Josie is a mental health counselor in training, yoga teacher and a salsera!  On this episode, we catch up on how a panic attack led to a second career in mental health counseling and what she does to maintain her own self-care while tending to the needs of others.  Josie has a great blog up on her site right now offering tips to survive the upcoming holidays (https://www.josierosario.com/blog-2/2018/10/29/5-steps-to-survive-the-holidays-without-a-meltdown) and will be hosting an event at...

On this episode, I speak with Latoya Shanutay Snell aka Running Fat Chef.  Don't whisper the word "fat" either; Latoya actively claims that as part of her identity and is a vocal member of the body positivity movement.  Latoya went viral last year after writing about her experience being heckled during the NYC marathon and has taken the world by storm, using her voice to share authentic accounts about herself and, in particular, some of the health struggles she's faced.  If you ran the NYCM...

Jor-El Caraballo is a southern bred, NYC made mental health professional who brings an affable and comfortable approach to his work with clients.  Named after superman's father, he has lived up to the name by empowering people with tools to improve their mental health.  Jor-El is truly one of the most kind and compassionate people I've met and we discuss the work that he has done delivering sexual assault prevention education programs to colleges and military bases to help empower men to...

On this episode, I speak with Sean Peters, engineer, founder of My Body My Kitchen, my best friend and so much more!  We met 14 years ago while at Columbia University in an a cappella group (shout out to Clefhangers) and I've had the pleasure of watching him transform his passions into a real life movement that empowers people to take control of their health by taking control of their kitchens.  We cover everything from what it was like leaving Trinidad to come to New York for school to how...

On this episode, I speak with Leandrew and Lizzy, co-leaders of Unnamed Run Crew in Boston.  Started as an an act of defiance, Unnamed was created to provide a space where everyone could feel comfortable.  Noticing that the running community in Boston was particularly white and competitive, Leandrew created Unnamed Run Crew 3 years ago and has not looked back.  Leandrew shares how a once shy Lizzy became a co-leader and she shares how her grandmother's sudden death prompted her own dramatic...

A few months ago, I had the opportunity to sit down with Scott Douglas at the NYRR Run Center to tackle my favorite topic - the connection between mental health and movement.  Scott Douglas is a contributing editor for Runner's World and author or co-author of seven running books, including Meb for Mortals and Running Is My Therapy and I'm the lucky person he reached out to and asked to write the foreword to his book!  On this episode, we dive into the well-known truth in the running...

Stacey Younge is a licensed therapist with 9+ years of experience, an endurance athlete, and regularly writes and participates in conversations aimed at normalizing the experience of mental illness, particularly for black women and people of color.  Stacey will be one of many licensed mental health professionals who will be participating in the Movement + Mental Health Pop Up happening in New York on September 30th, hosted at Custom PT (register at MentalHealthPopUpNYC.Splashthat.com).   On...

On this episode, I speak with Rachel Gersten, a New York City therapist and health/wellness coach with a passion for helping people lead their healthiest lives possible.  Rachel and I met on instagram (not surprising - that's how I seem to meet most people!) and instantly connected based on our shared belief in the importance of addressing mental health in a more holistic way.  Rachel is one of many licensed mental health professionals who will be participating in the Movement + Mental Health...

I took a short (!) 4 months off to get my life together.  More specifically - get married, run trail races around the country, graduate from Columbia University and get a position working as a Mental Health Counselor (dream job!), participate in get out the vote efforts with Black Voters Matter and plan The Midterm Run.  On this episode I catch you up on all those things as well as focus on how you can get involved in supporting the Midterm Run.  What's the Midterm Run?  The Midterm Run is a...

Everyone needs a friend like Talisa Hayes in their life!  A fitness instructor and personal trainer, you may also know Talisa as a dedicated member of Harlem Run's leadership.  Talisa has run 19 ultramarathons (earning her nickname and IG handle "ultrarunningchick") and was set to retire from the distance last week at the Northface Endurance Challenge 50K before facing a major setback.  Born and raised in Harlem, Talisa shares her struggles and her triumphs as well as how she wound up being...

I had the opportunity of a lifetime last week to interview Miss Ida Keeling at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem.  Let me say that again: I interviewed Miss Ida Keeling, the 102-year-old record holder in 60 meter and 100 meter distances for women in the 95-99 and 100-plus age groups, at the historic Schomburg Center in Harlem!!  We sat in the American Negro Theater - the very space where legends like Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee got their start - to discuss Miss...

Kelly Volpe is one of our Run4AllWomen ambassadors and a fierce advocate for women's rights.  On this episode, Kelly shares how we went from strangers to co-creators of the Run4AllWomen movement!  I love this episode because it really uncovers how important it is for each of us to just START and trust the process even when we're not exactly sure where we're going or what's next.  In the past year alone, Kelly and her Philly crew have raised $12,000 for their Planned Parenthood affiliate and...

Gary Corbitt, running historian and son of the "father of long distance running," Ted Corbitt, is on a mission.  His mission is two fold - preserve the history of running and make running more inclusive for folks everywhere!  On this episode of Find Meaning on the Run, Gary shares stories from his childhood growing up with his incredibly talented father as well as the efforts he's making to preserve both his father's legacy and the work of many pioneers/inventors/architects of our sport so...

