Rise Resolute

Connect and Rise with Alex who is a Kettlebell and Nutrition Coach out of NYC.  Alex tells us about her philosophy on fitness (and life) reminding us to work with our bodies, not against them.  She describes the importance of being rooted in a "why" that feels good while asking yourself how you can make things more fun.  Sometimes we have to remember that beyond all of the doing, there is magic in simply being.  Alex certainly has an adbudent mindset and will remind you of your own power to create change within yourself and the world.

Connect and Rise with retired nurse and current ARC participant in our Cancer Fighter and Thriver cohort, Yvonne Frazier.  At almost 74 years old, Yvonne will inspire you to fully embrace your unique journey and greet each day with gratitude. She reminds us that we can learn from the highs and the lows in life and says that after her Breast Cancer diagnosis, it was “the call of the pavement” that got her back on her feet. Yvonne’s Cancer journey  taught her that it’s ok to struggle. It’s ok to ask for help. Her powerful insight will propel you forward in your own life. It’s your journey, at your pace. No one fights alone. 

Connect and Rise with Erika as she shares her journey and insight on running and community. Erika will remind you of the power of discipline and also the power that we each have to lift up our fellow woman.  She shares that every run isn't easy, but that running gives us the space to gain confidence, believe in ourselves and even to create positive changes in our lives.  

Connect and Rise with Jasmine, runner, working mom and wife.  Jasmine shares some of her journey and her incredible insight on building community, remaining curious and taking time to take care of ourselves.  She discusses how easy it can be to get so caught up in work, being a mom, being a wife, and putting yourself last and why it's so important to remember to extend kindness to yourself.  "The work we do on ourselves becomes the gift we give everyone else." Jasmine also encourages us to avoid allowing others to put their projections on us. Remember your worth and your divine power. Don't miss this impactful episode.

Connect and Rise with Miriam, ultrarunner, author, scholar and Cancer Caregiver.  Miriam empowers us all to live fully with gratitude for each day.  We discuss ultra running and her role as a Cancer Caregiver, which resulted in her starting Ultracare for Cancer Caregivers, a Go Fund Me Campaign to support Cancer Caregivers and bring them both joy and recpit. Miriam encourages us all to remember that it is our choice to use our time wisely. There are 10,080 minutes in a week and those minutes belong to us. It may take a little extra work or extra planning or extra dedication, but you can make time work for you. And you can also dig deep to be brave, courageous and resilient.  Keep your heart open. 

“We as women are truly amazing human beings.” Connect and Rise with Natalie Mitchell, runner, coach and mother, as she reinforces how important it is to believe in our own strength. Natalie shares some of her running journey and the story behind landing on the cover of Runner’s World Magazine! She reminds each of us to challenge ourselves to do things that take us out of our comfort zone. Time goes quickly and life doesn’t wait for you. You’ll never know unless you try, so don’t be afraid. Reach for the stars. You will be better for it.

Connect and Rise with Samantha (Sam) Palmer, runner and Assistant Cross Country/Track and Field Coach at the University of Alabama. Sam shares her running journey including how it felt to be the underdog, which shaped her as a runner and a person. Being told no but still having a deep desire to pursue your goals produces grit and perseverance.  Struggling also allows us to authentically connect with others.  We also discussed the poignant meaning of: “I’m going to love you tomorrow,” emphasizing how important it is to keep things in perspective as we face  difficulties and also how important it is to continue loving ourselves no matter what. In the end, you truly can do anything (but not everything). Don’t wait.

When we run, we learn we can do hard things.  It can be really difficult to balance motherhood and pursuing our other interests and passions, but developing those parts of ourselves makes us stronger and happier- which is good for our children and for us!  Connect and Rise with Meridith, Ultra runner, mom and wife. Meridith shares her insight on continuing to pursue her running goals while balancing motherhood. She shares that when she invites God into her running, her perspective shifts and she connects with a greater plan and purpose for her life.  Meredith also reminds us (especially those who are mothers) that we shouldn’t associate guilt with things that bring us joy. Carve out time to take care of yourself and don’t limit yourself by what other people are doing. Break free from being so hard on yourself and go with it, reaching for your unique goals and dreams. 

Connect and Rise with Reomona, runner, RN, mom, wife and ARC @activeresoluteconnected mentor.  Reomona shares her awesome insight, including how stuggles can lead us to our passions and also that our pain can be used to birth purpose.  Reomona believes in self care, which she says allows us to give the world “the best of us instead of the rest of us.” Reomona is a huge advocate for the ARC program and discusses how meaningful it is to be a mentor for ARC athletes, who in turn inspire her.  She tells us about how she handles difficult days and the value of shifting you perspective to look for the bright spots.  Reomona’s positivity is contagious as she reminds us to enjoy the journey, embrace change, don't miss the moment, be kind and most importantly, love yourself.

Connect and Rise with Kristin Stokes, avid marathoner and certified RRCA Run Coach. Kristin shares her running journey and describes her experience at her first in-person race since the pandemic. Kristin offers amazing insight and advice, encouraging us to surround ourselves with women who lift us up, to be willing to put in the work for whatever it is we want to achieve and to remember that no dream is too big. Running (and life) is a journey that is not defined by one race or work out. Keep putting the work in and it will eventually pay off. 

