The Terra Girls Podcast

80ish episodes later, Brittany and Tiff sit down in the library studio on last time to record the finale of the Terra Girls Podcast.

In this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast, Brittany chats with local ultra runner and school counselor Cory Steffes about family, running, and ... Taco Bell? Stay tuned at the end for two special guests!

Brittany and Tiff sit down with their co-worker and fellow "Terra Girl," Trinity Lunsford! Born and raised in Cleveland, Trinity is a familiar face to many in the Terra community and beyond! Listen in to learn more about Trinity, her love of the Savannah Bananas, her cool drink obsession, and why she decided to study physical therapy, all on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast.

Brittany and Tiff sit down with their friend and multiyear Terra Ambassador, Luke Ebersole! Listen in to learn more about Luke, how he ended up in Cleveland after growing up overseas, his experience training for an Ironman as a husband and dad of two young kids, and why he prefers the cold to the heat.

In this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast, Brittany and Tiff sit down with the one and only David Williams! Those in the community familiar with David might know him as a teacher at Blythe-Bower Elementary or as a speedy runner at Terra Trot, but, no matter how you met him, you almost surely know that David exudes a positive energy and a welcoming spirit. Listen in to learn more about David, his upbringing overseas, how he met his wonderful wife Brie, and more, on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast.

Brittany and Tiff sit down with locally based inspirational speaker and leadership coach, Tommy Brown. They chat about everything from inspiration vs. motivation, competition, to RBF and "phone face." Listen in for a classic and hilarious conversation in this episode of the Terra Girls! Learn more about Tommy and his mental toughness training here.

The Terra Girls kick off season 8 interviews with the one and only Kelli Earhart! A 2025 Terra Ambassador and a Cleveland native, Kelli started running a few years ago when one of her best friends convinced her to enter a 10(!) mile trail race in the Tennessee River Gorge. Listen in to learn more about Kelli and some of her running (and biking!) adventures on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast!

Brittany and Tiff are back in the studio for Season 8!

Brittany and Tiff catch up and close out Season 7!

Nurse, personal trainer, ultra runner, wife, and mom... Beth Cruttenden wears many hats! And though she's always enjoyed health and fitness, Beth did not enjoy running when a co-worker first invited her to jog over their lunch break 10 years ago. It hasn't always looked the same, but over the years, Beth has learned to embrace the ups and downs of running, invest in whole-body strength, and enjoy the challenge of trying new things alongside family and friends. Listen in to learn more about Beth on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast!

Like many of our guests, Matt Korp never really planned on being a runner. But one thing led to another, and soon Matt found himself as an age group winner of the 5k that he had signed up for, mostly just to show his support. Now retired and an active part of the local Cleveland running community, Matt finds running to be an essential part of his healthy lifestyle, enjoying it not just for himself, but as a way to connect with his family and friends.

Brittany and Tiff catch up and reflect on what's upcoming in the Terra-verse.

Although she had always been active, Cynthia Shonts hadn't really dabbled in running until, in 2024, for her 50th birthday, she challenged herself to move 2024 miles. Needing to rack up as many miles as she could, Cynthia decided to give running a try. After signing up for a 5k with a friend and experiencing some of that race day magic, Cynthia was hooked. Listen in to learn more about Cynthia, her running journey, her bike riding adventures, and her love of gardening and food.

Like many women, Jenny Carson found her way to running after her son was born, and she wanted to "shed some stubborn baby weight." Now, over 26 years later, Jenny is still running and discovering new ways that it can help during difficult life transitions. Listen in to learn more about Jenny, how she found her way to Cleveland and the Cleveland running community, and her love/hate relationship with Tough Mudder races.

In this episode, Brittany and Tiff chat with their good friend, Trae Cody! A familiar face in Bradley County, Trae was born and raised in Cleveland, Tennessee. Though he dabbled with running in the past, Trae only recently rediscovered his love for running, particularly ultra running. Listen in to learn more about Trae, his love of good pizza, his experience working with a run coach, and how, even with all the craziness that comes with life, family, and managing a business, he makes time to get some miles in.

