Run The Race

We've co-anchored the main evening newscasts together for nearly two decades. My friend and Emmy-winning journalist Barbara Gauthier is this week's guest on the "Run The Race" podcast, opening up about her journey as a now breast cancer survivor. We also discuss the power of prayer and exercise and community, amidst having a stressful TV news job where we report on tragedies.

(3:00) 1 in 8 women in America get breats cancer. Waverly Hall GA native Barbara breaks down the shock and emotions from her diagnosis of stage 1 breast cancer - the day after Christmas - and questions she asked herself + God. We also chat about her treatment (a lot of radiation), if she felt sick, the amazing medical team, and ringing the bell at the John B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus. 

(15:09) Taking control of our own health! A cancer doctor tells Barbara that 150 minutes of exercise per week can play a big role in reducing chances for cancer or it coming back. My co-anchor takes that to heart and wants women to make sure you get regular mammograms, especially after age 40. Barbara delaying hers almost meant a worse battle with cancer. Was it her fault? What about drinking? There are some misconceptions there. Now, she feels God may have "chosen" her to go through this because of a platform as a public figure to make others more aware about breast cancer.

(30:50) Her 35+ years in TV news with daily deadlines has lead to Barbara praying more because of what we see and report on, sometimes bringing us to tears off air and finding ways to de-stress. That may include some new sports for her soon. And as a new mom, she also lost a lot of sleep reporting on the Oklahoma City bombing for months. (40:30) As a TV news anchor in the public eye, Barbara also gets to lead events and be on boards for local causes she cares about, along with her Harris County church! 

Thanks for listening to Run The Race, which I close out each week in prayer. Subscribe and tell others about it, as we continue inspirational chats about fitness and/or faith!

I work with them on a daily basis, but it's different now. They are now marathon finishers! WTVM-ABC news producer Abbie Bullock and digital content producer Daniel Etherton - both Auburn University graduates who are from Alabama - ran their first marathons earlier this month in Hoover AL. I was glad I could be there to cheer them on. Bravo, friends!

(3:20) In my 2nd podcast episode featuring co-workers, Abbie and Daniel recap WHY they decided to sign up for the 26.2 mile race...the training that included being discouraged and injuries...and how the running connects with their faith in God.

(13:18) Having a complicated relationship with food and exercise and feeling like she's not enough, Abbie enjoyed the fun of eating things like Pop Tarts before runs...and at a deeper level, she let go of her struggles with perfection...and allowed weakness to bring more of a big God in, through this journey where she discovered a bigger belief in herself!

For Daniel, there was a weight loss journey even before the running, where he lost 55 pounds. He also has challenges connected to an autoimmune disease CREST or Limited Scleroderma that causes joint issues...running a marathon now, he says, while he still can and quoting scripture during the race.

(23:40) Faith and fitness also help both of them with the stress of working a TV news job and working night shift, leading to less time with family and friends. For Abbie. it also allowed for more time for God and running in the mornings. For Daniel, he has plenty of examples of God's plan being better than ours, including sports opportunities.

(33:03) But even for an athlete, the marathon is humbling! This is where we get into their race recap of the BHM 26.2 that has plenty of hills. Abbie said the race was very difficult, but she wasn't going to quit...met new running friends and feeling so rich because of support from family and friends. Daniel didn't smile as much, feeling worse after the first hour. He finished in around 5:11, while it took Abbie 6 hours.

(44:20) She also shared memories of another fitness challenge - Abbie and a friend walking 150+ miles in Spain over 9 days as part of the Camino de Santiago, a spiritual pilgrimmage. And Daniel touches on loving God, not because of scare tactics. I close out the pod in prayer.

Thanks for listening! Share this episode with others. Make sure to follow, subscribe to "Run The Race" as we continue talking about fitness and faith with inspiring people like Daniel and Abbie.

It's taken more than a decade for me to finish 26.2 mile races in 44 states so far. The latest trip took me out West to the Plains and Big Sky country. What's it like running 3 marathons in 3 days in 3 different states? I recap that triple fitness challenge, plus seeing sights like Mount Rushmore and the geographical "Center of the Nation."

