Running Strong Mind-Body Connection

Karen Bonnett-Natraj
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  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Uncover the inspiring stories of amateur athletes and their running adventures. Learn about the vital mind-body connection and its impact on sports and daily life. Join us for insights and tips to boost your mental fitness Tune in, get inspired, and run strong!

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Sandy Geisel

    Running Strong Mind-Body Connection

    53 min

  2. 17 APR

    Katherine Schlaerth

    Why does running feel harder now… even though you want it more than ever? #running #motivation #resilience If you've tried to start running again and your body pushed back, this will explain why and what to do instead. With my amazing guest, Katherine Schlaerth You're not broken, and you're definitely not too old.  👉 Start here: https://www.thementalfitnessedge.com/ 👉 Get the book: https://a.co/d/0fg5yHwK 👉 Subscribe for weekly running + longevity insights Most people over 40 assume the pain means "stop." But what if it actually means you're starting the wrong way? In this episode of Running Strong: Mind-Body Connection, we break down why running starts to hurt more with age and how to rebuild your body, your mindset, and your consistency without burning out or quitting again. You'll hear real stories, including runners in their 90s and even 100s, proving that age is not the limit to your approach is.  If you've ever thought: " I used to be able to do this…" "Why does everything hurt now?" "Maybe I'm just too old…" This conversation will shift how you see running and what's actually possible for your body. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Why Running Feels Hard After 40 04:10 – The Truth About Aging and Performance 08:25 – Real Stories: Running Into Your 90s & Beyond 12:40 – Mental Health Benefits of Running 16:30 – The Hidden Reason Your Body Hurts 20:15 – How Community Impacts Longevity 24:00 – How to Start Again Without Pain 🎙️ Episode Highlights (From the Conversation) Running isn't just physical it's one of the most powerful tools for maintaining mental clarity and brain health as you age People who stay active mentally and physically can maintain brain function decades longer "Super-agers" (80+) often have the cognitive ability of someone in their 50s The difference isn't just genetics—it's movement, purpose, and consistency Many people stop not because they can't run—but because they lose purpose and connection The key isn't pushing harder it's starting smarter You'll also hear inspiring stories of: A 99-year-old still walking daily Runners breaking records in their 90s and beyond  Everyday people choosing movement over decline 🧠 The Real Shift Running after 40 isn't about: Speed Distance Competing with others It's about: Rebuilding your body safely Staying mentally sharp Creating a life that keeps you active and engaged ⚠️ Before You Quit Running Again Ask yourself this: What if the problem isn't your age… …but how you've been trying to run? This video gives you a different path one that reduces pain, builds confidence, and helps you stay consistent long-term. 💬 Your Next Step You can keep stopping every time it hurts… Or you can learn how to run in a way your body actually supports. Start small. Stay consistent. Stay curious.   #after40 #beginnerrunning #runningtips #fitnessover40 #healthyaging #longevity #mindbodyconnection #runningmotivation #startrunning #podcast

    31 min

  3. 10 APR

    Why my life is a mess! How I fixed it

    What if the moment you feel like everything is falling apart… is actually the beginning of your comeback? #weightlosstransformation #motivation #selfimprovement From 374 pounds, failing health, addiction, and a broken relationship to losing 80+ pounds and rebuilding from scratch this is a real story of starting over when it feels too late. If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you're losing control of your life, this conversation will show you what's actually possible when you decide to change. 👉 More transformation stories: https://thementalfitnessedge.com/ How do you fix your life when everything hits at once? In this powerful episode of Running Strong Mind-Body Connection, Rick De Teresa shares how a life-threatening diagnosis, emotional breakdown, and divorce forced him to face the truth and finally take control. At his lowest point, a doctor told him his heart could stop at any moment. His marriage was falling apart. He was battling addiction, exhaustion, and years of neglecting himself. Sound familiar? But instead of choosing the easy way out, he made a decision that changed everything. Through simple habits, consistency, and an unexpected brotherhood, he rebuilt his body, his mindset, and his identity. This is not a "perfect plan" story. This is a real-life reset story. You'll hear: * How he lost over 80 pounds without surgery * The exact moment everything changed * Why most people stay stuck and how to break that cycle * The role of community and accountability in real transformation * What to do when you feel like it's already too late Here's the truth most people won't tell you: If you don't change, nothing changes. But if you do, everything can. The question is… are you ready? You don't have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Start small. Start messy. Just start. Or stay where you are and risk things getting worse. This episode gives you the choice. ---

    51 min

  4. 3 APR

    Why am I tired running, fix running fatigue fast!

