Running with Purpose: Mariah Zavala's Inspiring Journey

On Take a Leap, hosts Ocean Marshall and Neftali Rodriguez interview Mariah Zavala (Pascua Yaqui; also Oaxacan and Puerto Rican), a Flagstaff-based community advocate, ultra runner, and business development professional at Mountain Mojo Group. She shares how ultra running (beyond a marathon) became prayer and advocacy, including racing in traditional clothing with a red handprint to raise awareness for murdered and missing Indigenous people. She discusses endurance as surrender, flexibility, and self-care; chairing Flagstaff’s Indigenous Commission; serving on Girls on the Run Northern Arizona; and founding the Anya Collective/Yaqui Tribe Rafting Experience with Grand Canyon Youth and SPL Sports Inc., rafting 10 youth (ages 11–14) to build leadership and self-worth. She emphasizes authenticity, mentors, feedback, and “be the community you wish existed."