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Jamie Elliott's journey from smoker to marathon runner begins at age 38 during her daughter's cancer treatment at St. Jude. What started as a way to quit cigarettes evolved into a powerful mission of philanthropy and personal achievement that spans over two decades.

With remarkable candor, Jamie shares how she began running without technical gear, training plans, or even proper knowledge of running mechanics - simply buying "pretty shoes" and hitting country roads near her Kentucky home. Her progression defies conventional wisdom: skipping 5Ks and 10Ks entirely, Jamie jumped straight to walking a half marathon before tackling a full marathon the following year.

The heart of Jamie's story lies in her fundraising work as a St. Jude Hero, raising over $200,000 for the hospital that treated her daughter's osteosarcoma. "I'm not really a runner, I'm a fundraiser who happens to run," she explains, revealing how purpose drives her participation in events from local 5Ks to major marathons like New York and Marine Corps.

Jamie's perspective on aging and adaptation resonates deeply throughout our conversation. After being diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, an autoimmune condition affecting her large joints, she embraced the Galloway run-walk method, discovering she could maintain performance while reducing pain and recovery time. At 58, with plans to run Chicago Marathon when she turns 60, Jamie embodies the spirit that running has no expiration date.

Perhaps most powerful is the wisdom Jamie shares for all runners: "Someday I won't be able to do this, but today is not that day." Her story reminds us to cherish our ability to move, to use our running for greater purposes, and to never let age or circumstance define what's possible when passion meets perseverance.

Want coaching that helps you find your purpose in running? Email carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com or follow the links in our show notes to support Jamie's ongoing fundraising efforts for St. Jude.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/samster20

https://youtu.be/4gEVvTjNGYo

Hydrapatch.com code OTNH10

You can reach out to us at:

https://coffeycrewcoaching.com
email: Carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com
FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness Group
IG @coffeycrewcoaching.com

and Buy Me a Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlau

https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20

https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15

https://jambar.com code: CARLA20

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Julie Marshall Wyngaert's transformation from a middle school gym class dropout to an accomplished marathon runner will make you rethink what's possible in your own fitness journey. Once weighing over 200 pounds and armed with a doctor's note exempting her from running, Julie's perspective changed dramatically as her 50th birthday approached. Motivated by the memory of her mother who passed away at just 50 years old, Julie set an audacious goal that seemed almost laughable at the time: complete a marathon.

What follows is a decade-long journey that's equal parts inspiring and practical. Julie shares her methodical progression from 5Ks to marathons, including her hilarious misinterpretation of a "running ninja" during her first race and the valuable lesson that walking during races is perfectly acceptable. Her story illuminates how breaking seemingly impossible goals into manageable steps can lead to extraordinary achievements.

The conversation takes us through Julie's impressive accomplishments: 75 half marathons across 41 states in her quest to run all 50, the demanding Dopey Challenge at Disney (running a 5K, 10K, half marathon, and full marathon on consecutive days), and her triumphant experience at the New York City Marathon amid 2 million spectators. Throughout these adventures, Julie battled chronic migraines, back issues requiring medical interventions, and the universal self-doubt that plagues every runner.

Most valuable are Julie's insights into the mental game of running. Her technique of immediately countering negative thoughts with positive affirmations—"I can do hills," "I feel strong"—offers a powerful framework applicable beyond running. For those seeking to start their own fitness journey, her "10-minute rule" provides a practical way to overcome initial resistance: just commit to 10 minutes, with permission to turn around if needed (though she admits she never does).

Ready to lace up your running shoes or tackle your own seemingly impossible challenge? Julie's journey proves that sometimes the hardest step is simply the first one out the door.

Hydrapatch.com code OTNH10

You can reach out to us at:

https://coffeycrewcoaching.com
email: Carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com
FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness Group
IG @coffeycrewcoaching.com

and Buy Me a Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlau

https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20

https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15

https://jambar.com code: CARLA20

Send us a text

What happens when winter threatens to derail your running routine? For Angela Ryan, the answer isn't retreating to a treadmill—it's strapping on skis and embracing the season head-on.

In this captivating conversation, Angela shares her journey from casual childhood runner to adventure-seeking athlete who finds joy in movement across all seasons and terrains. Currently training for an 18-mile ski race called the Cortolope at the Birkebeiner, Angela explains how she's adapted her fitness routine to Wisconsin winters by learning skate skiing—a diagonal, skating-like motion that provides excellent cross-training for running by strengthening glutes, hips, and hamstrings.

The discussion ventures into creative winter activities that combine fitness with wonder, like Book Across the Bay—a 10K nighttime event where participants run, ski, or skate across frozen Lake Superior guided by ice luminaria, warming at bonfires along the route, and even passing a fire-breathing snow dragon at the 8K mark. For those determined to maintain winter running, Angela reveals her solution for icy conditions: specially designed screws from snow tires that provide traction without damaging shoes.

Angela's adventures extend far beyond Wisconsin, from running tours of Florence to exploring Dublin's coastal paths and Yosemite's panoramic trails. She's planning an upcoming running trip along Ireland's Wicklow Way, demonstrating how running becomes not just exercise but a lens through which to experience the world. Most poignantly, she shares a life-threatening experience with pulmonary emboli that went undiagnosed because her fitness masked the symptoms—a powerful reminder for athletes to trust when something feels wrong.

Whether you're a seasoned runner or just starting out, Angela's philosophy resonates: "There are no rules—just get out there." Her story reminds us that movement should bring joy, connection, and exploration, regardless of pace or distance. Ready to find your own path? Lace up and join the journey.

Here's the link to donate to Angela's

event.https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/AR64293521

Hydrapatch.com code OTNH10

You can reach out to us at:

https://coffeycrewcoaching.com
email: Carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com
FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness Group
IG @coffeycrewcoaching.com

and Buy Me a Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlau

https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20

https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15

https://jambar.com code: CARLA20