theCauseCoach: Recent Episodes
Mary G. Connolly
giving rise to action; creating mind and body fitness; making the world a better place through running
I discuss why I took the last two weeks off and how marathon runners can find balance in their busy lives.
Follow me on Instagram @thecausecoach Read my blog!
Join the Mercy Home Heroes for the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon: https://marathon.mercyhome.org/chicago2022/
Apps have expanded what runners can do and have made training experiences better. Betsy Magato discusses Charge Running and the impact they have had on running, runners, and charities alike. We also talk about her running journey that started on the soccer field in childhood through most recently helping disabled athletes reach their goals. Her business is Charge Running, her cause is the Kyle Pease Foundation, and this is another inspiring guest! She is a marathoner, 15x Boston qualifier, RRCA and Galloway certified coach, and mom of three.
To learn more or to find Betsy:
Charge Running: https://www.chargerunning.com; @chargerunning on socials (especially check out their Instagram!)
Betsy's Instagram: @runrunstrongcoach
John Jaeger, board member and long-time supporter of Mercy Home for Boys & Girls has challenged himself to run marathons in all 50 states! He is almost to the half way point having run marathons in 22 states and has also raised a whopping $152,000+ toward his $250,000 goal. He shares what inspired him to do this, what keeps him going, and lots and lots of fundraising tips for all charity runners. This episode will motivate you on your charity marathon journey for sure!
Learn more about John and Mercy Home here: https://www.mercyhome.org/blog/leadership/meet-our-board-members-john-jaeger/
John’s Fundraising page: https://p2p.mercyhome.org/diy/john-jaeger
Or call or text John at 708-347-4921 to support him or learn more.
Lydia Nader, registered dietitian nutritionist, discusses the importance of nutrition for optimal heath and performance, especially for marathon runners. We also talk about her experience growing up with Girls on the Run and how she continues to give back to this organization that shaped her lifestyle.
https://fuelwithnader.com
IG: @fuelwithnader
Twitter: @RUNwithNader
You can also find Lydia on Thursday nights running in Logan Square with 3Run2. For more info: https://www.threeruntwo.com or look for 3Run2/Three Run Two on Facebook, Instagram, and Strava.
Kurt Fliegel, runner, concerned citizen, parent and grandparent, (and yes, my husband) discusses practical solutions to end gun violence. He answers the question, "what can I do" and provides a template that everyone can use today to create a personal plan of positive, organized, networked action." He is a supporter of Sandy Hook Promise, but suggests that you look at all the non-government organizations advocating for solutions and find the one which best aligns with your values and thinking.
I would also like to add that Kurt, having recent dental surgery, was reluctant to come on, but felt this cause was too important not to, although he was still a little self-conscious about his speech being less than normal. Sounded okay to me, :) but I promised to put this disclaimer in.
Kurt's template, which can be used to mobilize for this and other causes can be found HERE.
Kurt can be found on Twitter: @kurtfliegel and Instagram (mostly running) @flglchicago
American Cancer Society Director of Development, Christoper Bowles, talks about ACS, how they navigated the pandemic focusing on the needs of patients, volunteers, and survivors, and the benefits of running with DetermiNation, their charity team. He shares his very unique first marathon story, and has lots of ideas and motivation for all charity runners.
For more information on DetermiNation: www.cancer.org/determination
To contact Chris: christopher.bowles@cancer.org
Chicago Marathon training begins the week of June 6! Tim joins to discuss what participants can expect from CARA's summer marathon training program, advice for first-timers as well as seasoned marathoners, and his own running and marathon experiences.
More info about CARA Summer Marathon Training: https://www.cararuns.org/summermarathon
Contact Tim: Tim@CARARuns.org
Instagram: @coachtimbradley @cararuns
Jamie Hershfang ultra runner with DW Running discusses her running journey from 0 to 62, creating challenges to stay motivated during the pandemic including raising money for COVID Solidarity, her team, Fleet Feet Chicago, the Bank of America race series, and her personal cause: the National Eating Disorders Association.
DWRunning Racing Team: https://www.dwrunning.com
Fleet Feet Chicago: https://www.fleetfeet.com/s/chicago (plus in person at the Lakeview location on Southport except Wed & Sat)
Instagram: @jamiehershfang
Carrie Cihasky represents Team PAWS. We discuss the mission and impact of the largest no-kill shelter, the benefits of running for Team PAWS runners form, overcoming the "fundraising is out of my comfort zone" fear, and her own journey as a charity runner.
