In Fearless Conversation

Growing up, Barbara DiGirolamo saw running as punishment, not something to enjoy. With parents who feared sports-related injuries and lived with disabilities, running wasn't part of her world. In this heartfelt Inner Monologue, Barbara shares how discovering running, and 261 Fearless, completely changed her perspective. What was once something to avoid became a source of gratitude, confidence,...

What happens when eager and ambitious students step outside their comfort zone and apply for an internship? So. Much. Growth. In this special episode of In Fearless Conversation , we sit down with two talented student interns from Syracuse University Falk College of Sport who took the leap into working with 261 Fearless. They share their academic journeys, what led them to Syracuse, and why they w...

What if, instead of criticizing our bodies, we thanked them? In this heartfelt Inner Monologue, Rosy Spraker shares a deeply personal letter written to the body that has carried her through a lifetime of experiences, challenges, and adventures. With gratitude and grace, Rosy thanks her arms, legs, heart, brain, and every part of herself for the gifts they have given her along the way. As she refle...

What happens when the numbers finally start telling the story women athletes have known all along? In this episode of In Fearless Conversation , host Kim Chaffee sits down with Keri Rubenstein, Assistant Professor of Sport Analytics at Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport, to explore the exciting growth of women's sports through the lens of economics, research, and data. Keri shares...

What happens when the thing that has always felt like part of your identity suddenly feels hard? In this honest and relatable Inner Monologue episode, charity runner alumni and new 261 Fearless Coach, Ellen Frazier shares the story of one of her favorite races and the mantra that carried her through it: "Is it that I don't want to, or I can't do? I don't want to. Tough. Keep going....

We've talked a lot of about safety in our last few episodes and today we are addressing a different layer to running safety... understanding your body, preparing for the unexpected, and making informed decisions that support your health and well-being. In this episode of In Fearless Conversation , host Kim Chaffee sits down with 261 Fearless education experts Dr. Juliet McGrattan and Marlies H...

A safer future for women runners starts with honest conversations like this one. For many women, running brings confidence, healing, strength, and joy. But it can also come with fear—a reality that too many female runners know all too well. In this episode of In Fearless Conversation , I’m joined by Dena Lewis, ultra marathoner, entrepreneur, and founder of Running Mate, the first real-time, on-de...

What does it mean to take charge of your safety without giving up the freedom to run? In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Raymond and Meagan Doyle, co-founders of Safely, to talk about female runner safety, confidence, preparedness, entrepreneurship, and the belief that no one is taking running away from us. Ashley and Meagan have built a movement focused on empowering women through education,...

Why Self-Care is NOT Self-ish In this Inner Monologue episode, 261 Fearless Coach Ambassador Sarah Jackson (261 Fearless Club UK) reflects on the importance of creating “non-negotiables” for self-care, not as acts of selfishness, but as essential practices that help us show up more fully in our lives. Sarah shares how entering midlife, navigating anxiety, and managing the demands of everyday life...

What happens when running suddenly feels different and your body no longer responds the way it used to? In this episode of In Fearless Conversation , I sit down with physician, runner, and author Dr. Juliet McGrattan to talk openly about menopause, the evolving relationship women have with running through midlife and beyond, and her new book, The Runner's Guide to Menopause: Your Essential Too...

Recap, Reflections, and Takeaways from the Boston Marathon that have nothing to do with the actual marathon. Listen in as Kim Chaffee shares a brief recap of the Boston weekend festivities and then reflects on what this weekend means to her as the 261 Fearless Charity Team manager. Hint: It has nothing to do with the actual marathon. Thanks to the 261 Fearless Boston Charity Team, volunteers, inte...

They're back! Dr. Juliet McGrattan and Marlies Hirschbeck are back on the pod to talk all things AI...sort of. They aren't experts on AI and they don't play one of TV, but they definitely know how the functions of AI relate to an actual human brain and of course, running. Whether you love it, hate it, or fall somewhere in between, we invite you to listen with an open mind! Want to lear...

