Friends In Training Podcast with Marcela Todd: Life is A Marathon

In this inspiring episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela welcomes Sarah Moran, a passionate runner, event producer, and daughter of FIT community members Brian and Fran, for an engaging conversation about finding your purpose, building community, and having the courage to chase your dreams. Sarah's journey into running began in middle school with track, but it wasn't until over a decade ago that she truly fell in love with the sport. Based in New York City's Upper West Side, she has completed over 200 races and discovered that running is always there for you, no matter what life throws your way. During the pandemic, when gyms closed and gatherings stopped, running became a lifeline for New Yorkers and sparked a boom in the sport that continues today. Sarah shares how running is open to all, at any pace, and how the community built around it has become one of the most powerful aspects of the sport. Her first race was a four mile event supporting teens against smoking, where she sprinted the first mile and walked the rest, learning valuable lessons about pacing that would serve her throughout her running career. Fast forward to today, Sarah has run the New York City Marathon five times, with her sixth coming up this year. Her first marathon in 2019 was extra special because she crossed the finish line with her mother, Fran, after earning her entry through the challenging 9 plus 1 program. Sarah shares hilarious stories from her most recent New York City Marathon, where she decided to embrace the experience and accept everything offered along the course, including tequila shots and sushi. Beyond her accomplishments as a runner, Sarah's career transition is equally inspiring. After years climbing the corporate ladder in tech, working with Fortune 500 companies and managing multimillion dollar budgets, she realized something was missing. She found herself surrounded by coworkers with unhealthy habits, skipping meals and burning out, while she wanted to wake up early and run 13 miles. The disconnect became too much to ignore. Despite lucrative job offers and the comfort of a cushy career, Sarah took a risk on herself and made the leap into the running and wellness industry. The transition wasn't easy. It required cold outreach, warm connections, and a lot of uncertainty. But with the support of her husband Jordan, who reminded her that accepting another corporate job would just lead to the same unhappiness, Sarah pushed forward. Today, she works as a consultant for amazing organizations in the health, wellness, and running space, including Running Man Festival, a unique three day wellness retreat in Atlanta featuring a choose your own distance race on a one mile track, the Honolulu Marathon, where she oversees the expo and works with local vendors to bring Hawaiian culture to the event, and Dun Daily, a corporate wellness company focused on helping employees achieve true work life balance through coaching and accountability. Sarah is also a coach with Fleet Feet's New York City Marathon training program, guiding approximately 200 runners of all paces toward the finish line. She has experience guiding visually impaired runners and is passionate about using running as a way to give back and help others achieve their goals. Her work with Achilles and her time guiding a blind athlete in Honolulu opened her eyes to how running can be a powerful tool for service and connection. Throughout their conversation, Marcela and Sarah explore the importance of community, the loneliness epidemic even in densely populated cities like New York, and how run clubs are solving that gap by bringing people together. They discuss why corporate wellness matters, how running teaches work life balance, and why everyone should have a coach to help them reach the next level. Sarah shares her philosophy that life is a marathon, not a sprint, and that there are no shortcuts. Success comes from showing up day by day, taking small steps, and trusting that those little achievements will compound into something bigger. This episode is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to change direction, chase your passion, and build a life that makes you happy. Whether you're stuck in a job you hate, searching for community, or training for your first or hundredth race, Sarah's story will inspire you to take that first step toward the life you truly want. Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/ Connect with Sarah Moran on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahboydmoran/

