Be sure to click the link at the bottom of the episode description and vote for your host to be the next "Top Host."

Holiday meals are not the enemy — guilt and all-or-nothing thinking are. If Thanksgiving, Christmas, family cookouts, or any big gathering leaves you stressed about what to eat, this episode offers a calmer, smarter way to handle the plate in front of you without losing the joy of the moment.The Chaotic Runner gets personal about her own history with eating disorders, body shaming, and diet culture, then shares the practical tools that helped her stop fearing food. She breaks down what “everything in moderation” looks like in real life, why carbs are not the villain for runners and active people, and how to stop the spiral of “I already messed up, so I may as well keep going.”You’ll hear a simple plate-building framework for family dinners: half veggies, a quarter protein, a quarter grains, plus a thumb-sized amount of fat. She also explains how to use your hands as a portable measuring tool, recognize the subtle “I’m getting full” signal before you overeat, and why eating normally before a big meal can help you enjoy it more.You’ll also discover:

• How to avoid arriving starving, foggy, and ready to inhale everything on the table
• Why pre-portioned treats, snack packs, and small servings can reduce binge urges
• How to satisfy cravings without turning every dessert into a free-for-all
• Smart swaps and high-protein options for chocolate, ice cream, and sweets
• Why food fear is exhausting, unsustainable, and not worth missing family time

This episode is for anyone who wants to enjoy holiday food, stay consistent with their goals, and still feel like a human being at the table. If you’re tired of punishing yourself for eating, this conversation is a practical, real-world reset, grounded in the kind of moderation that makes life more livable.Perfect for runners, active people, and anyone navigating food stress during the holiday season.

Make sure to vote by following this link!

https://tophost.org/2026/bailey-baldassari

In a world where we focus on self image and comparing ourselves to other, sometimes we forget to celebrate the skin we are in. On Today's episode of The Chaotic Runner join Bails as she digs deep into untangling the web of what constitutes as the "appropriate" body image. This episode gets personal for your host so listener discretion is advised but it acts as your hall pass to take a good look at yourself in the mirror and celebrate your bodies success stories rather than focusing on the numbers or what social media is telling us.

Bails has also entered herself into a competition called "Top Host." Every day you can vote on her page by following the link provided. If she wins she is hoping to invest in her podcast and improve your listening experience. Follow the link below and vote for her and her Podcast to be the next Top Host!

https://tophost.org/2026/bailey-baldassari

We live in a world where the busier you are can sometimes feel like it defines our worth. BUT what happens when our bodies start screaming for help. Do we listen? Probably not! On this episode of we touch base on what a recovery day can look like, and the signs our bodies throw at us when we are long overdue for a break. Consider this episode your permission slip to take on some self care!

On this weeks episode of the Chaotic Runner Podcast, join your host Bails as she dives into when we hit that wall during our fitness journey. We all know of it. The one where our routine becomes boring and we are no longer excited or locked in. On this episode she takes a look at how to work past the anxiety of shaking things up in our regime through her own insight. How showing up the first time may be hard but it'll get better over time.

You can send emails directly to Bails if you have any questions or stories you'd like to share to thechaoticrunnerpodcast@gmail.com

You can also subscribe to a weekly newsletter at thechaoticrunner.substack.com/subscribe

On this weeks episode of the Chaotic Runner! Join your host Bailes as she flies solo and dives into the world of meal prep and getting back into the swing of things. This episode will cover budget and time friendly meal prep suggestions, how guilt is not an ingredient, and how to avoid an all or nothing approach. If you are looking for a way to develop healthy habits without the burnout this episode is the perfect dose of chaos for you!

Tune in every Friday mornings at 8am on Apple, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer. On this podcast we cover the unglamorous side of fitness and running, how life can throw a curve ball, and how we as humans can do incredible things.

To be a part of the Chaotic Runner community you can subscribe to substack.com/@thechaoticrunner or send an email directly to me at thechaoticrunnerpodcast@gmail.com

It's more than just survival, it's how we keep moving forward! On this weeks episode of The Chaotic Runner Podcast Bails and her guest Serenity discuss that little voice in our heads that keeps us within a limit and how we can override it appropriately to work to our potential and reach our goals injury free.

Summer running can break you fast if you ignore the heat, the humidity, and what your body is actually telling you. Stacy joins The Chaotic Runner for a brutally honest, funny, and practical conversation about surviving hot-weather runs without ending up dizzy, dehydrated, or regretting every mile.When the air is thick, the route is exposed, and even a "short" 5K turns into a grind, the answer is not more toughness - it's better strategy. From higher-sodium hydration and race-day fueling to choosing the shady route, backing off your pace, and knowing when to walk, this episode is packed with real-world advice for runners who are trying to stay consistent through the hottest part of the year. You'll discover:

• Why water alone is not enough on sweaty summer runs
• How sodium-heavy hydration can help you recover better after the effort
• What to do when the heat, smoke, or humidity makes the run unsafe
• How to adjust your expectations when race pace just is not there
• Why listening to your body matters more than forcing the workout

Stacy also shares the hard-earned lessons that come from pushing too far, including a memorable hot-run survival story, treadmill disasters, and the reality that some days just call for a walk break and an ice cream instead. The conversation gets into group-run safety, bright gear, road awareness, and why running with other people can keep you both safer and saner.If you run outside in the summer, train for fall races, or just want permission to stop punishing yourself for every imperfect workout, this one is for you. It is equal parts survival guide, reassurance, and reminder that showing up counts - even when the weather is trying to win.