Each week, we'll be profiling members of our action team. Tune in and learn some more about these amazing womyn.

In Their Shoes: Holley S. 

Q1: Who are you? Describe your work, life, and sport of choice?

I’m Holley Samuel and I am a registered dietitian, personal trainer, and master of education (with a focus in eating disorders). I am the owner of my virtual private practice, Fit Cookie Nutrition, where I coach clients one on one in nutrition, running, strength training, and also provide online courses, ebooks, and more! My husband, Connor, and I have lived in NJ, PA, NH, and recently relocated to Charlotte, NC with our chocolate lab, Hazel. Our hope here is to enjoy outdoor sports like running and hiking year round! 

Q2: What is your sport of choice? How did you get started with it? Do you compete in races, if so what's your favorite distance?

I actually grew up competing horses in hunter/jumpers through high school & college on a national level- this is also how I met my husband! While I do not ride as much currently, my sport of choice over the past 6 years or so has been running. I absolutely hated running for the longest time in my earlier years, but found a love and joy for it later in college. In a span of 5.5 years, I went from hating running, to running over 13 half marathons, 5 marathons including two Boston Qualifying times, a Ragnar Relay Race, and starting my virtual practice to serve runners. My husband and I even got engaged at the finish line of my first marathon! It truly holds a special place in my heart now, and I love what it’s done for my mental and physical health.

Q3: What is your driving force behind your sport?

The driving force behind my sport is the many different ways running has affected my life. It’s brought me close friendships and mentorships. It’s helped me heal my relationship with food & body image. It’s helped me realize that I am capable of amazing things if I put the work and patience in, and it gets me outside daily! I love the areas I’ve explored because of running as well.

Q4: What are three words that people use to describe you?

Dedicated, passionate, reliable.

Q5: What is your favorite thing to listen to while working out (music, podcast, audiobook, etc)...or do you prefer to go without headphones?

This totally depends on the mood of the day. For races, I race until either mile 10 in a half or mile 20 in a marathon without headphones… then if I think it’ll help me, I turn an upbeat playlist on (usually a mix of AC/DC, Taylor Swift, Guns & Roses, The Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack, Dave Matthews, Queen, Britney Spears, Journey, Def Leppard, Kanye… I’m realllllly all over the place). On easy runs, I’m listening to a podcast for sure. On workout days I’ll mix between podcast or the same music playlist.

Q6: What is your favorite meal or recipe?

My favorite meal on earth is breakfast. I love oats, blueberries, peanut butter, chocolate chips, cinnamon, chia seeds, and milk + creamy iced coffee. I have eaten a combo of this almost daily for 6 years. It never gets old for me. I also really love a good Mexican themed bowl with rice, black beans, salsa, guac, cheese, ranch, peppers, and onions with a margarita on the rocks. That also never gets old.

Q7: Name a book you recommend to all your friends?

I recommend Intuitive Eating by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch to most people if they want to achieve a better relationship with food. Harry Potter is also my kryptonite. 

Q8: What is your secret pleasure TV show to indulge in?

I am so bad at watching TV. My favorite shows are Friends, MASH, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. I watch the same shows over and over again and am terrible at starting anything new… ask my husband!

Q9: Last question - what are your favorite workout shoes?

This is a tough question. I pretty much always use the Brooks Adrenaline as my stability shoe to keep my knees and hips/back happy. I rotate between those and the Hoka Clifton too.