Heather MacLean: From Market Basket to Olympic Track | Episode 2

Heather MacLean shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a low-income family to becoming one of the best runners in world. This one is for anyone who loves an underdog story.

She discusses growing up with seven siblings and a single mother, joining her high school track & field team by chance, and becoming the first person in her family to graduate from college. She also talks about navigating her early professional running years while often working full-time. 

Heather discusses overcoming the biggest injury setback of her career, and also tells the story of her recent engagement. ("You can't propose to me when I'm wearing a stupid Santa hat!")

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:16 On Heather's season so far
• 2:17 Representing the U.S.
• 3:20 Heather's background and start in the sport
• 13:37 On talent, drive, and opportunity
• 16:26 Where Heather's friend, who got her into track, is today
• 17:02 Not realizing her circumstances were unusual growing up
• 18:14 Filling out her own financial aid forms
• 21:58 Beginning her pro running career without a shoe contract
• 28:49 Why it's getting harder to work one's way up in pro running
• 31:30 Is there a high maintenance Heather?
• 32:47 Dealing with the biggest injury of her career
• 38:58 Why hiring a strength coach was a game changer
• 39:27 Learning to swim
• 43:32 On returning to running when her training partners were in the best shape of their lives
• 45:53 Health insurance and professional running
• 47:54 Heather's engagement story