Run Into Life

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jordan Moon...as he prepares to attempt to break the World Record of Running Across America in 42 days or less (beginning September 2)! Wow!!! We talked about his journey from USAF veteran to endurance athlete. We also spent time discussing mental health in the loss of one of his close friends, as well as his commitment to supporting the lives of those around him. Part of that support comes in his fundraising to find a cure for brain diseases experienced by his grandparents. From discussing the logistics of what it means to run across the country to answering life's big "why" questions, this is an episode you won't want to miss!Jordan Moon / American Runner Links:Instagram: @theamericanrunnerWebsiteFundraising PageAmerican Brain Foundation FundraisingNational Suicide Prevention Hotline (USA): 1-800-273-8255

Episode Notes:In this episode, I had the pleasure of getting to know David Richman and learning about his new book Cycle of Lives. This book describes David’s solo six-week, 5,000-mile cross-country bike ride from L.A. to Florida to N.Y….to meet individuals he had been interviewing over the last year regarding the life-altering nature of cancer. I’m so honored to have David in the podcast to hear about how his journey started, where he’s headed, and all of the individuals he’s impacted through story sharing along the way.Bio:David is an author, public speaker, philanthropist, and endurance athlete whose mission is to form more meaningful human connections through storytelling. In his first book, Winning in the Middle of the Pack, he discussed how to get more out of ourselves than ever imagined. With Cycle of Lives, David shares the interconnected stories of people overcoming trauma and delves deeply into their emotional journeys with cancer. He continues to do Ironman triathlons and a wide range of endurance athletic events, having recently completed a solo 4,700-mile bike ride. He is married, lives in Southern Nevada, and has twins who are in college.Links:Instagram: @davidrichman_cycleoflivesPurchase David's Cycle of Lives BookDavid Richman's Website

I LOVED the chance to chat with Cali Werner in episode #16 of the Run Into Life Podcast. She is such an inspiration as a clinician, author, advocate, and competitive athlete. In this episode, we attempted to debunk myths around OCD and athletics (from the perspective of both an athlete and a clinician!). We also dove into Cali's competitive running career, racing at the Olympic Trials, and the release of her new book!Cali (Roper) Werner is an athlete and clinician specializing in Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Cali's research focuses on competitive athletes with debilitating anxiety that negatively impacts their performance. Cali's struggle with OCD began at the young age of four. However, Cali did not receive a proper diagnosis or evidence-based care until she went to college. Cali's OCD symptoms increased during times of stress. As her successes grew as a Division I distance runner at Rice University, her symptoms worsened. These circumstances made Cali's love for her sport turn into dread. While at Rice, Cali won 9 conference championships and was named an honorable mention All-American in the 10k. Cali was able to reignite the love for her sport after receiving appropriate evidence-based care. Cali hopes to help others with mental illness know that they are not alone, and that appropriate treatment is available to reobtain the joy that mental illness takes away.Cali recently qualified and competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon in 2020 and continues to pursue her passion for running while advocating for those struggling with mental illness through her research, therapy, and her own personal testimony.   While obtaining her Ph.D. at Baylor University, Cali also works at the McLean OCD Institute at Houston as a mental health clinician. In her free time, Cali enjoys growing in faith, learning about new cultures through travel, and spending time outdoors with her pups, family, and friends.Instagram: @caliroperwernerCali's Book: Anxious Annie

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing former collegiate teammate Nicole Esplin. We traveled down memory lane, as well as caught up on all of her running endeavors. Through our conversation, we tackled the concept that running is so much more than "just running." Nicole runs to watch the world wake up, to connect with those around her, to connect with God, and as a reminder that she's alive. This episode truly made me want to go (right now!) and run with Nicole in Colorado!Instagram: @nesplin

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Johnny Crain on both his coaching and professional running career. We shared the lessons running can teach you...through conversations on self-compassion, mental health, pushing beyond your limits, and always keeping running as the best part of your day!Johnny Crain is a 4 time NCAA DIII National champ, 3 time Olympic Trials qualifier as a professional runner, former University of Oklahoma XC/TF coach, and head coach of his own business (TWB Running). Throughout his years as a high-level athlete learning from legendary coaches (and now as a coach himself!), he's seen firsthand the power of mindset and mental health. He's a mental health advocate and a believer that we should watch what we feed our minds like we would feed our bodies. Links:Personal Instagram: @jcrain27Coaching Instagram: @teamwickedbonkproofTeam Wicked Bonkproof

I had a blast talking with Cori James in episode #13 of the Run Into Life Podcast! Cori is a tattooer, triathlete, and self-love advocate...who also founded Fill the Well Athletics. I love the way her creativity, humor, and passion for life combines areas of art and athleticism that are often kept separate...all in the name of self-compassion! We chatted about our fun triathlon rivalry at different races back in the day...but after our chat, I honestly just want to go out to hang out, ride bikes, and get a tattoo from Cori in Colorado. I'm so excited to experience her passion for life in this episode!Follow Cori: @colorful_tri_cori and @fill_the_well_athletics

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Coach Tim Hamling...who is finishing 26 years teaching/coaching at Woodward Academy. Coach Hamling has won multiple awards for his inspiring coaching, and the Timothy J. Hamling Track & Field Complex was even named after him in 2017. I've appreciated the chance to grow and learn from Coach Hamling, and I can't wait to share his insight in this special episode...especially after the girl's AAAAA state championship track & field win this weekend!

