Michigan Runner Girl

How exactly do you stop doing something you’ve committed so much time, mental energy, and heart to, for so many years? Do you shut it down completely? Can some parts of it remain while others are shelved indefinitely, maybe forever? Is it possible this beloved endeavor can be re-worked, re-born into something similar yet different and new … and hopefully altogether better? 

Or are fresh slates and starts the better answer?

These are the questions Heather Durocher, founder of Michigan Runner Girl, has been grappling with in recent time. She has some answers and shares from her heart in this latest—and final—episode of the Michigan Runner Girl podcast, a show she launched in the summer of 2015. 

What's next for Michigan Runner Girl? Heather explains more on this, while also acknowledging she's still figuring things out as she explores a new path forward for MichiganRunnerGirl.com and the amazing Michigan Runner Girl community. Some things are changing (the podcast), some aren't (the website remains live and isn't going anywhere!), and some things are to be determined. Isn't this how life can be, after all? It's all a work in progress and an evolution — an evolution Heather is leaning into and even embracing. There are good things happening — and coming down the line!

Heather invites listeners to keep on moving AND to join a new community she's created and has been building for the past few months: Moving Through, a community, newsletter, and podcast on Substack. 

 

 

“I kind of just hit this point where I was like, I am not living authentically. What do I even like? I sort of had a relationship with myself but not really. Also, I was kind of battling my own sexuality at the time as well, too. And I just hit this moment where I was like, I can’t do it any more — I can’t live the way that I am living, I am not living for myself, and I don’t feel authentic. And so, I ended up quitting running for a short little bit and then revisited the sport with a different mentality of, how can I enjoy this and still figure out these other areas of life that feel kind of swirly and messy?”

Sammie Bennett, a west Michigan runner and SHE RUNS Grand Rapids race ambassador, grew up playing soccer and started running in 2012. Her first-ever road race? The 25K River Bank Run — a pretty big distance for a newer runner. Sammie and Heather talk about tackling this race (it was Heather’s first-ever race, too), how Sammie went on to race the RBR five times, SHE RUNS Grand Rapids (formerly Gazelle Girl) three times, and various other local races totaling 80+ races over the years. During their conversation, Sammie also is honest about how her relationship with running has changed over the years, and the personal growth she’s experienced in more recent time.

Mental health awareness is incredibly important to Sammie, and her mission is to create an inclusive space for all kinds of runners, so everyone has a safe space to challenge their bodies and minds. As a SHE RUNS Grand Rapids race ambassador, she’s particularly focused on helping create a welcoming, inclusive place for runners of all backgrounds and experience.

“Inclusivity is one of my highest values as a runner myself, and also as helping create space for people to have a place in the running community in Grand Rapids because it can be so intimidating and it can also be a little off-putting when you show up in a community and you’re like, I don’t look like anyone else, I don’t act like anyone else, I don’t run like them, but Iwant to be a runner, or I think I am a runner,” she says. “And it’s like, you know, you put shoes on and you go out for a run, you are a runner and you belong and that is really important for me to help empower people to not necessarily feel deterred because they don’t look or feel or do things like anybody else. But if you are curious about running and you want to run, and a barrier for you is accountability or lack of knowledge or you’re just looking for friendship, there’s a place for everybody in the Grand Rapids running community to do that. And I am really big on trying to create that space for everybody if I can. I am trying. I am trying my best.”

Sammie and Heather also talk about winter running and how signing up for a spring race helps keep us motivated throughout the coldest months in Michigan.

Registration is underway for SHE RUNS Grand Rapids, which takes place April 30, 2023. The all-women’s event includes a half marathon, 10K, and 5K. It starts and finishes in downtown Grand Rapids and features nine neighborhood and business districts on the half course, as well as area highlights including the historical Sixth Street Bridge. The event, now in its 11th year, features a Finish Line Festival, open to participants and the community — this event includes live music, food trucks, and local wines, ciders, and beers. 100% of event proceeds benefit Girls on the Run West Michigan and the YWCA West Central Michigan. 

Learn more about SHE RUNS Grand Rapids, sign up for a race, and access downloadable training programs at sherunsgr.com 

ALSO SHARED: Race discount code for the 30th anniversary Grand Rapids Public Schools Turkey Trot. Use the code 2022MRG5 for $5 off your registration. Register at GRPS.org/Turkey-Trot 

 

Fall ziplining along Lake Michigan. Yurt camping. September boating. Equestrian shoreline riding. These are just a few of the autumn and early-winter activities shared by Maia Turek, who returns to the show to talk all things state parks and the many ways we can explore the Great Lakes State over the next several months.

