Inspiring Journeys Paul Stroessner

Today, we have a truly special guest with us: Molly Smith. Often described as the female “Ted Lasso,” Molly brings an infectious blend of grit and positivity to everything she does, earning her the endearing moniker #mollypositivepants.
Molly is deeply committed to personal growth, the potential of those around her, and the success of the companies she leads. In March 2019, she made a life-altering decision to prioritize her health, a journey that not only transformed her own life but also inspired her to help others overcome similar obstacles. With her unique, self-deprecating humor and unwavering positivity, Molly has touched the lives of thousands.

As the founder and Chief Positivity Officer of Next Best Step LLC, Molly is dedicated to helping people take their next best step in health, mindset, and purpose. A sought-after speaker for women’s groups and various podcasts, she is also working on her first book, "What the Funk?! How to Get Out of the Funk You Are In by Creating Alignment in Your Life."

So, join us as we dive into Molly's inspiring journey and learn how she continues to spread positivity and make a meaningful impact on the world.
 
This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many veteran:
 
Jeffery Olmstead

SMSGT Jeffery Wayne Olmstead, age 50, was born in Dallas, Texas, on September, 1967. Jeffery entered the kingdom of heaven on Wednesday, October 11, 2017 in Los Lunas, NM.
He suffered silently from the invisible wounds of war. SMSGT Olmstead served his country in the United States Air Force for 22 years until his retirement on October, 2010. While he served his country, he met the love of his life, Rosita Cano, while she was also serving in the United States Air Force. Jeffery served multiple tours of duty in Desert Storm, Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan, earning him multiple decorations, medals, Badges, Citations, Campaign Ribbons and honors. After his retirement, Jeffery went to work for the Air Force Research Labs at Kirtland Air Force Base.
His greatest accomplishments were the days that he coached his daughter’s swim, basketball & soccer teams in Alaska and Los Lunas, as well as his son’s basketball, baseball and soccer teams in Los Lunas. Jeffery was the BIGGEST most dedicated Dallas Cowboys fan you ever met.
He and his wife were married 25 years. He loved his Dallas Cowboys, but most of all, his six children and seven grandchildren.
Places he called home: Alaska, Washington State, Nebraska (was stationed at Offutt AFB) and Dallas, Texas
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Molly can be found on:
Facebook
Instagram (@molly.positivepants)
LinkedIn
 
and she can be emailed at molly@mollypositivepants.com
 
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Kerri can be found on
Instagram: @running_with_the_rockstar
Facebook: Every Run Has a Story
 
You can find Paul - The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Facebook
 
Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
InspiringJourneys.net
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Facebook
 
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at:
Apple Podcasts
iHeartRadio
Spotify

Paul has signed up for his very first marathon! He will be running the Marine Corps Marathon on October 27 this year (2024).
 
Paul discusses his decision with Kerri, and talks about what led to this decision and they talk about the road ahead.
 
This episode is dedicated to 22 Too Many veteran:
 
Pamela Dowling




US Marine Corporal Pamela K Dowling, born 1987, in Vermillion, South Dakota, beloved daughter of Kelli Dowling and Robert Hanson, beloved sister of Paige Dowling.
Pamela was raised in Portland and Estacada, Oregon. She was a graduate of Estacada High School, and a graduate from the University of Phoenix with a Bachelors degree. Pamela recently left her job as a Social Worker to a Sales Counselor.
Pamela joined the United States Marine Corps and was based at Camp Pendleton, in San Diego County, California. She deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. Cpl Dowling earned numerous awards and commendations during her honorable service, she attained the rank of corporal.
From the mother of Cpl Dowling, Kelli:
“Our daughter was a true hero and a winner! She was loved by her family and all her friends. A part of me died that day. No parent should ever have to bury their child. I’m so heart broken, I’ll never be same again as well as her Dad and our entire family. I love you, Pam. We must help our soldiers! They are true heroes, like our daughter, Pamela. I love you, honey. I’m only here because of Paige. I wish I could have taken your place honey. Rest in peace with the Angels, my baby girl. I will see you again.”
Cpl Pamela K Dowling lost her battle with PTS, May 22, 2015. She was 28 years old. She now rests peacefully at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon.
 
