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Running Toward Courage: Lessons in Resilience From 10 Ironmans
What does it take to complete 10 Ironmans, 24 marathons, and 3 ultra-mountain bike races—while raising four kids and navigating the highs and lows of adoption and family life?
In this inspiring Sendy Mom conversation, host Becky Brouwer sits down with her good friend Chris Schilling to talk about what happens when you set hard goals—and keep going even when life changes the plan. Together, they explore how sports can teach us to be resilient, how community and family shape our courage, and how parents can model perseverance for their kids.
Whether you’re chasing a physical goal or just trying to push through a personal challenge, this episode will remind you: growth happens when you stay in the race.
Meet my Guest:
Chris Schilling is an ultra-athlete. She puts 110% into everything she does and is fully committed. Starting with playing competitive basketball in high school and college, she went on to running 24 marathons, finishing 10 Ironman competitions and 3 ultra-mountain bike races. With 4 children, 2 who are adopted, you will feel inspired and motivated to accomplish your most daunting goals. As a friend, Chris is loyal, honest, and reliable. If you are needing some motivation to accomplish your first athletic event, this episode will get you signing up without even thinking about it!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:34 Chris is an Edgy Rule Follower
07:03 When Goals Have to Change
08:38 Adoption and Infertility
17:34 Your Body Has a Story: How To Compete in an Ironman
28:58 The Kayaking MisAdventure
33:57 Mountain Biking Challenges and Triumphs
37:00 Mountain Biking: The Next Sendy Adventure
47:21 Raising Resilient Children Through Sports
52:17 Rapid Fire Questions
Key Takeaways:
🏀 Everyone has their own unique way of being courageous.
🏀 Education is important, regardless of the field of study.
🏀 Resilience can be learned through sports and challenges.
🏀 Adoption can create beautiful connections between families.
🏀 It’s the hard experiences that help you to grow
🏀 Transitioning from one sport to another can be a natural progression.
🏀 Ironman competitions require dedication and training.
🏀 Having a race to work towards provides motivation to exercise
🏀 Sports are a great way to teach children to overcome disappointment and be resilient
🏀 Personal growth comes from overcoming obstacles.
Mentioned in the Show:
Please e-mail Becky at [email protected] if you're interested in volunteering to help with producing this show
Check out sendymom.com to submit your ideas for Sendy Adventures
ancestry.com
The Woodlands Marathon
Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Survivor on Amazon Prime
American Cancer Society
Find a Way by Diana Nyad
Sendy Mom 2025 Clothing Drive to the Philippines:
Thank you so much for joining Sendy Moms all over the world in clothing children in the Philippines. This is a great opportunity to teach your own children compassion and be a mother to children who are struggling.
All items need to be sent or dropped off by Friday, October 31, 2025. They really need shoes! But any clothing donations and clean underwear and socks are helpful. Here are instructions on getting donations to them. We have partnered with Julie Hess in Portland, OR who ships items every month to the Philippines. If you are sending items, please send them to her address in Portland. If you are in Utah and would like to bring donations by, I am planning on taking a trip to Portland in November and will take your items to her then. You can also send Venmo donations as well as shop and send any donations via the Amazon list. We have included a few ideas on the Amazon list. Feel free to buy as many as you’d like even if it shows it’s already been purchased or any other item that would fit children aged 4-12. We have at least 7,000 children we can help!
Here are the links:
Sendy Mom 2025 Clothing Drive Philippines - Amazon List, Search for: Becky Brouwer
Drop off Donations to:
Becky Brouwer
10025 N 6300 W
Highland, UT 84003
Send Donations to:
Sendy Mom c/o Julie Hess
11140 SW Morgen Ct
Portland, OR 97223-3971
💚Be Sendy and Subscribe! Leave us a review or chat with us!💚
👉🏼YouTube
👉🏼sendymom.com
👉🏼 Subscribe to the Sendy Mom Podcast: sendymom.com
👉🏼 Email Becky: [email protected]
View all episodes
By Becky BrouwerWhat does it take to complete 10 Ironmans, 24 marathons, and 3 ultra-mountain bike races—while raising four kids and navigating the highs and lows of adoption and family life?
