Run Your Story Podcast

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Sean describes growing up as an athlete who disliked running until he developed Guillain-Barré syndrome at 13, rapidly progressing from numbness to full paralysis, ICU ventilation, and a 94-day hospital stay, followed by relearning movement and returning to football within months with a full recovery. At 22, while teaching English in Korea, he joine...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! On the Run Your Story podcast, Blake Colton shares how he began running in high school, paused to pursue the trades as an electrician, then returned about eight years ago through marathons inspired by his dad, repeatedly failing to qualify for Boston and nearly quitting due to burnout and gut issues. A friend introduced him to trail running, where t...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison interviews Hildee about her book, Embracing My Inner Athlete, and Hildee shares how, in 2014, as a busy wife and mother of five, she decided to prioritize herself after encouragement from her father-in-law and began training with Jeff, who became her trainer, coach, and friend. Initially afraid to run, she progressed from treadmill walk-jog...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison interviews Kelsey (“Dr. Williams”), a Mississippi runner and assistant principal at Florence Middle, about completing her first marathon at Jackson’s Run the Rainbow, a hilly race benefiting the state’s only children’s hospital. They discuss how they connected through Kelsey’s social post, the emotional impact of running past the hospital, a...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison interviews Nicole about her book, "Running With God: A Devotional Journey Through the Race of Faith," praising its reflective questions and themes of running and scripture. Nicole shares how she began running in middle school, later experienced God speaking to her during runs, started the book 15 years ago, and, after a dark season...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison interviews Baton Rouge runner CJ Johnson about his running journey, community work, and current injury recovery. CJ began running in middle school, quit in 11th grade amid family turmoil, later joined the Air Force, and was discharged after learning he had sickle cell anemia. He recommitted to running after his father’s leg amputation, and b...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In an interview, ultramarathon runner and Fresh Junkie Ambassador Jacob shares how he began running in his late teens after being sedentary and overweight, inspired by watching the Cajun Man Triathlon, then trained for and completed a sprint triathlon as his first race before progressing to half marathons, marathons, 50Ks, 50-milers, and finishing h...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! On the podcast, John shares how running began as an outlet during depression and divorce, evolving from ramping up in 2016 to his first marathon in 2017 and then ultras, where he found a supportive community and a sense of purpose. He explains lessons learned, staying true to personal goals, using past DNFs and even trash talk as motivation, and foc...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Scott interviews ultra runner Bethany about her running journey, which began in 2018 with a six-hour trail ultra at The Beast after returning to running post–second daughter, progressed to a first 50K at Big BUTTS, a 12-hour at The Beast in 2019, a break in 2020–2021, then a return in 2022 and a first 100-miler at Red Dirt in 2023. She completed her...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this podcast interview, runner and mom Ali shares how she began running in her mid-20s using Couch to 5K, completed half marathons, tore her ACL/MCL, then stepped away from running during surgery recovery, pregnancy, and postpartum while focusing on strength training at Burn Boot Camp. In July 2024, she was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome,...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Corbin shares how he started running in fourth grade, became an average high school runner, and later found deeper passion and success at Campbellsville University, eventually winning a conference 5K title and a Christian College National Championship. After college, he trained for his first marathon to qualify for Boston, won in 2:36, later ran Bos...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! [This podcast is best experienced on our YouTube channel , which includes pictures, names, titles, and subtitles for each of the people we interviewed.] Host Allison Gaillard introduces a different kind of Run Your Story podcast episode featuring Ainsley’s Angels participants from the Crescent City Classic, including Greater New Orleans members and...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! At the Run the Rainbow Expo, Allison interviews Kyle of the Back of the Pack Podcast ahead of the Run the Rainbow race and a planned meetup at Rocket City Marathon’s Podcast Alley. Kyle shares that he began running after a 2010 divorce, starting at nearly 300 pounds by running short intervals, completing his first 5K in December 2010, and eventually...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison interviews Dylan, an ultra runner with 14+ ultramarathons, a sobriety and redemption story, and a weekly live cornhole podcast. Dylan shares how he ran casually as a young athlete, joined the US Army in 2013 for eight and a half years, then swore off running after leaving in 2021 and struggled with lost purpose and heavy drinking, intensifie...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! On the podcast, Allison interviews Steven (“Big Papa”), a fast, humble runner and new dad, about how he started running after high school to stay in shape and to eventually beat his older brother in races. Steven describes shifting from mostly trail running in Georgia (especially 2017–2021) to more road running after moving to Mobile in July 2021, n...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Jackson discusses how he started running competitively later in life—his first marathon at 33 after dabbling in mountain biking, triathlons, and five Ironmans—and quickly progressed into trail ultras, including signing up for a 100-miler before completing a 50K. He shares his love of technical trails, boredom as a key weakness, and how moving betwee...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Laura Green, a mom, comedian, and runner, shares how she started running at 12 through cross country, trained seriously in high school in New York, and later ran at Northeastern while majoring in physical therapy. After college, she shifted to more recreational trail and road running, completing under 10 marathons, including a first marathon in Nash...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Allison welcomes back Rhonda, who runs Kinda Gritty, to discuss her background directing races and fundraising, and how her company creates experience-focused events with strong community impact. They recap Kind of Gritty races including Salute Red, White, and Blue at Camp Shelby benefiting the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, and the Molten...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Podcast host Alison interviews Travis, a veteran whose running story spans childhood trauma, military service, alcoholism, sobriety, and ultra-distance racing. Travis describes hating running in high school, escaping an abusive home by joining the Marine Corps in 1997, developing a heavy drinking habit, later joining the Army Reserve in 2006, and se...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this conversation, Allison interviews Selena, a runner and the race director of Run the Rainbow, a multi-distance race event in Jackson, Mississippi that benefits the state’s only children’s hospital. Selena shares how she began running in her early 30s as a personal goal, progressed from 5Ks to marathons, and grew passionate about the running co...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! Alison interviews ultra runner and author Josh Coleman about his book, Moving Forward: Running With Grief, which centers on his grief after his wife Erin’s death and the importance of community support for those grieving. Josh explains he wrote the book to keep Erin’s legacy alive, capture who she was for those who never met her (including the trail...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this episode, Blake shares his incredible transformation from viewing running as a form of torture in his youth to becoming an ultramarathon runner. Blake discusses his initial attempts at running, propelled by a friend's encouragement, leading up to completing his first 5K and ultimately participating in marathons and ultra-races. He reflec...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this episode, Kilian discusses his impressive journey from competitive swimming in college to becoming an ultrarunner He shares how his active childhood and innate drive led him to conquer grueling races like the Triple Crown and Moab 240. Kilian also delves into his training routines, race-day strategies, nutrition, recovery methods, and the inv...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this episode, Allison interviews Megan, an accomplished runner, ultra-marathoner, trail enthusiast, and high school coach. Megan shares her journey from being too scared to run her first 5K to becoming a passionate runner deeply embedded in the running community. She discusses how she got hooked on running during a half-marathon and explains her...

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! In this episode, Jacob, also known as JT the PT, shares his story of how he transitioned from a casual strength workout runner to a passionate long-distance runner and physical therapist. He explains his journey, starting with a challenging first run, to now running marathons and ultra-marathons. JT discusses the importance of consistency, community...