For more on Team PAWS: https://my.pawschicago.org
Inquiries regarding running for Team PAWS: TeamPaws@pawschicago.org
Find PAWS on all socials @pawschicago and @teampawschicago
Today's episode comes from "down under" with Chicago-Area native, Dale Erdmier, currently living in the the Sydney, Australia. As a runner, running coach, personal trainer, and yoga instructor, Dale is one-stop-shopping for her clients. We talked about the Chicago Area Runners Association, her move to Australia, life and running in Sydney, and getting married during the pandemic.
Website: https://www.dalemarie.org If you're trying to get back after a long winter, download Dale's "Four Weeks to get back to Running"
Instagram: @marathonerdale
Valerie Jencks discusses coming back to running after cancer, battling "long-haul COVID", training for her first marathon at 60, and why she's running for Gilda's Club Chicago.
Valerie’s Team Gilda Fundraising page: https://www.classy.org/fundraiser/3636697
Valerie’s Professional website: https://www.valeriejencks.com
Valerie’s Ted Talk Link: How to Rewrite History
Run for Gilda’s Club Chicago to ensure that anyone impacted by cancer is empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community. For more information, please contact Rebecca Peters: rebeccapeters@gildasclubchicago.org.
Coach Denise Sauriol - 127 time marathon finisher, author, and coach - talks with us today about the importance of the first marathon, having a coach, and over coming obstacles. We discuss giving back to running, Girls on the Run (she's a founder of the Chicago chapter), the power of charity running, and the diversity among the shared experience as a runner.
BOOK: Me, You & 26.2: Coach Denise’s Guide to get YOU to YOUR First Marathon
Instagram: @marathonwhisperer
Website: http://run-for-change.com/
Jim Marrese, Director of Business Development & Strategic Initiatives with Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, discusses the 135-year-old organization's critical mission, their "Heroes," and my new role as manager this 250+ member strong endurance sports fundraising team.
To learn more about Mercy Home visit the website (https://www.mercyhome.org). For more information on becoming a Hero go to: https://marathon.mercyhome.org/chicago2022/ or email me at marcon@mercyhome.org.
This is the last installment of my 8 Steps designed to set you up for success as a charity runner. If you haven't listened to Parts 1 & 2, please go back and do that before continuing with this episode. Today we discuss the final three steps - the doing part!
Find the Cause Coach on FaceBook, LinkedIn and Instagram (@theCauseCoach). And if you want to run with us, the Cause Crew groups can be found on FaceBook and Strava (reach out for an invitation).
Ibon Hernandez, Three Run Two (https://www.threeruntwo.com) crew-mate and fellow Chicago runner, and I talk about her running journey, what to do when your marathon gets cancelled, and why she's running for Imerman Angels (https://imermanangels.org) Find Ibon on Instagram: @bonbon26.2.
On the podcast my sister and I talk about life and running in Ireland, her fundraising activities, and her Irish Travel vlog. There isn't a finer way to spend St. Patrick's Day! Find Jacqueline at...
iRun iHike iCamp: Travel Vlog on YouTube, also fine iRun iHike iCamp on Instagram and Facebook.
Jigsaw: https://jigsaw.ie Jacqueline's Fundraising page: http://www.idonate.ie/JacquelineSheedy (and by the way, abseiling is repelling, just incase you were wondering)
Irish Cancer Society: https://www.cancer.ie (Jacquelines fundraising page to come).
To find races in Ireland on "My Race Results" choose "All Events" and then specify "running" under sport and "Ireland" under country.
Today Brandy Freeland Kuhl and I talk about all the wonderful attributes offered by Chicago Parks, the Inaugural Chicago 13.1, and all the benefits and perks of running that event in June or the marathon in October as a charity runner for Team Chi Parks. She shares her first marathon story and advice for charity runners.
Website: https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org. For more info or to join Team Chi Parks: https://www.chicagoparksfoundation.org/marathon
or reach out to Brandy: marathon@chicagoparksfoundation.org
Three-time cancer survivor, Dave Dubin and his wife Robin Dubin are the founders of AliveAndKickn. They kick-off Colorectal Cancer Month with me talking about what they are doing for Lynch Syndrome patients, what everyone needs to know about this genetic mutation, and how peer-to-peer fundraising is helping this cause.
