Unstoppable Stories That Move

Sally Hed Dahlquist
  • 5.0 (1)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS

A podcast with a purpose highlighting ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things, while raising money for medical research. From everyday athletes & artists, scientists & survivors, care-givers & change-makers, these people relentlessly pursue their dreams, resiliently pushing through pain & setbacks. What's their purpose? What makes them Unstoppable? Tune in to listen as these seemingly normal people share their stories of resilience and inspire us to keep moving forward

  1. 6D AGO

    39. She Ran the World with Tracy Cohen Roth

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? She came back. And she finished all seven. Sally Hed Dahlquist catches up with the unstoppable Tracy Cohen Roth, the teaching veteran, 140+ marathon finisher, and woman who just ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. First featured on Episode 22 in December 2025, Tracy returns to share the full story of what actually happened out there: the illness, the heat, the cold, the blisters, the NASA doctors, and the finish line in Miami where she had absolutely nothing left... and crossed it anyway. Tracy didn't just complete the World Marathon Challenge. She raised thousands of dollars in grassroots donations to get there, and came home to teach. In this conversation, Tracy shares what it really took: Battling a GI illness through four of the seven marathons with nowhere to stopRunning in 107-degree heat in Australia and 40-degree rain in SpainGetting pulled aside by NASA doctors who almost didn't let her run in MadridHow Liquid IV saved her raceCrossing the finish line in Miami in Antarctica gear with her husband waiting What You'll Hear in This Episode The full 7-7-7 route: Antarctica, Cape Town, Perth, Dubai, Madrid, Forza Brazil, MiamiWhat 168 hours looks like when 112 of them are spent in the airThe GI nightmare that started in South Africa and followed Tracy through four continentsNASA doctors, dehydration, and the Liquid IV that put color back in Tracy's faceHow Tracy trained: 20 miles a day for seven days straight over Christmas breakThe packing system: one bag per continent, stacked inside a single suitcaseWhat it felt like to crawl across that last finish line with nothing left in the tankComing home with swollen feetA recovery trip to Norway with her son filled with northern lights, reindeer sleds, and the world's northernmost McDonald'sWhat she'd tell anyone who has ever said "I've always wanted to do that"Listener Takeaways Tracy's story is a masterclass in commitment and resilience. Here are your reminders: No regrets. If you've always wanted to do something, stop waiting and make it happen.You don't have to feel ready, you just have to show up and keep moving.Community carries you. Your body can do more than your brain thinks it can, especially when quitting isn't an option.Mentioned in This Episode World Marathon Challenge (7 marathons, 7 continents, 7 days)Episode 22: Tracy's first appearance on Unstoppable: Stories That MoveLiquid IV electrolyte powder (available at Costco)Salt electrolyte candies for heat racingSupport the Mission If Tracy's story fired you up, please share this episode and consider supporting the bigger mission. We're raising $1 million for medical research, and every dollar from listeners like you truly makes a difference. Learn more + donate at UnstoppableStoriesThatMove.com

    32 min

  2. MAR 20

    38. Win Joel Karsten's Book + A Tip to Get Your Garden Started!

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? In this mini episode, host Sally Hed Dahlquist shares an exciting contest announcement and a simple, encouraging tip to help you get growing this spring. Sally is giving away five signed copies of a book by the unstoppable Joel Karsten, the Minnesota farm boy turned global change maker who developed a revolutionary technique for growing food in straw bales. His method has helped feed malnourished children in Cambodia and beyond, allowing communities to grow nutritious fruits and vegetables... even through monsoon season. And while you're waiting for your garden to grow? Sally has a beginner-friendly tip to get you started, no digging required. In This Episode, You'll Hear: How to enter the book contest to win a signed copy of Joel Karsten's book (open March 19 – April 30, 2026)A quick recap of Joel's incredible story and why straw bale gardening is changing lives worldwideSally's beginner gardening tip: start small with herbs in a pot, basil, cilantro, sage, and work your way upWhy straw bale gardening is the easiest way to grow your own food without digging up your yardHow to Enter the Contest: Visit unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com and look for "book contest"Enter your name and email between March 19 – April 30, 2026Five lucky winners will be drawn on April 30, 2026Learn More About Joel Karsten: Listen to his full story on Episode 18 of Unstoppable: Stories That MoveFind his books on AmazonVisit his website at strawbalegardens.comSupport the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose to raise $1 million for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. With NIH budgets being cut, your support matters more than ever. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA

    4 min

  3. MAR 12

    37. Sally's Hotline: Small Steps, Big Goals with Tom Pedersen

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? In this edition of Sally's Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Tom Pedersen, a lifelong runner and retired teacher who is back on the roads after a stroke and six-bypass open-heart surgery. Rather than dwelling on what the experience took from him, Tom shows up with hard-won wisdom about how to tackle the things in life that feel too big to start. Tom's advice is simple, practical, and deeply lived: every overwhelming goal, whether it's training for a marathon, recovering from surgery, or finishing an attic renovation for your daughters, gets conquered the same way. One step at a time. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Why the first step doesn't need to be big... it just needs to happenHow Tom applied this philosophy with students facing overwhelming challenges over 25 years in the classroomThe attic renovation story: a promise to his daughters that became a three-year project he figured out as he wentWhy having a meaningful "why" is often what finally gets you movingKey Takeaways: Overwhelming goals become manageable when you focus only on the next stepProgress compounds. Those "insignificant" early steps add up to something significantAsking for help along the way isn't a weakness, it's part of the processA promise to someone you love can be the most powerful motivator of allGetting started is always the hardest part, and always worth itIf you want to hear Tom's full story, including running marathons after a stroke, surviving six-bypass heart surgery, and chasing the Six World Marathon Majors, listen to his full story on episode 36 of Unstoppable: Stories That Move. Support the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose to raise $1 million for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. With NIH budgets being cut, your support matters more than ever. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA

    5 min

  4. MAR 5

    36. The Heart of a Runner with Tom Pedersen

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? What does it take to keep running through a stroke and open-heart surgery? Host Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Tom Pedersen, a 73-year-old retired CPA, lifelong runner, and living proof that the body, and the will, can be rebuilt. After a minor ischemic stroke and a six bypass open-heart surgery, Tom didn't just survive. He found his way back to the finish line. Now on the verge of completing another World Marathon Majors in Tokyo, Tom shares the health scares he almost ignored, the doctors who believed in his passions, and why he's still putting one foot in front of the other. In this conversation, Tom shares what has kept him moving: Listening to his body, even when the signs were subtleFinding doctors who shared his "keep running" philosophyRecovering from a stroke and then open-heart surgery and getting back to the race courseGiving back through free tax preparation services in his communityThis episode is a reminder that unstoppable isn't about being fearless, it's about refusing to stop. What You'll Hear in This Episode How a minor stroke in 2017 became a turning point The two types of stroke: ischemic vs. hemorrhagic Why he fired his first doctor for telling him to stop running marathonsSymptoms that don't scream "emergency" Post-bypass recovery: walking around the block, then a mile, then marathonsThe pineapple guy at the Berlin marathon (and why Tom is blaming him for those extra 35 seconds)Big Cottonwood Canyon Marathon: winning his age group, qualifying for Boston, post-strokeWhat gratitude looks like after surviving two major health eventsListener Takeaways If you're inspired by Tom's story, here are your reminders: Don't dismiss subtle symptoms. A dragging foot and a drooping face got Tom to the ER... barely. Pay attention.Find doctors who support your goals. If your doctor tells you to quit, find a doctor who doesn't.Running is medicine. Tom's blood pressure drops 20–30 points after a run. Every time.Know your family history. It doesn't have to define you, but it should motivate you.Recovery is incremental. Around the block → a mile → a marathon. There's no shortcut, and that's okay.Gratitude is a practice. After his heart surgery, Tom committed to being grateful for every single day.Mentioned in This Episode Ischemic stroke vs. hemorrhagic stroke vs. TIA (transient ischemic attack)The Six World Marathon Majors (Abbott World Marathon Majors): Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, TokyoSydney Marathon (the new seventh major)Big Cottonwood Canyon Marathon, UtahJack and Jill Downhill Marathon, Washington StateGrandma's Marathon, Duluth, MinnesotaVITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) — free tax prep services nationwideAccountability Minnesota — free tax prep sites in the Twin Cities areaARC tax prep sites in Hudson, River Falls, Baldwin, Richmond, and Ellsworth, WisconsinMarathon Tours & TravelBritney Runs a Marathon (Netflix film)Support the Mission If Tom's story reminded you that it's never too late to get back out there, please share it with someone who needs to hear it. We're raising $1 million for medical research, and every dollar from listeners like you makes a real difference. Learn more + donate at UnstoppableStoriesThatMove.com