In this episode, Brittany and Tiff chat with their friend and Terra Ambassador, Sam Kamely! After her running was scrutinized as a child, Sam steered clear of the sport for most of her life, until a few years ago, when she worked up the courage to give it another try. Now, a few years into being a runner, Sam is in a new season, learning what it means to run and be active while pregnant. Listen in to learn more about Sam and her running journey in this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast!

In the first interview of Season 7, Brittany and Tiff sit down with their new friend, Drew Mapp! Drew is a former gamer turned running content creator and the founder of the brand new Cleveland City Run Club. Listen in to learn more about Drew, how and why he got into running, and why you should eat a lot of carbs...

Brittany and Tiff kick off Season 7, recapping the summer and coming up with the Warm Up Questions live (spoiler: some questions are better than others).

Brittany and Tiff wrap up Season 6 with some "anti warm-up questions," reminisce about some of their favorite moments from the season, and a look ahead at what's happening at Terra this summer.

A friendly and familiar face to many in Cleveland, Aubrey Michaels is proud to be born and raised in Southeast Tennessee. Though a younger version of herself would never have guessed she would one day enjoy running, the craziness of the pandemic coaxed her and her dad onto the streets of Cleveland for fresh air and exercise. Little did Aubrey know that running would prove to be a much-needed lifeline in harder days to come. Listen in to learn more about Aubrey, her running story, her upcoming gig as an Interpretive Park Ranger, and whether or not she is a Bobcat, Kangaroo Mouse, or Baby Goat.

If you have shopped at Terra Running Company in the last 2 years you might have had the privilege of working with Terra employee Dara McGuire. Though knowledgable of the shoes Terra Running carries, Dara's knowledge of feet and treating injuries goes well beyond the sales floor. An accomplished ballet dancer since childhood, starting at age 18, Dara ended up needing 4 different reconstructive surgeries on her feet due to the wear and tear of the sport. Now graduating with a degree in Exercise Science, Dara is preparing to enter grad school to earn a Masters Degree in Athletic Training. Listen in to learn more about Dara, her journey dealing with dream threatening injuries as a teenager, and how she plans to use her degree to help other athletes take care of their own bodies.

Though he started running in college, Angel Rivera didn't stick with it until later in life. Now with over 30 marathons and countless other races under his belt, you can find Angel in his "Captain Puerto Rico" racing kit at many Chattanooga and Cleveland races (you might even see him on the side of some McKee Little Debbie tractor trailers in his Zebra Cake themed gear)! Listen in to learn more about Angel and some of his crazy race experiences like competing in the Iron Man and Iron Man 70.3 with little to no swimming experience!

Though Rhoben Dalusong hasn't lived in Tennessee for very long, you would never know it! A staple of the Terra Trot running group and a Terra Ambassador, a seasoned volleyball player heading to the Senior Olympics this summer, a familiar face on the pickleball courts at Tinsley Park, and most recently a lacrosse official, Rhoben isn't afraid to try new things and meet new people! From rollerskating, to running Boston, to crewing ultra-marathons, and starting running clubs, listen in to learn more about Rhoben and his running journey.

This week Brittany and Tiff catch up on how things are going and cover all things Terra!

The Terra Girls sit down with their friend, hype woman, and "honorary Terra Girl" Merica Stum. Both Brittany and Tiff have known Merica for years but their shared love of running always serves as a fun and fresh connection. In this episode, learn more about Merica, how she came to running as a way to work through a bout of postpartum depression, and the incredible full circle moment that she gets to experience most weeks running with her now adult son. Warning: lots of laughing ahead.

In this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast, Brittany and Tiff sit down with their co-worker and friend, Jacob Chapman! A familiar face to TRC regulars, Jacob is Terra's resident gear lover and nutrition expert. Listen in to learn more about how Jacob got into running, his love of dachshunds, his favorite type of Tailwind, and some exciting things coming up on his horizon.

