Back in August, we sat down with Toni for a raw, honest conversation about her past struggles and what it truly means to be a woman in the running world. Watch the full interview on YouTube.
“You don’t have to shrink yourself to fit into any version of what a woman ‘should’ be. You can take up space, on trails, in life, in every wild and beautiful dream you have.” - Toni McCann
Women in ultra running face unique challenges, from menstrual cycles and motherhood to societal pressures and limited representation. Toni McCann shares how strength comes from trusting your body, embracing your journey, and turning obstacles into growth.
Strength isn’t about looks, it’s about showing up for yourself and trusting your body.
Yes, it’s valuable information. Listening to it helps you train smarter, recover better, and stay healthy.
Not at all. Many women face self-doubt and body expectations in trail running. You’re not alone.
Absolutely. Whether chasing finish lines or enjoying the trails, you belong exactly as you are.
Many women face societal and sport-related expectations about body image, often comparing themselves to men or “ideal” standards. Your performance and confidence aren’t determined by weight or appearance, they come from trusting what your body can do and appreciating its strengths.
Think of your body as a partner in running. Each run, climb, and descent teaches endurance, trust, and resilience. Focusing on function over appearance strengthens your connection to your body and turns every session into a lesson in growth.
Pay attention to energy levels, soreness, sleep, and mood — they’re signals to adjust training, nutrition, or recovery. Listening prevents injury, burnout, and frustration, helping you train smarter and stay consistent.
Yes. Your cycle isn’t a setback, it’s information. Understanding each phase helps you optimize nutrition, recovery, and training while maintaining consistency and resilience.
Focus on hydration and iron-rich foods during low energy and cramps.
High energy; balance carbs and lean protein.
Boost hydration and support metabolism with complex carbs.
Support fatigue and bloating with anti-inflammatory foods, omega-3, magnesium, and slightly higher calories.
Not necessarily. Real strength comes from balance, fueling, resting, and recovering properly. Sustainable progress comes from energy and vitality, not depletion, and helps prevent injury and supports long-term health.
Strength is more than speed or endurance, it includes resilience, adaptability, mental toughness, and emotional intelligence. Women often excel in perseverance, teamwork, and adaptability, showing that strength has many forms beyond traditional measures.
“Strength can be soft, wild, and deeply human, and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.” - Toni McCann
Perfection can limit growth and joy. Strength comes from persistence, courage, and authenticity. Embracing imperfections, learning from setbacks, and showing up consistently builds confidence, motivation, and sustainable performance.
“True strength has nothing to do with numbers on a scale or a finishing time; it’s about how you show up when no one’s watching.” - Toni McCann
What should I eat before a run to boost performance?
Starting your run from a place of energy, not depletion, sets you up for success. A small pre-run fuel like Näak Ultra Energy Purée provides carbs, protein, and electrolytes, helping your muscles perform while keeping your stomach light and reducing early fatigue.
How should I fuel during long training sessions?
Never train fasted, even small snacks make a difference. Näak Boost Gel or Näak Boost Drink Mix delivers quick carbs and electrolytes to sustain energy, protect muscles, and maintain performance on long climbs or trails. Consistent fueling is a simple way to respect your body and train smarter.
What’s the best way to recover after a run?
Recovery is where progress happens. Within 30 minutes of finishing, Näak Complete Recovery Mix replenishes energy, repairs muscles, and reduces soreness with plant-based proteins, carbs, and electrolytes, supporting long-term performance and helping prevent injury.
Every athlete is unique. Understanding hormonal cycles, recovery needs, and social pressures allows coaches to prevent injury, build confidence, and maximize performance. Emphasizing long-term health, mindful training, and resilience over metrics like speed or race times helps athletes thrive sustainably.
Support matters more than judgment. Celebrate effort, persistence, and dedication rather than appearance or results. Recognize that changes in energy or motivation may reflect natural cycles. Encouraging rest, proper fueling, and recovery fosters confidence, motivation, and a positive relationship with training.
By listening to your body, embracing your cycles, and redefining strength on your own terms, you can train smarter, stay healthier, and enjoy the journey of ultrarunning. True power comes from persistence, authenticity, and celebrating every step,on the trails and in life.
“Historically, women in endurance sports were seen as outliers, but today we’re proving that we belong not by mimicking men, but by bringing our full, authentic selves to the trails. I want to be part of that shift, part of a generation of women who run not to fit a mold, but to break it.” - Toni McCann
Women face both physiological challenges, like hormonal cycles and recovery needs, and social pressures, such as body image expectations, motherhood, and underrepresentation in endurance sports.
Tracking energy, nutrition, and hydration across menstrual phases allows women to optimize training, reduce injury risk, and improve recovery, turning their cycle into a valuable performance tool.
Yes. Women often demonstrate resilience, adaptability, and emotional endurance in addition to physical power, expanding the traditional view of athletic strength beyond purely male metrics.
Focusing on showing up, embracing imperfection, and celebrating persistence helps young athletes see that strength is about courage, effort, and authenticity, not body type or finishing time.
Listen to your body, respect recovery, fuel adequately, adjust intensity during menstrual phases, and prioritize long-term health over short-term performance metrics.
“I battled body image issues and disordered eating, believing that being smaller, lighter, or ‘perfect’ was the key to being enough, in life, and in sport.Trail running changed that narrative. Out on the trails, my body wasn’t something to shrink or punish; it was something to trust.”
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