In this deeply moving episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela welcomes Jennifer Marrow, a longtime member of the FIT community, for an extraordinary conversation about identity, resilience, survival, and the power of never giving up on finding the truth. Jennifer's story begins with a childhood marked by questions and an unshakable feeling that she didn't belong. From the age of six, she sensed something wasn't right about her family situation. The people she lived with didn't look like her, didn't treat her like she belonged, and when she asked if she was adopted, the reactions only deepened her suspicions. Living in harsh conditions that included C-clamps on her windows, Jennifer knew she had to escape. At just 16 years old, she jumped out of her bedroom window at two in the morning with no money and no plan, determined to create a better life for herself. She found work as a live-in nanny, which allowed her to finish her junior and senior years of high school while supporting herself. Strangely, no one came looking for her, not at her school, not anywhere, another clue that something was deeply wrong with her origin story. For decades, Jennifer lived as Jessica Moss, never knowing her true identity until a life-threatening cancer diagnosis led her oncologist to ask if she was Ashkenazi Jewish. With no medical history to reference and a daughter to protect, Jennifer decided to take a DNA test through Ancestry, hoping to learn her ethnic background and any genetic risks she might pass on. What she discovered changed everything. The test revealed she was Irish and Scandinavian and provided the name of her biological father, Gary Lee Marrow. After a week of research, Jennifer found a landline number in Stafford, Virginia and made the call that would reunite her with the family she never knew she had. The woman who answered started screaming with joy, telling her she wasn't Jessica, she was Jennifer, and she had been missing since 1971. Her father sobbed on the phone, barely able to speak. Her brother, calm and composed from years working in government, confirmed the unbelievable truth: Jennifer had been abducted when she was just 18 months old, and her family had been searching for her ever since. To confirm the connection, Jennifer and her father completed a paternity test through DNA Diagnostics, which came back 99.99999% positive. At 48 years old, after a lifetime of questions, Jennifer finally had answers. Her father flew to Fort Lauderdale to meet her at the airport, and for the first time in her life, she saw someone who looked like her, a male version of herself who made her feel petite for the first time ever. This episode is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the importance of trusting your instincts, and the healing power of truth. Jennifer's journey from survival to reunion is a reminder that no matter how long the road, it's never too late to find your way home. Whether you're running a marathon or running toward your truth, the finish line is always worth reaching. 00:00 Welcome and Meet Jennifer Marrow 01:15 Growing Up Feeling Like You Don't Belong 04:10 Asking If I Was Adopted at Six Years Old 06:45 Life in an Unusual and Harsh Environment 08:20 Escaping at 16: Jumping Out the Window 11:40 Surviving as a Teenage Nanny Through High School 14:50 Why Didn't Anyone Come Looking for Me? 19:20 A Cancer Diagnosis and Questions About My Heritage 22:10 Taking a DNA Test to Protect My Daughter 26:00 Discovering My Father's Name: Gary Lee Morrow 30:15 The Phone Call That Changed Everything 32:40 You're Not Jessica, You're Jennifer 35:50 Abducted at 18 Months Old: Missing Since 1971 38:25 Confirming the Truth with a Paternity Test 40:10 Meeting My Father at the Airport 42:30 The First Person to Ever Make Me Feel Petite 45:00 Reuniting with My Family After 48 Years Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/

In this inspiring episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela welcomes Elliott Mason, a former elite athlete, coach, and founder of Run Addict, for an engaging conversation about athletic excellence, mental toughness, and the power of discipline in running and life. Elliott’s journey into running began in the early 1990s in his home country of Antigua and Barbuda, a small Caribbean island with a population that could fit inside a single stadium. After watching Michael Johnson dominate the 1996 Olympics, Elliot committed himself to the sport and never looked back. His athletic career took him around the world, competing in the Central American and Caribbean Games, Pan American Games, and Commonwealth Games in events ranging from the 800 meters to the mile. Though he never competed in the Olympics due to injury during the 2004 cycle, his achievements on the track earned him recognition, autograph requests, and the realization that athletes live under a magnifying glass. A pivotal moment came at age 12 when a coach told him he needed to train more after winning a race. Cocky and confident, Elliott showed up to the next meet untrained and came in dead last. That humbling experience ignited a fire that led him to earn a track and field scholarship to Florida International University, where he graduated with both his bachelor's and master's degrees in just four years. Later, he transitioned to professional triathlon from 2007 to 2010, training 30 hours a week and competing at the Olympic distance. Throughout their conversation, Marcela and Elliott explore what separates elite athletes from the rest, the importance of mental training over physical toughness, the discipline required to show up daily, and why elite athletes never think they're good enough. Elliott shares lessons on handling success, recovering from setbacks including a stress fracture in his femur, and why cross training saved his running career. He also discusses his work as a coach at Flanagan High School, his mission to teach young athletes how to fall in love with running, and the creation of Run Addict, a platform designed to connect runners and run clubs across the world. This episode is packed with wisdom for runners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned marathoners, and serves as a powerful reminder that discipline, consistency, and showing up are what transform potential into performance. 00:00 Welcome and Meet Elliott Mason 01:15 Discovering Running in the Early 1990s 04:10 Watching the 1996 Olympics: Michael Johnson's Influence 06:45 Competing in the Central American and Caribbean Games 08:20 The Power of Sports to Bring People Together 11:40 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne: Autographs and the Magnifying Glass 14:50 The Coach Who Changed Everything 19:20 From Dead Last to Scholarship Bound 22:10 Four Years at FIU: Bachelor's and Master's Degrees 26:00 Transitioning to Professional Triathlon 30:15 Lessons from Elite Athletes: Never Good Enough 32:40 The Drive to Always Be Better 35:50 Why Athletes Struggle to Retire 38:25 Coaching and Staying Connected to the Sport 40:10 You Have More Potential Than You Think 42:30 Handling Success vs. Handling Failure 45:00 Major Setbacks: Growing Pains and Stress Fractures 47:20 Cross Training Through Injury 49:10 Mental Toughness Is Mental Training 51:35 The Mamba Mentality: Putting in the Work 53:20 Teaching Athletes to Fall in Love with Running 55:40 Run Addict: Connecting Runners and Run Clubs 58:10 The Evolution of Run Clubs in South Florida 01:00:20 Why Friends in Training Is Special 01:02:30 Life Is a Marathon: Stay the Course Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/ Learn more about Run Addict at https://runaddict.run

