Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

I’m joined once again by Canadian marathon record holder Natasha Wodak for a timely and important conversation. We begin by recapping Natasha’s 2025 season and wrap up by looking ahead to what’s lighting her up in 2026, but the heart of this episode focuses on start line safety in a rapidly growing sport.

Just days before this recording, Natasha was taken down at the start of a local 8K race after being barged through by another runner. Although she got up and finished strongly, the injuries she sustained ultimately disrupted her training and prevented her from racing again days later. Together, we reflect on her experience and use it as a starting point to explore how crowded, chaotic start lines affect runners of all abilities—and how we can collectively do better.

This is a thoughtful, solutions-oriented discussion about shared responsibility, race design, and the small changes that could make a big difference in keeping all runners safe.

Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• iRun Magazine article

Connect with Natasha:

• Instagram: @tashawodak
• Previous episodes on Inspired Soles
  • Ep 209: All Set to Race the Toronto Waterfront Marathon
  • Ep 190: On Missing the Olympic Marathon Standard
  • Ep 124: Canadian Marathon Record Holder

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Connor Winter is a professional marathoner with Tinman Elite who delivered a breakthrough performance at The Marathon Project, running 2:11:43 for 10th place after starting the race in 16th at halfway. In this episode, Connor walks us through the calm, patient decision-making that defined his race—choosing to back off an early pace that felt too hot, trusting the process, and steadily reeling competitors in over the second half.

We talk about the mental game of the marathon, what it’s like to finish a race feeling both proud and hungry for more, and the very real load marathon training places not just on the athlete, but on the entire family—especially as Connor navigates life as a new dad.

Connor also shares how he used Lever Movement during his marathon build to safely increase mileage, manage fatigue, and stay healthy through heavy training, along with practical ways runners of all levels can incorporate it into their own routines.

A thoughtful conversation about patience, longevity, and showing up—day after day.

Connect with Connor & Lever:

• Website: levermovement.com
  • Use code Inspired20 for 20% off OR https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20
• Instagram: @levermovement, @tinmanelite & @connorwinter1

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Before we get too far into 2026, I’m taking a moment to reflect on some of the most powerful conversations from Inspired Soles in 2025.

This “Best Of” episode features seven standout clips from elite athletes, coaches, and everyday runners—each chosen not just for performance, but for the insight, humour, vulnerability, and perspective they brought to the conversation. You’ll hear reflections on goal setting, pacing, fueling, injury prevention, mindset, and what it really means to chase big dreams, even when things don’t go to plan.

Featured guests:

• Ep 242 Erin Mawhinney
• Ep 261 Ben Flanagan
• Ep 238 Alex Cyr
• Ep 260 Kristin Paterson
• Ep 262 Kevin Smith
• Ep 264 Rachel Hannah
• Ep 256 Jeff Cunningham

Whether you’re a longtime listener or new to the show, this episode offers a snapshot of the values at the core of Inspired Soles—and hopefully inspires you to explore the archives and keep showing up for your own goals.

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Why is habit change so hard? Registered Clinical Psychologist Dr. Sarah Rigby and I explore motivation, self-compassion, and real-world strategies to break bad habits and build better ones—without shame or perfectionism.

Resources we discussed in the episode:

• Healthy Habits Suck by Dayna Lee-Baggley
• Atomic Habits by James Clear
• How to Change by Katy Milkman (Choiceology podcast)
• The Joy of Movement by Kelly McGonigal
• Do Hard Things by Steve Magness
• Dr. Karin Nordin on Instagram @karinnordinphd

Connect with Dr. Rigby:

• Website: alphaconsultingandclinical.com
• Email: drsarahrigby@gmail.com
• LinkedIn: search Dr. Sarah Rigby Psychologist

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram:

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

In this episode, Johnny and Carolyn Coffin recap their unforgettable weekend at The Marathon Project, from chaotic winter-storm travel and behind-the-scenes access at the expo, to a race weekend filled with both breakthrough highs and gut-punch lows. Johnny runs a massive personal best, Carolyn faces a DNF, and together they reflect on what the experience revealed about preparation, pressure, perspective, and why this race was about so much more than the results.