From weekly runs to "fitretreats," City Fit Girls is dedicated  to making physical activity more accessible for all women no matter their race, pace, age, body type, sexual orientation, income level, etc.  On this episode, co-founders Kiera Smalls and Takia McClendon share how they have organically and authentically grown this inclusive space for women to get fit from super humble beginnings.  Warning - listening to this episode may make you decide to just pick up and move to Philly!  There...

Another live episode!  I'm sort of getting the hang of this, I think.  Sound issues aside, this was a really great podcast with someone who many in the running community will know but probably not know too much about.  Thank you to everyone who supported in person as we chatted it up live in the ring. What could’ve been a 24 hour interview we condensed down to about 40 mins of some of the realest reflections on music (take a guess at who is his favorite rapper!), running, philanthropy and...

Rahaf Khatib is celebrated as the first hijabi runner prominently featured on the cover of a fitness, nutrition, or lifestyle magazine in the United States, according to Women's Running magazine.  She is a mother of 3 who runs in her spare time for causes she is passionate about, all while changing the face of running for women everywhere.   She is now preparing to run the London marathon while raising funds for Brain Tumor Research; on Nov 27, her father was diagnosed with a brain tumor so...

In honor of Black History Month, I bring you this episode of Find Meaning on the Run featuring the co-race directors of The Race: Tes Sobomehin Marshall and Da’Rel Patterson.  I caught up with these two when I was in Atlanta recently for only 48 hours - recording this episode was a MUST.  So what's The Race? It's a half marathon weekend event that supports Black owned businesses and neighborhoods taking place in Atlanta, GA | October 12-14, 2018.  This short and sweet episode includes all...

This episode is PURE energy and inspiration.  Elaine Johnson, founder of Latinas in Motion and self described "Mogul Mami" has a true gift: that of giving love (and building community thru love).  Arguably my favorite episode (I say that a lot), Elaine's spirit is undeniable and has propelled her to create a movement, a business, an annual race in her native Philly and even grace the cover of Women's Running Magazine.  If you are looking for inspiration on how to get started and step out on...

Eboni K. Williams is an attorney, a host for the Fox News Channel and new author of the book Pretty Powerful: Appearance, Substance, and Success. If you're thinking - wait a minute, Fox News?  You should definitely tune in for a podcast that will surprise you and challenge you to create conversation with people you fear you might not agree with.  We tackle a lot of important topics in a short time so hold on tight!  Enjoy it and please like/review/share with friends!  Follow Alison on...

My second ever live podcast episode and this was a GREAT one!  I got to talk with Jessie Zapo about who and what inspires her to run, how she got into running and ended up becoming one of the pioneers of this whole urban running thing, and why it's important to her to continue to elevate women's running.  When Jessie isn't running, she's an activist and art therapist, often fusing the two in her work with children and other vulnerable populations.  I really enjoyed hosting this episode from...

Who Are You?  Are You You?  Shantell Martin's work as an artist asks you to think deeply about your identity and grapple with one of life's biggest questions - who are you? - beyond the titles and labels.  I had the pleasure of meeting Shantell at The Root 100 this fall after year's of Amir admiring her work and sharing it with me.  Shantell's collaborative spirit and willingness to make and share intimate pieces of herself through her drawings is inspiring. If you like what you hear, please...

Your favorite guest is back!  Amir and I open up my instagram account and take a trip down memory lane.  We shout out basically everyone we know and get excited for what's ahead in 2018.  We hope this podcast will help be a fun look at what our past year looked like and how we hope to crush our goals together this coming year. And if you like my podcast, please spread the word!  More listeners/more exposure in 2018 is a huge goal of mine so please tell several friends if you like what you...

Chris Mosier is a Team USA athlete, trans guy, LGBTQ rights activist and policy consultant for inclusive practice.  Through his own love of sport, he has broken down barriers for trans athletes everywhere and made the world of sport a far more inclusive space.  He is a man of many firsts -  he is the first openly trans athlete to earn a spot on a U.S. men’s national team, he is the first openly transgender athlete to be featured in the "Body Issue" of ESPN The Magazine, and was also the first...

LaChina Robinson is a college basketball and WNBA analyst and reporter for ESPN who successfully transitioned from a star athlete to a respected broadcaster in a male-dominated field. LaChina is passionate about mentorship and helping women gain access to the opportunities they deserve.  On this episode, LaChina takes us through her evolution from awkward teen to basketball star and then finding her place in the world of sport and using her platform to advocate for future generations to come....

Very excited to share my first ever live podcast recording!  On #GivingTuesday, I invited friends and members of the community to come out to Harlem Haberdashery and be part of Find Meaning on the Run and, I think, recorded one of my best episodes to date.  On this episode we talk about everything from outfitting the dopest celebrities in 5001 Flavors (including Colin Kaepernick most recently for GQ Magazine) to Take Care of Harlem and their community iniatiatives, and of course, reflections...