Maia, who works for the parks and recreation division of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, has lots of updates for us. After gushing over the gorgeous September weather we've been experiencing — Heather shares a stand-up paddling adventure she recently had with two friends while Maia talks about why boating this time of year with her family is so great — they talk about a number of events and activities taking place at state parks through the end of the year. (Heather also shares save-the-date info on the 5th annual Michigan Runner Girl Winter Weekend Getaway in January 2023!) They also share some laughs about leaping salmon and their impressive "hero's journey" come fall.

Covered during this episode:

- Fall ziplining along Lake Michigan, at Muskegon State Park - Yurt camping at state parks - The DNR's new site and the Things to Do section that is Maia's "go-to" resource. - Renting boat slips through the state parks reservation system — Maia is especially excited about this (and there's discounted rates for this in September!) - It's the 75th year of the state's waterways program and Maia shares more about safe harborage and how that works all around the state's waterways. - The first-ever equestrian shoreline ride is taking place in November at Silver Lake State Park - Fall bird migration news - Michigan Trails Week, which is this week, Sept. 18-24  - MRG Winter Weekend Getaway Jan. 20-22, 2023 - Michigan state parks photo ambassador program - These Goods 4 Good for Michigan - Cambridge Junction State Park in the Irish Hills of Michigan

“I tried not to dwell on it, I tried to learn from it. And I took care of myself. I looked at it as a new beginning, with new opportunities … and I still do after all these years, try to do something positive with it. I tried to take something that was tragic — I couldn’t have any more children — not only for me, but for my family, and we’ve tried to turn it into something more positive and inspirational and helpful for other people.” — Risa Kirschner, who lives in Farmington Hills and who at age 29 and pregnant with her second child learned she had atrial myxoma, a heart tumor.

“I have treasured every single second spent with Alli [her daughter who was 2 years old at the time of her diagnosis], who is a senior at Michigan State University. I don't take a single day or my health for granted and try to live life to the fullest,” Risa says. “I had been given a second chance and wanted to give back to those who made it possible and to help others who might be going through a similar experience.” 

During this episode, you’ll meet Risa as well as fellow Epic Heart Heroes Amanda Allen and Aimee Bingham. They all share their unique heart story — Amanda of Rochester Hills, learned she had a heart defect at age 12, and Aimee had an aortic aneurysm and had open heart surgery at age 35. They’re all dedicated to helping raise awareness of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. 

As the women share during this important conversation, a common misconception is that heart disease is a man’s disease, when in fact almost as many women as men experience it themselves. 

Amanda, Risa, and Aimee serve as spokespeople for the American Heart Association and the Detroit Women’s Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K, and represent the Epic Heart Heroes at the Women Run the D Expotique on race weekend and participate in the races on race day. Race weekend is right around the corner — Sept. 17-18, on Belle Isle in Detroit.

Also joining this conversation: Dr. Audrey Wu, a cardiologist at the University of Michigan, an Ann Arbor triathlete/runner and triathlon coach, and mom of 3, as well as race director Eva Solomon, who is behind Epic Races, a race management company in southeast Michigan. The American Home Fitness Women Run the D Half Marathon, 10K & 5K is an Epic Races event.

There's still time to sign up for this race! Use the code MIRunnerGirl102022 to save on your race entry to the Women Run the D Half Marathon, 10K & 5K on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2023 on Belle Isle in Detroit, Mich. Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/Anywhere/TheAmericanHomeFitnessDetroitWomensHalfMarathonand5K

 

“When my relationship with food improved and I started to heal I didn’t let go of the running. I noticed that it was crucial to me feeling more relaxed, centered, more in touch with how I actually felt inside my body. I used intuitive eating as part of my recovery from chronic dieting, which is all about listening and honoring and respecting the senses that you get from your body and I was able to use running as a way … it really calmed me, reassured me.”

Amelia Sherry, dietitian, mother, runner, recovered chronic dieter.

Like so many women, Amelia Sherry started her first diet in middle school. Unlike many women, she says, she turned her obsession with being as thin and fit as could be into a full-time occupation pursuing a career working as a fitness writer and editor at several leading women’s magazines. 

