Running Strong Mind-Body Connection

Welcome to Episode 15 with Dru Stewart, Dru is the 3rd of the 3 Amigos. Phil (EP 10)and Tony(EP 13) are in earlier episodes. Dru is a cowboy at heart, grew up in Montana on a farm, and was in the rodeo seen from a young age,. He was in Jr Rodeo, HS Rodeo and on the Rodeo Team in College. Cowboy's have good hearts, and Dru has a big heart. He cherishes his family and friends. I know you will enjoy this podcast. Please make your comments and share this with your friends and family

Brigette is a powerful and entertaining speaker. She will leave her audience uplifted, encouraged and inspired. In this podcast, we embarked on exploring NLP and Mental Fitness. Bridgette shared her background as a NLP practitioner but left out she is a Reiki practioner. With lots of good energy and fun. Enjoy this podcast. If you would like to get in touch with Brigette here is her contact information: [email protected]

4 Years ago, tony weighed 400 lbs, Today Tony is a running machine. He has dedicated his life to stay fit. He keeps a picture of himself in his pocket to remind him where he came from every day. He could not participate in many activities with is family until he made that decision to change. Tony values his family and friends as they are everything to him. Dive into Tony's story from taking the impossible to the Possible. Tony is an inspiration; please share comments and insights

Andre Lee is an inspiration to all he comes across. Raised in New York the youngest of 5 children to Allison and Juanita Lee. Andre started his running adventures at the age of 5 on the school track team and continued through the military and college. He specialized in the mile, then 5k, advanced to the 10k, and on to running his first Marathon, The Marine Corp Marathon. Andre shares his inspirational story of advancing to run Cocodona 250 miler, before he ran his first 100 miler. Enjoy the show

Lisa is a great friend with good energy. She has stepped into Ultra Running in 2012 and keeps up her bar. She has gone from 50 k. all the way up the ladder to Cocodona 250. Lisa, will share her story here about her first attempt running Western States 100. She went from #1 on the wait list in 2023, to being picked in 2024 at the Lottery. I hope you enjoy her story, Look her up on ultra signup for the list of her accomplishments, Lisa is an inspiration to us all.

Listen to Phil journey as he is an inspiration to all. From diagnosis with MS, not accepting drugs and changing his life, he challenged himself to his first 100 mile run. I met Phil at the Rio Del Lago 100 mile event in 2023 and I am honored to have him as a friend and a guest on my podcast. He share his insights, his challenges and is wins.

James Bonnett is a coach with McMillian Running. James has been running for over 24 years, 19 of these years were mostly focused on ultras with 7 of these years running professionally. James ran his first trail race at 9-years-old, James has completed the following: At age 10 he ran 53 miles at Across the Years 24-hour race in Phoenix At age 11 he ran Crown King Scramble 50k finishing 19th overall @ 5:09 At age 18 he ran Westen States 100 12th place and many more races. Enjoy this journey with an amazing runner, and amazing person

Paul is my wonderful younger brother, though he towers over me I can still take him down with Love. In this episode Paul takes us on a journey of his running world and life. From a 98lb weakling to beating horses and winning races. Paul is an inspiration to all. Ultra Running is about connection, community, and inspiration. I hope you enjoy this podcast

Melissa started running when she was 4 and is stronger and healthier today than ever. A 10 time Boston Marathon Finisher. To set a course record for a 24 hour race in Bellingham WA. Melissa is an inspiration and a joyful person to listen to and learn from. She shares how Mental Fitness has helped her reach her goals at a dream race.

Step into the part of "Who am I." Life is the journey we are in and in the essence of our Self. Lean in, Get out of your head, let go of projection, learn to accept and celebrate Lauren earned her PHD at ASU, She has a Master's in Educational Psychology and her PHD, specializing in Learning, Motivation, and Identity. Why do people perform their best and develop a performance mindset? Lauren shares her knowledge and experience with us. Listen and enjoy

Mike Turner shares his journey in becoming an ultra distance runner. From quitting smoking to his first DNF. Listen to this exciting episode as I explore Mike's defeat at his first race, Cocodona 250, and turned this into a victory.

In this episode, we are thrilled to introduce Terri Pfiel, an extraordinary runner who has completed some of the world's toughest races, including the Marathon des Sables, Badwater, and the Grand Slam. Terri's story is a powerful testament to the human spirit's resilience and capacity for transformation. From a Past of Smoking and Drinking to Marathon Success: Terri spent 20 years smoking and drinking, using running as a way to calm her stress. Her journey began with marathons through the Team in Training program, which helped her quit smoking and drinking for good. Seeking new challenges, she transitioned to trail running, constantly pushing her mind and body to new limits. Conquering Ironman and Ultra Running: Terri's quest for self-improvement led her to compete in Ironman triathlons across Utah, Wisconsin, Coeur d'Alene, and Canada, despite her initial fear of water. Through small events and gradual exposure, she overcame her fear, demonstrating remarkable courage and determination. Embracing the Joy of Movement: Terri describes the joy she feels while swimming, biking, and running as reminiscent of childhood, free from the perceived responsibilities of adult life. Her transition to trail running symbolizes this return to a simpler, more joyful time. Lessons from the Lowest Lows: Terri emphasizes the importance of mental training, sharing how moments of despair during races have taught her valuable lessons. She believes that pushing through the lowest points can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. The Power of Gratitude: A key aspect of Terri's journey is gratitude. She encourages others to reflect on their treatment of crew members, volunteers, and pacers, emphasizing the importance of gratitude in all aspects of life. This practice of self-reflection and gratitude has become a cornerstone of her approach to running and life. Terri's story is a rare and inspiring example of pushing oneself to the limit and learning valuable life lessons along the way. Tune in to hear more about her incredible journey and the wisdom she's gained through her experiences.

From a 50k to Cocdona 125 - who in their right mind would take this on? Mikaela, is an inspiration as well as being inspired. She listened to various podcast, downloaded free training plans and came up with her hodge-podge training plan. Mikaela is an Emergency Room Nurse, working 250 hours a month and training for Cocodona 125 mile race. Mikaela shares how she fit her training plans into her work lifestyle. If she can do is so can you. She knew how her self-doubt, worry, and nervousness zapped her energy. As a new runner don't set your goals just enjoy the journey. Next time you can set a goal. If you would like to learn how to get past that inner critic that is sabotaging your performance , just email me at [email protected]

Brian is a Locomotive Engineer, Blowing the horn from Needles to Winslow. Brian lives to his potential, conquering goals and overcoming challenges. His story takes us from his Moto Cross years in Junior High, to Mountain Bike 100 miles at Stage Coach and running his first ultra - Elden Crest 38-mile run. Brian is never stopping especial when injuries show up. He is dedicated, to create a lifestyle for longevity. Live your life by what you can, push hard, and don't break. Be consistent, get outside, and run. If you wish to contact Karen your host, please email her at: [email protected]

Join us for an inspiring journey with Kelly Ridgway-Smith on "Running Strong: Mind-Body Connection." Like many of us, Kelly started her athletic journey in the playgrounds of grade school, determined to outpace not just the competition but also her personal struggles. What began as a way to escape life's difficulties blossomed into a lifelong passion for running, teaching her resilience and self-discovery. Kelly's competitive spirit extends beyond the track; she has thrived in swimming and horseback riding and has enjoyed a sponsored athlete career. Now, as she navigates the challenges of aging, Kelly continues to compete with vigor and grace. Her advice for us all? Get comfortable with being uncomfortable—it's where growth happens. Tune in as Kelly shares how embracing uncomfortable moments can lead to profound strength and joy. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting, Kelly's story is a testament to the power of persistence and passion.