Run The Race

Looking for some inspiration? Subscribe to this podcast. I have guests like the one this week: Alfonso "Al" Ahuja, who has completed multiple full Ironmans, plus a solo 277 mile bike ride across GA, has 2 masters degrees, and knows a lot about leadership, from a career of military and fitness. Wait until you hear me pronounce his last name,

He spent more than two decades in the Army - including as a battalion commander in the War in Iraq. Now, he's program manager in a multi-million dollar company that helps test equipment to save thousands of soldiers lives. This father of 2's other job is coaching athletes doing triathlons, running marathons, cycling, doing Ironmans. "Al" also opens up about how experiences in a war zone changes his perspective on life and faith.

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

He interviewed me on his podcast and now it was my turn to chat with him here. As we remember our military heroes in the wake of Memorial Day, this is an episode you don’t want to miss with active duty Army officer 2nd LT Deven Rodriguez who is also a motivational speaker, ultramarathon athlete, life & leadership coach. He has a lot to say about his experiences being bullied as a kid, overcoming challenges, running a 105 mile race, how his faith walk with God has evolved, leading others in the military, plus living life to the fullest and by principles.

(5:17) This 23-year-old opens up about being bullied - some because of the color of his skin- along with making a big choice about not running away from his problems, what he learned from the trauma, lessons about investing in yourself, and God helping us overcome storms while not giving up.

(19:15) In the “Fast 4,” we learn about Deven’s jobs, being half Hispanic and half Italian, how he stays fit, and quality over quantity with friend circle. He also shares a story about his drying grandmother teaching him to be committed to excellence throughout life.

What’s it like to run ultramarathons, like a 105 miler? (32:55) He shares how a miserable 50K helped him get there and test his own limits. (39:13) Deven grew up Catholic in Queens NY and not caring much about faith, describing how a deeply religious teacher motivated him to have conversations with God, leading to Jesus being a cornerstone of his life.

(47:05) Make sure to check out THE ONE LIFE PODCAST, which he hosts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy81ODVhMGFjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz. I’m his guest on episode #51, telling my story of faith & TV news & marathon running. Deven talks about being called by God to use his voice, wanting you to know we all have stories that matter.

What do you value? (52:25) This 2nd LT had influences to serve in the military, including a late grandfather who was a Marine that was on the frontlines of the Korean War. As an Army officer, Deven is leading others with principles of faith, connection, integrity, and loyalty.

(59:55) Coming from a bullied past, he also talks about a focus on serving others, showing people they’re valuable, like Jesus modeled for us. (1:06:15) In the final segments, we dive into some weight loss principles in “Food For Thought,” Biblical wisdom about the young in “Parting Gift,” and my prayer.

Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

If you haven't already, make sure to subscribe to this podcast to hear fascinating guests talk about issues surrounding fitness and faith. This episode features my longtime friend Heang Uy, who I attended high school and college with in NC, talking with me about some fun and also serious stuff like hate crimes, appropriate as we close out Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

(5:37)This high school teacher and wrestling coach - for the last 20 years - opens up about he and his family coming to America when he was less than 2 years old and escaping deadly violence in Cambodia in the 1970's. We also dive into Heang's current 400+ day "cardio streak," him biking 3500 miles coast-to-coast from Oregon to SC, his evolving faith in God, the future of all-girls wrestling, and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

I hope to be moving like him at his age. Energetic 90-year-old Eric Lynch talks to me about being fit, inspiring others to do the same at the gym, giving God the glory with a contagious faith, and his path from growing up overseas to a three decade career in the US Army.

(3:00) "If you don't move, you lose." Retired SGT MAJ Lynch says his 3 secrets to a successful, long life are: eat right, exercise, and pray to God. He talks about what he does at the gym, where he spends several hours every weekday and where much younger people can find it challenging to keep up with him. He's been a member at Max Fitness in Columbus for the last 20 years! And for him, age is just a number.

