Katie Ramboyong joins us on Joyful Journeys to share her family’s deep connection to Girls on the Run! Katie’s story truly embodies the spirit of GOTR, as she was a participant in elementary school, a 5K volunteer in high school, her sister was her teammate, their mom coached the team, and her dad ran beside her as her Buddy Runner. As Katie says, it was a whole family affair! 

From crying through her first 5K to crying across the finish line at her first marathon, Katie’s dad has been by her side every step of the way. In this episode, she shares the heartwarming story behind those tears, and the joy and growth they represent. 

Though running wasn’t her favorite part of GOTR as a child, the lessons she learned stuck with her. Today, she still carries one in particular with her every day and credits Girls on the Run for helping her discover a lifelong love of physical activity and confidence in motion.

This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia, who has worn many Girls on the Run hats over the years! From coach to SoleMate to her current role on a committee with our sister council, Girls on the Run DC, she has always found meaningful ways to keep GOTR in her life. Her story is a wonderful reminder of the many ways to get involved with the organization and how each experience can fuel a deeper passion and commitment.

This week on Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Kelsie Humbert, who shares how the positive team mindset she first discovered through Girls on the Run has carried into her high school cross country and track experiences.

Kelsie reflects on the valuable life skills she gained from the program, like active listening and using “I feel…” statements to foster understanding instead of conflict, which continue to shape who she is today.

Tune in to hear some of Kelsie’s favorite Girls on the Run memories and how she’s using what she learned to uplift and inspire her teammates!

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Kathleen Ecker, a former Girls on the Run coach whose journey with the program began when her daughters joined the team. She shares the joy of staying connected with her former participants and watching them grow, as well as the meaningful lessons the program instills, even for kids who aren’t big fans of running. From her time as a Gamma Phi Beta at George Mason University (GOTR NOVA's current philanthropic partner) to weaving GOTR’s life skills into her own home, Kathleen reflects on the deep, lasting impact of the program on her family and community.

In this heartwarming episode, we hear from a mother-daughter duo whose Girls on the Run journey has come full circle. Kai fondly recalls making tie-dye shirts and tutus with her team, and the unforgettable moment when her dad proudly wore his to the 5K. After moving to a new area, GOTR helped Kai find her footing and new friendships, while her mom, Becky, coached and discovered how powerful the program is beyond running.

Together, they reflect on the growth they witnessed season after season. How the curriculum not only shaped the girls but also brought the team closer together. Kai opens up about a powerful high school experience where, despite being the last to finish a race, she felt uplifted by her coach and teammates, which fueled her commitment to always cheer for the final runner.

From staying in touch with fellow coaches to cheering on former teammates now competing in college, Becky’s passion for the program continues to shine. And now, as a coach herself, Kai has come full circle, guiding girls through Camp GOTR this summer.

In this episode of Joyful Journeys, we’re joined by Julia Troppe, a Girls on the Run NOVA alum who takes us down memory lane, sharing about high-fiving teammates after practice laps and proudly wearing her 5K shirt after crossing the finish line. Julia shares how GOTR sparked her lifelong love of movement and group-based activities, and taught her that community can be found anywhere, even among strangers at a fitness class. Tune in to hear how one special song still motivates her on runs today and how the friendships formed through GOTR continue to shape her journey.

In this episode, we’re joined by Hailey Wilcott, a former Girls on the Run participant whose journey has come full circle. Now a sports photographer on the side working with some of the biggest teams in the D.C. area, Hailey shares how the lessons she learned as a young girl in GOTR continue to influence her life today.

Hailey talks about how the people around her—coaches, teammates, and her support system—shaped her GOTR experience and gave her the confidence to chase her dreams. Her story is a vibrant reminder that when you follow your passions and surround yourself with the right people, your work truly can feel like joy.

This episode comes to you from an unexpected (and awesome) location, the steampunk studio! Thanks to a serendipitous connection, we met Mimi and Cailor, two Girls on the Run NOVA alum who had no idea they shared this connection.

Tune in to hear how their worlds unexpectedly collided and what these creative trailblazers are up to now as they design, disrupt, and repeat.

Katelynn Argo - Girls on the Run participant, Junior Coach, and BIG supporter. Join us as we chat with Katelynn Argo, a former Girls on the Run participant, Junior Coach, and passionate supporter of the program. Katelynn shares how GOTR helped her find community after moving to a new state and laid the foundation for her future career. Her story highlights the power of teamwork, confidence, and leadership skills built from a young age.

This week on Joyful Journeys, we're joined by Maya Cohn, who discovered her passion for running at just 8 years old through Girls on the Run. Now, more than a decade later, she's chasing that same joy all the way to the marathon finish line. Tune in to hear how GOTR sparked a lifelong love of running and the lessons she's carried with her every mile since.