Gratitude, Growth & Community Reflections | Fireside Chat Podcast
Wonderful Wednesday Reflections:
Gratitude, Growth & Community on the Run
Endurance sports have a way of grounding us. Whether you’re chasing a marathon PR, heading out for your daily shakeout run, or simply trying to be a better version of yourself, running has an uncanny ability to bring clarity, connection, and perspective. In this special “Wonderful Wednesday” edition of Fireside Chat on the Everyday Athlete Podcast Network, host Jason Bahamundi gathers community favorites—Joe Hardin, Santino Williams, and Jen Binns—for a conversation centered around gratitude, growth, and the joy of simply showing up.
For athletes navigating holiday chaos, seasonal fatigue, or mental clutter, this episode is a reminder that the sport we love doesn’t just build stronger bodies, it builds stronger humans.
Embracing Gratitude on the Run
One of the core themes of the episode is gratitude. We aren’t talking the Instagram-ready kind, but the real, messy, deeply personal kind. Jason opens the conversation by acknowledging what many athletes feel this time of year: the friction between wanting structure and needing rest. Between joy and overwhelm. Between wanting to train hard and needing mental space.
For co-host Joe Hardin, gratitude begins with sobriety. Another year clean has allowed him to be more present with his family, his athletes, and himself. As runners and triathletes, we understand that “presence” is one of the greatest gifts training gives us. You can only be where your feet are, and Joe’s story is a testament to what happens when you choose, over and over again, to keep showing up.
Jason reflects gratitude back with warmth. He shows an appreciation for the humor, accountability, and companionship that Joe brings both to the podcast and the community. For endurance athletes, friendships like this often make the difference between burnout and breakthrough.
Boundaries, Better People & Becoming Who You Needed
When Santino Williams joins the conversation, the energy shifts toward personal transformation. He speaks openly about the power of setting boundaries which is something endurance athletes rarely give themselves permission to do. We often stretch ourselves thin: physically, mentally, emotionally, socially. Yet growth often comes from choosing the right people, not more people.
Santino reminds us that training is not just miles and that it is a mindset. It’s choosing environments that fuel you. It is giving energy to relationships that lift you. It’s understanding that our sport is hard enough without carrying the weight of unhealthy dynamics.
For Jen Binns, gratitude takes the form of reconnection. Returning to sport after major life transitions like completing nursing school. Her story highlights something endurance athletes know well: running and triathlon don’t just make us stronger; they hold us together when life feels overwhelming. Jen’s experiences reinforce Jason’s reframing of the word “influencer.” You don’t need a massive platform to make a massive impact. A text message asking “Did you run today?” carries as much influence as any viral post.
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Relearning History & Broadening Perspective
The conversation takes a deeper turn as the group discusses the complexity of Thanksgiving, particularly through the lens of Indigenous history. Jason shares how connecting with Indigenous athletes and organizations like Rising Hearts reshaped his understanding of the holiday. Tools like Native-Land.ca become gateways to learning whose land we run on and whose stories have gone unheard.
For endurance athletes who value community, inclusivity, and representation, this reflection invites us to expand our awareness. Our sport does not exist in isolation; it exists on land, in history, and across cultures.
Music, Memories & Meals That Ground Us
Then comes the joyful chaos: playlists, favorite meals, and the traditions that make running communities feel like family. Joe shares childhood memories of his grandmother’s hand-rolled chicken noodles. Santino praises every dessert he encounters. Jason passionately defends stuffing with sausage and cranberries like it’s his main race-day strategy.
These moments are lighthearted, but they remind us why we love this sport and it iss not just the miles. It’s the shared joy, humor, and humanity we bring to them.
Entertainment, Curiosity & Dream Guests
The episode winds down with TV and movie preferences and a playful debate about dream podcast guests. From Bad Bunny to Denzel Washington, from Nick Offerman to Method Man, the list highlights the curiosity and personality that define the Fireside Chat community.
Just like in training, expansiveness matters. New interests, new ideas, new conversations … they keep us learning and evolving.
Community Growth, Celebration & What Comes Next
Jason closes the episode by acknowledging a milestone: over 15,500 downloads in just over a year. For a podcast dedicated to everyday athletes, it’s proof of something powerful. People are craving real stories, honest voices, and spaces that celebrate showing up over showing off.
He also teases the upcoming Run Club Tour, an opportunity to bring the online community into real-world movement, connection, and shared miles. It’s not just running; it’s belonging.
This Fireside Chat reminds us of what truly matters in endurance sports:
- Gratitude.
- Perspective.
- Connection.
- Growth.
- And always, always—fun.
No matter where you are in your training or your life, you’re not doing this alone.
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