Unstoppable Stories That Move

Sally Hed Dahlquist
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  • 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. 4d ago

    49. Sally's Hotline: Positivity is the Word of the Day with Scott Keenan

    In this edition of Sally’s Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Scott Keenan, runner, organizer, author, community leader, and the original founder and race director of Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. As Grandma’s Marathon celebrates its 50th anniversary, Scott reflects on one of the simplest but most powerful lessons he carried through his years of coaching, race directing, and building a world-class event: stay positive. Rather than offering complicated advice, Scott shares the same word he gave his East High School runners every day for six years: positivity. Whether you are facing a bad run, a difficult race, a hard season, or a setback in life, Scott’s message is clear. Shake it off, look for something good, and keep moving forward. This short but powerful tip episode is a reminder that positivity is not about pretending everything is easy. It is about choosing hope, refusing to get pulled under by negativity, and believing that you can still get through what is in front of you. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: Why Scott’s word of the day was the same for six yearsHow positivity helped him coach young runners through bad races and hard daysWhy negativity can pull you down faster if you let it take overHow looking for something simple and good, like a bird in the sky, can shift your perspectiveWhy positivity and hope go hand in handKey Takeaways: Stay positive, even when the run or the day does not go your way.A bad race does not define you. Shake it off and keep going.Negativity makes hard things heavier. Positivity helps you move through them.Hope matters. Things can get better when you keep moving forward.Sometimes the best advice is simple: full steam ahead, damn the torpedoes.If you want to hear Scott’s full story, including how he founded Grandma’s Marathon in 1977, built it into a world-class race with small-town charm, and helped shape one of Minnesota’s most beloved running traditions, listen to Episode 48 of Unstoppable: Stories That Move. You can also read Scott’s book, My Journey to Grandma’s Marathon: History and Heroes. Support the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose to raise money for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. Your support helps move that mission forward. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA Together, we can save lives.

    4 min

  2. Jun 4

    48. The Man Behind Grandma’s Marathon with Scott Keenan

    Host Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Scott Keenan ahead of the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon in 2026. Scott founded Grandma’s Marathon in 1977 with a tiny budget, a $3 entry fee, no permit, and one very big vision: to build a world-class marathon with small-town charm on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. Scott shares how a small running club race in Duluth, Minnesota grew into one of the most beloved marathons in the country, now bringing thousands of runners to the region and creating a major economic impact for northern Minnesota.  From convincing Olympian Gary Bjorklund to run his first marathon in Duluth, to building international competition, to naming the race after a local saloon, Scott’s story is full of grit, vision, humor, and relentless belief in what this race could become. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Scott founded Grandma’s Marathon at just 23 years old Why the first race had a $3 entry fee, a micro-budget, and no official permit How Gary Bjorklund helped put Grandma’s Marathon on the map Why the race became known for world-class competition and small-town hospitality How Grandma’s added the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon to help runners choose the right distance The wild logistics of a point-to-point marathon, from buses to trains to gear transport The story behind the name “Grandma’s Marathon” Why Duluth, Lake Superior, and the running community made this race something truly special Whether you’ve run Grandma’s, dream of running it someday, or simply love hearing how one person’s vision can grow into a legacy, Scott’s story is a reminder that big things often start small, with a wild idea, a few determined people, and the courage to begin before everything is perfectly ready. Learn more about Scott’s story in his book:  My Journey to Grandma’s Marathon by Scott Keenan Inspired?  Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves running, Duluth, or a good underdog origin story. Support Sally’s mission to raise $1 million for medical research:  unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

    1h 13m

  3. May 21

    47. Sally's Hotline: The Courage to Change with Christy Larson

    In this edition of Sally's Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Christy Larson, an everyday athlete, outdoorsy girl, health coach, and woman who had to rebuild her health and life after alcoholism nearly destroyed her. After starting to drink at age 50 and drinking every day for two years, Christy reached a point where she knew something had to change. Her story is one of honesty, courage, vulnerability, and taking the first step back toward herself. Rather than offering easy answers, Christy speaks from lived experience about what it takes to face the things we use to cover up pain: being willing to change, asking for help, digging into your “why,” and surrounding yourself with people who want to see you grow. This short but powerful tip episode is a reminder that you are not alone, change is possible, and sometimes healing begins with something as simple as picking up a pencil and writing the truth down. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Why Christy says not to be afraid of change, no matter how hard it feelsHow harmful habits can become crutches for deeper painWhy reflecting on your “why” can help you find the root causeThe importance of vulnerability and asking for helpHow journaling helped Christy process, reflect, and reconnect with herselfWhy the “power of the pencil” can be a simple but powerful tool for healingKey Takeaways: Don’t be afraid to change. You will never know what is possible unless you try.Be willing to give up the harmful things you have used to cover pain.It is okay to be vulnerable, and it is okay to ask for help.Journaling can help clarify your thoughts, patterns, emotions, and needs.Surround yourself with positive people who want to help you grow.You are not alone, and you can change no matter what you are struggling with.If you want to hear Christy’s full story, including her struggle with alcoholism, the turning point that helped her stop drinking, and how she began rebuilding her health, confidence, fitness, and life, listen to Episodes 45 and 46 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. May 14