We're digging back into the Fearless vault to share an episode from last year's unforgettable weekend at the Boston Marathon. In this special episode of In Fearless Conversation , we were thrilled to bring you a powerful panel discussion that took place right in the heart of it all. "Fearlessly Forward: Igniting Our Next Barrier-Breaking Strategies" features an incredible lineup of...

261 Fearless Club LA founder and 261 Coach, Pat Winiecki sits down to chat about her running journey, how it has evolved over the past 15 years, and why she felt compelled to bring 261 Fearless to her community in Los Angeles. Growing up before Title IX, Pat didn't get the chance to fall in love with running until a county-wide contest lit the spark at the age of 60, and she hasn't stopped...

261 Fearless Club UK Coach, Charlotte Muir chronicles her unexpected journey to becoming a runner and all the unexpected gifts that came along with it. There are so many wonderful gems in this episode that I'd love to pull out and put on a t-shirt. As they say in theatre - no notes. Learn more about 261 Fearless here: https://www.261fearless.org/

What is financial wellness and how can we achieve it? What is your money story and how does it influence your relationship with money? What does any of this have to do with running? We tackle these questions and more with with wonderful Dr. Erika Rasure from our official financial wellness partner, Beyond Finance. Financial health, like running, can be one of the most powerful tools for independen...

Former Charity Team runner, Rae Broderick shares her realizations, reminders, and ramblings about her running journey through the lens of Women's History Month. The honesty and rawness of Rae’s inner monologue really feels like you’re listening to a friend reflecting on what running is really all about. It reminds me how connected we all are and how lucky we all are to be able to run and to re...

Award-winning filmmaker Stacey Tenenbaum joins us to talk about her powerful documentary, Tough Old Broads - a bold and unapologetic celebration of three extraordinary women (Kathrine Switzer, Sharon Farmer, and Siila Watt-Cloutier) whose accomplishments helped shift culture, challenge systems, and expand what was possible for women in sport and society. Stacey shares what drew her to these storie...

261 Coach and Master Coach Marlene Prosch shares three transformative lessons running has taught her. Through a heartfelt letter to her younger self, Marlene reflects on the journey from self-doubt to self-belief, reminding us that we are capable, resilient, and enough, exactly as we are. This episode is an inspiring reminder that growth doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from courage, consist...

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation , Kim sits down with Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run International, lifelong runner, speaker, champion for girls’ and women’s empowerment, and winner of the 261 Fearless K.V. Switzer Community Impact Award presented by adidas. What began in 1996 with just thirteen girls has grown into a global movement serving more than 2.7 million girls. Molly...

What runs through your mind when you’re out on a run? In this episode of In Fearless Conversation : The Inner Monologue we hear the quiet (and sometimes loud) stream of thoughts that accompanies each mile through the lens of Black History Month , with our guest, Tanisha Tate, a 261 Fearless Coach and Ambassador from 261 Club New England. Tanisha invites us into her inner monologue, sharing the tho...

Speed often gets misunderstood. For many women, it feels intimidating, exclusive, or “not for me.” In this episode, we’re changing that narrative. We explore speed as something playful, empowering, and accessible no matter your age, pace, or running experience. From understanding what’s happening in the body to breaking down common barriers, this conversation re-frames speed as a tool for confiden...

Perseverance in running is all about staying connected—through different seasons, different energy levels, and different life moments. In the final episode of the Run Your Year series, we focus on normalizing hard days, leaning into community, and redefining what progress looks like over time. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay consistent without pressure, this conversation is for you. In this ep...

How to Take the First Step Without Overthinking Getting started with running can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Run Your Year , we’re focusing on how to move from thinking about running to actually starting, in a way that feels doable, supportive, and sustainable. This conversation is for anyone who has ever said, “I want to run, but…” Whether you’re brand new to r...

Before the miles. Before the plan. Before the goals. It all starts with mindset. In the first episode of the Run Your Year series, we’re diving into the mental side of running—because the way you think about yourself as a runner shapes everything. Whether you’re just getting started, returning after time away, or struggling to stay consistent, this episode is here to help you build belief, confide...