Run The Race

WTVM

On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.

  1. #276: Sled Dog Racing + Winningest Musher In The World, With The Iditarod in Alaska Soon

    5D AGO

    #276: Sled Dog Racing + Winningest Musher In The World, With The Iditarod in Alaska Soon

    The 54th running of one of the biggest sports events in the world, The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race (54th running), begins with a ceremonial start in Anchorage on March 7, led by this week's guest on the "Run The Race" podcast. Jeff King is known as the "winningest musher in the world," having won the 1,049-mile very challenging Iditarod four times (1993, 1996, 1998, 2006). Now he and his family lead "Husky Homestead" in Denali National Park where they train dogs that will compete in that race and teach people from all over the world about these sled dogs: https://huskyhomestead.com/. (3:11) Jeff King breaks down the Iditarod Trail Race and this sled dog sport and the beauty of Alaska, comparing it to what Nashville is to country music. There are amazing numbers about food and number of dogs used and the 22 checkpoints in this race that takes 10-20 days. You can follow along next month: https://iditarod.com/. (15:45) What kind of training and fitness helps for the mushers/people on the sled? Jeff says biggest parts to deal with are strategy (like a coach) and sleep deprivation. He also digs deeper into the dogs being the amazing athletes here, the wild amounts they eat during the Iditarod (10,000 calories every 24 hours), how much more sleep they get than the musher, and being in awe of what these Alaskan Huskies can do. (31:55) The wild weather can have big impacts on sled dog racing and the more than 1,000 mile trail used for the Iditarod. And how did Jeff get into sled dogs and the Iditarod? (41:55) He shares memories about winning that huge race, 4 times, including being the oldest to do so at age 50. (49:00) And now there's a legacy of his family carrying on this tradition, how they're training dogs and exposing tourists to their state and to this unique sport. Jeff also discusses the beautiful and spiritual aspects of being on the sled with these dogs in Alaska. After our chat, I share about some meaningful races, including one for me soon, also in the snow. And I close the episode out in prayer.

    1h 5m

  2. JAN 28

    #275: Poet & Military Officer Finding Faith and Hope Amidst "The Spurs Of Service"

    An Army officer on Fort Benning, who's seen plenty of difficult things during his almost 15 years of deployments and training, has been writing poems for the last few years and has now released a more than 100-page book of that poetry called "The Spurs of Service," hoping to inspire others to share their emotions, and save lives after he experienced two friends killed in Afghanistan and one soldier under his command commit suicide. He's also a man of God wanting to help others find faith and hope. (2:42) MAJ Jake Kelly and I sat down to talk about that book, the purpose of it, the different chapters, how it's already helping wounded warrios and the fallen comrades that inspired the project. (14:20) We also chatted about his faith journey that includes a portion of the book about God bringing peace in his life, along with the traumatic health challenges for their daughter. (23:11) Why did he join the Army and how is he helping modernize the military for the future? Military families also sacrifice a lot, but he says they deserve just as much as what you do in uniform. (32:53) Something to inspire you, Jake explains the meaning behind a mentor's motto "Get Better Every Day" and (38:22) hear his take on why it's Not about balance between your job/Army and being a family man, but instead surges and timing. (43:01) I got talented poet MAJ Kelly to read part of one of his poems "By The Glow Of The Fire." You can purchase "The Spurs of Service" at https://sawdustpublishing.com/product/the-spurs-of-service/?v=0b3b97fa6688. I also read another of his poems...then close out the episode in prayer. Make sure to subscribe to the "Run The Race" podcast, tell others about it, write a quick review on Apple, and listen to any previous 274 episodes from the last 6+ years at https://www.wtvm.com/podcasts/.

    57 min
  3. #274: Avid Runner, Life Coach, Army Veteran Helping You Succeed At Goals - Big and Small

    JAN 14

    #274: Avid Runner, Life Coach, Army Veteran Helping You Succeed At Goals - Big and Small

    After 20 years in the US Army, our latest guest on the "Run the Race" podcast continues to be an avid long distance runner and is now a life coach - helping you meet your small and big goals, maybe ones you made for 2026.  (2:12) Retired Staff Sgt. Laurie Miorana in Columbus GA - who has a civilian job on Fort Benning - talks about those New Year's "resolutions," why people fail and how you can succeed! That includes some hints on losing weight and saving money. (10:25) She had some dangerous close calls during 3 deployments to Iraq, thankful to God and her training, learning a lot about leadership and discipline/structure/planning from her Army career. What kind of leader or example do you want to be for others? Laurie wants to help others live their best life, including fellow Army vets. (18:00) She loved running even before the military, but being a soldiers taught her how to be an even better athlete. We also talk about the farthest she's run...her favorite races...and the rewards of being involved with Team RWB, keeping vets physically active in a community instead of isolated: https://teamrwb.org/. (29:30) Married to an "Army brat," she and John have a great relationship because they are both very focused on being fit and helping others - including volunteering at races and cheering on fellow runners through success/injuries/adversity. (34:46) Laurie breaks down what life coaches do, how it's different than counseling, common obstacles for meeting your goals, being disciplined, and how you can sign up for an exploratory session with her before signing up for a 3-9 month package of "Better Together Life Coaching": https://paperbell.me/better-together. After some steps to live your best life, I close the episode out in prayer. Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to "Run the Race" for more inspiration on fitness and faith. Tell others about the podcast too.

