Running to Mental Health: Recent Episodes
David Jones and John Brower
Running to Mental Health is a forum to discuss the positive effects of running on mental health issues.
I first heard Dr. Doug Lisle speak several years ago at a Forks Over Knives conference in Atlanta. A clinical psychologist practicing in California, Dr. Lisle has been at the forefront of developing a clear understanding of how self-esteem works. … Continue reading →
My good friend, Julio Salazar, and two of his good friends will be running across Wisconsin to raise awareness of the need to defeat the stigma of mental health issues. I have significant pride in counting Julio as one of … Continue reading →
For many years, one of my favorite podcasts has been Phedippidations. The host, Steve Runner (Walker) is our guest today. Steve has been a runner for many years and his podcast covers thoughts about the philosophy and psychology of running, … Continue reading →
My friend, Julio Salazar, first made my aware of Karl Hoppner as someone that I would want to interview. Karl lives in Ottawa, Canada. As a former cyclist in Canada and Belgium during his adolescence, depression and anxiety began to … Continue reading →
I am very pleased to present this episode’s interview with three time Olympic middle distance runner Suzy Favor Hamilton. Suzy was at the top of her game having competed at three Olympic games when her undiagnosed bipolar disorder became highly … Continue reading →
In this episode, Julio and I interview Adam Sud, son of one of Whole Foods founders. Adam is a recovering addict. We hear about Adam’s fast drop in to drug abuse during high school while moving from using Adderall as … Continue reading →
Anyone who follows ultrarunning is probably hearing talk about an up and coming runner named Breanna Cornell. She recently completed the Badwater Ultra becoming the youngest female to have ever completed one on the most grueling courses on the planet. … Continue reading →
Most of you probably know who Charlie Engle is already. His legendary runs have been documented in films like Running the Sahara. Charlie is in recovery from chemical dependency. In today’s episode, we spend time discussed his addiction and tracing … Continue reading →
As our first return guest, Julio Salazar talks about his upcoming run across the state of Minnesota. Julio’s project, Break the Stigma, addresses the issue of persons being afraid to be open about their mental health issues. He promotes openness … Continue reading →
I am not personally aware of anyone who has coached more runners than Jeff Galloway. Over 300,000 in his career. Best known for being a proponent of the run-walk-run method, Jeff is also one of the most knowledgeable professionals on … Continue reading →
Brett Wilcox is a therapist in Sitka, Alaska. He lives there with his wife, son, and daughter. Brett’s 15 year old son, David, a runner himself, proposed the idea of the two of them running across the United States to … Continue reading →
On today’s podcast, I interview Roger Joslin, an Episcopal priest in Bentonville, Arkansas. We are continuing along the theme of our last few episodes by discussing the spiritual and meditative effects of running. While discussing these issues with one of … Continue reading →
On today’s episode, I interview Michael Sandler of www.mindfulrunning.org. Michael has been a professional athlete and has dealt with ADHD. In his search to become a better athlete while on long sessions on the bike, he began to become interested … Continue reading →
On today’s episode of the Running to Mental Health Podcast, I interview Marshall Ulrich. Let me list below some of his accomplishments: Completed 121 ultra marathons averaging over 100 miles each Reached the summit of each of the Seven Summits, … Continue reading →
On today’s episode, I will be talking to Dr. Jacqueline Gunn, a psychologist practicing in New York City. Dr. Gunn and I first got to know each other on the Facebook site. She wrote to let me know that she … Continue reading →
As have most of you, I have been thinking a lot about the tragic death of Robin Williams since I heard the news yesterday. It is a tragedy to lose such a genius to this insidious disease. It is a … Continue reading →
Patrick House won Season 10 of the Biggest Loser. He is from my home state of Mississippi. The boy knew how to eat, like most of us, unfortunately. It’s a classic story of a very good football player, a lineman, … Continue reading →
Chris Vargo is the 50 mile champion for the United States. He is a member of the Nike Trail Elite Team and an accomplished ultra-runner. Chris is also a recovering alcoholic. In today’s interview, Chris discusses his roots in Indiana, … Continue reading →
First of all, thank you to all the new followers. Welcome to Running to Mental Health. Let me encourage all of you to share your own stories of how running has helped you emotionally and to ask any question that … Continue reading →
On today’s episode, I interview Caleb Daniloff. I first became aware of Caleb when I read his book, Running Ransom Road, an autobiography of descent into addiction over many years and his recovery. Caleb’s road to recovery involved running as … Continue reading →
Julio Salazar has struggled with depression and anxiety for most of his life. Born in Costa Rica and now living with his wife and children in Minnesota, Julio has courageously worked to overcome these issues with therapy, medication, and, of … Continue reading →
Most of you have experienced in one was or another the effects of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. In today’s episode, we have the opportunity to talk to someone who has been effected by this and hear how running helped in its … Continue reading →
Most of us have had or know someone who has had a chronic disease like diabetes, cardiovascular disease or hypertension. In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Rick Guynes, a board certified cardiologist, and Dr. Ed Daly, a board certified internal … Continue reading →
Our podcasts are now available on iTunes. Just search for Running to Mental Health. Please subscribe and spread the word.