This latest episode of "Run the Race" takes you inside those races in South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana...training that included an injury...plane travel...friendly faces from "mainly marathons"...food I ate before/during/after these 3 marathons...in-race challenges like winds and hills and loop repeats ans fatigue...music to entertain me/others...repping my home city and a military nonprofit...cold/hot recovery...plus, and most important, God giving me strength to do all this.

I also mention some real Montana moments on my way home, along with a pit stop before home in Alabama to see 2 co-workers run their very first full marathons...closing out the pod ep in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Follow, like, subscribe to the show! Tell others about it. Write a review on Apple Podcasts. Be safe and happy running!

She took on one of the toughest footraces in the world this summer and was the 10th woman to cross the finish line at the Badwater 135 in the very hot Death Valley. Along with being an ultrarunner - who's done 100 marathons and almost that many ultras - Vanessa Kline is also a race director, entrepreneur, and single mom. I've had the honor of being one of her pacers at a race, since she's been the owner of best Pacing for almost 14 years now.

(5:05) Why and How do we get out of our comfort zone and do hard things? She talks about preparation/training, pain tolerance and experience, and having fun while working hard.

(13:10) A few months ago, Vanessa finished the Badwater 135 in a little more than 35 hours! We dive into hard difficult it is to get into that race (her application included a 500 K) and how an injury changed her training for the epic race.

(21:07) Taking us inside the legendary Badwater 135, we chat about the extreme heat (and preparing for that) and wearing ice...food and salt during that race...naps or sleep...and what it was like crossing the finish line.

(36:00) How important are official pacers in races of all distances, whether you're a fast runner or in the back of the pack? As the founder and director of Beast Pacing, Vanessa talks about helping people push their limits and what those pacers do besides running those miles. (43:11) And we close out our chat with how she balances jobs/companies, training and running races, being a mom of three. In part, it involves spreadsheets and making time for things she cares most about.

Thanks for listening to the "Run The Race" podcast, which I always wrap up with a prayer. Share it with others and subscribe/follow, as we continue to talk about fitness and faith! 

Check out this powerful conversation about mental health and the church with a pastor who grew up in the Dominican Republic but has been serving churches in East Alabama for the last few years, helping now to lead a new 5K race that's focused on suicide prevention.

(3:06) We start with how Seventh Day Adventist Pastor Omar Montilla was called by God into ministry starting with a dream at 8 years old. Later, there was no plan B. What do Adventists believed, compared to Protestants like Baptist churches? Same belief of Jesus as savior, but Sabbath is observed on Saturday and very focused on Bible prophecies.

(11:49) Being from the DR and having worked as a pastor in Panama, Omar also talks about the differences between foreign countries and the USA for churches, worship, culture and how socio-economic status can prompt a different passion for God.

(18:12) Not too late to sign up for the You Matter 5K happening this Sunday morning September 20 in downtown Columbus GA, to promote mental health awareness on suicide prevention month, with proceeds benefiting a Pastor Institute HOPE fund for those that may need help paying for counseling services. Pastor Omar sees exercise as a vital tool for mental health, especially in a military community. What does "You Matter" means? He says it's lies from the devil vs. God's Word showing you are very Valuable to Him. Register for the event soon: You Matter 5K: Sponsored by the SDA Church.

(27:21) We also dive into the church's role in mental health, how that's changed as at-times judgmental and weaponizing Scriptures...to being authentic, showing grace, helping lead peeople to professional therapists if there's a clinical issue beyond the scope of a pastor. he reminds us, the Lord is not done with you!

(37:37) Our chat also goes into diversity inside and outside the church, reaching people with hope in both English and Spanish. (47:21) Pastor Omar also ran his first marathon earlier this year. He has advice for training plus explains his philosophy in life of "training to get old" by pacing ourselves and enjoying the journey.

(51:05) This Dominican friend also delivers the closing prayer for this episode in both English and Spanish. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Make sure to subscribe/follow the show and share it with others, as we continue sharing inspiring content on fitness and faith. 

On this 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America, we dive into the faith behind the suffering as we never forget...prayers for the loved ones of those lost + our first responders and military...and memories from two retired top Army leaders who deployed to war multiple times after 9/11.

(5:25) You'll also hear a poem I wrote on 9/12/2001, as a TV news reporter putting emotions into words a quarter century ago.

