Runner's Round Table

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to her own run coach, Jessica Reyes. We talk about the evolution of Sugar Runs into Team Sugar Runs and the importance of centering and building women coaches up. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced

About Jessica:

Jessica Reyes is an RRCA certified running coach, NASM certified personal trainer with additional corrective exercise and pre/postnatal certifications. My primary goal is to assist athletes of all abilities in reaching their running goals and dream, all while providing unwavering support to my team of accomplished female coaches.

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Tia Pettygrue about her love of the running community and all the hats she wears as a run coach, Game Changers mentor, and national coach for Black Girls Run! Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening.  Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Tia:

Tia Pettygrue is a RRCA Level 2 certified running coach and National Coach for Black Girls RUN!. Tia virtually coaches individuals and group for first timers and those seeking to run their best, as well as coaching the run/walk method. Tia's goal is to make each of her clients feel they are her only one, even if she's coaching 100 people at a time. Her focus is keeping her athletes injury free and having a solid work/life balance. Tia wants her athletes to have the joy of running long term! Reach Tia at @marathonliftgirl or TIATrainingInAction.com.

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Kate Kachman about mom guilt, the power of walking, and the empowerment she creates in others when she shares openly about her struggles with body dysmorphia. Enjoy this episode and thanks for

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility

About Kate:

Kate Kachman is a triathlete and runner whose favorite distances are the sprint triathlon and half marathon. Kate ran her first 5k and triathlon in 2009 which lead to a love of crossing finish lines. Following a hospitalization for bilateral PE Kate steadily gained weight reaching 300lbs. Finally in 2016 Kate took the steps needed to live an active lifestyle again. Kate lost 150lbs and ran her first marathon and 50k (both on a treadmill due to Covid restrictions). Kate finally got to cross the line of her first in-person marathon as part of the Dopey challenge in 2022. Unfortunately Kate and her family were all diagnosed with Covid following the Dopey challenge which caused her lungs to relapse. Kate has spent the last 18 months rebuilding the strength and endurance she lost after having Covid. Kate finally raced again in May 2023 where she took first place in the Athena division at a Sprint Triathlon. It was amazing to podium for the first time but Kate could only see how "big" she looked in her tri-suit. It started a spiral of body dysmorphia she thought she had already resolved. Today Kate is working on loving the body that carried her across so many finish lines while also instilling in her son the importance of physical activity for health and strength, not vanity.

Outside of racing Kate is the wife of her Ironman (Blake) and mother to Keith Moon. She loves her work as a Regulatory Affairs Specialist for the medical device industry. Born and raised in Pittsburgh she then spent 18 years in Orlando (running for Track Shack) before moving to Northern Illinois where she and Blake are learning to train in the hills and preparing for their first winter!

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Erica Sara about her running and life-inspired jewelry line (Erica Sara), the importance of taking a chance on yourself, and the joys of womanhood. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Erica:

Erica discovered her passion for jewelry design at just 10 years old, using scraps of leather to craft fabulous leather pins, earrings, and hair pieces for her family and friends. (Remember, it was the 80’s!) Two decades later, all grown up and armed with a degree in business and years of fashion experience from Barneys NY and Coach, Erica set out to design a jewelry line for today’s modern, driven, fashion savvy, and influential woman. Erica Sara Designs was born out of a dream to help others commemorate theirs. From our careers to our families, our hobbies to each and every goal, as women we aren’t “just” one thing and Erica Sara Designs jewelry helps celebrate all parts of us.

Since launching, ESD has graced the pages of Runner’s World, Women’s Running, Shape, Women’s Health, Better Homes & Gardens, and US Weekly, just to name a few. Unique, universal and timeless, Erica’s pieces are sought out by everyone from bridal parties to marathoners, new moms to old friends, back-of-the-party runners to Olympians and the elites.   

As of 2022, Erica Sara Designs will be creating the official jewelry of the TCS New York City Marathon.

When she’s not creating jewelry, Erica spends her time running, kayaking, hiking, cooking, and hanging with her husband Robert and their two kids.

Season 4 of Runner’s Round Table is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to run coach and newly-minted author Ally Rae Pesta about her book “Beyond My Body” and her journey with a complex eating disorder and through recovery. Just a heads up regarding the content: Ally Rae’s history with an eating disorder and sexual trauma are discussed. Please take care of yourself as you listen and have a plan in place for support, if needed. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Ally Rae Pesta:

At seventeen, Ally Rae Pesta was diagnosed with a complex eating disorder. She has been in recovery for over ten years. Raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Ally now lives in Denver, Colorado, where she works as a Certified Run Coach, an Eating Disorder Recovery & Intuitive Eating Coach, a 200-HR Certified Yoga Teacher. Ally also is a published author who has recently published her memoir, Beyond My Body: Recovering From a Complex Eating Disorder, Reclaiming Movement and Finding my Worth. Ally empowers others to reclaim freedom and power over their body in a loving, worthy, and healing way.

