In today’s episode, we’re diving into the inspiring and emotional journey of Kate Mihevc Edwards, a passionate runner who turned her love for the sport into a career as a physical therapist specializing in running medicine. But her story isn’t just about the miles she’s logged or the strides she’s taken in her profession—it’s about facing life-changing challenges and finding a new way forward.
Kate takes us through her personal and professional evolution, sharing her early experiences as a runner and the pivotal moment when she was diagnosed with ARVC, a rare genetic heart condition. This diagnosis completely shifted her running journey, forcing her to reevaluate what running meant to her and how it could fit into her life. Along the way, Kate opens up about the emotional and physical hurdles she’s had to overcome—self-blame, identity loss, and adjusting to a new reality with health limitations.
This conversation is packed with insights about the importance of recognizing symptoms, understanding your body, and the need for support systems, especially for female runners. Kate also touches on her experience as a mother, watching her son navigate the same genetic condition. It’s a deeply personal episode that sheds light on the complexities of running with health challenges and how mental health plays a crucial role in recovery.
But it’s not all heavy stuff! Kate also shares the exciting work she’s been doing, including the app she developed to help runners connect with resources and stay supported in their journeys, no matter what stage they’re at. She’s a powerhouse when it comes to bringing awareness and building community for runners who need it most.
Key Takeaways from This Episode:
Kate’s journey into running was all about clearing her head, but it quickly became a core part of her identity.
After her ARVC diagnosis, Kate had to adapt both physically and emotionally. She talks about learning to let go of self-blame and finding new ways to embrace shorter, joyful runs.
The importance of recognizing cardiac symptoms—especially for athletes—is critical. Kate’s story reminds us that health challenges can strike even the fittest among us.
Mental health matters in running recovery, and support systems—especially for women—are key to navigating life’s curveballs.
Kate’s app is a game-changer, designed to give runners of all levels a comprehensive support system for their running and health needs.
Running isn’t everything, but finding joy and connection in it, even when things change, can be incredibly empowering.
Sound Bites to Look Out For:
"Running used to be my crutch. It was how I avoided everything I didn't want to address—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Now, I don’t need it, but I love it. And that shift is a powerful thing."
"The loss of running felt like pieces of my identity were being stripped away. I was a runner. It was everything. But what I realized through that grief is that running is not everything. It’s just one part of who I am."
“If you're passing out during exercise, it's probably cardiac.”
“We can use running in unhealthy ways, but it’s not everything.”
Chapters:
00:00 – The Journey Begins: Kate’s Running Origin Story
01:01 – From Runner to Expert: Kate’s Professional Path
07:45 – The Turning Point: Health Challenges and Diagnosis
12:33 – Living with ARVC: Adjusting to New Realities
22:23 – The Importance of Awareness: Recognizing Symptoms
24:51 – Self-Blame and Acceptance: Navigating Identity Loss
35:18 – Life After Diagnosis: Managing Health and Fitness
37:30 – Navigating Emotional Challenges in Running
43:53 – Reconstructing Identity After Injury
49:12 – The Evolving Relationship with Running
57:07 – Lessons from Cardiac Health and Running
01:03:01 – Empowering Female Runners Through Knowledge
01:15:15 – Innovating Support for Runners Through Technology
This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who's ever faced a setback, big or small, in their running journey—and for those who want to better understand the mental and physical side of navigating health challenges. Kate’s story is a beautiful reminder that even when our path takes an unexpected turn, we can still find ways to thrive.
As always, we’re here to support you as you run your own journey—no matter what hurdles life throws your way. So grab your headphones, hit play, and join us for this powerful episode of The Running Explained Podcast!
Listen Now & Join the Conversation!
🎧 Tune in now! → LISTEN ON SPOTIFY
🎧 Tune in now! → LISTEN ON APPLE
Meet Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards PT, DPT, OCS:
Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards PT, DPT, OCS is a physical therapist, author, speaker, and educator dedicated to broadening the understanding of how we treat and care for runners. With over 15 years of experience helping thousands of athletes, she’s passionate about shifting the culture of running, which often focuses too heavily on physical performance and race outcomes.
While runners and those who care for them commonly define success through speed or race results, Kate knows that success goes far beyond the body’s performance. The culture of running can sometimes lead to injury, health concerns, and confidence issues. Through her own personal journey, navigating both her own injuries and health struggles, Kate has learned that an athlete’s true success is about more than just their sport.
Kate is changing the way we approach running and athlete care, focusing on the whole person—inside and outside of their sport. She believes that athletes deserve better, and she provides the knowledge, clarity, and confidence needed to truly understand the complexities of what athletes need to perform and thrive in all areas of life.
About Your Host
Elisabeth Scott is a running coach, educator, and the founder of Running Explained, where she helps runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the process. After getting sober at 29, she laced up her running shoes with the goal of finishing a 5K—and never looked back. Since then, she’s gone on to complete multiple races, including marathons with a Boston Qualifying time, all while deepening her expertise in endurance training.
With a science-based approach, Coach Elisabeth is passionate about making complex running concepts accessible and actionable for runners of all levels. Her coaching philosophy centers on building a strong aerobic base, improving running efficiency, and developing a whole-human approach to training that prioritizes consistency, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.
Through Running Explained, Elisabeth offers training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, underfueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.
📲 Learn more at RunningExplained.com 📢 Follow on Instagram: @runningexplained
Comments