TTR #38: Santiago Rodriguez

Posted on July 10, 2020July 10, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Santi Rodriguez is a seminarian at the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, TX. He has a bachelor's degree in Theology and Philosophy, a master's in Social and Political Thought, and a master's in Spiritual Formation and Soul Care. He has worked as spiritual director, retreat director, and a chaplain in an ICU unit. Currently, he is completing a master's in divinity, as he prepares for ordination next summer. A native of Colombia, Rodriguez called Canada home for 14 years b...

Self-Care is giving the world the best of you, instead of what’s left of you!!

Posted on July 1, 2020July 1, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Many people think I'm CRAZY when I tell them I wake up at 4am but you know what?!?! I LOVE it!! I LOVE waking up before the sunrise and watching the whole world light up, I LOVE listening to the little birdies come to the feeder for breakfast and I LOVE having some time all to myself and lovin’ on ME first thing before the CRAZY day begins. Most of all I LOVE it because I deserve time for myself AND so do you!! You deserve some time to start your day off right. Let’s face it, when ...

It takes a village to succeed

Posted on June 28, 2020June 28, 2020 by Drew Taddia

It takes a village doesn't it? When we first started out in the Health Food industry about 10 years ago, we didn't have much network, we didn't have much of a community.I had only been in business for a couple years, in which I had NO idea what I was doing. However we managed to grow our distributor base across Canada in the retail industry. No easy task, I woke up day after day, cold calling, following up with calls, sending samples, being hung up on and rude store managers that would say,...

TTR #37: Finish the Race Attitude

Posted on June 26, 2020June 26, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Martin Parnell is author of the book, MARATHON QUEST and speaks on having a “Finish the Race Attitude – Overcoming Obstacles to Achieve Your Full Potential”. Martin has written for, or been covered by CNN, BBC, CBC, The Huffington Post, The Globe and Mail, The National Post, Runners World, Men’s Journal, Canadian Business, and Maclean’s. In a five year period, from 2010 to 2014, Martin completed 10 extreme endurance “Quests” including running 250 marathons in one year and raising $1.3m for ...

TTR #36: Rod Dixon and KiDSMARATHON

Posted on June 12, 2020June 12, 2020 by Drew Taddia

For over 15 years, Rod Dixon was among the world’s best middle distance runners, winning medals at the Olympics, World Cross Country Championships, 1500 meter Champion of the United States, France, Great Britain & New Zealand, and Champion of the 1983 New York City Marathon. What Rod experienced and remembered most as a boy, a visit from Sir Edmund Hillary to his school, that visit instilled Inspiration, Empowered Rod Dixon to Achieve success in running the hills and trails outside o...

TTR #35: Iron Girl Nadia on Finishing Strong

Posted on June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Native from Los Angeles, Nadia Ruiz is an educator, coach, and speaker aiming to make a change in her community by motivating and inspiring individuals of all backgrounds to achieve their goals. Nadia's fitness journey began when she stepped on the start line to her first marathon at the age of 14. Crossing the finish line with her father for the first time transformed her and she fell in love with the sport. Twenty-two years later, she has completed 145 marathons with 75 Boston Qu...

TTR #34: Ultra Marathoner Dave Proctor

Posted on May 30, 2020May 30, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Dave Proctor is nothing short of a mad man! Running for 24 hours is something most of haven’t even considered, in fact, to be truthful, before I heard about Dave I had no idea people actually did this for a sport. I asked Dave about ‘being on top’, I was wondering what it was like to be the best at what he did, and as a record holder in several fields he certainly is. His humble response was along the lines of ‘I still consider myself the same person, just strapping on my shoes and goin...

TTR #33: Blaine Penny on Mitochondrial Disease

Posted on May 23, 2020May 23, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Blaine’s connection to MitoCanada was a result of his son Evan who tragically went from being a perfectly normal 4-year-old kid (8 years ago) to a spastic quadriplegic overnight (who could not longer walk, talk or eat) as a result of mitochondrial disease. Blaine has poured his spare time over the past 7 years into helping raise awareness, provide support and raise funds for mitochondrial disease. Blaine Penny is a passionate family man, Engineer, endurance athlete and volunteer. Bla...

TTR #32: Surviving a Near Fatal Car Accident

Posted on May 15, 2020May 15, 2020 by Drew Taddia

Coach Denise, AKA The Marathon Whisperer has been coaching runners of all abilities and ages since 2010. She started coaching part-time after surviving a near fatal car accident. It’s been her way to give back to running for what running has given to her since she first laced up her running shoes in the 4th grade. Through her coaching business, Run For Change, she provides virtual, group and one on one coaching. In the latter, she literally runs the race and or workout with her client....

TTR #31: Death Race Finisher

Posted on May 8, 2020May 8, 2020 by Drew Taddia

For most of my life I’ve been the athlete, funny how I find myself in a new position in life as more so the coach. I can’t say I’ve entirely understood coaches (I had a hard time really connecting with most I’ve had). But the experience is entirely different. You work so hard to prepare who you’re working with. It’s not like the sessions are over after the 60 mins is up. You’re always thinking about the progress of whomever you’re working with (online or in person). I’m wondering how the...