159 episodes
- In this episode, Sally gets a chance to chat with friend, ultrarunner, and world-record holder Meg Eckert about her remarkable journey from being too afraid to show up for her first 5K to becoming one of the world’s top multi-day runners. Meg recently ran more than 636 miles in six days, becoming the first woman to surpass 1,000 kilometers in the event. She opens up about pacing, fear, joy, discomfort, her relationship with running, and the mindset that continues to push her toward discovering what she’s capable of. Thanks for pushing play. Enjoy!
Other Episode Highlights:
Skipping her first 5K out of fear
Why she started running because of her dog
Meeting her husband through running
Often runs to work—and arrives earlier than when she drives
Meg's love of six-day races
How she is very particular about tying her shoes
Why brushing your teeth mid-race feels amazing
Teaching middle school vs. hour 130
How joy and suffering can coexist
Training her gut with short-run gels
How she still thinks she can improve the record
Keep Up With Meg:
INSTAGRAM: @_megeckert
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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ORION SLEEP: Save 15% off at orionsleep.com/SALLY - In this episode, Sally chats with her friend, and Elite ultrarunner, Rachel Drake, who shares what it looks like to pursue big dreams while raising two young children and working 65–80-hour weeks as an anesthesia resident. She opens up about UTMB, returning to running after pregnancy, leaning on family support, and learning that different priorities can take the lead during different seasons of life. You will be encouraged by Rachel's drive and commitment to excellence in all she does! Enjoy!
Other Episode Highlights:
How running helps the emotionally demanding experiences she encounters at the hospital
Sally eating Rachel's pre-race sweet potatoes
The perspective of suffering from illness vs suffering in a race
UTMB training 50-60 miles a week
Overnight shifts days before UTMB
Running after pregnancy
Having an older brother helped to develop her competitiveness
Keep Up With Rachel:
STRAVA: Rachel Drake
INSTAGRAM: @rachelraedrake
YOUTUBE: @ultrafamilyhustle
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
Sally McRae Strength App
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Choose Strong Podcast YouTube
Sally McRae YouTube
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Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner
Be sure to take advantage of the deals from our sponsors:
ONESKIN: Get 15% off OneSkin with the code SALLY at https://www.oneskin.co/SALLY #oneskinpod
LAGOON SLEEP: Use code CHOOSESTRONG for 15% off at LagoonSleep.com/CHOOSESTRONG - Fresh off an incredible second-place finish at UTMB, Rachel shares what it was really like navigating the overwhelming crowds, racing alongside the best in the world, and fighting to hold onto second place in the final miles. She also opens up about her surprise mountaintop engagement, life with Will, wedding plans, Switzerland, pickleball, her upcoming Snowman Race in Bhutan, and why she’s more committed than ever to doing things her own way! You'll love this conversation. Enjoy!
Other Episode Highlights:
The overwhelming UTMB start
Glitter on the start line
Being chased for 2nd place
Trying to find her "positive attitude"
Her fiance, Will, "The King of Switzerland"
Wedding planning
Keep Up With Rachel:
Substack: @rachelentrekin
IG: @rachel__entrekin
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
Sally McRae Strength App
Choose Strong Book
Choose Strong Podcast YouTube
Sally McRae YouTube
Choose Strong Merch
Choose Strong Strava Group
Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner
Be sure to take advantage of the great deals from our sponsors!
ORION SLEEP: Visit orionsleep.com/SALLY to get 15% off.
PRIMAL QUEEN: Our listeners get a FREE MONTH of Primal Queen plus FOUR FREE GIFTS at PrimalQueen.com/SALLY #ad - Just days before Badwater 135, Sally received an unexpected call offering her a spot in the race after she had already stopped heat training and shifted her focus toward TDS in the Alps. With only five days to prepare, she chose to say yes, reset her expectations, and approach one of the toughest races in the world very differently than she had in the past. Sally shares how slowing down, listening to her body, leaning on an incredible crew, and letting go of performance goals turned into one of her most meaningful race experiences. Enjoy!
Giveaway will last for 10 days from the release of this episode.
Other Episode Highlights:
Another giveaway!
Managing recurring stomach problems during ultras
Knee update after nearly 500 miles of racing
Meeting her crew for the first time the day before the race
Popsicle at mile 25 creates a problem
Running the final miles with Joe Corcione
Barely eating from mile 45-120
McDonald's hash brown saves the day
Community highlights
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
Sally McRae Strength App
Choose Strong Book
Choose Strong Podcast YouTube
Sally McRae YouTube
Choose Strong Merch
Choose Strong Strava Group
Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner
Be sure to take advantage of the great deals from our sponsors!
MUD/WTR: Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code STRONG at mudwtr.com/STRONG #mudwtrpod
LAUNDRY SAUCE: Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code STRONG at https://laundrysauce.com/STRONG #laundrysaucepod - Fresh off the finish line in Chamonix, Sally recaps her first TDS—one of the most rugged races in the UTMB week—after battling rain, massive climbs, a brutal fall, a badly injured leg, and the loss of her poles. She shares how gratitude, perspective, and repeatedly choosing to take the next step carried her through to the finish line and helped turn a difficult race into a powerful reminder that feeling weak doesn’t mean you have to quit! It’s a long one, but it is worth it! Enjoy!
Other Episode Highlights:
Starting from the last corral
Surviving the midnight storm
The aggressive first cutoff checkpoint
Running, falling, sliding down in the rain
Seven-thousand-foot mountain climbs
Racing the last half of the TDS race without poles (crazy!)
Why mountain gear really matters
An encouragement for YOU to keep going
All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
Sally McRae Strength App
Choose Strong Book
Choose Strong Podcast YouTube
Sally McRae YouTube
Choose Strong Merch
Choose Strong Strava Group
Episode Sponsors:
TRUE NUTRITION: Get 20% off your first order at truenutrition.com/CHOOSESTRONG with code CHOOSESTRONG
LAGOON SLEEP: Go to LagoonSleep.com/CHOOSESTRONG and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match. Use the code CHOOSESTRONG for 15% off your first purchase.
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About Choose Strong
Hosted by Eddie and Sally McRae, Choose Strong is about choosing strength over fear in every situation in life. Strong Mind, Strong Body, Strong Love. Each episode is filled with candid insight, raw and relatable stories and interviews. As a pro athlete, wife, mother, and biz owner, Sally seeks to encourage others to live a strong and courageous life and uses her running as a metaphor for life. The show covers a variety of life focused topics including running, total wellness, mindset, parenting, life balance, the impact of social media, and staying motivated while working toward goals.
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