Rise Resolute

Connect and Rise with Hafsa Kamara, 2016 Rio Olympian, Founder of the BrandMe Program, and youth advocate.  Hafsa shares her personal journey of becoming an Olympian representing Sierra Leone even when the odds were stacked against her (including her own father's belief that Muslim women did not belong in Track and Field).  She reminds us that anything is possible with hard work and determination, even when you think a dream is so big it may never be realized.  Hafsa also talks about her current goals which include empowering youth as we continue to demand social justice.  She encourages each of us to do what we can because "now is the time for your voice to be heard; now is the time for your actions to matter."

Connect and Rise with Jocelyn, runner, Disney lover, mom, wife, and Physical Therapist Assistant. Jocelyn shares her own personal journey through this pandemic including her strategies for managing anxiety and figuring out how to help yourself. She tells us what it’s like to be working in a long term care facility and how we can all make such a difference by reaching out to older adults whether they are family or not. We also discuss running, the benefits of moving your body,  embracing your pace, and remembering to have fun. Joselyn urges us to never forget to live life to the fullest and to remember that we are capable of great things.  

Connect and Rise with Erica Agran, running Blogger who has completed 52 marathons and counting! Erica takes us through some of her journey in life/running, providing excellent insight to include being your own advocate and finding the joy and fun in running or whatever fills your days. Erica shares that though running is an individual sport, she stuck with it because of the friends she has made along the way. She tells her own story of injury and how suddenly the things she once took for granted shifted. It brought her clarity and the realization that you never know what is going to happen tomorrow so the best thing you can do is embrace all the joy to be found in today. 

Connect and Rise with Amanda Ghent, mother, wife, teacher, music and coffee lover, and runner. Amanda walks us through the loss of her mother and provides powerful insight on “zooming out” and choosing to see seasons of struggle as seasons of growth. She discusses that wishing and wanting a tough season to be gone isn't as productive as taking it on as a part of your journey and continuing to look for the joy.  We also talk about the power of asking yourself every day if you are being generous and compassionate as we work together towards equality. Finally, Amanda shares her journey through running injuries and the strategies she’s used and continues to use during the Covid 19 Pandemic. Amanda will motivate you to “make your next steps better than your last.” Don’t miss this episode! 

Connect and Rise with Amanda Brooks, author, running coach, and the person behind the popular blog Run to the Finish. We start off talking about the movement for change and equality, discussing the value of tough conversations that have become more normalized.  Amanda then shares how running has been a big part of her journey through many moves. She dives in to how she learned to be her own advocate when a health issue arose and presented significant difficulty getting an answer to persistent symptoms. Amanda kept pushing, only to discover as a young woman that her body was making absolutely zero estrogen.  She takes us through her journey with functional medicine and tells us how she got her health (and her energy back).  Amanda reminds us that resting is important and it's actually where a lot of progress happens.  She also suggests that we get back in touch with the joy of running and talks about her awesome new book Run to the Finish which is about "embracing your place in the middle of the pack

Connect and Rise with Casey, three-time Cancer Survivor, Certified Yoga Instructor, Personal Trainer, and Cancer Survivorship Coach as she walks us through her incredible journey of beating Cancer three times.  Casey starts off by talking about the current events in our country and her ideas for change.  She then talks us through her against-the-odds story, sharing poignant advice like: focus on the things you can control and create a routine for yourself.  Casey tells us that we all can access a deeper level of strength (which is many times left untapped) that lies within.  She also speaks about the importance of exercise in our lives and how "going back to normal" after Cancer or any struggle in life sometimes just isn't possible.  Casey, like most who have survived a major struggle in life, affirms that while you can’t go back to normal, there is still great joy ahead. 

Connect and Rise with Coach Dana of True Potential Running. Dana has loved running for most of her life and is now living out her passion by bringing runners into a “running family” as a RRCA, USATF and VDOT certified online Running Coach. Dana shares her story of losing a dear running buddy to Cancer and how she made it through and found peace. She tells us that running can give you the time to internalize who you are as a person. This is particularly valuable as we continue to search within to find ways we can be a part of the movement towards change, justice, and unity. Dana encourages each of us to be unafraid to BE YOU. To improve in any aspect of your life, you must first know who you are and then work from there. So many good things lie ahead. 

