Finish Lines and Milestones

Sara Farny was born out West but calls Indiana home. We met through running friends and got a chance to catch up in person for this episode. We talk about: Her 2023 Chicago Marathon Our shared love of Sarah Marie Design Co. How Sara makes arm sleeves out of knee high socks 🤣 Our favorite race distances Her oldest son, Noah's, cancer diagnosis and treatment Qualifying for Boston and getting fa...

Cindy Smith and I met on Instagram when we both became fans of each others online businesses (hers is Pen & Paces ). Cindy is fresh off of the Chicago Marathon and during this episode we talk about: How you should get two medals if you run a marathon before your firstborn turns one Our online friendship and how it began How she moved across the country, got a new job, and had her first baby wi...

Himanshu Varandani and I met on a plane to North Dakota. He was kind, humble, and I knew I had to have him on this podcast. During this episode we talk about: How he credits his coworkers for getting him into running His running community - shoutout to the Barrington Running Club and Alpine Runners How he ended up running as an elite at the Fargo Marathon His family and how his kids are following...

Betsy Rogers and I were introduced by my BFF Alyssa Stickley (EP 2) but quickly found out we'd met before. The story is nuts. We talk about that and: How she skated the Berlin Marathon How she got into running What it was like to live in Alaska for four years Some of the races she's done: Chicago, Dogwood Canyon, Napa, Cape Cod, River to River Relay Her next finish line in Kansas City on O...

Brandy Ramirez and I were introduced by a previous guest, Aum Gandhi (EP12). Thank you, Aum! Brandy is a mom, Ironman, coach, race director and cancer survivor. During this episode we talk about: How amazing her four kids are How she got into the sport of triathlons Her first attempt at a full Ironman that resulted in a DNF due to swimming in glacier water 😳 Her 2017 breast cancer diagnosis, trea...

Lindsey Welty and I share the same amazing running coach, Rachel Sinders . Lindsey and I were both fighting colds during this conversation but don't worry, I edited out my nose blowing. 🤣 During this episode we talk about: Growing up inside the 465 loop How Lindsey walked on at UIndy How Lindsey chooses to work more than full time What instrument she played in high school band Her first marat...

Tara Sabo and I were introduced through a mutual friend after I started Athlete Bouquets. We met in person for the second time this year when I was on vacation where she lives in Michigan. During this episode we talk about: Kids & sports How she started running through walking Certifications - group fitness, personal training, and running Her first half to her first (and only) full marathon Ru...

Jay Eiteljorge is on day 3,570 of his run streak, but who's counting? That's almost TEN YEARS of running every. single. day. During this episode we talk about: How Jay and I are both introverts His first half marathon in 1997 The race he's run every year since it started (hint: it's next weekend) The fact that it took 15 years for Jay to run a full marathon after running his first...

Jamicka Edwards and I met through a mutual connection, Jami, and gosh am I thankful for the introduction. During this episode, we talk about: How Jamicka grew up in south Chicago and was a single mother of three Why she wanted to be in the Marine Corps but ended up in the Army How she used to run away from running and do just about anything to get out of it All of the things it takes to run a race...

Nicole Dobransky and I met through my friend, Margaret Weniger (EP 7!). I had already followed Nicole for quite a while and was really excited to get a chance to talk to her. During this episode we talk about: How she dealt with weight issues growing up Why she started running (treadmill burns the most calories) What caused her to run her first half marathon How she met her husband and then did a...

Baylee Smith and I met when she sent me an email in January of 2023. The rest is now history. During this episode we talk about: How she is one of TWENTY-ONE siblings, yes 2-1 How she got into running because of a class she took freshman year of college where you run a half marathon at the end The fact that she went from computer engineering to architecture and now has her Masters in Architecture...

Andrew Peterson and I didn't actually meet the first time I saw him. He blew past me at the Indy Mini in May and was cheering everyone on. When I shared a video of him on social media, everyone already knew Andrew and I knew I needed to too. His dad Craig joins us in this episode because Andrew was born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. The three of us talk about: How Andrew came into this world Wh...

Leslie Gregory is the Founder of TwentySixDiamond , a jewelry line for the ultimate athlete. For the 0.01%. For you. In this episode we talk about: How she went from a small town in Michigan to the Big Apple Her preferred place to run in NYC (no, not Central Park) That she's always been and will always be a cheerleader How she became a mom to premature twins and had postpartum "everything...

