Let's draw some January inspiration from a local runner who is well-known in the Winnipeg running community - Tim Coombs. Tim took a challenging personal experience and turned it into a positive movement for himself and for the entire Manitoba running community.

At the end of 2023, Tim faced a heavy personal struggle. He could have chosen to remain in that difficult space, but instead, he set two resolutions that have had a profound impact on his life. First, Tim took on a January run streak challenge, which turned into a streak that’s still going strong today. Second, he committed to running with as many different run clubs across the province as possible. Along the way, he made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and inspired others to join him. Tim is kind and generous with a smile for everyone he meets. I hope his New Year's resolutions might spark a positive change in you too.

Follow Tim on Instagram @running_tim8oes

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025

On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!

Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

Molly Hurford has been writing basically since she could hold a pen. As an adult, she has paired her passion for sports and the outdoors with being a professional author who has written for various publications and published several books. She also supports cycle athletes as a mentor and podcaster at The Consummate Athlete with her partner, Peter Glassford. If that wasn't all enough, she has her own publishing company, Strong Girl Publishing, which shares the work of outstanding female athletes (recently Micha Powell!). Molly also writes the series Shred Girls, which helps encourage young girls to find their place in sport. Her whole work ethos is centred on women supporting women and creating role models for girls. We need more Molly Hurfords in our world.

Follow The Consummate Athlete @consummateathlete

Follow Molly @mollyjhurford

Follow Strong Girl Publishing @stronggirlpublishing

Find all of Strong Girl Publishing's books wherever you buy books or at https://stronggirlpublishing.com/

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Move Your Paws for the Polar Bear Cause, February 22, 2025

On Saturday, February 22, join the cause at the Toronto Zoo, and move your paws to help one of the world’s most vulnerable species – polar bears! 2025 marks the 11th edition of Move Your Paws. There will be 5K and 1K distance options open to runners, walkers and wheelers of all ages and abilities. Bundle up and bring the whole family for a day of outdoor fun, fitness and fundraising!

Visit www.canadarunningseries.com to register now!

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

Ryan Chilibeck loves the run community, from elite athletes to first-timers. He is passionate about bringing everyone together and showing them what an amazing team sport running can be. Ryan founded East Van Run Crew, which celebrated its tenth anniversary in 2024. Coming from a long history of loving both team sports and being outside in the ocean and the mountains, Ryan doesn't just participate on the roads and trails; he has built his career around it. Many of you west coasters have probably seen him hard at work at one of CRS West's events, still others know him as the person who brought together the Women's Marathon Group at this year's TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. We discuss that experience and how raising two girls challenged his views of raising active kids. Make sure you have a beverage because at the end of the episode we play a game of Never Have I Ever, and you can play too.

Follow East Van Run Crew @eastvanruncrew

Follow Ryan @ryanmeatysauce

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EPISODE SPONSOR: CANADA RUNNING SERIES

Time is running out to lock in the best price for the 2025 TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Whether you're gearing up for the 5K, Half Marathon, or Marathon, this is your moment to lock in your commitment before prices go up on Tuesday, December 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com for details and to register now.

Theme Song: Joseph McDade

Aristotle Domingo started life as an active kid, but his life took a dramatic turn in his twenties when he fell into a three-month-long coma and spent a year in the hospital battling sepsis and its life-altering aftermath. After a series of severe bone infections, he ultimately became a double below-knee amputee.

His adaptability, positivity and relentless drive to embrace new challenges turned that chapter of his life into an opportunity for growth and new experiences. Today, he is a multi-sport athlete, focusing on blade road running and competes in the para wheelchair division of men's shot put in Track and Field. Recognizing the need for support in the amputee community, Aristotle founded the Amputee Coalition of Toronto, where he continues to educate and empower both people experiencing limb loss and the broader sports community on how to better support adaptive athletes.

Follow Aristotle @ampu_TO

Amputee Coalition of Toronto https://www.facebook.com/amputeecoalitionTO/

The AmpuTO Show Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-amputo-show/id1522957731

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EPISODE SPONSOR: Canada Running Series

The 2024 race season may have officially closed for Canada Running Series, but now is the perfect time to set your sights on new goals for 2025. The best part? Registration is already open for most of these events! Secure your early bird pricing and get motivated towards your next goal.

For more information and to register visit https://canadarunningseries.com/

Theme music: Joseph McDade

Today we are celebrating two Canadian charities that are working diligently to support Canadian youth in becoming and staying active in sport.

