Advertise on podcast: Run Your Story Podcast

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! David Whitehead grew up a sprinter in South Georgia - the 400, the 200 and the 100 - and thought he'd been a runner all his life until he started running 5Ks, 10Ks and half marathons. Out running in Huntsville, he kept seeing people running by themselves or in small groups, so he started a run club to bring them together: Rocket City Runners, a free, all-inclusive club that just turned two, where people who come out as walkers keep coming back and turn into runners. He talks about why long distance is a sport of its own ("it's really you versus you"), why consistency, rehab and the small muscles in your ankles and feet matter, the six-mile block party that is the Peachtree 10K, a first half marathon run in circles in a parking garage during a severe weather watch, the prayer he says before every race, his Jazz Bounce playlist, beet juice and gel gummies, his goal of catching his coach Doc in medals, and his favorite running memory - a popsicle, a Jell-O shot, a tequila shot and a banana in his hands at the Peachtree, a photographer, and a mid-race hamburger he wisely passed on. His advice to new runners: the hardest part is showing up, so keep showing up. His mantra, for the days he doesn't feel like it: "Me versus me." And his last word: show up for yourself first. David Whitehead - https://www.facebook.com/david.whitehead.674419 Races Mentioned Rocket City Marathon Peachtree Road Race 10K The 10-miler in Atlanta Publix Georgia 5K Bridge Street Half Marathon Race to Space - Huntsville Hot Chocolate 10K Shout Outs Rocket City Runners Doc Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Silvia Garcia had nine half marathons, a stretch of obstacle racing and CrossFit five days a week behind her when she decided 2020 would be the year she ran a full marathon. Disney ended in a heat advisory and a DNF at mile 22, and that spring, at 31, just as COVID was shutting everything down, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. Sixteen rounds of chemo with no visitors allowed, a mastectomy with complications, three months on a walker, and a full hysterectomy after learning she carries the BRCA1 gene - and through all of it one thought kept her going: "You can't die. You have a marathon to finish." She talks about relearning to move one lap of the kitchen and one driveway at a time, gaining 70 pounds and jumping into an untrained half with her sister, finally finishing the inaugural Every Woman's Marathon in Savannah in 7:45, Project Athena's 26.2-mile hike in San Diego, why grief and gratitude can coexist, her mom's "Why not me?", and her work helping people without insurance get screened. She's about to be six years cancer-free. Her reminders: thank your legs, choose the harder option, and movement looks different for everybody. Silvia Garcia - https://www.instagram.com/s_ilviums/ Races Mentioned Disney Marathon Publix Half Marathon Every Woman's Marathon Project Athena San Diego Marathon Hike Bras Across the Causeway 5K San Diego Marathon World Majors Marathon Shout Outs Project Athena East Georgia Cancer Coalition Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Kaitlyn Collier only started running two years ago because of true crime podcasts. Mid-episode of one, she realized that if she ever actually had to run for her life, she couldn't, so she set a goal of one mile on the gym treadmill and is now deep in Run the Date: running the date in miles every single day of the year (October 5th = 10.05 miles), no misses, ranked around fifth globally among everyone doing it. Along the way: the lessons running taught her about discipline and a healthier relationship with food, the chicken-alfredo "carb loading" disaster at her first field race, the storm-soaked first marathon she wants vengeance on, and the Louisiana Half Marathon weekend where she PR'd and crossed the finish line into an engagement. She talks Q50 trail races, run clubs as the cheat code for starting out, negotiating with herself through hard miles — "what's the lowest standard that I'll accept for today that's not quitting?" — and why nobody ages out of running. Her words to live by: anything is better than nothing. Kaitlyn Collier - https://www.facebook.com/kaitlyn.collier Races Mentioned Q50 Races Sand on the Trails 5K Q50 Races Extravaganza The Nun Run Zydeco Marathon Louisiana Marathon Shout Outs Hunter Le Shin Run Club Scott Thornhill Andy Glaze Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Something different this time: no guest chair, nineteen voices. On September 26th, Ainsley's Angels of South Alabama rolled across its first start line at the Miles for Heroes 5K in Daphne, hosted by I Got Your 6 Gulf Coast — and this episode hands the microphone to the people who made it happen. You'll hear from the runners who pushed, the parents whose kids rode, and the riders themselves — including