Find AliveAndKickn on the web: https://www.aliveandkickn.org and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @aliveandkickn
Today we continue our discussion about the how-to of successful charity running.
My "8 Steps" is designed to set you up for success. We started with the first 3 steps last month (episode 4 of season 1). If you haven't listened to that, please do so before continuing with this episode. Today we discuss Steps 4 & 5.
Please tune in and follow along. Subscribe so you get an alert for Parts 3 which will be the final 3 steps.
As always, your feedback, comments, and questions are welcome.
If you are a runner or charity team coordinator and have a charity running success story that you would like to share, I would love to hear from you!
Find me on the web: https://thecausecoach.net (there you can find links to my social media). Join my Facebook or Strava Groups: the Cause Crew
Please join us today as I welcome Dana White the founder of Jersey Women Strong. This phenomenal organization "empowers women to improve their own well-being through fitness and exercise while strengthening our local community through philanthropic outreach and volunteerism." We discuss origins and impact of the 150+ member Jersey Women Strong team and also her Unweighed Project. Dana is building a strong community of life-long runners and athletes who also care about their community! You can't help but be inspired by her!
Jersey Women Strong: https://www.jerseywomenstrong.com
The Unweighted Project: https://www.unweightedproject.com
Also on Instagram and Facebook.
Bill Nugent is running for Project Purple, a running-focused organization dedicated to improving the lives of pancreatic cancer patients through support, hope, & compassion. Join us to learn why this organization's work resonated with Bill and where his charity running journey is taking him this year. We talk about over coming donor fatigue, the Abbott World Majors, and our favorite "ridiculously supportive" New Jersey running group.
Bill’s Project Purple Fundraising page: Fundraising for Project Purple
For more information on Project Purple, how to support them, and get involved: Project Purple Home Page
De Novo Harriers (Northern New Jersey): DeNovoHarriers.com
Emma Walsh is the Development Manager and marathon fundraising team coordinator for Chicago Commons. Join us as she discusses the impact this 128 year old organization is having in Chicago and how their marathon fundraising team is assisting in funding those efforts. She talks about best practices in charity running and team management, and her own first-time marathon experience.
Chicago Commons: https://www.chicagocommons.org
Team Chicago Commons: https://www.chicagocommons.org/event/bank-of-america-chicago-marathon/
Have a bib for the 2022 Chicago Marathon and interested in running for Team Chicago Commons? Please complete this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdeDLW6lBJ-eUsMYelfruRsALy0h7nM4bGWpSb-bnVUA9gfew/viewform
Today we begin a discussion about the how-to of successful charity running.
By starting to work on the first steps of my fundraising plan now, you will set yourself up for success – and maybe get yourself motivated to run in the process. I outline two pre-plan steps to take, which are particularly important for anyone who has yet to choose a charity.
Then I discuss Steps 1 through 3 of my Charity Running Success Plan.
Please tune in and follow along. Subscribe so you get an alert for when Parts 2 & 3 air.
As always, your feedback, comments, and questions are welcome.
If you are a runner or charity team coordinator and have a charity running success story that you would like to share, I would love to hear from you!
Find me on the web: https://thecausecoach.net (there you can find links to my social media). Join my Facebook or Strava Groups: the Cause Crew
Mark Zenobia is the Head Coach for Team Reeve, the charity running team for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. He shares the organization's mission, team goals and strategies, and steps for getting involved.
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: https://www.christopherreeve.org
Team Reeve: https://www.christopherreeve.org/get-involved/fundraise-with-team-reeve
For Team Reeve Inquiries: teamreeve@christopherreeve.org
Jaclyn Ricchio Stover of the "Actually, You are a Real Runner" Podcast and Systems for Self Care, joins us to talk about a better approach to New Year's Resolutions, weight loss, and fueling for marathon training!
Website: https://www.systemsforselfcare.com/moderationmadeeasy
Podcast: Actually, You are a Real Runner (Spotify, Apple, and probably wherever you listen)
Instagram: jaclyn.ricchio.stover
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jaclyn.ricchio.stover
Here's a little background on me and how this podcast came to be, and what it's going to be all about.
For more, please visit my website: www.thecausecoach.net.