Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Beatrice Lessi, a remarkable woman whose journey is as inspiring as it is unique. At 60 years old, Beatrice lives in Zurich with her husband and three daughters. With a degree in humanities from the University of Pisa, she began her career...
Stride Soles Review: Custom Insoles That Feel Like a Warm Hug for Your Feet
When Stride Soles reached out to me and asked me to review their new custom insoles, I was excited. Let me share my experience. What Makes Stride Soles Different Most insoles you buy off the shelf are one-size-fits-most. Stride Soles flips that idea on its head. They make these just...
Why Zealios Sun Protector Should Be in Your Bag All Year Round
Picture this: it's a crisp fall morning, the sky is a flat gray, and you're clocking a long ride or a long run. Sunscreen? Probably the last thing on your mind. But here's the truth that catches too many athletes off guard—the sun doesn't take the winter off, and neither...
How the HOKA Bondi 9 Helped Me Recover From TKR Surgery
When you go through total knee replacement surgery, walking down the block feels like a marathon. Every step matters. Every mile is a milestone. So when I started planning my comeback, I knew my shoes would make or break the whole journey. I reached out to HOKA and asked if...
What to Look for If Shoes Alone Aren’t Fixing Your Plantar Fasciitis Pain
Every runner and triathlete dealing with plantar fasciitis eventually lands on the same advice: get a better shoe. Firm heel counter, stiff sole, real arch support. That advice is sound, and for some people it is enough. But look closely at most plantar fasciitis shoe recommendations, and you will notice...
My First Look at the Xero Shoes Women’s Mesa Summit
A few years back, I met the founder of Xero Shoes at an event, and we hit it off right away. He was passionate about footwear that works with your feet, not against them. Soon after, he sent me a pair to try, and I was hooked on the whole...
From Supercars to Super-Materials: The Carbitex Story
What do Swedish supercars, high-performance running shoes, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu have in common? They are all part of the incredible journey of Carbitex's founder, a company redefining what’s possible with carbon fiber. In a recent episode of the Hilary Topper on Air podcast, I had a fascinating conversation with the...
Lems ZenSpeed Review: My Weeks in the + and Lite
I own a lot of running shoes. But when both the Lems ZenSpeed+ and the ZenSpeed Lite showed up at my door, I felt something I hadn't felt in a while: pure excitement to lace up again. Here's the honest backstory. I've spent the last stretch recovering from a total...
Do You Bonk on the Run?
If you bonk on the run as a stand-alone or off the bike, then you won't want to miss today's podcast. (more…)
Do Runners Need Protein? A Guide for Endurance Athletes
Most people associate protein with gym buffs and bodybuilders who want to maximize their gains. On the other side of the coin are carbohydrates, often the macro of choice for endurance athletes like runners who need easily accessible fuel for prolonged activity. While that's not technically wrong, the reality isn't...