What's The Rusch
What’s the Rusch is a podcast about finding stillness and shedding the armor we wear to reveal the masterpiece within. Hosted by Rebecca Rusch—a seven-time world champion, Hall of Fame athlete, celebrated endurance icon, Emmy winner, and founder of the Athlete Operating System—the show takes listeners on a transformative journey with some of the world’s most accomplished individuals. Known as the "Queen of Pain" for her unmatched grit, Rebecca shifts the spotlight to a deeper truth: the most profound growth often comes not from what we achieve, but from what we let go of. Inspired by Michelange...
The Courage to Fail: Diana Nyad on Endurance and the Power of the Human Spirit | EP16
This powerful in-person episode of What’s the Rusch was recorded live at the Outside Festival in Denver, where Rebecca Rusch is joined by legendary swimmer, author, and speaker Diana Nyad. Famous for her record-breaking swim from Cuba to Florida at age 64—after four failed attempts and 35 years of persistence—Diana shares more than a story of grit. She opens up about resilience, reinvention, the importance of awe, and what it really means to live a life without regrets.
From pushing physical limits to rewriting what’s possible at any age, this conversation dives deep into the psycholo...
Running Towards Identity: Dr. Hebah Hefzy on Faith, Motherhood, and Representation | EP15
In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares an intimate and inspiring conversation with Dr. Hebah Hefzy—a neurologist, mother of three, first-generation Egyptian American, and the first Muslim woman to complete the Western States 100 in hijab. A true trailblazer, Hebah's story is about far more than sport. It’s about rewriting the narrative, being a visual representation, and living with confidence and comfort in her identity.
Together, Rebecca and Hebah explore the intersections of identity, faith, visibility, and wellness. From struggling to run a single mile during her medical residency to finishing one of the...
Claiming Creativity, Ditching Perfection, and Living Fully with Lisa Congdon | EP14
In this vibrant episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch welcomes artist, writer, cyclist, and creative trailblazer Lisa Congdon. Known for her bold use of color and voice as an artist and activist, Lisa didn’t start her art career until nearly 40—proving that it's never too late to uncover your calling. In this candid conversation, Lisa and Rebecca explore what it means to build a life you love from scratch, why imperfection is essential to creativity, and how movement and meaning are inextricably linked.
Lisa opens up about the vulnerability of starting over, navigating self-doubt, and th...
Depth Over Distance: Travis Macy on Family, Identity & Redefining Success | EP13
In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca reconnects with longtime friend and fellow endurance athlete Travis Macy. Known for his career in ultra-endurance racing, bestselling books (The Ultra Mindset and A Mile at a Time), and coaching, Travis brings a powerful story of transformation shaped by sport, fatherhood, concussion recovery, and caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.
Together, Rebecca and Travis reflect on two decades of friendship, racing, and the evolving meaning of success. They explore how legacy, grief, and deep love fuel purpose—how presence, not podiums, can be the true marker of achievement. Trav...
Living Your Legacy: Corey Rich on Storytelling, Purpose, and Community | EP12
In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch connects with her longtime friend, world-renowned photographer and filmmaker Corey Rich. Known for hanging off cliffs with a camera in one hand and a story in the other, Corey reflects on a life built around capturing raw, authentic moments—in sport, in nature, and in the human spirit.
Their conversation is a journey through decades of friendship and creative partnerships from adventure races in the jungles of Borneo to documenting Rebecca’s earliest endurance cycling records. But it’s also a reflection on how we build something that las...
Cultivating Performance Culture and Community with Allen Lim | EP11
In this deeply insightful episode of What's the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Dr. Allen Lim, renowned sports scientist, entrepreneur, coach, and founder of Skratch Labs. Allen’s journey from a young, curious cyclist to one of the most influential figures in human performance is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and care. Through a raw and heartfelt conversation, Allen and Rebecca explore the intersection of science and emotion, performance and play, and the relentless pursuit of meaning in sport and life.
Dr. Allen Lim’s journey is one of contrasts; balancing external vali...
The Modern Mobilizer: Maureen Kolenyo’s Path to Global Impact | EP10
In this heartfelt episode of What’s the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Maureen Kolenyo, Regional Director of East Africa for World Bicycle Relief, transformational leader, and mother of five. Maureen shares her incredible journey from corporate powerhouse to purpose-driven changemaker, revealing how a simple bicycle can unlock safety, education, and opportunity for girls across Africa.
Together, Maureen and Rebecca explore the deep inequities in education access, the overlooked power of community-based solutions, and what it really means to redefine success later in life. From navigating male-dominated boardrooms to rising before dawn to prioritize wellness, Ma...
Beyond the Lens and Into the Light with Chris Burkard | EP9
In this deeply introspective episode of What's the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with world-renowned photographer, explorer, and endurance athlete, Chris Burkard. Known for capturing some of the most remote and untamed places on Earth, Chris reveals the deeper motivations behind his relentless pursuit of adventure.
Chris shares his journey from being a self-taught photographer living out of his car to becoming a globally recognized storyteller. But beyond the accolades, he opens up about the emotional and personal costs of chasing the extreme—from burnout to the challenges of balancing ambition with family life.
Th...