To learn more about Ally, visit her website allyrae.co and follow her on IG: @allyraepesta or on TikTok @allyraeco. You can also buy her book Beyond My Body on Amazon today!

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell about the benefits of being different, the importance of wanting more for ourselves, and how she’s helping to change the face of the running industry and run coaching through the #GameChangers program. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

www.instagram.com/thecookierunner/

www.thecookierunner.net

About Vanessa:

Vanessa C. Peralta-Mitchell is owner of VCPM, Inc. a business dedicated to using the power of the pavement to empower women to live a life without limits. She’s taken her passion for running and turned it into her purpose with her Game Changers program. This program provides resources and funds for Women of Color to become Certified Run Coaches thus redefining who is seen as the experts and leaders in the run industry. As a Run Coach, a Founder and an advocate for women in the running space, she is redefining the run industry and bringing in a wave of much needed change to run leadership.

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. this episode, Stephanie talks to Kelsey Long and Rebecca Bowman about their team Dirtbags Run and the importance of creating space for BIPOC runners to feel safe, seen, and empowered on the run. Enjoy this episode and thanks for

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Kelsey:

Kelsey Long (she/her) is a Navajo runner from New Mexico, living on the Choctaw Nation Reservation in SE Oklahoma. She is a Rising Hearts athlete advocate, Renew Earth Running team member, and Dirtbags Run co-founder, and associate at the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. She’s a cat mom to the cutest polydactyl named Bluey, an aunt, a sister, and a daughter. She uses her running as a form of advocacy where she aims to bring more runners of color to the trails. She is passionate about connecting with intentional movers to create a safe and inclusive community.

About Rebecca:

Rebecca is the co-founder of Dirtbags Run, with Kelsey Long. DBR is a team of BIPOC trail runners seeking to expand their presence in the sport while honoring Indigenous lands & amplifying diversity at races & beyond. Rebecca is a passionate ultra runner, climber, dancer and cyclist, and the Community Engagement Manager for Footprints Running Camp. Rebecca is a certified dance fitness instructor and yoga teacher. Learn more at groundingclimbs.com.

About Dirtbags Run:

Dirtbags Run, Nizaadgóó na’dijaa’ (Ni-zad-go na-di-jah, Navajo for “We Run Long”) is a team of Black, Indigenous and People of Color trail runners seeking to expand our presence in the sport while honoring Indigenous lands and amplifying diversity at races and beyond. Dirtbags Run team moves to protect and heal our people, and advocates for safety, inclusivity, and respect in trail running spaces.

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Cindy Smith, the mastermind behind Pen and Paces, about how she uses her creativity to empower women on and off the run. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening. 

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Cindy:

While working at a Bay Area tech company, I found myself unfulfilled by my “9-5” and was terrified that I was not living my life to its fullest. I needed to fuel my desire to grow, learn new skills, and achieve ambitious goals. Running was an outlet that allowed me to push my limits physically and mentally and gave me a tangible goal I could achieve. At Pen and Paces, I’m empowering women in running. Our products encourage women runners to achieve their biggest goals without fear.

Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season 4 is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Julie Weiss aka the Marathon Goddess about running with heart, running on purpose, and having the courage to become a runner. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening.  Enjoy this episode and thanks for

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Julie:

Julie Weiss, of Santa Monica, CA., ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks in 2013. In the process, she ran 1,362.4 miles, and to date has raised over One Million Dollars in the fight against pancreatic cancer through her website Marathongoddess.com. Julie generated considerable pancreatic cancer awareness through high profile media attention as a TEDX speaker, CNN, The TODAY Show, the Los Angeles Times. O Magazine and many other outlets. She is also one of seven featured runners in the inspiring documentary Spirit of the Marathon II. Following the death of her father, her biggest fan, from Pancreatic Cancer, she was feeling determined to make a difference. Running gave her the answer. Julie decided to turn her passion into a purpose and embarked on this incredible endeavor to raise hope, money and awareness for Pancreatic Cancer, the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in the United States, also the lowest funded for research. Julie chose the name Marathon Goddess but is quick to point out its true meaning that it is not about her, it’s a name that allows Julie to encourage others to embrace their passion and let it shine. In 2019 she released her Award-winning memoir, “52 Weeks, 52 Marathons: The Miles and Trials of a Marathon Goddess”, available now on Amazon. Julie also has a TEDX talk titled, “How To Revolutionize Your Health. The 2024 Los Angeles Marathon which will be Julie’s 117th lifetime marathon.

Season four of the Runner’s Round Table will feature conversations with female runners who are not only being incredible humans and athletes but are also doing incredible things in the running community. Episodes

Is there a female runner who inspires you and is making the running community better, let me know about them by reaching out on Instagram @thecookierunner or through my website at thecookierunner.net.

About Stephanie:

Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advanced certifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).