What's The Rusch

• Claiming Space: Identity, Endurance, and Coming Home | EP18

  This week on What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch shares space with ultra-endurance cyclist, storyteller, and Indigenous athlete Alexandera Houchin for a deeply honest and resonant conversation. A citizen of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, Alexandera is rewriting what it means to be a modern Native woman, professional athlete, and cultural steward—on her terms.Alexandera lives in northern Minnesota—on the land her ancestors lived on– where she now trains for some of the world’s toughest bikepacking races. Alexandera shares her journey from disconnection to deep cultural reconnection. What began as a tool for freedom during a difficult time has become her path to visibility, voice, and purpose.Together, Rebecca and Alexandera explore what it means to claim space—in sport, in community, and within yourself. This conversation goes beyond endurance to examine identity, representation, responsibility, and the quiet strength it takes to build something meaningful for those who come next.In this episode, Rebecca and Alexandera explore:The intergenerational impact of cultural disconnection—and how Alexandera reconnected with her Ojibwe rootsHer early experiences with addiction and the bike as a tool for survival, then transformationHow storytelling, sport, and representation can be tools of reclamation and healingThe struggle of turning passion into profession—and keeping purpose at the centerHer dream of becoming a fully supported professional athlete in ultra-endurance bikepackingWhy she’s shifting from avenging past injustices to building a future of visibility and strengthHer big goals for the Tour Divide, and what “winning” means on her termsTransformative Insights:“I used to want to avenge what was done to my family. Now I want to become the person I needed to see growing up.”Representation isn’t performative—it’s a responsibility to those who come nextBelonging is power. Community is performance fuel.You can’t be what you can’t see—visibility mattersVulnerable Moments:Alexandera opens up about her family’s forced separation due to federal Indian policyHer journey with addiction and how cycling became a tool for freedom and identityThe conflict between pursuing sport professionally and staying grounded in purposeHow Rebecca’s mentorship helped her take the leap into being a full-time athletePractical Wisdom:The importance of cultural storytelling—and the tension between oral tradition and written legacyWhy bikes are a vehicle for both personal sovereignty and collective connection“Don’t worry about being fast. Worry about being full—full of purpose, connection, and intention.”You don’t have to do it all alone. Ask for help. Build your villagePersonal Growth:Alexandera’s evolution from bike courier to competitive athlete to cultural advocateHer transition from pushing through pain to honoring processLetting go of scarcity mindset and embracing mentorship, partnership, and legacyHow sport, when rooted in identity and community, becomes ceremonyHelpful Links:Alexandera’s Trackleaders for Tour DivideAlexandera Houchin on SubstackAlexandera on Instagram