In this essential episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela welcomes registered dietitian Carla Duenas for an in-depth conversation about sports nutrition, sustainable eating habits, and how proper fueling can transform your running performance and overall health. With over 12 years of experience as a dietitian specializing in sports nutrition, Carla brings both professional expertise and personal insight as a runner, mom of two, and wife to Miami Marathon co-founder and coach Frankie Ruiz. Her journey into nutrition began with her own health challenges, including a three-month migraine that was ultimately resolved through dietary changes, leading her to help others discover the power of food as medicine. Throughout their conversation, Marcela and Carla explore the fundamentals of nutrition, breaking down macronutrients (carbohydrates, protein, and fats) and explaining why carbs are not the enemy runners should fear. They discuss common nutrition myths, the challenges of portion control and restaurant eating, the hidden calories in alcoholic beverages, and why restrictive diets ultimately fail. Carla shares practical advice on meal planning, mindful eating, pre-run fueling, post-run recovery, and how to make sustainable changes that last a lifetime. This episode is packed with actionable wisdom for anyone looking to improve their relationship with food, fuel their training more effectively, or simply make healthier choices that support long-term wellness. Whether you're training for your first 5K or your hundredth marathon, understanding nutrition is key to going the distance. 00:00 Welcome and Meet Carla Duenas 01:15 From Personal Health Crisis to Becoming a Dietitian 04:10 The Three Month Migraine: Food Intolerance Discovery 06:45 Transitioning to Sports Nutrition 08:20 Life with Coach Frankie Ruiz and Running as Therapy 11:40 The Biggest Nutrition Challenges People Face Today 14:50 Macronutrients Explained: Carbs, Protein, and Fats 19:20 Why Carbs Are King for Runners 22:10 Good Carbs vs. Bad Carbs: Quality and Quantity 26:00 The Fiber Factor: Why It Matters 30:15 Portion Sizes and the Clean Plate Club 32:40 Restaurant Eating: Navigating Menus and Oversized Portions 35:50 The Truth About Alcohol and Weight Loss 38:25 Why Restrictive Diets Don't Work Long Term 40:10 The FIT Summer Reset Challenge: Behavior Change Over Quick Fixes 42:30 Sports Nutrition: Fueling and Recovery for Runners 45:00 Nutrition Myths Debunked 47:20 Intermittent Fasting and Athletes 49:10 Healthy Habits and Go-To Snacks 51:35 The Importance of Strength Training for Longevity 53:20 Life Is a Marathon: Make Changes You Can Keep Forever Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/ Learn more about Carla at https://www.linkedin.com/in/carladuenas-rd/ Connect with Carla Duenas on Instagram: @Carla.nutrition

