One of the things that Tunde kept repeating to me while on this course was, " Pick your head up. I want you to see the beauty around you." Every time she said that, it took my mind off of the pain and on the moment that I was actually doing something that I never imagined for myself. I never saw myself running 13. 1 miles.

One of the things that Tunde kept repeating to me while on this course was, " Pick your head up. I want you to see the beauty around you." Every time she said that, it took my mind off of the pain and on the moment that I was actually doing something that I never imagined for myself. I never saw myself running 13. 1 miles.

Welcome to Set the Pace, the official podcast of New York Roadrunners presented by Peloton. I'm your host, Peloton instructor, Becs Gentry, and I am here today doing the show solo while Rob is busy CEOing. Yep. Well, I think it is kind of payback because I sort of left him solo for a couple of weeks there whilst I was busy vacationing and visiting my family in the Canary Islands and having some, I'm going to say it, self- professed, well- deserved time away from New York City. I have to say, the running there was absolutely phenomenal. I've been going there since I'm two years old. It looks like Mars when you land. Okay, I'm going to tell you that because if anyone ever chooses to go to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, as you come in to land, it is like the scape of Mars that you see in movies. The running is dry, windy; terrain is trail, sand, rocks, volcanic lava. It is challenging and divine. It threw everything my way, from tantrums and tears to absolutely fantastic strong runs on rolling hills, and most of them ended up either at my favorite juice bar or in the ocean with Tallulah. It was what the soul needed. And now we're back in New York and busy trying to crack away at a few more weeks of training, before Grandma's, which is going okay. I'm not going to go into it. It's going okay. It's not going as well as I'd like it to be going, so we might have to readdress some goals, but that's okay, because that's what goals are. You can address them, you can assess them, and you can reset them. Anyway, enough about me. We have a fantastic show here today. We have a lot of emotion and a lot of information for all humans on today's show. First up, we are going to hear the incredible story of Shaunta- Mae Alexander. She's an athlete, author, and speaker who has relearned how to walk and then run after being paralyzed twice. Yeah, I'll let that settle in. If you want to check out her Instagram and see a deep dive detail on her life story, please do so after the show. It will just enlighten you and a hundred percent it will inspire you in whatever you are doing in your life. After Shaunta- Mae, we have the dual board- certified dermatologist, Jane Yoo. She's going to be here to talk with Rob about everything you didn't know you needed to know about skincare for runners. Yeah, there's a lot there. A lot to unpack there, and critical information, as we said. You all need to be looking after your skin when we're doing those miles. Okay? So take notes. And then for those of you who might be coming off a recent marathon or half- marathon, Meb will be here with some advice on how to overcome your post- race blues, specifically half- marathon blues. I know, from coming back from London, there's definitely some post- marathon blues for Austin, although he didn't have the greatest of races; the weather, he had a back injury that sparked the night before the race, so he's definitely got some post- marathon redemption blues coming his way. So I cannot wait to listen to that part of the show myself as well. Try the Peloton app for free and access classes for every type of runner, whether you're training for your first race or you're a seasoned pro. From outdoor runs and intervals to strength yoga and stretching, you'll find the perfect fit for every part of your routine. Whether it's a long run day or you just need a quick five- minute reset, the Peloton app meets you where you are and helps you become a stronger, faster runner, because it's designed for someone like you. Try the app free for 30 days and download it now from App Store or Google Play. Terms apply. Peloton, the official digital fitness partner for New York Roadrunners. Shaunta- Mae Alexander is a disabled adaptive athlete. She is also a children's book author, an actress, and an advocate. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a teenager, she has survived countless medical setbacks including two episodes of paralysis, and now uses a feeding tube to stay alive. But this past March, a mere two years after relearning how to walk, she completed the United Airlines NYC Half with my fellow Peloton instructor, Tunde Oyeneyin, by her side. Shaunta- Mae is the embodiment of purpose and perseverance, and she is here today to talk to us about what is possible when you run your own race. Shaunta- Mae, I am beyond honored to have you here as a guest on Set the Pace today. Thank you for sharing your time with us and for sharing your story with us. You are unbelievable. I love seeing your smiling face in the studio. I love seeing Tunde coming in after class saying, " That girl does not know chill." How are you today?