a four-year-old coach named Ryann. Allison tells the whole story of a podcast interview that planted the idea, a mentor chapter in New Orleans, a January launch, a community that bought eight chariots and then showed up early on race morning asking to be put to work. It's about inclusion without limits, being somebody's legs, and four little words that echo through the whole hour: we get to do this. Find a chapter near you (or start one): ainsleysangels.org Learn about I Got Your Six Gulf Coast and Miles for Heroes — mental health support for veterans and first responders. Speakers Cara Lewis — rider's mom, on what inclusion really means Jessica Godfrey — runner and volunteer, "this is what inclusion is supposed to look like" Emily Rogers — runner, on a race that isn't about your PR Allie Eslava — runner, "what if one day that's me" Skye Guy — runner, carrying on her grandmother DeDe's village Sarah Beth Hollingsworth — the runner who brought Ainsley's to her run club Veronica Steele — pushed four-year-old Ryann with her mom Sidney; "we get to do this" Ryann Dougherty — angel rider, age four, "like you're flying" JC — runner Stuart Bolen — runner, on setting your own PRs aside Janet Bolen — pushed Team Julian, "for those minutes we're a team" Leah Long — the other half of Team Julian's legs Julian's mom (Team Julian) — a parent's gratitude Bethany Madson — runner, "your legs can carry more than just you" Ruby & Poppy Madson — young runners who helped other kids feel the finish line Cherinna Coulter — Team Asher, "inclusion without limits" Peyton Gaillard — Team Asher, Disney music on the uphills Grey Gaillard — chariot crew, on watching a dream materialize Allison Gaillard — host; founder of the Ainsley's Angels South Alabama chapter Races Mentioned Miles for Heroes 5K Joe Cain 5K Bras Across the Causeway Shout Outs I Got Your Six Gulf Coast — Mark, Jackie, and the whole board, for hosting the debut and saying "come back every year" Bubbles (aka Jackson) — the Ainsley's rider whose "anybody can do this" started it all Ainsley's Angels of New Orleans — the mentor chapter The chariot donors: Candy at Magnolia Soap Company (the first Freedom Chair), the Joe Cain 5K runners, Bras Across the Causeway, Rhonda from Mississippi, Mr. John at Manci's, the bingo-night crew at the waterfront, and Allison's in-laws Manci's Run Club, Fairhope Run Club, and Fleet Feet Pensacola — the running family that showed up Jessica (who ran the tent), Janet, Stuart, Grey, and Peyton (chariot crew) Team Julian, Asher, Ryann, Hilary, Dustin, Liam — and Tiffany with the girl squad Scott, Stephen, and Dave — the big dreamers behind the podcast The Patreon family, and every runner, rider, volunteer, and cheerer at Miles for Heroes Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Our first panel episode, recorded race week for the Miles for Heroes 5K in Daphne, Alabama (Saturday, September 26, 2026). The race benefits IGY6 Gulf Coast - "I Got Your Six," from the old aviation call for the spot right behind you - a group of veterans and first responders who step in for anyone in a mental health crisis. Around the table: founder Bill Menefee, 21 years in the infantry and a Bradley Master Gunner who later served as a school resource officer and on the Baldwin County Drug Task Force, and who started the race after losing a fellow soldier to suicide; IGY6 president Ross Sykes, a veteran; Daphne Police Chief Brian Gulsby, whose department used last year's proceeds to send three officers to a 40-hour crisis negotiator course; race director Mark Kirstein; and Sarah Beth, a physical therapist assistant who will push an Ainsley's Angels chariot this year in the local chapter's debut. Finishers get a challenge coin instead of a medal; the goal is 200 to 250 runners and $20,000, and the message is the one on the back of the coin: ask, listen, and stand by. Speakers: Sarah Beth, Ross Sykes, Brian Gulsby, Bill Menefee, and Mark Kirstein  https://www.igy6-gulfcoast.org/home Races Mentioned Ruck the Bay Miles for Heroes 5K Shout Outs Steve JD Ainsley's Angels Mr. John Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Lenise Ligon is a Gulf Coast TV news anchor and a certified yoga instructor who swears she used to hate running. A trainer tricked her onto the pavement about two years after she moved to the Gulf Coast, signed her up for a 5K in Daphne to keep her honest, and she was hooked - she has stuck to halves, fulls, and the occasional 15K ever since. A Detroit native, she ran the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon at 19 weeks pregnant (that's where her daughter got the name Phoenix), ran until she was 36 weeks along, once qualified for Boston, and still does her long runs on the treadmill so she can zone out safely. Running, for her, is mental health: no headphones, a single water bottle, a slice of wood-fired cheese pizza at the finish, and a gratitude journal every night. Lenise