In Episode #48 of the More Than Miles Podcast, physical therapists Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards and Dr. Kacy Seynders interview professional middle distance-runner and Atlanta Track Club Elite Team Member, Olivia Baker. Olivia competes in the 800-meter event and has won gold in the mixed 4 x 400-meter relay at the 2019 world relays and won silver in the 800-meter event in the 2022 USATF indoor track and field championships, which led to a 14th place finish at the world’s indoor meet. Olivia’s describes her enthusiasm for running and the friendships it has inspired and indeed that is part of what motivated her young start into the sport when she began running as an 8-year-old with her friends. Olivia continued to run and compete while in middle school and high school track, which ultimately lead to a competitive running career while at Stanford University. During the interview with Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy, Olivia talks about the importance of holistic health and how it has contributed to her success as an athlete including prioritizing mental imagery, sports psychology support, nutrition, and recovery practices in addition to her disciplined physical training. She graciously speaks about the importance of the positive coaches that she has had in her career and praises the contributions to her health from her coaches, psychologists, and also physical therapists such as Dr. Kate and Dr. Kacy, who work tirelessly to support the Atlanta Track Club and all its members. Olivia’s maturity and self-reflection are apparent throughout the interview as she describes her personal growth and lessons that she has worked hard to learn within her psychology sessions and as she approaches her career now with a renewed sense of confidence and purpose, and wisdom beyond her years! Olivia also talks about the community she has found in Atlanta once moving here specifically to be with the Atlanta Track Club. To her great credit, Olivia has invested a great degree in the community and is part of leading a running-related book club for ATC athletes! The interview also includes Olivia’s a discussion of her other interests and impressive resume outside of track including her acceptance into medical school (she decided to delay her career in medicine to take advantage of the chance to run professionally) and her experience attending a circus camp and learning trapeze arts and unicycle! Olivia’s true joy for running and life are apparent throughout this conversation, and this is an episode that you surely don’t want to miss!