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Choose Strong

Choose Strong with Sally and Eddie McRae
Choose Strong
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160 episodes

  • Choose Strong

    #159 | Tim Tollefson on Failure, Growth & Community - LIVE from Mammoth Trailfest

    10/10/2026 | 42 mins.
    ***AUDIO ONLY
    Recorded live at Mammoth Trail Fest, Sally sits down with longtime friend, professional ultrarunner, and race founder Tim Tollefson for an inspiring conversation about perseverance, personal growth, and finding purpose beyond athletic achievements. Tim reflects on his journey from an overlooked young runner to one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes, opening up about setbacks, personal struggles, and the lessons learned along the way. Together, they explore the power of vulnerability, the importance of community, and how running can become something far greater than chasing finish lines.

    Other Episode Highlights:
    Tim's journey from soccer to professional running

    Why finishing Leadville meant more than the podium

    The inspiration behind creating Mammoth Trail Fest

    Tim's experience pacing Sally at Cocodona 250

    Why Tim has no plans to run a 200-miler

    All links, discounts, and ways to support the podcast are here.
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    ⁠⁠⁠Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner⁠⁠

    Support the show by taking advantage of the deals from our sponsors:
    MOUNT TO COAST: Save 20% off The Sonoma Fall Classic at ultrasignup.com with code CHOOSESTRONG20
    ORION SLEEP: Save 15% off at ⁠orionsleep.com/SALLY
  • Choose Strong

    #158 | Meg Eckert | 636 Miles in 6 Days: Her Record-Breaking Run

    30/09/2026 | 1h 40 mins.
    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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    ⁠⁠⁠Substack @SallyMcRaeYellowRunner⁠

    Support the show by taking advantage of the deals from our sponsors:
    QUALIA: Magnesium, multiplied. 10 forms for total support. Go to https://qualialife.com/SALLY to get 50% off and save an extra 15% with the code SALLY
    ORION SLEEP: Save 15% off at orionsleep.com/SALLY
  • Choose Strong

    #157 | Rachel Drake | Motherhood, Medicine, & Racing UTMB

    25/09/2026 | 1h 5 mins.
    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.
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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
  • Choose Strong

    #156 | Rachel Entrekin | Best Year Ever!

    19/09/2026 | 1h 30 mins.
    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.
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    ⁠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
  • Choose Strong

    #155 | Sally's Badwater 135 Race Recap

    04/09/2026 | 1h 59 mins.
    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.
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    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
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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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