That First Mile

Randall Grant

That First Mile Podcast is all about beginnings—the moments, choices, and small steps that set the path for transformation. Hosted by Randy Grant, this show dives into the journeys of everyday runners, fitness enthusiasts, and mental health advocates to uncover what it really takes to start, persist, and grow—whether it’s your first mile, your first habit, or your first big life change. Expect candid conversations, practical tips, and inspiration to help you take that crucial “First Mile” in any part of your life. Start where you are. Take the first step. Welcome to That First Mile.

  1. 6d ago ·  Video

    From the South Side of Chicago to South Africa Episode 1:The Man You Know as Dad

    Send us Fan Mail What if your own children don’t know the full story of the life you’ve lived? I’m just a guy from the South Side of Chicago. I graduated high school with a 1.2 GPA. I was involved in a gang. I became a father at 18. And at one point, I wasn’t sure I’d live long enough to have much of a future. In 1995, my childhood friend Clifford Ray was killed in Chicago. We’d known each other since I was five years old. We grew up a couple houses apart, got caught up in gangs, and had plans to join the military together. Cliff never got that chance. On March 26, 1996, I joined the United States Navy. I went on to serve 23½ years, retire from the military, and build a life I never could’ve imagined as a kid. But I’ve never forgotten Clifford. I carry his name tattooed on my leg. And I refuse to dye the gray hairs in my beard because getting older is a privilege my friend never got to experience. In this first episode of That First Mile, I sit down with my youngest son, Ryan, after realizing how much of my story he doesn’t know. We talk about growing up in Chicago, making mistakes, losing a childhood friend, fatherhood, second chances, and what success really means. I’m not sharing my story because I think I’m special. I’m sharing it because I want my children, and anyone listening, to understand one thing: Where you start in life doesn’t have to determine where you finish. Your past doesn’t have to be your future.

  2. Oct 13 ·  Video

    South Side Chicago To South Africa

    Send us Fan Mail I thought I was going home to Chicago for baseball, family time, and the Chicago Marathon buzz. What I came back with was bigger: I got selected to run the South Africa Marathon in Cape Town, and it lit a fire I didn’t expect. This isn’t just a race update, it’s the start of a new long-form story I’m calling “From The South Side Of Chicago To South Africa,” where marathon training becomes a way to finally understand my own roots.  I’m sharing the conversations that shook me, starting with my cousin Gina and the grief our family has carried after losing her parents. We talk about my dad and my Uncle Henry growing up in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era, and what it does to a man when he’s taught to hide every emotion. Those stories made me look in the mirror and ask hard questions about how I show up as a husband, a father, and a son, and what I might be carrying that I never named.  I also get into my cousin Erica, childhood memories, and the health wake-up calls that come with losing people you love. Then I rewind to the South Side neighborhood bonds, the violence that still echoes, and a lunch with my dad that revealed family history I honestly didn’t know. Along the way, I talk identity, what it meant to be “mixed” where I grew up, and why the mental side of running might be the most important part of this whole journey.  If you’re into marathon motivation, family history, personal growth, and real conversations, come ride with me. Subscribe, share this with a friend, leave a review, and tell me this: what question would you ask your own family if you had the chance?

  3. Aug 23

    Family Ties & Tired Thighs: Running Ragnar Together

    Send us Fan Mail This episode of That First Mile Podcast is all about what happens when running becomes a family affair. Randy sits down with his wife, Lili, daughters Liliana and Juli, and Ryan to talk about their experience running Ragnar together as a family. They talk about the miles, the laughs, the exhaustion, the unexpected moments, and what it was really like spending 200 miles together as a family. Ragnar is hard enough on your legs, but doing it with the people you love creates a completely different experience. This isn’t just a story about running a relay. It’s about family, memories, pushing each other when things get tough, and realizing that sometimes the best miles are the ones you share with other people. Family ties. Tired thighs. A whole lot of memories.