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Kerri can be found on
Instagram: @running_with_the_rockstar
Facebook: Every Run Has a Story
 
You can find Paul - The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Facebook
 
Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
InspiringJourneys.net
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Facebook
 
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at:
Apple Podcasts
iHeartRadio
Spotify

Today we welcome Terry Yoffe to the show! Terry's journey is one of transformation and empowerment. After years in the corporate world, she broke those golden handcuffs and seamlessly transitioned into a role as an executive business coach. For the past 2 decades, Terry has been guiding her clients towards realizing their full potential.
But Terry's impact doesn't stop there! As host of her own podcast, Extraordinary Work: Conversations about Creating Change, she shines a spotlight on those individuals who are making waves in their own spheres, driving positive change and innovation.
Come listen to how Terry has constantly reinvented herself, taking herself to the next level each time, and be inspired knowing you have the ability to do the same thing!
As this episode was recorded on May 5 - National Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day, this episode is dedicated to:
Hanna Harris

Hanna Harris was born on May 5, 1992, a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.
She was only 21 on July 4, 2013 when she left the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation to go into nearby Lame Deer, Montana, to watch the Independence Day fireworks. She never returned home. When her family reported her missing, local law enforcement downplayed her disappearance. Four days later, a volunteer search team found her body.
It was determined that she was brutally raped and murdered.
In some tribal communities, Native American Women face murder rates that are more than 10 times the national average; homicide is the 4th leading cause of death for Native women and girls between the ages of 1 and 19, and the 5th leading cause of death for ages 20 to 24.
Almost half of all Native American women have experienced physical violence, and one of three will, at some point in their life, experience the violence and trauma of rape according to the Department of Justice.
Help support Rising Hearts to bring awareness and fight against these injustices.
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Terry Yoffe can be reached at the following places:
https://trycoaching.com/
Instagram: @TerryYoffe
LinkedIn
Facebook
email: terry@trycoaching.com
You can also listen ter her podcast, Extraordinary Work: Conversations about Creating Change on 
Apple
iHeartRadio
Spotify
 
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Kerri can be found on
Instagram: @running_with_the_rockstar
Facebook: Every Run Has a Story
 
You can find Paul - The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Facebook
 
Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
InspiringJourneys.net
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Facebook
 
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at:
Apple Podcasts
iHeartRadio
Spotify

Inspiring Journeys' own Kerri Nelson, and Chris Marino, whose incredible story can be heard on Episode 8 of Inspiring Journeys, completed the 2024 Boston Marathon!
We get to live vicariously through them on Marathon Monday as give their experiences from the Marathon Expo to the trip to the starting line, to the race itself. And a little potty talk in between. 
This is a great episode for runners to either relive the historic marathon, or inspire them to want to run it. It is also great for non runners to go behind the scenes of a run. 
This annual event is also the pinnacle of inspiration, which lives up to this podcast's name! By the time Kerri and Chris take the left on to Boylston, you'll be ready to lace up some running shoes yourself!
 
Also, this episode's 22 Too Many veteran is
Dirk Dastrup





March 22, 1999 – July 29, 2021
Dirk was an active-duty airman, stationed at Hurlburt Field in the Florida Panhandle.
Dirk Anthony Dastrup, was born and raised in Benson, AZ. Dirk had a heart of gold. His passion was always to rescue others. He always had an ear for his friends’ troubles. He loved the ocean. He had no problem swimming at 11 o’clock at night. He was learning to snorkel and scuba dive while stationed in Florida. His heart still belonged in the desert.
He loved Bath Bombs. He had a dream to serve Veteran Families with a package of Bath Bombs to honor their service. Mom is following by taking up his cause:  Dirks Dream Bath Bombs Co. 
Dirk suffered with Depression caused by Military Regulations. He was receiving counseling and medication, but to no avail. It wasn’t any source of help. 
Dirk was 22 years old. He left behind his mom, his step father, his 6 siblings and father. His radiant smile, dreams and love are so truly missed.
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Please feel free to donate to Chris' charity #BFightsALD to help fight and bring attention to ALD.
Kerri can be found on
Instagram: @running_with_the_rockstar
Facebook: Every Run Has a Story
You can find Adriana at:
Instagram  @SoulFriendYoga
email: adriana@soulfriendyoga
Soulfriendyoga.com – Use the code SOUL20 for 20% off
You can find The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Facebook
 
Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
InspiringJourneys.net
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Facebook
 
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at:
Apple Podcasts
iHeartRadio
Spotify

On this episode, we welcome the incredible Russ Rogers to the show! 
Russ is the author of a children's 5-book series, Today...
He is also the founder of the movement called Movetoday365. He encourages everybody to get some movement in and get outside. 
As a part of Movetoday365, on the second Saturday of every month, friends and family gather together with Russ and go for a 2 mile walk . This is done in Santa Cruz, Ca, but can be done virtually as well.
In addition to discussing the origins and process of Russ writing the Today series, we talk about being active every day, and the importance of getting off devices and connecting in a real way.
 