(12:02) Retired Generals Patrick Donahoe and Andy Hilmes in Columbus GA - who rose to be Commanding General and Garrison Commander on Fort Benning - talk about what they were doing in Kuwait and Georgia on the tragic September 11...the mission of defending the homeland...going to the Middle East on combat deployments for years...how 9/11 changed the US Army...and what we can focus on during this solemn anniversary.

Thanks for listening to the "Run The Race" podcast. Tell others about it. Make sure you subscribe to the weekly show via Apple or Spotify.

Dedicating his life to service and community building, this week's podcast guest has spent close to 17 years working for nonprofits and 4 years in law enforcement in Columbus GA, including the day he was shot. We talk about that scary ordeal...what it means to live a life of service to others...the tremendous mission of the organization House of Heroes where he's executive director...and a fun annual fundraiser that you can attend this month.

(3:30) Josh McQuien recounts what it was like being shot by a suspect in a house back in October 2016. It involves a bulletproof vest, God intervening, following protocols and hunches with fellow officers, burn marks from the bullet, prayers even before it happened.

(16:55) His walk with God was also impacted by his experience in law enforcement, a job that was a dream come true, but the real wakeup call came 2 months after being shot. He explains why he had to give up the badge and hit rock bottom, then refocused on the Lord. Josh is open with his messy testimony and encourages other men to do the same. That includes forgiveness for the man who shot him a decade ago.

(28:50) As a former police officer, Josh now leads a nonprofit that's focused on providing needed safety renovations for the homes of former first responders and military veterans. He talks about what they do, who they're helping, and how. It also costs money for all the supplies that volunteers work with to do home improvements. And House of Heroes of the Chattahoochee Valley is hosting their annual "Bids and Bubbly" on Thursday night September 17 with unlimited champagne and exciting auction items. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available: House of Heroes Bids and Bubbly 2026 | House of Heroes Chattahoochee Valley.

(39:41) We close out our chat talking about serving people, donating your time and/or money, and the benefits of plugging in to the community. Ending the pod episode in prayer, i appreciate you listening! Tell others about "Run The Race" and make sure you follow/subscribe to the podcast. 

As the college football season kicks off, Columbus GA native & sports broadcaster Bryce Koon steps off the field to join us on the "Run The Race" podcast to give his perspective on fitness, faith, family, and more!

(2:22) Bryce's latest job is Director of Content for Georgia's new exclusive fan site "Glory Glory" in Athens...but he's been a play-by-play broadcaster, host, reporter, writer for the last 6 years for Georgia Tech, On3/Rivals at LSU, CBS Sports HQ, ACC Network, Mercer, and more: Bryce Koon - Home.

(4:15) We start with a lightning round, with his predictions/takes on SEC and ACC darkhorses, national champion, college football surprise teams, and a quick insight on 5 key games this weekend and Week 1 of the season. (13:45) Can he still be a sports fan with the job he does?

(18:35) Seeing players, coaches, practices up close...he's seen/learned a lot about the grueling prep for college football games, including a push for top notch nutrition. Practicing/playing in Georgia and Louisiana heat is challenging too. Bryce still cannot outrun his wife, a marathoner who's due to have their 2nd child soon, at the start of thise season. He's got some stories about balancing family life with football jobs, like staying home with their daughter in Baton Rouge.

(39:11) 29-year-old Bryce also gets real about how his faith has grown through the roller coaster career and grind of being a sports content creator. He's seen how God knows better than what our plans are, so he wants to keep walking through doors that the Lord opens - being patient and trusting His plan that's never late. It's allowed them to be closer to relatives as they grow to a family of 4.

(47:44) How about the future of sports broadcasting? It's much different than growing up and waiting to see the highlights on TV. It's now more about reels, TikTok, AI, but Bryce believes the key to the best content creating is being authentic, which they hope to do with the "Crowded Booth" podcast, years of he and friends talking sports that we can relate to: The Crowded Booth - Podcast - Apple Podcasts.

Prayer to close out the podcast episode. Thanks for listening to Run The Race! Make sure subscribe/follow the show and tell your friends about it. And go Dawgs.

