Being an Ally in Trail Running: Yuri Hauswald, GU

Additionally, Yuri taught school for 12 years before working for GU. Yuri has always been someone who aims to create welcoming spaces for all, and this has carried over into his work at GU: he has placed an emphasis there on sponsoring and providing opportunities to diverse riders and runners. And, as Stefanie points out when introducing Yuri in this episode: “In addition, in our opinion, he's also just one of the greatest definitions of an ally in the endurance and trail world.” Stefanie and Alison have both worked with Yuri for the past several years, and in this illuminating conversation, they get into a huge range of topics, which all point to how Yuri has become the leader and community builder he is today. Stefanie and Alison learn about Yuri’s childhood, his experiences as a lacrosse player, how he came to study African American literature, and his years teaching. Yuri also shares about his life as a cyclist, and the many roles he’s played in that sport, including talking about some of the many nonprofit organizations he’s supported. And Yuri talks about the work he does at GU–including his experiences with Stefanie and Alison, and his approach to building authentic, impactful, mutually supportive relationships, which go beyond contracts. As Yuri says, “It all really boils down to me wanting to have everybody have similar experiences that I've had or I've seen others have and how transformational it can be, whether you're on the podium or not. Podium does not matter.... It's being outdoors. Movement outdoors is medicine, whether you're running, hiking, riding a horse, surfing, ... all the things. Moving in nature is is really important, and we all should have access to it." EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor  Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com Mentioned in this Episode  Yuri Hauswald on Instagram: @yhauswald Silver Stallion Bicycle and Coffee Works: silverstallion.org Pablove Foundation: pablove.org Norcal High School Mountain Bike League: norcalmtb.org Bloom House Youth Services: bloomhouseks.org Conservation Alliance: conservationalliance.com 1% for the Planet: onepercentfortheplanet.org Challenged Athletes Foundation: challengedathletes.org EARTHMOVERS Hosts  Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4 Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir  Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance. @stefanieannflippin