Connect and Rise with Khadijah Diggs, the first African American, Muslim woman to represent team USA for Triathlon, USAT Ambassador, and Ironman Silver All-World Athlete. Khadijah shares that in her first Triathlon she came in third to last and went on to continue racing (eventually making Team USA). It’s such a passion for her that she says “even if I was losing I’d still be racing.” Khadijah also shares her own journey through racism and discrimination and strategies on how every person can be a part of the change, stepping out of our comfort zone to reach out to someone who looks different. She tells us that if we want our children to be brave, we must be brave ourselves, that no one is alone in their journey and so much more! Be inspired to do your part for change... 

Though we do not talk about the need for justice and anti-racism in this episode, it is on our minds and discussed briefly at the beginning of this episode. More conversations on what we can do are planned. We are all a part of the change. In this episode, Connect and Rise with Hadlee, a health and wellness coach who believes in the power of creating healthy habits. Hadlee takes us through her personal struggles and her journey towards a happier and healthier version of herself. She offers powerful insight on how to BE MORE instead of DOING MORE and why what we do shouldn’t define us or dictate our happiness, rather who we are. She also discusses what life in quarantine has been like for her. She suggests that we look at this time as the invitation that it is. It’s a different invitation for all of us, but try to think of the one opportunity you are given at this time. Focus on it. What are your blessings? How can you tap inward? And when you do, our hope it that you take a moment to thoughtfully consider how

Connect and Rise with Sarah Silber of Run Fearless Coaching who is a coach, marathoner, trainer, and cytotechnologist.  Sarah discusses her journey of deciding to make the changes that she needed and wanted to live a more fulfilling life. She talks about taking risks and daring to look past perceived expectations to embrace a life that brings you joy. We also discuss how Sarah is getting through the pandemic and she shares some strategies that may work for you also. Sarah will lift you up and have you believing that not only can you make it through this health crisis, but you can also thrive and flourish in a life of purpose and passion.

Connect and Rise with Nicole, Wellness Director and runner as she provides poignant insight on journeying through struggle.  Nicole takes us back to the first moment she knew running would be a big part of her life and shares her own personal story of recovery from an eating disorder.  She talks about avoiding the urge to "crowd source" your life because the answers you seek aren't beyond you, they are within you.  Nicole connects us all as we discuss this collective experience we are going through during the pandemic.  She encourages each of us to be kind to ourselves as we navigate this new normal.  Nicole concludes with a beautiful and uplifting poem by Mary Oliver reinforcing the power of connection.  "Whoever you are, no matter how lonely" listen and be comforted because we all have our "place in the family of things."

A special Happy Mother's Day episode for all of the moms out there.  I see you.  I see the effort it takes to do what you do every day.  I celebrate you.  The episode includes words of encouragement pulled from my Mama friends who have walked beside me in my own journey of motherhood and from awesome moms with whom I've had the pleasure of speaking on the podcast. I also spend some time sharing a bit more about my own mother, who was my inspiration for the podcast in the first place.  She was the embodiment of warmth and connection and I'm happy to share a small glimpse of who she was with you all.  Cheers to the moms out there.  I think you are pretty incredible. Stay strong and stay connected.  

Connect and Rise with Alyssa Kuras, Mindset Coach for Athletes, former competitive swimmer, and mom.  Alyssa shares her journey of navigating a new identity after shoulder surgeries prevented her from returning to swimming. She offers great insight on avoiding a fear-based mentality and instead focusing on the things that serve to strengthen you. Her discussion of “flipping the script” will bring you inspiration for your own journey through this health crisis and beyond. You are so much more than you believe you are. Don’t forget the power of tapping into the courage inside you. 

