#193: This Girl & Her Dog Want You To Have Fun With Fitness, Volunteering, Cycling

This week's podcast guest has some motivation for you to try things you've never done before, as she just started something new called "A Girl And Her Dog." Listen to our chat to hear more about how sports can bond canines and people (and also helped her lose 50 pounds), plus how "Run For God" lit a fire for this TriColumbus GA volunteer coordinator...how you can get a ton out of helping out at races...and this environmental scientist's love for cycling leading to an upcoming 50+ mile bike ride out West for a good cause. Make sure to subscribe to this podcast too! (2:40) Stacy Mote's new LLC comes years after losing her beloved dog, then meeting a new one named Luna. Walking with her 20-30 minutes per day led to significant weight loss. Through "A Girl And Her Dog," there will soon be dog and owner obstacle races (first one with a clever name) in the Columbus GA area: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556675221101&mibextid=JRoKGi. We talk about how both humans and our pets need exercise for our physical and mental well-being. (13:00) What's it like to volunteer at races? Along with handing out medals or pacing, many also give out drinks and snacks at aid stations along the way, "voluncheering" athletes on! How can doing that inspire you, give you a new behind-the-scenes perspective? Tri Columbus GA's next event is the Flowerfest 5K/half & full marathons at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mountain GA on Saturday March 2, where I will be the 2:00 pacer for the 13.1 mile race. You can register here: Tricolumbusga.com. And they still need volunteers: https://tricolumbusga.wufoo.com/forms/zgbssyj1i6qte5/. (18:00) From taking then teaching a "Run For God" class at a local church a decade ago, Stacy ran several 5Ks and this normally "lone wolf" had fun with the group through faith and fitness. She learned a lot of advantages of being active outdoors. Her passion for cycling came next, starting off with the Bo Bikes Bama event and loving "gravel travel." (25:55) Stacy Mote has an important message for those who think some challenges or goals are too big for them. Why not? Try it, she says. It's not about being fast or beating people but experience through participation! That includes her triathlons. (30:14) And, like me, she was at the recent War Eagle Run Fest in Auburn. Stacy shares an inspiring redemption story, saying the 3rd time's a charm after having disappointments in her 2 previous years at this event. This October, (34:02) Stacy is taking on a new "Biking For Borderlands" challenge, shooting for 58 miles on her bike in 10 hours in Arizona at the "Spirit World 100." You can help her raise money to restore the Borderlands, similar to all the environmental work she does here at home. Donate at https://www.borderlandsrestoration.org/ and select "Dedicate This Gift In Honor Of" and enter her name and email address [email protected]. We wrap up the chat with (42:13) a quick rundown of the upcoming races and triathlons she helps lead in West Georgia, plus a little more about how fitness improved her mental health - standing up more for herself, learning to say No, prioritizing things that matter, shutting down toxic things in our lives. Later, I close the pod in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.