Maurice Lowman knows the exact date his life changed. March 12, 2015. That is the day he got sober. And every mile he has run since — 44 marathons, 8 ultras, two 100 milers, and a 3,488-day run streak — has been built on top of that one decision.

You may know him as Marathon Panda. Positivity and hope dealer. Ultra runner. Community builder. The guy who runs the Boston Marathon in a full suit and tie. But before all of that, Maurice was fighting for his life against addiction on the streets of Rhode Island.

In this episode, Maurice and I go all the way back — to the early days, the rock bottom moments, and the pivotal day that everything shifted. We talk about how running became the second half of his sobriety, what nearly ten years of daily running actually gave him, and what it felt like to end the streak on his own terms. We get into the story behind the suit, the causes he runs for, and what it means to become a hope dealer for people who are still in the fight he once was.

Maurice is proof that pain can become purpose. That consistency can rebuild a life. That small words of encouragement can plant seeds that grow into entire communities. And that no matter where you have been, you can decide today to write a different next chapter.

If you or someone you love is struggling — with addiction, with mental health, with feeling stuck — this episode is for you.