Episode 33: Joy in Motion: What a 5K Run Taught Us About Grief, Healing, and Leadership

Send us Fan MailIn this week’s episode of Living in 3D Power, Emma and I sit down to talk about her Girls on the Run (GOTR) season and our first 5K together—one of the coldest mornings of the year, and somehow one of the most joyful. Through laughter, mental toughness, and a finish-line sprint where Emma absolutely dusted me, we found a kind of healing our bodies had been craving.Four weeks into grieving the loss of my brother, Avery, this run became something more than a race. It became a reminder that movement and emotion are deeply connected…and that joy often rises right alongside our grief.Together, we explore leadership, emotional awareness, assertiveness, community support, and the small practices—like our Thankful Tree—that keep us rooted during the holiday season.Chapters00:51 — Girls on the Run: An OverviewEmma introduces the GOTR program, sharing how it blends running with lessons on friendship, emotions, and confidence.01:12 — Emma’s Experience with Girls on the RunWe talk about her “GOTR name,” Excited Emma, and the parts of herself that people don’t always see.01:57 — The 5K Run: Challenges and TriumphsWe recount Sunday’s 5K: the cold, the mental toughness, Emma’s energy, and how she out-sprinted me at the finish line. We reflect on the impact of moving our bodies while grieving Avery.04:11 — Reflecting on the JourneyA look at what it meant to run together as mom and daughter, to feel community, and to accomplish something hard during a tender season.05:39 — Exploring the GOTR JournalEmma walks us through her GOTR journal pages — her values, her dreams, and the things that make her uniquely her.11:29 — Lessons in AssertivenessWe explore the “Be Assertive, Be a Tree” lesson and talk about what it means to be rooted, firm, and clear in your voice.16:20 — Leadership and EmpathyFrom GOTR to school programs, we reflect on the leadership tools Emma is cultivating and how they connect to listening, empathy, and centering marginalized voices.20:31 — Gratitude and FamilyAs the holidays approach, we discuss our “Thankful Tree,” the reality of grief during this season, and Emma’s reminder to think deeply about what we’re thankful for.Resources MentionedGirls on the RunLearning for Justice Speak Up Pocket GuideConnect with Me:Instagram: @natural_inclinationYoutube: @naturalinclinationTikTok: Amber SessomsLinkedIn: Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSPBluesky: @ambersessoms.bsky.socialFacebook: Natural InclinationWebsite: www.aninclination.comLike, Comment, Share, EngageIf this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who would love these conversations. Engage with the Curiosity Cards and ask the youth in your life about their experiences because you might be surprised by what you learn. Share your thoughts and reflections in the comments or on social media using #LivingIn3DPower. And, don’t forget to subscribe and stay tuned for next week’s conversation!