Molly Hurford: Storytelling In Sport
“The lone wolf that said, ‘I’m committed to covering Women cycling.'” -Tobin Heath, 2x Olympic gold & FIFA World Champion
Hi there! To make a long story short, I’m Molly Hurford, a storyteller in love with all things cycling, running, nutrition and movement-related. Books, articles, podcasts, I play in whatever format works to get people—especially girls and women—psyched on adventure and the outdoors.
I’m the co-host of the weekly Consummate Athlete podcast, as well as the coauthor of Becoming A Consummate Athlete with my husband, cycling coach Peter Glassford. (The site you’re on now!)
I’m the author of multiple fiction and nonfiction books, including the Shred Girls series.
I founded Strong Girl Publishing to tell more stories of young girls in sport, all written by young women athletes. Through that, I co-host the Strong Girl Talk podcast with Dr. Sasha Gollish.
I also write for publications including Bicycling magazine, Outside, and Canadian Running and speak about all things athletic on stages and shows ranging from PBS’s NewsHour to the Trail Running Women Podcast. I have also developed content for New Balance, Asics, Norda, Canyon, Liv Cycling and more.
In my spare time, I’m ultra-running and racing on trails, riding bikes, or hiking with my mini-dachshund DW and podcast co-host/husband Peter Glassford.
Certifications: RRCA Run Coach, 200-hr Yoga Teacher Training, NCCP Cycling Coach, Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified, PN Level 1 SSR Certified, + Fast & Female Real Role Model and Expert Ambassador
Work with Molly
BRAND CONTENT CREATION
Looking for well-written, inspiring content for your brand’s website or newsletter? Hoping to host a panel before your race or trying to connect to a different audience at your event? Considering starting a podcast? The quality of your content matters. I work with closely with active brands to create creative, original written content. I also regularly works with brands and magazines to coordinate large-scale video and photo projects that create a narrative around people or products.
Check out my work with Canadian Running Magazine and New Balance’s Run Your Way project here.
SPEAKING
Talks on all things health + wellness-related, including corporate packages that combine short presentations with training plans and fun virtual yoga sessions. I’ve moderated panels for Salomon, spoken at countless races, and hosted keynotes at cycling festivals.
Catch me on: Let’s Take This Outside; Girls Gone Gravel; The Women’s Performance Podcast; The Human Kinesome Project and even on PBS’s NewsHour!
FREELANCE JOURNALIST
I have written for nearly every major endurance sport publication about a wide range of topics. My features regularly appear in Canadian Running, Canadian Cycling and Bicycling magazine, and I’m best known for my ability to connect with any source in the cycling world.
BRAND CONSULTING
If you’re a race director or business in the cycling or running industry and you’re looking for a bit of a boost in your marketing or PR strategy, or you’re trying to make your business more women-friendly, let’s chat!
Molly’s Projects
STRONG GIRL PUBLISHING
Strong stories for strong girls
In 2023, I founded Strong Girl Press, a publishing company that makes books + content for middle grade and young adult girls, written by young women athletes.
Our mission is two-fold: Inspire girls to find their sport by helping them see themselves on the playing field and in the race, while building a space for young women athletes who need a platform to share their voices. We publish books, create content and host a weekly podcast, Strong Girl Talk.
THE CONSUMMATE ATHLETE
Coaching, Articles + the Podcast for Busy Endurance Athletes
Whether you’re hoping to PR at Leadville or keep up with the local group ride, we’re here to help. And whether you’re a busy executive, a working parent or a full-time athlete, we believe your goals matter. We have the tools you need to get started. Peter Glassford and I are here to help you become a Consummate Athlete.
SHRED GIRLS SERIES
I’m the creator of the Shred Girls, a fiction series for girls who want to have fun on two wheels! Shred Girls books one through four are available now, and I regularly hosts talks for young riders.
Podcasts
WRITING SAMPLES
Bicycling: What is Lactic Acid?
