Episode 16: Interview with Hannah Mulqueen
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Hi, thank you for listening to Chasing Life, a podcast aimed to help encourage you to chase a positive, healthy, and fulfilling life. I'm your host, Sarah Kane, and I'm so grateful you decided to join me. I'm a single 30-something dog mom, runner, and higher educational professional.

After struggling with a quarter-life crisis where I learned a lot about myself, I pursued and earned my MBA, got the good job, bought a house, but still struggle with fulfillment and continue to chase goals in running my career and life. I feel called to share what I've learned and continue to learn in the hopes that my story and tips will help make an impact on your day and help you feel less alone. Let's chase life together.

Hello and welcome to another episode of Chasing Life. I'm Sarah and today's episode is my first interview. So I want to give you a little forewarning that it was a learning curve for me to share the conversation with someone. And we also had some background noise going on with my dog barking and I had a coughing spell. But I really hope you enjoy this conversation I had with Hannah. Hannah is a teacher and a fellow fitness coach who I met a few years ago. And we talk about her current half marathon training,

her experience as a military wife, and some tips that she's figured out over the last few years on how to live a happy and a healthy life. And I hope you enjoy it.

Hi, Hannah. Thank you for joining me today. I'm so excited for our conversation. I am too. Thank you for having me. Of course. So why don't you get started and tell us a little bit about yourself? Well, my name is Hannah Malkween, and I just turned 29 last Monday, so that's exciting. Last year in my 20s, I am married. I married my high school sweetheart.

We didn't go to the same high school, but we went to the same church and started dating in high school. So I call us high school sweethearts. And we both went to Penn State and graduated from there in 2014 for me and in 2015 for him. I'm a third grade teacher.

I'm in my seventh year of teaching. I used to live in Colorado for three years right after we were at Penn State for our first Air Force assignment because that's what my husband does. He's in the Air Force. And I've lived in Florida now for a little over two years and I have a little less than two to go. So we'll be moving in the summer of 2022. And we're hoping to go to D.C. because we're both

originally from Pittsburgh, and we would love to finally be close to family after all the time of being apart from them. My husband is transitioning to Space Force in February, so we're really excited about that. It doesn't really change anything with our time here in Florida, but he's super pumped to

switched from the Air Force to the Space Force. And I had gotten involved with Beachbody, which is how I know you, in August of 2018, which was shortly after I moved to Florida, because I was kind of just looking for a change and kind of jumped into it. And I loved it and started coaching shortly after, but didn't really get into it fully until that summer of 2019 when I was on summer vacation as a teacher. And I've just...

continued to enjoy it on the side of teaching since then. And my husband and I are excited to hopefully start a family soon and start that next chapter of life. You have a lot going on. And what's really interesting is one of my best friend's husband is also in the Air Force and used to live in the same location that you currently live. So it's like we kind of have this, you know, weird connection, not just with...

fitness coaching, but with the Air Force too. It's been fun that we've connected through that realm as well. We both enjoy fitness and running. So why don't you tell me a little bit about your half marathon and what made you decide, since a lot of races this year switched to a virtual option,

What made you decide to train for that? Yeah, I'm doing some training for my 14th half marathon. I've run a half marathon at least one every year since 2010 when I graduated high school because I used to be a competitive gymnast. And when I decided to be done with that, I kind of just transitioned to running because it was something that

I could still set goals for for myself. And being a gymnast, you're not really like, it's not necessarily like a team sport, like football and other things are, it's more like individual. So running was like the perfect transition for me to still have like a competition against myself. So I signed up for my first one, and I absolutely loved it. I just didn't

decided like, hey, I'm going to do at least one every year. And now it'll be 2021 that I'm still chucking along. I was signed up for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February, but it got changed to virtual. And instead of continuing to do it like virtually, I switched to a seaside race because it's a little bit closer and it was a little bit cheaper too, which is good. So I signed up for that one because I'm like, hey, I don't care if it's virtual or not.

I'm getting this 2021 half marathon in. So I did this because I'm like, hey, I've been doing this every year. I'm not giving up now. Yeah, that's great. And it is tough to train virtually, especially there's a whole different atmosphere with having a finish line and like that race environment, but it can still be very rewarding to train for and finish a half marathon in

As you know, I trained for a marathon a couple months ago. And at least from my perspective, it was very helpful to have that structure and that training plan to just kind of keep me grounded during everything that's been going on in the last nine months. And have you been finding that's the same? Are you following any particular training plan for your half marathon? Yeah, I was going to say, I completely agree that I love having a plan and a schedule with my fitness because it just keeps me...

