The Running for Real Podcast

Together run monday! Join Tina for a 30, 45, and 60 minute connective, reflective, peaceful run. We will ground ourselves with nature, check in with our body and mind, and take in our five main senses, before having a chat. Each group finishes their run with a few strides. This is as close to running with a friend without running with a friend. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share and sign up for the watchalong this weekend! Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun28 Tina mentioned Tracksmith's shakeout run Sign up for the Running For Real watch along Steve Donziger on Drilled Podcast Steve Donziger story Brett Goldstein and Brene Brown COP26 Video about #thehumanrace campaign Running Realized No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team: Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here. You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs. You can leave a review on iTunes. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

When you read about Jerome Foster II's accomplishments, you'd be forgiven for assuming that he's worked in the public sector for decades. He serves on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council; is one of the major organizers of Fridays for Future Washington, which holds weekly climate strikes in front of the White House; helped to organize three of the largest climate marches in the Washington, D.C. area; and is the executive director of OneMillionOfUs, an international youth advocacy and voting rights organization. That would be an impressive resume for someone at the end of their career, but Jerome is only 19 years old. In today's episode he talks about why he's devoted himself to addressing the climate crisis, shares advice on how we can all take positive action, and tells why, despite all of the challenges, he's hopeful for the future. "It's the system that has to change because the system is what caused the problem." Small actions taken by individuals won't solve the climate emergency; meaningful change has to come from the government and corporations. As Jerome explains, "There's the fossil industry which pays the officials to not take action and that's why we don't have climate action. It's just that the system is money in politics. And people have to understand that beyond voting, we have to also be actively aware and actively pushing our elected officials if we don't elect people that are real champions of the people." "If a company makes a product, they have to be accountable to that product that they make and what happens to it." Companies place the responsibility to live sustainably on the consumer, but very few people have the option to change their lifestyle in a meaningful way. It's the companies that need to take action. It's almost impossible to shift away from using plastic, but a company like Coca Cola could revert back to the way it used to do business, when it sold soda in returnable glass bottles. What consumers can do is choose companies that only create renewable products. So many companies produce one sustainable product, then use those profits towards the production of other materials that destroy the planet. Jerome advises that consumers should "tell that larger company, say Coca Cola, that until all of your products are sustainable, it doesn't matter that one of your bottles is sustainable because that one bottle is fueling the whole system." "You shouldn't tell them about the scale of the climate crisis, what you should really do is tell them about how to live sustainably." Jerome believes that scaring young people about the enormity of the climate crisis does more harm than good. Instead they should be taught to view sustainable living, like having solar panels on a house or driving an electric car, as the norm, and "that is how you can raise a generation that sees gas powered cars, and coal, oil, and natural gas as how my generation sees the rotary phone and sees the VHS, like it's outdated." "It just feels like your future was stolen, quite honestly." Previous generations have left it to young people who had no part in the destruction of the environment to repair it, while taking no responsibility themselves. As Jerome says, "I didn't reap any of the benefits that you did when you had fun making this mess. Now I have to spend all of my waking hours fixing what you did and you don't even have the respect to come back and help me clean it up. I think that what we're asking people to do is to help. We don't need apologies. We know that you may not have known back in the day when it was happening that you're making a mess. But now you know, so come and help and come be a part of this movement." "The impetus to why I founded OneMillionOfUs is to have an organization that brought together all justice movements under the umbrella of voting." While interning for Rep. John Lewis, Jerome realized that many social issues intersect, so why not have advocates for all of them join together? He created OneMillionOfUs to unite them, "so that whenever we organize a strike or protest or civil disobedience that immediately transitions into voting. And the slogan was 'take it to the streets, take it to the polls' and 'today we strike, tomorrow we vote.'" Jerome says he feels the most hopeful about the future of the planet "when I'm at climate strike and going in the streets, going out with my friends and saying what needs to be done." There's a tremendous amount to do, but he'll never give up. "I just keep pushing forward because people sent me here to fight for them So I'm going to keep on fighting no matter what." resources: OneMillionOfUs Instagram OneMillionOfUs Facebook OneMillionOfUs GoFundMe Jerome's Instagram Thank you to InsideTracker, Beam, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven't really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you. I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all. Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store. A new product that I've been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I've used "elevate energy" and "elevate balance" and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know they will help you too. Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription. Tracksmith is a Boston based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites! Click here and when you use code TINA15, you'll get free shipping and 5% of your order will be donated to Runners for Public Lands. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone. Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here. "Thank you" to Jerome. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

It's #togetherrun time! Join Tina for a 30, 45, and 60 minute run together....while apart. We start by grounding ourselves with nature, then check in with our body and mind, followed by paying attention to five of our senses, and then have a conversation. Each group finishes their run with a few strides. Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share. Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun27 Tina mentioned COP26 Video about #thehumanrace campaign No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team: Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here. You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs. You can leave a review on iTunes. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kyle Robidoux was ready to run the Boston Marathon this year, with Tina as his guide, until fate intervened in the form of a stress fracture. Any runner would be gutted to have to DNS, and Kyle is no exception. However, he's well versed in overcoming adversity and tough situations. When he was eleven, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative eye disease that can lead to blindness, and he was declared legally blind at nineteen. Today he shares the story of his journey, how he ensures that he isn't defined by the boundaries that others place on him, and a few beer recommendations. "I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure in my early 30s and I knew I needed a lifestyle change." In 2010 Kyle found that he got tired playing with his two year old daughter; he got tired bending over to tie his shoelaces, for that matter. He was overweight, his biomarkers were bad, and he knew he had to improve his health. He started walking, then running, gradually increasing the time he ran. He didn't have a goal in mind, other than trying to run a few minutes longer every week. "When I hit two hours I said, 'wow, when am I ever going to be able to run two hours again? I should sign up for a race.' And that was when I signed up for my first half marathon." One day, his intended 90 minute run extended to an hour and 45 minutes. He felt great, so he kept going, and when he hit two hours, he realized he was ready for a half marathon. Since then, he's completed over 25 marathons and ultras, including five 100 milers and the grueling six-day, 120 mile Transrockies Run. Getting to that point wasn't easy, not only in the sense of the physical training, but coming to terms with the progressive loss of his eyesight. "I felt angry because all these things were being taken away from me, and what I realized at the end was I was giving up on all those things that I loved and I just needed to adapt and change things up a little bit in order to continue doing them." When Kyle was diagnosed with RP, doctors said that he would be totally blind by college. He and his parents talked about some aspects of the prognosis, but didn't address the emotional impact of vision loss. And for a time, they didn't have to. Kyle was declared legally blind at 19, but it wasn't until his late twenties, he says, that "it really started taking things away from me that I loved, like skiing independently and playing recreational baseball and pick up leagues for baseball and softball. And I was just becoming really bitter and angry." At the urging of his then girlfriend, now his wife, he started seeing a therapist. It was hard for him at first, but ultimately it helped him work through the loss and anger, and gave him tools to cope with his diminishing eyesight. Now he encourages anyone struggling emotionally to at least give therapy a try. As he says, "you don't have to commit 100%, but if folks go once or twice, I feel like you start to see the benefits really quickly, even if it's just once a week for an hour. I think there's tremendous value in that and I certainly feel like if I would have started it earlier, it would have been much more beneficial to my overall well being, and quite possibly my physiological and physical health, in addition to my mental health." "And then I asked, I'm like, 'well, you know because I am an idiot and have an ego sometimes, what happens if I do run Boston?" The coping mechanisms that he's learned through therapy are helping Kyle now, as he processes not being able to run the Boston Marathon. He's run it the past eight or nine years, and was ready to continue that streak this year, with Tina as his guide. But shortly before race day he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot, and