  4. Jul 2

    More Than Just a Running Shoe

    Send us Fan Mail What if the right pair of running shoes could change your life? In this episode of That First Mile Podcast, we’re joined by Rosemary Rios, manager of Sole II Soul Sports in Visalia, CA, to talk about far more than shoes. We explore how proper shoe fitting can prevent injuries, build confidence, and help people take that very first step toward a healthier lifestyle. Rosemary shares her journey into the running community, what she has learned from helping runners of every experience level, and why local running stores continue to play such an important role in bringing people together. We also discuss common mistakes runners make when buying shoes, how often they should be replaced, and what every new runner should know before lacing up. Throughout the conversation, we reflect on the connection between running and mental health, the power of community, and how small steps can lead to life-changing transformations. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, your next marathon, or simply looking for motivation to get moving, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration. Thank you for listening to That First Mile Podcast. If this episode encouraged you, please follow the show, leave a review, and share it with someone who’s ready to take their own first mile.

  5. May 21

    Northwest Passage Ragnar: Where the Miles Turn Into Survival

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of That First Mile Podcast, we dive into the Northwest Passage Ragnar—one of the most demanding relay experiences you can put a team through. From unpredictable weather and overnight legs to the mental battle that hits when sleep disappears and miles stack up, this breakdown takes you inside the real experience of what it takes to keep moving when everything in your body is asking you to stop. We talk teamwork, mindset shifts, leadership in the van, the dark hours no one posts about, and the small moments that turn into the biggest memories. This isn’t just a race recap—it’s what endurance actually feels like when it gets uncomfortable, chaotic, and real. Because every strong finish starts with That First Mile.

  6. May 8

    Life After The Long Haul

    Send us Fan Mail In this powerful episode of That First Mile Podcast, Randy sits down with his brother-in-law Oscar Soto—a husband, father, and new grandfather who spent years working as a truck driver, pushing through long hours on the road and the physical toll that came with it, including injuries that have followed him into this season of life. Oscar opens up about sacrifice, family, and what it means to keep showing up even when life has worn you down. He also shares a deeply personal look at his role as a supporter of his wife Paolo Soto, who has trained for multiple half marathons and completed the Marine Corps Marathon—and how watching her discipline and commitment inspired him in ways he didn’t expect. This is more than a conversation about fitness. It’s about legacy, family, and taking that first step toward change—no matter where you are in life.

  7. May 1

    From Marathon Miles to Military Missions

    Send us Fan Mail Izayah Campos was deep into marathon training when life took a sharp turn—he shipped out to U.S. Navy boot camp. In this episode, we dive into what it takes to pivot from personal goals to something greater, the discipline required to succeed in boot camp, and how fitness prepared him for the mental and physical challenges ahead. We talk about unfinished goals, resilience, and what comes next as Izayah looks to pick up where he left off—both in his running journey and his new path in the Navy. Whether you’re starting your fitness journey, chasing a goal, or navigating a major life transition, this episode will remind you: your first mile doesn’t disappear—it evolves.

  8. Apr 22

    From Thinking About It...To Finally Doing It

    Send us Fan Mail Starting a fitness journey isn’t about having the perfect plan. It’s not about motivation. And it’s definitely not about feeling ready. It’s about taking that first step—when everything in you is telling you to wait. In this episode of That First Mile, we sit down with Carianne Fernandez, who is just getting started on her fitness journey. No highlight reel. No “after” picture. Just the real, honest experience of what it feels like to begin from zero. Carianne opens up about: • The fear of starting • Feeling out of place and unsure • What day one actually looks like • The mental battle nobody sees • And why small steps matter more than perfect plans This conversation isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. If you’ve ever told yourself “I’ll start Monday”… this is your moment. Because the truth is—nothing changes until you do.

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About

That First Mile Podcast is all about beginnings—the moments, choices, and small steps that set the path for transformation. Hosted by Randy Grant, this show dives into the journeys of everyday runners, fitness enthusiasts, and mental health advocates to uncover what it really takes to start, persist, and grow—whether it’s your first mile, your first habit, or your first big life change. Expect candid conversations, practical tips, and inspiration to help you take that crucial “First Mile” in any part of your life. Start where you are. Take the first step. Welcome to That First Mile.

Information

  • Creator
    Randall Grant
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 That First Mile
  • Show Website
    That First Mile