Chris Luna: How one ultra runner is helping 'Native Men Run'

Chris Luna has been running for about four years, using the sport to achieve physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional balance.Running has also seen him embrace ultra distances, including competing at the Saddles 100 in Prescott, Arizona - described as an act of endurance that passes through dust, pine, and shifting stone. Despite not reaching his 100 mile goal, he still managed to rack up 100km at the challenging event.But for Native American Chris, who has Coahuilteco and Lakota heritage, running is about far more than his own health.As the founder of Native Men Run, he is aiming to encourage other native men to stay active and live healthy lives.The ongoing impact of colonialism means many members of the indigenous population in America suffer from health problems and socio-economic challenges.Chris' aim is that Native Men Run can attract donations in the form of gear, race entries, and coaching scholarships, thus helping more people to enjoy running and find fitness.In this episode of Running Tales, we spoke to Chris about the benefits running brings for the Native American population, how the birth of his son inspired him to start moving more, and why colonial challenges aren't confined to the past.Follow Native Men Run on Instagram.Visit Running Tales on:Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://runningtales.substack.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtube.com/runningtalespod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please Like and Subscribe wherever you listen, watch or read Running Tales.Buy Me A Coffee:Back Running Tales and help us continue to tell the extraordinary stories of everyday runners: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/runningtales⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our affiliates:◾TAKE THE BEST PATH: Path Projects offer some of the best running gear in the business.I love this kit and it looks really cool even on a 48-year-old, decidedly average runner like me!If you buy anything from Path Projects, Running Tales will get 10% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠◾SLOTH & DUCK: More than a shop, Sloth & Duck is a movement celebrating the outdoors, purposeful living, and adventure at every pace. Designed for trail runners and ultramarathoners, their kit is crafted to connect you to nature with comfort, intention, and a splash of whimsy.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sloth & Duck Affiliate Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠◾DIFFERENT AND UNIQUE: Kibra empowers women to embrace their unique beauty through high-quality activewear designed to cultivate confidence and a resilient mindset.Their distinctive performance wear supports every journey, while they also partner with global NGOs to bring about meaningful change.If you buy anything from Kibra, Running Tales will get 30% of whatever you pay to help us continue to produce this Substack and the podcast.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kibra Affiliate Link