  --------  

  1:11:05
• Redefining Enough with Melissa Arnot Reid | EP17

  This special episode of What’s the Rusch, comes to you live from the main Ideas stage at Outside Festival. Rebecca Rusch shares the stage with friend and pioneering mountaineer Melissa Arnot Reid. As the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, Melissa is no stranger to pushing boundaries. But this conversation goes far deeper than altitude.Together, they unpack the themes of Melissa’s new memoir, Enough—a raw, reflective look at her life beyond the summits. More than a climbing story, the book (and this episode) explores what it means to constantly redefine your identity, let go of perfection, and step fully into your truth.From guiding on Everest to navigating grief, from challenging gender dynamics in male-dominated spaces to learning how to write through pain, Melissa shares with honesty, clarity, and courage. This episode is about evolution, visibility, and the quiet bravery it takes to say: who I am is enough.Show Notes: In this episode, Melissa and Rebecca explore: Why Enough isn’t a book about Everest—and what the title truly meansHow identity shifts over time, and the permission we need to evolveWhat it’s like to guide in a male-dominated industry—and how gender still shapes perception and opportunityThe difference between doing something impressive and creating something meaningfulThe power of storytelling, self-reflection, and writing as a form of healingHow parenthood, grief, and community shaped Melissa’s current chapterThe vulnerability of public honesty and what Melissa has gained—and lost—by sharing her full selfTransformative Insights:Enough is a moving target: Melissa reveals how the definition of “enough” transformed for her—from achievement to self-acceptance.The summit is for the ego, but the journey is for the soul: Why what happens on the way up matters more than the peak.We are all complicated: And sharing that truth gives others permission to do the same.Creation vs. Accomplishment: What it means to create something lasting, instead of just doing something impressive.Vulnerable Moments:Melissa shares the fear of public rejection before releasing her memoir—and the surprising liberation that followed.She opens up about parental estrangement, and the emotional toll of letting go of hope for their approval.Rebecca and Melissa reflect on how their perceptions of each other evolved through honesty and friendship.Melissa discusses internalized misogyny and the challenges of being one of the only women guiding on Everest.Practical Wisdom:Let go of the container: Identity isn’t rigid—it’s amoebic, ever-changing, and dynamic.Mentorship matters: Especially in male-dominated spaces, visibility and honest mentorship create real change.Create to heal: Writing helped Melissa process her past and give shape to her truth.Your story is enough: There is value in being fully seen—not just for the polished parts.Personal Growth:From projecting perfection to embracing complexity, Melissa’s story is a blueprint for honest evolution.Rebecca reflects on her own experiences with vulnerability and the power of female friendship built on truth.The episode redefines leadership as visibility, advocacy, and sharing lived experience with others.Helpful Links:Melissa Arnot: https://www.melissaarnot.com/Enough by...

  --------  

  55:38
• 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 psychology of endurance, the value of failure, and the beauty of evolving with each chapter of life. Diana’s voice is clear, bold, and unflinchingly honest as she reflects on personal trauma, the pursuit of legacy, and the softening that comes with wisdom.Whether you're staring down your next big dream or simply trying to remember that it's not too late, Diana’s story is a masterclass in finding purpose, holding onto passion, and daring to begin again.In this episode, Rebecca and Diana talk about:Why true endurance is more mental than physical—and how it applies to life beyond sportHow failure, not success, built Diana’s legacyWhat it takes to dream big, assemble a team, and come back after defeatWhy aging is not a limitation, but an invitation to rewrite your identityThe role of awe, nature, and connection in fueling purposeDiana’s powerful reflections on her relationship with her mother, personal trauma, and healingTransformative Insights:“Courage to fail” is more valuable than a perfect track record.The physical body may falter, but the mind’s will can carry you to the shore.Endurance is a human quality, not an athletic one—it lives in all of us.Sometimes the longer path is the one that leads to the deepest growth.The goal isn’t always to win, but to show up and discover who we are.Vulnerable Moments:Diana reflects on her childhood sexual abuse and how it shaped her drive.She shares the regret of not being more forgiving to her mother—and the healing that came just before her passing.She opens up about living with intensity and learning, even at 75, to soften.Rebecca shares how a concussion changed her relationship with movement, identity, and purpose.Practical Wisdom:"Be in the arena.” The critic on the sidelines doesn’t count.Learn to pause: sometimes slowing down helps you see more clearly.Don’t buy into age limits—dreams have no expiration date.Use awe—nature, connection, challenge—as a gateway to meaning.Start where you are. There’s magic in beginning.Personal Growth:Diana’s shift from ego-driven achievement to team-centered leadershipLetting go of perfection and embracing authenticityThe never-too-late power of second (and third) actsBeing curious as you are wise—staying in the game with intentionTurning adversity into your greatest strengthHelpful Links:Diana Nyad’s website EverWalk Foundation“Find a Way” by Diana NyadSponsor: MomentousUse code RUSCH at livemomentous.com...

