For Real, Though

Fernanda Maciel uses ultrarunning to draw attention to environmental and social issues around the world. She's completed the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) nine times, earning a spot on the podium four times and winning once; is an Ultra-Trail World Tour champion; and among other feats, holds the World Female Record for running up and down Mount Kilimanjaro.

"In Brazil, I was always running on the trail. So my love for the waterfalls and the rivers and for the nature there was giant, so that was part of myself."

Fernanda studied law at university because it was her dream to become an environmental lawyer and protect nature in her home state in Brazil. She practiced law for a time, but was dismayed by the role that politics play in determining environmental policy.

"Maybe I can do something for the environment, but being outside, being outdoors… just inspire people to be a little bit more aware about what's going on."

She decided that she could make a greater impact by committing herself to ultrarunning full time and bringing attention to environmental and social issues in the places where she runs. The White Flow project was born, and began with her becoming the first woman to run the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (860km in ten days), which she did to raise funds for children with cancer in Spain and Brazil.

"I did this project in Aconcagua, running up and down the highest mountain in America, and then part of the project was also about the environment and how they recycle their rubbish in the park."

Fernanda had dreamed of running up and down Aconcagua, in Argentina, and in 2016 became the first woman to do so. She used the feat to learn about and share how a huge national park can manage the garbage left by visitors.

"I think more than the win, is for me just to finish. You suffer, you learn so much, you know, when you suffer, and during this race, you learn a lot."

Fernanda has taken on a new challenge every year, but there's one that she's done multiple times - the UTMB. It starts and finishes in Chamonix, in the French Alps, and covers around 170 kilometers (106 miles), circumnavigating Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe. Although she lives in Chamonix now, the cold conditions are still a challenge for her; as she says, "I think because I'm from Brazil, I need to train three times more than European people." Although she's been victorious there, there have also been times when she hasn't finished, but she doesn't regret them. "The victory is cool," she says, "but I think I learned so much when I couldn't finish."

This year Fernanda has had to forgo races and record-setting after suffering a brain injury in February, while belaying her boyfriend rock climbing. She's on her way to a full recovery, and says that as a result of the accident, "I'm really connected right now much more to the universe than I was before."

"Just be grateful for where you are right now. I think the simple life is the most beautiful one and I wish the best for everybody. And yeah, just enjoy the mountains and the trails because this is a beautiful gift that you have."

Fernanda's website

Fernanda's Facebook

Fernanda's Instagram

Fernanda's Twitter

Running Realized: Running and Climate Change with the UN Humanitarian Office

Running Realized: The Sustainable Road Race

Fernanda's video for the UN's World Humanitarian Day

AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It's simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he talks about the true and real story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet.

Go here and use the code TINA for 15% off your order.

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven't really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you. I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store.

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Fernanda. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

A different take on together runs today, but equally as enjoyable. Join Tina and other runners from the community in New York as they complete a together run in Central Park the day before the TCS NYC marathon! Tina interviewed some runners in the community to have them share their story and inspire us with their journey. Feel the energy and buzz from the excitement and anticipation, and use it to rev up your run into something special.

So join us for #togetherrun29 in New York

Running Realized

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Sonya Looney describes herself as a normal person who has been able to achieve extraordinary things through hard work, self-belief, determination, moxie, and grit. That includes being a World Champion mountain bike racer who has competed in over 25 countries, in places like the Sahara Desert, the Himalayas, and the Mongolian steppes. She's also a runner, a TEDx speaker, an entrepreneur, and host of her own podcast, The Sonya Looney Show.

"I love the ultra endurance stuff just because I feel like you really get to know who you are as a person."

Sonya's mountain bike races are usually 50 - 100 miles or 24-hour races. She loves the endurance aspect, and also that "you have a lot of time out there and it's so mental, and the range of emotions that you experience in the course of a day is so diverse, and you wouldn't necessarily feel those in your daily life."

"If I can safely push through this thing, then that builds my confidence and my self- belief for the next time."