    1h 54m

  5. FEB 26

    35. Sally's Hotline: Structure, Sleep, and Staying Active with Mary Croft

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? In this edition of Sally’s Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Mary Croft, who recently celebrated her 80th birthday by completing 80 kilometers (50 miles over two days). With more than 40 years of running behind her, Mary shares the simple, grounded habits that have helped her stay healthy, active, and engaged through every decade of life. Rather than chasing intensity or perfection, Mary’s wisdom centers on structure, rest, and realistic self-care. From scheduling movement to embracing naps (disguised as reading time), her advice is a powerful reminder that longevity isn’t about pushing harder, it’s about caring for your body with intention. This short but impactful tip episode is full of encouragement for anyone navigating aging, busy schedules, or changing energy levels, and it reinforces that staying active can look different in every season of life. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Why having structure has been key to Mary’s long-term health and consistencyHow scheduling movement makes it easier to keep showing upThe underrated importance of naps and rest as we ageWhy regular sleep patterns matter more than we often realizeHow volunteering and staying engaged supports both physical and mental healthA gentle reminder to protect your energy and avoid overcommittingKey Takeaways: Consistency doesn’t require intensity, it requires intentionScheduling rest is just as important as scheduling movementSleep is foundational to long-term health and vitalityStaying active means adapting, not stoppingA healthy routine can evolve with you at every ageIf you want to hear Mary’s full story, including her decades of running, global races, and life of service listen to her full episode on Unstoppable: Stories That Move. Support the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose to raise $1 million for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. With NIH budgets being cut, your support matters more than ever. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA

    4 min

  6. FEB 19

    34. A Lifetime of Miles with Mary Croft

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? In this unstoppable conversation, Mary Croft joins Sally Hed Dahlquist to reflect on a life that’s equal parts endurance and service. Mary recently celebrated her 80th birthday by running 50 miles at the Across the Years ultra event in Arizona. That milestone is just one chapter in a running career that includes 235 marathons and ultras, with 70 ultramarathons (up to 100 miles), races in all 50 states, and finishes on all 7 continents. Mary’s story stretches far beyond the finish line. She grew up as the daughter of Lutheran missionaries in Papua New Guinea, spent formative years in boarding school in Australia, and later built a career in nursing including work inside the Stillwater Prison in Minnesota. Along the way, she shares what endurance has taught her about consistency, community, aging, motivation, and staying grounded when the world (and the sport) changes. This episode is full of practical runner talk (fueling, gear, pacing, loop events, the evolution of marathons) and deeper reflections on purpose, resilience, and what it means to keep moving forward through every season of life. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: How Mary celebrated turning 80 by running 80K (50 miles) at Across the YearsWhat a multi-day loop event is like (and why it creates real community)How fueling has changed over the decades (from water + butterscotch candies to gels and electrolytes)Her origin story: the wellness movement, a friend’s discipline, and the first Twin Cities MarathonWhy Mary ended her Twin Cities Marathon streak in 2025, and how it felt to let that identity goHow the sport has changed over the decadesWhat it was like growing up in Papua New Guinea and returning later with her husband and sonHow Mary found her footing returning to college in Minnesota after years overseasThe reality of nursing inside the Stillwater Prison and how healthcare work shows up thereKey Takeaways: Community is a performance enhancer. Loop races and long events create space for real conversation and connection.You don’t have to optimize everything to be a “real runner.” Mary’s approach is body-led, not data-led.Consistency outlasts trends. Fueling fads, tech, and marketing evolve — but the basics still matter.Goals can shift without losing meaning. Ending a decades-long streak can be an act of freedom, not failure.If This Episode Inspired You: Share it with someone who needs a reminder that it’s never “too late” to do hard thingsSubscribe to Unstoppable: Stories That MoveLeave a review so more people can find these storiesAnd If You Want to Do Something Bigger: This podcast supports the mission of raising $1 million for medical research. Your support helps fund real labs doing real work that saves lives. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

