Episode 158: Nicole Mericle, Professional Spartan Athlete Talks Women in Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)

Nicole is a 5-time obstacle racing world champion and the reigning Spartan Race World Champion. Nicole’s competitive background began as a Division 1 Cross Country and Track & Field athlete at Rice University where she held two school records and qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials in the 3,000m steeplechase. She raced post collegiately with Hudson Elite in Boulder, Colorado, and over time transitioned to trail running and garnered her passion for rock climbing. Her diverse athletic strengths led her to test her skills at her first obstacle course race in 2016. Nicole was immediately successful, and in 2017 she won the USA OCR Championship in both the 3k and 15k, finished as the first American in the Spartan Championship Series, and won the 3k OCR World Championship and Tougher Mudder World Championship. In 2017, she repeated as the 3k OCR World Champion and in 2019 solidified her rise to the top of the sport winning both the Spartan Race World and Trifecta Championships. In today's episode, we dive into all things obstacle course racing, including getting more women into the sport, our top training tips, our journeys into OCR/Spartan, and the creation of her upcoming OCR Women's Development Team! Follow Nicole on IG: @nickeldm Apply to join Nicole's brand new Women's OCR Development Team! https://forms.gle/TPE9MiqCGSUoxAfF9 Shoutout to today's NEW sponsor, Naak Bar! Naak Bars are delicious, perfect pre/intra/post run fuel, and come in many flavors. They also have protein powders and other products.  Use code "STRONGRUNNERCHICKS" for 15% off your order at www.naakbar.com! InsideTracker - Join our Giveaway! If you're seeing this prior to February 25th, we're doing an Ultimate Test Giveaway (and R.D. consultation) with InsideTracker! Enter here: https://www.dojomojo.com/promo-lookup/6b2fbf73-e2ad-4147-804c-2766ec78d7ca.