The Roots Podcast

What holds most of us back? Fear. 

In this episode, Stephanie speaks with clarity coach, TEDx speaker and best selling author, Rachel Smets about her own journey and how she works with others to move from stuck to UNSTUCK.

Learn more about Rachel:

Website https://www.rachelsmets.com/

A raw conversation about the struggles of appearance from a young age, Sydney’s journey through her eating disorder and eating disorder recovery, and the importance and bravery of seeking help.

Canadian ultra runner & Guinness world record holder, Dave Proctor was supposed to kick off his TransCanadian speed record attempt in St. John's, Newfoundland on May 18, 2020. A world pandemic has postponed the effort until 2021 but that isn't slowing him down.  Stephanie caught up with Proctor halfway into his run (53 kilometers) to talk about Outrun Rare - an initiative Dave & his wife Sharon founded in 2017 to bring awareness to families in Canada living with rare disease. 

It's personal. Their 11 year old son Sam lives with an extremely rare genetic disease — Relapsing Encephalopathy with Cerebellar Ataxia, or RECA — that compromises his balance and coordination and turns simple movements into a challenge. It took 6 long years to receive a diagnosis. 

Outrun Rare's mission is to create a broad awareness and national conversation amongst the public and policy makers regarding the needs and struggles facing the rare disease community in Canada. To learn more, www.outrunrare.com 

The Quarantine Backyard Ultra had it all. 

Laz Lake's 'last person standing' format - 1 hour. 4.17 miles. Every hour until there is only one that remains. 62 hours into the race. Two runners remain. Nail biting moments with a heart-wrenching finish.

Initial commentary by ultra runner, Jamil Coury revisits how the race finish unfolded. Stephanie spoke with Radek Brunner from his home in the Czech Republic just days following the event to talk about his experience and what's next.

Credits: this footage will appear as part of a documentary scheduled for release May 2020. 

David Irvine is a widely sought-after speaker, best-selling author, and trusted leadership advisor. Our conversation is centered around practical insights and strategies to help leaders create clarity, trust, engagement, and accountability within our new, virtual environment.

The current COVID19 pandemic has created tremendous anxiety and loss in our lives; from unemployment to homeschooling, visiting loved ones and celebrate the lives of those we have lost.

We sat down with Dr. Dobson, a clinical psychologist at the University of Calgary and researcher with the Mental Health Commission of Canada to discuss strategies to help navigate this new world we find ourselves in.

Additional resources can be accessed at www.mentalhealthcommision.ca

A Backyard Ultra format is challenging on the best of days. Now add in a quarantine, a lockdown and a 4.17 mile loop.

Rinat Mustafin measured out 3 different loops 25m, 50m and 100m to make up the distance in his apartment in Dubai.  One of 2413 competitors displayed through a live YouTube feed, Rinat quickly became an internet sensation fondly dubbed 'Living Room Guy'.

To follow Rinat on social:

Instagram @tri.rinat.mustafin 

Facebook Rinat Mustafin

Facebook @ilovesupersportdubai

Website www.iron-star.com/en

13 year old Ben Tidwell recently competed in the Personal Peak Quarantine Backyard Ultra and completed 25 laps (hours). Yes, you read right...25 laps, which translates into 167.75 kilometres / 104.25 Miles.  

He stayed with his dad Rob for the first six laps and with the help of his crew (mom, dad and three sisters) set out to do something not many 13 year olds or adults for that matter, could even comprehend.

 The Quarantine Backyard turned into quite the family affair with memories to last a lifetime.

Canadian and Guinness World record holder Dave Proctor, along with 2,413 runners from 56 countries took to the start line of a one-of-a-kind Backyard Ultra event - the Quarantine Backyard Ultra.

Proctor, athlete and event co-creator, talks about what it was like to compete in the virtual race just hours after he runs a total of 208.01 kms / 129.27 miles before making the smart choice to 'call it'. 

Camaraderie found in the ultrarunning community is like no other.

Burning questions like where all those license plates go after the Barkley Marathons, why the Backyard Ultra race format was created and so much more are answered by guests, Lazurus Lake (Gary Cantrell) and Canadian ultrarunner, Dave Proctor.