Kelly Roberts never imagined she’d be the face of a running movement. In fact, she used to hate running. But after losing her brother and turning to running as a way to cope, Kelly discovered not only a new outlet for grief, but a new path for herself. Today, she’s the founder of Badass Lady Gang, a community-focused running group rewriting the rules of who gets to be an athlete. In this episode, Kelly shares how she went from outsider to community builder, why traditional fitness culture fails most women, and how movement can become an act of empowerment, not punishment. We talk about grief, body image, leadership, entrepreneurship, redefining success, and how personal growth often starts with simply showing up. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in fitness spaces, or like your body was a problem to solve, this conversation offers a powerful reset.

Chapters:

00:00 The unlikely origin story of a running leader

02:00 Losing her brother and finding movement through grief

05:00 When a treadmill became a turning point

07:30 Starting Badass Lady Gang from a viral blog

10:00 Why traditional running groups felt unsafe

13:00 Redefining what it means to be an athlete

15:30 Building community as an act of resistance

18:00 How grief continues to shape her leadership

20:30 Body image, strength, and running for joy

23:00 The limits of the wellness industry

26:00 Why she started coaching (reluctantly)

28:30 What’s broken in apparel and running culture

31:00 Movement without punishment

34:00 Reframing fitness as personal development

37:00 What she’s building next and how you can help

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

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