Let‘s_Get_Uncomfortable

Episode 16: TriLatino Triathlon Club is helping minorities break barriers in three sports

Listening to Cesar Argueta Jr. and Michelle Mendoza of TriLatino Triathlon Club, you can't help but be just as passionate as they are in their efforts to create access to the triathlon disciplines. We know that financial barriers can limit access to sports, but TriLatino is unfazed at the prospect of helping their members excel at running, biking and swimming. Their Bronx, New York-based nonprofit was founded in 2009, and the mission to bring minorities into triathlons is stronger than never. The Covid pandemic has exposed the lack of resources in many communities, and at a time when mental health is finally grabbing headlines, the importance of physical activity for all is a life changer for individuals, families and communities.

Episode 15: Andy Kucer and Students Run Philly Style lace up to mentor through runnning

Students Run Philly Style is a Philadelphia-based non-profit that uses running to mentor 6th through 12th graders from all over the city. The program not only introduces the students to fitness, but it also eliminates many of the barriers in running. At the end of the year, the students will either run the Philadelphia Half or the Philadelphia Marathon. The program mentors over 1,500 a year. On our latest episode Andy Kucer, the executive director of SRPS, shares the lessons they teach the students, how they stayed connected through the pandemic and why they became part owners of the Philadelphia Distance Run.

Episode 14: Thi Minh Huyen Nguyen on women and Asian representation in running

Like many leaders, Nguyen Thi Minh Huyen was catapulted into activism by life. When she returned to Berlin in 2018, there were no running groups where she found Asians or other minorities. Huyen wanted to create the same energy and community that she experienced in New York City, and teamed up with ex-pat Daniel Medina to form WayvRunKollevtiv. Leadership has come with its ups and downs, a global pandemic and the rise of hate crimes against Asians. Today, Huyen opens up about growing up in Germany as the child of Vietnamese immigrants, how running helped her find her super power and her work with ichbinkeinvirus wocforward globalwomenruncollective. 
Editor's note: Nazis attacking a refugee home in 1992 in Rostock-Lichtenhagen, Germany and the two boys who were murdered by a racist arson attack were Nguyen Ngoc Chau and Do Anh Lan, this happened in 1980 at Halskestrasse near Hamburg. Huyen references the attack at the 25 minutes mark.

Episode 13: Liz Rock and the Boston TrailblazHers

When most people take the first step towards getting healthy, they start by following a couch to 5k program. Liz Rock is not at all like most people. The co-founder of TrailblazHers and the Bra Run dove in with a sprint triathlon in 2016. By the end of 2018 she completed 4 of the 6 world major marathons (New York, Boston, London and Chicago). As  women leaders in the running community Liz Rock, Francis Ramirez and Abeo Powder have created a space that uses running as the foundation for physical, emotional, and spiritual health. 

Episode 12: Leandrew Belnavis and the Unnamed Run Crew on disrupting running in Boston.

When Leandrew Belnavis started his running journey on a dare -- with a couch to half-marathon training program --, little did he know that such a simple yet courageous act, would lead him to become one of the leaders in the Boston running community. His role grew even as protesters flooded the streets to demand justice for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the death of Breonna Taylor. Through his running group, Unnamed Run Crew created in 2015, Leandrew is giving people of color a space to run, supporting local businesses impacted by the pandemic, and building alliances with other Boston based groups to fight for social justice. 

Episode 11: Peter Bromka , the runner who aims to bend time to his will

Peter Bromka is a man who challenges time often. For his first marathon as a college senior, he ran the Boston Marathon at 3 hours and 8 minutes. In 2020, at age 39, he ran a 2:19:02 marathon in Houston. How does someone get faster from one decade to the next? How do you keep running when time is slipping away on the Olympic Qualifying course three times? Peter is a member of the Browerman Track Club Elite, a writer, and a man who grew up in the 80s under the "color blind" teachings of society, and hopes he can do better for his son's generation. 

Episode 10: Bridgerunners, where expect the unexpected is a lifestyle.

Wednesday nights in New York City have belonged to Bridgerunners since 2003, and no run with the trendsetters in urban running is ever the same. You can expect to get lost, find jewels in the city you think you already know, and also learn about the history and culture of new neighborhoods while dodging traffic and sprinting down a bridge. Mike Saes and Cedric Hernandez have elevated the concept of a run crew to bridge connections from boroughs, to sister cities and countries. 

Episode 9: Elevating Native Women Running stories

As a Navajo woman, Verna Volker sees running as a way to connect with her ancestors, and to heal from the generational and historical trauma suffered by Native people in the United States. Through Native Women Running, Verna is giving a voice to many of the issues that are crippling Native communities. A pressing issue, is the plight of missing and murdered Native Women. “When Native Women go missing or are murdered, those crimes are not often investigated. If the crime happens on tribal land, then it is handled by tribal law, but they have no jurisdiction over none Native people,” Verna said. In addition to NW, Verna is also using her voice to challenge the running industry on its lack of representation a BIPOC as a founding member of Running Industry Diversity Coalition.

Episode 8:Gary Corbitt, a son keeping Ted Corbitt's running legacy alive.

As the proud son of Ted Corbitt and a running history expert, Gary Corbitt has spent countless hours documenting the legacy of African-American runners. His Black Running History Timeline project spans from 1880-1979, a work that highlights the resiliency, courage and desire to excel during one of the darkest moments of American history. In 2019, Gary was inducted into the National Black Marathoners Association, for his contribution to the sport through his work. Gary shared the mission for the Ted Corbitt Archives, his relationship with New York Road Runners (a club co-founded by his father),  the demands for change within the running industry,  NYRR, and why the Black Lives Matter movement will improve the sport.

Episode 7: Jessie Zapo, founder of Girls Run NYC, Black Roses, and Adidas leadership

Jessie Zapo never thought of herself as a runner, but after years of contributing to the urban running culture in NYC with Bridgerunners and founding Black Roses with Knox Robinson, she stepped out on her own to create Girls Run NYC. In the latest episode of Let’s Get Uncomfortable she shares her experiences of becoming a coach in the very male dominated NYC scene, the strides that Adidas has taken to add more women and minorities as coaches and taking on the Speed Project.