The obstacles in endurance mountain bike racing require the rider to make a choice: do I go on, or do I quit? Life, of course, is the same. As Sonya says, "you learn over time that giving up makes you give up more," so she chooses to take on the challenges. You can look back on the hard things that you did and got through, and then "you can remember that and then you just keep going and going."

"Optimism is accepting the difficult things as they come up, but knowing that with effort and maybe a little bit of grit that they can get even better."

Sonya believes that to do those hard things, you need to train optimism. That doesn't mean "just blindly thinking that everything is going to be fine and ignoring all the difficult things." You need to be aware of your negative thoughts, but instead of giving into them, you can work on confronting and overcoming them.

"The outcome isn't the most important thing about what you're doing."

One of the greatest fears that people have is failing to meet the expectations of others, or even harder, of ourselves. Sonya emphasizes the importance of being focused on the process, because "you're not entitled to the outcome. Like you might think, "I deserve to win' or 'I deserve this,' but so does everybody else out there that's working just as hard as you, or maybe even harder than you. So really it's about being proud of your effort at the end of the day."

"Our lives get over complicated, focusing on all these things that we think that we need to feel good."

One thing that Sonya has learned through her travels in other countries is that "you don't really need that much to be happy." There are places where people live very simply, but they've found a way to make it work for them. Seeing that has made her ask herself what she really needs to feel fulfilled, and to appreciate all "the basic things we take for granted."

"Ask yourself, what are the consequences if I don't speak up and will I regret it if I don't speak up or do the thing?"

Sonya has chosen to compete in some smaller races in other countries because it's important to her "to have a different lens on life," even if that means passing up more prestigious races that could get her bigger sponsorships or more media coverage. She's found that when you don't follow your heart, "a lot of times you do regret it if you don't do it, and that's because it's clashing with something that you fundamentally believe in."

"I think a lot of us do feel like people will love us more if you achieve more."

Following your own path can be difficult, especially if it means doing something that you're afraid you might not be good at, or that other people won't approve of or understand. But Sonya believes that "if you have the courage to explore that curiosity, to just open a door or to try an opportunity that comes your way that sounds interesting, you're going to learn so much." As she says, "it's not my quote, but be brave enough to suck at something new."

"Just focus on the joy of getting better, because there is a lot of fun in getting better at something, but it requires getting started, even if you're bad at it."

Sonya's website

The Sonya Looney Show

Tina's interview on Sonya's podcast

Sonya's TEDx Talk

Sonya's Instagram

Sonya's Facebook

Running for Real NYC Marathon Watch-Along

Tracksmith is a Boston based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

Go here and use the code TINA15, and Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase to Runners for Public Lands, and you'll get free shipping!

Thank you, Generation UCAN. I have been talking about them for years and they are my ONLY source for fueling while I am training and racing. And without fail, I have a product of UCAN every day, whether it is a Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar or their delicious Cookies and Cream Protein Powder. I am also excited to share with you a NEW product, a gel! It's fueled with Superstarch and ready to go wherever you are headed.

Go here and use the code TINAUCAN for 20% off your order!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Sonya. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Together run monday! Join Tina for a 30, 45, and 60 minute connective, reflective, peaceful run. We will ground ourselves with nature, check in with our body and mind, and take in our five main senses, before having a chat. Each group finishes their run with a few strides. This is as close to running with a friend without running with a friend. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share and sign up for the watchalong this weekend!

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun28

Tracksmith's shakeout run

Sign up for the Running For Real watch along

Steve Donziger on Drilled Podcast

Steve Donziger story

Brett Goldstein and Brene Brown

COP26

Video about #thehumanrace campaign

Running Realized

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

When you read about Jerome Foster II's accomplishments, you'd be forgiven for assuming that he's worked in the public sector for decades. He serves on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council; is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future Washington, which holds weekly climate strikes in front of the White House; helped to organize three of the largest climate marches in the Washington, D.C. area; and is the executive director of OneMillionOfUs, an international youth advocacy and voting rights organization. That would be an impressive resume for someone at the end of their career, but Jerome is only 19 years old.