Connect and Rise with Steph Bruce, Professional runner for HokaOneOne NAZ Elite, mom, Co-conspirator for Picky Bars, and coach of Running w/ Bruces as she shares her powerful insight on how to keep moving forward through struggle.  Steph discusses placing sixth in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Team Trials on February 29, 2020 in Atlanta, GA and talks us through how her plans moving forward had to shift based on the health crisis.  She leads us through losing her dad and being held up by her mom (who she tells us has always helped buoy her belief in herself).  She discusses how her high school coach shaped her as a person and a runner and her love for her husband who supports her fiercely.  Find out how Steph “holds space for two truths,” her passion/job and her family. You can too. Steph also shares her strategies for getting through this crazy time in our world.  Find out how you too can adopt the mantra to keep moving forward despite all obstacles.  Steph will inspire you to look for ways to embrace the opportu

Connect and Rise with Holly Speers, Team Canada Softball Player who qualified for the 2020 Olympic games in Tokyo, but obviously has to put those dreams on hold due to the global pandemic which resulted in the Olympics being rescheduled. Holly will inspire you with her insight on navigating this crazy time in our world and all that has changed, been rescheduled, cancelled or lost. She tells us her personal strategies for making it through and gives us some awesome tips to apply to our own life. Our world may look different right now, but “we are going to make it through this and it's going to be okay.” Connected we are stronger. Don’t miss this episode! 

Connect and Rise with Theresa, avid runner and Occupational Therapy Student at Ohio State University.  Theresa gives us important insight on shifting our perspective during this very difficult time in our world.  She also offers some tips on staying inspired and on how beginners can get started with running (even if you think you won't like it).  It is not easy to see the opportunity that lies within struggle nor to be grateful in the midst of such sorrow, but trying is worth it.  It will change everything.   

Connect and Rise with Margaret, competitive road runner and trail runner, who has even completed a 120 mile trail race. On this episode, originally aired as a Live Video on Instagram, she shares her insight on how to adapt your training during the health crisis in order to stay safe.  She also shares some tips on bringing positivity to your everyday life including finding ways to serve others, giving yourself grace, and tapping into gratitude.  We are all connected during this crazy time. Wishing every runner and non-runner the added inspiration you may need to get through the day.  Stay strong.

Connect and Rise with Debbie Strand, Physical Therapist, athlete, mom, and wife who is living in Sweden.  In the midst of the current health crisis, Debbie offers a boost of inspiration as she shares her insight on the importance of perseverance. As an athlete in her 50's who has been committed to sports and athletics throughout her life, Debbie shares her story of repeated ACL injuries.  Find out how Debbie navigated her injuries and why she believes it is so important to keep going no matter what.  Debbie will inspire you to continue to believe in yourself and pursue your passions regardless of age or difficulty.  It's never too late to set another goal or to dream a new dream.    

Connect and Rise on a cross-over podcast episode with Jordan Nicole, Professional Ballet Dancer and host of the Ballet to Business Podcast. Jordan and I have a conversation about growth and how we can still find opportunities for personal growth even during this worldwide health crisis. She shares her amazing story of dancing for the San Francisco Ballet Company starting at the age of 16, struggling with multiple injuries, and how she chose growth after foot surgery temporarily derailed her dancing plans. We discuss some valuable tools we can all use as we navigate this uncertain and scary time. You will come away with renewed energy to focus on the day you’ve being given and the opportunities that lie within. 

Connect and Rise with Christine Tyson, Founder of Limitless and Limitless Fit Gym, Mindfulness Practitioner, and mom.  Christine is deeply committed to wellness of the mind, body, and soul. She shares her incredible journey as a single mom and will inspire you with her insight on going through some of the toughest situations imaginable.  Christine tells us that when we are faced with enormous difficulty, sometimes the best thing we can do is just put our heads down and get through it.  She talks about how changed she is having made it through those times and that she "can't go back to yesterday because she was a different person then." Our struggles give us new strength that shapes us and helps us grow.  This is a wonderful message, especially at this time in our world. Christine poignantly says of her own journey that it's amazing to look back in awe of her younger self (instead of feeling sad or bad because of the magnitude of the hard things she faced).  Join us for an episode that  wil