Ligon - https://www.facebook.com/LeniseLigon Races Mentioned Crime Prevention 5k Seeds 5K La Jolla Half Marathon Double Bridge Run Detroit Marathon Denver Marathon Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon Crescent City Classic Turkey Trot Oak Mountain trail race Alabama-to-Georgia ultra Disney Marathon Tunnel to Tunnel Run Battleship 12K Boston Marathon Shout Outs Phoenix Steven Plankas Matt Barrentine Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Matt Bilotti is retired U.S. Coast Guard. His running started in 2003–2004 with a "Boot Camp" gym class at the WVU football stadium (Law School Hill sprints and 120-some stadium steps) to get ready for Coast Guard boot camp. Today he is a vocational trainer for a personal fitness training program with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (Department of Justice). He teaches the ISSA Certified Personal Trainer course — 10 to 12 weeks, about 120 hours, two classes a day — to incarcerated men, who leave with a certification ISSA backs with a job guarantee. His students call him "Coach B." Matt Billotti - https://www.facebook.com/matt.billotti Races Mentioned Coast Guard Marathon Canaan Valley Half Marathon Pittsburgh Half Marathon Olympic-distance triathlon Moonlight at the Falls JFK 50 New York City Marathon Turkey Trot Shout Outs Dave McDonald Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Sheila Scott — author of "Miles of Motherhood" — joins Allison to talk about a running life that started with a grade-school one-mile fun run outside Rochester, New York, and never really stopped: cross-country coaches who preached "look at the foliage" and taught visualization before it was cool, stepping away from the sport and finding her way back, and raising two runners of her own (both now at Alabama — Roll Tide). She relives the mud that ate her shoe at a high-school race, the 2019 Marine Corps Marathon downpour, BQ hunting in Richmond, and why the race memories that stick are the people, not the times. Plus: the packing grid, race-morning jitters that never go away, cushy shoes, a Mountain Dew confession, negotiating with herself through hot Florida miles, and why she is saying yes to everything — including 29029 Everesting and, one day, Athens. Sheila Scott - https://www.facebook.com/sheila.scott.9041083 Author of "Miles of Motherhood" https://us.amazon.com/Miles-Motherhood-Sheila-Scott/dp/B0G6JFMPPB Races Mentioned Boston Marathon Richmond Marathon Marine Corps Marathon New York City Marathon Chicago Marathon London Marathon Tuscaloosa Half Marathon Mother's Day 5K at Chestnut Park Huntsville Marathon Athens Marathon 29029 Everesting Shout Outs Catherine Wagner's Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Host Alison Gilliard interviews Josh Sprague, founder of Orange Mud (started January 2012) and Seven Clay. Josh explains building Orange Mud’s hydration packs and the transition wrap/seat cover as “innovation from frustration,” recounts his background in endurance sports and adventure racing, and emphasizes training less to avoid overtraining, family-first balance, warming up slowly, and breaking big efforts into small, measurable goals while staying positive and caring for feet and gut. He describes racing a 12-hour adventure race with his 14-year-old son, shares nutrition strategies using Infinite Nutrition custom mixes, favors audiobooks over music, and details launching Seven Clay after poor local embroidery service, growing it into a larger customization business. Josh Sprague - https://www.facebook.com/josh.sprague.96 Orange Mud - https://www.orangemud.com/ Races Mentioned Rock N Roll Marathon Phoenix Leadman Series Jailbreak Cannonball 550 Shout Outs Aunt Sherry Marvin Mike Jack Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! John explains that after reaching his heaviest weight and feeling depressed, he quit alcohol, joined a gym, bought cheap running shoes, and began running on a treadmill, completing his first 5K in October 2023 in about 56 minutes before progressing through 10Ks, half marathons, and ultras with the Scallywags. He recounts his breakthrough first 50K at Lake Guntersville, later running a 100K (In the Heat of the Night) and his first 100 miler (Chief Ladiga 100), emphasizing discipline, giving yourself grace, and “embrace the suck,” with goals including 100 miles in a 24-hour race, Leadville 100, and Cocodona 250. John Bruce - https://www.facebook.com/john.bruce.912284 Races Mentioned Gray Ghost 5k Eagle Ridge Half Marathon In the Heat of the Night 100k Chief Ladiga 100 Leadville 100 Cocodona 250 Shout Outs Gabe Cross Dirty Soles Becky Zombie Trail Races Jeff Browning Courtney DeWater Trey Nick Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Jillian Walters went from Strongman competitor to trail ultrarunner in under three years — and she just turned 40. She shares how family 5Ks with her husband and kids turned into 50Ks on the