia’s plan for life after college and collegiate running (40:00) Sofia’s take on “grown-up” races (45:55) What Sofia needs or wants to see within the running community (59:00) All about Xana Whoria, Sofia’s drag persona (1:03:10) What’s next on the run for Sofia? (1:15:30) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!  

"Despite my insistence that 'I can do this,' and, 'I'm fine,' and, 'I've got this,' I don't got this without my people." I'm fresh off my second round of chemotherapy, and am back on the couch recording with friends. This time for chemo, I was joined by my dear friend Conor Nickel, and this is our recap from the day at the infusion center, and the few days we had together. We answered tons of listener questions, and Conor talks about being one of my go-to people throughout all of this.  SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the just-released Rebel v5! Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"In life and in marathons, whoever can overcome those challenges the best — it’s not about not having challenges, because you are going to have them — it’s about responding to them, being resilient, learning from them, inspiring other people, and sharing that with others." Jordan Hasay competed at her first Olympic Trials when she was in high school. After graduating, she attended the University of Oregon, where she became an 18-time All American. She immediately signed with Nike to kick off her professional track career. When Jordan transitioned to marathoning, she had immediate success, debuting at the 2017 Boston Marathon where she finished third and broke the record for the fastest marathon debut by an American woman (2:23). That fall, Jordan raced the Chicago Marathon, where she again finished third, running 2:20:57. Now, life looks a little for Jordan — now Jordan Hogan — and her husband, Ryan. They are the founders of Hogan Performance, and Jordan is finding new joy in this chapter of life as a coach. She's also 35 weeks pregnant with their first child! In this conversation, Jordan talks about pregnancy expectations vs. reality, and about whether or not she hopes to someday return to competing.  SPONSORS:  Boulderthon: Join me in Boulder, CO, on September 28, 2025! Click here to register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, and kids run, and use code ALI for $20 off your marathon or half registration.  Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. In this episode: How Jordan is feeling at 34 weeks pregnant (4:55) How Jordan met her now-husband, Ryan Hogan (16:00) All about Hogan Performance, the transition away from professional running, and why Jordan loves coaching (28:50) On staying connected to the sport after competing professionally (41:00) What Jordan remembers most about training for her first marathon, the 2017 Boston Marathon, where she finished third (44:00) How Jordan reflects on her marathon experiences and how they have shaped her beyond the roads (48:25) On competing at the Olympic Trials while in high school (53:10) Jordan’s pro running highlight reel (55:50) On returning to professional running (59:00) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"None of this would have been possible if I didn’t take that chance on myself." Caroline Moss has a dream: to run the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon. As a New Yorker, it's her favorite day of the year. The catch: Caroline has never been a runner — until now. In this new series, we're following author, creator, theater producer (check out Dilaria, open now!), Saved by the Bell super-fan, and professional shopper Caroline Moss as she embarks on a quest to start running and run the race of her dreams.  (Listen to Episode 1 with Caroline here.) FOLLOW CAROLINE @geethanksjustboughtitpod CAROLINE'S FACEBOOK GROUP SPONSORS:  UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order. goodr: Click here and use code ALI for $5 off your next order. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"It was dark, and I remember looking over the ledge thinking, 'What’s down there?' I probably don’t want to know…" Deirdre Keane has never encountered an adventure she didn't want to pursue. The pediatric ICU nurse turned McKinsey consultant is always on the run, whether it's at a world marathon major or it's completing — and winning! — the World Marathon Challenge, running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. Deirdre's latest endorphin chase: the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon! In this conversation, she talks about the three-week excursion traversing glaciers and mountain passes and, ultimately, an unplanned trek back to base camp. Warning: This episode may inspire you to go do something big, scary, and life-changing.  SPONSOR:  New Balance: Click here to shop the just-released New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5! In this episode: Deirdre’s introduction to the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and how she was able to make it happen (4:00) Deirdre’s lasting relationships with her World Marathon Challenge crew (7:30) How Deirdre planned to complete the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon, and what her training was like (9:00) The logistical components of the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (17:20) Deirdre’s adventures before the ultra, summitting Island Peak (21:45) What it was like seeing Mount Everest for the first time (36:20) All about the Everest accommodations (41:00) Deirdre talks about completing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon (45:30) On finishing the Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon — and the road away from the mountain (58:40) Deirdre's top takeaways from this experience (1:08:40) What's next on the run for Deirdre (1:10:40) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"In my mind, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon." It's been a whirlwind week. THANK YOU for all of the love, support, and kindness after last week's "we're due for a catch-up" episode. It's been an overwhelming time for me — but what about for my support squad? I get so many questions from people asking how best to show up for someone going through a hard time, and my team and I have learned a lot about what this can all look like. So for this one, Cousin Jackie returns, and we're talking about what the past few weeks have been like for each of us: the patient and the support person. SPONSORS:  Oofos: The best in recovery footwear! Check out Oofos's 2025 Project Pink collection, where 10% of every purchase is donated to cancer research.  Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase. Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I’m laser focused. This is serious." She's the 2018 Boston Marathon champion. She's the co-host of Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara. She's one of the most admired, most accomplished, and most respected distance runners of our time, and now, Des is taking it to the trails. After running her final professional marathon in Boston in April, Des's next big adventure will be pacing friend Joe McConaughy at the Western States Endurance Run in just a few weeks. In this conversation, Des talks about what her pacing duties will entail, what training camp was like, and what's exciting her right now.  SPONSOR:  Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next purchase. Code valid in the U.S. and Canada. Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon’s 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you. (I'm an Otter!) Use code ALI at checkout for 15% off your next Lagoon order. In this episode: What life has been like since the 2025 Boston Marathon — Des’s final professional marathon (2:25) Will we see Des at the big fall marathons? (5:30) Des’s parting thoughts on the 2025 Boston Marathon (7:25) Des’s introduction to all things Western States (16:25) The WSER pacing plan (21:15) Which races are on Des’s radar now (25:45) How Des sees her role in the trail running community (27:00) Des’s pacing resumé (29:20) How much do you know about what that day pacing will look like? (35:35) What Des is looking forward to most about Western States (41:15) The athletes Des admires in the trail world (43:40) The road racing athletes Des thinks we should all be watching (47:25) Some of the key takeaways from Des and Kara Goucher’s Save the 10,000 event — including 1,800 people participating in the virtual event (51:10) Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Join the Facebook group Support on Patreon Subscribe to the newsletter SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!