Behind the Mic with Lindsey Hein: Fueling Life as a Running Coach, Podcaster, and Mom of 4

In Episode 125 of The Eat for Endurance Podcast, I’m joined by running coach and podcaster Lindsey Hein. Lindsey is the founder of SandyBoy Productions, host of the popular I’ll Have Another Podcast, and co-host of The Relay Podcast. She's also a longtime distance runner, certified running coach, race announcer, and mom to four young boys.

In this episode, we go behind the mic to talk about Lindsey’s personal journey through running, motherhood, and nutrition. From navigating major life transitions like a preventative double mastectomy and hysterectomy, to fueling a busy family of six, Lindsey shares what it looks like to juggle miles, meals, and motherhood, all while building a thriving career in the running community.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Watch on YouTube

Lindsey Hein’s Journey Through Running & Coaching

Like many of us, Lindsey started out as a passionate runner before finding her way into coaching. Over the years, she’s logged countless miles, trained for big races, and experienced firsthand the highs and lows of the sport.

But what makes Lindsey stand out is how she took her love of running and turned it into a platform for connection. Through podcasting, announcing, and coaching, Lindsey has created spaces where athletes feel seen and supported. 

“I want people to feel like they belong here, whether they’re chasing an OTQ or just finishing their first 5K,” she shared. 

That kind of authenticity is rare, and it’s a big part of why so many runners resonate with her work. Her motto is that fueling doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to work for you in the moment. That lived experience helps her guide athletes toward strategies that actually work in real life.

Fueling an Active Family of Six 

Feeding yourself well as an athlete can be tricky enough, but add four growing, active boys and a busy household into the mix, and things get next-level. Between balancing schedules, preferences, and nutritional needs, Lindsey admits it’s not always perfect.

“Sometimes dinner is chicken nuggets, sometimes it’s a big salad and salmon. We make it work,” she shared.

When it comes to family nutrition, what matters most is having realistic strategies that make it possible to keep everyone fueled and happy. Some of the strategies she shared (and that I see work well for many of my clients) include:

• Keeping meals simple but flexible so they work for both kids and adults

• Allowing nutrition to evolve over time through different life stages

• Letting go of perfection in the kitchen (and also, everywhere else)

• Remembering your own needs and fueling yourself well

Her approach is such a refreshing reminder that family nutrition is about practicality, not perfection. If you’re a parent, caregiver, or simply someone with a busy household, Lindsey’s perspective will resonate with you.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify

Life Transitions and Evolving Nutrition

Beyond her role as a running coach and mom, Lindsey has navigated some major physical and emotional transitions, including undergoing a preventative double mastectomy and hysterectomy, as well as having her tubes and ovaries removed. These experiences shaped not only her outlook on life, but also her relationship with her body, nutrition, movement, and self-care.

“I had to re-learn how to trust my body through recovery… Nutrition wasn’t about performance during that time, it was about healing and having energy to get through the day.”

For Lindsey, fueling became less about rigid rules and more about supporting healing, energy, and long-term wellbeing. These experiences highlight something I often emphasize in my own coaching: nutrition isn’t static. What worked for you five years ago may not serve you today, and that’s normal.

Whether you’re recovering from surgery, adjusting to a new training cycle, or simply moving through different life stages, your nutrition should evolve with you. Lindsey’s journey is a beautiful example of giving yourself permission to adapt without guilt or judgment.

Gain Confidence In Your Fueling

If Lindsey’s story inspired you and you’d like to feel more confident in your own fueling, I’d love to help. I work with endurance athletes of all levels to create simple, effective strategies for everyday nutrition and race-day success. As a mom, I also understand the challenges of fueling a family (especially if your kids have selective food preferences). 

Here’s what one client had to say about our time working together:

"Working with Claire has been a total game changer for me. I'd always struggled to figure out what healthy eating looks like - and swung from being overly restrictive to overly indulgent in the process. I worked with several other dietitians in the past, but Claire was the only one who helped me achieve flexibility and balance in my diet. 

Her down-to-earth and practical approach has helped me make sustainable changes. I would have never imagined that making such simple shifts could lead to such a dramatic improvement in the way I feel!" -Lisa Z.

Here are a few ways to work with me:

• Join my low-cost, low-commitment membership service, Fuel for Life Crew, for $30/month (cancel anytime)

• Check out my free nutrition downloads

• Browse my library of nutrition masterclasses (all are included inside the Fuel for Life Crew membership)

• Fill out a new client inquiry form if you’re interested in 1:1 nutrition coaching (new clients starting in 2026)

Support the Podcast in Style

Want to have a little fun while staying fueled? Check out my brand new Ultimate Fueling Sticker Pack, a collection of 6 high-quality stickers to help you celebrate how you fuel your active lifestyle.

It’s perfect for athletes, carb lovers, and anyone who loves a little fun along the way! Stick them on your water bottle, laptop, or race gear to make fueling fun, no matter where you are.

Every sticker pack order directly helps fund this free podcast content, so I’d be so appreciative if you checked them out. 

Grab the Ultimate Sticker Pack

Here are a few other easy ways to support the podcast:

• Leave a 5-star rating and write a review wherever you get your shows

• Subscribe/Follow The Eat for Endurance Podcast so you don't miss an episode

• Use my Skratch Labs affiliate code to get 20% off: EATFORENDURANCE20

• Join my Patreon community

Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only and is in no way meant to replace individual medical and nutrition recommendations.