Soul Runner: Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength

Amanda Perras
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health

The Soul Runner: From Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength Podcast is a where we take a closer look into the world of fitness, addictions, and mental health talking about real life scenarios of how resilient strength brought amazing people from being at rock bottom to defeating all odds and beating their battles with addictions and mental health.  We'll discuss nutrition, exercise, tools, and strategies that helped individuals crawl their way out of a space they never thought possible.

Episodes

  1. Jan 12

    30 for Freedom: A Movement Against Sex Trafficking

    In this episode, Amanda interviews Brent Silkey, founder of 30 for Freedom, a movement dedicated to ending sex trafficking. Brent shares his personal journey, including his adoption story and how it shaped his passion for helping others. He discusses the inception of 30 for Freedom, the impact it has made in raising awareness and funds for trafficking prevention, and his experience running the Great World Race, where he and his team ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Brent emphasizes the importance of community support and outlines future goals for 30 for Freedom, including a significant fundraising initiative for his 40th birthday. 00:00 Introduction to Brent Silkey and 30 for Freedom 02:24 Brent's Personal Journey and Adoption Story 07:14 The Birth of 30 for Freedom: Running for a Cause 15:27 Impact and Growth of 30 for Freedom 19:45 Understanding the Organizations Supported by 30 for Freedom 27:22 Awareness and Prevention of Sex Trafficking 28:37 The Great World Race Experience 31:18 The Dream of a Race 32:06 Family Involvement in Big Goals 33:02 Inspirational Team Members 34:49 Training for the Great World Race 36:59 Adapting to Changing Conditions 39:54 Experiencing Different Climates 42:24 Aiming for a Million Dollars 44:52 Crossing the Finish Line 46:18 Celebrating Community and Faith 47:39 Future Goals for 30 for Freedom Brent Silkey & 30 For Freedom Instagram: @brentsilkey @30forfreedom Website: 30forfreedom.com Soul Runner Instagram: @soulrunnernh Website: soulrunnernh.com

  2. Jan 5

    From Addiction to True Resilience: Kallup McCoy's Journey

    In this episode, Kallup McCoy shares his incredible journey from addiction to becoming an inspiring endurance athlete and recovery advocate. He discusses his goals for the future, the challenges he faced while running across America, and the birth of his nonprofit organization, RezHope Recovery. Kallup emphasizes the importance of setting goals, embracing change, and finding purpose in helping others. His story is a testament to resilience, mental toughness, and the power of community support in overcoming personal struggles. 00:00 Kallup McCoy's Inspiring Journey 10:03 Setting Goals and Embracing Change 24:30 The Birth of RezHope Recovery 30:17 Running Across America: The Challenge 51:01 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose Kallup McCoy: Instagram: @kallupmccoy  @the_official_rezhope_recovery Website to RezHope: rezhoperecovery.com Amanda Perras (Soul Runner NH) Instagram: soulrunnernh Website: soulrunnernh.com

  3. 12/22/2025

    Finding Identity Beyond Motherhood with Francesca Barretta

    In this episode, Amanda interviews Francesca Barretta, a full-time working mom and avid runner who shares her journey of overcoming childhood trauma, the importance of maintaining personal identity beyond motherhood, and how running has been a transformative outlet for her mental and physical health. Francesca discusses her experiences with disordered eating, the challenges of balancing family life with marathon training, and the significance of nutrition and strength training for runners. She emphasizes the need for self-care and personal growth, inspiring listeners to find their own paths to happiness and fulfillment. 00:00 Introduction to Francesca's Journey 01:04 The Importance of Personal Identity 03:02 Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Goals 04:46 Running as a Coping Mechanism 06:02 Overcoming Health Challenges 10:11 The Impact of Relationships on Personal Growth 12:09 Navigating Motherhood and Personal Struggles 15:06 Finding Strength in Adversity 17:05 The Role of Supportive Relationships 18:22 Training for Marathons as a Single Mom 20:30 The Journey to Self-Discovery 22:34 Motivation and Goal Setting 25:56 The Importance of Self-Care 28:36 Fueling the Body for Performance 30:19 Fueling for Performance 40:05 The Importance of Strength Training 49:15 Inspiration and Motivation in Running 52:20 Overcoming the Comparison Trap Francesca Baretta Instagram: @theearlymorningmotherrunner Amanda Perras Instagram: @soulrunnernh Website: soulrunnnh.com Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