Healing Through Nature & Heartbreak with Florence Williams | EP8
In this deeply insightful episode of What’s the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with acclaimed science writer and nature advocate Florence Williams. Known for her groundbreaking books The Nature Fix and Heartbreak: A Personal and Scientific Journey, Florence explores the profound ways that nature heals both the body and mind.
Florence opens up about her personal journey of heartbreak following the end of her 25-year marriage and how she turned to science, self-experimentation, and nature to navigate grief, trauma, and transformation. She and Rebecca dive into the neuroscience of emotional pain, the healing power of aw...
Concussions, Competition, Courage with Haley Batten | EP7
In this episode of What's the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with Haley Batten, a world-class mountain biker and Olympic silver medalist, to explore the delicate balance between competition, joy, and resilience. Haley shares her journey from a teenage prodigy in mountain biking to navigating the highest levels of the sport while facing personal challenges, including multiple concussions that tested her patience, mindset, and ability to slow down. Together, Rebecca and Haley dive into the importance of community, the evolving culture of women’s sports, and how adversity can lead to unexpected personal growth.
Haley’s stor...
Butterfly in a Blizzard: with Kimmy Fasani | EP6
In this powerful episode of What’s the Rusch, host Rebecca Rusch sits down with pioneering snowboarder, entrepreneur, and mother, Kimmy Fasani. Kimmy shares her extraordinary journey from breaking boundaries in professional snowboarding to facing one of life’s most difficult challenges: an aggressive cancer diagnosis. Through candid and heartfelt storytelling, Kimmy reveals how she found resilience in the face of adversity, the lessons she learned about surrendering control, and the power of community and advocacy in women’s sports.
She opens up about navigating motherhood while maintaining a professional career, redefining success on her terms, and how he...
Resilience and The Art of Letting Go with Cory Richards | EP5
In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca sits down with world-renowned photographer, adventurer, mental health advocate, and storyteller Cory Richards for an unfiltered conversation about resilience, identity, and the power of letting go.
Cory has been on the highest peaks in the world and captured some of the most breathtaking images. But his greatest expedition has been the journey within. From surviving an avalanche to navigating childhood trauma, bipolar disorder, and personal loss, Cory has spent his life confronting the depths of the human experience and outlines them in his stunning book, The Color of Ev...
The Midlife Chrysalis: with Chip Conley & Christine Sperber | EP4
Rebecca Rusch welcomes Chip Conley and Christine Sperber, co-founders of Modern Elder Academy (MEA), the world's first midlife wisdom school. This insightful conversation explores how to reframe midlife transitions from crisis to chrysalis, the importance of embracing physical well-being through all life stages, and how to navigate personal reinvention with intention and purpose.
Transformative Insights
The idea that midlife is not a crisis but a chrysalis—a time of deep transformation rather than decline.How wisdom isn't about what you know, but how well you metabolize experience and share it with others.The shift from an ac...The Science of Support: Dr. Stacy Sims on Community, Crisis, and Her Own Survival | EP3
In this powerful and intimate conversation, Rebecca Rusch sits down with renowned scientist and women's performance expert Dr. Stacy Sims. Together they explore the intersection of science, athletics, mental health, and what it means to be a woman pushing boundaries in male-dominated fields. From childhood curiosity to professional triumphs and personal struggles, this conversation dives deep into the reality behind public personas and the importance of vulnerability and support systems.
Key Topics & Timestamps:
00:04 - Introduction and mutual admiration between Rebecca and Stacy
01:52 - Discussion of public personas versus private realities
02:54 - Ea...
Disruption, Durability, Dialog: With Juliet and Kelly Starrett
In this revealing episode of What's the Rusch, Rebecca sits down with fitness pioneers Kelly and Juliet Starrett to strip away the polished exterior of their fitness empire and explore the raw, human journey that shaped their approach to resilience, relationships, and redefining strength.
Show Notes:
The Layers We Shed:
Kelly's journey from competitive paddler to injury, forcing him to shed his athlete identity and find a new pathJuliet's experience with cancer at age 20, challenging her perception of invincibility and physical prowessTheir shared process of removing the armor of perfectionism in the fitness industryHow...The Approval Trap: The Dark Side of Success | EP1
In this inaugural episode of What's the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch sits down with renowned performance psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais for an intimate conversation about the journey from high performance to true mastery. Together, they explore how sometimes our greatest breakthroughs come not from pushing harder, but from having the courage to be still.
Show notes:
In this episode, Rebecca and Dr. Gervais discuss:
The distinction between high performance and masteryWhy the first rule of mastery is to stop worrying about what others thinkThe power of vulnerability in personal growthFinding wisdom through stillness and self-examinationAt The Trailhead
In the inaugural episode of 'What's the Rush' podcast, "At the Trailhead", Rebecca Rusch shares her journey of how this all began, as a world champion athlete and adventurer, exploring themes of personal growth, identity, and the importance of introspection. Through her experiences in endurance sports and transformative expeditions, particularly the emotional journey of finding her father's crash site, she emphasizes the significance of slowing down and looking inward. The podcast aims to uncover the true selves beneath the armor of achievement and invites listeners to join her in exploring life's profound lessons.
