Running Anthropologist

In this episode of Running Anthropologist, we sit down with Natae Feenstra, PhD, LPC, NCC—school counselor, counselor educator, and Certified Run Walk Talk® therapist—to explore running as a therapeutic treatment for trauma, and her involvement in the International Association of Running Therapists. We start with movement origins and how her counseling journey began, leading her to the forefront o...

This episode features the inspiring story of Chris and Diana Twiggs, and their son Brendan Twiggs, who have relentlessly dedicated their time to relief work in Ukraine over the past few years, and perhaps more importantly built friendships of solidarity. Diana Twiggs, a practicing physician, started volunteering with International Medical Relief, providing essential medical care and support in urg...

Moving Forward: Run Walk Talk Therapy with Sepideh Saremi & Launching the Mini Handbook of Running Therapy In this very special episode, we sit down with Sepideh Saremi, founder of Run Walk Talk Therapy—a trailblazer whose groundbreaking approach brings movement and therapy together in the most accessible way possible. Sepideh’s Run Walk Talk method invites people to experience the power of therap...

In this special Boston Marathon episode, we sit down right after the race with Dennis Lavoie—a remarkable runner from Maine living with Usher Syndrome Type 2, which causes both profound hearing loss and legal blindness. Just six years after taking up running, Dennis has completed all six World Marathon Majors, earning the prestigious Six Star Medal. He may be the first person in his para category...

Welcome to the latest episode of our podcast, where we are taking you on a journey through the Tunnel Marathon destination race in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. In this episode, we have the pleasure of interviewing the Race Director to get an inside look at the event, as well as hearing from four runners about their experience from start to finish. The Tunnel Marathon is known for its stunning...

This episode features Mark Bauman, from Flint area of Michigan, who has recently set the World Marathon streak record for consecutive finishes at the Boston Marathon. In the bustling world of marathons, where records are made and broken every year under the gaze of cheering crowds and super shoes flamboyantly crash the course, Mark Bauman sets a different course, and tells us about his consistency...

The TCS New York City Marathon is a race like none other, and many train for years in expectation of being able to take part, including this episode's featured guest Blair McConnell of New Zealand, who came as part of the Achilles International Delegation from his home country. Having been thwarted by the pandemic in 2020, he waited three years longer to run his ultimate destination race, and firs...

Our guest this episode is a talented Physiotherapist and accomplished runner in her own right who has helped many reach their full potential and stay happy and healthy in their running, who also happens to be running a marathon this week! Richelle Weeks specializes in the treatment and prevention of running injuries and has her own practice in Ottawa, Canda. She is trained in Physiotherapy (Master...

Cross Country, on grassy fields, golf courses, wooded paths, around ponds, in the mud, in the rain, in the snow... Moving fast and past autumn leaves, wind blows through my hair around each bend as my shoes grip the curved earth. We raise our spirits as we empty our lungs. I stretch to keep the pace with finish line in sight. As soon as I cross, I cannot wait to run again. And I know I am right wh...

Do you ever wish you could get a birds-eye view into all the cool stuff going on with trails around the globe? The Trail Running Film Fest thought of just that, and has films from independent filmmakers covering people in every walk(-run) of life! In this episode, the Trail Running Film Festival's executive producer Mathias Eichler and I discuss it all, how it started and he shares about the "why"...

What is this Ragnar exactly and where does it fit in the running world? Well, that's a surprisingly difficult question to answer, it turns out... In old norse it means "warrior", yet today it means so many different things to different people, and the experience is not the same from one team to the next either, which heavily depends on the particular location and event. There were over 30 this yea...

This episode focuses on the work of Terrell Johnson, running-focused author and journalist, founder of The Half Marathoner, which covers the most unique half marathons across the US, and beyond. For many runners, half marathons are much more manageable for goalsetting and running multiple races throughout the year than 26.2. One can for example work in a small, unique half marathon at a national p...

