Run, Selfie, Repeat

"I'm not a very good runner." After a check in with sports psychology wizard Dr. Bob, I decided to go back and watch my YouTube vlog BQ or Bust that featured Dr. Bob over the last two years. I was watching myself talk to Dr. Bob about the fact that I'm just not a very good runner. And it's true. And that's honestly the reason running changed my life. It gave me a way to apply myself, learn, progress, and fail when I'm not naturally good at something. But the truth is, natural runner or struggle runner, it never gets easier. And that's why it's so damn addictive.

Anyone who has ever gotten uncomfortable during a run can testify to the fact that running is  a mental sport. Yes, physical strength and endurance are important factors but if your mental game is off,  a single minute can feel like forever. Back in August of 2016, I was struggling to push through my doubts, self-imposed limits, and discomfort. I was a few months into my crazy marathon training and while I knew that trying to BQ wasn't going to be easy, I didn't understand just how difficult and painful it was going to be. So I called my uncle Dr. Robert Corb, AKA Dr. Bob, a licensed Psychologist who specializes in Sports. Not only is Dr. Bob an accomplished Sports Psychologist, he's the former director of UCLA's Sports Psychology program.  In this episode of my vlog from 2016, Dr. Bob explains to me that the issue isn't that I'm uncomfortable or pushing through the pain. Pain and discomfort are to be expected, the issue is that I'm suffering which isn't going to help me crush my goal. He went on to talk about the concept of Acceptance Theory and how accepting and knowing that even though it isn't going to be comfortable, that it's up to me to figure out how to enjoy my training runs even when it hurts.  If you've ever wondered what it's like to work with a sports psychologist, this is a really great starting place. ENJOY! 

Ever wonder what it would be like if an amateur runner had the help of a sports psychologist? Meet Dr. Bob! The former head of Sports Psychology at UCLA and a licensed psychologist, Dr. Bob has helped me battle some of my toughest mental battles. Today, he's checking in with me as I approach my second Boston Marathon qualifying attempt. We talk how to power through when I'm struggling, what tips he has for unlocking that feeling of effortlessness I am always chasing, and what I can do to set myself up for strong training runs.

After my brother died, I struggled to find empathy and compassion for loss or pain that felt small compared to mine. Today, I know that pain and losses can't be compared or ranked. Today I want to talk about the end game that is comparing or ranking your loss and pain to someone else's. Let's talk about what it means to be compassionate not only towards yourself but to others as well. Because it's pretty damn hard to do when you're struggling to put one foot in front of the other or survive a loss that is unimaginable. 

The easiest way to sabotage yourself is to believe the BS narrative you tell yourself that you’re not good enough.  BREAK THE CYCLE! How you talk to yourself is how you'll see yourself. Celebrating and building yourself up requires consistent work. Don’t cheat yourself from being all that you already are. Here's how... BREAK THE CYCLE and start focusing on and celebrating your strengths. What you do well. What makes you beautiful. Celebrating and building yourself up requires consistent work. Don’t cheat yourself from being all that you already are. Here's how...

Look, there’s only one ingredient to likeability and that’s being authentically yourself. EASIER SAID THAN DONE! Why? Because true connection is rooted in truth, bravery, and trust. And when you're feeling unsure of yourself or like an outsider or other, it can feel impossible to believe that who you are is enough. BUT IT IS. Let's talk about why being liked by many isn't as important as it is to have people in your corner who like you for who you are. Scars, imperfections, beauty and all.

Do you ever find yourself stepping just outside of your comfort zone necessary? Stopping yourself from taking chances or risks to build strength and confidence? Today I want to talk about what it means to be brave when the chance of failure is high. And why it matters to show up for yourself and believe in yourself and your truth when all you want to do is retreat and hide.

Focusing on the process and working on fostering a positive attitude isn't easy. And if you're struggling or feeling particularly frustrated or overwhelmed, it's practically impossible! Let's talk about what you can do to alter your outlook and build that strong inner confidence that will help you kick ass and take names!

