Podcast 397: Training and Recovering as an Elite Runner with Olympian Colleen Quigley

WHOOP Global Head of Human Performance and Principal Scientist Dr. Kristen Holmes sits down with Team USA Track Star Colleen Quigley to discuss training as an Olympian, recovery, and building a healthy athlete culture.

Colleen shares her experience, from being an NCAA Division 1 athlete at Florida State, to becoming an Olympian in the steeplechase, a professional triathlete, and ultimately rediscovering her passion for middle-distance running. After years in the sport, Colleen opens up about launching her professional track team, Team Meridia, empowering athletes to take control of their careers, build their personal brand, and foster authentic partnerships. Dr. Holmes and Colleen walk through the science of a proper recovery routine and its importance in preventing burnout and injury. Dr. Holmes unveils Colleen’s impressive WHOOP Age and how Colleen uses WHOOP as a crucial tool for her longevity.

Episode Chapters

00:38 - Colleen Quigley: Track star and steeple-chase specialist 03:43 - Colleen’s aspirations in sport 06:59 - Injuries and overtraining: The culture of track and field 08:20 - Building a brand: Partnerships, personal story, and team dynamics 11:58 - Creating a team: Introducing Team Meridia 17:04 - Creating a team: Introducing Team Meridia 19:57 - Colleen’s upcoming training goals 27:17 - Whoop and tech in mitigating overtraining 34:14 - Cycle tracking while training: Why it's important for women’s health 40:28 - Colleen’s WHOOP Age 42:31 - Longevity as an athlete: Important role of strength training 46:21 - Colleen on recovery: Maintaining a calm nervous system 53:10 - Health benefits of being present and tending to mental health needs