Welcome to episode #68, in the middle of the summer training season! It's hot, so here are a few of the topics discussed in this episode to keep you moving! Logotherapy The podcast this month is primarily recorded from a talk after my recent recent run-walk pilgrimage in Portugal/Spain along the Camino de Santiago, and outlines how identifying our purpose can help us to have the courage and willin...

How can I cultivate and balance energy in my running, and in life? What is mindful running? What is the difference between Tai Chi, Qigong, and other martial arts? All these questions and much more are answered in this interview conducted between Tampa, Florida and Ponte de Lima, Portugal- shortly after our chance meeting while I was on pilgrimage along the "Camino de Santiago". For more about tha...

Gretchen Schoenstein has dealt with autoimmune disease questions regularly, and many more, during her battle with several autoimmune disorders in her running lifetime, including one which attacks her lungs. The diagnoses she has received would normally mean an end to distance running, and truth be told she heard this from doctors... However, having a purpose to run 100 half marathons and give back...

In this episode we discuss all things Achilles with US Chapters Development Director Eleanor Cox-Nihill, and she shared magical stories: including their work with athletes of all abilities, empowering athletes with disabilities and supporting relationships between individuals. Ellie has been in many positions with Achilles, including her start as a volunteer local club member guiding an athlete fr...

In this episode, we interview a prominent marathoner and coach in the Ukrainian running community, Eugen Godun. He is from Kharkiv (recently taken over by the Russian army) and his current hometown of the last 2 years is Kyiv, which is currently under siege with the entire world hanging on edge. As might be expected, we talk less about running, and more about what things have been like this pat we...

Georges Gonzalez and Jonathan Rushnak admit they were unlikely candidates to take on this life-changing challenge, but made magic together in their lifetime achievement this past January, as they completed their 50th marathon across 50 states in the U.S.! This began as a pipe dream 7 years ago, and thousands of miles ago (on feet and in the air traveling!). In this episode, we spend a great deal o...

Chris Twiggs is the Chief Training Officer & National Program Director at Jeff Galloway Productions. He has the inside track on the magic of Walt Disney Word races, and has run every Disney marathon himself since its start. He also knows the Galloway method top to bottom, as he has used it in every marathon since his first one! And countless other races, including 100 mile ultra marathons. In this...

In this episode, we sit down to discuss Ultra running from a relative newbie who has had tremendous success, my friend Newton McCollum. We talk all things running that someone new to trail running and ultra running might need to know, including some of the differences between flatland running and mountain running. Newton also recently moved to Boulder, Colorado, so we discuss some of the differenc...

Our guest Susan Harmeling has been at the helm of the Gasparilla Distance Classic for 30 years here in Tampa Bay, and guided it from a small local race to one of the largest events in this part of the country. It is close to our hearts as it truly highlights some of Tampa's best views and character, as part of the Gasparilla Festivities each year. Like most events across the globe, it has been sid...

In this episode we sat down with famed NY marathon coach Glen Wiener, who has been with Team for Kids and New York Road Runners since 2008, coaching thousands of runners training for their first NYC Marathon. In this episode, he shares with us about what the NYC marathon experience is like, what makes it unique: from the early morning Staten Island Ferry to cheers along mile 18-25. Some nuggets of...

Tom Dean is one of those rare individuals who are able to connect their life work to their passion areas, in creating synergy between running, faith and work (publishing) life! He sets the bar high for those of us exploring running culture and what it is to make a good life. From the perspective of a running anthropologist, this is not one to miss! Hear about some of Tom’s favorite runs, books, an...

Did you know that over 4,400 paralympians competed in the Tokyo games, with over 1,800 female athletes across 22 sports and 23 disciplines? And that this was the biggest field ever for women in the Paralympics as well? It also saw the introduction of the 4x100 Universal Relay in track and field, which symbolizes the true diversity of athletic abilities at the games. Team USA has participated in ev...

In this episode, we interview Coach Gary Aldrich about his international coaching career spanning decades, and what it was like to coach with USATF, Team USA Track and Field in the Olympics. Coach Aldrich was specifically responsible for the throwing: javelin, shot put, discus! You know, the things flying around on the infield? We don't get into the technical aspects of the different events, but r...