Welcome to Set the Pace, the official podcast of New York Roadrunners presented by Peloton. I'm your host, Peloton instructor, Becs Gentry, and I am here today doing the show solo while Rob is busy CEOing. Yep. Well, I think it is kind of payback because I sort of left him solo for a couple of weeks there whilst I was busy vacationing and visiting my family in the Canary Islands and having some, I'm going to say it, self- professed, well- deserved time away from New York City. I have to say, the running there was absolutely phenomenal. I've been going there since I'm two years old. It looks like Mars when you land. Okay, I'm going to tell you that because if anyone ever chooses to go to Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, as you come in to land, it is like the scape of Mars that you see in movies. The running is dry, windy; terrain is trail, sand, rocks, volcanic lava. It is challenging and divine. It threw everything my way, from tantrums and tears to absolutely fantastic strong runs on rolling hills, and most of them ended up either at my favorite juice bar or in the ocean with Tallulah. It was what the soul needed. And now we're back in New York and busy trying to crack away at a few more weeks of training, before Grandma's, which is going okay. I'm not going to go into it. It's going okay. It's not going as well as I'd like it to be going, so we might have to readdress some goals, but that's okay, because that's what goals are. You can address them, you can assess them, and you can reset them. Anyway, enough about me. We have a fantastic show here today. We have a lot of emotion and a lot of information for all humans on today's show. First up, we are going to hear the incredible story of Shaunta- Mae Alexander. She's an athlete, author, and speaker who has relearned how to walk and then run after being paralyzed twice. Yeah, I'll let that settle in. If you want to check out her Instagram and see a deep dive detail on her life story, please do so after the show. It will just enlighten you and a hundred percent it will inspire you in whatever you are doing in your life. After Shaunta- Mae, we have the dual board- certified dermatologist, Jane Yoo. She's going to be here to talk with Rob about everything you didn't know you needed to know about skincare for runners. Yeah, there's a lot there. A lot to unpack there, and critical information, as we said. You all need to be looking after your skin when we're doing those miles. Okay? So take notes. And then for those of you who might be coming off a recent marathon or half- marathon, Meb will be here with some advice on how to overcome your post- race blues, specifically half- marathon blues. I know, from coming back from London, there's definitely some post- marathon blues for Austin, although he didn't have the greatest of races; the weather, he had a back injury that sparked the night before the race, so he's definitely got some post- marathon redemption blues coming his way. So I cannot wait to listen to that part of the show myself as well. Try the Peloton app for free and access classes for every type of runner, whether you're training for your first race or you're a seasoned pro. From outdoor runs and intervals to strength yoga and stretching, you'll find the perfect fit for every part of your routine. Whether it's a long run day or you just need a quick five- minute reset, the Peloton app meets you where you are and helps you become a stronger, faster runner, because it's designed for someone like you. Try the app free for 30 days and download it now from App Store or Google Play. Terms apply. Peloton, the official digital fitness partner for New York Roadrunners. Shaunta- Mae Alexander is a disabled adaptive athlete. She is also a children's book author, an actress, and an advocate. Diagnosed with Crohn's disease as a teenager, she has survived countless medical setbacks including two episodes of paralysis, and now uses a feeding tube to stay alive. But this past March, a mere two years after relearning how to walk, she completed the United Airlines NYC Half with my fellow Peloton instructor, Tunde Oyeneyin, by her side. Shaunta- Mae is the embodiment of purpose and perseverance, and she is here today to talk to us about what is possible when you run your own race. Shaunta- Mae, I am beyond honored to have you here as a guest on Set the Pace today. Thank you for sharing your time with us and for sharing your story with us. You are unbelievable. I love seeing your smiling face in the studio. I love seeing Tunde coming in after class saying, " That girl does not know chill." How are you today?

I am well. I'm well. I'm feeling good. Yeah, I'm grateful to be here. I'm grateful to share space with you all and to continue to share my story and encourage so many people.

I am well. I'm well. I'm feeling good. Yeah, I'm grateful to be here. I'm grateful to share space with you all and to continue to share my story and encourage so many people.

You do. You truly, truly do with everything you do, and I'm sure there's been many times in your life where you have thought, " There's no way anyone else is going through this. There's no way my story can help anyone else." And then you come to another part in your journey and realize that there are hundreds and thousands and more faces who are watching out for you, to see your smile, to see you get through. Let's dive into that. Let's dive into you. Who is Shaunta- Mae Alexander and what was your relationship to moving, in any capacity that you desire to talk about. As a kid, you grew up in foster care. Is that correct?

