The Run of Hope Liberty Torch Relay - The Run of Hope Liberty Torch Relay

Mark 7 born as Mark Llewhellin in Haverfordwest, Wales, left school with low confidence.

In the Army, he faced setbacks, including failing his initial fitness test and being voted the fattest in his troop. He overcame those obstacles and went on to become an Army commando. After seven years of service Mark left 7 Commando battery, 29 Commando Regiment, and worked as a bodyguard, door supervisor, and personal trainer, and later a support worker for individuals with learning difficulties, autism, brain injury, and epilepsy.

He dabbled with a little ultra-endurance by completing the Marathon des Sables in the Sahara Desert and ran from Denver to San Francisco, averaging 27 miles per day. He broke a treadmill distance record and placed 1st in the Strava Distance Challenge in both 2014 and 2015, competing against tens of thousands of participants.

Gavin gives us a recap of his amazing run across the entire state of Colorado...680 miles in 14 days. On June 7th, he started running across the state of Colorado.

14 days, I covered approximately 700 miles from one side of the state to the other. That’s nearly 50 miles every single day.

But this run was about much more than miles.

Just a few years ago, my life looked completely different. I was stuck in addiction, making choices that were holding me back from becoming the husband, father, and man I wanted to be. Like so many people struggling with substance abuse, I felt trapped in a cycle that seemed impossible to break.

Today, I am living proof that recovery is possible.

Sobriety gave me my life back. It gave me my family back. It gave me purpose, discipline, and a future I never thought was possible.

That is why I have chosen to dedicate the Run Across Colorado Project to supporting Sobriety House.

For decades, Sobriety House has helped individuals and families break free from addiction and rebuild their lives. They provide treatment, recovery support, housing, education, and hope to people who are fighting one of the hardest battles imaginable.

Every mile I ran represented someone who is still struggling.

Every step forward represents the possibility of recovery.

Every donation helps provide resources, support, and opportunities for people who are ready to change their lives but need help getting there.

Addiction affects every community, every income level, and every type of family. Recovery is possible, but nobody should have to fight that battle alone.

My goal is simple:

To raise awareness, inspire hope, and help more people find the same second chance that changed my life.

If my story, this journey, or the mission of Sobriety House resonates with you, I would be honored to have your support.

This week, meet the one and only Eric Strand (@lead_feet) on Instagram— an absolute ultra-running machine and the definition of what it means to push human limits.

14-time Double Grandma’s Marathon finisher

18-time Boston Marathon qualifier and finisher

8-time Leadville Trail 100 finisher (with #9 coming this August!) Fresh off completing the legendary Western States 100, one of the most difficult races in the world to gain entry into.

From the Hennepin 100 to Tunnel Hill 100 and countless other ultra-distance races, Eric has built a resume that's nothing short of extraordinary. Michele Hartwig

In this episode, we dive into the mindset, determination, and grit it takes to keep showing up when most people would quit.

If you enjoy the episode, please: Like Comment And most importantly... SUBSCRIBE to the YouTube channel!

Your support means everything and helps us keep sharing incredible stories like Eric's.

In 2012, Molly Cain’s life changed in an instant. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, she spent nearly three weeks in a coma and woke up paralyzed, facing a future filled with uncertainty. When she finally saw her reflection—a face bruised and battered from the accident—she was overwhelmed with questions about who she would become and whether life would ever look the same again.

But then came a powerful realization: she had woken up. She was alive. And with that came a choice—to move forward, to rebuild, and to redefine what was possible.

What began as a journey of recovery became a story of extraordinary perseverance. Today, Molly is not only a TBI survivor—she’s an Ironman triathlete, a 100-mile ultramarathon finisher, and an inspiration to countless people facing adversity.

On today’s episode, we’ll hear how Molly transformed one of the darkest moments of her life into a mission fueled by grit, gratitude, and the belief that waking up each day is an opportunity to create something incredible.

Welcome, Molly Cain.

What if one simple decision… could change everything? (Taking Chances - Why not you?)

In this powerful episode, I sat down with @thisiowamom Jennifer Brown, a woman whose life transformation is nothing short of inspiring. After losing over 190 pounds, Jennifer didn’t start with a fancy gym or complicated program—she started with something anyone can do: WALKING OUTSIDE.

From there, she built unstoppable momentum. She invested in a used treadmill, found motivation through Peloton trainer Kerstin Ferguson, and created the discipline and habits that completely reshaped her life.