Canadian Running: Norda-One Giant Leap for Trailkind
Bicycling: Indoor Cycling Setup Tips
Bicycling: How to Fix Your ‘Fear of Missing Out’ on the Bike
Canadian Cycling Magazine: The plight of women cyclists after Afghanistan’s fall
Outside: If You Want to Try an Elimination Diet, Read This First
Outside: What Does a Nutritionist Really Do, and Do I Need One?
Bicycling: Everything You Need to Know About Biking to Work
EveryGirl: How to Start Running If You’re Not a Runner
Nylon: 7 Common Workout Excuses, and How to Bust Through
LEFT: (Mountain Life Media, 2017)
Books by Molly
Shred Girls: Lindsay and the Cures of Gemini Lakes
Running As Fast As We Can
Sprinting Through Setbacks (co-author)
The Strong Girl
Shred Girls: Jen’s Rocky Ride
Becoming A Consummate Athlete
Shred Girls: Ali’s Rocky Ride
The Athlete’s Guide to Sponsorship
Shred Girls: Lindsay’s Joyride
Saddle, Sore: Ride Comfortable, Ride Happy
Fuel Your Ride
Mud, Snow and Cyclocross
RACE RESULTS
triathlete turned cyclist turned ultra-runner
🏅 1st Place Women / 3rd Overall Sulphur Springs Trail Race – 100-miler – Hamilton, ON
May 24, 2025 in 17:22 (Read about it on Canadian Running Mag)
🏆 COURSE RECORD / 1st Place Overall (Men/Women) Outlaw 100 Oklahoma – 100 Miler – Wilburton, OK
Feb 12, 2022 in 23:53 (Read about it on Slowtwitch.com)
🏅 1st Place Women Summit 700 – 20K – Blue Mountains, ON
July 2024 & July 2019
🏅 1st Place, Overall (Men/Women) Creemore Vertical Challenge 80K (Oct 21, 2023 in 8:02)
🥈 2nd Place, Women Quebec Mega Trail 80KM (July 1, 2022)
Speaking Reviews
“Molly’s talk was so informative and fun and I truly believe that the girls and adult women on the Zoom had a great time while learning. I think in this new world of Zoom learning, Molly should teach a class to teachers on how to keep people engaged in learning.” -Dolores Diaz, NY NICA GRIT Coordinator
“We loved hosting Molly as a mentor and guest lecturer. She’s refreshingly honest and will answer any question. Her passion for writing, reading, and empowering girls is infectious; she left everyone–students and faculty alike–inspired.” -Catherine Ramsdell, Chair of Liberal Arts at Savannah College of Art and Design
”Molly is a fantastic presenter, even from 4000 miles away, she was able to really connect with the audience of my women’s coaching conference.” -Chantal Thompson, HP Coordinator at the Ontario Cycling Association
“Molly’s workshop created a thought-provoking discussion that devolved deeper into the power of storytelling. Molly made this workshop inclusive and fostered a positive space for the participants to share and discuss. No matter the participants background, Molly curated a space for so many to feel brave to share their stories. What stood out the most was Molly’s ability to connect to such a wide range of participants — not being ‘sporty’ in high school, but finding a love for sport in her own way — can really connect to so many.” – Madison Danford, MSc., Ph.D(c). , Program Manager at Fast and Female
Podcast Reviews
I LOVE listening to Molly Hurford on the Consummate Athlete Podcast. She cracks me up! I listen to her and often laugh out loud, so that definitely helped with the run.
Great podcast that offers real world, common sensical advice for athletes balancing professional and family obligations. Every episode has lots of great tips for self improvement.
Event Reviews
“Molly is fantastic. She combines professionalism and fun to go along with her natural ability to engage an audience.” -Michael Suraci, Instructor at Camosun College
“I’ve worked with Molly on two different events, one at Rapha NY and one at Rapha DC. She’s incredibly engaging and a natural host, sharing information on training, nutrition, comfort on the bike, and pretty much any other bike related topic you can think of, in a constructive and positive way. Between the two events, it’s been amazing to see her tailor the presentation to the very different crowds we’ve had for each, making the talks feel custom-fit for each audience we had.” -Rapha Cycling Club D.C. Coordinator Ed Nessen