reluctantly accepted that it would be best not to run. He could have done it, albeit painfully, but it would have resulted in having to take up to four months off from running, rather than 3 - 8 weeks. The tradeoff, he concluded, wasn't worth it. Since he's usually running Boston, he's only spectated there once, so this year, he says, "I'm gearing myself up to get really excited to cheer." Oh, and also to get together with friends to have a few beers and possibly fill squirt guns with Fireball to shoot at people as they walk by. Basically, he says, "I'm hoping to truly embrace the spectator side of what is so special about the Boston marathon." "I would just say that anyone and everyone can be a guide." Kyle runs accompanied by a guide. Guides are needed for runners of all abilities, and there's training and support available for anyone who would like to be one. United in Stride can help you locate runners who are visually impaired in your community and connect with them. Achilles International has a list of their chapters around the country. Kyle strongly believes that "with a little bit of training and support and strong communication everyone can be a sighted guide." "I tell folks also that part of being a sighted guide, it's great because you're volunteering while doing something you'd already be doing if you're an active runner, right?" Resources: Kyle's website Kyle's Instagram Kyle's Twitter United in Stride Running for Real podcast with Rich Hunter, founder of United in Stride Achilles International Thank you to goodr, Athletic Greens, and Beam for sponsoring this episode. I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he tells the story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet. Go here and use the code TINA15 for 15% off your order. Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It's simple to make and it tastes good! Go here to get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription. A new product that I've been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I've used "elevate energy" and "elevate balance" and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know it will help you too. Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone. Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here. "Thank you" to Kyle. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Join Tina for something really special, today these together runs are six months old and more runners are joining every week for the community, connection, and closeness to running with a friend. In this 30, 45, and 60 minute run for #togetherrun26, we connect to mother earth, complete a body scan, check in with our senses, and have a conversation. Finishing each version of the run with a few strides. Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share. Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun26 Tina mentioned Buy Nothing Groups- see if your area has one. No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team: Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here. You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs. You can leave a review on iTunes. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Kayleigh Williamson made history in 2017, when she became the first person with Down syndrome to run in - and complete - the Austin Half Marathon. Since then she's finished 12 more half marathons, numerous races at other distances, and is training for her first marathon in 2022. She's written a children's book, It's Cool To Be Me, dedicated to people with Alzheimer's, which her late grandmother suffered from and which often occurs in people with Down syndrome. Her running journey is inspiring proof of what grit and heart can accomplish. "I had taken her to a doctor at 215 pounds. He looked at her and he told me,'this, it's not gonna end well.'" Kayleigh was in her early 20s when her grandmother had her second stroke and soon after was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Her mother, Sandy, began researching the disease and discovered that the chance of somebody with Down syndrome developing Alzheimer's is "astronomically higher" than it is for other people. Kayleigh consumed a lot of fast food, processed food, and soda, and weighed 215 pounds. She had developed autoimmune disorders, including Graves' disease, and Sandy knew that she had to do something to help her daughter. "I expected some type of rejection. And the running community, we got total acceptance and 80 pounds came off of her body and every one of her autoimmune disorders went into remission. And today I see how healthy she is." Sandy initially feared that Kayleigh wouldn't be accepted by the running community, but they embraced her. And even though she began running because of Sandy's encouragement, it's her own commitment that takes Kayleigh to the finish line. "I tell her she can stop if she needs to stop," Sandy says. " She never does. And that's the part that's kind of humbling to me whether we're training or we're in the middle of a race because she's got this determination that she just doesn't stop." "You have to get to the point you don't care what the rest of the world thinks." The opinion of others bothered Sandy more than it did Kayleigh. She remembers a race where they were in last place. She grabbed Kayleigh's hand to get her to run faster, and Kayleigh jerked her hand back. At that point, Sandy realized, "It's more important for her to finish the race than what anyone else thinks about where we are in the race. And I think that's kind of the same for