In today's episode he talks about why he's devoted himself to addressing the climate crisis, shares advice on how we can all take positive action, and tells why, despite all of the challenges, he's hopeful for the future.

"It's the system that has to change because the system is what caused the problem."

Small actions taken by individuals won't solve the climate emergency; meaningful change has to come from the government and corporations. As Jerome explains, "There's the fossil industry which pays the officials to not take action and that's why we don't have climate action. It's just that the system is money in politics. And people have to understand that beyond voting, we have to also be actively aware and actively pushing our elected officials if we don't elect people that are real champions of the people."

"If a company makes a product, they have to be accountable to that product that they make and what happens to it."

Companies place the responsibility to live sustainably on the consumer, but very few people have the option to change their lifestyle in a meaningful way. It's the companies that need to take action. It's almost impossible to shift away from using plastic, but a company like Coca Cola could revert back to the way it used to do business, when it sold soda in returnable glass bottles.

What consumers can do is choose companies that only create renewable products. So many companies produce one sustainable product, then use those profits towards the production of other materials that destroy the planet. Jerome advises that consumers should "tell that larger company, say Coca Cola, that until all of your products are sustainable, it doesn't matter that one of your bottles is sustainable because that one bottle is fueling the whole system."

"You shouldn't tell them about the scale of the climate crisis, what you should really do is tell them about how to live sustainably."

Jerome believes that scaring young people about the enormity of the climate crisis does more harm than good. Instead they should be taught to view sustainable living, like having solar panels on a house or driving an electric car, as the norm, and "that is how you can raise a generation that sees gas powered cars, and coal, oil, and natural gas as how my generation sees the rotary phone and sees the VHS, like it's outdated."

"It just feels like your future was stolen, quite honestly."

Previous generations have left it to young people who had no part in the destruction of the environment to repair it, while taking no responsibility themselves. As Jerome says, "I didn't reap any of the benefits that you did when you had fun making this mess. Now I have to spend all of my waking hours fixing what you did and you don't even have the respect to come back and help me clean it up. I think that what we're asking people to do is to help. We don't need apologies. We know that you may not have known back in the day when it was happening that you're making a mess. But now you know, so come and help and come be a part of this movement."

"The impetus to why I founded OneMillionOfUs is to have an organization that brought together all justice movements under the umbrella of voting."

While interning for Rep. John Lewis, Jerome realized that many social issues intersect, so why not have advocates for all of them join together? He created OneMillionOfUs to unite them, "so that whenever we organize a strike or protest or civil disobedience that immediately transitions into voting. And the slogan was 'take it to the streets, take it to the polls' and 'today we strike, tomorrow we vote.'"

Jerome says he feels the most hopeful about the future of the planet "when I'm at climate strike and going in the streets, going out with my friends and saying what needs to be done." There's a tremendous amount to do, but he'll never give up.

"I just keep pushing forward because people sent me here to fight for them So I'm going to keep on fighting no matter what."

OneMillionOfUs Instagram

OneMillionOfUs Facebook

OneMillionOfUs GoFundMe

Jerome's Instagram

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven't really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you. I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store.

A new product that I've been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I've used "elevate energy" and "elevate balance" and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know they will help you too.

Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription.

Tracksmith is a Boston based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

Click here and when you use code TINA15, you'll get free shipping and 5% of your order will be donated to Runners for Public Lands.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Jerome. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

It's #togetherrun time! Join Tina for a 30, 45, and 60 minute run together....while apart. We start by grounding ourselves with nature, then check in with our body and mind, followed by paying attention to five of our senses, and then have a conversation. Each group finishes their run with a few strides. Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share.

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun27

COP26

Video about #thehumanrace campaign

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kyle Robidoux was ready to run the Boston Marathon this year, with Tina as his guide, until fate intervened in the form of a stress fracture. Any runner would be gutted to have to DNS, and Kyle is no exception. However, he's well versed in overcoming adversity and tough situations.

