Episode 24: Dynamic Running Therapy (DRT) with William Pullen

Episode 24 is available on most Podcast Apps!  (Apple, Spotify, Anchor, Google, etc.)

Our guest this week is the third in a series of 3 Episodes featuring different approaches to running therapy.  This is the perfect one to wrap up our series, because it has components of partner running (empathy runs), as well as opportunity to work through William Pullen's Dynamic Running Therapy on one's own.  A Therapist who values and has studied philosophy and psychology, and applies many key aspects of mindfulness to his work. DRT can be used in so many ways, many of which we discuss in this episode.  Furthermore, this movement therapy is incredibly accessible through the free app he has developed, as well as his book/interactive workbook "Running with Mindfulness: Dynamic Running Therapy to Improve Low-Mood, Anxiety, Stress and Depression". It has been called a radically simple approach combining elements of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness, relational philosophy and exercise. 

We discuss why it is ideal for individuals that want to deepen their running practice, and get more in touch with themeselves and their emotions through self-introspection questions.  Pullen's voice navigates us in this episode, but also he does so even more eloquently through his App for each area of therapy, an explanation and guidance. Movement and getting moving is especially valuable to those that are dealing with any difficult emotions such as self esteem issues, anger, stress, depression or anxiety on a regular basis. There is also a healthy relationship practice, which deals with questions together through "empathy runs", in which a couple/pair practices active listening and deep sharing in organized turns. Pullen developed DRT to "bring the mind into perfect harmony with the body through the healing experience of mindful running". Channeling running energy into personal change in all aspects of our life is made both simple and effective by this insightful step-by-step process, developed through years of therapy and mindfulness practice. In everything we do, he encourages us to just get moving, make small changes and positive results will naturally flow from them. His guidance has helped countless people to do so, and his story is both uplifting and inspiring! Please visit his website and see the following videos to gain some perspective on the work, and give the app a try:

His Therapy page, where he explains more about methods and types of therapy offered:  http://williampullenpsychotherapist.com/

Video Explanation:  

His TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq6393AreD4

Find his Books on Amazon:

Running With Mindfulness:  https://www.amazon.com/Running-Mindfulness-Dynamic-Low-mood-Depression/dp/0735219796

Run for Your Life: https://www.amazon.com/Run-Your-Life-Mindful-Running/dp/B01MSYFBYI

Episode 23: UNBREAKABLE with Dan McGann of "RxRun", Founder David Harris and Coordinator Nils Blondon- on Mental Health & Group Running Therapy

Episode 23  UNBREAKABLE with Therapist Dan McGann of RxRun, Founder David Harris & Coordinator Nils Blondon, on Mental Health & Running Therapy

Dan McGann, Running Therapist

Therapist Dan McGann is the second of our 3 part series featuring running as therapy, and offers some groundbreaking insights into work with groups of young people and families in Ontario, Canada.  The results of his years of work honing the program are no less than astounding, with now groups of graduates of the program becoming public speakers for other new runners. Now in his 14th year of doing so, Dan has witnessed incredible impact on the mental health and resilience of young people in group therapy and seen running's ability to completely change lives.  It has been so successful that he has extended it to families and now has several groups meeting twice per week (in two different seasonal sessions) throughout the year.  The idea is that individuals will "get moving" and see themselves as successes involved in something life-affirming. This helps achieve something together with a group or family, and builds up to something greater in life. "Running as a training ground to overcome obstacles in our lives / way of thinking", and this is the life goal of Dan's work, especially to change the view of those that perceive themselves as "broken"...

Nils Blondon

Coordinator/Manager Nils Blondon of "Team Unbreakable" also joins us for a bit to explain his work, giving others tools to replicate this important youth work thru running model, and paving a new way of thinking about mental health. He coordinates the curriculum and helps schools/youth program set up their own programs, including motivational speakers and group running focused on young people expressing their feelings, struggles and developing mindfulness.  This is a free service and effort to spread this approach to youth groups throughout the schools in the Toronto area, with hopes to share with organizations and youth groups throughout North America and beyond, so that no one will have to suffer alone.

Unbreakable Group lining up for THE 5K

Lastly, it has been supported continuously by Founder of Unbreakable & CEO David Harris of what was originally "Cameron Helps", created as a lifeline after experiencing the loss of his own son to mental illness.  He explains his own struggles with depression and health, and the solace he has found in running, that he wants to share with others, especially young people who are struggling with depression. This ongoing outreach today is provided through grants, offering resources for anyone hoping to impact mental health access for young people, through running and inspiring role models!