Eventually, she returned to school to earn a graduate degree in public health nutrition and to become a registered dietitian nutritionist — in retrospect, she says, this was another thinly veiled pursuit to figure out optimal ways to control her weight.

“Becoming a mom in 2011 was the wake-up call that triggered me to get a grip on my chaotic and dysfunctional relationship with food for good.”

As a dietitian, Amelia eventually focused in on pediatrics and now holds a clinical position in pediatric endocrinology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in NYC. She’s also the author of the new book, “Diet-proof Your Daughter: A Mother’s Guide to Raising Girls Who Have Happy, Healthy Relationships with Food and Body.” This book will be available this October, but Amelia is offering a free digital copy when you visit her Nourish Her site.

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Follow and connect with Heather:

www.michiganrunnergirl.com  

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

Facebook.com/michigan-runner-girl

[email protected] 

 

The Michigan Runner Girl show returns from its mid-summer break with Heather and her 22-year-old daughter Emma at Emma's new apartment in Grand Rapids, Mich. talking about all things books (they share their top reads this summer), traveling (a visit to Nantucket in July!), and how they're both feeling heading into fall. 

They record their conversation the evening before Emma starts her first day of medical school orientation and on her first official weekend in her new place. 

Also part of their discussion: 

- Their shared (newer) love of small dogs. (Heather reveals big news about a new family member during this portion of the conversation!)

- Why "comfort" books, movies, TV series, and podcasts are so important to Emma (and what a few of those things are)

- The power of writing and journaling (and how Heather is moving closer to writing a book)

- The ways they're both hoping to stay up on their workouts and running in the coming weeks as a new season (in more ways than one) begins for each of them

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Be sure to listen all the way through to the end of this episode, when Heather talks about the NEW Michigan Runner Girl Patreon community and how you can support the show AND receive special perks and exclusive content.

 

“My work, my passion is helping women lose unwanted weight, but from the inside out — by changing their eating behaviors from a place of deep satisfaction and pleasure, instead of focusing on diets, or counting calories, or carbs or anything like that.” 

Life coach Lia Pinelli joins Heather on the MRG Show to talk about a lot of things — our relationship with food, how we can shift our mindset about our eating behaviors, finding the form of exercise and movement that speaks to us, and so much more. Lia’s journey includes going from teaching Spanish and serving as a school administrator to helping teenage girls to coaching women. She also talks honestly about her own struggles with food and weight loss.

Despite holding degrees from both Stanford and UC Berkeley, Lia says she was unable to crack the code on her struggle with overeating for decades. No matter how many books read, diets tried, or mindful eating methods subscribed to, she could not resolve her struggle with food and weight. 

After becoming a life coach in 2016 she learned about weight loss coaching and was totally skeptical — after all, if it worked she would have tried it already. She decided to give it a go anyway and was blown away by the results. Not only did she lose weight without using willpower or resistance, but she no longer experienced the over-hunger and cravings that had plagued her since childhood. 

Weight loss coaching provided the missing link. It not only helped her figure out what to eat, but it addressed her mindset around food and weight. She learned to think differently which led her to eat differently and in a simple, sustainable way. That was 30 pounds ago. Today she is living happily with her family and maintains her naturally weight without counting calories or carbs. She’s on a mission to teach other women how to ditch the diet drama and create the lives they crave, unapologetically.

Connect with Lia: https://liapinellicoaching.com/eatingwithoutfear

 

Follow and connect with Heather:

www.michiganrunnergirl.com  

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

Facebook.com/michigan-runner-girl

[email protected] 

“When we’re improving ourselves in one area, the rest of us comes along for the ride, as a whole person — physically, emotionally, spiritually … There is a ripple effect. When we start to change habits in one area — I started with a cup of water — and as we continue to build those habits, that ripple effect into every area of life is so significant and we discount the small things that we do every day that truly can be life changing.”

Heathe talks with Stephanie Lueras, owner of Heart and Sole Fitness & Wellness, a Body Positive ACE Certified Personal Trainer, ACE Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and international best-selling author and speaker during this latest episode.

After coming to a point in life where she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired,” Stephanie needed some changes. Through small actions and goal setting, Stephanie has lost over 200 pounds through balanced nutrition and movement, without the use of restrictive dieting, commercial weight loss plans, or supplements. She has gained a love of endurance sports, running marathons, and is currently training for Ironman-distance races. She uses this same holistic goal-setting model in working with clients in groups and individually to empower people to break down the everyday barriers that exist so they can achieve what they are working towards for their best personal wellness. 