In this deeply moving episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela sits down with Pacer Tom Perri, an extraordinary runner and pacer whose story redefines resilience, service, and the power of forward motion. With 775 marathons and ultras to his name, Pacer Tom has completed the 50 state marathon tour nine times, including once with all sub four hour finishes. He's earned his World Marathon Majors six star medal twice and has paced nearly 1,200 races over five decades, helping runners of all abilities cross finish lines from the fastest to the back of the pack. But the most remarkable chapter of his running journey began in 2019, when he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Since that day, he has run 280 marathons and ultras, and he's now chasing a goal that seemed impossible: becoming the first person ever to complete 300 marathons with stage 4 cancer. Every race is a victory. Every mile is borrowed time. And every finish line is a testament to hope. Throughout their conversation, Marcela and Pacer Tom explore the world of marathon pacing, the evolution of the running community, the untold history of women at the Boston Marathon, and what it means to keep moving forward when life hands you the toughest miles. He also shares details about his two books, Running My Salvation from Stage 4 Cancer and Boston Marathon Triumphs, with all proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross. This episode is a powerful reminder that life, like a marathon, will bring both joyful miles and painful ones, but with community, courage, and faith, we can keep going one step at a time. 00:00 Welcome and Meet Pacer Tom 01:15 775 Marathons and Ultras: The Numbers 02:30 Nine Time 50 State Finisher and World Marathon Majors 04:10 What Is a Pacer? The Heart Behind the Role 06:45 Pacing Nearly 1,200 Races Over 50 Years 08:20 Favorite and Least Favorite Marathons 11:40 International Racing: Rome, Tokyo, Berlin, and Beyond 14:50 The Most Inspiring Stories from the Pacer's Perspective 16:35 Running My Salvation from Stage 4 Cancer: The Book 19:20 Boston Marathon Triumphs: Honoring Legends and History 22:10 Women and the Boston Marathon: Bobby Gibb and Kathrine Switzer 26:00 How Running Has Changed from the 1970s to Today 30:15 Stage 4 Cancer Diagnosis in 2019 32:40 280 Marathons After Stage 4: Chasing 300 35:50 Life Is a Marathon: The Happy Miles and the Hard Ones 38:25 Advice for Anyone Facing Tough Times 40:10 Looking Ahead to Cape Town Marathon and Beyond Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/ Find Pacer Tom's books on Amazon: Running My Salvation from Stage 4 Cancer and Boston Marathon Triumphs. All proceeds benefit the American Red Cross.

In this inspiring episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela welcomes Stella Papadopoulos, a remarkable woman who completed her first half marathon at age 68 at the A1A Marathon & Half Marathon in Fort Lauderdale. After running throughout her early life, Stella Papadopoulos took a 15 year break before returning to the treadmill at age 60. What followed was an extraordinary journey of transformation that went far beyond physical fitness. Through strength training, nutritional changes including the ketogenic diet, and consistent dedication, she lost 45 pounds and even experienced a 40% improvement in her vision. But Stella Papadopoulos's story is about much more than running. After divorcing at 60 following a 25 year marriage, she faced a pivotal question from her lawyer: "How do you want to live?" That question sparked a complete reinvention. She became a certified personal trainer at 62, launched a YouTube channel called Inspirations by Stella, published a book on navigating divorce, and embraced watercolor art as a form of healing and expression. Throughout their conversation, Marcela and Stella Papadopoulos explore the power of reclaiming your life at any age, the importance of self love and inner work, and why consistency in both running and life creates lasting transformation. Stella Papadopoulos shares practical advice on starting a fitness journey, the role of proper nutrition and fueling, and how running became a meditative practice that helped her reconnect with her strength. This episode is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to rebuild, that dreams don't expire, and that forward motion is always a choice we can make. 00:00 Welcome and Meeting Estella 00:51 Estella's Running Journey: From High School to 15-Year Break 01:28 Coming Home to Running: The Walk-Run Method 02:27 Women Reinventing Themselves After 60 03:18 The Ketogenic Diet Journey and Vision Improvement 05:12 Nutrition Fundamentals: Protein and Macros 07:20 First Steps for Beginners: Walking on an Incline 08:16 The Half Marathon Challenge 12:26 Race Day Experience and Jeff Galloway's Method 13:54 Running for Everyone: Breaking Down Barriers 15:09 The Friends In Training Community 15:51 Divorce and Rebuilding: How Do You Want to Live? 16:20 Women as Emotional Glue: Becoming Invisible 17:20 Don't Wait for a Wake-Up Call 18:10 Forward Motion: Running as Metaphor for Life 18:37 The Mental and Meditative Side of Running 19:51 Inner Work: Prayer, Meditation, and Self-Love 20:35 The Oxygen Mask Principle: Taking Care of Yourself First 21:24 Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Health 22:17 Life's Tough Miles: Getting Through the Hard Times 22:51 Quietly Suffering: Breaking the Silence 23:10 The Book: I'm Getting Divorced, Where Do I Start? 23:41 Inspirations by Stella: YouTube Channel and Content 23:53 Watercolor Artist and Creative Expression 24:44 Fulfillment is an Inside Job 30:05 Free Resources: Digital Products and Journal Prompts 31:41 Dreams Don't Expire: Finding Your Dreams Again 32:46 Dreams Come True: New York City Marathon Story 33:48 Final Words: You Are a Light Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/ Follow Stella Papadopoulos's journey on YouTube: Inspirations by Stella