The Terra Girls kick off the first interview of Season 6 with their friend, and Terra Ambassador, Tyson Black! Though he hasn't even been running for a full year, Tyson is now one of the most dedicated athletes we know, already having completed a full and ultra marathon (among other races)! Last summer (2024), Tyson reached his breaking point. At around 360 pounds, he found that he was finally ready to break through negative self talk and take his future into his hands, one walk at a time. Listen in to hear Tyson share about his mindset shift, the power of having a "why," and the need to throw out the negative narratives that hold us back from our potential.

Brittany and Tiff kick off season 6 by catching up on what has been going on in the last few months, inventing new warm up questions, and laughing along the way.

Brittany and Tiff wrap up season 5 by answering their own warm up questions and reflecting on 2024 at Terra Running Company and the Terra Girls Podcast. Listen in for lots of laughs and to learn some surprising tidbits about the Terra Girls themselves.

In this episode, Brittany and Tiff sit down with the one and only Braxton Brazell! If you have been in or around Terra Running Company in 2024 Braxton will be a familiar face. Braxton started as one of our employees in January and has quickly become an invaluable member of our team! Listen in to learn more about Braxton, his love for shoes, and how he handled starting work at a running store when he didn't particularly love running.

This episode is not our most polished or eloquent. We rambled (more than usual) and had a lot of "umms" and long pauses. We tried to find statistics to share but couldn't find a lot of relevant material. We waffled back and forth between trying to be empowering while also emphasizing that taking safety measures is important. We tried to help put things in perspective while not being dismissive or even more depressing because, "you're more likely to be attacked in regular life than while running," isn't exactly a comforting message. Then, a couple weeks after we recorded this episode, 34-year-old runner Alyssa Lokits, was killed on her afternoon run on a path outside of Nashville. All of our fears about how inadequate this episode exploded. Alyssa did everything right and still this. Frankly, we almost didn't release this because we were worried it might even feel insensitive after what happened to Alyssa. But of course, here is the episode in all of its imperfection. We realized that to shy away from the topic would be giving in to the same kind of scared, resigned defeat that leads women away from running. So we dedicate this episode to Alyssa Lokits. We honor her courageous, loving, and generous spirit. We are thankful for her light and her love of running. We are thankful for the way that she lifted others up and continues to inspire. And we hope that this imperfect episode continues an important conversation. As Alyssa's sister-in-law writes, "We just can't be afraid because I know that she would not be afraid. She was fierce and strong and she would get back out there. And know it feels scary to get back out there. We have to. We have to keep moving and loving each other."

The Terra Girls host their first returning guest -- Jeff Salyer! This time, Brittany and Tiff talk to Jeff about his most recent epic running adventure, tackling the Grand Canyon with friends for a Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim attempt. For those who don't know, Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim is when runners go from one rim of the Grand Canyon to the other rim and back. The complete route has over 11,000 feet of elevation gain with extreme weather conditions from the freezing top of the canyon to the sweltering floor. Listen in to hear how Jeff trained and prepared, what the outcome was, and what happened that made him feel like he was quite literally going to die on this adventure.

Though Dave Greer didn't start running until his 40s, he has no shortage of running accomplishments. Accruing almost 30 marathon finishes and counting -- including the Boston Marathon and multiple ultra marathons -- perhaps, Dave's greatest running victory has been his recovery from a stroke in 2020 and his grit to run despite dealing with a degenerative disc disease. Learn more about Dave's running journey, his stroke recovery, and a little bit about his experience as a pilot in the Air Force, all on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast.

McKenzie Parris knew that that she wanted to run 26.2 miles for her 26th birthday; not one to do things halfway, she decided to enter the iconic Chicago Marathon supporting the non-profit World Vision. But, as anyone who has trained for a marathon knows, the build up to race day is fraught with challenges. Some plantar fasciitis, a sprained ankle, and the doubt that comes in the wake of injuries later, McKenzie wondered if she would even make it to the start line. Listen in to this episode to hear how she got back on track, what it has looked like to raise money for a charity race, why audio books are her go to, and why we linked two different books and a popular clip of marathon runner Sifan Hassan. And don't forget to give to McKenzie's fundraising page as she gears up to take on the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024! Donate to McKenize's World Vision race fundraiser! Sifan Hassan being the most relatable. The book Tiff kept referencing. The book McKenize and Brittany kept referencing.

