Episode 683: Sara Hall: The Story Behind For the Love of the Grind

This episode is brought to you by Kava Haven, Tailwind Nutrition and Batch.

Sara Hall joins the podcast to talk about her new book For the Love of the Grind, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. Sara has been one of the most consistent and compelling figures in American distance running, with a 2:20 marathon personal best, a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Olympic Trials, and a career defined by longevity, resilience, and a deep love for the process.

In this conversation, Sara reflects on her career arc, from being the first professional athlete to say yes to this podcast back in 2016 to becoming a veteran of the sport who continues to push her limits. She shares what it has looked like to race at a high level while raising four daughters, staying grounded in her values, and following what feels most authentic to her, even when it doesn’t follow a traditional path.

The conversation also dives into the themes of her book, including faith, identity, motherhood, and the emotional highs and lows of a decades-long career. Sara opens up about how her beliefs have evolved over time, how she’s navigated criticism, and why she chose to tell her story in her own voice.

This episode is a deeper look at what it means to commit to the long game, both in running and in life, and how growth often comes through the hardest seasons.

What we talked about:

Writing For the Love of the Grind and telling her story in her own voice
Faith, deconstruction, and evolving beliefs
Growing up in a strong religious background and rethinking it as an adult
Choosing which moments and races mattered most in her story
The emotional weight of motherhood and pursuing elite goals
Adoption journey and family dynamics
Balancing ambition with presence as a parent
Career longevity and gradual marathon progression
The Olympic Trials and processing near-misses
Super shoes era and competing across changing generations of the sport
Relationships and community throughout her career
Transitioning perspective from outcomes to process

Media mentions: 

For the Love of the Grind
Love Wins

Thank you to our sponsors: 

Batch
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Kava Haven
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Tailwind Nutrition
Tailwind Nutrition creates all-in-one endurance fuel and hydration products designed to be easy to digest while providing calories, electrolytes, and hydration during long efforts. Their products are built specifically for endurance athletes who want simple, effective fueling without GI issues.

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