Run Your Story Podcast

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Host Alison Gilliard interviews Josh Sprague, founder of Orange Mud (started January 2012) and Seven Clay. Josh explains building Orange Mud’s hydration packs and the transition wrap/seat cover as “innovation from frustration,” recounts his background in endurance sports and adventure racing, and emphasizes training less to avoid overtraining, family-first balance, warming up slowly, and breaking big efforts into small, measurable goals while staying positive and caring for feet and gut.

He describes racing a 12-hour adventure race with his 14-year-old son, shares nutrition strategies using Infinite Nutrition custom mixes, favors audiobooks over music, and details launching Seven Clay after poor local embroidery service, growing it into a larger customization business.


Josh Sprague - https://www.facebook.com/josh.sprague.96
Orange Mud - https://www.orangemud.com/


Races Mentioned
Rock N Roll Marathon Phoenix
Leadman Series
Jailbreak
Cannonball 550

Shout Outs
Aunt Sherry
Marvin
Mike
Jack

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

John explains that after reaching his heaviest weight and feeling depressed, he quit alcohol, joined a gym, bought cheap running shoes, and began running on a treadmill, completing his first 5K in October 2023 in about 56 minutes before progressing through 10Ks, half marathons, and ultras with the Scallywags.

He recounts his breakthrough first 50K at Lake Guntersville, later running a 100K (In the Heat of the Night) and his first 100 miler (Chief Ladiga 100), emphasizing discipline, giving yourself grace, and “embrace the suck,” with goals including 100 miles in a 24-hour race, Leadville 100, and Cocodona 250.

John Bruce - https://www.facebook.com/john.bruce.912284


Races Mentioned
Gray Ghost 5k
Eagle Ridge Half Marathon
In the Heat of the Night 100k
Chief Ladiga 100
Leadville 100
Cocodona 250

Shout Outs
Gabe Cross
Dirty Soles
Becky
Zombie Trail Races
Jeff Browning
Courtney DeWater
Trey
Nick

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

Jillian Walters went from Strongman competitor to trail ultrarunner in under three years — and she just turned 40.

She shares how family 5Ks with her husband and kids turned into 50Ks on the trails, heat-training for her first eight-hour race, running in Luna sandals, the aid-station order that never changes (a cheese quesadilla and a little bit of Coke), faith and worship music in the hard miles, and the mantra that keeps her moving: "I am made in the image of a mighty God."


Jillian Walters - https://www.facebook.com/jmgwalters


Races Mentioned
Cloudland Canyon (Run Bum)
Rocket City Marathon
Cocodona 250

Shout Outs
Speed for Need
Run Bum

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

Allison interviews Tim Martin of the Warrior’s Way Podcast, who shares how he went from avoiding running to starting with a coworker-led Ragnar Relay, learning proper gear, and finding a community that pushed him to grow as a husband, father, and man of faith.

Tim founded Warrior’s Way in Michigan as an outdoor men’s workout group meeting year-round on Saturdays, using cinder blocks to symbolize choosing discomfort for growth, followed by devotion and coffee.

He began the podcast to share impactful stories and community lessons, emphasizing “say yes,” preparing now for unknown opportunities, and that manufactured suffering builds resilience for life’s trials.


Tim Martin - https://www.facebook.com/tim.martin.5458498
Warrior's Way Podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/7cHmfpkN6zW2cMLpKQcVTL

Races Mentioned
Ragnar Relay Race
Mid-State Mile
Bayshore Half Marathon
New York City Marathon
Ann Arbor Marathon
Chicago Marathon
Boston Marathon
Berlin Marathon
BPN Last Man Standing Backyard Ultramarathon
Tokyo Marathon
Sidney Marathon

Shout Outs
Ben Barker
Doug
Brian
Bradley Thompson
Lance
Chad Wright
Mark Dowdle
Harvey Lewis
Dylan Ledbetter
John
Becca
Cameron Haynes

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

Allison Gaillard of Run Your Story Podcast interviews runner and mom Elizabeth German, a longtime athlete from South Louisiana whose running began with a family rite of passage at age 13 in the Crescent City Classic, progressed to half and full marathons, and continued through teaching and dyslexia therapy work.

Elizabeth discusses balancing running with parenting, lessons of perseverance and community, favorite races (Crescent City Classic and the 2024 Marine Corps Marathon), a mental challenge with the Louisiana Half’s lake turns, her routines, music, shoe “relationships,” fueling with gels, goals for upcoming races, and her mantra: “Quick like a bunny, sting like a bee.”

Elizabeth German - https://www.facebook.com/elizabeth.pool.180


Races Mentioned
Crescent City Classic
Louisiana Marathon
Northshore Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
Every Woman's Marathon
Battleship 12k

Shout Outs
Stefan Clayton
Ainsley's Angels
John German

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

Allison Gaillard interviews Steven Vinson of “Keep Showing Up, Steven,” who shares his lifelong struggle with weight, reaching 632 pounds, losing and regaining after injuries, surgeries, and depression, and adopting a July 2025 mindset shift from chasing perfection to consistently “keeping showing up.”

Steven describes adapting training to his body and the Alabama heat through walking, swimming, and indoor options, tracking streaks, and planning for worst days.