In this episode, I walked away so inspired by Tracey Roberts and her journey! Tracey was a 3-sport varsity athlete in high school, followed by a collegiate field hockey athlete studying to become an engineer! Soon after, she became a casual runner but picked up the distance to half and full marathons after the birth of her kids. Tracey had a PR at the Chicago marathon in 2011 and qualified to run Boston in 2012. Because of her own passion for running, she has supported her kids through their own running endeavors (like Girls on the Run, track, and cross country). Eventually, Tracey made the shift to triathlons and continued to build in distance to a full Ironman in 2018. She was registered to complete Ironman Chattanooga in 2020 but was diagnosed with breast cancer in February just before the start of the pandemic. As she navigated surgeries, she deferred her entry to 2021 to resume the Ironman journey. As she awaits some additional cancer tests and biopsy results, she is continuing her training with the hopes of competing in IM Chattanooga this year. Her passion for life in the midst of such adversity continues to inspire me even after the interview. And I continue to return to my new favorite quote from Tracey...but you'll have to listen to the episode to learn more about it!

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing my very first cross country coach (and high school principal)...Trey Cassidy! It was such an honor to connect with him after more than a decade, especially as we now both work in the independent school world. Coach Cassidy is the reason I developed a love for cross country, trail running, and endurance racing. I continue to think about his leadership even 13 years later!Trey Cassidy is the Head of School at Bancroft School in Worcester, MA, an independent preK through grade 12 day school with 400 students.  He has been an administrator, teacher, and coach for 30 years in Maryland, Michigan, and now Massachusetts.  He is an advocate for creating engaged learning environments and is passionate about helping individuals grow through their community-based experiences. He has also been running into life for a long time. He has been a competitive athlete since his first running race, which he won with a sprint finish across a rain-soaked playground in his hometown of Westford, Mass in 1979.  He went on to compete in track and cross country in high school and at the University of Pennsylvania, and since then he has competed in endurance oriented sports like triathlon, duathlon, cycling, and adventure races. As a duathlete, he was the Maryland and Michigan State Champion, a USA Triathlon All American, and a member of Team USA competing in the Age Group World Championships seven times.  He has helped grow the sport as a high school and youth coach, a race director, and as part of event management teams for The Penn Relays, The Atlanta Olympics, and the Olympic Trials.   His two daughters are also athletes who have competed in national championships in cross country and the youth and junior elite USA triathlon program. His oldest is a member of the University of Chicago cross country and track and field teams and his youngest runs cross country, swims, and plays lacrosse at Bancroft School.

This episode is a little different from the others...as I'm excited to share about my first Ultra Marathon (the Knock on Wood 50k with Upstate Ultra), as well as how I chose to Run Into Life throughout the experience!

In this episode, I loved the chance to chat with Kacy about all things running and triathlon. We took a deep dive into eating disorders, depression, and mental health treatment for athletes. We also laughed a lot and shared about Kacy's Wednesday Wiggles. You won't want to miss this episode!Dr. Kacy Seynders, PT, DPT, OCS is a Physical Therapist specializing in treating runners and triathletes at Precision Performance and Physical Therapy. She works with an awesome team of colleagues that are truly the best and what they do. As an athlete herself, Kacy has a unique understanding of the endurance athlete lifestyle and the impact injury can have on that lifestyle. She has run 8 marathons, including 4 Boston marathons, and has completed triathlons of all distances short of the full ironman. She is also an advocate and educator for eating disorders and mental health in endurance sports, particularly running, because of her own experiences and struggles.

I was honored to interview my high school track coach, Jayde Kelly, in episode #7 of the Run Into Life Podcast. We discussed her running history, inspiration as a mom, motivation as a coach, and perseverance through her heart transplant (and running afterward!). As you listen to the episode, you might also notice that Jayde Kelly is the inspiring mother of Samantha Matthews (from episode #3). Jayde has been a runner for as long as she can remember. Her mother always told her she ran before she walked...and she had to have her in pigtails to catch her before she got away. Taking on her father at a short distance one Thanksgiving day resulted in giggles, as she witnessed her grown father sprint to keep up with her (her memory of running for the first time). Since then, she hasn't stopped moving, and she has continued to find an event or someone to mentor in athletics). She loves the feeling of freedom she gets once she puts on her shoes...no music, no distractions...just the sound of her breath as her feet hit the road or trail. It is a timeless feeling she will always chase and cherish every time.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing longtime family friend Wiebke Hannigan. In addition to her experience as an Ironman athlete and ultra runner...Wiebke is an all-around superwoman. This superwoman races to inspire her daughters as a mom, as well as to raise funds and awareness for those experiencing illness. I actually met her through her incredible efforts to "fund-race" for individuals like my mom with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation at Ironman Lake Placid, and her friendship with my family has far surpassed this initial meeting. In this episode, she authentically shares her endurance journey, as well as the way she has used endurance athletics to navigate both grief and mental health in her own life. This podcast with a superwoman will remind you that literally...anything is possible!