"I’ve found this love of endurance sports, I’ve completely changed my life. I left a toxic career to step into the health and wellness space in helping other people and walking alongside them — to really engage them in what they want to accomplish.” 

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Connect with Stephanie: https://calendly.com/heartandsolefit/discoveryzoom (This is a direct link to her free consultation, or it can also be found on her website, heartandsolefit.com)

Follow and connect with Heather:

www.michiganrunnergirl.com  

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

Facebook.com/michigan-runner-girl

[email protected] 

“I practice gratitude every single day. I am super grateful for my life. But 10 years ago, I was in a world of pain.” 

Jem Fuller has lived a colorful, global life—from barefoot backpacker to corporate leader, fire-dancer and traditional tattooist, kindergarten teacher to motorcycle courier, masseuse and reflexology to labourer and travel consultant. Now his time is as partner and father, coach, facilitator and retreat leader. Jem, who lives on a sheep farm in Australia with his partner Talia, is the author of the recently published book, The Art of Conscious Communication for Thoughtful Men, and can be seen delivering his TEDx talk on YouTube.

Jem recently found a groove with running, which he acknowledged felt “arduous” initially. “I used to force myself to do it for the exercise. Then, for the 'feel-good' afterwards... and only recently — I'm 50 — with some new high-quality runners, I'm actually starting to enjoy the run itself! I never thought I would say that.”

Heather’s conversation with Jem follows a few life updates from her — she shares reflections from this year’s 40th anniversary of the Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K over Memorial Day weekend, thoughts on her IRONMAN 70.3 Michigan in September, a girls trip to Grand Rapids, what she’s reading right now, and more.

Heather and Jem talk about searching—and finding—ease and flow in life. It’s been a long and interesting journey for Jem, and he shares honestly and with vulnerability how the path has unfolded for him so far, to include his “midlife awakening.” They talk about:

• What it means to take a ‘red-hot crack’ at finding your best life (Heather tells Jem she’s going to have to start using this awesome Aussie phrase)

• Radical self-acceptance of the past and present 

• Abundance as a mindset

• Connection with and immersion in nature

• Energy as a life force, cross-cultural connection

• Quality of relationships: “I believe that relationships are at the core of our quality of life—the quality of your relationships directly correlates to the quality of your life. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, or how big your house is … you know, none of that matters. If your relationships aren’t great, your experiences in life aren’t great.” -Jem

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For more (including mentions/links during the episode):

• Bayshore Special: Ali Feller of Ali on the Run Show and Heather talk about the 40th anniversary of the Memorial Day race event

• Heather and Emma talk about life transitions on the podcast

• Heather shares her IRONMAN 70.3 Traverse City race experience - 2019

• Training updates for the 2019 IRONMAN 70.3 Traverse City

• Joe joins Heather on the MRG podcast

Connect with Jem: https://jemfuller.com 

Follow and connect with Heather:

www.michiganrunnergirl.com  

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

@michiganrunnergirl on Instagram

Facebook.com/michigan-runner-girl

[email protected] 

 

Author and health advocate Lynne Bowman, a 76-year-old mom of three and grandmother of two — joins Heather for a conversation about the things we do today — our sleep, eating, and movement — and how they impact our future selves. 

Lynne reminds us that life doesn’t end at 60 or 70, as she says, but the quality of our last 25 or 30 years can be all over the place, depending on decisions we make now.

Lynne is a self-described “snarky grandma” who fully acknowledges she doles out cooking tips and health advice despite not owning a restaurant, not being a reality TV star, and not holding a medical degree. Oh, and she doesn’t particularly like to cook. BUT, she is the author of the new book, “Brownies for Breakfast, A Cookbook for Diabetics and the People Who Love Them," which is a cool, fun, beautiful, guidebook for really anybody who wants to eat healthy: vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free and sugar-free.

Lynne doesn’t hold anything back and really owns her straightforwardness. She’s passionate about sharing her belief in the enormous power available in resetting our relationship with food, and taking control of our health, strength, mindset and mood. She was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes more than thirty years ago, and offers herself as living proof that you can cook, eat, sleep and walk your way out of type 2 diabetes, along with other chronic ailments. 

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Find Lynne and details of her book, Brownies for Breakfast, here: https://lynnebowman.com/

Find Heather and learn more about the Michigan Runner Girl community here: https://michiganrunnergirl.com/