STAY FOR THE STORIES: Recent Episodes
Jacob Elijah
stay for the stories is a platform to help share stories. Open conversations about but not limited to who you are, where you come from, what you're doing, and where you're going.
What's your story?
Hosted by Jacob Elijah.
www.instagram.com/stayforthestoriesofficial | stayforthestories.com
Morgan Jay is a musician, comedian, writer, and creator based in Los Angeles. This is his story: He was born and raised in New York. He takes his musical influences from his Brazilian and Italian background and 90’s upbringing. Growing up as a theater kid, he had aspirations to be an actor. Morgan shares his journey from acting to music and comedy. He is a viral sensation taking social media my storm with videos of his shows. Morgan is continuously evolving. He recently put out a new special and is looking forward to taking his show on the road.
Ben is a self-taught baker, husband, father, world traveler, musician, and content creator. This is his story: Growing up in Israel, Ben had a passion for numbers and science - it wasn't until he was in his 20's when his interest in cuisine came to light. With zero cooking experience, he created his own opportunity working at an elite restaurant in Tel Aviv where he discovered his passion for food. What started as a passion has also grown into his own business and lifestyle in NYC. He is the YASSS dude!
Matt Choi is a competitive athlete, content creator, fitness coach, and entrepreneur. This is his story: Growing up with aspirations to become a professional football player, he found his passions in running and all things fitness. While sharing his journey into running, he also grew in storytelling and content creation. Matt utilizes his own experience and expertise to inspire, coach, and illuminate those around him. He is currently in pursuit to race the "big six" marathons: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City.
Shannon Fiedler is a comedian, content creator, advertiser, and former competitive figure skater. This is her story: In her pursuits to become an actress in NYC, her journey eventually led her to find her calling as a comedian and content creator. She's turned into a viral sensation on social media playing various characters in her skits. Shannon continues to spread joy and laughs on stage doing stand-up comedy and online on social media, and continues her pursuits across acting and writing.
Anicka Newell is a 2x Olympian, Canadian track and field athlete, professional pole vaulter, track coach, and personal trainer. This is her story: After only six years into pole vaulting, she made her way into the Olympics representing team Canada - making her first international appearance in the Rio 2016 Games. Her last couple olympic appearances has left her hungry for more and she is soaring to new heights with positive momentum coming out of this past year. Anicka is well on her way to make her third olympic appearance soon and she's eager to stand on the podium with her medal in hand.
Kim Clark, also known as Track Club Babe, is an experienced marathoner, run coach, content creator, commercial real estate broker, and most recently a new mother. This is her story: Without much previous athletic experience, she eventually fell in love with the sport of running and never looked back. She openly shares her journey online and offers tips and advice to runners of all levels. Kim has a lot to be excited about with starting a new chapter as a parent and getting right back into marathon training.
Erin O'hagain is cyclist, vegan, vlogger, and influencer. This is her story: With a passion for the arts and without having much of a history in athletics, she eventually fell in love with cycling and content creation. The "accidental influencer" has recently found her creative outlet sharing her stories and journey online. She is currently overcoming a knee injury and is eager to get back on the bike.
Lydia O'Donnell is a professional athlete, Nike Pacific Run Coach, and the Co-Founder of Femmi. This is her story: Lydia grew up racing, traveling the world, and representing her country, New Zealand, as a professional runner. She is currently active in her community as a Nike Run Coach in addition to coaching her female athletes at Femmi.
Haley Rizek is a University of Pennsylvania senior heptathlete, competing in seven different track and field events. This is her story: Haley grew up in a highly competitive family, competing in multiple sports, eventually finding her niche space in track and field. She is currently the only heptathlete at UPENN.
Sinclaire Johnson is a professional Nike runner, OSU alum, Florida native now living and training in Portland, Oregon. This is her story: She started out her athletic career as a lacrosse player, but she quickly found her talents as a track star and dove head first into being the best runner she could possibly be. She is currently training to compete in the outdoor world championships right in her own backyard in PDX, building on her already impressive track record.
Josh Herbert is a former athlete, current musician, and TikTok influencer. This is his story: Born and raised in Pittsburgh, he grew up interested in sports and music, eventually going all in as an artist. From writing and producing his own music to creating viral TikTok videos with his wife, he is the ultimate content creator.
Maria "Majo" Castro is a former child-star, world traveler, runner, Adidas Runners captain, entrepreneur, and content creator. This is her story: No stranger to being in the spotlight, the former Disney TV host turned runner is now the captain of AR Mexico City. She uses her platform as a runner and storyteller to inspire and encourage those around her.
Vanessa Fraser is a Stanford Alumni, neuroscience genius, all-star runner, skier, and pianist. This is her story: She is a professional Nike runner currently training with Bowerman Track Club based on the West Coast with her heart set on running fast and having fun.
Alex is a TikTok influencer, former athlete, artist, college dropout, and a self-taught marketing expert. This is her story: She found the courage to take a chance on herself and drop out of college to follow her own interests, eventually landing her dream job and sharing her experiences on TikTok.
Kylie Fly is an adventure photographer, storyteller, creator, former competitive basketball player, current grit athlete, and world traveler. This is her story: She fell in love with the outdoors at a young age and never left. Her love of photography has enabled her to create a space that fosters real and meaningful connections with others.