You do. You truly, truly do with everything you do, and I'm sure there's been many times in your life where you have thought, " There's no way anyone else is going through this. There's no way my story can help anyone else." And then you come to another part in your journey and realize that there are hundreds and thousands and more faces who are watching out for you, to see your smile, to see you get through. Let's dive into that. Let's dive into you. Who is Shaunta- Mae Alexander and what was your relationship to moving, in any capacity that you desire to talk about. As a kid, you grew up in foster care. Is that correct?

Yes.

Yes.

Yeah. Was there movement in your life? What was it like?

Yeah. Was there movement in your life? What was it like?

Growing up in foster care was not easy at all. I had a very, very rough childhood. My foster homes were not the best, and that's putting it lightly. I used movement as it related to sports as one of my outlets. I also used acting as one of my outlets. I started acting when I was about five years old in little school plays and things, and running, probably around the same time. As a kid, running was a way for me to ... Running and playing basketball was a way for me to just expel all of the negative energy and all of the trauma and pain that I was enduring in these homes that I could not express inside the home. So being viewed at school, on the playground with other kids sometimes and then other times just by myself, I was able to run and get that all out. I was able to do the same thing with acting. Acting was a way for me to take on another person, another character's life as my own. It was a way for me to escape my own reality. And so I fell in love with all of it. Basketball as well. Basketball, I like to say basketball was my first taste of self- advocacy as a kid, because growing up as a little girl, especially back in the nineties, playing basketball was technically a boys sport. Girls can't play basketball. They don't know how to play basketball. And so for me, I was like, " That's fine. I'll show you." And so I would sit and I would watch the boys play basketball and I would play the little games on the Sega Genesis and all of that, so that I could learn the techniques. And then I'd get back out there and I'd ball out and I'd hoop and they'd have no choice but to accept me. So that was a way for me to not only advocate for myself and make space and have a voice for myself that I didn't have within these homes, but it was also a way to show other girls. I didn't know it then, but it gave other girls at the time permission to do the same, " Well, if she's out there playing basketball when all these boys say it's not for girls, then I want to do it too." So that was my first taste, first taste in that. Movement has always been a part of my life. As far as the actual fitness aspect and weight training and lifting and all of those things, I was not a fan of that. I was not a fan of that. Just give me the ball so I can shoot it, so I can run up and down the court. Just give me my 100- meter hurdles, my 200s, my 400s, my long jumps, just give me that and I'm good. All of this weight training stuff, I'm not interested. Distance running, I'm not interested. Just give me the meat. But it wasn't until I lost my mobility, after having a colonoscopy for severe Crohn's flare that I was in and developed a rare reaction to the anesthesia that was used, that I found a new respect, a new, I guess you could say, gratitude for movement. When we have the ability of our limbs and the ability to speak and to think in our right minds and be able to do little things like picking things up and setting things down, tying your shoes, you take all of that for granted and you don't realize how special that really is, how privileged you really are to have those movements and those abilities until it's taken from you. And so when I lost my movement and I lost my ability to speak, and I lost my ability to form real tangible thoughts and not be able to articulate those the way that I wanted to, I just developed this gratitude. Specifically when it came to walking, I made a promise to God. I said, " God, if you restore my walking, if you restore my movement, I'll run like I've never ran before, I'll walk like I've never walked before, and I will dance like I've never danced before." That was the bow that I made to God, and He kept his end of the bargain and I kept mine. But what I was not ready for, what I was not prepared for, was falling in love with the sport and the process. This was just a vow that I originally made. I was just going to do that, but I actually fell in love with movement. I fell in love with running. I fell in love with cycling, which I didn't even know existed until 2022. And picking up weights?