  4. 12/15/2025

    Fueling for Performance: Insights from Alex Larson

    In this episode, Amanda welcomes Alex Larson, a registered dietitian and endurance athlete, to discuss the intricacies of nutrition for athletes. They explore Alex's journey into dietetics and triathlons/biking, the importance of carb loading, protein needs for athletes, navigating supplements, hydration strategies, the risks of under-fueling and intermittent fasting, addressing GI issues, and debunking common nutrition myths. Alex shares her expertise and practical advice for athletes looking to optimize their performance through proper nutrition. 00:00 Introduction to Alex Larson and Her Journey 07:00 Understanding Carb Loading for Endurance Athletes 17:30 Protein Needs for Vegan Athletes 19:56 Navigating Supplements: What Works and What Doesn't 25:56 The Importance of Hydration and Sweat Testing 30:33 The Importance of Hydration in Cold Weather 33:09 Under-Fueling: A Common Pitfall for Athletes 35:48 The Risks of Intermittent Fasting for Athletes 38:11 Recognizing Red Flags of Under-Fueling 42:55 Addressing GI Issues During Races 51:08 Debunking Nutrition Myths and Misconceptions Alex Larson: Instagram: @alexlarsonnutrition Website: alexlarsonnutrition.com Podcast: Endurance Eats  SoulRunnerNH: Instagram: @soulrunnernh Website: soulrunnernh.com Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

  5. 12/01/2025

    Rachel Steil - Breaking the Silence: from Eating Disorder to Empowerment in Athletics

    In the world of competitive sports, the pressure to perform can often lead to mental health struggles, particularly eating disorders. Rachel Steil, a former elite runner and now a dedicated coach and advocate, shares her inspiring journey of recovery and empowerment in her book, "Running in Silence."   In this conversation, Rachel Steil shares her journey from being a competitive runner to battling an eating disorder and ultimately finding recovery. She discusses the stigma surrounding eating disorders, especially in athletics, and emphasizes the importance of awareness and support. Rachel highlights her advocacy work through her nonprofit, Running in Silence, and the need for early intervention in schools. The conversation also touches on the challenges of recovery, the role of writing in her healing process, and the significance of having a supportive network. 00:00 Introduction to Rachel Stile and Her Journey 02:19 The Early Years of Running and the Onset of Eating Disorders 05:29 The Impact of Eating Disorders on Performance 08:19 The Role of Coaches and Support Systems 11:06 The Recovery Process and Its Challenges 17:03 Founding Running in Silence: Advocacy and Awareness 19:40 The Importance of Education in Preventing Eating Disorders 24:36 Transforming My Relationship with Food 25:50 The Journey of Recovery 29:02 The Power of Sharing Stories 31:32 Breaking the Stigma Around Eating Disorders 35:28 Defining Recovery 37:27 Inspiring Change Through Vulnerability 38:20 Resources for Coaches and Athletes 39:57 Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations Where to find us: Rachael Steil - Instagram - @runninginsilence Website - runninginsilence.org Email - rachael@runninginsilence.org Mentions: withall.org SoulRunnerNH -  Instagram - @soulrunnernh Website - soulrunnernh.com Email - amanda@soulrunnernh.com

  6. 11/24/2025

    Whitney Heins - Resilience in the Face of Injury & Balancing Motherhood

    In this conversation, Whitney shares her journey of overcoming injury while training for a marathon, highlighting the lessons learned about resilience and the impact of her training environment. She reflects on the challenges of balancing high-intensity training with motherhood and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive peers. As a certified running coach and founder of themotherrunners.com, Whitney shares her experiences and insights on navigating the challenges that come with being a mom and a runner. This blog post delves into her journey, offering valuable advice for mothers looking to maintain their fitness while juggling family responsibilities. You can find Whitney at: Instagram: themotherrunners Website: themotherrunners.com Podcast: The Mother Runners Podcast Instagram: soulrunnernh Website: soulrunnernh.com