    54 min
  4. #273: God Using Radio Legend Bear O'Brian, After Cancer & Major Heart Surgery

    JAN 8

    #273: God Using Radio Legend Bear O'Brian, After Cancer & Major Heart Surgery

    He's been on the radio for more than 40 years, many of those in the Columbus GA area! His voice and name (and face) make him a local celebrity. And he's outspoken about his love for Jesus! Back on air after a scary battle with cancer and open heart surgery, Bear O'Brian (real name is Wade Collier) opens up about his struggles and tells radio/life stories as the latest guest on the "Run The Race" podcast that you hopefully will/do subscribe to. (2:30) We start with how Bear got his nickname, being a role model, putting God on the backburner when he had radio success, and a breakthrough moment of faith (at an Iowa hotel, when he was a traveling comedian) that changed his life. (9:33) Is he allowed to talk about his Christian faith on the radio? Bear gets emotional when talking about what a listener told him in Montgomery about God using him. And this broadcaster's been doing the daily "Inspiration of the morning" for close to 30 years: https://bearsinspirations.homestead.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPL_H1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtSnU1VHJMNzJlRlZjNkhuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg9JydtRhshgck1MKzL3mTt0o_s0MXHDzSz2IXQbnnisoES0SttVpo_Oc-Sk_aem_hJPbb0f7ZC-3pVMTAXQwng (21:17) Back on air a month+ ago, Bear talks about how his heart and cancer challenges began. He gave his fear over to God before what ended up being an 18 hour quadruple bypass heart surgery. How important was his faith through the health scares which included 6 rounds of chemo to get rid of his non Hodgkins lymphoma cancer? God holding his hand and not letting go! (31:31) And after doing his radio show from home, he finally gets to go back into the renovated studio soon. (35:30) Losing 72 pounds amidst the cancer/heart problems, the wakeup call his Bear wanting to walk more and eat good enough to not gain that weight back. Part of that involves seasonings. (40:16) His radio career started in 1978, through several southeastern states, but what's kept him in this business this long? He also transformed from a party guy to a DJ that does it God's way now. He gives some tricks of how he's so personal on air...and answers what his future in radio may look like, a job he loves, blessed to have many that listen. I close out the episode in prayer.

    1h 3m
  5. #272: Married Couple Leading Revolution Running & Helping You Meet Goals In 2026

    12/31/2025

    #272: Married Couple Leading Revolution Running & Helping You Meet Goals In 2026

    With this episode coming out on New Year's Eve, time to start working on those 2026 goals! This week's "Run the Race" podcast guests, a couple in Columbus GA, can help you with those "resolutions" or whatever you want to call them. They are the leaders and race directors for REVOLUTION RUNNING, that puts on around 10 races eacg year in different parts of Georgia. (4:20) John (JP) and Jenna Pollard talk about making small or big goals for the new year and have advice for succeeding, which includes giving yourself grace. They also found a love connection with each other through running, getting married 4 years ago. And now, they run together essentially every day at 5am. (16:42) Starting Revolution Running about 17 years ago, JP talks about the name and they both discuss what it takes to direct a race, creating fun courses for runners on trails and roads. (22:50) Signing up for a race also creates motivation or accountability. They talk about some deadlines on January 1st (tomorrow) for a groundhog hoodie and price increases on other races. Here's more info on their events and how to sign up: https://revolutionrunning.net/. Along with getting to see people emotional at the finish line, (32:12) these married race directors also see tough times for runners and have dealt with injuries themselves too, like IT band. It's also a balancing act with these running events, bring married and parents and full-time jobs. (41:25) We close out our pod chat with some insight on the iconic Western States 100 which JP has run and which Revolution Running is helping you get into. Jenna's favorite race is in Huntsville AL. (46:50) We also chat a bit about the mental clarity that running can bring you, a reset. (52:40) I close out the last podcast episode of 2025 with prayer. Thanks for listening! Subscribe and share "run the race" with others!

    55 min
  6. #271: Powerful Christmas Eve During Gulf War + Former Army Chaplain Bud Rupel's Ministry To Troops

    12/17/2025

    #271: Powerful Christmas Eve During Gulf War + Former Army Chaplain Bud Rupel's Ministry To Troops

    A week before Christmas now, a Columbus GA pastor is remembering (2:15) a special Christmas Eve service he led for many soldiers in Saudi Arabia amidst war in 1990 when it was, at least briefly a "Silent Night." The story will move you. He gets emotional talking about service members singing that song, in a Muslim country, as the Gulf War began. (9:05)This week's podcast guest, Pastor Bud Rupel, talks about the challenges for the military for the holidays and what he did as Army chaplain for 17 years, bringing hope through Jesus and listening through tears and anger.  His path was not straight (17:10) to the Air Force then eventually the Army. Church life started for Pastor Bud Rupel as a Quaker, but he eventually asked Christ into his life and his now-wife to marry him. Even as an Army chaplain, he too was a broken sinner who was serving his nation and God. (29:34) On staff now at Evangel Church in Columbus (south of Atlanta) for 20 years, Pastor Bud talks about the transition from military ministry to pastoral care, what he does for those that are sick or want to get married or for families of those who die. Bud Rupel was also recently (40:30) diagnosed with cancer that he opens up about - trusting God through the discovery and treatment, as he continues to focus on reaching as many people as possible for the Gospel. (48:45) And Pastor Bud closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Subscribe to it! Tell others about this podcast and share it, for more to hear these inspiring stories of faith and fitness.