Her journey gained national attention when she appeared on The Today Show in September 2024—but Jennifer’s mission didn’t stop there.

Now, she’s turning her experience into impact—coaching others to build the same habits, discipline, and mindset needed to take back their health and their lives.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to begin… this conversation will show you that you don’t need to start big—you just need to start.

Tune in to hear:

- How Jennifer lost 190+ lbs starting with simple daily walks

- The mindset shift that made consistency possible

- How she built discipline without burnout

- Her advice for anyone ready to change their life—right now

This isn’t just a weight loss story. It’s a blueprint for transformation.

Don’t miss this episode—because your journey could start today.

Coming Soon: https://www.youtube.com/@takingchanceswhynotyou/videos

I sat down with Tom Kelley, a true leader in college athletics and a cornerstone of Framingham State University. With over 40 years dedicated to the program—including 30 years as Athletic Director—Tom has built a legacy of excellence, from championship-winning teams to shaping the future of student-athletes. A former player turned coach with over 100 career wins, multiple conference titles, and national recognition, Tom’s story is all about resilience, leadership, and taking chances when it matters most. His record as head coach:8 conference titles (MASCAC)7 NCAA D-III Playoff appearances4-0 in ECAC and New England Bowl games Don’t miss this inspiring conversation on what it really takes to build something lasting. #TakingChances #WhyNotYou #Leadership #podcastclips #collegeathletics

I’m so excited to introduce you to Amy—someone who truly embodies what it means to take a chance and turn passion into purpose.

Amy has spent the last ten years as a personal trainer, but her love for movement and performance started long before that—she’s been a runner since junior high. What began as a personal passion evolved into a career dedicated to helping others grow stronger, faster, and more confident.

In 2016, Amy expanded her work into coaching runners, and since then she’s worked with a wide range of clients—men, women, and kids—many focused on sports performance. Her experience spans everything from corporate gyms to boutique fitness spaces to recreation centers, giving her a well-rounded perspective on what it takes to meet people where they are.

But Amy didn’t stop there.

Eight years ago, she made a bold move: she took a chance on herself and launched her own business, giving her the freedom to create deeper, more personalized relationships with her clients. Today, she trains out of Commit2Fitness in Arvada, Colorado, where she continues to make a lasting impact.

What makes Amy’s story even more powerful is her ability to adapt and care for clients across all walks of life. From working with athletes to supporting individuals recovering from knee and hip replacements or dealing with chronic joint pain, she brings both expertise and empathy to every session.

And beyond the gym, Amy has also followed a dream close to her heart—coaching high school athletes. As an assistant coach for cross country and track programs, she’s become the kind of mentor she once looked up to, inspiring the next generation just like her coaches inspired her.

Amy’s journey is all about growth, resilience, and taking that leap—even when it’s uncertain.

So today, we’re diving into her story: the risks she took, the lessons she’s learned, and why she believes that sometimes the biggest question we can ask ourselves is… “Why not me?”

What does it look like to take a chance on yourself—and keep climbing?

In this episode of Taking Chances – Why Not You?, I sit down with Matt Ostrom, a Quad Cities entrepreneur whose journey is built on grit, vision, and saying yes to opportunity.

Matt takes us back to his roots growing up in Iowa, his days playing college baseball at Iowa State, and the moment he realized chasing pro ball might not be the path forward—after even heading to Canada to give it a shot. From there, his story takes an unexpected turn: a part-time job at Active Endeavors in Coralville making just $5 an hour, where he learned the ropes in sales, inventory, and customer service.

Fast forward nearly three decades, and Matt is now the owner of Active Endeavors, having grown it into a thriving specialty retail business—including a brand-new brick-and-mortar store in the Quad Cities. He shares how the business evolved from a mountaineering and gear shop into a modern footwear and apparel destination, and what it takes to stay relevant over 28 years.

But Matt’s journey isn’t just about business.

In one of the most incredible chapters of his life, The North Face invited him on a trek to Mt. Everest. With the support of expert training—and help from mutual friend Kyle Dietz—Matt pushed himself to new limits, climbing to over 21,000 feet at Everest Base Camp.

This is a story about endurance, reinvention, and saying “yes” when life presents an opportunity.

Whether you're chasing a dream, building a business, or standing at the base of your own mountain—this conversation will inspire you to take that next step.

Why not you?