Running for a Purpose

Louise Landry is nothing short of inspirations as we talk about how she will accept no limitations. At age 56, a stroke survivor and more active than people half her age, Louise continues to push her limits and inspire those around her. Louise has been a part of Monthly Membership since is started over a year ago (at the time of this post/recording) and has been with us for whole food detoxes before hand. Along with workouts throughout the week, weekly yoga and NIA classes Louise stays active all the time. As a stroke survivor and limitations in eye sight and her left arm Louise doesn’t let anything hold her back, in fact you might say she does more than the average person regardless of what limitation might be put in front of her. Dorothy and I traveled to Lethbridge to run with Louise for her first 5K after training for only 4 months. She’ll tell you herself she doesn’t love running, but I think the challenge is what keeps her going. She actually signed up for another 5k that she hopes to run in the winter to raise money for the food bank. In this interview I asked Louise if she had any advice for someone that might say they are too old to set a new goal or go after something that might interest them. She said, ‘give it a shot, there’s always a way around any limitation you may seem to have. Take it slow, schedule your workouts in and work progressively toward your goals‘. Truly an inspiration. Thank you for all that you do Louise, we couldn’t be happier we found you.

I am blessed to be a happily married wife, mother of 3 children , physician and triathlete. I truly believe exercise is medicine. Exercise and my faith has carried me through very deep valleys in my life. In combination with healthy eating, exercise is the best life insurance you can buy for yourself. It has become a priority in my life, over a perfectly clean house and up to date laundry. Everyone can achieve huge goals in life by sticking to a plan and doing a little bit every day. With six years of commitment, I was blessed to compete in 3 World Championship races, raced Boston Marathon and I am training to do my first Full Ironman in November.

Dean Kroetsch is in his Mid-fifties, happily married father of four, grandfather of one J. Active all my life in recreational sports but I don’t really consider myself an “athlete”. I do take pride in being in it for “the long run”; married to the same beautiful woman for 32 years. I’ve worked for the same company and career for over 36 years. And I run long distance races fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Canada through Team In Training. ​ ​​I ran some cross country when I was in junior high school but not since. My daughter Brianne got me back into running in 2014. We went in a half marathon in Calgary where I saw the table for Team In Training. ​​ ​​My Dad is a leukemia survivor. Bone marrow transplant in 1990. Still alive today. 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren he wouldn’t have experienced were it not for the research done and the patient care given to him. I help fundraise so others can live lives of victory.

Kathrine Switzer has long been one of running’s most iconic figures. But when she was inducted into the U.S.A. National Women’s Hall of Fame, it was not just for breaking barriers being the first female to finish the Boston Marathon, or last woman to win the NYC Marathon, but also for creating positive global social change. Because of her, millions of women are now empowered by the simple act of running.

Listen to Dorothy as she talks about the importance of running with a purpose. After her friend and running partner passed away she decided to start a campaign called Running for Rozina where Dorothy plans to raise money for the Children’s Hospital art program. More details in the show from her training program to recovery, addressing post goal depression and more.

Faye Stenning is a professional Spartan racer. She finished 2nd in 2016 US Championship Series and 3rd at 2016 Spartan World Championships. Faye Stenning OCR talks about grueling workouts, her no excuse attitude and tips and motivation as well to help you get to and through your own workouts!

Santi Rodriguez is a seminarian at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. He has a bachelor's degree in Theology and Philosophy, a master's in Social and Political Thought, and a master's in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. He has worked as spiritual director, retreat director, and a chaplain in an ICU unit. Currently, he is completing a master's in divinity, as he prepares for ordination next summer. A native of Colombia, Rodriguez called Canada home for 14 years before moving to the United States to be with his now wife. He is a husband and father. Santi is a midpacker runner. He started running five years ago. Since then, he has focused mostly on improving his time in longer races. He has learned to love the process more than the results. He has run a dozen half-marathons and four marathons. He is currently training for his first ultra: a virtual 50k in October, 2020. For more information on how Santi understands the spirituality of running, see this blog entry: http://peekaboowithgod.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-encounter-with-meditative-running.html

Martin Parnell is author of the book, MARATHON QUEST and speaks on having a “Finish the Race Attitude – Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Your Full Potential”. Martin has written for, or been covered by CNN, BBC, CBC, The Huffington Post, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, Runners World, Men’s Journal, Canadian Business, and Maclean’s. In a five year period, from 2010 to 2014, Martin completed 10 extreme endurance “Quests” including running 250 marathons in one year and raising $1.3m for the humanitarian organization Right To Play.

For over 15 years, Rod Dixon was among the world’s best middle distance runners, winning medals at the Olympics, World Cross Country Championships, 1500 meter Champion of the United States, France, Great Britain & New Zealand, and Champion of the 1983 New York City Marathon. What Rod experienced and remembered most as a boy, a visit from Sir Edmund Hillary to his school, that visit instilled Inspiration, Empowered Rod Dixon to Achieve success in running the hills and trails outside of Nelson, New Zealand, and that Inspiration, the thrill of competition, team work, fitness and health are the legs of the KiDS Running and Nutrition program he created in 1990 in New Zealand to inspire the next generation, a promise he made to Sir Edmund in 1972. KiDSMARATHON is designed as an “In-School” 8 - 10 or 40 week Run Club/Daily Mile program for elementary age school children. The essential components of the program, “Healthy Connections” nutrition education - healthy eating, training tips, and running skills for the duration of the program. The “Final Mile” is a celebration of their achievements where they are awarded a finisher shirt and replica medal from a race that Rod Dixon has participated in.

Native from Los Angeles, Nadia Ruiz is an educator, coach, and speaker aiming to make a change in her community by motivating and inspiring individuals of all backgrounds to achieve their goals. Nadia's fitness journey began when she stepped on the start line to her first marathon at the age of 14. Crossing the finish line with her father for the first time transformed her and she fell in love with the sport. Twenty-two years later, she has completed 145 marathons with 75 Boston Qualifiers, 100 half marathons, 16 full and half Ironmans, 16 ultra marathons, and several adventure races, frequently in the top of her age group or overall women. She has traveled the world to 27 countries exploring challenging events, cultures, and connecting with people around the world to now almost reaching 500 lifetime races. Graduating from UCLA with a Bachelor's in Biology, Master's in Education, and CA Biology Teacher's credential, she has taught, coached, and worked in event production for the past 15 years. In 2013, Nadia was named the Youngest Latina to Run 100 Marathons in the world. In 2020, racing, travel, and events have come to a stop; however, she continues to try to educate and inspire her online community as she recreates herself in a changing industry. Nadia's goal is to continue to inspire her community and make an impact as a coach, speaker, and athlete demonstrating we each have it within us to follow our biggest dreams.