Soul Runner: Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength

30 for Freedom: A Movement Against Sex Trafficking

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Amanda interviews Brent Silkey, founder of 30 for Freedom, a movement dedicated to ending sex trafficking. Brent shares his personal journey, including his adoption story and how it shaped his passion for helping others. He discusses the inception of 30 for Freedom, the impact it has made in raising awareness and funds for trafficking prevention, and his experience running the Great World Race, where he and his team ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. Brent emphasizes the importance of community support and outlines future goals for 30 for Freedom, including a significant fundraising initiative for his 40th birthday.

00:00
Introduction to Brent Silkey and 30 for Freedom

02:24
Brent's Personal Journey and Adoption Story

07:14
The Birth of 30 for Freedom: Running for a Cause

15:27
Impact and Growth of 30 for Freedom

19:45
Understanding the Organizations Supported by 30 for Freedom

27:22
Awareness and Prevention of Sex Trafficking

28:37
The Great World Race Experience

31:18
The Dream of a Race

32:06
Family Involvement in Big Goals

33:02
Inspirational Team Members

34:49
Training for the Great World Race

36:59
Adapting to Changing Conditions

39:54
Experiencing Different Climates

42:24
Aiming for a Million Dollars

44:52
Crossing the Finish Line

46:18
Celebrating Community and Faith

47:39
Future Goals for 30 for Freedom

Brent Silkey & 30 For Freedom

Instagram: @brentsilkey @30forfreedom

Website: 30forfreedom.com

Soul Runner

Instagram: @soulrunnernh

Website: soulrunnernh.com

From Addiction to True Resilience: Kallup McCoy's Journey

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 04:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Kallup McCoy shares his incredible journey from addiction to becoming an inspiring endurance athlete and recovery advocate. He discusses his goals for the future, the challenges he faced while running across America, and the birth of his nonprofit organization, RezHope Recovery. Kallup emphasizes the importance of setting goals, embracing change, and finding purpose in helping others. His story is a testament to resilience, mental toughness, and the power of community support in overcoming personal struggles.

00:00
Kallup McCoy's Inspiring Journey

10:03
Setting Goals and Embracing Change

24:30
The Birth of RezHope Recovery

30:17
Running Across America: The Challenge

51:01
Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose

Kallup McCoy:

Instagram: @kallupmccoy @the_official_rezhope_recovery

Website to RezHope: rezhoperecovery.com

Amanda Perras (Soul Runner NH)

Instagram: soulrunnernh

Website: soulrunnernh.com

Finding Identity Beyond Motherhood with Francesca Barretta

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Amanda interviews Francesca Barretta, a full-time working mom and avid runner who shares her journey of overcoming childhood trauma, the importance of maintaining personal identity beyond motherhood, and how running has been a transformative outlet for her mental and physical health. Francesca discusses her experiences with disordered eating, the challenges of balancing family life with marathon training, and the significance of nutrition and strength training for runners. She emphasizes the need for self-care and personal growth, inspiring listeners to find their own paths to happiness and fulfillment.