  --------  

  1:12:36
• 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 world’s most iconic ultramarathons, Hebah’s journey is a powerful reminder that transformation doesn’t require perfection—it requires courage.They dive into what it means to show up authentically and how she’s navigating life as a single mother, endurance athlete, and physician. Hebah’s voice brings vulnerability, warmth, and strength to conversations on cultural barriers, representation, and the importance of doing hard things to grow.Transformative InsightsOwning Multiple Identities – Why claiming every part of who you are can be a radical act of self-love.Running as Transformation – How sport became Hebah’s entry point to confidence, health, and spiritual growth.Redefining Representation – The impact of showing up visibly in male-dominated and non-diverse spaces.Vulnerable MomentsHebah recounts the discrimination she faced wearing hijab as a medical student post-9/11.She opens up about the guilt and exhaustion of raising three young kids while navigating medical residency.A turning point: a patient calls her out for not practicing the health habits she preached—sparking a wellness journey.Hebah shares the weight of representing an entire community on the world’s biggest endurance stage.Practical WisdomHow to build fitness and confidence from the ground up—even in your 30s with no athletic background.The importance of showing your children that your well-being matters too.Creative ways to fit training into family life—like running circles around a cul-de-sac or the soccer field.Why doing something hard on purpose prepares you for life’s unexpected challenges.Personal GrowthHebah’s evolution from doctor to mother to athlete—and finally claiming the title of athlete out loud.Learning to slow down, rest, and recognize that doing “nothing” can be deeply healing.Why your identity is allowed to evolve—and how embracing change can unlock your greatest self.Reframing visibility as opportunity: showing up publicly in a hijab and transforming perceptions of what an athlete looks like.Helpful LinksDr. Hebah Hefzy GU Athlete ProfileHebah's InstagramSponsor: MomentousThank you to GU Energy for fueling Hebah and Rebecca’s adventures! Use code RUSCH20 to get 20% off your order of $49 or more at https://bit.ly/WTR_GUEnergyAnd thanks to our partner Momentous. Listeners of What’s the Rusch get 35% off their first subscription with code RUSCH at

  --------  

  1:07:49
• 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 the hard-won freedom that comes with aging. From living as a broke aspiring artist to becoming a renowned creative entrepreneur and elder Gen Xer with a powerful voice in the cycling and art worlds, Lisa’s story is an inspiring reflection of reinvention, identity, and enduring curiosity. Together, Lisa and Rebecca discuss how to use our creativity to not only express ourselves, but also to make change—and why embracing flow, community, and self-defined success is the real masterpiece.Show Notes: In this episode, Rebecca and Lisa discuss:Building a thriving art business from the ground up in her late 30’s without formal trainingWhat cycling gave her that art didn’t—and vice versaHow community and connection power both endurance and creativityThe emotional and physical impact of aging and identity shiftsTransformative Insights:There’s No Perfect Time to Begin: Lisa’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to become who you’re meant to be.Imposter Syndrome Can Be Conquered: Success doesn’t eliminate self-doubt—but it can be dismantled with age, experience, and intention.Movement and Art as Medicine: Both cycling and creativity offer essential healing, especially during times of physical or emotional recovery.Redefining Success Through Values: Knowing your values gives you a compass to navigate the choices that shape your life.Vulnerable Moments:Lisa recalls the early years of building her business while struggling financially and feeling insecure about her skills.She shares the deep impact of imposter syndrome even as her fame and recognition grew.Lisa and Rebecca reflect on the emotional and identity shifts that come with physical injury, aging, and transitioning careers.Lisa talks about the fear—and eventual freedom—of slowing down post-knee replacement and how art carried her through.Practical Wisdom:Flow Follows Familiarity: Mastery brings presence—when you know your tools, whether a paintbrush or a bike, you can get lost in the moment.Set Boundaries to Preserve Joy: Lisa’s shift to a 4-day workweek helped her rekindle her love for art—and for life beyond work.Make Space for Play and Recovery: Whether in creative practice or physical pursuits, recovery time is essential to long-term joy and success.Use Your Platform for Good: Lisa uses her art to raise awareness, fundraise, and share values—because creativity can be activism.Personal Growth:Lisa’s evolution from broke, self-taught artist to respected voice in the creative and cycling worlds.Embracing elderhood as a Gen Xer and using life experience as power.Letting go of external validation and instead aligning with personal values and joy.Links:Lisa Congdon Website:...

  --------  

  1:17:32

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About What's The Rusch