What's The Rusch
by Rebecca Rusch
Wild Purpose and Everyday Awe with Erin Sprague | REPLAY, EP 55
About this podcast
What’s the Rusch is a podcast about finding stillness and shedding the armor we wear to reveal the masterpiece within. Hosted by Rebecca Rusch—a seven-time world champion, Hall of Fame athlete, celebrated endurance icon, Emmy winner, and founder of the Athlete Operating System—the show takes listeners on a transformative journey with some of the world’s most accomplished individuals. Known as the "Queen of Pain" for her unmatched grit, Rebecca shifts the spotlight to a deeper truth: the most profound growth often comes not from what we achieve, but from what we let go of.
Inspired by Michelangelo’s insight in creating the statue of David by chiseling away everything that wasn’t David, Rebecca champions the art of shedding: shedding fear, baggage, and the armor we build to protect ourselves. Each episode delves behind the scenes of high achievers, exploring what they’ve had to lose to become whole. What identities have they outgrown? What vulnerabilities have unlocked their greatest triumphs? And what lessons can we take from their private battles to shed what no longer serves us?
With conversations navigating ancient wisdom, modern science, and personal revelation, What’s the Rusch redefines the boxes we’re put in, revealing the hidden versions of who people are and the powerful truths they carry. Rebecca’s own path—marked by extreme challenges and moments of vulnerability—sets the tone for uncovering the humanity behind the headlines.
This is more than a podcast—it’s an explorer’s guide to becoming your own masterpiece by pausing and removing everything that isn’t you. Through the stories of leaders you know and the truths you don’t, What’s the Rusch invites you to embrace the courage to shed your armor, redefine your identity, and navigate your own extraordinary and adventurous path.
Episodes
The newest 20 of 56 episodes
- Wild Purpose and Everyday Awe with Erin Sprague | REPLAY, EP 55 · 1 h 2 min · Episode 55From the archive, and right on time. Election Day is November 3, and this conversation is a good reminder of why showing up matters. Erin Sprague, CEO of Protect Our Winters…
- Queen of Pain to Queen of Presence with Amelia Boone | REPLAY, EP 54 · 1 h 10 min · Episode 54From the archive: a conversation between two women who were handed the same nickname and eventually outgrew it. Rebecca and Amelia Boone each carried the "Queen of Pain" title…
- Why We're Wired to Seek Challenge with Alex Hutchinson | REPLAY, EP53 · 1 h 5 min · Episode 53From the archive: one of our favorite deep dives is back. Rebecca digs into the science and soul of exploration with journalist and bestselling author Alex Hutchinson, known for…
- The Approval Trap: The Dark Side of Success with Dr. Michael Gervais | REPLAY, EP52 · 1 h 7 min · Episode 52One of our most-requested conversations is back. This week we're replaying our very first guest episode: Rebecca sits down with renowned performance psychologist Dr. Michael…
- The Puzzle Pieces of Change: Navigating Transitions with Aaron Lutze | EP51 · 1 h 0 min · Episode 51Aaron Lutze has spent two decades helping athletes and brands navigate change. First as Rebecca's own athlete manager during 12 years at Red Bull, and now as the creative force…
- Rebuilding After the Crash with Kait Boyle | EP50 · 1 h 5 min · Episode 50Kait Boyle is a world champion ultra-endurance mountain biker and co-founder of Bikepacking Roots, known for setting course records on some of the hardest self-supported races in…
- Meredith Root Motivation, Movement, and the Summer Streak | EP49 · 1 h 3 min · Episode 49We are excited to share our first ever collaborative episode between What's the Rusch and Afternoon Snack, bringing Meredith Root onto the show to launch our Summer Streak…
- Patience and Trust: Fifty Years In the Frame with Dean Fidelman | EP48 · 1 h 15 min · Episode 48Dean Fidelman has spent fifty years photographing the climbers who shaped Yosemite, from the original Stonemasters to Dean Potter to today's Camp 4 generation. In this episode…
- Gravel, Grit, and Growth: Paige Onweller’s Ride to Resilience | EP47 · 1 h 22 min · Episode 47Paige Onweller’s journey proves that it’s never too late to chase big dreams or reinvent yourself. In this episode, Rebecca and Paige dive into the realities of starting over…
- Queen of Pain to Queen of Presence with Amelia Boone | EP46 · 1 h 8 min · Episode 46Amelia Boone’s journey is about moving beyond the myth of toughness to embrace honesty, presence, and real resilience. In this episode, Rebecca and Amelia dig into what happens…
- Wild Purpose and Everyday Awe with Erin Sprague | EP45 · 1 h 1 min · Episode 45Erin Sprague’s story is about transforming personal adventure into collective impact. In this episode, Rebecca and Erin explore what it means to lead with purpose in the outdoor…
- Everyday Excellence with Brad Stulberg | EP44 · 1 h 0 min · Episode 44Brad Stulberg’s journey is about redefining excellence for everyone, not just elite performers. In this episode, Rebecca and Brad dig into what it means to pursue sustainable…
- Presence over Noise with Boone Speed | EP43 · 1 h 5 min · Episode 43Boone Speed’s story is one of stripping away the noise to find what’s real. In this episode, Rebecca explores Boone’s evolution from pioneering American sport climber to creative…
- Unraveling Identity and Endurance with Cynthia Carson | EP42 · 1 h 10 min · Episode 42Cynthia Carson’s journey is about discovering who you are beyond the results. In this episode, Rebecca and Cynthia dig into the realities of ultra-endurance cycling, the…
- Clarity Within: Vision and Healing with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum | EP41 · 1 h 6 min · Episode 41Rebecca Rusch welcomes Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a visionary in neuro-optometry and founder of MyVision First, Vision Performance Training, and ScreenFit. This episode unpacks how the…
- Jay Petervary, Part 2: Listening to the Trail: Lessons from the ITI | EP40 · 47 min · Episode 40This is Part 2 of Rebecca’s conversation with Jay Petervary, recorded just days after his 13th attempt at the Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI) in Alaska. If you haven’t listened…
- Ride Forward: The Art of Endurance with Jay Petervary | EP39 · 1 h 3 min · Episode 39In this episode of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch welcomes ultra-endurance cycling legend Jay Petervary for a conversation that moves far beyond finish lines and records. Jay…
- Birthday Episode 3: Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science - What’s the Rusch · 30 min · Episode 38In the final episode of our birthday series, Rebecca Rusch explores how timeless wisdom and cutting-edge science come together to help us grow, heal, and perform at our best…
- Birthday Episode 2: Redefining Success & Identity | EP37 · 24 min · Episode 37In this second episode of our special birthday series, Rebecca Rusch explores the theme of redefining success and identity. Over the past year, What’s the Rusch has become a…
- Birthday Episode 1: Embracing Vulnerability - What’s the Rusch | EP36 · 29 min · Episode 36Episode Summary: To celebrate one year of What’s the Rusch, Rebecca Rusch brings together some of the most honest and courageous moments from the past year. This special episode…







