Welcome to The Self-Love Runner Newsletterđ§Ą
Thank you for encouraging me to keep writingâand thank you especially for being a community I want to share my world and words with. Here we go!
Hello, friendâIf youâre reading this, it means you subscribed to The Self-Love Runner Newsletter, and I am so grateful! This first letter from me is really just an introduction to my âwhyâ for creating this outlet, and what you can expect going forward.
Iâm so glad youâre here. Letâs dive in.
What is this new outlet for?
If you follow me on Instagram, you probably already know what motivates me and what Iâm passionate about. Running is one of the biggest/most important parts of my life, and I happen to think itâs one of the greatest lenses for exploring the depths of the human experience.
As a passionate runner, therapist in training, and writerâand an Enneagram 4đŹâI find myself almost constantly thinking about how running interacts with the rest of life: mental health, identity development, our environment, relationships, self-acceptance, belonging, and more.
I think running happens to be one of the greatest lenses for exploring the human experience, and I also just love it so. freaking. much. Iâm dedicated to cultivating a joyful relationship with this hobby/sport/lifestyle, and I love encouraging others to do the same. I think the best way to do that is to approach it with curiosity and loveâfor ourselves and the processâat each step, no matter how gnarly the goal is.
I also enjoy exploring training theory and physiology research, nutrition and gear options, balancing work/life/training, and all those day-to-day parts of being an endurance athlete.
This is a space to cherish it all, from the mundane to the mystical. If you missed my latest Instagram stories, hereâs a snapshot of what you can expect:
These things make my heart flutter. Iâm especially passionate about cultivating a healthy, intuitive, love/joy-driven relationship with running, and encouraging others to do the same.
Itâs not all so serious, though.
Iâll probably also write about the joy of dirty, blistered feet; how a post-run swim in summertime is like the ultimate shavasana; how weird solo long runs can get (tell me Iâm not the only one who talks to myself out loud?); and why RedBull and PopTarts are the greatest training fuel (nutritionists, donât @ me⊠This is an anecdotal N of 1 trial!).
Who is this for?
If youâre a runner (especially mountain/trail/ultra) or youâre in the health and wellness field (counselors, bodyworkers, nutritionists, coaches, etc.), youâll probably feel right at home here.
If youâre drawn to philosophy, psychology, or spirituality in general, youâre also in good company⊠Even if you have no desire to step foot on a dirty trail. đ
And if youâre a friend of mine who is here just because you love me, thatâs the most special of all.
I welcome you, and I hope you invite others who might find belonging, comfort, and inspiration here, too. (Forward this email to them, or send them the subscribe link.)
What will it look like?
Eventually Iâd like to write on a regular weekly or biweekly schedule, but for now Iâll write as often as Iâm able. (It took me long enough to hit âSendâ on this, so Iâm being gentle with myself.) Substack will send you an email with each new post, then archive the posts on my page like a blogâpretty neat!
If you have a friend who might enjoy this too, you can share it with them by forwarding this email. (One of you just told me you shared Self-Love Runner with a professional Colombian trail runner you met while traveling⊠What the heck! đ€©)
If you would like to unsubscribe now or at any point, you can do so by clicking âUnsubscribeâ at the bottom of this email.
Finally, I would be over the moon to hear your experiences, challenges, hopes, and dreams too. You can reply to this email, or comment on these posts any time. Seriously, your messages absolutely make. my. day.
Before you goâŠ
If youâve made it this farâbless youâplease respond or comment and let me know what youâd most like to read about and/or what youâre here for. I really want to know!
Thank you𧥠I appreciate your support and community, and I hope my writing inspires you to bring more self-love to all your wild adventures on the trail and off.
Oh my gosh my friend. So many things to say to you. Iâm so proud of you! This is rad. You are rad. Iâm looking forward to growing with you. đ§Ą
Congrats on getting this going! Since you asked what weâd like to read here, Iâm curious to know more of your story--how & why you got into running, where youâre from, etc. also what your training looks like.