From benchwarmer to endurance athlete: Katie Spotz

In this episode, Katie shares how she went from being a benchwarmer to an endurance athlete. She shares the defining moment of running her first mile that led to a shift in her mindset about what she is capable of.Original Air Date August 16, 2022     Katie is an endurance athlete, charitable ambassador, author, and world-record holder. 34-year old Katie Spotz, from Cleveland, Ohio, describes herself as having been the “benchwarmer” throughout her life. However, there came a time when she made a discovery: you don’t have to be extraordinary to achieve incredible things. And she set about achieving them, one by one.The list of accomplishments to Katie's name is long, and includes five ironman triathlon, cycling across America, a 325-mile river swim, running across deserts and a solo row across the Atlantic Ocean. But this wasn’t just any row; when Katie arrived in Guyana, South America, after 70 days at sea, she set a world record for the youngest ever solo ocean rower and first American to row from Africa to South America, some of many records to her name. Most recently, Katie set the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days to run an ultramarathon distance running 11 ultras in 11 days to fund 11 clean water projects in Uganda. Find Katie's website hereMake a donation to support water projects hereFollow Katie on FacebookFollow Katie on InstagramFollow Candace on Instagram 💗 If you’re feeling the vibes… Subscribe, rate & review to help us grow this sweet little soul space!🎧 Let’s stay connected: Follow along on Instagram @candacedanielledunaway If you’ve been touched by the magic shared here and want to support the podcast, you can now buy me a coffee ☕️ - Thank you for supporting this little corner of joy.💛 buymeacoffee.com/candacedunaway Candace Dunaway is the host of The Spiritual Cupcake Podcast, a heart-centered space for healing, growth, and high-vibe living. She’s also a teacher, a nature lover, and a creative soul who finds deep joy in life’s simplest moments.Candace sees the world through rainbow-colored glasses—always searching for the silver linings, even in life’s stormy skies. For her, happiness isn’t a far-off destination, but something woven into the everyday magic of life.Her love for the outdoors inspired The Mild Side of Wild, a video series that encourages others to step outside and reconnect with nature’s wisdom—a free gift that’s always available.Whether she’s wandering through the woods, recording a podcast episode, or laughing with a stranger-turned-friend, Candace thrives on meaningful connection. She treasures hearing people’s stories and perspectives, especially when they come from unexpected paths.Forever dreaming, always creating, she’s endlessly exploring new ideas and projects. Guided by wonder, curiosity, and the belief that beauty is everywhere, She’s here to connect, to let go, and to expand—one inspired moment at a time.