Work, Play, Love with Lauren Fleshman and Jesse Thomas

88: Book Update! Pole Pedal Paddle, Triathlon Cramps, Morton's Neuroma, Kid Fears

Lauren and Jesse jump on the mic after Lauren passed a major milestone with her book and Jesse's recent win at the Bend Pole Pedal Paddle. It's been a busy year, y'know?! After some life updates, the WPL duo answer some tasty bites about board game recommendations, therapy, training for a half marathon, and more. Plus, they dig into how a triathlete can rebound after suffering severe cramps on race day, they offer advice to an active couple dealing with a tough medical diagnosis, and they an...

87: Picky Bars and Laird Superfood Update, Racing Stress-Dreams, Sha’Carri Richardson, Diet Culture Lingo, Injured-Partner Activities

It’s been a while, and just *a few* things have happened since our last episode. Jesse and Lauren jump on the mic to talk about Laird Superfood acquiring Picky Bars and answer some of your burnin’ Work Play Love questions. They talk about racing stress-dreams, what activities you can do with an injured partner (when you’re sick of watching movies), diet-culture lingo, WADA and Sha’Carri Richardson, and more.  

86: Counting Calories, The Return Of Race Season, Spontaneous vs. Responsive Desire, Achieving The “Perfect Weight”

Spring has sprung, there’s some light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, and race season is starting up again. Everyone’s excited to get back outside and into the world, and the Work Play Love duo sits down to answer your questions about it. They answer questions about counting calories, how to properly wear running shorts (with undies, or without undies…that is the question), and how to best prepare for an upcoming race. Plus, they hear from a listener who’s struggling to achieve their “per...

85: Depression and Communication, Pregnancy and Body Image, Moving In Together, Primary Parenting Strategy, New Business Advice

You know it, we know it, vegetable lasagna knows it—communication is a huge help in finding balance in work, play, and especially love. Lauren and Jesse answer questions about navigating and communicating about depression in a relationship, how to find comfort with your changing body during your first pregnancy, what to think about when moving in with your partner, and how to develop a primary parenting strategy. Plus, they offer up some advice to a new business owner, talk about how they li...

84: Not Caring About Speed, Hard Conversations, Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Impact, Finding Time for Big Projects

Finding that sweet spot between work play and love means checking your relationships with each one! And that’s just what folks are curious about in this episode. When it comes to sport, how do you balance performance (and is it OK not to?!) gains now while considering how it may affect your body and relationship with the sport in the long term? When it comes to relationships, how do you handle conflict or talking about the hard stuff when your approach is different from your partner’s? And w...

83: Valentine's Day Interrupted, Lauren and Jesse Catch Up, Partner's Body Noises, Awkward Dates, V-Day Stories

It's been a while, folks! But Lauren and Jesse reach through the cobwebs in the mic closet and sit down for a (very belated, very special) Valentine's Day episode. Catch up with the WPL duo in everyone's favorite section: What's Going On, where Lauren gives and update on her book, and—probably more importantly—Jesse gives an update on his hernia. Plus, Jesse and Lauren answer tasty bites about couple stuff: you know, like dream vacations, how to compromise on a road trip, and which of your p...

82: Good Riddance, 2020.

81: Team vs. Individual Training, Intuitive Eating, Kids and Sports

In another “late night” edition of the pod, Lauren and Jesse dive into the important things in life: what is the dumbest thing they’ve fought about in quarantine? When do you wear your race medals in a socially distanced world? What would each of them most likely get arrested for? Is pro runners holding hands while they run…a thing? Plus, the Work Play Love duo answer your pressing questions about intuitive eating, how to navigate team training when your training style is different from your...

80: Training Time Vs. Family Time, Primary Parent Responsibilities, Coaching During COVID, Couples And Exercise

You all asked for it, and Lauren and Jesse answer: just what does a “primary parent” do? The Work, Play, Love duo discuss what primary parenting means and share how they divvy up household responsibilities. They also answer questions about how to balance training time and family time when you’re working towards a big goal, what to do if your partner doesn’t share your values around exercise, and Lauren offers some tips for coaching during a pandemic. Plus, Lauren talks about recent meetings ...

