Strong Runner Chick Radio Megan Flanagan

In this episode we interview Alex (Alexandra) Weissner, an athlete, coach, and community builder. She is the CPO at Brunch Running, a social running community that inspires sweat, meals together and making the world a better place. Since 2013, their commitment has been to create a space where everyone is welcome to sweat and eat together, while supporting local communities. In addition, Alex hosts a podcast, Behind the Sweat, a wellness podcast that answers the questions we all are thinking about when it comes to our minds and bodies. Expect light-hearted and serious discussions about physical fitness, nutrition, mental health and hopefully, insightful takeaways.

Questions we ask Alex include:


Alex's journey into running
How Alex has established inclusive communities through running, including Brunch Running and her own podcast
Alex's favorite routes and go-to trails in Denver / CO
The role of strength training, cross training, and other recovery methods Alex uses most
How Alex began coaching, including the most rewarding part of her coaching journey so far
Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self?
What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you?

Connect with Alex and Brunch Running:

Alex on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexweissner/

Alex's podcast: https://www.behindthesweat.com/

Brunch Running on IG: https://www.instagram.com/brunchrunning/

Brunch Running's website: https://www.brunchrunning.com/


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Dr. April Dominick practices orthopedic physical therapy and specializes in pelvic health. She is known for her spirited, dynamic, and caring approach to treatment. April’s passion lies in educating and restoring function to clients with bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction as well as hip and back pain. Through her practice, one of her passions is supporting women during their prenatal and postpartum journey while demystifying the crucial role of exercise during pregnancy. 

April holds a certification in manual therapy and trigger point dry needling, and earned her CAPP-Pelvic certification through the American Physical Therapy Association. Among other advanced courses, she has been trained in Treating and Training the Female Runner. April utilizes a balanced approach to treatment including manual therapy and functional strength training. She believes in problem solving with her clients to develop a treatment plan which uniquely targets their goals, empowering them to independently manage their condition.

One unique fact about April, is that she is a professional freelance harpist, she currently performs at cocktail hours, weddings and special events. She is also so grateful to explore Colorado’s beauty on foot; in running shoes, hiking boots, snowshoes or Chacos.

Connect with her and learn more @revitalizepelvicphysio on Instagram, where you can find all the #physiowithsign tidbits about pelvic health and join the conversation in a safe, fun and welcoming educational platform!

Questions and topics we cover include:

-The importance of pelvic floor for runners and every day life

-How the pelvic floor impacts us as runners

-What makes up our pelvic floor, both anatomically and functionally?

-How we can care for and strengthen our pelvic floor, at any age/life stage

-April's journey into pelvic floor health and physical therapy as a career

-What being a Strong Runner Chick means to April

Today's Episode Sponsor:

This episode is part of our "Health as a Foundation to Sport" series. Special shoutout to Athlete Blood Test for sponsoring this episode and important series on health! Use code "SRC15" for 15% off a blood test and/or biomarkers test with them!


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strong-runner-chicks/support

Jessie Schwiesow is a runner, wellness advocate and public health professional. She’s been a dedicated runner for 20 years and has been involved with Run 4 All Women since 2020, currently serving on their leadership team. Jessie's passion for health advocacy has been a constant throughout her life; serving as a Wellness Coach at the YMCA in her hometown, managing a health resource line at the Campaign for Better Healthcare, and working as an ACA Navigator at the American Indian Health Service of Chicago. Jessie holds a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and currently works as the Practice Coordinator at an AIDS Service Organization, serving persons living with HIV in rural Alabama. Through her role, she provides intensive medical case management and health education to Clients, while also leading outreach and advocacy efforts for her agency, including serving as Race Director for her organization's annual World AIDS Day Run/Walk each December.  In addition to her professional role, Jessie is involved with a number of initiatives in her area, including: the Alabama Harm Reduction Coalition, the Alabama HIV Health Policy Working Group, and Pride on the Plains. Jessie is extremely passionate about health equity and social determinants of health, as well as considering movement in community as a public health issue.

Questions and topics we discuss with Jessie include:


How did you get started in running?
How did you become involved / interested in public health work and advocacy?
Run4AllWomen -- tell us more about this initiative, how it got started, etc. -- and your work with them.
You've shared that movement is a public health issue. Can you shed more light on this topic, for those who may be unfamiliar? What can we do in our communities to support movement for all and spread awareness of SDOH?
What advice would you give to someone looking to get started in advocacy work, particularly as it pertains to running / sport?
What does being a Strong Runner Chick mean to you?




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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strong-runner-chicks/support

*Trigger Warning: This episode contains content that may be triggering to some, as it involves detailed experience with RED-S and an eating disorder.*

Today we celebrate episode 200 (woohoo!). We interview Ruby Wyles, a collegiate athlete who shares her experience with collegiate running, working through obstacles including injuries and an eating disorder, as well as what makes the running community rewarding to Ruby.

Connect with Ruby:

Instagram: @rwyles_xctf

Email: rubywyles@gmail.com


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strong-runner-chicks/support

Katie Spotz is a Christian adventurer, charitable ambassador, author and world-record holder. Katie is the youngest person to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean and is the first person to have swum the entire length of the Allegheny River. Most recently, Katie set a Guinness World Record for the most consecutive ultramarathons in a row. To date, more than 40,000 people have gained access to clean water through her challenges and events, getting closer to creating a world where everyone, everywhere has clean, safe water. Katie’s story has been featured on CBS Morning Show, CBS Evening News, World News with Diane Sawyer, Anderson Cooper 360, New York Times, NPR, and other media outlets. For more information, please visit: www.KatieSpotz.com.

Katie’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/katiespotz

Katie’s Facebook: www.facebook.com/hellokatiespotz

Donation link: https://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/katiespotz


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strong-runner-chicks/support

Today, we interview Grace Korley, Registered Yoga Teacher, social justice advocate, and future mental health counselor. We dive into parallels (and differences) between running and yoga, as well as mental health and social justice in sport. With Grace's wise words, this is a powerful conversation worth listening to!

We also dive into other topics, including:

-How Grace got started in running

-What led Grace into the mental health field and into yoga

-The role that mental health plays in sport and/or running

-Yoga's healing benefits, taking a trauma-informed approach, and powerful effects on our mental wellbeing

-Inclusivity, representation, and diversity in sport/running -- especially where we have room to improve in sports like running -- and in yoga

-What is currently bringing Grace joy in life -- and what lies ahead with her career/future

-What advice Grace would give to her younger self

-What being a Strong Runner Chick means to Grace

Connect with Grace:

Instagram (personal): @grace_korley 

Instagram (yoga): @bodhi_and_soul

Today's Sponsor:

Special shout-out to Athlete Blood Test for sponsoring this episode and "Health as a Foundation to Performance" series! Use code "SRC15" for 15% off your order at https://www.athletebloodtest.com/.


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/strong-runner-chicks/support