When he was eleven, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative eye disease that can lead to blindness, and he was declared legally blind at nineteen. Today he shares the story of his journey, how he ensures that he isn't defined by the boundaries that others place on him, and a few beer recommendations.

"I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure in my early 30s and I knew I needed a lifestyle change."

In 2010 Kyle found that he got tired playing with his two year old daughter; he got tired bending over to tie his shoelaces, for that matter. He was overweight, his biomarkers were bad, and he knew he had to improve his health. He started walking, then running, gradually increasing the time he ran. He didn't have a goal in mind, other than trying to run a few minutes longer every week.

"When I hit two hours I said, 'wow, when am I ever going to be able to run two hours again? I should sign up for a race.' And that was when I signed up for my first half marathon."

One day, his intended 90 minute run extended to an hour and 45 minutes. He felt great, so he kept going, and when he hit two hours, he realized he was ready for a half marathon. Since then, he's completed over 25 marathons and ultras, including five 100 milers and the grueling six-day, 120 mile Transrockies Run. Getting to that point wasn't easy, not only in the sense of the physical training, but coming to terms with the progressive loss of his eyesight.

"I felt angry because all these things were being taken away from me, and what I realized at the end was I was giving up on all those things that I loved and I just needed to adapt and change things up a little bit in order to continue doing them."

When Kyle was diagnosed with RP, doctors said that he would be totally blind by college. He and his parents talked about some aspects of the prognosis, but didn't address the emotional impact of vision loss. And for a time, they didn't have to. Kyle was declared legally blind at 19, but it wasn't until his late twenties, he says, that "it really started taking things away from me that I loved, like skiing independently and playing recreational baseball and pick up leagues for baseball and softball. And I was just becoming really bitter and angry."

At the urging of his then girlfriend, now his wife, he started seeing a therapist. It was hard for him at first, but ultimately it helped him work through the loss and anger, and gave him tools to cope with his diminishing eyesight. Now he encourages anyone struggling emotionally to at least give therapy a try. As he says, "you don't have to commit 100%, but if folks go once or twice, I feel like you start to see the benefits really quickly, even if it's just once a week for an hour. I think there's tremendous value in that and I certainly feel like if I would have started it earlier, it would have been much more beneficial to my overall well being, and quite possibly my physiological and physical health, in addition to my mental health."

"And then I asked, I'm like, 'well, you know because I am an idiot and have an ego sometimes, what happens if I do run Boston?"

The coping mechanisms that he's learned through therapy are helping Kyle now, as he processes not being able to run the Boston Marathon. He's run it the past eight or nine years, and was ready to continue that streak this year, with Tina as his guide. But shortly before race day he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot, and reluctantly accepted that it would be best not to run. He could have done it, albeit painfully, but it would have resulted in having to take up to four months off from running, rather than 3 - 8 weeks. The tradeoff, he concluded, wasn't worth it.

Since he's usually running Boston, he's only spectated there once, so this year, he says, "I'm gearing myself up to get really excited to cheer." Oh, and also to get together with friends to have a few beers and possibly fill squirt guns with Fireball to shoot at people as they walk by. Basically, he says, "I'm hoping to truly embrace the spectator side of what is so special about the Boston marathon."

"I would just say that anyone and everyone can be a guide."

Kyle runs accompanied by a guide. Guides are needed for runners of all abilities, and there's training and support available for anyone who would like to be one. United in Stride can help you locate runners who are visually impaired in your community and connect with them. Achilles International has a list of their chapters around the country. Kyle strongly believes that "with a little bit of training and support and strong communication everyone can be a sighted guide."

"I tell folks also that part of being a sighted guide, it's great because you're volunteering while doing something you'd already be doing if you're an active runner, right?"

Kyle's website

Kyle's Instagram

Kyle's Twitter

United in Stride

Running for Real podcast with Rich Hunter, founder of United in Stride

Achilles International

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he tells the story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet.