Growing up in foster care was not easy at all. I had a very, very rough childhood. My foster homes were not the best, and that's putting it lightly. I used movement as it related to sports as one of my outlets. I also used acting as one of my outlets. I started acting when I was about five years old in little school plays and things, and running, probably around the same time. As a kid, running was a way for me to ... Running and playing basketball was a way for me to just expel all of the negative energy and all of the trauma and pain that I was enduring in these homes that I could not express inside the home. So being viewed at school, on the playground with other kids sometimes and then other times just by myself, I was able to run and get that all out. I was able to do the same thing with acting. Acting was a way for me to take on another person, another character's life as my own. It was a way for me to escape my own reality. And so I fell in love with all of it. Basketball as well. Basketball, I like to say basketball was my first taste of self- advocacy as a kid, because growing up as a little girl, especially back in the nineties, playing basketball was technically a boys sport. Girls can't play basketball. They don't know how to play basketball. And so for me, I was like, " That's fine. I'll show you." And so I would sit and I would watch the boys play basketball and I would play the little games on the Sega Genesis and all of that, so that I could learn the techniques. And then I'd get back out there and I'd ball out and I'd hoop and they'd have no choice but to accept me. So that was a way for me to not only advocate for myself and make space and have a voice for myself that I didn't have within these homes, but it was also a way to show other girls. I didn't know it then, but it gave other girls at the time permission to do the same, " Well, if she's out there playing basketball when all these boys say it's not for girls, then I want to do it too." So that was my first taste, first taste in that. Movement has always been a part of my life. As far as the actual fitness aspect and weight training and lifting and all of those things, I was not a fan of that. I was not a fan of that. Just give me the ball so I can shoot it, so I can run up and down the court. Just give me my 100- meter hurdles, my 200s, my 400s, my long jumps, just give me that and I'm good. All of this weight training stuff, I'm not interested. Distance running, I'm not interested. Just give me the meat. But it wasn't until I lost my mobility, after having a colonoscopy for severe Crohn's flare that I was in and developed a rare reaction to the anesthesia that was used, that I found a new respect, a new, I guess you could say, gratitude for movement. When we have the ability of our limbs and the ability to speak and to think in our right minds and be able to do little things like picking things up and setting things down, tying your shoes, you take all of that for granted and you don't realize how special that really is, how privileged you really are to have those movements and those abilities until it's taken from you. And so when I lost my movement and I lost my ability to speak, and I lost my ability to form real tangible thoughts and not be able to articulate those the way that I wanted to, I just developed this gratitude. Specifically when it came to walking, I made a promise to God. I said, " God, if you restore my walking, if you restore my movement, I'll run like I've never ran before, I'll walk like I've never walked before, and I will dance like I've never danced before." That was the bow that I made to God, and He kept his end of the bargain and I kept mine. But what I was not ready for, what I was not prepared for, was falling in love with the sport and the process. This was just a vow that I originally made. I was just going to do that, but I actually fell in love with movement. I fell in love with running. I fell in love with cycling, which I didn't even know existed until 2022. And picking up weights?

Nah.

Nah.

You couldn't get me to do it. You couldn't get me to do it. You couldn't bribe me. So this is not just a vow to God, it's a vow to myself. It's a way of saying thanks to my body every single day. It's a way for me to be the voice for so many people who are out there with disabilities and different abilities and children all over the world who have also had hard lives, whether in foster care, battered (inaudible) , being sick themselves. This is just a way for me to say, " Hey, you're not in this alone. I'm here with you." It's just a sum of everything working together for my good.

You couldn't get me to do it. You couldn't get me to do it. You couldn't bribe me. So this is not just a vow to God, it's a vow to myself. It's a way of saying thanks to my body every single day. It's a way for me to be the voice for so many people who are out there with disabilities and different abilities and children all over the world who have also had hard lives, whether in foster care, battered (inaudible) , being sick themselves. This is just a way for me to say, " Hey, you're not in this alone. I'm here with you." It's just a sum of everything working together for my good.

Everything coming together and it all being sealed with that vow is so beautiful and so strong. Shaunta- Mae, just for our listeners who may not understand the severity of Crohn's and Crohn's disease, I feel like in this transient world we live in, many disease names are thrown around and people nod their heads as though they know exactly what it is. And then it doesn't affect them, so they don't really know what it is. Just explain to our audience quickly what Crohn's disease is and how your situation took the turn, not how but why, let's say, why it took the turn it did. Do you mind going into that?

Everything coming together and it all being sealed with that vow is so beautiful and so strong. Shaunta- Mae, just for our listeners who may not understand the severity of Crohn's and Crohn's disease, I feel like in this transient world we live in, many disease names are thrown around and people nod their heads as though they know exactly what it is. And then it doesn't affect them, so they don't really know what it is. Just explain to our audience quickly what Crohn's disease is and how your situation took the turn, not how but why, let's say, why it took the turn it did. Do you mind going into that?

