From the skin, it appeared that American long-distance runner Kara Goucher was on high of the world. After medaling on the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, securing her place on the 2008 U.S. Olympic workforce, and ending high three on the New York Metropolis Marathon, Goucher was at her profession peak.
She was a part of the Oregon Venture, an elite, Nike-sponsored skilled coaching workforce coached by working legend Alberto Salazar. Her picture appeared on billboards, in malls, and on the perimeters of buses everywhere in the United States.
Behind the scenes, although, Goucher was struggling emotional and sexual abuse by the hands of Salazar, which left her remoted and afraid. She was additionally witnessing the questionable if not outright unlawful use of medicines and different substances by sure teammates, directed by Salazar and different Oregon Venture workers.
When she and her husband (additionally a former Oregon Venture athlete) determined to begin a household, she was assured by Nike executives that her contract can be safe throughout her being pregnant so long as she stayed “related” by taking part in media interviews, photograph shoots, and different occasions. But Nike suspended her pay attributable to what they termed her “medical situation” that stored her from competing.
It might take years for Goucher to summon the braveness to talk out about her personal abuse and the doping she noticed. Her testimonies towards Salazar and Nike between 2018 and 2021 — first to the U.S. Anti-Doping Company (USADA) after which to the U.S. Heart for SafeSport, relating to sexual and emotional misconduct — contributed to Salazar’s lifetime ban from teaching USA Observe and Discipline athletics. She tells her story in a 2023 memoir, The Longest Race.
Now 46, Goucher is retired from racing however serves on the board of the USADA and as a commentator for distance working for NBC Sports activities. She additionally hosts the No person Requested Us podcast with fellow runner Des Linden, on which the duo talk about “all issues working.”
We caught up with Goucher to study extra about her journey from elite competitor to advocate for girls athletes and clear sport.
Q&A With Kara Goucher
Expertise Life | In your e book, you describe struggles with self-confidence going again to highschool — and the way that left you weak as a younger athlete on the Oregon Venture.
Kara Goucher | From a younger age, I used to be actually pushed and a little bit of a perfectionist, however I by no means was the perfect at something. The time period “imposter syndrome” wasn’t one thing we talked about then, however that was me to a T. I’d line up on the beginning line and suppose, I’m fooling everybody that I belong right here.
The Oregon Venture was a males’s workforce, and at first I believed I ought to simply be grateful to be there. We had limitless assets from Nike, and it was intoxicating to be a part of that group, to have that exclusivity.
As a result of my dad died after I was very younger, I used to be at all times in search of some form of male steering in my life, and I turned to Alberto. I additionally had the power to push away issues that damage me, whether or not bodily or emotionally. All of this set me as much as be taken benefit of.
EL | But you overcame your fears to inform your story on a really public stage. How did you construct up the braveness to do that?
KG | It was a sluggish burn, lastly deciding to testify towards Alberto for USADA’s investigation after which for SafeSport. What drove me to jot down the e book, although, was that there have been high-profile folks writing about me who spoke with authority towards me however who had by no means met me. I used to be by no means quoted. I used to be by no means requested.
I obtained so annoyed that the story being informed about me wasn’t actual. I wished to inform my story the place no one might minimize me off. I wished it in my very own phrases so I might transfer on and have peace.
EL | Your loved ones wasn’t conscious of the abuse till you determined to blow the whistle. As you look again, what did you study from this expertise?
KG | My household beloved me earlier than I ran, and so they love me simply as a lot now, after I don’t run [competitively]. I feel I wished to guard them from what was occurring as a result of I knew how a lot they only wished me to be joyful.
I’ve discovered that whenever you’re all in on one thing, whether or not it’s your job, sport, music, or no matter, generally you lose observe of who you’re. Whenever you’re mendacity in your deathbed, you’re not a runner or a musician — that’s simply one thing you pursued and labored at. You’re all of the moments in between with your loved ones, all of the reminiscences with your mates who confirmed up for you and who you confirmed up for. That’s who you actually are.
EL | You’ve gotten written and spoken in regards to the function of remedy in your life. How has remedy helped you heal?
KG | It’s so necessary to have the ability to be weak sufficient to speak about issues. My husband and I’ve been in marriage counseling, not as a result of we wish a divorce however as a result of so many issues occurred to us, and it’s useful to speak about them with a impartial occasion. There’s a lot energy in releasing issues that really feel like secrets and techniques, that you just’re ashamed of, that you just really feel embarrassed about. Releasing these in protected areas eliminates the ability they’ve on you, and also you begin to regain your individual energy.
EL | In 2022, you have been recognized with focal dystonia [a neurological movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle reactions] in your decrease left leg. How are you doing?
KG | I’ve repetitive motion dystonia, which implies my mind wires generally get tripped up. Once I do a movement I’ve finished repeatedly, like working, as a substitute of simply contracting the muscle groups I would like to try this movement, each muscle from my knee down contracts.
It’s been arduous as a result of working has been my launch. Typically I even have issues strolling, and I’ve to make use of a cane on days when it’s actually dangerous. I get Botox remedies 4 occasions a 12 months, which helps. Right this moment was a very good day: I met a good friend to run three miles, and we ended up working seven. When I’ve days which might be good, I make the most of them.
EL | Over your profession, you could have put your self on the market as an elite athlete, an writer, a commentator, a podcaster, and an advocate for clear sport. How do you see your self now?
KG | I by no means noticed myself as a frontrunner, however I feel there’s a form of quiet management that comes with being comfy with who you’re, with taking dangers, and with doing one thing exterior the construction you’ve at all times been in. I feel that’s the place I’m in my life now — I’m exploring issues I like, and I’m not attempting to be good. Some issues have been nice, and a few issues haven’t been. I simply need to be who I’m, and it’s a very nice place to be in my life.
This text initially appeared as “Working Robust” within the July/August 2025 situation of Expertise Life. Photographer: Andy Anderson.