life." "If you pick up your toys and go home, you don't influence change." That isn't to say that disregarding others' opinions is easy. Sandy recalls a race where people were openly staring and taking pictures, and she resolved that they would never go back there. But then she realized that the situation would never improve if they just walked away, so, she says, "we have specifically decided that we're going back and we're doing those races over again until we impact that change." "I think anytime you're told that your child is uniquely different in any way, you feel this need to protect them to the point that you think you're fixing it. And really it was the realization that she didn't need fixing." When Kayleigh was born, Sandy was told that she should put her in an institution. Now she's proud that her daughter can stand on her own two feet. She's realized that "she doesn't need me protecting her, a lot of times she needs me to get out of the way." Sandy raised Kayleigh to give everything her best shot. She's done that, and succeeded. "Don't let somebody else tell you what you can and cannot do. Get out there and try it, and if the first time you try it and you don't succeed, but you know in your heart of hearts you can still do it, get up there and do it again as many times as you need to get back up." resources: Kayleigh's Instagram Kayleigh's Facebook Video of Kayleigh at the Austin Half Marathon It's Cool To Be Me Thank you to Tracksmith, InsideTracker, and Beam for sponsoring this episode. Tracksmith is a Boston based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites! Click here and enter code TINA15 to get $15 of your purchase of $75 or more. Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven't really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you. I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all. Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store. A new product that I've been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I've used "elevate energy" and "elevate balance" and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know they will help you too. Go here and use code TINA for 15% off your order or 20% off a subscription. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone. Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here. "Thank you" to Kayleigh and Sandy. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Together runs are 25 today! Join Tina for #togetherrun25 around the dark St Louis suburbs. In this 30, 45, and 60 minute run, Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We start with a body scan, then go onto a senses check up, updates from life this week, and have a conversation. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share. Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun25 Tina mentioned No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team: BUT, please fill out this survey to let the Running For Real team know what you are enjoying and what we could include more of. Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here. You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs. You can leave a review on iTunes. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Regina Lopez is a pro runner for Salomon, competed in the 2020 Olympic Trial Marathon, and won her first Spartan Trail Race. Last year she set a new 50 mile treadmill world record (8:41:37), despite never having trained for or run anything longer than a marathon and never having run longer than six miles on a treadmill. You'd never expect that somebody so accomplished would struggle with confidence and self-image, but she has. Today she talks about how she works through those issues, the importance of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you, and taking on the challenge of trying new things. Know that you are equal to them, that if you put in the work and you get in that line, you belong there, and I did belong there. Throughout her twenties, Regina mainly ran marathons, and it was starting to get old. "I was just doing the same thing, and just hanging out with the same people doing the same thing and I just got bored," she recalls. She had friends who ran Spartan races and followed Courtney Dauwalter and other ultra runners, and was intrigued by the idea of running trails and longer distances. So she entered the Spartan Trail US Championship Women's 21K in 2019. She hadn't focused on trail running, and she wasn't sponsored at the time, so seeing all of the sponsored athletes competing was a little intimidating. But, she says, "I just went in that race, I had fun. I was competitive, I raced my own race, and I won." In 2021 she ran her first ultra, the 50K Road National Championship, and earned second place. I wanted to be part of something where I felt included, where I felt that it was something bigger than myself, with people who want to just grow, who are about inclusion, who are about just treating people right. She caught the attention of Salomon, which she believes is the perfect sponsor for her. They're not as interested in her times as in who she is as a person. If that wasn't the case, if she didn't feel welcome, she wouldn't have taken the sponsorship. To live a life where you're not being acknowledged, you're not being appreciated, you're not doing something that's rewarding, then why do it? When Covid hit, Regina realized that she wanted to be more than "just a runner." She'd been so focused on being an athlete that she had never thought she'd have a career. She'd also never had anyone support her ambitions. Then