    Are you pushing your runs but still feeling exhausted like something's off? What if the issue isn't your effort… but what you're missing? #motivation #inspiration #running 🔗 Resources & support: https://www.cocodona.com https://ultrasignup.com If you've ever wondered why your running feels harder than it should, you're not alone. Thousands of endurance athletes from beginners to ultra finishers hit this exact wall. The good news? You don't need to train harder. You need to fix the right thing first. 🎯 Calibrated Question What if your fatigue isn't about fitness… but about how you're fueling, sleeping, and thinking during your runs? 💬 Description (SEO + Value) In this episode of the Running Strong Mind-Body Connection Podcast, we break down why you feel so tired from running—even when you're doing everything "right." Featuring ultra-runner Danelle Soto, who went from multiple DNFs to finishing brutal 200+ mile races, this conversation reveals the hidden factors behind endurance fatigue: poor recovery, mental overload, lack of sleep strategy, and mismanaged effort. You'll discover how runners at every level, yes, even experienced ultra athletes can unknowingly sabotage their energy… and how to fix it before burnout, injury, or frustration takes over. Whether you're training for your first 5K or a 250-mile ultra, this episode gives you a grounded, realistic path forward. ⚖️ You can keep pushing harder and wondering why you're exhausted… Or you can step back, fix the real bottlenecks, and start running with energy again. 🧠 Fatigue isn't failure it's feedback. 🛡️You don't have to overhaul everything. Start with one fix from this episode - your sleep, your fueling, or your pacing and notice the difference in your next run. ⏱️ Timestamps (58-Minute Episode) 0:00 – Welcome + Why Runners Feel Constantly Tired 4:30 – Meet Danelle Soto: From DNF to 200-Mile Finisher 8:45 – The Mental Game: Why Thoughts Control Energy 1 3:20 – Training While Exhausted: The Reality of Life + Running 1 8:10 – The Biggest Mistake Runners Make (Overtraining Without Recovery) 23:40 – Sleep Deprivation & Micro-Naps Explained 29:15 – Fueling Mistakes That Drain Your Energy 34:50 – Blisters, Pain & Physical Fatigue: What No One Tells You 40:05 – Breaking Point: When the "Wheels Come Off" 46:20 – Mental Reset: How to Keep Going When You're Done 52:10 – Final Lessons: What Fatigue Is Really Trying to Tell You #resilience #fatigue #why #runningtips #endurancerunning #ultrarunning #runningrecovery #runnerproblems #mentalendurance #runnerslife #fitnessmotivation #personalgrowth

    1 hr

  5. 27 MAR

    Can't Run 5 Min? Marathon in 6 Months - Jasmine Rice

    What if your mindset, not your fitness is the real barrier 👉 Start here: Unleash Your Champion: Ignite Your Confidence Summit 👉 https://thementalfitnessedge.com/register If you've ever thought "I'm not a runner" you're not alone. Thousands of beginners start exactly where you are right now and build toward finishing their first marathon step by step. In this episode of Running Strong Mind Body Connection, you'll hear real proof through Jasmine Rice who went from a non-runner after surgery to completing 8 full marathons and 22 half marathons. So here's the real question Are you willing to stay stuck at 5 minutes… or commit to transforming your body and mindset in 6 months You have two choices Stay comfortable and repeat the same struggle Or follow a simple progression that builds endurance, confidence, and identity as a runner T his episode anchors one truth 80% of running success is mindset and only 20% is physical And here's the risk If you keep waiting until you "feel ready" you'll never start But if you follow a proven beginner marathon path, you can safely build from zero without injury or burnout Inside this episode, you'll discover • How a non-runner mindset keeps you stuck • The exact shift that turns beginners into marathoners • Why your first 7 miles is the real breakthrough point • How to train smart even with a busy schedule • The hidden power of mental resilience in endurance training