Moving deliberately with purpose. THAT is what I want to talk about. WHY? Because it doesn't matter if you're getting started, getting back into something, trying to believe in yourself, or maintaining motivation, sticking with your goals is a struggle. That's why checking in and taking a minute to figure out what you're moving towards can be such a game changer.  SO let's start with a question...WHAT ARE YOU MOVING TOWARDS?!

Meet Mary Arnold, a co-leader of the incredible grassroots movement Run 4 All Women and November Project New York City. In addition to giving back and building community, she's a killer ultramarathoner, an innovating powerhouse in the running world and the mastermind behind Active Brand Consulting and one of those women who you meet and feel immediately connected to.  Today on the podcast, we are talking about community, running for a cause, and what went into the first year of Run 4 All Women. From their initial run from Harlem to DC that raised over 100,000 dollars for Planned Parenthood to their latest campaign the Midterm Run, Mary is opening up about what goes into keeping a grassroots movement alive.  Important links!  To rent the Run 4 All Women Documentary, CLICK HERE. (https://vimeo.com/ondemand/run4allwomen) For more information on the midterm run, CLICK HERE (http://MidtermRun.com) To read the New York Times Article on Community and the future of running, CLICK HERE (https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/21/sports/running-marathons-advertising.html) To find Run 4 All Women on social media, check them out on Twitter (https://twitter.com/run4allwomen), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/run4allwomen/), and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Run4AllWomen/). To get in touch with Mary Arnold, CLICK HERE or check her out on Instagram. (https://www.instagram.com/maryarnold79/)

About a month ago, I decided I wasn't going to spend time on Twitter. The pessimism, the rage, the backhanded jabs, it was contagious. I felt myself going there only to complain or make really stupid jokes and I didn't like how I felt scrolling through my news feed so I deleted the app off my phone and decided to only check it once or twice a week.  Best decision I ever made. But a few days ago, I jumped on to check on things and saw a tweet and a retweet that I want to talk about. It said "Training is not the test. The race is the test." And I find it disappointing that people in the community again fail to see that yes, for some people race day IS the test. But for the vast majority of the running community, everything is a test. 

Today, Coach John Honerkamp is here to talk all things BQ or Bust take 3! From building my base, what to expect, my weaknesses and what we're focusing on, to what we're going to do to make my Boston Marathon qualifying time possible, today is all about BQ or Bust!

For most of my life, I lived in fear of the judgement of others. I was terrified that they'd vocalize the destructive things I told myself when I looked in the mirror. Today? It happens every month. Let's talk about the importance of redefining what strength looks and feels like.

Some studies show that announcing your goals doesn't help you make them a reality. In fact, they found that it kind of does the opposite! So why did I launch "Make Your Impossible Possible" and ask you to announce your goals? A SUPPORT SYSTEM! It's hard to believe in yourself when you don't have a strong history of success. It's hard to get started! Or to keep fighting when you feel like you're crashing and burning. But it's true what the platitude suggests, we really are stronger together. So let's talk about how to stick with your goals so that you can make your impossible, possible! Want to join us? CLICK HERE (https://kellyroberts1.typeform.com/to/DrtAFW) and fill out the form!

Resolve: 1. Find a solution to a problem. 2. Decide firmly on a course of action Used in a sentence: "In 2018, I'm resolving to make impossible possible because I believe in myself and I refuse to stand in my own damn way! I AM STRONG! I AM POWERFUL! AND I CAN DO HARD THINGS!" She proclaimed as the clock stroke midnight on New Year's Eve. Every year, people set resolutions to kick the new year off on the right foot. And two-six weeks in, they give them up. WHY? Because resolving to make a change is hard! That's why in 2018, I want you to resolve to make impossible possible with me. I want you to step outside of your comfort zone and get ugly as we set out to find what we're capable of.  Confused? Give today's podcast a listen. THEN, fill this out (http://bit.ly/2Cw8U1a) and join me as we make impossible possible!