In this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast, Brittany and Tiff sit down with their friend Melissa Steve. Though originally a basketball player, Melissa got recruited to run for her college team after the coach observed her run one too many miles on the treadmill. In this episode, hear how getting connected to running has led to many memorable experiences for Melissa, like taking part in a fundraiser run from Cleveland, Tennessee, to Boston, Massachusetts, connecting with coworkers, and, best of all, the joy of sharing health and fitness with her kids.

Brittany and Tiff sit down with their first guest of the season, Melan Sunscreen founder, Brandi Corbello! In 2020, at the age of 30, Brandi was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma. Not knowing much about skin cancer or sun care, Brandi's journey to beating her diagnosis included lots of learning about sunscreen, chemicals used in skincare products and what is and isn't approved for use in the USA. This ultimately led Brandi to decide she needed to start a sunscreen company instead of a buy a house! Listen in to meet Brandi and learn more about her incredible story on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast.

Brittany and Tiff kickoff season 5 by looking back on their summers, as well as all the exciting updates that happened Terra over the past few months. They also offer some Terra Girls commentary on the Olympics, discuss cereal, and come up with the warm-up questions for the rest of the season in real-time. Listen in for a good time!

Would you rather be hot forever or cold forever? Do you prefer fiction or non-fiction and why? If you had to delete one food from existing in the universe what would you delete? Brittany and Tiff go over their own answers to their warm up questions, look back over some of Season 4's most memorable answers, and recount some behind the scenes happening. Plus Tiff grapples with the fact that she has no memory of running a race that her Athlinks profile says she did. Don't miss this hilarious wrap-up to Season 4 of the Terra Girls Podcast!

On April 27, 2024, Lea Mulligan set the Women's Fastest Known Time (FKT) for the Smokies Challenge Adventure Run - S.C.A.R. - a 72-mile segment on the Appalachian Trail that runs from Tennessee to North Carolina through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Though S.C.A.R. is a brutal route with 18,660 feet of elevation gain, Lea beat the previous record by 2 hours, finishing in 15 hours, 22 minutes, and 32 seconds. But despite the impressive outcome, the lead-up to the race was anything but pretty. A challenging training block, a foot injury, wedding planning, and a horrible night of "sleep" before her FKT attempt, Lea was reminded that sometimes choosing to follow through is harder than the actual task itself. Listen to this episode to learn more about Lea, her experience on S.C.A.R., her tips for nutrition and downhill training, and more all on this episode of the Terra Girls Podcast. Read more about Lea's experience at LaSportivaUSA.com Follow Lea on Instagram

Though still in her early 20s, Jordan Chance has been working in the running industry for over 7 years. A runner through and through, Jordan works for Altra Running, owns a Chronotrack race timing company, and, along with her husband, is one of the founders of the Cedar City Run Club in Lebanon, Tennessee. In this episode, find out how Jordan got into running, if Tech Reps across brands are friends, and what her best life advice is (even if she can't tell you a joke).

A native of western North Carolina, Chad Wykle, didn't originally plan to work in the outdoor industry, but a love of rock climbing brought him to the Chattanooga area and into a career working for the outdoor retailer Rock Creek. After many years at Rock Creek, Chad and his family decided that it was time to move back to the mountains of western North Carolina at the same time a new opportunity with the brand La Sportiva opened up. Listen in to this episode to learn how Chad went from rock climber to runner, how he we was able to overcome a severely broken calcaneus to be able to run at all, and to learn more about La Sportiva and their shoes.