We’ve just recorded our first podcast which introduces us and tells a little of our stories. Give us some feedback when you can. Enjoy the listen. http://traffic.libsyn.com/runningtomentalhealth/Episode_1-_Running_to_Mental_Health.mp3
The following is an abstract of a study reported in the Journal of Sport Psychology addressing the withdrawal symptoms in runners who have to miss running sessions. I think most of us can relate. “The types and frequency of sensations … Continue reading →
In a 2005 study presented in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, researchers found that aerobic exercise, at the level suggested for public health, reduced depression as measured by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression by 47% over 12 … Continue reading →
I won a trophy last weekend. I placed first in my age division in a half-marathon. The fact that I placed first is not the important part of this. The fact that I was able to place first is. In … Continue reading →
On this week of Thanksgiving, my thoughts turn to gratitude for the ability to continue to run. Ten years ago, this coming month, Lori and I were in New York for a meeting and to do some Christmas shopping. It … Continue reading →
Have you ever wondered if you are addicted to running? I certainly have, and my answer at times has been YES. Psychiatrist William Glasser introduced the idea of positive addiction many years ago. When compared to chemical dependency or other … Continue reading →
Check out the article in Outside Magazine about work being done on exercise and the treatment of depression. http://www.outsideonline.com/fitness/mental-conditioning/The-Exercise-Prescription-for-Depression.html
In a 2005 study entitled, “Running has Differential Effects on NPY, Opiates, and Cell Proliferation in an Animal Model of Depression and Controls”, published in the journal, Neuropsychopharmacology (2006), evidence was gleaned reinforcing the hypothesis that running helps in the … Continue reading →
Another book recommendation: Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John Ratey, M.D. Dr. Ratey is a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. In this book, he discusses the remarkable new research that … Continue reading →
John and I are working on a book dealing with the positive effects of running on the treatment of addiction. As part of the book, we are interviewing runners who have dealt with addictions and have used running as part … Continue reading →
Here are some race reports from John. http://blog.rockcreek.com/archives/rockcreek-race-team-member-john-brower-on-a-pair-of-100-milers.html
This past weekend, I participated in the Rock Creek Stump Jump Trail Race on Signal Mountain, TN. I was reminded of just how healing it is to be with a group of really good friends doing what we all love … Continue reading →
Recently, I published a short article in the online magazine mindbodygreen.com about the use of running in the treatment of addiction. Here is the link to Why Running Helps with Addiction.
We all are familiar with the much sought after runner’s high. For many years we have explained this high in terms of the release of endorphins, our natural opiates, to explain the phenomena while running. I have actually had this … Continue reading →
Periodically, I would like to recommend a book related to the issues we are discussing here. Today, it’s Running Ransom Road by Caleb Daniloff. Caleb tells his compelling personal story of growing up in a family where his father was … Continue reading →
One of the most interesting bits of research that I have come across lately comes from the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The paper is entitled, Running Enhances Neurogenesis, Learning, and Long-term Potentiation. You may be like me. I … Continue reading →
Welcome to Running to Mental Health. The title says it all. This is a site devoted to a discussion of the effect of running on all mental health issues. I am a counselor in private practice and a long time … Continue reading →