on track. Like I like to wake up every single day knowing like what I'm doing, whether it's, hey, this is my rest day or hey, I get to do yoga or whatever it is I'm doing. I like to have a plan because it just keeps me on track because if I wake up not knowing what I'll do, I'll either not do something or it just won't be as effective. But I haven't actually ever followed one specifically, but I just kind of since especially since I've been

Running has been a part of my routine for the past decade now. I love running. Whatever Beachbody program I'm doing, I always incorporate running probably at least once a week because if not, I just crave a run. I love going outside and being in the fresh air and getting a run in. But over the past two years, I've loved following the Beachbody program. So I'll do a program, and I'm very committed to sticking to

the schedule and then I just run whenever is convenient for me in between it. Sometimes that can be challenging if it's more like intense program or if it's every day, then I don't run quite as much. But I think the program is only four days a week this year.

um when I wanted to start training because I knew like hey if there's things on your four days a week I can still stick to that and get some training in so um I've kind of just been slowly but surely upping my miles because it helps me mentally to slowly up it because I ran nine miles yesterday and the time before that I ran eight miles so I'm like hey I can do nine because last time I ran eight so it's just another mile more and it is you know what I did last time

Yeah. That's great that you're, you know, gradually increasing your mileage because I feel like a lot of people maybe don't realize or don't understand that you don't want to just jump from two miles a day to 10 miles a day. You want to increase it gradually because that helps prevent injuries. And it also is a really nice like mental win to just gradually say, okay, I did one mile more. It seems attainable, but it also helps you to reach that, the training goals too. What's been your favorite half marathon race that you've done? I've run the Pittsburgh

path a whole bunch of times because that's where I lived from when I started running then through 2015 I pretty much did it every year because I was going to Penn State and that was still home for me I love that one because it

it's home and you're running over the bridges which therefore like it's different like hills and stuff. Last or I think it was two years ago I ran one of the Disney races and that was a lot of fun because it was before the parks were open and it was still dark out and the castle was all lit up. I guess those two are my favorite the Pittsburgh one and then

the Disney ones because they're and I that's what I'll miss for sure is the atmosphere and when you're running the race so I've made like a playlist for myself because all the songs I picked are like ones that pump me up or make me laugh or make me want to sing along and then my husband is gonna be my cheerleader I guess and like meet me at different on his bike

So you'll have someone kind of rooting for me and then also have like my water and maybe some orange leaves and stuff that normally win the race.

And I wouldn't. So I'm kind of setting up my own little thing to get me excited for it. Yeah, absolutely. And that's a difference of training or real races that you have to bring your own supplies. That was one of the things that I had to do when I ran my virtual races. I had to come up with a checklist the day before and make sure I packed my car right because I ran at a local park. So it was definitely a lot different to realize that I had to

fully prepare for my race versus having to have race stations, um, sessions and aid and then the post race meals. So it's definitely different for virtual, but still rewarding. And, and it's kind of a bonding experience with you and your husband as well. When I finished my nice, cause I had my family there with me when normally, um,

The race run was out of town, so they wouldn't have been there to have the finish. So that was a... I ran a race one time in Colorado that it was like...

uh so there wasn't very many like people which I'm used to he actually like rode beside me and like played music and had my water and stuff because uh some people maybe they enjoy that just the open quiet road but and I enjoy that but not for 13 miles um

me riding his bike before and cheering me on during an actual real race. Doing it like, hey, I really need you this time because I don't have

don't have all the other parts of it. Right, right. Yeah, that's great that he can support you. You know, a lot of people's routines have changed, whether they were going to a gym, and now they're working out at home, or they have gotten into, you know, a different routine, whether out of work, or just a different work environment. How do you feel like running or a healthy lifestyle has helped to keep you centered during the last nine months? Yeah,

helped me to like stay in control of something and involved with our online community and everything it has changed my life over the past two years like being involved with other ladies that are

maybe pulled in from different walks of life and different ages, but they're all just striving to be the best that they can be. And because of that, I've established a morning routine that I absolutely love. Like before that I would like set an alarm and he's tired. I'd roll over and,

hit snooze and then I'd work out after. But I get every day to like wake up and have morning routine to myself. So especially over the time of the pandemic and everything with, and I was teaching first quarter and then I transitioned back to brick and mortar. So it was just so much change and so much change.

that I couldn't control and so much unknown that having my morning routine, which is like, I wake up the Jesus Calling app and it has like a little...