In this episode, I was honored to have a conversation with fellow International OCD  Foundation Advocate and friend Tom Smalley. We discussed Tom's inspiring OCD journey, navigated the truth about OCD in athletics,  described the importance of evidence-based treatment (Exposure & Response Prevention), and shared exciting insights on Tom's work as an IOCDF lead advocate. I loved the chance to collaborate with Tom on this important subject!Tom Smalley is a certified strength and conditioning specialist through the National Strength and Conditioning Association living in North Andover, MA. He’s currently working on his master's degree in exercise and sport science. He was diagnosed with OCD in 2014 at the age of 16 and shortly after became passionate about spreading awareness about what OCD really is in an effort to break down the wall of stigma around the mental disorder and mental health in general. Tom was the recipient of the 2019 IOCDF Hero Award. Tom speaks at the Annual OCD Conferences along with different schools around the northeast. He has also appeared on a variety of blogs and podcasts as well. A topic Tom is particularly passionate about is athletes and OCD and how it affects performance along with the stigma of mental health in sports.Resources:Anxiety in Athletes SurveyInternational OCD Foundation

I had a blast reconnecting with my former high school teammate, Samantha Matthews, for episode #4 of the Run Into Life Podcast. We relived our memories as the 3-headed dragon during GCS cross country and discussed collegiate/post-collegiate athletics. But I was the most impacted by the way Sam uses endurance athletics to navigate everyday life, even bringing her running shoes to the hospital in the midst of her mom's heart transplant process. This is an inspiring interview you won't want to miss!Samantha Matthews was a middle school/high school athlete at Glenelg Country School, NCAA collegiate XC/Track athlete, and post-collegiate triathlete. She is currently training for the half Ironman distance, as well as learning a new passion for mountain biking. She is a big lover of diverse athletics and endorphins associated with sports.Resources:Donate to the all-inclusive playground described in the episode

I was so inspired by the story of Joe Dirr on episode #3 of the Run Into Life Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the extreme details of the Navy SEAL training program called BUD/S, as well as the way ultra-running can help you push the limits of what you "think" is possible.Joe has been an ultrarunner and coach for almost 10 years. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology, along with many other impressive certifications. Joe has worked as a personal trainer, a running coach, and even owned a performance lab dedicated to endurance athletes. His journey into fitness started with the esteemed goal and extreme dedication to becoming a Navy SEAL...and eventually led him to both endurance triathlons and ultra-marathons.  Resources:Ultra App WebsiteJoe's Blog Post on "Why"Joe's Full Bio

I was incredibly moved by my second guest on the Run Into Life Podcast: Daniel Dyer-Smith. We discussed the details of his journey towards his first Ironman triathlon in memory of a friend tragically lost to depression. Through this journey, Daniel hopes to raise enough money to make sure each person that reaches out to Lifeline in Australia has the help and support they need. We talked about the importance of dismantling mental health stigma, as well as the meaning behind his new endurance journey. Daniel is a lawyer and field hockey coach from Perth, Western Australia, who is 6 months into his journey of preparing for the Busselton Ironman. Through the loss of his friend to depression late last year, Daniel’s Ironman journey is propelled by his goal to spread awareness of depression and to raise money for Lifeline, a mental health counseling service in Australia.Resources:Lifeline - a national charity providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention servicesDaniel's Fundraising Page for LifelineNational Suicide Prevention Hotline (USA): 1-800-273-8255

It was an honor to have my dad, Peter O’Dunne, as my first guest on the Run Into Life Podcast, since he is really the one who inspired me to run into my own life! In this episode, he shares his endurance athletics journey, connection to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, and inspiring tips for using triathlon lessons in daily life.Peter O’Dunne is a husband, father, triathlete, business owner of Mid-Atlantic Rubber Company, author of From Rust to Trust, and a mentor to so many. Besides being positive and optimistic, Peter is passionate about helping others to find and use their unique gifts. Peter believes that most people have untapped gifts that would change their lives forever, not to mention the lives of others.  But it takes faith and courage to take that first step.  At 65 years old, Peter has raced countless Ironman triathlons, marathons, and other endurance races, many to support his wife’s battle with cancer by racing for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. He is so many things to so many people, but for me, he is my triathlon mentor and compassionate rockstar, also known as Dad!

This podcast highlights inspiring stories of individuals who have navigated hardships and reclaimed their lives through endurance athletics. In each episode, we will hear inspiring stories of those who have used running/swimming/biking/beyond to reclaim their lives from mental illness, addiction, physical illness, grief, and beyond. I'm your host, Katie O'Dunne - long-distance runner, interfaith chaplain, and mental health advocate. And I can't wait to run into life together! New episodes are available every Wednesday on all Podcast apps. Follow @run.intolife on Instagram for updates!