Michelle Martinez: Keep striving.

On this episode we’re joined by Michelle Martinez, a deeply rooted and respected presence in the Ventura running community.With over four decades as a runner, Michelle’s journey has taken her from 5Ks to ultradistance races. But what truly sets her apart is the impact she’s made beyond her own miles. As a longtime coach working with youth, high school athletes, and adult runners, she’s spent more than 20 years helping people of all levels find their stride and pursue goals they once thought were out of reach.She currently serves as an assistant cross country coach at Ventura High School and continues to play a key role in local training programs, creating spaces where beginners, competitive athletes, and lifelong runners alike can grow, connect, and push forward together.Michelle embodies what it means to stay in it for the long run, not just chasing performance, but building people. Her coaching is grounded in experience, mentorship, and a deep belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to improve, belong, and succeed.Today, we talk about the evolution of courage, not just in racing, but in life, and how showing up, again and again, becomes the real win.https://talitha.com/ginameyer