Darcy Budworth is the co-founder and brand director of Take the Bridge, an athlete, traveler, and artist. This is her story: Growing up accustomed to movement and competing in various sports, she continues to move all around designing by day and hosting Take the Bridge races at night. Her motto is just for fun - run, ride, design.
Christianna Burkee is a viral sensation, TikTok legend, a connoisseur of dating advice, entrepreneur, and artist. This is her story: What started out as documentary a trying time in her relationship led to sharing her stories and journey captivated by her wonderful sense of humor and personality.
Allie Kieffer is a competitive athlete, coach, world traveler, a native New Yorker turned Texan, cook, writer, and adventure seeker. This is her story: From running at an early age to accelerating in the sport of distance running - including her pursuits with training and traveling around the world, coaching, sharing her journey, and being an advocate for inclusivity, positivity, and healthier living.
Kevin Cooney is a TikTok all-star, the epitome of your morning cup of coffee, content creator, entrepreneur, and athlete. This is his story: From establishing a tremendous amount of discipline at an early age through sports, he shifted his focus towards business, marketing, and content creation starting his own business and inspiring others through compelling inspirational and motivational videos.
Patrick Pressgrove is a para-athlete, COO of Team CATAPULT (a non-profit aiming to CATAPULT physically challenged athletes), run club captain, ambassador, Houstonian, musician, and photographer. This is his story: Stemming from the mindset of being goal oriented he pushed his own limits and discovered his love for running, accomplishing a handful of marathons and endurance races, he is a trusted resource and beacon for his community.
Ariane Tonka is a well-rounded athlete, ambassador, digital nomad, traveler, entrepreneur, native Canadian who recently moved to the States. This is her story: With a history playing every single sport imaginable, the no-days-off mentality carried over into her professional career in starting her own business and falling into the world of sharing her fitness journey through social media.
Tim Rossi is THE lost boy. This is his story: A native New Yorker, former soccer, baseball, football, and basketball player turned competitive runner, and co-founder of the Lostboys Track Club.
Allison Lynch is a writer, runner, artist, model, marketer, Boston native who recently moved across the country to the West Coast. This is her story: a true artist in all aspects and a competitive athlete with a holistic approach to health, fitness, and mindfulness.
Patrick Jacobson is a designer, semi-sponsored athlete, chef enthusiast, and world traveler teaching us all about how to live life to the fullest. This is his story: A small town Australian native fulfilling his dreams by making it to the big city in Berlin and finding the perfect blend of design, athletics, and all-things creative.
Dr. Amanda Childs is a psychologist and when I say she's an all-around athlete I mean she's an all-around athlete. This is her story: From being the athlete of the year back in her days competing in tennis, softball, and basketball to turning her dislike for conditioning into her love for running.
Ashley Mateo is writer, editor, coach, iron man and 9x marathon finisher. This is her story: From excelling in gymnastics and following a structured training program to nonchalantly signing up for a triathlon via email and discovering her love for running.
Sashah Handal is someone who needs no introduction but I'm going to give her one anyway. This is her story: From being a self proclaimed pizza connoisseur and baking delicious pastries to becoming a star athlete, personal trainer, marathon finisher, and leading group fitness classes.
Gabrielle Yatauro is a former tennis player and collegiate track star who recently completed her first full marathon. This is her story: Sparking from a sibling rivalry and competitive nature, this athlete discovered her natural ability to run fast eventually finding that she could also go the distance and run far.
Brian Quito is a born and bread New Yorker, former boxing champion with more than 100 rounds and 20 matches under his belt, turned runner. This is his story: From finding structure and stability in sports to dropping everything to dive head first into his new found love for running and immersing himself in the NYC Running Community.
Dave Hashim is a former competitive lacrosse player and skiier turned 4x marathon and ultra marathon finisher, and a standout photographer in NYC. This is his story: Having the competitor's mindset to setting personal goals to becoming a better athlete and falling in love with the sport of running.
Jess Wayashe is a former D1 sprinter, 3x Boston Marathon Finisher, and 2x Run Across Haiti ultra marathoner. This is her story: Her love for running as a kid grew into competing in college then eventually leaving corporate America to pursue her passions as a current run coach and trainer.
Jerry Francois is former collegiate track star, current competitive athlete and founder of GoldFinger Track Club. This is his story: From a late start as a runner to blooming and accelerating through college and starting his own running crew in NYC.
Joshua Funderburg is an Equinox Hudson Yards Group Fitness Manager, On Running Ambassador, and soon to be NYC Marathon Finisher. This is his story: His journey from music and broadway to fitness and running.
Lucie Beatrix is a former international model turned competitive athlete. This is her story: Her journey from the runway to running on the track....at high speeds.
Carleth Keys is a former news anchor turned marathoner. This is her story: Her journey falling back in love with running and checking off her goal to finish the Boston Marathon.
This is my story running the Boston Marathon. Just getting my thoughts out there. Still processing. A lot of emotions. Very proud.
Dudley Appo is an expert in all things product and adidas. This is his story: His journey with running and the brand.
Les Boadu is an experienced teacher, runner, and jack of all trades. This is his story: His intro to running and the man behind the miles.
Jacob Elijah is an athlete, content creator, and digital director. This is his story: The non-runner turned runner.