In this inspiring special edition of The Best of Raleigh, host Gretchen Coley sits down with Jaylen Snipes, a real estate advisor at The Coley Group and an endurance athlete on a mission to give back to North Carolina’s everyday heroes.

Jaylen isn’t just running for fitness — he’s running 150 miles from Raleigh to Charlotte to raise awareness and funds for the North Carolina Firefighter Fund, an organization that supports firefighters and their families when they need it most. His story began years ago when lightning struck his childhood home, and firefighters risked their lives to save his family. Now, he’s channeling that gratitude into an extraordinary act of endurance, resilience, and heart.

In this conversation, Gretchen and Jaylen dive deep into:

• The why behind his 150-mile personal challenge
• The connection between training, mindset, and success in real estate
• How discipline and purpose fuel his drive — both on the road and in life
• The Coley Group’s surprise $5,000 match to support Jaylen’s fundraising goal

If you’ve ever needed motivation to push past limits, find your “why,” or simply believe in the power of community — this episode will move you.

Donate to support Jaylen’s run: Visit his JustGiving page via @jalensnipes