Runner's Round Table

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Nikki Love (@nikkiloveruns) about chasing awe, running as an adventure, and the tingly feeling that makes running worth it.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HTT-RZGlTNo

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Nikki Love:

Nikki Love is an endurance adventurer, author, speaker, and Sport and Exercise Psychology undergraduate at Loughborough University. At 56, she set the women’s record for running across Australia - 4,044 km in 76 days - building on previous challenges like 63 marathons in 63 days across the UK and multi-country runs including around Ireland, the length of Wales, the length of Scotland, and across the Netherlands, all since turning 50. Now 58, Nikki is combining her lived experience with academic study to explore how mindset, motivation, and midlife physiology intersect. Her TEDx talk, Running Into the Gap, challenges the research and cultural blind spots that treat ageing as decline, and invites us to see midlife as a time of potential, performance, and power. Through her adventures and studies, Nikki explores what happens when we stop treating age as decline and start studying it as potential - asking what might change if we began seeing this stage of life as a launchpad, not a limitation.

• https://nikkilove.co.uk
•  https://www.chaseyourextraordinary.com
• https://instagram.com/nikkiloveruns

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that captureeach guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Leslie Gregory (@TWENTYSIXDIAMOND) about the run that changed her life and what running a marathon taught her about joy and setting boundaries.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FnIz1CZ-3os

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Leslie Gregory:

Leslie Gregory is the Founder of TWENTYSIXDIAMOND, a luxury fine jewelry brand creating gold and diamond "Everyday Medals" for athletes. With over 15 years of experience in global luxury merchandising and retail leadership, Leslie held senior roles at Mulberry, Ben Sherman, Theory and more, leading international buying, retail expansion and multi-channel growth strategies. Most importantly she is an avid jogger, one time marathon finisher and cheerleader to all.

• https://www.twentysixdiamond.com
• https://instagram.com/TWENTYSIXDIAMOND
• https://instagram.com/TWENTYSIXDIAMOND_Athletics
• https://instagram.com/TWENTYSIXDIAMOND_Cheer
• https://instagram.com/TWENTYSIXDIAMOND_Sororities

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Jen Steele (@misadventuresofamarathoner) about what it means to chase fun her way while running with friends.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/U_8DVoL8GSs

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Jen Steele:

With over 5 years of experience coaching hundreds of runners and 14 years as an adult runner, Jen Steele's specialty is helping runners conquer their road running goals, from 5k to marathon. She believes one of her greatest specialties as a coach is the ability to help athletes, especially busy mother runners, make their training and run goals work for them and their lives, without sacrificing the other parts of life they love.

• www.misadventuresofamarathoner.com
• https://instagram.com/misadventuresofamarathoner

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Kristin Stokes (@K_stokes829) about her most recent marathon experience, a marathon with the backdrop an MS relapse and navigating life as a new mom of two. This conversation is a reminder to train your mind as much as you do your body.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zBc7-36D7XI

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Kristin Stokes:

Run Coach, RRCA Certified, Mother Runner of two, Avid Marathoner currently training for her 22nd marathon while navigating motherhood and life, loves empowering all runners and believes every runner has a runners’ body! To learn more about Kristin give her a follow on her instagram @k_stokes829

• https://instagram.com/K_stokes829

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Nicole Castillo (@theyogini_runner) about two different experiences that have led her to the same place of being in awe of running, herself, and the community she experiences when she runs.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/p0832CPI-_E

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Nicole Castillo:

Nicole Castillo has been a run coach since 2017 and is RRCA certified, with a 500-hour yoga teacher training background. She is also a breast cancer survivor. Nicole coaches runners with a focus on consistency, smart training, and learning how to trust their body — physically and mentally — through every season of running. You can connect with Nicole and what she offers on Instagram @theyogini_runner

• https://risingmountainscoaching.com/
• https://instagram.com/theyogini_runner

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Dr. Ari Gonzalez (@formaphysiotherapy) about her first 5K race experience and what it taught her about her own strength, the power of the running community, and being an active person for life.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2ZtQPyhsCdM

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Dr. Ari Gonzalez:

Dr. Ari Gonzalez is a Doctor of Physical Therapy that specializes in orthopedics and pelvic floor, and the founder of Forma Physiotherapy as well as the co-founder of The Vital Club. Through Forma Physiotherapy, she provides evidence based women’s health care across the lifespan, with a focus on pelvic floor rehabilitation, postpartum recovery, core strength, and long-term function. With The Vital Club, Dr. Ari is passionate about building community-centered wellness experiences that support women beyond traditional healthcare. Her mission is to help women feel strong, informed, and supported at every stage of life. To learn more, follow along on Instagram @formaphysiotherapy and @the_vitalclub.