    46. From Bottles of Wine to the Finish Line with Christy Larson

    Sally Hed Dahlquist talks with the unstoppable Christy Larson, a runner, outdoor lover, wife, and woman who fought her way back to herself after alcohol had taken over her health, confidence, and sense of identity. Christy shares the honest turning point that changed everything: her husband finding hidden bottles throughout the house and telling her the truth she did not want to hear... that alcohol was killing her. After ER visits, high blood pressure scares, a pulmonary embolism, weight gain, secrecy, and fear, Christy made the choice to stop drinking and begin rebuilding her life one day at a time. Now more than three years sober, Christy has reclaimed her energy, confidence, love of running, and joy in being outdoors. Her story is a reminder that recovery is not about becoming someone new. Sometimes, it is about fighting your way back to the person you were all along. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: How Christy recognized that alcohol had changed her mentally, physically, and emotionallyThe painful but powerful moment that pushed her toward sobrietyWhy honesty, support, and daily choices became essential to her recoveryHow running helped Christy reconnect with strength, confidence, and possibilityWhat she learned from completing her first marathon, even when it did not go as plannedWhy she now looks forward instead of backwardKey Takeaways: Recovery starts with honesty, even when the truth is hard to face.A strong support system can help you keep choosing yourself when things get difficult.Progress does not have to happen overnight to be real.Running can become more than exercise. It can become proof that you are still capable.Medical Disclaimer: This episode is for personal storytelling and general informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, and anyone struggling with alcohol use, substance use, mental health concerns, chest pain, blood pressure issues, pulmonary embolism symptoms, or any other health concern should consult a qualified medical professional.  If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or substance use, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help. Call their hotline at: 1-800-662-4357 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

    1h 24m

  5. May 7

    45. Sally's Hotline: Stopping the Unstoppable

    In this solo edition of Sally’s Hotline, host Sally Hed Dahlquist explores one of the most difficult decisions athletes face: knowing when to stop. After completing 181 marathons, and recording five DNFs (Did Not Finish), Sally shares the story of her most recent marathon withdrawal at Wisconsin’s Pine Line Marathon and explains how she recognized the difference between normal fatigue, mental discouragement, and signs that her body genuinely needed rest. This episode is about perseverance, self-awareness, and learning that sometimes stopping is not failure... it’s wisdom.  In this episode:  Sally’s firsthand account of quitting a marathon at mile 16.5  The physical and emotional warning signs that should never be ignored  How to tell the difference between discomfort, exhaustion, injury, and illness  A practical checklist for deciding whether to continue or stop  Six simple ways to reset your body and mindset mid-race  The story of Christy, a struggling first-time marathoner who found the strength to finish  Why helping another runner helped Sally regain confidence herself Sally’s Six-Step Mid-Race Reset When things begin falling apart during a race, Sally recommends:  Walk briefly and allow your body to recover  Correct your posture and stand upright  Take several deep breaths to reset your breathing  Honestly assess your symptoms and energy levels  Adjust clothing or cooling strategies for comfort  Seek encouragement, support, or a pep talk These small adjustments can completely change the trajectory of a difficult race. This episode is dedicated to Christy, a first-time marathoner Sally met during the Eau Claire Marathon who was ready to quit at mile 17.5. With a little guidance, encouragement, and determination, Christy found the strength to continue and finish her race.  Important Disclaimer This podcast episode reflects Sally’s personal experiences as an endurance athlete and is intended for informational and motivational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional regarding injuries, illness, chest pain, dizziness, or any health concerns before, during, or after athletic activity. Support the Mission Unstoppable: Stories That Move is raising funds for medical research focused on cancer and other diseases. To support the mission or donate:  unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

    15 min

  6. Apr 30

    44. Sally's Hotline: The Doing of the Thing with Gregory David

    In this edition of Sally's Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Gregory David, photographer, filmmaker, skydiver, skier, and a man who has had to start over in life more times than most of us can imagine. From breaking his back in a parachute accident, to immigrating to the United States from South Africa, to rebuilding after personal loss, Gregory knows firsthand what it means to fall, literally and figuratively, and choose to get back up anyway. Rather than offering easy answers, Gregory speaks from deep experience about what actually gets you through the hardest seasons of life: discipline, belief, mental rehearsal, and the willingness to stay focused on your goal even when progress feels invisible. This short but powerful tip episode is a reminder that the beginning is always the hardest part, and that if you can imagine something clearly enough, you are already closer to doing it than you think. In This Episode, You'll Hear: Why the beginning of any hard thing is always the most difficultHow progress becomes exponential once you push through the early resistanceThe difference between hope and belief How Gregory and his skydiving team learned to do things that had never been done before, one pattern at a timeWhy mental rehearsal is just as important as physical trainingKey Takeaways: Don't give up just because it starts hard. Everything does.Believe you have the capacity to improve. Discipline and focus compound over time. Progress that feels slow is still progress.If you want to hear Gregory's full story including skydiving championships, filming Hollywood movies in apartheid-era South Africa, refusing spinal surgery against doctor's orders, and his philosophy on consciousness and inner change, listen to Episode 43 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