80: Training Time Vs. Family Time, Primary Parent Responsibilities, Coaching During COVID, Couples And Exercise

You all asked for it, and Lauren and Jesse answer: just what does a “primary parent” do? The Work, Play, Love duo discuss what primary parenting means and share how they divvy up household responsibilities. They also answer questions about how to balance training time and family time when you’re working towards a big goal, what to do if your partner doesn’t share your values around exercise, and Lauren offers some tips for coaching during a pandemic. Plus, Lauren talks about recent meetings ...

79: Eating While Injured, Partner Pace Differences, Marriage Advice, Social Media And Antiracism

Jesse and Lauren dust off their microphones and share what they’ve been up to this summer. Lauren’s found a rhythm writing her book and Jesse’s enjoying his new role as “primary parent” (Lauren is, too). Now they’re back in the hot seat to answer your questions about the balance of work, sport, and relationships. The WPL duo hear from an athlete whose eating habits have changed after injury, they offer some marriage advice to a married couple to be, they discuss what to do if your partner na...

78: Retirement, Dream Days, Managing Stress, Privilege, Fueling For Hard Workouts

Lauren and Jesse are finally getting used to balancing Work, Play, and Love in…is it year 9 of stay-at-home? They catch up about their past month, including Jesse’s retirement as a triathlete and Lauren’s first race in over a year. They also answer questions about how to deal with high-pressure, high-stress situations, how to fuel when you’re burning a ton of calories during workouts, what is Lauren’s “dream” day, and how much does effort vs. luck (and privilege) play into where Jesse and La...

77. Recovering From Injuries, Moving In Together, Eating Post-Exercise, Side Hustles

Quarantine is dragging on and Lauren and Jesse are busy schooling their kids, having blow-ups about injuries, setting up a campground in the back yard, and dealing with the headaches of bed time. And they're not alone! Being cooped up is working for some folks, and is a major challenge for others. Lauren and Jesse  hear from listeners who are frustrated and recovering from injury, a couple who thinks "hey this isn't so bad," and are considering moving in together, a couple who have more time...

76: Funny Race Stories, Being An Ally, Staying Motivated In A Pandemic, Zoom Meltdowns

It’s been a challenging month for everyone—including all you Work Play Lovahhhs and the Flomas duo. Some folks are losing their sh*t on Zoom. Some folks are just trying to keep their spirits up, even though they can’t get outside for a run. And some folks are getting into shouting matches with their neighbors about who should be on leash—your dog, or your child?! Lauren and Jesse give an update about their life over the past month. They share their experiences home schooling, building a play...

75. COVID-19, Racing With Strava, Asking For A Raise, Training In Quarantine, Deciding On Parenthood

One day you’re busy at work or training for your next race, the next you’re buying economy-size boxes of Lucky Charms and trying to convince yourself you need that foot massaging doormat in the aisles of Costco. Yep. The coronavirus pandemic has dramatically affected most aspects of our daily lives. In this episode, Jesse and Lauren share how they’re balancing work, play, and love in quarantine with a host of new challenges. Plus, they field questions about how to train during a pandemic, ho...

74: DNF Marathon Trials, The First Picky Bar, Optimization Vs. Happiness, Past Decisions

Appearances can be deceiving and the things you don’t know can be super surprising—like the fact that Lauren used Excel spreadsheets to cook up the first Picky Bar. in this episode, Work-Play-Lovahhhs want to know what’s going on behind the scenes. Jesse and Lauren field questions about why some (elite) athletes decide to DNF at the Olympic Marathon trials, they discuss how the first Picky Bar recipe was created, Jesse considers whether his focus on optimization sometimes gets in the way of ...

73: Flirting At Work, Parenting And Diversity, Sleep Vs. Working Out, Break Ups

Jesse called and y’all answered! This week, Lauren and Jesse field questions that are a bit out of the work-play-love ordinary. They offer advice to a married person who finds themselves in flirty situations at work, they talk about raising kids to appreciate and understand diversity, they consider when to trade sleep for working out and vice versa, and they talk about breaking up with (and getting back together with) a long-term partner. Plus, Lauren gives an update on her book and Jesse ce...