she found her current job, which she loves, working with children with autism. Like Salomon, it feels like a community, and she has mentors to help her grow. When I got into running it made me feel like I was strong, like people's opinions didn't matter to me. Yeah, that's how I gained confidence and so I just put all my focus on running. There were many times when Regina felt alone and self-conscious. She had a speech problem and didn't begin speaking until she was five. Ever since she was a baby, she was called "chubby." It wasn't intended to be mean; people thought it was cute, but it hurt. She was athletic, though, and played basketball and volleyball, and then got into running and weight training. All of that helped her shift her mindset and appreciate what her body can do. When I've been put down so much during my life, I feel like that pushes me to want to achieve that goal. Regina didn't have access to a track and did all of her running workouts on the streets of Los Angeles. She didn't have money for college tuition. But the more that people told her that she wouldn't run competitively or go to college, the more determined she was to prove them wrong. In her senior year of high school, she went to a running camp at UCLA. She earned a college scholarship. When she was at the running camp, the coach told her, "keep running; we need more representation." At first what he meant didn't click, but then, she says, "I went to a half marathon and a woman and her daughter came up to me after the race and the mom, she said, 'thank you so much.' You know, 'you're a strong Latina woman. We need more women like you.'" Now she loves giving the encouragement that she lacked when she was growing up to other young women. It just feels great when I know I'm making an influence. Like there's two girls, they actually went to my 50 mile treadmill race. And every time I see them, they always tell me, "you inspire me," and it just feels great that I'm able to encourage other female young runners. Resources: Regina's Instagram Ecosia - the search engine that plants trees Thank you for listening to the Running for Real podcast! We'd love to have your input on how we can make Running for Real the best that it can be. If you can spare a few moments, would you please fill out our survey? Even just answering the multiple choice questions would be very helpful, and if you could also answer the open-ended ones, that would be great! Running for Real Survey Thank you to Athletic Greens, goodr, and Picky Bars for sponsoring this episode. AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It's simple to make and it tastes good! Go here to get a FREE year's supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription. I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he talks about the true and real story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet. Go here and use the code TINA for 15% off your order. I am thrilled to be sponsored by Picky Bars! I have had Lauren Fleshman and Stephanie Bruce, who founded Picky Bars, on the podcast and I am happy to say that their ideals are right in line with what Running for Real stands for. These bars are not only delicious, but they're made of real food and are made for sport, imagine that…. They're gluten, soy, gmo, and dairy free, with even some vegan options. Click here and use the code TINA to get 20% off your purchase of $25 of more. You can also apply it to a Picky Club membership for even greater savings! Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone. Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here. "Thank you" to Regina. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

oin Tina for her first regular run back from injury. If you have experinced the paranoia of pain returning when getting back to training, you will know this well. Join Tina for this #togetherrun24 where she does a 30, 45, and 60 minute run carrying a small, handheld mic. We start with a body scan, then go onto a senses check up, updates from life this week, and have a conversation. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share. Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun24 Tina mentioned No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team: BUT, please fill out this survey to let the Running For Real team know what you are enjoying and what we could include more of. Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here. You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs. You can leave a review on iTunes. Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here. Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

There are four cardinal virtues recognized by almost all of the world's philosophies: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. Ryan Holiday examines the first in his latest book, Courage is Calling: Fortune Favors the Brave. His other books include the bestselling Stoic trilogy of The Obstacle is the Way, Ego is the Enemy, and Stillness is the Key. He has a popular newsletter and podcast, The Daily Stoic, and on top of all that, he's a runner! On today's episode we talk about philosophy, running, and how they intersect. Seneca talks about this word euthymia, which basically he defines as tranquility, but his definition is that it's when you have the sense of the path that you're on and you're not distracted by the paths that crisscross yours. Seneca was speaking about a basis of human life goals, but it can apply at any level, including being disciplined in your running. Years ago Ryan was out on the track when