Today’s episode comes to you from my time at the Allianz Richmond Marathon weekend. This was my third year serving as race emcee in Richmond, and once again I left feeling deeply moved by the stories, resilience, and joy I witnessed at the finish line. I watched first-time marathoners cross with disbelief in their eyes, couples holding hands as they finished together, runners pushing through pain, and others celebrating huge personal victories. There is a kind of gratitude at the end of a marathon that you just cannot replicate anywhere else, and Richmond always reminds me why I love this experience so much.
Today’s conversation is a special live recording from that weekend, where I sat down with Sophia King and Trevor Spencer. Trevor is one of the co-hosts of the Marathon Training Academy podcast, and Sophia King is a professional runner based in Richmond with an incredibly compelling story. Sophia made her marathon debut right here in Richmond in 2021 and later ran a 2:34 at CIM in 2023. She was on track for big things before suffering a torn plantar fascia that ultimately kept her from competing at the Olympic Trials, but what struck me most about this conversation is her perspective, her honesty, and her belief that her best years are still ahead of her.
Sophia comes from a swimming background and only transitioned fully to running in recent years, which makes her rise in the sport even more impressive. She speaks openly about setbacks, rebuilding confidence after injury, learning to trust her body again, and continuing to chase big goals despite the detours. There is a calm strength to the way she talks about her journey, and I loved hearing her articulate not only her ambitions but her deep gratitude for the process as well.
This was one of those conversations that felt too meaningful not to share publicly. Her story, her mindset, and her vulnerability deserve to be heard, and I’m so excited for you to listen.
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