In our "Fast Four," (8:05) Mr. Lynch talks about staying busy while retired, talking to others about Jesus, and surviving prostate cancer. (11:08) His philosophy is centered in his belief that God is good all the time. A turning point was when a teacher taught him the 23rd Psalm, which he used in his introduction to the Army. He talks too about legacy, linked to faith.

What was it like (15:45) growing up in St. Croix Virgin Islands and losing his mom at age 8? At 18, he was drafted into the Army and went onto serve 30 years. Mr. Lynch talks about being a soldier and engineer all that time, with numerous deployments to the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

(19:40) He opens up about being a minority, especially in the 1960s in the military, and how he feels differently about the "N" word. He also had advice, related to Jesus, when it comes to race relations. (22:43) This 2018 Georgia Volunteer of the Year also still leads fitness classes at nursing homes, still very active at age 90.

Want motivation to go the gym? (26:01) This father of 5 calls it a magnet, he can't sit around, loves the gym, God helping him get up and go. He offers a few tips too on nutrition and what he eats.

Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Looking for inspiration for your fitness & faith? Subscribe to this podcast. Do it. On the heels of Mother's Day, this week's guest is a mom of 4 who's day job is as executive director of House of Heroes, a non-profit helping to restore the homes of military veterans and families. One of their top fundraisers is the Run Across Georgia, which is back May 26-30, 2021! And it's not too late to register for it or create a team.

We start with some flashbacks from this podcast involving that epic running/cycling event: (2:20) I talk about participating twice in Run Across GA, including an embarassing moment of pooping in the woods; (7:19) John Teeples, who ran 260+ miles across GA ten years in a row, tells the story of how he started Run Across Georgia, which became a popular team relay experience.

(12:48) Susan Wood, who leads House of Heroes, chats up the new version of Run Across Georgia that's a little longer, 277+ miles, and happens this Memorial Day weekend. She's been a part of the race route, describes what it's like. It's raised close to $100,000 over the years for HOH, and their need is even greater during this COVID-19 pandemic. Susan also talks about how the work they do impacts military vets in powerful ways.

In the "Fast 4," (20:18) we learn about her fitness routine, being still for God, plus her hula hoop and backwards basketball skills. (24:38) Susan talks about her love of the military, starting with family in WWII and fast forwarding to emotional flag ceremonies to thank veterans at House of Heroes work days. God has seen the organization through some recent tough times.

(29:33) How does faith drive her to help others? (31:13) This mom is also motivated to help kids be healthy, telling us about the "Be Well Project" where she motivated middle school students to walk 10,000 steps a days, going virtually from Columbus GA to Washington state. (36:18) Susan also mixes her motherhood with music and her faith in God. (41:39) House of Heroes - for which she's exec. dir. - has assisted nearly 1200 veterans and she tells us how we can volunteer, donate, and help through Run Across Georgia, which is at the end of this month.

(46:26) In the "Food for Thought" segment, hear how an NFL superstar is helping military veterans through "22 & Troops." The Parting Gift comes from Hebrews about hospitality for strangers. And the closing prayer.

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it (on Apple Podcasts). For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Have you seen the Best Picture Oscar winner Nomadland? My guest for this podcast episode, like in the movie, outfitted a van to be able to travel the country. I talk to Trey Walker about his #vanlife, being a pro photographer, hiking, traveling the world, how God inspires him to make every day count, making movies, and more. Before we get into that, I give you my quick take on Nomadland, and where true freedom is found.

(6:16) My young friend Trey starts us off with his minimalistic adventures, being happy with the little things...and how he converted an old ambulance into a RV-like van with cook stove, solar panels, bed, fridge, etc. - but he's not a nomad...yet.

In our "Fast Four" rapid fire questions, (17:40) he describes his job as "creator," why he chooses the outdoors over the gym, his tattoo with a Bible verse, and growing up short with a growth defect. (24:50) This 20-something photographer talks about how he got started taking photos and paid his way through college, thanks in part to McDonalds.

