Publishing Grit Meets Running Joy | Fireside Chat: Molly Hurford
When Passion Becomes the Plan
I’ll be honest, some conversations stick with you longer than others. My Fireside Chat with Molly Hurford was one of those. Not because she’s running a publishing company, hosting a podcast, writing for major running and cycling outlets, and racing 100-milers (although… wow). It stuck because Molly embodies what happens when passion refuses to take “no” for an answer.
She didn’t wait for permission. She built the thing anyway.
Opening the Gate, Not Guarding It
Molly founded Strong Girl Publishing after being told, repeatedly, that books about women in sports “weren’t selling enough.” Instead of shrinking the idea, she expanded it. She became the gate opener. That mindset translates beautifully to running and entrepreneurship alike: sometimes the system isn’t broken…..you’re just not meant to fit inside it.
For endurance athletes, that’s a powerful reminder. Your path doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s to be valid.
Body Image, Fueling, and Honest Conversations
We spent time talking about body image and nutrition in endurance sports, and this part hit close to home for me. Molly’s company has published books such as Power Up by Stevie Lyn Smith and The Mirror Diaries by Vanessa Coulbeck. These books are changing the narrative for young female athletes by weaving self-compassion and body acceptance into stories kids actually want to read. No lectures. No guilt. Just truth.
And yes…this isn’t a “women only” issue. If you’ve ever struggled with fueling, self-talk, or feeling like your body is somehow “wrong,” this conversation was for you.
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The “Yes, And” Mindset
One of my favorite takeaways was Molly’s mental training approach for 2026. Instead of fighting negative thoughts mid-race, she’s learning to acknowledge them with a simple “yes, and…” and then problem-solve. That’s not just a strategy or racing but also for life.
Training gets hard. Business gets messy. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s perspective.
Doing the Work, Anyway
What I appreciated most? Molly doesn’t pretend this is easy. She talks openly about finances, unfinished to-do lists, and days that feel heavy. She’s not selling a highlight reel. She’s showing up, doing the work, and building community one small win at a time.
That’s the real endurance sport.
And trust me…….this won’t be the last time you hear from her.
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