Lauren Fleshman

Lauren Fleshman is considered one of the greatest middle-distance runners in American history and one of the most influential women in running. She is a former professional runner, running coach, writer and co-author of five books, and cofonder of Picky Bars, maker of real food performance snacks. On her popular blog Ask Lauren Fleshman, she answers questions about being a pro runner, giving advice to runners of all abilities on battling injuries and overcoming plain old bad luck.

Fleshman won state championships and earned 5 NCAA titles, 15 All-American honors, and a spot in the Hall of Fame. Her professional racing career brought two USA Championships and five World Championship berths for Team USA.

Lauren's pro racing career has been defined by a series of injuries and comebacks. These obstacles shaped her philosophical exploration of running, human potential, and transformation. Her mark on the sport has been defined by her authenticity, activism, and a desire to inspire confidence and connection through sport and creative expression.

In 2015, Fleshman won the Best Athlete Shorty Award for her social media presence and was named one of the most powerful women in running by Runner's World and Women's Running magazines. She has been affiliated with Runner's World, Oiselle, Strava, Roka, Jaybird, and Stance. Lauren lives in Bend, Oregon with her husband, professional triathlete Jesse Thomas, and their kids Jude and Zadie.