Connect and Rise with Tonya Bradley, runner (and current participant in ARC Active Resolute Connected @activeresoluteconnected), Lupus patient and Lupus awareness advocate, health equity advocate and racial justice advocate. Tonya shares her inspiring story of being diagnosed with Lupus and hitting rock-bottom with her health.  She explains how running has helped her physical and mental health and encourages us all to look for the joy in each day. She describes the value of self care and how it allows us to seek happiness in our lives. We can prioritize our own happiness by refusing to give anyone room to disrespect our joy. Tonya shares that “sewing and reaping do not occur in the sane season.” There’s a reason for the season you’re in. Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself room to fail,  thereby giving yourself room to grow.

Connect and Rise with Emily Durgin, professional distance runner for Under Armour. Emily shares her running journey and her awesome insight and how to persevere despite struggles and difficulties. She reminds us that sometimes looking at the big picture (rather than getting distracted by the little or big stumbling blocks in each day) can be important to our success. And when the bad days come, you are the one who gets to decide how long they last. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone else. Celebrate your own successes and also remember to celebrate the successes of your fellow women. Together we are stronger.

Connect and Rise with MJ Smith, 48 time half marathoner, Military Officer in the US Air Force, mom and Founder of Temple Running.  MJ shares her running journey and how running has given her the mental toolkit to "dig deep and get it done" in times of struggle or challenge.  MJ also reminds us to run our own race both on the pavement and in life.  When we compare ourselves to others we are not using our energy productively.  Instead, we should shift that energy into the constant improvement of ourselves. No matter where you are in your life journey or your running journey, keep going, keep challenging yourself, and don’t forget to be kind to yourself also. 

Connect and Rise with Tina, Breast Cancer Survivor, runner and podcast host. Tina discusses her Cancer journey and shares incredible insight on how our most profound struggles can cause us to wake up and truly live. Tina encourages us to see the value of looking inward and asking ourselves what matters in our lives and also what purpose we are meant to fulfill. She reminds us to focus on the way we talk to ourselves. Tina is committed to connecting and supporting women who are battling Cancer on her podcast. She is an incredible advocate for Breast Cancer research. She also reminds us that exercise is one of the most powerful ways to prevent the reoccurrence of Breast Cancer. Be inspired by Tina’s powerful words: (after Cancer I realized) “I couldn’t imagine spending one more day doing something that is not meaningful.” Something painful can be turned into a purpose. Breathe. God is with you. 

Connect and rise with Avery, lover of running and good food. ARC mentor. Avery shares how running brought her through so much including the heartbreaking loss of her mother. She speaks powerfully about the positive affect we as women can have on each other. Avery reminds us of the importance of opening up to share our fragile parts (which doesn’t  mean we aren’t also very strong) and the incredible impact it can have on our lives. It’s okay to lean on each other. That’s what we are built for. In turn, when we are compassionate to others who show us their true selves, the love and light comes back to us. 

Connect and Rise with Nattalyee, ultra marathoner and performer based in NYC who is currently creating a documentary called “The Race Against Race,” aimed at normalizing black runners. Nattalyee shares her very personal journey including finding running after she got sober and how running has changed her life. She also shares how she is processing the loss of her mother due to complications from COVID-19 in December of 2020 and how she pours her soul into peaceful protests in NYC, using her voice to uplift others.  Nattalyee reminds each of us that if you put your heart into running it can transform your body, mind and soul.

Connect and Rise with Chloe Hansel, collegiate track and cross country athlete at UC Berkley.  Chloe describes how we can all use radical acceptance to navigate these uncertain times.  We have to radically accept the things we cannot change and embrace those we can.  When we focus on the things within our control: our attitude, our effort, or ability to pivot and grow, any struggle we are going through really becomes more manageable.  Changing your attitude when you can’t control things can make all the difference. Chloe also discusses the importance of embracing our own beauty and being confident in who we are as individuals.  We are often so hard on ourselves and don't show ourselves the love and compassion we show others.  Find out how you can ask yourself an "empowering question" to set the tone for your day and remember when you struggle that “hardships prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” 

Connect and Rise with Pilar Arthur-Snead, Certified Run Coach, Certified Personal Trainer and seven-time marathoner. Be inspired by her story of deciding to start running in her 40s. Pilar describes how each stage of her growth as a runner took her to a new level of empowerment. Also find out how the “lessons we learn on the pavement can be applied to any struggle we face in life.”Pilar also shares incredible insight coming from her background in theology and Buddhism. We discuss what it means to know yourself, the power of community and the value of remembering one of the most important things running through the hearts of all of us, despite how many outward and inward differences we may have. Don’t miss this episode and the opportunity to remind yourself of the beauty and power you hold within. 

Connect and Rise with Kelly Davis Martin who is on the Wellcoaches School of Coaching faculty, serves on the Harvard Institute of Coaching Advisory Board and is an ultra runner, coach, running magazine author, mom and wife.  Kelly shares some of her journey, including how her most challenging experiences shaped her into the person she is today. When we go through difficult times, it’s important to remember that life is always preparing us for what is to come. We discuss the power of asking ourselves what we are teaching our children through the way we live our lives and the value of leading with self compassion and self kindness. Our internal dialogue matters and what we do in this moment to show compassion to ourselves (letting go of what used to work because it may not work today) makes a difference in our overall quality of life. Be kinder to yourself and as a result it will spill over to others. Find why Kelly says: “I learned to be kinder as I suffered” and how her words can help you tap into that kindne

Connect and Rise with Becki Spellman, 4-time Olympic Trials Qualifier for the Marathon, coach, wife and mom.  Becki shares her running journey and her personal story of struggling with depression after becoming a mother.  Find out more about her turning point when she realized that the tools she needed to navigate hard times were already insider her.  Becki also poignantly discusses the lasting value of helping our fellow women to rise.  If we practice kindness with others, they often send it right back.