Below you will find amazing stories, inspiration and film demonstrating this work:

TEAM UNBREAKABLE Website: http://www.teamunbreakable.ca/

Rx Run Documentary (available on Amazon): 

https://vimeo.com/270142934

 https://filmfreeway.com/RxRun

“I Eat Hills for Breakfast”  – interviews with teens and parents. https://vimeo.com/12099959

Media:

https://runningmagazine.ca/bloggers/one-documentary-explores-benefits-running-struggling-mental-health/

http://www.teamunbreakable.ca/creator-of-run-therapy-programs-modelled-by-team-unbreakable-still-inspiring-youth/

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2010/11/30/running-up-that-hill-teens-run-to-battle-depression/

https://www.thestar.com/news/insight/2011/12/02/teen_suicide_chasing_down_demons.html

Episode 22: Certified Running Therapist Rachel Reingewirtz

Episode 22 with Running Therapist Rachel Reingewirtz is available on most podcast apps, including Apple, Spotify, Google and Anchor!  This is our first in what we hope will be a series of episodes on running as therapy, hosting leading Running Therapists from across the globe...

Rachel on a daily run with young people in Israel

In this episode Rachel guides us on a very down-to-earth realistic view of the start and development of Running Therapy, and how she has seen its usefulness in action, from treating anxiety/depression to working with at risk youth in Israel. Being trained by its founder Thaddeus Kostrubala, MD (The Joy of Running and Paleoanalysis) who spearheaded research into slow long distance running actually being good for the body-mind-spirit in the 70s , she saw his foundation of all that would follow in neuroanalysis research and mindful running movements today. Through talk therapy while running, she is able to achieve much deeper and much quicker breakthroughs than in traditional therapy. We also discuss the overall therapeutic benefits of running, and hope for its development as a holistic mental health therapy and human connector, inspiration and possibility for treating many more mental health challenges in the future.  More details also on Rachel’s website: www.rachelrun.com

• Links to Dr. Kostumbala's groundbreaking work starting running therapy:

THE JOY OF RUNNING by Thaddeus Kostumbala  (book on Amazon)

PALEOANALYSIS AND RUNNING THERAPY: The Joy of Running 2 (book on Amazon)

• Dr. Wolfgang Shu:ler's work and the German Running Therapists Network Homepage (only in German at this time): https://www.lauftherapie-vdl.de/de/
• "Outside Magazine" Article featuring running as therapy: https://www.outsideonline.com/2373501/running-therapy-william-lent-sepideh-saremi

*Other Running Therapists whose work is widely available: 

* SCOTT DOUGLAS's book "Running is my Therapy" (Runners World writer mentioned in podcast)
* WILLIAM PULLEN (UK Therapist) has been featured in several podcasts and articles as well for his work and book "Running with Mindfulness", as well as DRT Therapy method including a free APP (link below)

Therapist Dann McGann in North America, known for innovative work with 
teens and outstanding documentary film on this work, "Rx Run":

http://danmcganntherapy.com/

Trailer & Film Website:

https://filmfreeway.com/RxRun

Film on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Rxrun-Dan-MacGann/dp/B07DTYMWW2

*Hey, there's an APP for that:

1. You can find Dr. Pullen's free "DRT" (Dynamic Running Therapy) itunes/android.  
2. You can also find several Mindful Running Meditations on INSIGHT TIMER (world's largest free meditation app) by searching for "Running Anthropologist".

Episode 21: Sanjay Raway, The 3100 Mile Transcendence Race, A Running Documentary on Navajo, Buddhist Monks and Kalahari Bushmen

Episode 21 is available on most podcast apps, including Anchor, Apple, Google and Spotify!

Film highlight: Navajo Runner Shaun Martin in Desert Ancestral Lands

Film maker Sanjay Rawal

"3100: Run and Become" film website: https://3100film.com/

Join us on a journey through traditional running cultures and our shared human heritage as runners, from the Kalahari bushmen in Africa to Navajo runners across their ancestral lands, as well as a unique look at Buddhist monks in one of the longest human endurance journeys known to man (previously incorrectly called the "Marathon Monks"). 

Filmmaker Sanjay Rawal examines running as a means of self-transcendence, and particularly in his own practice inspired by following Guru Sri Chinmoy, who in the 70s helped endurance running to grow into what it is in New York and inspired sports and meditation as a peace builders speaking in the United Nations, including the 3100 mile race. Sanjay’s films “3100: Run and Become” (as well as “Food Chains”, based upon Immokalee migrant workers' battle for fair wages and displaying the underside of our agricultural food chain) both help us to think about our place in the world and responsibility to one another and the planet.  Overall, this talk helps us to see our place in a long lineage of runners, and bids us to connect more deeply to the land through "meditation and prayer in every step".

Film website "Food Chains": http://www.foodchainsfilm.com/

Episode 20: 20 Minutes with RunDisney Coach Jeff Galloway: On Injury Prevention, Cross Training and Ideal Run:Walk Ratios

Episode 20: 20 Minutes with Jeff Galloway is available on most podcast apps:  Apple, Google, Spotify, Anchor, etc.

Returning guest Jeff Galloway, the official RunDisney coach for marathon training and founder of the Run:Walk:Run method, sits down to cover some of his most Frequently Asked Questions after his last visit to the podcast.  Among those:
- What do I do to cross train and strength build to prevent injury?
- What exercises are beneficial when I am injured?, and...
- How do I know when I'm doing too much? (What difference in training/mileage buildup should there be for a beginning marathoner vs. experienced runners?)

