Connect and Rise with Lauren Grous, former marathoner and now marathon swimmer, who is a two-time USMS National Champion. Lauren shares her ongoing  journey through endometriosis and inspires us with her successes as a marathon swimmer, despite chronic pain and multiple surgeries. She shares how using small, short-term goals can help overwhelming tasks seem manageable. Lauren’s lessons from marathon swimming carry over to life… when the sharks are near and the current is pushing you off course, you can find the will to keep going. Though it may seem the odds are stacked against you, Lauren discusses the power of being your own advocate. Don’t give up. Despite incredible pain and many health struggles, Lauren she swims on, expecting the unexpected and always at the ready to meet uncharted waters with resiliency and determination. 

Rise Resolute Podcast

Lauren: Small steps towards amazing accomplishments

Connect and Rise with Lani Woods, urban adventurer and Founder/Host of Black with Endurance.  Lani discusses some of the struggles she has overcome and shares powerful insight, encouraging us to find our tribe, resist the urge to compare ourselves to others and make sure we are doing the work. Lani reinforces that women are amazing and strong. She reminds each of us to live life on our own terms, having faith that things will work out. Lani’s words will propel you forward: never forget your worth; you are the prize. 

Lani: You are the prize.

Connect and Rise with Nikki Parnell and Stef Wenninger, ultra runners, moms and co-hosts of the Run Hard, Mom Hard Podcast. This is a special episode specifically geared at empowering mothers to follow their dreams. We discuss the power of showing our children that we are willing to pursue our passions, have grit and never give up. Nikki and Stef discuss why it’s important to find space in our days to feel strong, whether through running or something else that brings us joy. They reinforce the value of breaking the cycle of guilt about taking care of ourselves because it’s the starting point from which we are able to care for others. Nurturing ourselves allows us  to show up in everything we do more fully. 

Nikki and Steph: Run hard, mom hard.

Connect and Rise with Alex who is a Kettlebell and Nutrition Coach out of NYC.  Alex tells us about her philosophy on fitness (and life) reminding us to work with our bodies, not against them.  She describes the importance of being rooted in a "why" that feels good while asking yourself how you can make things more fun.  Sometimes we have to remember that beyond all of the doing, there is magic in simply being.  Alex certainly has an adbudent mindset and will remind you of your own power to create change within yourself and the world.

Alex: A rising tide lifts all ships.

Connect and Rise with retired nurse and current ARC participant in our Cancer Fighter and Thriver cohort, Yvonne Frazier.  At almost 74 years old, Yvonne will inspire you to fully embrace your unique journey and greet each day with gratitude. She reminds us that we can learn from the highs and the lows in life and says that after her Breast Cancer diagnosis, it was “the call of the pavement” that got her back on her feet. Yvonne’s Cancer journey  taught her that it’s ok to struggle. It’s ok to ask for help. Her powerful insight will propel you forward in your own life. It’s your journey, at your pace. No one fights alone. 

Yvonne: No one fights alone.

Connect and Rise with Erika as she shares her journey and insight on running and community. Erika will remind you of the power of discipline and also the power that we each have to lift up our fellow woman.  She shares that every run isn&apos;t easy, but that running gives us the space to gain confidence, believe in ourselves and even to create positive changes in our lives.  

Erika: Running has a ripple effect of positivity in our lives.

Connect and Rise with Jasmine, runner, working mom and wife.  Jasmine shares some of her journey and her incredible insight on building community, remaining curious and taking time to take care of ourselves.  She discusses how easy it can be to get so caught up in work, being a mom, being a wife, and putting yourself last and why it&apos;s so important to remember to extend kindness to yourself.  "The work we do on ourselves becomes the gift we give everyone else." Jasmine also encourages us to avoid allowing others to put their projections on us. Remember your worth and your divine power. Don&apos;t miss this impactful episode.

Jasmine: The work you put into yourself is the gift you give others.

Connect and Rise with Miriam, ultrarunner, author, scholar and Cancer Caregiver.  Miriam empowers us all to live fully with gratitude for each day.  We discuss ultra running and her role as a Cancer Caregiver, which resulted in her starting Ultracare for Cancer Caregivers, a Go Fund Me Campaign to support Cancer Caregivers and bring them both joy and recpit. Miriam encourages us all to remember that it is our choice to use our time wisely. There are 10,080 minutes in a week and those minutes belong to us. It may take a little extra work or extra planning or extra dedication, but you can make time work for you. And you can also dig deep to be brave, courageous and resilient.  Keep your heart open. 

Miriam: You can be brave, courageous and resilient.