someone came alongside him, "and now all of a sudden we're racing for no reason. And I remember thinking, he has no idea how long I've been here; he has no idea how long I ran to get here. Why are we in this pointless competition with each other to prove nothing to nobody?" Ideally, we should do whatever we're doing and not be concerned with what others are doing. Ryan says that as a runner, "just because someone else is there, just because someone comes up behind you, just because someone is twenty paces in front of you, to be able to tune that out and just focus on what you're trying to do, to me is the key part of the discipline of running." The Stoics would say that anything you do out of compulsion is not good. I kind of see it as of all the things to be compulsive about, this is probably one of the least bad. Another discipline of running is consistency, which can slip over into compulsion. Ryan acknowledges that he's streak-focused, but also sees it as a strength. For example, he says, "as a writer, the way you write books is by showing up every day and writing a little bit, and that adds up cumulatively to books and that's certainly how I, on a consistent basis, have published what I've been able to publish." He likes to do some form of strenuous exercise every day, but tries to balance out his compulsion to run by biking or swimming. What I love about running is that it's self contained and totally in your control. Ryan believes that one of the things that contributes to burnout is working and "not feeling like you're making progress, not feeling like it's having an impact, not feeling like there's an end in sight, not feeling like you're progressing, not getting any sort of validation or win out of it." Running is the opposite of that because it's rewarding every time that you do it: "It's like you decided to run for four miles, you go run for four miles and then you come home and that's a win. And so what I love about running is that it's an easy win every day. Even the hard days are still easy compared to the rest of the world, which is so much more uncontrollable." The courage to be oneself, to be difficult, to be unusual, to transgress norms or expectations, is just as scary and just as important in the long run as any form of physical courage might be. People tend to think of courage in terms of physical feats, but it's also "when you put yourself out there, when you do what needs to be done despite the fact that it's scary or hard or risky." Ryan tells a story about Margaret Thatcher, who went for her first job interview after university and saw a note that the interviewer had written, saying that she had far too much personality to work there. That's true, Ryan says, she did have too much personality for the job, "but she was courageous enough not to become what she needed to be to work there." There are two kinds of plagues. There's the one that destroys your life and then there's the one that destroys your character. That's one of Ryan's favorite quotes from Marcus Aurelius, who lived during a time of plague. It was only during the current pandemic that Ryan realized that quotes like that one, which he had thought were purely figurative, were literal, as well. Now, he says, it's "like, oh I see what you're saying. Yes, you can get Covid. Or you can get infected with something worse than Covid, which is whatever is making these people scream at grocery store employees or take horse dewormer, you know, whatever. You can get infected with a different kind of disease, a different virus. It's actually worse because it makes you worse as a person. It might not have the same health concerns. But it's almost worse." One of the things that I love about Stoicism is that it's a philosophy that articulates really clearly what our obligations are to other people. For me, the idea that stoicism is this sort of insular personal philosophy really misses what was actually a philosophy designed to make one active in the world. Resources: Ryan's website The Daily Stoic Ryan's Facebook Ryan's Instagram Ryan's Twitter Thank you to Tracksmith, Generation UCAN, and InsideTracker for sponsoring this episode. Tracksmith is a Boston based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites! You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more; click here and enter code TINA15. This offer is ending soon! Thank you, Generation UCAN. I have been talking about them for years and they are my ONLY source for fueling while I am training and racing. And without fail, I have a product of UCAN every day, whether it is a Peanut Butter Chocolate Bar or their delicious Cookies and Cream Protein Powder. I am also excited to share with you a NEW product, a gel! It's fueled with Superstarch and ready to go wherever you are headed. Go here and get 20% off your order! Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues, but not really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you. I have trusted this company for years to help me find what I may be lacking, or if I just need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all. Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners when you sign up! Thanks for listening! We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us: Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone. Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player. Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people. Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe? You can find out here. "Thank you" to Ryan. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.