Hurdle with Emily Abbate

When world champion heptathlete Anna Hall broke her foot in 2021, she thought her career might be over at just 20 years old. Today, she's a world champion, an Olympian, and a redefined athlete who understands that success isn't just about the gold medal—it’s about the grit it takes to get there.

In today’s conversation, Anna opens up about the "good busy" season of life she’s currently navigating, from intense training sessions to wedding planning. She reflects on the heartbreak of the Paris Olympics and the subsequent journey of returning to the track with a refreshed perspective. We dive deep into her mental toolkit, including her specific journaling process, how she compartmentalizes challenges during a multi-event competition, and the vital role that nutrition and her dog, Cross, play in her wellness routine.

IN THIS EPISODE

• How Anna navigated the disappointment of the Paris Olympics
• The "good busy" of wedding planning alongside pro-athlete training
• Her specific "good things only" track journaling process
• The role of nutrition and her partnership with Nulo
• How to compartmentalize during a multi-event competition like the heptathlon
• Learning to be uncomfortable in order to grow
• The influence of icons like Jackie Joyner-Kersee on her career

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

On Resilience and Disappointment

• "I’ve been really low before; I’ve wanted to quit the sport before. That was temporary. So now I have that perspective where I can zoom out a little bit."
• "You think, 'Oh, my whole life will change when I get the gold medal.' And it really doesn't. You're still you."

On the Mental Game

• "In my track journal, I only write down good things. I only write down things I want to remember, do again, or feel."
• "I feel like I write my mindset for track day into existence the night before."

On Growth and Grit

• "You need to be uncomfortable to grow. That’s what all of training is."
• "No matter what is going on in my life, off the track, on the track, no matter what injury, it’s like I always just come back to the work."

SOCIAL
@annaa.hall
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

CHECK OUT
Anna's sponsor, Nulo

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ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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