Hurdle with Emily Abbate

In this episode, Aisha McAdams—photographer, filmmaker, and former competitive runner—shares her journey of navigating the transition from elite athlete to creative visionary. She dives into the making of her documentary Learning to Fly, which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival, and the founding of Rhoam Creative Studio to elevate women in the creative industry.

IN THIS EPISODE

• The Pivot to Creative Arts: Aisha discusses the shift from being the subject of the lens as an athlete to capturing the stories of others through photography and film.

• "Learning to Fly": A behind-the-scenes look at the inspiration and production of her documentary, which explores the human spirit and the pursuit of greatness.

• Empowering Women in Media: The mission behind Rhoam Creative Studio and the importance of increasing female representation in male-dominated creative spaces.

• The Athlete’s Mindset in Art: How the discipline, resilience, and focus learned through years of competitive running fuel her creative process today.

• Redefining Success: Aisha reflects on finding fulfillment outside of race results and learning to embrace the "uncomfortable middle" of career transitions.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

• "I realized that the same tenacity I had on the track was exactly what I needed to survive the uncertainty of a creative career."

• "With Learning to Fly, I wanted to show that the finish line isn't the only part of the story worth telling."

• "Starting Rhoam wasn't just about taking pictures; it was about taking up space in an industry where women's voices are often sidelined."

• "You have to be willing to be a beginner again. The transition from athlete to artist is essentially learning a new way to breathe."

• "Photography allows me to stay connected to the sport I love, but from a perspective that celebrates the vulnerability behind the performance."

SOCIAL
@ai.shoots
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

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ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.