    1h 34m

  7. FEB 12

    33. Sally's Hotline: Giving 100% with Polly Letofsky

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? In this installment of Sally’s Hotline, we get a little tip from Polly Letofsky, the first woman to walk around the world, about one deceptively simple idea that carried her across the continents: it’s easier to give 100% than 50%. Polly shares a raw, unforgettable story from the center of India, where exhaustion, isolation, extreme heat, and danger pushed her to the brink, and where quitting would have been easier. Instead, she explains how committing fully, removing “quitting” as an option, and adopting what she calls the power of the resolute mind allowed her to keep going when everything in her body said stop. This episode is a powerful reminder that commitment isn’t about willpower, it’s about clarity. When the mission matters, half-measures only make things harder. In This Episode, You’ll Hear Why giving 100% is often easier than giving 50%How decision fatigue disappears when quitting is no longer an optionPolly’s harrowing experience walking alone through central IndiaThe moment she saw herself in a mirror and realized how depleted she’d becomeWhy she refused to stop even when coming home was fully possibleHow she problem-solved instead of quitting (including hiring an escort to finish safely)What the “resolute mind” actually looks like in real lifeWhy purpose makes endurance possibleKey Takeaways Half-commitment creates constant internal negotiation. Full commitment creates peace.If quitting is off the table, your brain redirects energy toward solutions.Being uncomfortable is not the same as being incapable.When the mission is bigger than you, perseverance becomes non-negotiable.Commitment is a decision, not a feeling.About Polly Letofsky Polly Letofsky is an adventurer, author, and advocate who became the first woman to walk around the world, completing a five-year journey to raise awareness for breast cancer and promote early detection. Her walk helped save lives by starting conversations in villages, cities, and countries around the globe. Resources Mentioned 3 MPH: The Adventures of One Woman’s Walk Around the World by Polly LetofskyPolly’s publishing work: mywordpublishing.comIf This Episode Gave You a Boost: Share it with someone who’s stuck in the “almost quitting” phaseSubscribe to Unstoppable: Stories That MoveLeave a review to help more people find these storiesAnd If You Want to Make an Impact: This podcast exists to raise $1 million for medical research. Your donation helps fund real labs doing real work that saves lives. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

    10 min

  8. FEB 5

    32. Walking the World for Women with Polly Letofsky

    Text me. I’d love to hear from you! Can you relate to anything we said? What do want to hear more about? In this unstoppable conversation, Polly Letofsky shares the story of walking solo around the world for five years to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and how that journey became an ongoing study in human nature, resilience, and community. Polly takes us from the early spark that led her to attempt the walk, to the moment she found herself truly alone for the first time in rural Australia… and into the unexpected, life-changing support of the Lions Club. What began as one woman passing a hat in a pub turned into a fundraising network that carried Polly from town to town, country to country, and through moments of culture shock and global upheaval. Along the way, Polly reflects on walking before GPS, navigating the world as a solo woman traveler, witnessing how communities respond to illness and vulnerability, and why she never once considered quitting even when things were uncomfortable, uncertain, or overwhelming. This episode is a powerful reminder that big missions are built one step at a time, and that support often shows up exactly when you need it. In This Episode, You’ll Hear How Polly’s walk for breast cancer awareness began and why she knew it had to be about more than travelHow a chance encounter with a Lions Club president changed everythingHow Lions Clubs coordinated support up the Australian coast and across the globeWhat it was like traveling and planning routes before GPS and smartphonesWhy Polly used McDonald’s as her universal meeting point on highwaysLife as a visibly foreign woman traveling alone in rural and tribal regionsThe realities of cultural difference, discomfort, and safety on the roadHow she learned to expect pivots instead of fearing themExperiencing 9/11 abroad and relying on global service organizations for stabilityThe long road from walk → book → publishing career, including hard-earned lessons about the industryKey Takeaways Big goals are sustained through consistency, not comfort.Community support can appear in unexpected placesDiscomfort is not the same as danger, but awareness always matters.You don’t need to know every step in advance just the next one.Grassroots action is powerful, especially when research funding is at stake.Resources Mentioned Lions Clubhttps://www.senseofsecurity.org/If this episode moved you: Share it with someone who believes big missions are only for “special” peopleSubscribe to Unstoppable: Stories That MoveLeave a review to help these stories reach more listenersAnd if you want to do something even bigger: This podcast supports the mission of raising $1 million for medical research. Your support helps fund real labs doing real work that saves lives. Donate today at: unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

    1h 35m
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A podcast with a purpose highlighting ordinary people who do extra-ordinary things, while raising money for medical research. From everyday athletes & artists, scientists & survivors, care-givers & change-makers, these people relentlessly pursue their dreams, resiliently pushing through pain & setbacks. What's their purpose? What makes them Unstoppable? Tune in to listen as these seemingly normal people share their stories of resilience and inspire us to keep moving forward

Information

  • Creator
    Sally Hed Dahlquist
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unstoppable Stories That Move
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable Stories That Move