In this inspiring Sendy Mom conversation, host Becky Brouwer sits down with her good friend Chris Schilling to talk about what happens when you set hard goals—and keep going even when life changes the plan. Together, they explore how sports can teach us to be resilient, how community and family shape our courage, and how parents can model perseverance for their kids.
Whether you’re chasing a physical goal or just trying to push through a personal challenge, this episode will remind you: growth happens when you stay in the race.
Meet my Guest:
Chris Schilling is an ultra-athlete. She puts 110% into everything she does and is fully committed. Starting with playing competitive basketball in high school and college, she went on to running 24 marathons, finishing 10 Ironman competitions and 3 ultra-mountain bike races. With 4 children, 2 who are adopted, you will feel inspired and motivated to accomplish your most daunting goals. As a friend, Chris is loyal, honest, and reliable. If you are needing some motivation to accomplish your first athletic event, this episode will get you signing up without even thinking about it!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:34 Chris is an Edgy Rule Follower
07:03 When Goals Have to Change
08:38 Adoption and Infertility
17:34 Your Body Has a Story: How To Compete in an Ironman
28:58 The Kayaking MisAdventure
33:57 Mountain Biking Challenges and Triumphs
37:00 Mountain Biking: The Next Sendy Adventure
47:21 Raising Resilient Children Through Sports
52:17 Rapid Fire Questions
Key Takeaways:
🏀 Everyone has their own unique way of being courageous.
🏀 Education is important, regardless of the field of study.
🏀 Resilience can be learned through sports and challenges.
🏀 Adoption can create beautiful connections between families.
🏀 It’s the hard experiences that help you to grow
🏀 Transitioning from one sport to another can be a natural progression.
🏀 Ironman competitions require dedication and training.
🏀 Having a race to work towards provides motivation to exercise
🏀 Sports are a great way to teach children to overcome disappointment and be resilient
🏀 Personal growth comes from overcoming obstacles.
Mentioned in the Show:
Please e-mail Becky at [email protected] if you're interested in volunteering to help with producing this show
Check out sendymom.com to submit your ideas for Sendy Adventures
ancestry.com
The Woodlands Marathon
Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Survivor on Amazon Prime
American Cancer Society
Find a Way by Diana Nyad
Sendy Mom 2025 Clothing Drive to the Philippines:
Thank you so much for joining Sendy Moms all over the world in clothing children in the Philippines. This is a great opportunity to teach your own children compassion and be a mother to children who are struggling.
All items need to be sent or dropped off by Friday, October 31, 2025. They really need shoes! But any clothing donations and clean underwear and socks are helpful. Here are instructions on getting donations to them. We have partnered with Julie Hess in Portland, OR who ships items every month to the Philippines. If you are sending items, please send them to her address in Portland. If you are in Utah and would like to bring donations by, I am planning on taking a trip to Portland in November and will take your items to her then. You can also send Venmo donations as well as shop and send any donations via the Amazon list. We have included a few ideas on the Amazon list. Feel free to buy as many as you’d like even if it shows it’s already been purchased or any other item that would fit children aged 4-12. We have at least 7,000 children we can help!
Here are the links:
Sendy Mom 2025 Clothing Drive Philippines - Amazon List, Search for: Becky Brouwer
Drop off Donations to:
Becky Brouwer
10025 N 6300 W
Highland, UT 84003
Send Donations to:
Sendy Mom c/o Julie Hess
11140 SW Morgen Ct
Portland, OR 97223-3971
💚Be Sendy and Subscribe! Leave us a review or chat with us!💚
👉🏼YouTube
👉🏼sendymom.com
👉🏼 Subscribe to the Sendy Mom Podcast: sendymom.com
👉🏼 Email Becky: [email protected]