This episode's 22 Too Many veteran is
Daniel McCoy
In Memory of PVT Daniel McCoy, US Army
April 13, 1993 – July 10, 2022
Ft. Campbell, Kentucky
“Daniel was unlike any human I’ve ever known. Smart, funny, loving, kind, and edgy! He was a sponge and soaked up information – he was smarter than most. He did life his way, and we respected that so much. 
He loved hanging with his friends and his dog, taking walks in nature, and being the best comedian and prankster! He enjoyed cooking for his dad. He was big into nature and loved learning. His drawing abilities were astonishing. Artistic, smart, and hilarious are characteristics that describe him so well.  
He loved his siblings very much. He was a blessing to those who got to know and love him.
He lived in Pecatonica, IL and Wildwood, FL, and has treasured friends in both places.” Shared by his mother, Leilani.
The states he called home were Florida and Illinois. 
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You can purchase Russ' books on Amazon
You can also visit Russ on https://movetoday365.com/
You can also find him on:
Instagram (@MoveToday365)
Facebook
Email: movetoday365@yahoo.com
 
Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Facebook
And the web site https://inspiringjourneys.net/
Kerri can be found on
Instagram: @running_with_the_rockstar
Facebook: Every Run Has a Story
 
You can find The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Facebook
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at:
Apple Podcasts
iHeartRadio
Spotify

The 128th Boston Marathon took place on April 15, 2024. Your host, Paul Stroessner was in attendance for both the marathon and the expo, and this is his report.
This week's 22 Too Many veteran is
David Simpson





“My Cousin David took his own life. A few nights ago, he became one of the 22 US veterans that commit suicide daily. I know it was not always this way but it is this way now. This happens 22 times a day-people feel like I do starting 22 times a day. He was either the first or the last of the day. He said goodbye on the last day of May in the last hour in his time zone. The outcry of support was overwhelming. People know. This happens too much. He knew it happened too much.
David became medically disabled. He had PTSD and had also contracted Lyme disease during his many years in service. When he returned from service, work within his community and with his fellow veterans became his service. Many also remember him from the video below. He fought for the rights of those four legged soldiers. Now all the two legged ones need to stand up for him. Did this have to be? I don’t think so.
To know how to help veterans overcome suicide, one only needs to know what a veteran who overcame suicide knew. Andrew Jones with The Ripple Effect – Helping Veterans and Families HEAL explained how he did just that. He found words in that dark place that kept him from taking his own life – familiar words “Hold your position.” Hold your position, call for support. That is what a soldier does when he is in trouble. David didn’t have these words in that dark place. All military personnel should be given these words upon their exit into civilian life. If David had orders in respect to his own life, he would have followed them.
David, if I could have said anything to you on that last hour in May it would have been hold your position and call for support. And if I can say anything to the 22 that are starting to die today it is just that: HOLD YOUR POSITION. Why did you not have these words David Michael Simpson? I am so sorry. I cannot stop thinking them now. Hold your position. Call for support.
There are so many people, so many mothers, so many fathers and brothers, wives, husbands…children who wish that their loved one had received this order. But instead these soldiers just come back and die on American soil from unseen injuries they received in battle. PTSD is not a permanent thought process and suicide is not a consistent thought. They need an order to follow when they think these thoughts. Let’s give it to them. I ask for your help. All of you. Every single one of you reading this.
To the 22 veterans today who will face this darkness alone: Hold your position, call for support. You are an American life. It is the duty of the government and its military to protect you. If you are a threat to your own life, hold your position and call for support.
But I cannot say “that is an order”. I am a civilian surrounded by civilians who are watching them all die. So this is just a Facebook post.
They need an order to pull them back from the chaos. So give it to them.
David, support was on its way. You just had to hold your position.”
https://youtu.be/Cnf5QZ0rzzo?si=RGzj8JrMcyM6KSsG
 
Also mentioned The Frontrunner by Brad Fawley

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Inspiring Journeys can be found on:
Instagram: @InspiringJourneysPod
Facebook
Kerri can be found on
Instagram: @running_with_the_rockstar
Facebook: Every Run Has a Story
 
You can find The Rhode Runner in the following places:
Twitter: @TheRhodeRunner
Instagram: @TheRhodeRunner
Facebook
You can also download and subscribe to the Inspiring Journeys Podcast at:
Apple Podcasts
iHeartRadio
Spotify