“We as women are truly amazing human beings.” Connect and Rise with Natalie Mitchell, runner, coach and mother, as she reinforces how important it is to believe in our own strength. Natalie shares some of her running journey and the story behind landing on the cover of Runner’s World Magazine! She reminds each of us to challenge ourselves to do things that take us out of our comfort zone. Time goes quickly and life doesn’t wait for you. You’ll never know unless you try, so don’t be afraid. Reach for the stars. You will be better for it.

Natalie: You were made to be strong.

Connect and Rise with Samantha (Sam) Palmer, runner and Assistant Cross Country/Track and Field Coach at the University of Alabama. Sam shares her running journey including how it felt to be the underdog, which shaped her as a runner and a person. Being told no but still having a deep desire to pursue your goals produces grit and perseverance.  Struggling also allows us to authentically connect with others.  We also discussed the poignant meaning of: “I’m going to love you tomorrow,” emphasizing how important it is to keep things in perspective as we face  difficulties and also how important it is to continue loving ourselves no matter what. In the end, you truly can do anything (but not everything). Don’t wait.

Samantha: You can do anything but not everything.

When we run, we learn we can do hard things.  It can be really difficult to balance motherhood and pursuing our other interests and passions, but developing those parts of ourselves makes us stronger and happier- which is good for our children and for us!  Connect and Rise with Meridith, Ultra runner, mom and wife. Meridith shares her insight on continuing to pursue her running goals while balancing motherhood. She shares that when she invites God into her running, her perspective shifts and she connects with a greater plan and purpose for her life.  Meredith also reminds us (especially those who are mothers) that we shouldn’t associate guilt with things that bring us joy. Carve out time to take care of yourself and don’t limit yourself by what other people are doing. Break free from being so hard on yourself and go with it, reaching for your unique goals and dreams. 

Meridith: Invite God in and remember you can do hard things.

Connect and Rise with Reomona, runner, RN, mom, wife and ARC @activeresoluteconnected mentor.  Reomona shares her awesome insight, including how stuggles can lead us to our passions and also that our pain can be used to birth purpose.  Reomona believes in self care, which she says allows us to give the world “the best of us instead of the rest of us.” Reomona is a huge advocate for the ARC program and discusses how meaningful it is to be a mentor for ARC athletes, who in turn inspire her.  She tells us about how she handles difficult days and the value of shifting you perspective to look for the bright spots.  Reomona’s positivity is contagious as she reminds us to enjoy the journey, embrace change, don&apos;t miss the moment, be kind and most importantly, love yourself.

Reomona: Don't miss the moment, embrace change and most importantly, love yourself.

Connect and Rise with Kristin Stokes, avid marathoner and certified RRCA Run Coach. Kristin shares her running journey and describes her experience at her first in-person race since the pandemic. Kristin offers amazing insight and advice, encouraging us to surround ourselves with women who lift us up, to be willing to put in the work for whatever it is we want to achieve and to remember that no dream is too big. Running (and life) is a journey that is not defined by one race or work out. Keep putting the work in and it will eventually pay off. 

Kristin: Surround yourself with women who lift you up.

Connect and Rise with Tonya Bradley, runner (and current participant in ARC Active Resolute Connected @activeresoluteconnected), Lupus patient and Lupus awareness advocate, health equity advocate and racial justice advocate. Tonya shares her inspiring story of being diagnosed with Lupus and hitting rock-bottom with her health.  She explains how running has helped her physical and mental health and encourages us all to look for the joy in each day. She describes the value of self care and how it allows us to seek happiness in our lives. We can prioritize our own happiness by refusing to give anyone room to disrespect our joy. Tonya shares that “sewing and reaping do not occur in the sane season.” There’s a reason for the season you’re in. Be gentle with yourself. Give yourself room to fail,  thereby giving yourself room to grow.

Tonya: Don't give anyone room to disrespect your joy.

Connect and Rise with Emily Durgin, professional distance runner for Under Armour. Emily shares her running journey and her awesome insight and how to persevere despite struggles and difficulties. She reminds us that sometimes looking at the big picture (rather than getting distracted by the little or big stumbling blocks in each day) can be important to our success. And when the bad days come, you are the one who gets to decide how long they last. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone else. Celebrate your own successes and also remember to celebrate the successes of your fellow women. Together we are stronger.

Emily Durgin: You are the one who gets to decide.

If you are open to being inspired by gritty women who have pushed through difficulties and finding motivation in the way we are all connected, this podcast is for you. Prepare to be inspired as Gina Meyer, Doctor of Physical Therapy and leader in the health and wellness industry gets up close and personal with athletes who have made it through seemingly insurmountable challenges. Connect to their struggle, find out how they were able to RISE, and apply their lessons to push past even your own expectations for your life. Come RISE with us.

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Rise Resolute Podcast

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