72: Training And Soreness, Trans Competitors, Relationships With Exes, Marathon Performance Consistency

How do you know when you’re overdoing it? When do your emotional, physical, and intellectual efforts start yielding diminishing returns? It’s not easy to know, especially when you’re balancing work, play, and relationships. Jesse and Lauren answer questions about persistent soreness during a training cycle (does it mean you’re over-training?), whether it’s wise to maintain a friendship with an ex when you still have feelings for them, and what it means when you start to backslide in your mar...

71: Valentine’s Day, Ironman Training, Running And Social Life, Sport And Libido

It’s pretty easy to fall in love with your sport, moving your body, and chasing athletic goals. But what happens when your love of sport affects your love life? Jesse and Lauren celebrate Valentine’s Day (and their first-date anniversary) by answering your questions about the intersection of love, intimacy, and sport. They dish the dirt on what happens to your libido when you’re training for a triathlon (and what to do about it). They give advice on cultivating a healthy sex life when balanc...

70: Ultra-Endurance Events, Racing vs. Vacationing, Constructive Fatigue vs. Overtraining, Speed Work, Wedding Planning

It’s been a busy few weeks for the Flomas duo. Lauren’s been laser focused on completing her book proposal (with publisher meetings on the calendar!) and coaching Little Wing athletes. Meanwhile, Jesse’s been working hard on a new product launch for Picky Bars and planning for his 40th birthday. But amidst the beginning-of-the-year craziness, they get a quick Work, Play, Love date to answer your questions. Jesse and Lauren consider whether ultra-endurance events are “good for you” or not, th...

69: Competitive Partners, Staying Motivated Without A Coach, Training Strengths vs. Weaknesses, “Retiring” As An Amateur

Lauren’s got an exciting announcement about a new partnership and Jesse’s got updates about his knee (is it an injury? Is it something else??), the Picky Bars Co-exist campaign, and the all-new Picky Bars AmBADASSador program. Jesse and Lauren also answer questions about what to do when your partner is super focused on competing, how to get motivated and stay active when you don’t have a coach, and how to handle “retirement” as an avid runner. Plus, they offer a ton of practical advice about...

68: What Now? 2020, Mary Cain, Nike, And Your Team

Lauren are Jesse are BACK with allllll the 2020 vibes to answer your questions about the balance of work, play, and love. But first?! Rewind. Back in November, the New York Times published an op-ed by pro runner Mary Cain about the culture of body shaming and abuse in Nike’s (now defunct) elite running group, Project Oregon. Lauren and Jesse dedicated an entire episode (WPL 63) to discussing the article, as well as issues of eating disorders, RED-S, and body shaming that are all-too commonl...

67: Asking Your Coach For Help, Standing Up To Aggression, Screen Time And Kids, Alcoholism

Advocating for yourself and your well-being can be challenging and intimidating—especially in the workplace, with family, or in a competitive team environment. And for many of us, setting boundaries isn’t the most well-honed skill. Lauren and Jesse answer questions about asking a coach for more support, how to not feel like a pushover in the workplace, and what boundaries you can model for your kids around time spent with devices and technology. Plus, Lauren shares her experience growing up ...

66: Building A Healthy Relationship With Food, Family Dynamics and Sport, Playing Music, Training While Sick, Training “The Right Way”

The holiday season is in full swing and your favorite Work, Play, Love hosts are going bananas with packed schedules for Picky Bars, sport, and family. And, no. The use of “bananas” is not a food pun. Lauren and Jesse catch up after not seeing each other for a bit and then dive into your WPL questions. They talk meditation and visualization, training while sick, and sponsorships. Plus, Lauren and Jesse go deep on developing a healthy relationship with food and body image, how to deal with a ...

65: Night-Time Edition - Gift Ideas For Athletes, When To Have Kids, Scheduling Workouts, Angry Partners

On the eve of Thanksgiving, Jesse and Lauren settle in for a late-night edition of Work, Play, Love. Around the holidays, everyone’s thinking about family, food, exercise, and work, and Lauren and Jesse answer your hard-hitting questions. Things like, what’s their favorite Thanksgiving food? And why are age-groupers peeing on the bike during triathlons? Plus, the Work, Play, Love duo talk about gift ideas for young athletes, how to fit in exercise in an already packed schedule, when to have ...