Hoping to be a future Atlanta Braves outfielder, Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. is just a few steps away from it. The CF for the baseball organizations AA affiliate Columbus Clingstones is this week's guest on "Run The Race." And he runs...fast, to catch balls and around the bases! The Georgia native talks about being drafted...fitness training that helps him hit homers and steal bases...making God and prayer a priority...support from fans, teammates...and how explosive jumps in the gym helps him with speed.

(2:44) Earlier this month, it was a first for "Kevo" as he was named Southern League Player of the Week, out of hundreds in their section of the minor leagues, thanks to batting over .600 with 3 homers in 3 games and 9 RBI. We talk about how the College Park GA kid started in baseball, chose it over football. And how about that moment being selected by his favorite Braves team as their 17th round pick in the 2022 MLB draft? He describes that, including an almost dead phone battery.

(13:28) We also dive into his typical day as a Columbus Clingstones player, including practice and recovery (ice baths) and training - from muscle memory reps to weight lifiting. Gotta stay in shape for a long season!

(18:05) Kilpatrick's goal is also to "keep God first." He opens up about praying and trusting, trying to do the right things, leaning on his faith during long road to MLB, growing up in church but not being able to attend as much during the baseball season .

(22:48) He also loves baseball and the fans encouraging him to keep his head up. He's not giving up on his dream of playing for the Braves, but for now, he's on a journey with his Stones' teammates which he describes as a brotherhood, including new top prospects recently added to the squad. Who would he pick in a fantasy draft of Braves or Clingstones players?

(31:49) Kevin also gives us insight on ways he avoids injuries on the field...making decisions on stealing bases with instincts...exercises that help with speed like explosiive jumps, with weights too...and what he does for fun with his girlfriend.

(42:35) Closing out the episode in prayer. THANKS much for listening to the podcast! Make sure you subscribe/follow "Run the Race," and tell your friends about it. 

It's episode 300 of the "Run The Race" podcast! We've had almost 7 years of conversations about fitness and faith. And we're trying something new, hopefully making it a regular monthly edition with WTVM-ABC coworkers. This one is a double feature with Sports Leader 9's Tony Reese and Drew Pavan being having fun and getting vulnerable with some deep issues.

(00:25) We start with East Alabama native and Troy University alum Tony Reese, now the WTVM sports director, starting with his challenges with having type 1 diabetes...impacts like watching his weight, heat, gadgets, job stress.

(9:05) Tony played lots of sports including football and is a big NBA fan, (13:07) so his dream with sports broadcasting as a job, inspired in part by his TV news loving grandfather. Now his catchphrase "Let's Get Into It" is catching on in the Columbus GA area.

(17:25) His prayer warrior mother is now preaching in Valley AL. Tony talks about he and his wife being rooted in faith...trying to uplift student-athletes and others...being thankful amidst imposter syndrome...getting through difficult parts of TV job with the help of God and therapy.

(27:50) We close out our chat with him being an inspiring example for other young men as the first black sports director at WTVM, with full circle moments at the TV station that Tony used to watch growing up.

(31:35) The second part of the "double feature" pod is an in-depth chat with NY native and University of Alabama alum Drew Pavan, a WTVM spoirts anchor/reporter for almost 2 years. We start with the ups and downs of his football career...which almost led to playing at the next level. Playing since he was 6, he had 4 major knee injuries as a teenager, mostly as a member of the Flaming Arrows, his HS mascot. Dashed dreams took a mental toll, but he alwways practiced play-by-play while on video games.

(44:40) The COVID pandemic and another surgery eventually led to weight gain, up to 290 pounds, then he lost at least 80 pounds. How did he do it? It involves, in part, intermittent fasting which he still does now. Drew explains. (50:05) Now it's surreal for him, living the dream of talking about sports on TV, getting hyped covering football just as if he was a player.

(53:10) Drew's story also involves tragic losses of people close to him, from a gruesome accident with a teammate's death during football practice...to his mom passing away from breast cancer when Drew was 20 years old. He talks about what his mother was like...and the impact of those deaths on his maturity and going through the motions as a Catholic. He's open about how knee injuries - ending his football career - had him questioning his faith, now seeing them as tests from God who doesn't always answer prayers in our timing. (1:05:45) We wrap with some fitness on the TV job.

(1:13:40) Closing prayer, like all the other 299 episodes! Thanks so much for listening. Make sure to follow or subscribe to "Run The Race" and share it with others.