Permission to Pivot: Why Jill Angie’s Recent Hiatus is a Lesson in Self-Preservation
The silence was noticeable. Last November, Jill Angie, the voice behind the Not Your Average Runner podcast, effectively vanished from the airwaves. No weekly motivation, no Instagram updates, no emails. In a world where "consistency is king," ghosting your audience is usually seen as a cardinal sin. However, in episode 419, I Ghosted You—Here's Why (and What's Next), Angie proves that sometimes the most productive thing a leader can do is stop.
This isn't your standard "I’ve been busy" update. It is a refreshing, unfiltered look at what happens when a dream opportunity clashes with a packed schedule. Angie reveals she stepped back to embrace a "golden opportunity" in the pharmaceutical industry—a science-heavy role that feels like solving math puzzles all day. It’s a career pivot that brings her back to her chemistry roots while forcing a radical reassessment of her coaching empire.
The Reality of the "No-Wagon" Philosophy
Perhaps the most startling revelation for a running coach to make is this: Jill hasn’t gone for a proper run since April. For many in the fitness space, this would be a brand-damaging admission. For Angie, it’s a point of integrity. She’s trading the high-impact pavement for daily walks that feel right for her body at 58, and she is done with the guilt cycle.
She dismantles the idea of "falling off the wagon" with surgical precision. To Jill, the wagon doesn't exist. There is only the choice you make today and the choice you make tomorrow. By removing the shame of the hiatus, she makes the eventual return to running feel like an invitation rather than a punishment.
"I refuse to spend another iota of energy berating myself for not being perfect. I figure I have 30 years-ish left on the planet; I’m not going to waste it beating myself up."
A New Cadence for 2026
PodRanker listeners often ask how to spot a show that is evolving versus one that is dying. The signal here is clear: Angie is tightening the filter. Starting in February, the podcast moves to a monthly format on the first Thursday of each month. The episodes will be longer, deeper, and more focused on the nuances of life for women over 50. Expect more talk about post-menopausal life, gear that actually works, and updates on her upcoming mystery novel, Death Comes Running.
Strategic Habit Formation: Closing the Gap
As we navigate the pressure of January resolutions, Angie offers a tactical shift in how we approach change. Instead of the typical zero-to-sixty sprint that leads to burnout by February, she suggests "closing the gap" by making the first step laughably small.
- The Diet Coke Rule: If you drink three a day, spend a month drinking two. Don't rush the descent to zero.
- The 10-Minute Minimum: Want to strength train? Start with ten minutes, once a week. Build the habit of showing up before you build the intensity.
- The Compassion Buffer: Allow yourself to miss a day without it becoming a reason to quit entirely.
The Recommendation: The Enell Lite
In her "things I'm loving" segment, Angie highlights a find that will resonate with any runner who has struggled with the restrictive nature of high-impact gear. While she has long championed the Enell Sport for running, she’s currently obsessed with the Enell Lite for daily wear.
It’s a soft-cup bra that provides the lift and separation of an underwire without the "stabbing" sensation. It’s a small detail, but it fits her broader theme for 2026: choosing comfort and function over performing for the sake of aesthetics. It’s clear that this new era of Not Your Average Runner is less about hitting personal bests and more about sustaining a life you actually enjoy living.
Listen to Not Your Average Runner, A Running Podcast: https://podranker.com/podcast/not-your-average-runner-a-running-podcast