64: Marathon Training, Lack of Love, Burnout vs. Commitment, Metrics for Success

Sometimes it can take a long time (like Long-with-a-capital-“L” Long time) to achieve a goal. You might train to run a marathon for years, but persistent injuries and the balance of work, play, and love may keep you from your goal performances. It’s those experiences, though, that can prepare you for best races, relationships and achievements. Lauren shares the story behind her recent New York Times Op-Ed, I Changed My Body For Sport, No Girl Should, and explains how her decades of experienc...

63: Mary Cain, Creating A Healthy Team Culture, Eating Disorders, Performance And Nutrition, Picking A Program

Last week, the athletic community was shaken by Mary Cain’s op-ed in the New York Times, I Was The Fastest Girl In America, Until I Joined Nike. The article outlined a culture of body shaming and abuse by one of the most elite running teams in the world. Lauren and Jesse discuss the article and how this story illustrates a far too common experience for athletes. They field questions about how you can create a safe and positive environment for athletes as a coach, parent, and teammate; and th...

62: Over-Training, Couples and Aging, 2-Hour Marathon Controversy, Tempo Workouts, Work-Life Boundaries

Fatigue, burnout, and feeling overwhelmed. That’s what can happen when you overdo it. It’s not too far off of how you feel when you…underdo it? Jesse and Lauren reply to a marathoner who may be over-training. They talk about the controversial (and maybe over-engineered) Nike Vaporfly shoes that helped achieve a 2-hour marathon time. They respond to a listener who’s worried about her husband’s complete lack of exercise. And they talk about how to not overdo it at work. Plus, the Work Play Lov...

61: Swimming Workouts, Coconut Picky Bars, Writing Practice, Caffeinated Gels, Crushes

After a wild week away, it’s only fitting that Jesse and Lauren sit down for a rapid-fire episode filled with your tasty bite questions. The Work Play Love duo covers some “fun” workouts to try when you’re injured and relegated to the pool, they talk about how to introduce yourself when you’ve got a crush, they offer advice about using caffeinated gels on long runs, and they give a peek behind the scenes into the Picky Bars test kitchens. Plus, listeners write in to follow up about traveling...

60: Being Fast vs. Being Friends, Parenting Disagreements, Grief and Loss, Life Planning

To plan or not to plan? That is the question. Whether you’re training to close the gap between you and your competition, or you’re hashing out parenting disagreements with your partner, or you’re rebuilding your relationship to sport after grieving a loss, making a plan can help you overcome tough obstacles. And sometimes? The plan is to just be present and not have a plan at all! Lauren and Jesse are back from a short hiatus to answer your questions about the intersection of work, sports, a...

59: Mental Health, Striving vs. Contentment, Solo-Parenting Tips, Breaking Up With A Coach

When you’re trying to strike the balance of Work, Play, and Love, there’s a lot of experimenting, seeking, learning, testing, and re-trying things. And that’s totally normal! Jesse and Lauren answer questions and share their experiences about striving for a goal vs. being content with where you are, how to navigate mental health issues as they relate to sports and personal well-being, how to stay sane while solo parenting, and how to end a coaching relationship that isn’t quite working out. ...

58: Staying Calm On Race Day, Why Kids Are Good, Making Races Fun For Your Partner, Setting Up Your Business For Balance

The leaves are starting to change, and the Work Play Love duo’s wild summer schedule is starting to settle down. So what better time than now for an episode all about calming down, acknowledging the good things, and building balance into your life? Lauren and Jesse answer questions about how to handle nerves on race day, how to make race events more fun for a spectating partner, and how to build a business that leaves room for your other life goals. Plus, they count the ways having kids has ...

57: Live From FootZone in Bend with Another Mother Runner

Lauren and Jesse sit down with Sarah Bowen Shea of Another Mother Runner for a live podcast recording at FootZone in Bend, OR. Sarah turns the mic around and asks the Work, Play, Love duo about the balance of family, sport, and business in their lives. Jesse and Lauren talk about sports and competition after having kids, their communication styles, Lauren’s writing goals, what they’re working on at Picky Bars, and much more.

