Episode 579: Stephanie Bruce – Third Place at CIM, Postpartum Comeback, and Life After Hoka NAZ Elite

I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast

I’m so excited to have my friend, Steph Bruce, back on the show! She’s been a recurring guest and one of my favorites to chat with, and this conversation is no exception. Steph just had an incredible race at the California International Marathon (CIM), where she placed third with a time of 2:28:41. To put that in perspective, this is just 14 months postpartum after having her third baby. What a year it’s been for Steph—and honestly, what a journey these past few years have been, with all of us watching and cheering her on as she continues to defy the odds.

Looking back before CIM, this is a continuation of her remarkable comeback story. In February, at the Olympic Marathon Trials, Steph was only four months postpartum. Yet she still showed up and ran an impressive 2:47, proving that she wasn’t just recovering, but ready to return to racing at a high level. Fast forward to CIM, and she’s just one minute off her personal best of 2:27, which she ran in Chicago back in 2019. To say this was a great day for Steph would be an understatement—it was an incredible achievement and a testament to her hard work, resilience, and determination.

In this episode, we also dive into some major changes happening in Steph’s professional life. Recently, Hoka NAZ Elite made the decision to let go of several athletes, including Steph. We talk about her perspective on this news, how she’s feeling, and what’s next for her moving forward. It was a candid and insightful conversation, and I’m so grateful to have had the chance to catch up with her.

Honestly, I really enjoy these types of conversations, and it makes me wonder why I don’t do them more often. Talking to Steph is always a blast, and I hope you all enjoy listening as much as I did recording it!

What we talked about:

5:00- Recapping her race at CIM

26:05- The comeback postpartum and deciding to run the trials

37:20- The changes with her sponsorship with Hoka

48:10- How she is feeling heading into the new year

57:25- End of podcast chat

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