Go here and use the code TINA15 for 15% off your order.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It's simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

A new product that I've been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I've used "elevate energy" and "elevate balance" and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know it will help you too.

Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Kyle. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Join Tina for something really special, today these together runs are six months old and more runners are joining every week for the community, connection, and closeness to running with a friend. In this 30, 45, and 60 minute run for #togetherrun26, we connect to mother earth, complete a body scan, check in with our senses, and have a conversation. Finishing each version of the run with a few strides. Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share.

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun26

Buy Nothing Groups- see if your area has one.

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kayleigh Williamson made history in 2017, when she became the first person with Down syndrome to run in - and complete - the Austin Half Marathon. Since then she's finished 12 more half marathons, numerous races at other distances, and is training for her first marathon in 2022.

She's written a children's book, It's Cool To Be Me, dedicated to people with Alzheimer's, which her late grandmother suffered from and which often occurs in people with Down syndrome. Her running journey is inspiring proof of what grit and heart can accomplish.

"I had taken her to a doctor at 215 pounds. He looked at her and he told me,'this, it's not gonna end well.'"

Kayleigh was in her early 20s when her grandmother had her second stroke and soon after was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her mother, Sandy, began researching the disease and discovered that the chance of somebody with Down syndrome developing Alzheimer's is "astronomically higher" than it is for other people. Kayleigh consumed a lot of fast food, processed food, and soda, and weighed 215 pounds. She had developed autoimmune disorders, including Graves' disease, and Sandy knew that she had to do something to help her daughter.

"I expected some type of rejection. And the running community, we got total acceptance and 80 pounds came off of her body and every one of her autoimmune disorders went into remission. And today I see how healthy she is."

Sandy initially feared that Kayleigh wouldn't be accepted by the running community, but they embraced her. And even though she began running because of Sandy's encouragement, it's her own commitment that takes Kayleigh to the finish line. "I tell her she can stop if she needs to stop," Sandy says. " She never does. And that's the part that's kind of humbling to me whether we're training or we're in the middle of a race because she's got this determination that she just doesn't stop."

"You have to get to the point you don't care what the rest of the world thinks."

The opinion of others bothered Sandy more than it did Kayleigh. She remembers a race where they were in last place. She grabbed Kayleigh's hand to get her to run faster, and Kayleigh jerked her hand back. At that point, Sandy realized, "It's more important for her to finish the race than what anyone else thinks about where we are in the race. And I think that's kind of the same for life."

"If you pick up your toys and go home, you don't influence change."

That isn't to say that disregarding others' opinions is easy. Sandy recalls a race where people were openly staring and taking pictures, and she resolved that they would never go back there. But then she realized that the situation would never improve if they just walked away, so, she says, "we have specifically decided that we're going back and we're doing those races over again until we impact that change."

"I think anytime you're told that your child is uniquely different in any way, you feel this need to protect them to the point that you think you're fixing it. And really it was the realization that she didn't need fixing."

When Kayleigh was born, Sandy was told that she should put her in an institution. Now she's proud that her daughter can stand on her own two feet. She's realized that "she doesn't need me protecting her, a lot of times she needs me to get out of the way."

Sandy raised Kayleigh to give everything her best shot. She's done that, and succeeded.

"Don't let somebody else tell you what you can and cannot do. Get out there and try it, and if the first time you try it and you don't succeed, but you know in your heart of hearts you can still do it, get up there and do it again as many times as you need to get back up."

Kayleigh's Instagram

Kayleigh's Facebook

Video of Kayleigh at the Austin Half Marathon

It's Cool To Be Me

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We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
• Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Kayleigh and Sandy. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Together runs are 25 today! Join Tina for #togetherrun25 around the dark St Louis suburbs. In this 30, 45, and 60 minute run, Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We start with a body scan, then go onto a senses check up, updates from life this week, and have a conversation. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share.

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun25

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

BUT, please fill out this survey to let the Running For Real team know what you are enjoying and what we could include more of.

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes.

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player

• • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.