00:00
Introduction to Francesca's Journey

01:04
The Importance of Personal Identity

03:02
Balancing Work, Family, and Personal Goals

04:46
Running as a Coping Mechanism

06:02
Overcoming Health Challenges

10:11
The Impact of Relationships on Personal Growth

12:09
Navigating Motherhood and Personal Struggles

15:06
Finding Strength in Adversity

17:05
The Role of Supportive Relationships

18:22
Training for Marathons as a Single Mom

20:30
The Journey to Self-Discovery

22:34
Motivation and Goal Setting

25:56
The Importance of Self-Care

28:36
Fueling the Body for Performance

30:19
Fueling for Performance

40:05
The Importance of Strength Training

49:15
Inspiration and Motivation in Running

52:20
Overcoming the Comparison Trap

Francesca Baretta

Instagram: @theearlymorningmotherrunner

Amanda Perras

Instagram: @soulrunnernh

Website: soulrunnnh.com

Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

Fueling for Performance: Insights from Alex Larson

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 04:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Amanda welcomes Alex Larson, a registered dietitian and endurance athlete, to discuss the intricacies of nutrition for athletes. They explore Alex's journey into dietetics and triathlons/biking, the importance of carb loading, protein needs for athletes, navigating supplements, hydration strategies, the risks of under-fueling and intermittent fasting, addressing GI issues, and debunking common nutrition myths. Alex shares her expertise and practical advice for athletes looking to optimize their performance through proper nutrition.

00:00
Introduction to Alex Larson and Her Journey

07:00
Understanding Carb Loading for Endurance Athletes

17:30
Protein Needs for Vegan Athletes

19:56
Navigating Supplements: What Works and What Doesn't

25:56
The Importance of Hydration and Sweat Testing

30:33
The Importance of Hydration in Cold Weather

33:09
Under-Fueling: A Common Pitfall for Athletes

35:48
The Risks of Intermittent Fasting for Athletes

38:11
Recognizing Red Flags of Under-Fueling

42:55
Addressing GI Issues During Races

51:08
Debunking Nutrition Myths and Misconceptions

Alex Larson:

Instagram: @alexlarsonnutrition

Website: alexlarsonnutrition.com

Podcast: Endurance Eats

SoulRunnerNH:

Instagram: @soulrunnernh

Website: soulrunnernh.com

Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

Rachel Steil - Breaking the Silence: from Eating Disorder to Empowerment in Athletics

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In the world of competitive sports, the pressure to perform can often lead to mental health struggles, particularly eating disorders. Rachel Steil, a former elite runner and now a dedicated coach and advocate, shares her inspiring journey of recovery and empowerment in her book, "Running in Silence."

In this conversation, Rachel Steil shares her journey from being a competitive runner to battling an eating disorder and ultimately finding recovery. She discusses the stigma surrounding eating disorders, especially in athletics, and emphasizes the importance of awareness and support. Rachel highlights her advocacy work through her nonprofit, Running in Silence, and the need for early intervention in schools. The conversation also touches on the challenges of recovery, the role of writing in her healing process, and the significance of having a supportive network.

00:00
Introduction to Rachel Stile and Her Journey

02:19
The Early Years of Running and the Onset of Eating Disorders

05:29
The Impact of Eating Disorders on Performance

08:19
The Role of Coaches and Support Systems

11:06
The Recovery Process and Its Challenges

17:03
Founding Running in Silence: Advocacy and Awareness

19:40
The Importance of Education in Preventing Eating Disorders

24:36
Transforming My Relationship with Food

25:50
The Journey of Recovery

29:02
The Power of Sharing Stories

31:32
Breaking the Stigma Around Eating Disorders

35:28
Defining Recovery

37:27
Inspiring Change Through Vulnerability

38:20
Resources for Coaches and Athletes

39:57
Personal Reflections and Future Aspirations

Where to find us:

Rachael Steil -

Instagram - @runninginsilence

Website - runninginsilence.org

Email - rachael@runninginsilence.org

Mentions:

withall.org

SoulRunnerNH -

Instagram - @soulrunnernh

Website - soulrunnernh.com

Email - amanda@soulrunnernh.com

Whitney Heins - Resilience in the Face of Injury & Balancing Motherhood

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

In this conversation, Whitney shares her journey of overcoming injury while training for a marathon, highlighting the lessons learned about resilience and the impact of her training environment. She reflects on the challenges of balancing high-intensity training with motherhood and the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive peers.

As a certified running coach and founder of themotherrunners.com, Whitney shares her experiences and insights on navigating the challenges that come with being a mom and a runner. This blog post delves into her journey, offering valuable advice for mothers looking to maintain their fitness while juggling family responsibilities.