(29:29) Want to travel the world? Trey goes to amazing places to take pictures like Korea, Italy, California, but his top place internationally is Iceland where they slept outside some nights next to black sand beaches with sulfur rock and iceberg rocks. He also gives us tips on going to see the "Mighty 5" in Utah. (33:22) It's also a great way to stay fit, hiking and rappeling into hard to find places to get photos. (36:55) One of those places was an Indian reservation in Arizona where they got a surprise from Beyonce.

One of his latest projects (39:23) is an upcoming documentary about "Firefall" in California, which looks like a lava waterfall once a year. It's about the journey of 3 Alabama boys to the West Coast. (46:08) Getting to see awe-inspiring scenery also teaches him when to put the camera down. Trey also opens up about how seeing the world and taking pictures impacts his faith in God.

(50:26) We close with how the arts can bring all of us together and how people should be able to come as they are to an art gallery. Trey also points out all the talent in his hometown of Columbus GA, where more movies are being made lately, including him getting to work on a set with actor Beau Bridges for "Neon Highway."

Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRace podcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Make sure to subscribe to this podcast and tell your friends about it, as we take journeys of fitness and faith together! On this episode, we talk to F.L. "Bubba" Copeland, who's got three jobs: pastor, grocery store owner, and mayor of Smiths Station - a town of about 5,000 in East Alabama. We talk about him losing 100 pounds on Keto, leading "Mayberry 2021," battling racism with a unity walk and love and faith in God, getting through the aftermath of a deadly tornado and pandemic, depression, and meeting President Trump.

Running a 100 mile race is hard, but both of my guests this week have done it well, and now they're in another race - one against cancer. I start this episode with a rapid recap of an event for which they are race directors that I took part in (2:40) called #onemileatatime, a 24 hour trail running event in Griffin Georgia where I lasted 8+ hours and ran my longest distance ever so far: 35 miles, some in the rain, burning 5000 calories.

(7:08) Kevin & Annie Randolph help lead Revolution Running, putting on around 10 races each year, including the latest one I mentioned above, where he actually finished 2nd place with 75 miles. He talks about the weather/conditions/trail and format of #onemileatatime on a 1.05 mile loop, how it's like last man standing with a twist, and how a friend who passed away from cancer inspired the name.

Athletic Annie, who's run 50+ ultras or more than a marathon, (14:40) is now battling breast cancer, saying God is with her every step. She opens up about how being an ultra runner has helped her during the chemo treatments, plus how continuing running is helping her survive. (18:07) She talks about cancer and faith, this crisis driving her to God vs. times in the past when she's tried to do things on her own.

In the "Fast Four" rapid fire questions, (20:00)we learn about their car jobs, being race directors, workouts besides runs, living with gratitude, and mission work in Bosnia.

(27:15) We dig into their running adventures, including Kevin doing 453 miles in 6 days inside a dome! But why? How wife motivated him to not stay in bed too long, and he saw amazing athletic feats, but the cost for him was 3+ months of zombie-like fatigue afterwards. We also chat about (32:27) how they transitioned to ultra running on trails and if the training is the same. Difficult times vaulted Annie into her first marathon and 50K, saying she loves a challenge and it helped her with emotional suffering, eventually winning 1st place female at a brutal 50 mile trail race in Georgia. How does she acclimate to heat and humidity, heading into the summer? She shares her secret.

They discuss what it's like (40:14)on race days for race directors and getting back to those after a difficult 2020 of canceled races due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of their favorites is the Stinger 6-24 hours one on a track, where one man qualified for world competition. They love seeing people, of all skill/running levels, achieve their goals!

(48:04) This married couple also dive into how God and Love connect to their running and life together. They both fight back tears in discussing how they help each other. But as for crying during races, they have different philosophies on that, unless it involves coyotes, (55:45) Running for causes is also very important to them. You can sign up for the Sunshine Endurance one next month, with proceeds benefiting this couple and their medical bills. It has 6 & 12 hour options, virtual or in person at a 2 mile loop in Locust Grove GA. They're thankful for support from family, friends and the running community!

(1:02:20) I close it out with "Food for Thought" segment on exercising during cancer treatment, "Parting Gift" inspiration from college basketball coach who fought cancer Jimmy Valvano, and a prayer.