Going right along with these question, we touch on the ideal "Run:Walk Time Ratio" for various paces and levels, as backed up by current research and data on thousands of runners. Jeff also touches on the importance of adjusting pace according to high temperatures, notably adjusting pace approximately 1 minute/mile slower for every several degrees over 65*.

An extremely useful resource to delve deeper into the above questions is Jeff's flagship book and most up to date with many revisions, "The Run-Walk-Run Method".
PDF quick explanation: http://jeffgalloway.com/pdf/walkbreaks.pdf
Galloway Website, details on training and opportunities:  http://www.jeffgalloway.com/

Episode 19: Peace Corps Running Stories III: Featuring Mike DeLoge, Hallah Wallace and Tobi Hannah-Davies

Peace Corps Running Stories III is available on most podcast apps.

Hannah Wallace is a Pole Vaulter and track runner, and used this to connect with people in her service while in Paraguay recently, from 2017-2019. Honing her craft for over 14 years while in competitive track & field in HS and college, she was used to training but during her service she didn't have the opportunity to work out as she was accustomed, and instead ran whenever she could. 

This led to her first 5k and 10k while in Paraguay!  Using bamboo, which was in abundance, she taught and encouraged students with her unique sport of pole vaulting, creating makeshift vaulting space on a soccer field the first time, and using this and a combo of running/soccer to create a Sports and Health Day Camp, also tackling diabetes prevention and NCD prevention, along with healthy diet/nutritional planning.  

Mike out on the trails!

Due to his experience in the Peace Corps, Mike Deloge became an Ultra Runner and has continued seeking greater challenges back home in the D.C. area, realizing he could do just about anything when he put his mind to it by "taking the long view", as he learns a great deal from "perceived failures" in running & in service. He experienced coastal Colombia near Cartagena during his service, and ran "to make each day productive, even when felt I didn't accomplish much on a given day", something of a trendsetter in his rural areas of service. He later ran in the nation of Georgia as a Peace Corps Response volunteer (a short 6 month stint in an area of vital need, Georgia is a former Russian state in the Caucuses), where he took part in the "Tiblisi Marathon". 

In this episode he explains what he learned from his first few 50K attempts! He also explains how running allowed him to reach more people and connect to his environment in a unique way, to better know the places he has worked and overcome obstacles he had not expected, such as slow progress in his project and many setbacks!

Tobi Hanna-Davies served in Micronesia from 1969-1971 and was a true pioneer in the early days of PC service as a teacher, she also ran/walked barefoot daily following the example of her host community children and adults. In this episode she describes her island and it's geography extensively, as being a "garden of paradise" in terms of sustainability and resources, which unfortunately has been threatened by military testing/bases and tourism in recent history. She learned to serve through teaching and how to advocate for her community, including by sharing with Americans at home what she witnessed. She continues this practice energetically today in her mid-70s, both the advocacy work and "being in touch with the ground/nature", and most days can be spotted outside her home or in her neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan whether barefoot gardening, walking in marches to support equal rights for all, or playing games with local youth. In this unique vignette, she also explains some of the tumultuous times of the late 60s and early 70s along with the power of the Vietnam draft in encouraging Peace Corps recruits, as her PC stories/service experience in this episode reveal the very nature of political and military power exerted against genuinely open and giving native cultures.

This map should help, Tobi covers quite a bit of geography!

Episode 17: Trail Running Unedited with Andy Mathews of "The Croom / A1 Ultra Events"

Episode 17:  Trail Running Unedited with Andy Mathews of "The Croom" & A1 Trail Racing

Find the episode on most podcast apps, including Apple, Spotify, Google, Anchor

A1 Ultra Events Facebook Page

In this unedited episode, we dive into the adventurous and somewhat crazy history of trail running in the US, and connect with Andy through some of his most personal stories and experiences from iconic 100-milers, running Western States three times, and his continued commitment to the trail running community.  Among many other accolades, he explains what it's like to train for and finish 35 100 mile races, and perhaps even more difficult: organizing ultra races and trail running events for the trail running community! We talk about how volunteering and getting involved builds up the running community, and has lead him to some great opportunities & friendships along the way.

We also discuss the "vibe" or overall spirit of the trail running community, of it's continual pursuit of more difficult terrain and and more daunting challenges to push the limits of human capacity.  Wrapped into his story, as with most ultra runners, is injury and willingness of the mind and spirit to see failure as a learning opportunity- maybe not failure at all?  "In fact, sometimes quitting is the best way to avoid injury and allow you to run happy into the future.  Finishing is the goal, and that could be next time."  We also talk about growing older as a runner and the magic of being content with good "jogging", and yet still setting goals. 

Last but not least, we touch on the trail vs. pavement question, and how they can ideally be combined (with proper support and moderation) to improve running on both, with the right attitude and crossover friendships helping in the process.  If you want to do a trail run in Florida, or really anywhere, you will definitely hear about some of the best ones in this episode, learn about the terrain and some fun ones coming up this year you may want to add to your bucket list, from 5Ks to 100 milers!