blurb of a prayer, like an excerpt. And then I work out while I read like a positive blurb from I have different books or different cards. And I write in a journal. Sometimes I write in one that has a prompt. And sometimes I write in one that's just a blank page. So I can just like spill out what I got in my head. And then after my workout, and whether it's running or doing something in our garage with weights, or doing yoga or whatever it is, just

just having hour to morning has like,

Like I loved it anyway before the pandemic, but during this, I'm like, Hey, no, whatever happens, like at least I had my morning. And it's like, like filling your cup so that you can overflow onto others. And some people change. And if I were able to start a family eventually and I have kids and stuff like, yeah, I might not be able to do the same thing for an hour every morning, but I could do more during nap time or something. But I think just like,

having that yourself a lot of people like think it's like oh it's like oh it's not selfish it's I need to do this so that my cup is full and then I can be my best self for everybody else

Yeah, I agree with you. There's a couple of points to back on. And one, I got out of my morning routine when I started working from home because I was doing I was like rolling over. I might sleep later. I'll do my workout after work. And it wasn't until a few weeks ago that I was like, you know, I need to rest.

get the structure again, I need to get back into a routine, even if I'm not going into the office, but to set myself up and get my workout done at the beginning of the day, because it makes me feel better for the rest of the day. And so yeah, that morning routine, it includes a workout or journaling or whatever. And each individual I think is very important, because it really sets you up and centers you before the chaos of the day. And, and

I also agree with having control of your workouts too, because whether it's work environments are changing or, you know, new guidelines are changing or, you know, it seems like every day there's something new happening. I also feel like, you know, my workouts are something that I can always control. And so that's been important to me as well to keep myself centered.

Now you mentioned, do you have a favorite journal that you use or you, you mentioned sometimes you use a blank one, do you? And, but there's also one that you use for prompts. What's that one called? And the reason why I'm using is, well, 19, I did the morning meltdown program and it came with a journal and I just absolutely loved it. And then after that I did, I used our today journal, great cool for, and then, yeah,

And then one goal that you're going to focus on first. So I, after the morning meltdown one, cause it had like structure to it. It's like, I don't know if I want to continue that. I want to do something else. So I just went to, and I picked out something that I enjoyed. And I know a lot of order stuff online, but a journal to me, I like, I have to like feels and the, I enjoy like going into target at the shelves for,

20 minutes until I find which one I want. But I had like a positive, like quote prompt to respond to. So I really enjoyed like the structure of that. Because honestly, opened up a blank page at first after having a prompt, I was like, Oh, gosh, like,

because I'm like, oh, I don't know what to say or like, I don't want it to be wrong kind of thing. But I kind of pick what I'm doing next, whether I get something else that has a prompt or I'm just going to write one. So I've been writing in a book for a while now and it's been really helpful through this pandemic because I feel like there's a lot of stresses and anxieties that come up like through this time is not normal. So it's been so helpful to me to overcome

open up a blank page and just like brain dump it thing before the day. Whatever's on kind of just what I put down and there's no right or wrong. It's just kind of a healthy way for me to kind of release everything that's going on in my head. Yeah, that's great. That's thank you for sharing that and your experience with that and how it's helped you. I think sometimes

sometimes journaling can feel very overwhelming, you know, some people than others. So you might have like a lot to say and it might take you like 15 minutes to write. And that might seem like overwhelming to be like, I don't know if I have 15 minutes every day to write about this. And so, you know, I feel like it,

at least from my experience, sometimes it's hard to stay in the journal routine. I did start journaling myself earlier this year again, and I was writing three things I was grateful for at the top of the page. And then I would kind of make a list of things that happened that day, you

you know, whether like, oh, I did three loads of laundry or I organized my pantry or, you know, I got my workout done. It was like a way for me just to like what happened that day. And it helps me to feel productive and also could help me to see like, was I doing things leading me closer to my goals? Or was I just kind of like being like what I was doing in the day? And if I was okay with what happened, then, you know,

you know, than that. So, which is sometimes okay. Right, right. Absolutely. Yeah. But it was just, you know, a way for me to actually like put it in a visual. I felt like, okay, like maybe I could have done things a little differently than that kind of helped to, as a reminder, you know, to, you know, keep what helped me with my goals. So you want to look up journal and we can put it in the show notes for some fun gems.

So what with right now?

um it's in the greatest showman movie um I love that because it just makes me happy and I love all the songs that are in it um and that this song is like my jam and my jam for a bit um so when I go for a ride the Destin Bridge it's this like gorgeous view and um I put that song and then I just like sprint up the bridge and I usually do that on like Saturday mornings is when I would

go for a run like that, that is just like that, like 30 something that I pee over and over again. Cause it's just, I don't know. It just makes me so happy. Like this awesome song that's playing that I love and the bridge and the view. And I'm like sprinting and my heart is pounding and my legs are burning, but it's just like, and some people are like,

That sounds horrible, but for me, I enjoy that. So that song has kind of been a jam lately. Yeah, that's a very empowering song too. And I know exactly where you're talking about and the right near that bridge. And it's called the Emerald Coast for a reason. Like it's such beautiful green water. So it's powerful memory that you're developing for yourself too. Cause when you move away from Florida and you listen to that song, you're going to always think of those moments that you were running across the bridge. So that's really cool. Yeah.

