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What would you do if you came face-to-face with a mountain lion in the darkness of a pre-dawn hike? For Kayla Girard, this heart-stopping encounter was just one chapter in her remarkable outdoor journey that's taken her from struggling to run a single mile to summiting some of Colorado's most challenging peaks.

In this captivating conversation, Kayla reveals how she discovered her love for running later in life when she realized the secret was simply slowing down. This breakthrough has led her to complete races in 37 states so far on her quest to run a half or full marathon in all 50 states. Surprisingly, during back-to-back race weekends, she consistently performs better on day two—defying conventional wisdom about recovery and endurance.

But it's Kayla's mountaineering adventures that truly showcase her resilience and determination. After moving to Colorado to become a ski instructor (where she unexpectedly met her husband), she fell in love with climbing the state's famous "14ers"—58 peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation. These climbs require 4am starts, careful navigation, and constant vigilance against rapidly changing mountain weather and wildlife encounters.

The podcast delivers two unforgettable survival stories: Kayla's terrifying standoff with a stalking mountain lion during her bachelorette celebration hike, and a harrowing night spent taking shelter in a mountainside cave after a snowstorm trapped her group in 12-degree temperatures. Her most valuable lesson? When you're in trouble in the backcountry, help doesn't arrive immediately—her rescue took over seven hours despite having cell service.

Whether you're a runner looking for inspiration or simply someone who appreciates tales of adventure and human endurance, Kayla's journey shows how pushing beyond your comfort zone creates not just accomplishments but also profound connections with fellow adventurers who share these life-changing experiences. Ready to lace up your shoes or pack your hiking boots?

https://www.instagram.com/alyakg/

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What if the greatest obstacle you faced became your greatest opportunity? For Lisa Herron, a devastating farming accident at age 40 that required her fifth knee surgery didn't end her athletic journey—it transformed it. Trading running shoes for walking ones, Lisa discovered an unexpected path forward that would lead to extraordinary achievements and a reimagined relationship with movement.

Lisa's power walking prowess shatters preconceptions about what walking can accomplish. Maintaining a consistent 10-minute mile pace, she often overtakes runners during races, playfully noting she might be "on my second or third beer" by the time they cross the finish line. Her athletic feats include walking 100 miles in under 27 hours as the only woman and only walker to complete an ultramarathon, and accumulating over 19,000 miles between 2021-2024—equaling more than 38 million steps.

The physical challenges Lisa has overcome would sideline most athletes permanently. Beyond her knee surgeries, she's endured two cervical spine surgeries requiring seven screws, two plates, and cadaver bones; endured nine foot surgeries; manages diabetes; and has undergone two heart catheterizations. Yet these obstacles have only strengthened her resolve. Her approach to health blends realism with optimism: "I'm just a well-fueled machine with some expensive drugs set in a pillbox."

Lisa's commitment to movement has dramatically transformed her health markers, with triglycerides dropping from a dangerous 500 to a healthy 88. Her daily routine typically begins with 8-10 morning miles, followed by additional walking throughout the day. Her current goal—6,000 miles in 2025—requires consistent daily effort that she embraces regardless of weather or circumstances, "embracing the suck" on difficult days.

Beyond personal achievements, Lisa channels her passion for movement into community service as a mini-marathon ambassador advocating for walkers' inclusion, volunteering at Wheeler Mission's Drumstick Dash, and training her dog for children's reading therapy. Her message resonates clearly: there are no valid excuses for immobility, only opportunities to adapt and overcome.

Ready to redefine your own relationship with movement? Follow Lisa's example by starting where you are, adapting to your circumstances, and building consistency that can transform your health. Subscribe now and join our community of movers and believers who refuse to let limitations define their potential.

Hydrapatch.com code OTNH10

You can reach out to us at:

https://coffeycrewcoaching.com
email: Carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com
FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness Group
IG @coffeycrewcoaching.com

and Buy Me a Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlau

https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20

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https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15

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What happens when a devastating diagnosis becomes the catalyst for a complete life transformation?

Meet Irene Pasternak, whose journey from an early Alzheimer's diagnosis to becoming a marathon runner reveals the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when we refuse to accept limitation. At 65, Irene received news that would stop most people in their tracks: test results showing an 86% chance of full dementia within three years. Instead of retreating, she embarked on a running journey that would transform both her brain health and her entire approach to living.

Irene shares how she discovered "tourist running" – an approach that combines exploration with exercise as she runs as far as possible in new directions before taking public transport home. This creative method helped her progress from barely managing a mile to completing half marathons in less than a year. Most remarkably, her brain scans now show amyloid plaque levels dropping from 76 to below 12 – under the clinical significance threshold – suggesting her treatment and lifestyle changes have dramatically altered her prognosis.

Beyond running, Irene reveals her work as a Feldenkrais practitioner helping people overcome movement limitations, and how she leads summer backpacking trips with llamas for people with Parkinson's disease. Her approach to movement as playful exploration rather than rigid exercise offers valuable insights for runners of any age. The conversation weaves through topics of neuroplasticity, resilience, and finding purpose after diagnosis – including how she now treasures time with her young granddaughter, creating memories she once feared would be impossible.

Whether you're a runner seeking fresh perspective, someone facing health challenges, or simply in need of inspiration, Irene's story reminds us that sometimes our greatest adventures begin precisely when we think our stories are ending. Subscribe now and share this episode with someone who might need to hear that their diagnosis doesn't have to be their destiny.

Hydrapatch.com code OTNH10

You can reach out to us at:

https://coffeycrewcoaching.com
email: Carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com
FB @ Over the Next Hill Fitness Group
IG @coffeycrewcoaching.com

and Buy Me a Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Carlau

https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNH20

https://hydra-patch.com/discount/OTNHBOGO?redirect=%2Fproducts%2Fhydrapatch%C2%AE

https://rnwy.life code: OTNH15

https://jambar.com code: CARLA20