trails, heat-training for her first eight-hour race, running in Luna sandals, the aid-station order that never changes (a cheese quesadilla and a little bit of Coke), faith and worship music in the hard miles, and the mantra that keeps her moving: "I am made in the image of a mighty God." Jillian Walters - https://www.facebook.com/jmgwalters Races Mentioned Cloudland Canyon (Run Bum) Rocket City Marathon Cocodona 250 Shout Outs Speed for Need Run Bum Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison interviews Tim Martin of the Warrior’s Way Podcast, who shares how he went from avoiding running to starting with a coworker-led Ragnar Relay, learning proper gear, and finding a community that pushed him to grow as a husband, father, and man of faith. Tim founded Warrior’s Way in Michigan as an outdoor men’s workout group meeting year-round on Saturdays, using cinder blocks to symbolize choosing discomfort for growth, followed by devotion and coffee. He began the podcast to share impactful stories and community lessons, emphasizing “say yes,” preparing now for unknown opportunities, and that manufactured suffering builds resilience for life’s trials. Tim Martin - https://www.facebook.com/tim.martin.5458498 Warrior's Way Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7cHmfpkN6zW2cMLpKQcVTL Races Mentioned Ragnar Relay Race Mid-State Mile Bayshore Half Marathon New York City Marathon Ann Arbor Marathon Chicago Marathon Boston Marathon Berlin Marathon BPN Last Man Standing Backyard Ultramarathon Tokyo Marathon Sidney Marathon Shout Outs Ben Barker Doug Brian Bradley Thompson Lance Chad Wright Mark Dowdle Harvey Lewis Dylan Ledbetter John Becca Cameron Haynes Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison Gaillard of Run Your Story Podcast interviews runner and mom Elizabeth German, a longtime athlete from South Louisiana whose running began with a family rite of passage at age 13 in the Crescent City Classic, progressed to half and full marathons, and continued through teaching and dyslexia therapy work. Elizabeth discusses balancing running with parenting, lessons of perseverance and community, favorite races (Crescent City Classic and the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon), a mental challenge with the Louisiana Half’s lake turns, her routines, music, shoe “relationships,” fueling with gels, goals for upcoming races, and her mantra: “Quick like a bunny, sting like a bee.” Elizabeth German - https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.pool.180 Races Mentioned Crescent City Classic Louisiana Marathon Northshore Marathon Marine Corps Marathon Every Woman's Marathon Battleship 12k Shout Outs Stefan Clayton Ainsley's Angels John German Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison Gaillard interviews Steven Vinson of “Keep Showing Up, Steven,” who shares his lifelong struggle with weight, reaching 632 pounds, losing and regaining after injuries, surgeries, and depression, and adopting a July 2025 mindset shift from chasing perfection to consistently “keeping showing up.” Steven describes adapting training to his body and the Alabama heat through walking, swimming, and indoor options, tracking streaks, and planning for worst days. He’s training for the Rocket City Half as a promise to himself and a goal beyond the scale, emphasizing progress isn’t linear, community support, and the power of small, consistent actions. Stephen Vinson - https://www.facebook.com/stephenrolltide Races Mentioned Rocket City Marathon Mobile Marathon Mercedes Half Marathon Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this conversation, Erica shares how she began running in her late twenties during an abusive marriage as a way to escape and regain strength, and how running stayed with her after leaving. Encouraged by her now-husband Joey, she skipped shorter races and ran a first half marathon, later completing more halves and many 5Ks/10Ks, with a goal to try a full marathon to see if she wants to continue beyond 13.1. She explains how her Instagram (started July 2025) gained traction, leading to a friendship with Laura Green and the creation of their “Probably Fine” podcast, named after their habit of downplaying running ailments. Erica discusses lessons like the importance of fueling, her preferred foods and race-day celebrations, favorite local races, playlists, gear and shoe preferences, patellar tendonitis recovery tied to back stiffness, and advice to slow down and make running your own journey. Erica Kennedy - https://www.instagram.com/heyericak/. Races Mentioned Boston Marathon Christie Clinic Race Mahomet Half-Marathon Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon Shout Outs Joey Kennedy Laura Green Probably Fine podcast Alice Grey Gaillard Kristen Rather Anna Support the show For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy Andrew Williams Kellie Landrum Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!