Today we have my favorite guest in the world - you guessed it - Mirna Valerio! This is an obviously true statement due to the fact that she has been on this podcast more times than any other guest by far. 8 times! That means you can have hours of happy, mind-expanding Mirna listening by simply tuning in here. I am going to take you back in time so you can appreciate Mirna’s evolution and then, better appreciate our conversation today which really centers on a topic that we haven’t explored before. A topic that affects pretty much everyone I know. The topic of depression and anxiety. But first, let's hit memory lane...
In Dec 2016, episode 34 titled Mirna Valerio of Fatgirlrunning Promotes Health at Every Size. This was not too long after we first connected. Mirna was experiencing that beautiful thing we call momentum. It was around this time that I think I told her, this is amazing, and let’s keep it going as long as we can because one day we’re not going to be able to afford you anymore! Her message at that time was simply about the fact that people at any size can get moving for reasons above and beyond trying to lose weight but simply for the love and joy of movement.
Well people noticed and while many agreed with her, others decided to make her the subject of their anger so in Sept 2017 we recorded episode 69 - Mirna Valerio is not a Liar and a Fraud. You guessed it - as she gained popularity and inspired many people to try new things, she also gained the attention of some haters, one of whom took the time to email her that she is a liar and fraud.
Instead of stopping, the message fueled her to go even further. So she kept pushing, moving and breaking barriers. In June 2018, she was the star speaker at the Skirt Sports Ambassador Retreat in Boulder, and since we had an in-person opportunity, i grabbed her and fellow ambassador Latoya Snell and we recorded episode 97 - Mirna & Latoya Uncensored - and had a fun, deep and raunchy conversation about all sorts of awesome topics like lady part chafing, how people project their fears on others, how we’re all nuts and more. At this point she was comfortable in this space of both empowerment and controversy, and she was learning how to navigate it successfully. We took a little podcast break, mainly because Mirna became insanely busy as a very sought-after speaker, athlete, and more. Our next podcast was in March 2020 - 163 - Mirna Valerio Leans Into Joy. The pandemic had just begun and I was desperate for a voice that could help pull me and my listeners out of the daily fear and figure out to embrace joy even during the toughest times. After today’s episode I wonder if I was among the many who have unrealistic expectations even for the most positive spirits in this world. The truth is that I needed her for more than the pandemic, I was also in my most turbulent professional crisis ever, making decisions about the future of Skirt Sports, and it was tearing me up - I needed every trick in the book.
Which leads me to episode 200 - Mirna Valerio Live and Unfiltered which we recorded in May 2021. I was on my honeymoon - only 9 months after I sold Skirt Sports and moved to Steamboat Springs, CO. This episode was basically a celebration - of how far we’ve come and how much there still is to explore.
And she made two bonus appearances on fun group podcasts:
In March 2017 she sang opera at my parents dinner table at a photo shoot in Savannah Georgia in episode 43 - Tales From the Shoot. There were 5 of us, Mirna, my parents Gail and Roger Molzahn, and Kim Cook, our amazing photographer. THe sound sucked but the conversation was awesome.
In January 2019, we recorded episode 119 - Body Talk - with 3 other amazing, strong women who were helping promote the launch of our new Plus Size collection, Jen Szabo, Katie Kelly and another frequent pod guest, Jill Angie. It’s that collection that Mirna credits with helping her learn what really goes into the creation of products that fit real women’s bodies, not mannequins, and I’m so proud that we were able to both create things that made women feel beautiful but also helped other women grow, learn and evolve.
So there you have it, an audio history of my friendship with this amazing woman who started as an educator from Georgia who had a health scare, decided to change her life, and turned into the force we know today as the Mirnavator - a woman who truly brings joy everywhere she goes even when she herself is struggling to find her own.
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We chat about ALOT today:
- Perimenopause and how depression and anxiety (and other things) are really brought to light.
Finally - the big secret she couldn't share is already public! Check out Mirna's groundbreaking work to help show how women run FURTHER! Check out Lululemon's new project featuring 10 trailblazing women.
I hope you enjoyed the show. This episode effectively wraps up my 10-episode menopause series. I'm not sure what's coming next - or when it will come - if you have ideas, shoot me a note! Until then, get out there and Run This World!
