In today's episode, Coach Jessica Marie Rose Leggio speaks with olympian Loretta Claiborne. She's a marathoner, a 4th-degree black belt in karate, and continues to compete in multi-sports at the Special Olympics. She is also a fearless advocate for women and people with disabilities. Loretta is a force to be reckoned with. This episode shows what grit and determination look like in the face of adversity! Biography Loretta Claiborne has been a Special Olympics athlete since 1970. She's completed 26 marathons, twice finishing in the top 100 women in Boston. While her sports performances are impressive, her advocacy work, which promotes social inclusion, has empowered people with disabilities and women worldwide.  As a motivational speaker and advocate, she travels the world meeting with international leaders, teachers, and students, promoting inclusion and respect for people of all abilities. She has shared her message with notable figures such as Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis, United Nation leaders, five US presidents, Warren Buffett, Oprah, Dr. Oz, and the Crown Prince of the United Arab Emirates.  Loretta's story is so captivating that Disney made a movie about her life. Loretta holds three honorary doctorate degrees from Villanova University, Quinnipiac University, and the University of Pennsylvania. She continues to compete in the Special Olympics. She continues her advocacy with the Special Olympics as Chief Inspiration Officer and Vice-Chair for the Board of Directors.  #RunPainFree: You started running with your brother in 1966. Can you tell us what it was like running back then? Loretta Claiborne: As a kid, I never got included in things. I would go to school in special education classes that were separated from everyone else. It was tough to be a differently-abled kid. But my brother ran. He was in high school and would go down to the track to practice, and of course, it was only guys running. But I was a tomboy, and I didn't do well with the barbie girls. So I latched on to my brother and started running with him and his friends.  When I went to school, girls were not allowed to run track. It was a boy's event. So I got signatures from girls who wanted to run and marched into the principal's office. You know what he said, 'can't you girls practice in the hallway.' So I made a deal with him, so the girls could use the track when the boys were done. #RunPainFree: How did you first get involved in the Special Olympics?  Loretta Claiborne: I started running in 1966. And in 1969, we had the riots, and it was tough living through therm. We had the National Guard in the neighborhood; you couldn't go out at certain times. So my Mum set a rule that I was only allowed to run around the projects.  In the summer of 1969, I started a school to work program for students in special education. My teachers and counselor arranged for me to go to a workshop once every other week. That was cool because I didn't have to deal with the warzone, and I didn't have to deal with the bullying. But when I went to the workshop, I had a rude awakening, "I had another thing to deal with. Being African American. There were only a few blacks at the workshop and there was prejudice going on."  To keep up my training and avoid bullying on the bus, I would run to the workshop. Eventually, the counselor noticed me running. He called me into his office and handed me a piece of paper about the Special Olympics. I could hardly read, but I got the Olympic part because I always watched the Olympics on TV, that was a big thing. I'd had much negativity going on in my life, but this was something that made me think, is this going to be something I can be a part of? #RunPainFree: What would you say to someone who has physical or intellectual challenges that love sports, and has a dream of becoming an athlete?  Loretta Claiborne: Find a sport that you li