WELCOME!
I’M JEN DESALVO, HOST AND CREATOR OF THE PODCAST “MILES FOR CHANGE.”
THIS IS A PASSION PROJECT FOR ME, AS I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE
CHARITY TRAINING PROGRAM
WITH THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON SINCE 2008.
FIRST AS A RUNNER,
THEN AS A MENTOR,
AND MOST RECENTLY
AS A MARATHON COACH.
DURING THIS TIME, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF MENTORING HUNDREDS OF RUNNERS, BOTH FIRST-TIME AND EXPERIENCED, TO A MARATHON FINISH WHILE FUNDRAISING.
AT THE SAME TIME,
I HAVE WORKED IN CHICAGO MEDIA
AS A WRITER,
A NEWS AND TRAFFIC ANCHOR,
AND A REPORTER.
I’VE HEARD COUNTLESS AMAZING STORIES FROM THE RUNNERS I HAVE COACHED, INTERVIEWED IN MY JOB, AND OTHERS I’VE MET ON THE TRAILS.
EVERY ONE OF THE HUNDREDS OF STORIES HAS BEEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A PIECE OF THAT EXPERIENCE, AND USE IT TO CONTINUE INSPIRING MORE.
I’VE COMPLETED THE BANK OF AMERICA CHICAGO MARATHON EIGHT TIMES, AND SEVERAL WALT DISNEY WORLD MARATHONS.
EVEN THOUGH I HAVE SOME MARATHONS UNDER MY SPI-BELT, AND HAVE COACHED ADULTS TO MARATHON FINISHES AND KIDS TO 5K GLORY, I AM FIRST AND FOREMOST AN ULTRA RUNNER.
SINCE 2010, I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN GREATER THAN 50 ULTRAMARATHON DISTANCE RACES.
THEY INCLUDE COUNTLESS EVENTS WITH DISTANCES OF RANGING FROM 30 TO 100 MILES AND TIMED RUNS FROM EIGHT HOURS TO AS LONG AS 24 HOURS.
DURING THESE LONG RACES, I MEET NEW PEOPLE.
WE SPEND MILES AND HOURS TOGETHER JUST TELLING STORIES.
WE LEARN EACH OTHER’S “WHY.”
OUR ORIGIN STORIES.
WHERE WE CAME FROM, WHAT WE HAVE LIVED THROUGH, AND WHO WE ARE TODAY.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY PEOPLE DECIDE TO SIGN UP TO BATTLE MONTHS OF TRAINING TO SPEND AN ENTIRE DAY IN THE END CAKED IN SALT, SOAKED IN SWEAT, AND PUSHING THROUGH PAIN.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY I DO IT, TOO.
EACH STORY MAY BE VERY DIFFERENT,
BUT DEEP DOWN, WE ALL HAVE THE SAME MOTIVATION.
THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME ON THIS EPIC AND REWARDING JOURNEY, TELLING THE STORIES OF PEOPLE RUNNING MILES FOR CHANGE.
-Jen
Twitter: @TheJenDeSalvo
Instagram: @TheJenDeSalvo
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thejendesalvo
Miles For Change, The Podcast 