{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"271. Rebecca Mehra, Professional Middle-Distance Runner","description":"\u201cI got to this point where I had to tell myself that I deserve to be there and I deserve to be on the starting line, and say, \u2018You are good enough, you\u2019ve put in the work, you\u2019ve put in the training.\u2019 My motto was \u2018Just give it a go.\u2019\u201d   Rebecca Mehra is a professional middle-distance runner for Oiselle\u2019s Little Wing team, where she\u2019s coached by Lauren Fleshman. Earlier this year, Rebecca became a household name when she Tweeted about helping an elderly couple grocery shop at the onset of the pandemic \u2014 and that story went viral. Rebecca is an incredibly talented runner, but her life off the track is as compelling as her fast 1500m times. When she\u2019s not running, Rebecca is involved in public policy: She\u2019s the special assistant to the mayor in Bend, OR, and is the campaign manager for two local candidates. On this episode, Rebecca talks about going pro, getting political, going viral, and growing up in a biracial family (she\u2019s the daughter of an Indian immigrant father and a Jewish mother from Long Island) in California.   Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off all wireless headphones.   What you\u2019ll get on this episode: What it\u2019s like training with Lauren Fleshman, and how and why Rebecca joined Oiselle\u2019s Little Wing team (8:30) On the idea of balance vs. going all-in (15:00) What does it mean being special assistant to the mayor of Bend? (18:45) Rebecca talks about her family, her childhood, and going viral earlier this year (24:40) The full story behind Rebecca\u2019s recent blog post for Oiselle, and what it was like growing up biracial (37:30) \u201cThe electrocution incident,\u201d and what Rebecca\u2019s running looks like right now (52:00)   What we mention on this episode: Jenny Simpson on Episode 268 of the Ali on the Run Show Elle Purrier on Episode 210 of the Ali on the Run Show Lauren Fleshman on Episode 103 of the Ali on the Run Show \u201cMixed + Passing \u2014 Let\u2019s Talk About Race,\u201d by Rebecca Mehra for Oiselle   Follow Rebecca: Instagram @rebecca_mehra Twitter @rebecca_mehra   Follow Ali: Instagram @aliontherun1 Like the Facebook page Join the Facebook group Twitter @aliontherun1 Support on Patreon Blog Strava   Listen & Subscribe: Apple Podcasts Spotify SoundCloud Overcast Stitcher Google Play   SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you\u2019re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends! ","author_name":"Ali on the Run Show","author_url":"http:\/\/www.aliontherunblog.com\/","html":"