56: Tips For Racing Kona, Amenorrhea, Dealing With Disappointment, Tempo Runs

After a short hiatus, Lauren and Jesse are BACK in action. Hey, it’s summertime y’know? A family getaway filled with play was in order and sets the tone for a sport-filled show. From how to handle niggling injuries during your training season to amenorrhea as a young athlete, and from preparing for Kona to dealing with disappointment when you’re new to a sport, Lauren and Jesse offer advice, tips, and insight to folks at many different stages in their athletic journeys.  

55: The Middle Of The Race, Resentment And Family, Analysis Paralysis, Cyclocross Workouts

When you’re trying to achieve balance and stability in your career, on the field, or in relationships, it can be tough to take risks. Maybe you don’t have the data you need to feel confident in a business decision. Maybe you’re struggling with the differences in parental roles. And maybe you’re running your butt off, but you can’t ever seem to close the gap with the leaders in the pack. Jesse and Lauren talk about each of these topics through their own experiences and suggest that taking ris...

54: Athletes And Politics, High Mileage for Young Runners, Battling Injuries, Pros and Cons of Sales

Sometimes you gotta unplug to recharge so you can come back to work, play, and love on your A-game. That’s just what the Flomas duo did over the past few weeks. Fresh back from a lake vacay with family and friends, Jesse and Lauren share their reflections about getting away from technology and spending some much-needed quality time with people they love. They also talk about athletes making political statements, whether high mileage is a good idea for young runners, and how to battle injurie...

53: Faith and Belief, Marathon Training for Triathletes, Dad Jokes, Career Transitions, Partner Coaching

Belief systems have an enormous impact on work, play, and love. Cultivating a belief in yourself can impact your performance on the field, at work, and in a relationship. Believing in a new training plan can help you get unexpected results on race day. And believing that your career doesn’t leave ample room for training can cause stress when you’re trying to achieve a big goal. Lauren and Jesse answer questions about faith and belief, concerns about training when working towards a marathon a...

52: Building Confidence, Cultivating a Healthy Team, the Final Weeks of Recovery, Proposing

Lauren and Jesse are just back from a hilariously disastrous family camping trip. Still, despite the nightmare of being in a poison-oak-infested campground with kids under 10, your favorite podcast hosts managed to have a pretty fun(ny) time balancing play and love. They recount the story of the trip and then dive into your burning questions, like: are used running shorts a good deal, or just plain gross? Should you race when you’re sick? How do you build confidence? How do you build a healt...

51: Wealth and Relationships, Climate Change, Business Lessons and Sport, Love Follow-Ups

Sometimes you gotta go all-in on business while sacrificing some play time. Sometimes you and your partner are feeling the exact opposite of one another like yin and yang. It’s not perfect, but maybe that’s what balance is! There’s no precise science to juggling work play and love, there’s no “shoulds” or spreadsheets to tell you where to spend your time and energy. Lauren and Jesse take a look at how you can still find balance even in unlikely circumstances. How can you train to be your bes...

50: All About Love – PRIDE, Polyamory, Keeping the Spark Alive, Sharing Athletic Goals

In celebration of PRIDE and love, Lauren and Jesse answer your burning relationship questions about love, intimacy, on-again-off-again relationships, and even how to deal with a partner playing musical instruments in the house. Plus they talk birth control for athletes, polyamory, inclusivity in sports and business, and more. This one’s all. about. love.  

49: Preparing For Future Athletic Goals, Aging, Supporting Your Partner, Race-Day Clothes, Hilly Runs

In your athletic career and in life, keeping your eye on the horizon can take on a few meanings. When you’re balancing your busy life today, how can you stay prepared for athletic goals in the future? How do you come to terms with an aging body on and off the field? Lauren and Jesse jump in to a fast and action-packed episode to answer these questions and more. You’ll also hear about how to support your partner through a tough time, some recommendations for race-day apparel, and how to handl...

48: The “Dad” Episode - Cycling Safety, Babies and Dads, Reconciling with a Dad, Parent Favoritism

It’s the “Dad” episode! In honor of Fathers’ Day, Lauren and Jesse field questions all about parenthood through the lens of being a dad, relationships with dads, and more. They cover topics like post-partum depression for dads, what to do when your kids favor mom more than dad, how to maintain a healthy relationship with a dad after divorce, and how to respond to your dad when he lectures you about your life choices. Plus, Jesse and Lauren talk snack science, writing workshops, and listeners...