He’s training for the Rocket City Half as a promise to himself and a goal beyond the scale, emphasizing progress isn’t linear, community support, and the power of small, consistent actions.

Stephen Vinson - https://www.facebook.com/stephenrolltide


Races Mentioned
Rocket City Marathon
Mobile Marathon
Mercedes Half Marathon

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

In this conversation, Erica shares how she began running in her late twenties during an abusive marriage as a way to escape and regain strength, and how running stayed with her after leaving.

Encouraged by her now-husband Joey, she skipped shorter races and ran a first half marathon, later completing more halves and many 5Ks/10Ks, with a goal to try a full marathon to see if she wants to continue beyond 13.1.

She explains how her Instagram (started July 2025) gained traction, leading to a friendship with Laura Green and the creation of their “Probably Fine” podcast, named after their habit of downplaying running ailments.

Erica discusses lessons like the importance of fueling, her preferred foods and race-day celebrations, favorite local races, playlists, gear and shoe preferences, patellar tendonitis recovery tied to back stiffness, and advice to slow down and make running your own journey.

Erica Kennedy - https://www.instagram.com/heyericak/.


Races Mentioned
Boston Marathon
Christie Clinic Race
Mahomet Half-Marathon
Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon

Shout Outs
Joey Kennedy
Laura Green
Probably Fine podcast
Alice
Grey Gaillard
Kristen Rather
Anna

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

Sean describes growing up as an athlete who disliked running until he developed Guillain-Barré syndrome at 13, rapidly progressing from numbness to full paralysis, ICU ventilation, and a 94-day hospital stay, followed by relearning movement and returning to football within months with a full recovery.

At 22, while teaching English in Korea, he joined an international run club and impulsively ran his first marathon with minimal training, which inspired him to learn and improve, leading to races like Miami, LA, Chicago, and Tokyo.

Drawn to trails and the outdoors, he entered ultrarunning through fundraising with First Descents and ran the Leadville 100, calling it life-changing, supported by his parents and pacers.

He discusses over-preparation, fueling with real foods, injury and cross-training, preferring trail culture, and his mantra “take the stairs,” emphasizing movement as a privilege.


Sean Casey - https://www.facebook.com/scaseyfitness


Races Mentioned
Korea Marathon
Leadville 100
Moab 240
Tokryo Marathon

Shout Outs
First Descents
Make-A-Wish

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

On the Run Your Story podcast, Blake Colton shares how he began running in high school, paused to pursue the trades as an electrician, then returned about eight years ago through marathons inspired by his dad, repeatedly failing to qualify for Boston and nearly quitting due to burnout and gut issues.

A friend introduced him to trail running, where the slower pace helped, and he became hooked, starting with a backyard ultra and progressing to 100Ks, multiple 100-milers, and a 200-miler.

He recounts earning his first buckle in a -17°F 100K with a blizzard, winning his first 100-miler in Mississippi despite flooded sections, and learning through DNFs like Midwest States 100.

Blake discusses pre-race planning, recovery (movement, compression boots, baths), favorite gear and shoes, fueling experiments, and running memories from Florida 200.

He’s training for a 276-mile Across Iowa FKT to raise money for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in honor of his brother-in-law who died of cancer, and emphasizes going slow, staying consistent, and chasing dreams.


Blake Colton - https://www.facebook.com/blake.colton.7


Races Mentioned
Boston Marathon
Mississippi 100k
Galena Sky Race
Midwest States 100
Cocodona 250
Florida 200
Across Iowa FKT

Shout Outs
Stefan Clayton
Michelle Hartwig
Travis

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text!

Allison interviews Hildee about her book, Embracing My Inner Athlete, and Hildee shares how, in 2014, as a busy wife and mother of five, she decided to prioritize herself after encouragement from her father-in-law and began training with Jeff, who became her trainer, coach, and friend.

Initially afraid to run, she progressed from treadmill walk-jog intervals to completing her first 5K, then caught the running “bug,” trained for longer distances, and overcame a broken fifth metatarsal by following a gradual recovery plan.

She discusses later setbacks, including surgery, losing confidence, and shifting from obsessing over pace and “I have to run” to “I get to run,” focusing on joy, community, and presence.

Favorite races include a neighborhood cancer fundraiser 5K and the Jerusalem Marathon 10K, and she offers practical race-day, gear, recovery, and beginner advice.

Hildee Weiss (Author: Embracing My Inner Athlete) - https://www.facebook.com/hildee.weiss


Races Mentioned
Jerusalem Marathon
Father's Day 5-Miler

Shout Outs
Jeff
Mervette
Frankie
Kim
Jen Sherman

Support the show

For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/

For web development, app development, or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/

Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon!
Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!!

Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters!
Kristen Rather
Mary Trufant
Suzanne Crist
Suzanne Clark
Dave McDonald
Karla McInnis
James Contratto
Jordan DuBose
Keith & Cristy Evans
Sharonda Shula
Meredith Nations
Allyson Lamey
Chris Strayhorn
Karen Saldivar
Stefan Clayton
Rachael McRae
Scott Thornhill
Skye Guy
Andrew Williams
Kellie Landrum

Download our new app on Apple or Android!!!