Jen Vega never planned on being a business owner. Originally a teacher, she and her husband Martin got started on their business ventures by selling Martin's truck for some start up funds. One thing led to another, and eventually Jen and Martin found themselves buying the local running store in their town of Midland, Texas. 7 years later, Midland Athletic Company has grown to include a running store, a bike shop, a holistic health center, and a race timing and event business. Listen in to this episode to learn more about Jen, how she balances her time between being a business owner and a mom of 3 boys, and what it's like to build an active community in the heat of Texas. Listeners can check out Midland Athletic Company online at: https://midlandathleticcompany.com/

Growing up in the Florida heat, Blake Riley used to hate running. But growing up in a turkey trot family and having a natural love of being active eventually turned Blake into a runner. Fast forward a few years, and Blake found himself from one extreme to the other: immersed in the running world, working in a run specialty shop, and running in college, to burnt out on the sport and injured. But one thing led to the next, and those old running connections brought him back to the running world to work for his favorite brand: On. Listen in to hear more about Blake, as well as On, in this episode of the Terra Girls.

Though he hasn't always been a runner, George Destin Bell has always been entrepreneurial. From his early days as a kid selling candy bars to classmates, to more official ventures as a university student, being business-minded has always come easy. But no amount of business acumen could shield Destin from the circumstances of graduating college in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Opportunities were lost, job offers rescinded, and life seemingly put on hold. Listen to this episode to learn how Destin went from being jobless and broke to creating a successful new running app - Card.io - with no upfront funding, no official industry connections, and no app development experience.

Caroline Daniel still remembers the magic of her first pair of Brooks Ghosts. A middle schooler at the time, she had no idea that she would one day work for Brooks as a Guru Field Representative, helping other people fall in love with running one pair of Brooks shoes at a time. But roads rarely run in a straight line, and for Caroline, the path from middle schooler to professional in the running industry wasn't always smooth. Listen in to this episode to learn more about how Caroline went from soccer player, to college runner, to law school student, to embracing the joy of working in the run specialty industry for one of the most respected brands out there.

If you are a Hoka fan in Tennessee, there is a good chance that you have met this episode's guest, Melanie Harsha. Melanie is the Hoka Field Representative for the state of Tennessee (and Mississippi and a smidge of Virginia!) which means there is a good chance that you have met her at a Hoka demo run, a Hoka-sponsored race, or just out and about at general running events. What you might not know about Melanie is that, besides being a runner, she is an incredibly accomplished hiker, having completed the "Triple Crown of Hiking," that is thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. Listen to this episode to learn more about Melanie's experiences on the trail, her job with Hoka, and what it is like to leave your life for a season to accomplish your dreams.

The Terra Girls are back and interviewing with their new friend Heather Trainor! Though Heather is unassuming, she is an incredibly accomplished runner, having completed well over 130 marathons and counting. Heather has not only run a marathon in every US state, she has also run a marathon on all 7 continents (yes, Antartica included)! Her new goal? Run 150 marathons by her 50th birthday. Listen in to learn a bit more about Heather, her job as the official "Maker of Friends and Purveyor of Fun" at Big Peach Running Company in Marietta, Georgia, and laugh along with Brittany and Tiffany as they kick off Season 4!

With their signature hilarity and chaotic energy, Brittany and Tiff put a bow on Season 3 by asking each other the Warm-Up Questions, reflecting on their favorite moments from the season, and looking ahead with their answers to the Final Lap Question.

A runner long before his two years working at Terra Running Company, Brennan reflects on how the sport he loves fits in with the big life changes he has recently experienced. From starting a career to getting married, life looks different than it did a few months ago. In this long-anticipated episode, Brennan joins Brittany and Tiff in the podcast studio to share with listeners how he is balancing the new season he finds himself in.

In running, as in life, injuries and setbacks are inevitable. Our best preparation can't anticipate a torn muscle, a twisted ankle... or a worldwide pandemic. So what do we do when our running goals get derailed? In this episode, Brittany and Tiffany talk about their running setbacks and mindsets that have helped them come back after longer periods away from the activity that they love.