Post-workout fuel, Mom Guilt, Dating Teammates, Racing In The Heat, Kona

You want tips about work play and love? We got tips. Whether you’re wondering about the best way to fuel after a workout, how to handle all-consuming “mom guilt”, how to navigate whether you should date a teammate, or how to race your best in the heat, Lauren and Jesse offer up a healthy dose of advice on what’s worked for them. Plus, the Flomas duo talk about cool vacation spots for active couples, where to go swimming in Bend, and exercise resources for postpartum diastasis recti.

46: 5K Workouts, Hard Conversations, Sleep Before Race Day, Investing Your Time, Multi-Level Marketing

Confronting yourself or someone close to you is a major challenge, but it’s often worth it. Whether you’re approaching a tough conversation with a loved one, addressing your sleep-depriving excitement or anxiety before a race, or digging deep to get honest with yourself about how to spend your time, Jesse and Lauren offer tips on how to push through it in work, play, and love. You'll also hear about the best 5K workouts, sweet podcast recommendations, and the best jogging stroller. Plus, fol...

45: Alysia Montaño, Beginner Marathon Training, Balancing Individual Goals In A Partnership

What does it mean to step up at work, in sports, and in relationships? What does it take? Lauren and Jesse share their feelings about the rapidly developing story of former Nike athlete Alysia Montaño, who was recently featured in the New York Times speaking out against industry sponsors and their (lack of) maternity leave policies. They also talk about stepping up to a marathon after you’ve run a few halves, and stepping up to support your partner’s goals, even if it means temporarily sacri...

44: Triathletes and Pee, Racing vs. Training Better, Home Workouts, Failure, Exercising During Work

Worrying about how you might be perceived by others can make it challenging to make decisions, pursue your goals, or figure out your next moves. If you’re failing in a project, you might be able to realize it yourself, but how do you break it to your community? If you leave work early for a weekly running group or other exercise, will it jeopardize your job? Should you keep your last name when you get married, or will your family and your in-laws be disappointed? And if your race didn’t turn...

44: Triathletes and Pee, Racing vs. Training Better, Home Workouts, Failure, Exercising During Work

Worrying about how you might be perceived by others can make it challenging to make decisions, pursue your goals, or figure out your next moves. If you’re failing in a project, you might be able to realize it yourself, but how do you break it to your community? If you leave work early for a weekly running group or other exercise, will it jeopardize your job? Should you keep your last name when you get married, or will your family and your in-laws be disappointed? And if your race didn’t turn...

43: Caster Semenya, Race Prep Psychology, Racing After Injury, Late-Night Baby Duties

Spring training is ramping up, and Lauren is riding high from recent workouts with her athletes. Meanwhile, Jesse wonders whether he set a world record for fastest 5K on crutches. This week, Jesse and Lauren discuss gender in sport, and the challenges that DSD athletes face in light of the recent the Caster Semenya case. They share how they mentally prepare for races, and talk about wisdom from coaches throughout their careers. Lauren talks about racing after injury, and how she worked with ...

42: Performance and Alcohol, Iron Levels and Fatigue, Career Motivation, Running While Pregnant

Jesse’s training up for the Wings For Life World Run, where he plans to smash out a 5K. The catch? He’s doing it on crutches. He talks a bit about the race while Lauren makes some predictions about Jesse overdoing it. Meanwhile, Lauren’s just back from the Eugene Half where she ran a 1:17:27. They talk about how racing as parents has completely changed the pre-race dynamic, and how it’s difficult to take a race seriously while also taking care of the kids. The two also talk about exciting de...

41: Racing While Grieving, First-Date Advice, Triathlon Training Commitment, Online Trolls

Sometimes when the going gets tough, the tough get to Work-Play-Love-ing…! Whether you’re going hard at a dance party after a long weekend of parenting (and racing) like Lauren, or you’ve got renewed focus at work because an injury is keeping you off the field like Jesse, balancing relationships, sports, and work is just that—a balance. Listener questions are all about the hard stuff this week. Jesse and Lauren talk about racing (or not racing) after you’ve lost a loved one. They offer some ...