Thanks for listening! Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRacePodcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

To hear extraordinary and inspiring stories of faith and fitness (like fighting a bear), make sure to SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. Former wrestling icon, now gym owner Jerry Oates opens up about a lot as this week's guest.

I start off this wrestling-themed episode with (2:02) some thoughts on "wrestling with God," and (3:30) a quick recap of my latest marathon in the 14th state and my fastest 26.2 mile race yet.

(7:45) We start the chat with former pro wrestler Jerry Oates - who had more than 4,000 matches in 40 years - talking about his and tag team partner's experience wrestling a muzzled 450 lb. bear named Victor inside a ring set up at a mall in Columbus GA.

Is wrestling fake entertainment? (12:42) You'll want to hear Oates' answer, as a big guy who did a lot of stunts. (14:34) We get to know him some in the "Fast 4" rapid fire questions. He says you can do anything you want to do and he treats his body like the temple God gave him. Oates says he's lived all his dreams, but there's one more. And one of his secrets to success is always having a challenge or ambition to look forward to.

(23:10) This former veteran wrestler has advice for people of all shapes and ages and fitness levels when it comes to getting fit and getting motivated to go to the gym, no matter the excuses. He's 73 years old and still works out 5 days per week.

Oates (27:35) started his wrestling career at age 22 in 1970 and was able to compete in a wrestling match in 5 different decades, his last one being in his early 60s. No special costume or stage name, but he was on a lot of main events around the world. (30:58) He talks about some of his highlights, including places where he wrestled: the Superdome and also in the sacred "sumo palace" in Japan.

(33:14) Imagine jumping in the ring at age 62. Oates did it, despite having 6 knee surgeries. (36:05) We talk about some of those injuries and (40:20) how workouts at the gym can help prevent you from getting hurt.

(43:30) For him, it's now rewarding to help others get fit at Oates Gym, reopened during the pandemic in Columbus GA, saying there's no quick fix. (45:50) This former pro also discusses how prayer and hard work helped him earn success in a long wrestling career.

(52:12) In our final segments, I talk about how faith can be like a wrestling match, as we question God, in "Food for Thought." The "Parting Gift" comes from the Bible then a closing prayer.

Thanks for listening! And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRacePodcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

Just in time for Easter, our guest for the 60th episode of this podcast is a former Army drill sergeant who now leads a racially diverse church in Georgia. We talk about how all of us can bridge the racial divide, the meaning of the upcoming holiday, this pastor's Vegan lifestyle and how he takes care of his body, lessons learned from 20 years in the military, and more. After a quick overview of (2:43) a recent hiking adventure with my son, and how much Jesus walked on a daily basis, we get into the chat.

(5:40) Pastor Derrick Shields, of Christ Community Church in Columbus GA, was recently featured in the national magazine Guideposts. He opens up in that editorial and with me about Black Lives Matter, lending some context to that phrase and how it can be divisive inside and outside the church. He also explains how and why the church he leads is so multiracial.

(12:34) In the "Fast Four," we learn about his current mission, losing good fitness habits during the pandemic and new goals to get fit, plus (17:39) leadership lessons learned as a drill sgt. and airborne instructor.

(19:50) What can churchgoers and nonbelievers do to develop more racial diversity around us? He has a simple answer. (23:54) Pastor Derrick also talks about the "Super Bowl for churches" which is Easter, how it brings hope for a better tomorrow. He also explains how the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about the effectiveness of online ministry.

No meat, no problem. (28:25) He details why he's vegan, how it helps him with fitness, sluggishness, focus, and following the Bible's teachings on how our body is a temple. (34:44) Pastor Derrick is honest about he sabotaged opportunities to move up the ranks during two decades in the Army, but how that time as a soldier taught him about diversity. Despite rebellion and resistance, he gave into the call to ministry a decade after the Army. (45:50) He gives us a closing prayer, following by my "food for thought" segment on diversity issues in gyms and a "parting gift" about Easter.

Thanks for listening! Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to this podcast. And please share it with your friends using #RunTheRacePodcast. Also, write a quick review about it. For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.