Run, Selfie, Repeat

Title IX! The landmark federal civil rights law that requires gender equality in all aspects of publicly-funded education. Today I'm talking with my best lady pal Casey Snedecor, the Assistant Director of Athletics/Director of Media Relations at LIU Brooklyn. We're talking life before Title IX, why we all should care about it, and its future (like what Betsy Devos has done to overhaul Title IX and narrow the definition of sexual harassment).

Two and a half years ago, when I started chasing my impossible goal to try to run a Boston Marathon qualifying time, my Uncle and sports psychologist Dr. Bob Corb told me that he'd be happy to help me make it happen. I completely underestimated the power of a sports psychologist. Ultimately, Dr. Bob changed my life. From helping me build self-efficacy to how I talk to and about myself and what I'm capable of, the tools he's given me have made me a stronger and more resilient person in every single aspect of my life. Here is my final check in with Dr. Bob the day before I ran the New York City Marathon.

PERFECTIONISM. Before I became a runner, it was the thing that stopped me from trying anything that I didn't think I was good at. From my destructive inner dialogue that made me feel insecure whenever I made a mistake to convincing myself that people judged me just as much as I judged myself, I was terrified of everything that I wasn't innately good at. Let's talk about why it's not only important to do the things you're bad at but why it's ok to feel insecure, just as long as you celebrate yourself for showing up and giving your best effort.

I truly believe I was just desperate enough to become a runner. I was drowning in grief, lonely, dejected, and didn't know what to do with my life. But to my total and complete astonishment, running showed me that I wasn't just afraid of failing, I wouldn't apply myself if I knew I couldn't do something perfectly.

Today, I want to talk about what I wish I would have known when I first started running. That there's no such thing as the right time to get started. Or that it doesn't matter if something feels impossible, the only way you'll fail is if you fail to try. As long as you want it and you're willing to work patiently day after day after day, anything is possible.

Goal times and distances keep us motivated...until they don't. From understanding to importance between process goals and outcome goals to intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, let's talk about how we can make the most of the journey instead of losing ourselves in pursuit of a finishing time.

When it comes to women who are changing the way we think remarkable athletes should look like, Mirna Valerio comes to mind. In a world where six-pack abs and Boston Marathon qualifying times are what many believe define a strong runner, Mirna is a force of nature.

From redefining what a strong athlete looks like to inspiring women and men to get active because of what it can do for your soul instead of chasing a number on a scale, just by being herself, Mirna is encouraging people who don't look like stereotypical outdoorsmen and women or runners a reason to show up for themselves.

REI Video - https://youtu.be/c5-CSQcYeXk Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/themirnavator/ Book - http://a.co/d/dpVOei

The hardest part about chasing an impossible goal is the moment your impossible goal feels possible. LET'S TALK ABOUT OUR FEAR OF FAILURE AND BUCKLING UNDER THE PRESSURE!

Going into your race, be it this week, today, tomorrow, whenever it is, I want you to focus on what you've done. Because all too often, we focus on the outcome goal-- the specific time we want to hit, in lieu of the process. The journey. So if you're drowning in pre-race anxiety, I have the pep talk for you. Let's pump you up and get you ready to race your heart out and give your personal best effort.

Feeling nervous and/or terrified about running your first marathon? This is the pep talk for you! From how to manage your pre-race fear, nerves, and worst case scenarios to logistics like how to fuel, not bleed to death from chafing, and how to find your family during the race, I'm here to remind you that you're ready to kick ass and take names. YOU GOT THIS.

When it comes to getting started, suffering isn't an option. It's inevitable. But in those first few weeks, when everything feels infinitely harder than it should, attitude is everything. Let's talk about what it means to patiently endure while you practice making the decision not to suffer.