The Kickback Foundation's Kickback Run Club brings together community families for 20 weeks over the summer in both Scarborough and downtown Toronto. The program provides relatable role models for youth and meaningful connections for mentors. In addition to the community runs, Kickback brings program participants to the next level by bringing them to the start line of races that they likely never would have seen without it.

Fast and Female’s goal is to empower girls through sport, physical activity and education. Through programming and step up opportunities, participants are provided with R.E.A.L. role models. As they progress through the program, they are encouraged to become role models for the participants that come after them. Leadership is built into every step to build a strong, active future for all of them.

If you are in a position to support these organizations, you can find them here:

Kickback Foundation @kickbackfoundation

https://linktr.ee/kickbackfoundation

Fast & Female @fastandfemale

https://fastandfemale.com/support/

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EPISODE SPONSOR: The party that was the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon this year was incredible - 30,000 runners over three events with Canada's official largest marathon all in the books. You can make sure you don't miss your chance to join in on the fun for 2025: registration is now open for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and many other of CRS's iconic events. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com and plan YOUR next big start line.

Theme Music: Joseph McDade

Mirna Valerio is both an ultra trail runner and an ultra human. This former teacher is the author of A Beautiful Work in Progress, and is now able to devote herself full-time to being a speaker and advocate for health awareness, promoting diversity on the roads and trails, and inspiring others to find their joy on the run. Mirna is busy with a myriad of things, but you may have most recently heard her name when she participated in lululemon's initiative FURTHER which was a six-day challenge for ten athletes to find their new limits while being supported by resources and innovations that have often been reserved for male athletes. So dive in and let the Mirnavator inspire you to reach for your next adventure.

Follow Mirna @themirnavator

Order a copy of her book https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/a-beautiful-work-in-progress/9781503943391.html

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EPISODE SPONSOR: The party that was the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon this year was incredible - 30,000 runners over three events with Canada's official largest marathon all in the books. You can make sure you don't miss your chance to join in on the fun for 2025: registration is now open for the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon and many other of CRS's iconic events. Visit www.canadarunningseries.com and plan YOUR next big start line.

Theme music: Joseph McDade

Anyone who knows me knows I love shiny, happy people who bring a bit more sunshine to the world just by being in it. Lauren Roberts is one of those people, but she's also so much more than that. She is a kick-butt entrepreneur who created The Running Physio: a place where runners in the GTA can go to help them enjoy their sport longer, more comfortably and more safely. Lauren's story starts with a speedy young girl feeling the good vibes from early successes that led her to some really cool experiences as an adult, both in triathlon and marathon racing.

Lauren is bringing her sunny self and MANY years of wisdom to the speaker stage at the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo on Saturday, October 19, from 5-5:45 PM. She will both answer questions live from the crowd and advance submissions.

YOU can submit your questions by DM to any of the following:

@runcanadapodcast

@the_running_physio

@towaterfront42K

If you can't attend the expo in person, follow the TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon to learn how to participate.

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Theme Music: Joseph McDade

How does an entrepreneur take a passion for supporting women and girls in sports and pair it with a love for research and technology? By starting a women's specific shoe company! Join me for a conversation with Lindsay Housman, founder and CEO of Hettas, as she shares her journey to creating a line of shoes researched and designed to support women runners and create longevity in the sport. Lindsay is not just designing footwear; she's cultivating an environment where women can run longer and stronger, fostering deeper connections within their communities. This, in turn, paves the way for more women to become role models for the next generation of girls in sports. Don't miss this inspiring conversation, which will have you thinking about your experiences as a runner... and your own feet.

Find a full nerd out conversation on all of the studies and technology that have gone into creating Hettas by listening to this episode of The Nitty Gritty Podcast with Jess O'Connell: https://tinyurl.com/yckbby6x

Follow Hettas on Instagram @wear_hettas or find them at www.hettas.ca

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EPISODE SPONSOR: TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon

The countdown is on to the biggest, brightest party on the streets of Toronto! There is no better way to start your race weekend off on the right foot than to join me at the Expo Speaker Stage at the Enercare Centre on October 18 & 19, 2024. With an incredible line up of speakers and panels, there is something for everyone. For a full stage schedule, watch www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com and follow on Instagram @towaterfront42K. I can't wait to see you there!

Title Music: Joseph McDade