A candid, emotional, and honest look at chasing big goals and learning from whatever the marathon gives you.

Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Johnny:

• Previous Inspired Soles episodes:
  • EP 266: Chasing Big Goals at The Marathon Project
  • EP 240: Sub-35 10K & Ottawa Race Weekend Recap
  • EP 230: Ask Carolyn Anything + Colour Commentary from Johnny
  • EP224: Do You Control Strava, or Does It Control You?
  • EP 211: Coffin's Chicago Marathon Recap: The Bodily Fluids Episode
  • EP 202: Paris Olympic Track & Marathon Recap
  • EP 55: Road to the 2021 Boston Marathon
  • EP 12: Slow the BLEEP Down
• Instagram: @bestjohnnyever

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Just days after running a historic 2:24:53 at the Valencia Marathon, Canadian marathoner & 3-time Olympian Malindi Elmore joins Inspired Soles to break down one of the most remarkable performances in Canadian distance running history. At 45.75 years old, Malindi placed 12th in one of the deepest marathon fields in the world, ran the fourth-fastest marathon ever by a Canadian woman, and shattered the Canadian women’s 45–49 record by 14 minutes — all on a day that warmed to 20°C by the finish.

But this conversation goes far beyond the result. Malindi shares how she approaches the mental side of training, why she stays process-focused even when she knows she’s in record-breaking shape, and how she navigated the crowded Valencia course while bringing her 7 and 11 year old kids along for the experience. We also explore the emotional complexity of marathon finish lines, a meaningful post-race exchange with “Tom from France,” and why finding purpose — and loving the process — always matters more than the outcome. Fierce, thoughtful, and deeply relatable, Malindi offers wisdom for runners at every stage of life.

Partner:
Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Malindi:

• Instagram: @malindielmore

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

Jess McClain joins Inspired Soles ahead of The Marathon Project, where she’ll serve as the celebrity pacer for women chasing the sub-2:37 Olympic Trials qualifying (OTQ) standard. We talk about what that responsibility means, how she prepares for a pacing role, and how she plans to support the group both physically and mentally on race day.

Jess also shares her philosophy on abundance, joy, and belonging in the sport, reflects on her own rise in U.S. distance running, and offers a powerful pep talk for anyone lining up to chase a big goal — whether you’re in the OTQ pack or the Gold Wave.

Partner:
Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Jess:

• Instagram: @jesstonn

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text

I’m joined by Calgary-based sub-elite runner and coach Leanne Klassen, who is heading to Chandler, Arizona to race in the professional field of The Marathon Project. A two-time past guest and friend of the pod, Leanne returns with an inside look at what it’s like preparing for one of the fastest marathon stages in North America.

We talk about her 8-week build under coach Malindi Elmore (fresh off her 2:24:53 Canadian 45-49 record!), how she navigated a lingering calf niggle, and what it’s like balancing elite-level training while parenting two busy young girls. Leanne also opens up about imposter syndrome, seizing big opportunities, and her bold goal of running sub-2:40 — maybe even hanging onto Jess McClain’s OTQ pace group.

She also shares her experience training with the Lever Movement system, which helped her stay healthy during this condensed build.

If you love stories of courage, belief, and chasing the edge of possibility, this episode will fire you up for race week at The Project.

Partner:
Visit levermovement.com and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20

Connect with Leanne:

• Instagram: @leanneklassen7
• Website: leanneklassen.ca
• Past appearances on Inspired Soles
  • Ep 225 with Coach Malindi Elmore | Project 2:40: How a Sub-Elite Marathoner Ran Faster by Training Smarter
  • Ep 155: Navigating Injuries With Grace

Connect with Carolyn:

• Instagram: @inspiredsolescast or @carolyn.c.coffin

You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.