What if we spent less time calling people out… and more time shouting them out?
That question hit me as we were driving back from the Oakland Marathon. We had just gone through the 2:57 marathoner and the 18-mile off ramp for the Los Angeles Marathon. It felt like everyone had an opinion but not always a lot of encouragement. So I decided to flip the script.
Welcome to Shoutout Nation. This is where the everyday athlete becomes the headline.
Beyond Podiums and PRs
And no, I’m not talking about podiums, splits, or perfectly executed race plans. I’m talking about the stuff that actually sticks with you. The laugh you didn’t expect mid-run, the group ride where you showed up solo and left with a friend, the moment you admitted, “Hey, I’m not there yet… but I will be.”
To me, those are the real wins in our journeys to our own finish lines. This is what makes the everyday athlete an everyday athlete.
In this first episode, I highlighted four athletes who reminded me why I fell in love with endurance sports in the first place. One showed honesty in their fitness journey. Another leaned into community. One made us laugh (because yes, humor belongs in sport). And another told a story so powerful it reached beyond the finish line.
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Showing Up and Finding Connection
This is what I mean when I say there’s a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body.
Finish lines can be fleeting. There will be a few that stick with you but you’ll forget more than you’ll remember. The stories? Those stay with us. We share them over and over again. We meet new people at run club where we connect through those stories that have been told multiple times.
It’s not about being the fastest. Don’t believe me? I have had multiple conversations with people about the Oakland Marathon and not one person has asked me my finish time. We connected on the hills, the vibe of the crowd, the elation of crossing the finish line. Never about the time it took to get there.
Being part of something bigger than yourself. This is what The Everyday Athlete is about.
Share Those Everyday Athlete Community Stories
So I’ll ask you what I am going to ask every week…
Who are YOU shouting out?
Drop them in the comments and let’s share the stories that inspire us, move us and keep us going.
This community grows stronger when we celebrate each other, not just for what we achieve, but for who we are becoming along the way.
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