  7. 11/17/2025

    Olivia Garcia - From Dancer to a 2:54 Marathoner

    In this conversation, Amanda Perras interviews Olivia Garcia, a stay-at-home mom, run coach, and cohost of the podcast 'Miles with Moms.' Olivia shares her journey from being a ballet dancer to becoming a paramedic and eventually a passionate runner. She discusses her struggles with body image and eating disorders, how running helped her find clarity and purpose in motherhood, and her aspirations to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which eventually led her to a 2:54 marathon in October of this year. The conversation delves into the challenges of postpartum running, the benefits of heart rate training, and Olivia's future goals in the sport. 00:00 Introduction to Olivia Garcia 01:22 Olivia's Background and Early Influences 04:16 Transition from Paramedic to Stay-at-Home Mom 06:22 Rediscovering Running and Identity 08:31 The Impact of Dance on Body Image 13:03 Struggles with Eating Disorders 16:54 The Role of Support in Recovery 17:20 Journey to Marathon Running 22:07 Pregnancy and Running Challenges 24:42 Navigating Pregnancy and Running 26:04 Postpartum Challenges and Returning to Running 28:46 The Journey to Marathon Training 30:09 Fueling Strategies for Endurance Running 33:46 Achieving Personal Bests and Setting Goals 39:48 Heart Rate Training and Its Impact 42:37 Future Aspirations and Overcoming Barriers 45:39 Advice for Those Struggling with Body Image You can find Olivia Garcia on: Instagram @watch_oliviarun Podcast @mileswithmomspodcast Follow me: Instagram @soulrunnernh Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

  8. 11/10/2025

    Emily Knight: Hormone Health & Recovery

    In this episode, Amanda Perras interviews Emily Knight, a running and strength coach who shares her journey through athleticism, eating disorders, and hormone health. Emily discusses her experiences in college athletics, the impact of coaching on body image, and her healing journey towards hormone healing and recovery. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, support systems, and the need for awareness around hormone health, especially for women. As she prepares for motherhood, Emily expresses her commitment to raising her daughter with a positive body image and advocates for women in sports to prioritize their health over societal expectations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emily Knight 02:53 Emily's Athletic Background and Early Challenges 05:57 The Impact of College Athletics on Body Image 11:54 The Healing Journey Begins 15:05 Understanding Hormone Health and Its Importance 17:55 Support Systems and Their Role in Recovery 20:45 Weight Restoration and Overcoming Body Dysmorphia 23:59 The Path to Pregnancy and Hormonal Health 26:56 Embracing Motherhood: Raising a Daughter with Self-Love 29:25 The Comparison Trap: Elite Athletes and Health 30:41 Understanding Health Beyond Appearances 33:30 The Value of Healthy Competition in Sports 37:24 Building a Business: Coaching and Hormone Health 40:40 The Importance of Hormone Health Awareness 42:06 Breaking the Stigma: Open Conversations About Women's Health You can find Emily Knight  Instagram: @knight__fit Podcast: The Knight Fit Podcast Follow me: Instagram: @soulrunnernh Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

  9. Season 1, Episode 1 Trailer

    Soul Runner: From Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength Introduction

    Welcome to the Soul Runner: From Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength Podcast. Where we take a closer look into the world of fitness, addictions, and mental health talking about real life scenarios of how resilient strength brought amazing people from being at rock bottom to a defeating all odds and beating their battles with addictions and mental health.  We'll discuss nutrition, exercise, tools, and strategies that helped individuals crawl their way out of a space they never thought possible.  So please sit back and relax or take us with you on your workout or run and enjoy these episodes.  Instagram: soulrunnernh email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

Trailer

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The Soul Runner: From Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength Podcast is a where we take a closer look into the world of fitness, addictions, and mental health talking about real life scenarios of how resilient strength brought amazing people from being at rock bottom to defeating all odds and beating their battles with addictions and mental health.  We'll discuss nutrition, exercise, tools, and strategies that helped individuals crawl their way out of a space they never thought possible.

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