Eileen Poore is one of the strongest women I've ever met. Sure, she's physically strong - a mother, a marathoner, an ultra-marathoner - but this episode tells a story of mental and spiritual endurance. During this episode we talk about: Growing up in New Orleans and working for a famous restaurant Her dad's addiction and mom's struggles How she decided to go to Michigan State witho...

Teddi Hayes is an Instagram and Peloton friend of mine. When she recently visited PSL (no, not that PSL 🎃☕️, Peloton Studios London) I told her I had to hear all about it. So, in this episode we talk about: Peloton. How she got into it, what it means to her, how she used it to train for her first marathon, visiting both PSL and NYC studios for milestones, how amazing Jess Simms, Jess King and Su...

Idalis Lopez Ramos is another guest I randomly met in an airport. We met in February of this year in the Orlando airport. So, maybe you can guess where this is going... 🏰 During this episode we talk about: What it's like to be a runner in Puerto Rico How Idalis trains almost entirely on her treadmill How she went from Disney fanatic to RunDisney fanatic COSTUMES 🦹🏻‍♀️ The culture of Disney...

Renae Saager is "a sassy redhead with an acquired sense of humor & a special flavor of frustration for slow walkers". She's also a runner, podcast host, entrepreneur, and new mom. If you don't listen to this episode, you'll miss out on us talking about: Going viral on Instagram How Renae overcame anorexia, bulimia, and alcoholism Her huge career shift when she decided to...

Chris Jones and I met through a mutual connection and grabbed coffee. Once I heard his story, I knew you had to hear it too. Without giving too much away, this episode includes: Why Chris got turned down by the Army How he ended up sitting on a bag of mulch and sobbing The wake up call that *finally* got him into running His first marathon experience 💛💙 Donate to Chris's Chicago fundraiser h...

Aum Gandhi and I first met on a Zoom call with his business partner, Jason. After the call, we became Instagram friends and the rest is history. Once I saw pictures of his most recent race in Nepal, I knew it was time to have him on. During this conversation we talk about: The Mount Everest Ultra Marathon (yes, it's a real thing) How Aum got into running in the first place (only 5 years ago!)...

Preston Frazier and I met going through security at the Fargo, North Dakota airport in May. After talking to him for a few minutes, I knew I had to have him on the podcast. During this episode we talk about: How he started running 16 years ago and has now run SEVENTY-FIVE marathons 🤯 His first half marathon that he decided to run the night before the race His favorite race memories His crazy simp...

Mary Pittman and I met through one of my mentors, Kim Saxton. We clicked right away and continue to meet periodically to share our love of running and building our businesses. During this episode we talk about: What it was like to grow up in a suburb of Manhattan How we both went to Miami and spent time on opposite floors of the rec center How she ended up in San Francisco because her cousin lived...

Larry Coblentz and I met at Fleet Feet Carmel, a run speciality store. In this episode we discuss: That I didn't like him when we first met (and thought the feeling was mutual) How he got into running #RunningPunks His advice for beginners or anyone looking to start running Tattoos and that there is such a thing as tattoo conventions Why he loves having colored hair (currently blue) How he got...

This week's episode features my running coach, Rachel Sinders . We talk about: My race in Fargo, ND last weekend How Rachel got into running The challenges of starting a family What made her become a coach and what the process was like Her first marathon and first Boston More Boston! What's next for her this fall A few other links of things mentioned: Rachel's coaching website Lauren F...

This episode features my friend, Margaret Weniger . She's my first remote guest calling in from Atlanta, GA. Margaret and I have known each other for years and every time I talk to her I walk away feeling so motivated and supported. She's a mom of three, Founder of Rising Tide , and a former collegiate athlete. During this episode we talk about: Her experience at the 2023 Flying Pig Half M...

Alex Baker and I met through Instagram. The more I learned about his story, the more I was inspired by him. During this year's 500 Festival Indy Mini, he crossed 2,400 intentional miles since 7/3/20. During this episode, you'll hear about: The difficult journey(s) Alex went on with his late wife Amanda Why he doesn't run a 5K but a 3.11 How (and why) he ran his first half marathon in s...