    6 min

  7. Apr 23

    43. A Life Without Limits with Gregory David

    What do skydiving championships, apartheid-era South Africa, film sets, a near-fatal parachute accident, and quantum consciousness have in common? They're all chapters in the extraordinary life of today's guest. Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Gregory David, a 73 year-old South African-born filmmaker, skydiver, adventurer, and deep thinker who has rebuilt his life more times than most people dare to dream. From jumping out of planes clinging to cameras, to walking away from spinal surgery against doctor's orders and recovering anyway Gregory has lived by one rule: don't let anyone else decide what's possible for you. Now a US citizen living in Minnesota, Greg brings a rare combination of lived history, hard-won wisdom, and philosophical depth to this conversation. In this conversation, Gregory shares what has shaped him: A childhood in apartheid South Africa that taught him to question authority earlyA skydiving career that took him to world championships and nearly killed himA film career that spanned continents, eras, and technologiesThe courage to leave everything behind and start over in America with $6,000 and a familyA philosophy of resilience, neutrality, and inner change that he's still working on every dayListener Takeaways Resilience isn't a personality trait you're born with, it's a philosophy you build through experience and self-awareness.Refusing to accept someone else's verdict on what your body, your career, or your life can do is sometimes the bravest thing you can do.Between stimulus and reaction lies opportunity. Don't give that up.You can only change the world by changing yourself. That's harder than it sounds... and more powerful than it seems.Mentioned in This Episode The Wild Geese (1978) with Gregory's aerial footageHarrington rod spinal surgery, and why Gregory declined itApartheid South Africa Random-access editing and the laser disc editing eraWalt Disney's film school (CalArts) in Los AngelesTranscendental meditationThe concept of timeline jumping and non-linear timeSupport 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

    1h 19m

  8. Apr 16

    42. We Ran Tokyo! A Roundtable with Christelle Douillet, Rhea Deroian, and Tom Pedersen

    What happens when four unstoppable runners who all crossed the finish line at the Tokyo Marathon get together to talk about it? Sally Hed Dahlquist hosts a special roundtable with three of her favorite returning guests, Christelle Douillet, Rhea Deroian, and Tom Pedersen, to recap the Tokyo Marathon and share everything they loved (and learned) about traveling in Japan. Between them, they bring decades of running experience, dozens of world majors, and one very memorable hotel booking mistake. Whether you're dreaming of running Tokyo, planning a trip to Japan, or just love hearing from people who live life to the fullest, this episode is pure joy from start to finish. In this conversation, the group covers it all: What makes Tokyo unlike any other World Marathon MajorNavigating Japan as a foreigner... and why it was easier than expectedThe culture of quiet respect that made every moment feel specialShrines, temples, ryokans, onsen, and tatami mats (post-marathon)And why all four of them want to go back as soon as possibleWhat You'll Hear in This Episode Christelle's recap: Tokyo marathon, then the Nagoya Women's Marathon one week later, then a 100-miler back homeThe out-and-back course: why runners who dreaded it ended up loving itElites, shrines, a portable festival shrine being carried through the streets, and spotting the Tokyo Tower mid-raceThe bathroom situation: portapotties that were anywhere from 100 meters to 1.1K off courseSally's emergency depends-in-the-waistband strategy (and the park bathroom that saved the day)How Tokyo learned from last year's water shortageThe finish line experience: bath salts, face wipes, and volunteers with encouraging messages taped to their glovesThe Abbott six-star tent and what it felt like to finally collect that medal after years of chasing majorsChristelle's onsen experience and why after two minutes, it felt completely naturalRhea and Sally both booking tatami mat rooms The World Friendship Center in Hiroshima Meeting atomic bomb survivors and the powerful reminder of why nuclear weapons must never be used againListener Takeaways Don't let the language barrier stop you. Google Translate and kind locals will get you everywhere.Tokyo Marathon is worth it: the organization, the volunteers, and the culture make it one of the best race experiences in the world.Travel changes you. Seeing history from another perspective makes you a more understanding human.The quiet respect of Japanese culture is contagious. Let it rub off on you.Book a bed the night after your marathon. Learn from Rhea.Mentioned in This Episode Tokyo Marathon (2026)Nagoya Women's MarathonAbbott World Marathon Majors Six Star ProgramMarathon Tours & TravelLondon Marathon 2025 Fushimi Inari Shrine, KyotoMiyajima Island and the floating torii gate, HiroshimaWorld Friendship Center, HiroshimaRyokan traditional Japanese hotels and tatami mat roomsOnsen (Japanese hot spring baths)Pocari Sweat: the Japanese sports drink on course ("better than Gatorade")Episodes 5 & 16 — Christelle's full storyEpisodes 30 & 31 — Rhea's full storyEpisodes 36 & 37 — Tom's full storySupport 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

    1h 53m
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About

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
    49
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unstoppable Stories That Move
  • Show Website
    Unstoppable Stories That Move