In this follow-up episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela reconnects with legendary ultrarunner Bob Becker to hear the story behind his long-awaited Badwater 135 finish. After several attempts that ended in disappointment or came just short of the official cutoff, Bob returned to one of the world’s most demanding ultramarathons at age 80 with a powerful goal: to become the oldest finisher in Badwater 135 history. This time, he crossed the finish line in 45 hours, breaking Jack Denness’s long-standing record and proving that determination, preparation, and the right support can carry us through even the hardest miles. Throughout their conversation, Bob reflects on the crew, coaching, and community that helped make the finish possible, while also looking ahead to future races and adventures around the world. 00:00 Welcome and Podcast Introduction 01:27 The Badwater 135 Challenge 02:38 Chasing Jack Dennis's Record 03:25 Three Attempts at History 04:58 Breaking the Record at Age 80 07:29 The Power of Your Crew and Community 09:06 Return to China: A Special Journey 11:21 Race Director Life and Keys 100 11:55 Alaska Calling: Denali 135 15:20 Race Details and Registration Info 21:34 Advice for Aspiring Ultrarunners 23:43 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/

In today's episode, Marcela sits down with legendary ultramarathon runner and race director Bob Becker for an inspiring conversation about endurance, resilience, and continuing to move forward at every stage of life. Bob introduces listeners to the world of ultrarunning, sharing what it takes to go beyond the marathon distance and complete races that demand intense preparation, both physical and mental. He reflects on remarkable milestones from his running journey, including Badwater 135, the Badwater “double,” fixed-time ultramarathons, a 48-hour age-group world record, and running 230 miles in 74 hours. Beyond the miles, Bob shares how running reshaped his life, leading him from mortgage banking into race directing and the founding of the Keys 100. He also opens up about family, surviving prostate cancer through early detection, and the importance of staying active and focused on what lies ahead. (00:07) Meet Bob Becker and the World of Ultrarunning (02:45) Badwater 135, Fixed-Time Racing, and Bob’s Longest Run (04:18) Records, 48-Hour Racing, and the Badwater Double (06:27) Bob’s Early Life, Career, and Becoming a Race Director (08:46) Starting Late, Joining Friends in Training, and Qualifying for Boston (11:50) Family, Community, and Bob’s Best Life Miles (14:44) Prostate Cancer, Early Detection, and Preventive Health (16:55) How the Keys 100 Began (19:50) Relays, Community, and Introducing Others to Ultras (25:35) Favorite Races, Memorable Challenges, and Lessons Learned (32:10) Advice for Runners: Do Your Homework, Prepare Well, and Stay Realistic Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/

In this debut episode, host Marcela Todd is joined by Brian Boyd to introduce the heart behind Friends in Training and the powerful community that has grown from it. What began as a marathon and half-marathon training programme in Broward County, Florida, has become a family built on encouragement, perseverance, and helping people achieve goals they once thought were far out of reach. Marcela reflects on her own running journey—spanning 81 marathons and more than 200 half marathons to ultramarathons and international races—and shares the lessons running has taught her about resilience and gratitude, and the importance of embracing the journey. Together, Marcela and Brian explore the idea that life is a marathon, filled with challenging miles, meaningful victories, and moments when we need others to help us keep going. Be sure to subscribe, follow and share! (00:06) Welcome to the Friends in Training Podcast (02:30) Brian’s Running Journey with FIT (03:04) 81 Marathons, 200 Half Marathons, and the Myth of “The Wall” (05:10) Why Life Is a Marathon (08:10) Running the Geneva Marathon After 11 Days of Biking (09:26) Stepping Into Leadership at Friends in Training (12:18) Why FIT Is for Everyday People (13:13) What Friends in Training Taught Marcella About Life (15:25) Marathon Training, Discipline, and Starting Small (19:32) Don’t Do Life Alone (23:04) Remembering Veronica and Living with Gratitude (27:31) Seeing the World Through Running (30:52) You Are Stronger Than You Think Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/