    31 min

  6. 20 MAR

    Breakthrough Habit Fix - with Your Host Solo. Karen Bonnett-Natraj

    Can't finish what you start even when you're not lazy? What if the only thing standing between you and your first marathon, your 100th podcast episode, or your biggest goal is a thought you haven't learned to ignore yet? I'm Karen Bonnet-Natraj, host of Running Strong: Mind-Body Connection, approaching Episode 100 after 15 Ironman, 50+ hundred-mile runs, and one very humbling first mile that nearly ended it all. In this episode I sit down solo to share the mindset shift that changed everything: from chronic inner critic to finishing what most people quit. Whether you're a beginner runner terrified of your first marathon, a podcaster wondering if anyone is listening, or an entrepreneur who keeps restarting — this one is for you. --- 🧴 Squirrel's Nut Butter (anti-chafe for runners) — 15% off → https://squirrelsnutbutter.com/discount/MIND&BODY15 ⚡ VespaFuel endurance nutrition — https://vespapower.com/ → use code MENTALFITNESSEDGE15 Thousands of athletes have used these mental fitness tools to push past the voice that says "quit" at mile 80, at episode 12, and at 2am on a trail when their legs stopped cooperating. The research is clear: the body can almost always go further than the mind believes it can. But most people never find out, because they stop when the inner critic gets loud. You don't have to be a professional athlete. You don't have to have started as one. Karen didn't. She started by running one mile and hating every step of it. Then she told herself, "I'll run until I love it." That sentence took her to 100-mile ultras, 15 Ironman, and nearly 90 episodes of this podcast. If you're new here, you have two paths: start with this episode and hear the full origin story, or search the back catalogue for the guest episode that matches your exact race or challenge. Either way, subscribe so you don't miss Episode 100 where we're celebrating this community together.

    24 min

  7. 14 MAR

    Patience and Perspective: Running Success Redefined- with Mo Barley

    Are you staying consistent but still feel like nothing is working? You're not alone and you're not failing. In this episode of Running Strong: Mind, Body & Resilience, ultra-runner Mo shares how she ran 7 x 100-mile races, built her own home at 31, and still faced moments where quitting felt like the only option. If consistency feels invisible right now, this episode will change how you see your progress. You have two choices right now: keep grinding alone wondering if it's working or spend 30 minutes with two women who've run 100 miles, built careers, raised families, and still show up every single day. The second option costs you nothing and might change everything. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Whether you're a beginner runner not seeing results, an entrepreneur grinding with no traction, or someone who just needs to hear "you're not behind, you're just early" this conversation was made for you. Mo and Karen break down why the gap between effort and results feels so brutal, why your consistency IS working even when you can't see it, and how ultra-running teaches you the one mental skill that changes everything in business and in life patience under pressure. Together, Karen and Mo Bartley explore how running influences resilience, mindset, and the ability to face life's toughest moments. From the camaraderie of running groups to the power of patience and gratitude, this episode is packed with wisdom about finding joy, redefining what it means to win, and embracing every phase of the journey. Whether you're a competitive athlete or just beginning, tune in for inspiration, laughter, and practical advice on staying strong in mind and body through all of life's adventures.

    21 min

  8. 6 MAR

    Running for Resilience: Bunni Ambrosia's Journey Through Grief, ADHD, and Fibromyalgia

    Welcome to another inspiring episode of Running Strong Mind-Body Connection! In this week's conversation, host Karen sits down with Bunni Ambrosia—a truck driver, life coach, and marathon runner whose story is a powerful testament to resilience, healing, and determination. Despite facing immense challenges, including grief, ADHD, and fibromyalgia, Bunny Ambrosia has turned running into her path to recovery, clarity, and inner strength. From managing chronic pain while on the road to crafting daily mantras and rituals that keep her motivated, Bunny's journey showcases what it means to lead from the inside out and embrace every mile as meditation. Join us as Karen and Bunni Ambrosia explore the mental game behind marathon training for neurodivergent athletes, the importance of rest, and the transformative power of movement and self-care—even inside an 18-wheeler. Get ready for a candid, heartfelt discussion on overcoming advers

    29 min
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Uncover the inspiring stories of amateur athletes and their running adventures. Learn about the vital mind-body connection and its impact on sports and daily life. Join us for insights and tips to boost your mental fitness Tune in, get inspired, and run strong!

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