You can find Whitney at:

Instagram: themotherrunners

Website: themotherrunners.com

Podcast: The Mother Runners Podcast

Instagram: soulrunnernh

Website: soulrunnernh.com

Olivia Garcia - From Dancer to a 2:54 Marathoner

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 04:00:00 -0500

In this conversation, Amanda Perras interviews Olivia Garcia, a stay-at-home mom, run coach, and cohost of the podcast 'Miles with Moms.' Olivia shares her journey from being a ballet dancer to becoming a paramedic and eventually a passionate runner. She discusses her struggles with body image and eating disorders, how running helped her find clarity and purpose in motherhood, and her aspirations to qualify for the Boston Marathon, which eventually led her to a 2:54 marathon in October of this year. The conversation delves into the challenges of postpartum running, the benefits of heart rate training, and Olivia's future goals in the sport.

00:00
Introduction to Olivia Garcia

01:22
Olivia's Background and Early Influences

04:16
Transition from Paramedic to Stay-at-Home Mom

06:22
Rediscovering Running and Identity

08:31
The Impact of Dance on Body Image

13:03
Struggles with Eating Disorders

16:54
The Role of Support in Recovery

17:20
Journey to Marathon Running

22:07
Pregnancy and Running Challenges

24:42
Navigating Pregnancy and Running

26:04
Postpartum Challenges and Returning to Running

28:46
The Journey to Marathon Training

30:09
Fueling Strategies for Endurance Running

33:46
Achieving Personal Bests and Setting Goals

39:48
Heart Rate Training and Its Impact

42:37
Future Aspirations and Overcoming Barriers

45:39
Advice for Those Struggling with Body Image

You can find Olivia Garcia on:

Instagram @watch_oliviarun

Podcast @mileswithmomspodcast

Follow me:

Instagram @soulrunnernh

Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

Emily Knight: Hormone Health & Recovery

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 06:00:00 -0500

In this episode, Amanda Perras interviews Emily Knight, a running and strength coach who shares her journey through athleticism, eating disorders, and hormone health. Emily discusses her experiences in college athletics, the impact of coaching on body image, and her healing journey towards hormone healing and recovery. She emphasizes the importance of self-love, support systems, and the need for awareness around hormone health, especially for women. As she prepares for motherhood, Emily expresses her commitment to raising her daughter with a positive body image and advocates for women in sports to prioritize their health over societal expectations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Emily Knight
02:53 Emily's Athletic Background and Early Challenges
05:57 The Impact of College Athletics on Body Image
11:54 The Healing Journey Begins
15:05 Understanding Hormone Health and Its Importance
17:55 Support Systems and Their Role in Recovery
20:45 Weight Restoration and Overcoming Body Dysmorphia
23:59 The Path to Pregnancy and Hormonal Health
26:56 Embracing Motherhood: Raising a Daughter with Self-Love
29:25 The Comparison Trap: Elite Athletes and Health
30:41 Understanding Health Beyond Appearances
33:30 The Value of Healthy Competition in Sports
37:24 Building a Business: Coaching and Hormone Health
40:40 The Importance of Hormone Health Awareness
42:06 Breaking the Stigma: Open Conversations About Women's Health

You can find Emily Knight

Instagram: @knight__fit

Podcast: The Knight Fit Podcast

Follow me:

Instagram: @soulrunnernh

Email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com

Soul Runner: From Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength Introduction

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 17:00:00 -0500

Welcome to the Soul Runner: From Rock Bottom to Resilient Strength Podcast.

Where we take a closer look into the world of fitness, addictions, and mental health talking about real life scenarios of how resilient strength brought amazing people from being at rock bottom to a defeating all odds and beating their battles with addictions and mental health.

We'll discuss nutrition, exercise, tools, and strategies that helped individuals crawl their way out of a space they never thought possible.

So please sit back and relax or take us with you on your workout or run and enjoy these episodes.

Instagram: soulrunnernh

email: amanda@soulrunnernh.com