• www.formaphysiotherapy.com
• https://instagram.com/formaphysiotherapy
• https://instagram.com/the_vitalclub

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Dr. Alyssa Ford (@alyssaford.dpt) about the her first marathon experience and what it taught her about friendship and moving through life’s changes and challenges.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/NSSsbfqLEOY

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Dr. Alyssa Ford:

Alyssa Ford is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), RRCA certified running coach, and a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) who specializes in working with runners. She is also pursuing advanced training in pelvic floor and postpartum care.

Alyssa takes an evidence-informed, individualized approach to rehab and coaching, and believes that great care is built on collaboration, support, and trust. She aims to remove guesswork and empower athletes with the tools and education they need to train consistently, perform their best, and stay healthy for the long haul.

To learn more, visit Alyssa on instagram at @alyssaford.dptor at  resilientrunningpt.com

• https://www. resilientrunningpt.com
• https://www.pinyonpt.com/
• https://instagram.com/alyssaford.dpt

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Julia Khvasechko (@GlobalPacerJulia) about the impact running marathons have had in her life. Julia shares about being inspired to run her first marathon after watching runners at the NYC Marathon, meeting her husband and getting married during a marathon, and helping others achieve their marathon goals as a pacer.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XNDDk94iU5k

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Julia Khvasechko:

Julia Khvasechko is a 300-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, a Road Runners’ Club of America certified running coach, a ChiRunning Instructor, a Strength and Conditioning coach, and a Licensed Massage Therapist with advanced trainings (Master’s Degree) in Anatomy and mobility. Julia specializes in Sports Massage, Myofascial release, and structural integration. Julia is an avid marathoner and has run 341 marathons to date and is the youngest woman in the USA to have completed a marathon in all 50 states 4 X! Julia once held the title of being the youngest woman in the USA to have run 300 marathons. She is also Titanium Level Marathon Maniac and Sun level half fanatic. Julia has been pacing marathons since 2011. Julia lives to see people accomplish their goals and dreams and she loves helping people find freedom in their bodies.

• https://marathonmassage.massagetherapy.com/
• https://instagram.com/GlobalPacerJulia

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Danielle Hirt (@RunwithcoachD) about the memories that reminded her she was capable of doing hard things and of defining success on her own terms.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vdJxDTZahO4

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Danielle Hirt:

Danielle has been coaching endurance athletes for over a decade, is a NASM Personal Trainer and a RRCA Certified Running Coach. Ironically Danielle was never a runner in high school or college and actually used to use a doctor’s note to get out of running the mile in high school! She started running in 2011 and ran her first marathon only 11 months after her first 5K (no she does not recommend you do this). Since then she’s run 20 marathons and just completed her first Ironman 140.6. She believes that what you think about you bring about and anything is possible if you are willing to put in the work. She lives in Arlington VA with her fiance Cody (also a running coach) and two dogs (Shep & Molly) Follow her on IG & TIktok @RunwithcoachD

• www.runwithcoachd.com
• https://instagram.com/RunwithcoachD

Welcome to season 6 of the Runner’s Round Table. This is the Beyond Pace season and features stories that capture each guest’s favorite running memory. In this episode Stephanie speaks with Makenzie Rink (@the.realistic.runner) about the role support played in her memories of the 2024 NYC Marathon and 2025 Every Woman’s Marathon. This conversation also dives into running community, running culture, what it means to be a runner, and how to use comparison for good.

Please support this podcast with a rating, review, or a share. Until next time, don’t forget to run happy, run strong, and run true to you.

To watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F1524b8jRNA

About Stephanie Diaz:

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).

• https://instagram.com/thecookierunner/
• https://thecookierunner.net

About Makenzie Rink:

Makenzie Rink is a graduate of NC State University, content creator, and the voice behind The Realistic Runner, where she advocates for a diverse and inclusive running community. Believing that anyone can be a runner, regardless of background or pace, Makenzie is dedicated to breaking down barriers in the sport. A 4x marathoner and passionate speaker, she’s now based in Lexington, Kentucky, where she’s managing a local running store and coordinating events with a mission to transform the running industry. As an advocate for the back-of-the-pack runners, she works to ensure that all runners - no matter where they finish - feel supported, seen, and celebrated. Follow her journey on Instagram and TikTok @the.realistic.runner.

• https://instagram.com/the.realistic.runner