RUNVAN Rundown

In this year-end solo episode, I reflect on a full season of conversations, races, and community moments at RUNVAN.This episode looks back at the common themes that emerged across the podcast; non-linear paths into running, to the quiet nature of progress, to the roles that exist beyond racing itself. I revisit standout ideas from conversations with athletes, volunteers, organizers, and coaches, and how those perspectives shaped the way I thought about athlete experience and opportunity this year.A reflective close to the year, and a look ahead at what matters moving forward.

Episode 36 - In this episode, we sit down with Vancouver runner Darren Kerr to talk about discovering running later in life and chasing big goals while living with Cystic Fibrosis. Darren shares how a casual run around Stanley Park changed everything, why running has actually improved his lung function, and what it’s been like returning to training after hospitalizations and IV tune-ups.We also talk about sobriety, community, and the role fitness plays in his everyday life. Darren opens up about running 65km for Cystic Fibrosis, his goal of qualifying for Boston, and his long-term dream of running across Canada.

Episode 35 - Dan Levitt is proving that performance doesn’t have an age limit. In this episode, the B.C. Seniors Advocate and dedicated age-group marathoner shares how running shapes his work, his outlook on aging, and his place in the Vancouver running scene. We talk consistency, community, big adventures, and what it means to keep getting better at any age.

Episode 34 - Sports dietitian and Team Canada trail runner Carol-Ann Rolle joins us to talk about making nutrition simple, practical, and powerful for performance. We dive into her experience racing on the world stage, how she helps athletes ditch gut issues and fuel with confidence, and what she’s learned balancing her own training with coaching others

Daniel Simpson is a Vancouver runner, marathoner, and community builder best known for founding Kamino Running. A three-time BMO Vancouver Marathon finisher, Daniel blends his love of running with a drive to bring people together. He leads weekly social runs, coaches athletes, and organizes local races that now draw hundreds. Known for his energy, consistency, and recent head-shave fundraiser for Childhood Cancer Canada, Daniel is shaping the next wave of Vancouver’s running culture.

Episode 32 - Masters miler, marathoner, and community leader Ken Okondo joins Julia to talk racing, representation, and building inclusive spaces through Surrey Big 5 and Rauka Racing. Ken reflects on how he manages his personal ambitions while continuing to build and support community-driven running spaces.

Episode 31 - From road races to rugged mountain trails, Tara Bassili has done it all. A passionate member of the Vancouver running community and a recent finisher of the 200 mile Bigfoot race in Washington, Tara shares how her love for running has evolved over the years.In this episode, she joins Julia to talk about what training for multi-day ultras really looks like, how the trail community continues to shape her, and why finishing Bigfoot felt like closing a chapter.

Episode 30 - After catching up with Tiffany Johns ahead of her debut marathon, we sat down again post-race to reflect on how it all went. Tiffany’s story is a unique one — from her early days as a professional ballerina to discovering running while still dancing, to now owning Pilates Process Vancouver where she teaches a class specifically for runners. We talked about how ballet shaped her mindset as an athlete, how pilates influences her training, and how she balances life as a business owner, mother of two, and now marathoner. Tiffany shares what she learned through her first marathon build, how race day unfolded, and what she’s looking forward to next.

Episode 29 - This week, we’re joined by Emily and Chelsea — two UBC students who’ve each forged their own path with running while balancing academics.Emily, a fourth-year Physics and Data Science student, shares how she found her way back to running after stepping away, and how she’s learned to let go of pace pressures to rediscover the joy in training.Chelsea, a Master of Physical Therapy student and kinesiology grad, opens up about how her relationship with running has evolved, from appearance-driven goals to celebrating movement and connection.Together, they reflect on student life and what running really means beyond the finish line.

Episode 28 - This week, we chat with Aiyana Anderson-MacIsaac, Executive Director of Indigenous Women Outdoors (IWO) — a non-profit creating safe and empowering spaces for Indigenous women, gender-diverse, and non-binary individuals to connect with the land through movement.Aiyana shares how IWO is building community, what it means to move with the land, and how their partnership with RUNVAN and the Great Trek helps open doors for Indigenous participation in sport.

Episode 27 - From Olympic steeplechaser to sport leader, Chris Winter has seen every side of Canadian athletics. In this episode, Chris shares his journey from competing on the world stage to shaping the future of the sport through his role at Athletics Canada. He talks about balancing grassroots development with high performance, what Safe Sport really means in practice, and how becoming a parent has changed his perspective on competition and community.

Episode 26 - Charlotte Ellis is a new Canadian citizen on a mission to run every street in downtown Vancouver. After being diagnosed with osteopenia and facing multiple fractures, she’s rebuilt her strength, faced her fears, and is slowly working toward her dream of one day running the London Marathon. In this episode, Charlotte shares her journey back to movement, her bone-health tips, and what running means to her today.

Episode 25 - Nicole has been competing every season since grade 6 — and still shows up with the same spark. We bond over our shared love of track, swap stories from chaotic call tents, and even debate who’s funnier: sprinters or distance runners. Come for the laughs, stay for Nicole’s attitude that’s kept her in the sport for 20+ years.

Episode 24 - Adam Buzinsky is a local athlete who was diagnosed with MS in 2022. We talk about his running journey, balancing sport with MS, and his new IG SickBoyTrackClub. Plus, we catch up after Berlin Marathon to hear how it went and what’s next.

Episode 23 - This week on the RUNVAN Podcast we chat with Lara Penno—coach, athlete, and former RUNVAN Manager of Runner Services. From her days as a sponsored Asics athlete to leading run clinics at Racquets and Runners, Lara shares stories of racing, coaching, and building community in Vancouver.

Episode 22 - Jim and Mary are a married couple who have become fixtures in Vancouver’s running scene. From volunteering at nearly every road race, to officiating track meets all summer long, to biking alongside Olympian Natasha Wodak on her long runs, they’ve seen it all. In this episode, they share how they first got involved, the joy (and chaos) of volunteering together, and the community connections that keep them coming back year after year.

Episode 21 - This week, we sit down with Canadian trail runner Josh Potvin. From his 800m track roots to winning the Gorge Waterfalls 50k in course record fashion, Josh has been making his mark across roads and trails. He shares how he balances a full-time career in architecture with training at an elite level, what it means to represent Canada at the upcoming World Mountain and Trail Championships in Spain, and how he handles setbacks like injury and DNFs.

Episode 20 - This week we’re joined by North Shore trail runner Taylor Quinn, who has taken on everything from 50Ks to 100-mile ultras while also traveling the world for work. Taylor shares how running has shaped his life, the stories he’s collected from training and racing at home and abroad, and what the sport means to him today. From volunteering at local races to exploring new countries on the run, Taylor’s journey shows how running can open doors to both community and adventure.

Episode 19 - Julia sits down with Canadian Paralympian Michael Barber to talk about chasing national records in the T20 800m and 1500m, setting new personal bests, and earning his spot on Team Canada for the upcoming World Championships in India. They share stories of crossing paths at races across North America, his experiences at the Jerome Classic, and how he balances training with his work as a teaching aide in Victoria.

Episode 18 - From the dirt tracks of Olympic BMX racing to the open roads of running and cycling, Drew Mechielsen knows what it means to reinvent yourself in sport. The BC-based Tokyo 2020 Olympian and BMO Vancouver Marathon ambassador shares her journey of transitioning from BMX to endurance sports, the challenges of injury, and how she’s redefining her athletic identity after retiring from elite competition.