Exactly. Um, is, um, I use the lip L I B B Y. Um, and I just can local library and, um, that's how it's different books. So that's been super helpful for me. Cause I feel like I don't often sit and like read a book because I feel like with me being a teacher, I just am always like sitting and reading all kinds of stuff all the time. So it's nice to just listen to things. Um,

but also on that app you I just go to like this movement book and I can like rent the book Italy um like an audiobook my local library um and I have it for like and then if I need to renew it or return it early I can um so that is also I love is like listening to um book doing chores around the house or driving yeah I think to uh

Being a New York State resident, I am able to get access to the New York Public Library, which has a lot of books too. And so I've been listening to On Night Walks and it is really nice to be able to have that kind of free access to all of these books. So you don't end up with like a lot of clutter in the house, but you can still get the entertainment and, you know, listen to and enjoy books that are new or that you want to learn more about. So yeah. Favorite podcast? Yeah.

um I live on Dave Hollis's Rise Together um but there's that's awkward right um

But before they got a divorce, I do their own podcast and stuff. And I know she and he are coming out with other books and stuff. But anyway, it was couples that would just make me laugh. It was like all these like tips stuff. It cracked myself up because I was like, why was I listening to couples advice from a couple that ended up getting a divorce? But that's besides the point. I really enjoyed it.

And then kind of just pick whatever I'm like in the mood for feeling like if I feel you to pick me up of thing that I know it'll pick me up for it. So I kind of just pick whatever I'm like that time.

recognize like that your mood could change each day or you know what you need support of also changes too so that's good that you you know just kind of search for that what will help to feed your soul if you will or make you feel better exactly yeah i thought it might be interesting to ask is what's something you learned recently that you wish you knew five to ten years ago i'm

time and stuff and I go through like a lot of change every couple years because my husband is military I think it's just kind of happy and making time for that because to when I lived in Colorado for three years like

or the clean kitchen that I have. Like, I don't care about that. I remember our, the skiing trips we went on and the camping we did. We're now homeowners for the first time. And we've been in the for about five years now. It's been three years in Colorado and about two here. And I just have to remind myself

have to make time for that and that you don't have to feel guilty about it because there's always going to be a to-do list because difficult times, especially being a homeowner. And

You just have to make for what makes you happy and be present and be in the moment when you're there and enjoy it. And then when it's time to do work or time to do the chores, like you'll do that and be then. So I guess making time for what makes you happy and like being fully and completely present during it. So many times.

Yeah, the little things in life get in the way of actually enjoying life. And so making a purposeful effort to incorporate those things on a regular basis, it will really help you to lead a more fulfilling life. So thank you for that. And what does chasing life mean to you? I think it's so kind of like finding makes you happy and doing that. And we're all so different. And

what I've been doing, being involved with like the Beachbody and kind of sharing my journey publicly and everything like necessarily make other people happy, whether it's my siblings or close friends or anything. And that's okay. And that's fine. Chasing life for me is just like, recognize like what brings you joy in doing those things, despite it making other people happy or not. And I don't mean to put off kind of way, but just in a way that it's like,

rude happy just embrace it and that it can change with time like especially with moving every few years what made me happy in Colorado isn't even accessible here in Florida and as life changes and your situation changes and things it's like okay well what's going to make me happy now and kind of in

I don't know, I guess just living life to the fullest because you're guaranteed today and that's about it. So just enjoy. Yeah. When I kind of

for this podcast and also previously I had a blog a few years ago I kept kind of resonating with the chief not just because of the running connotation to it but just like yeah chasing that'll help you live a fulfilled life so all of what you said is a lot of the things that have resonated with me with that term too so um

I found out that, you know, we think a lot of love. So thank you for sharing that your time today. Where can we find you on social media? What's your favorite? I'm on Instagram and on Facebook, Instagram. I'm Mrs. Hannah Malkween. And then on Facebook, I'm just Hannah Malkween. And I kind of use both because it helps me to connect with different people that are on them. So whichever one people prefer, I'm on both. Link those in our show notes.

So my first guest on my podcast, and I hope you have a great. Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed today's episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave a review. I would love to hear from you. Even better, take a screenshot and tag me in your Instagram stories at Sarah Chasing Life.