    51 min
  7. #270: Former Georgia & NFL Player Jordan Jenkins Helping Veterans & Staying Fit After Football

    12/10/2025

    #270: Former Georgia & NFL Player Jordan Jenkins Helping Veterans & Staying Fit After Football

    After being a football star for Harris County High and the University of Georgia, Jordan Jenkins was drafted into the NFL almost a decade ago. (4:44) Fast forward to now, an injury forced him out of the sport and he's helping veterans in his hometown - after growing up being the son of an Army Sgt major. As the latest guest on our podcast, Jordan Jenkins talks about that charity effort...UGA football...being in pro sports...transitioning from pro athlete to real estate and still working out....military vets' mental health struggles...being back home, and more. (7:50) Jenkins, who had 22+ sacks in 5 years with the NY Jets, talks about the current Dawgs in the College Football Playoff...the changes in the sport including NIL and tough practices. He also gives us new info on almost playing at Alabama, where Coach Kirby Smart was back then. And a torn ACL ended his ride with the Las Vegad Raiders. (15:38) The former outside linebacker opens up about a rough end to his NFL career, then what he does for fitness and mental health post-football, with (20:57) God also opening doors for him in real estate and helping others through his new nonprofit "Harboring Change." (26:20) Growing up as an "Army brat" that moved around a lot, Jenkins is sensitive to what former soldiers go through, wanting to give them a second chance. He bought and donated 2 houses in Columbus GA to the Plummer Home nonprofit that provides transitional housing to vets that have dealth with life-altering challenges like homelessness, addiction, and/or prison. More info: https://theplummerhome.org/ (33:21) He calls the Harris County and Columbus area "home." What's it like for him to watch football when he's off the field? And he doesn't miss the pain of being in the NFL. (39:35) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Make sure to subscribe and share it with others, for more inspiring stories of fitness and faith.

    42 min
  8. #269: Evangelism And Ebeneezer Experience With Pastor/Actor Joe Phillips For The Holidays

    12/03/2025

    #269: Evangelism And Ebeneezer Experience With Pastor/Actor Joe Phillips For The Holidays

    You know the holiday classic Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Story" - with Scrooge at the center. A longtime evangelist and Columbus GA native has been playing that role for a decade now in "The Ebeneezer Experience." Pastor Joe Phillips took a break from the shows and sermons to join me on the podcast to also talk about using comedy to spread the Gospel...how his rough childhood and God whispers and basketball led him into ministry...what it's like being a traveling evangelist...hiking hundreds of miles on the Appalachian Trail and up a mountain out West, for his nonprofit ministry...and more. (2:20) Joe Phillips talks about the fast-pace show where he plays Ebeneezer Scrooge, then building a bridge from that character/story to the Gospel. The production has been seen by 52,000 people in more than 50 cities in a dozen states -  with more than 19,000 making decisions for Christ. More than a "church play," it's a quality production they'll be performing this Sunday December 7 in Zebulon GA then several more places in Georgia and Alabama before Christmas. More on "Ebeneezer Experience" and going to it for free: https://www.joephillipsministries.com/the-ebenezer-experience (16:03) We talk a little about churches using production or entertainment and comedy to reach people. Joe has long been part of a Christian comedy duo with Lee McBride. (23:32) Given up at age 3 by his mentally ill biological mom, Pastor Joe opens up about his childhood, hearing the Holy Spirit (like a ghost in the Scrooge story) in a GA night club, getting a bank loan to fulfill dream of college, playing basketball, and being called into ministry while with his team. God uses sports too! (34:55) To keep his non-profit Joe Phillips Ministries (JLM) afloat, he walked 100 miles on the Appalachian Trail to raise money for the ministry. He added more miles each year, then he discusses another fitness challenge recently: climbing 12,000 foot high Mt. Adams in Seattle with am ice axe and a friend. The hiking helped him learn a valuable lesson about negative vs positive self-talk. (43:08) After being a youth pastor for 15 years, what's it like as an evangelist? It's about grace. Joe also just wrote his 5th book "Irrevocable" - hoping to turn it into a stage show they can do year-round. He's also done a film called "Aren't You Somebody?" about human trafficking. (56:00) Joe closes our episode out in prayer...then leaves us with a laugh, a story that involves a bathroom break and wrong turn on the Appalachian Trail.  Thanks so much for listening to the "Run the Race" podcast, focused on faith and fitness. Subscribe and tell others about it!

    1h 3m
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About

On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.

Information

  • Creator
    WTVM
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    276
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Run The Race