Sure, yeah. Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease under the umbrella called IBD, which stands for inflammatory bowel disease. That is Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis. Those are the sister conditions. Basically what Crohn's disease does is, your immune system attacks your digestive system anywhere from your mouth to your behind. Everything attached to your digestive system is attacked. So it causes stomach pain, internal bleeding, ulcers, nausea, malnutrition, lack of bowel control, all kinds of different nitty- gritty symptoms that basically aren't fun. It is debilitating. It's not fun. It's very excruciating. I got sick at the age of nine, but wasn't diagnosed until, I believe, I was 14 or 15 years old.

Sure, yeah. Crohn's disease is an autoimmune disease under the umbrella called IBD, which stands for inflammatory bowel disease. That is Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis. Those are the sister conditions. Basically what Crohn's disease does is, your immune system attacks your digestive system anywhere from your mouth to your behind. Everything attached to your digestive system is attacked. So it causes stomach pain, internal bleeding, ulcers, nausea, malnutrition, lack of bowel control, all kinds of different nitty- gritty symptoms that basically aren't fun. It is debilitating. It's not fun. It's very excruciating. I got sick at the age of nine, but wasn't diagnosed until, I believe, I was 14 or 15 years old.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.

So I went through middle school and high school sick.

So I went through middle school and high school sick.

Oh my God.

Oh my God.

At that time, I didn't have the support, which is another reason why I advocate and do what I do now, because I felt alone in my process, as a kid, as a teen, in middle school and high school. You can only imagine how hard that can be, especially when kids don't understand.

At that time, I didn't have the support, which is another reason why I advocate and do what I do now, because I felt alone in my process, as a kid, as a teen, in middle school and high school. You can only imagine how hard that can be, especially when kids don't understand.

(inaudible) the pain and-

(inaudible) the pain and-

Yeah. And so for me, what that looked like for me was having to bring an extra bag of clothes in case I used the bathroom on myself. I was in diapers in middle school and high school. Medication, having to pack my own food and then having to deal with the questions and the jokes and all the things about being small. I was very tiny, and at the time I didn't know it, but I was severely malnourished. And so, again, I just wish I'd had the me that I am now when I was going through this process. I think it's a beautiful time to share this and to share this journey and to share about Crohn's disease, especially because yesterday was World International IBD Day, Crohn's Disease Day, which I think is also crazy as well because it was also my birthday. I think it was kind of kismet.

Yeah. And so for me, what that looked like for me was having to bring an extra bag of clothes in case I used the bathroom on myself. I was in diapers in middle school and high school. Medication, having to pack my own food and then having to deal with the questions and the jokes and all the things about being small. I was very tiny, and at the time I didn't know it, but I was severely malnourished. And so, again, I just wish I'd had the me that I am now when I was going through this process. I think it's a beautiful time to share this and to share this journey and to share about Crohn's disease, especially because yesterday was World International IBD Day, Crohn's Disease Day, which I think is also crazy as well because it was also my birthday. I think it was kind of kismet.

No.

No.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Happy belated birthday.

Happy belated birthday.

Thank you. Thank you. I think it was kismet. I think this was just part of something that was always going to be a part of my journey. But for those of you that are dealing with the symptoms and dealing with family members or friends or just know somebody that struggles with stomach issues, I just implore you, one, to make sure that you're advocating for yourself. Make sure that you're getting in with a GI team, not accepting no for an answer. That was a big part of my process because it took so long for me to be diagnosed. And that affected my mental state. There was a lot of times when these doctors would say that it was in my head or that it was stress related, and that's daunting, especially as a kid who is suffering. So I want you guys to advocate for yourselves. Don't give up. Know that this is not the end of your journey and that you can still have a beautiful and meaningful life with this condition.

Thank you. Thank you. I think it was kismet. I think this was just part of something that was always going to be a part of my journey. But for those of you that are dealing with the symptoms and dealing with family members or friends or just know somebody that struggles with stomach issues, I just implore you, one, to make sure that you're advocating for yourself. Make sure that you're getting in with a GI team, not accepting no for an answer. That was a big part of my process because it took so long for me to be diagnosed. And that affected my mental state. There was a lot of times when these doctors would say that it was in my head or that it was stress related, and that's daunting, especially as a kid who is suffering. So I want you guys to advocate for yourselves. Don't give up. Know that this is not the end of your journey and that you can still have a beautiful and meaningful life with this condition.

Absolutely. Look at your story.

Absolutely. Look at your story.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So you had this terrible flare- up that ended up with you being hospitalized. Let's fast- forward a little bit to January 1st, 2022. That was after your second paralysis, and you've already kind of fought for your life. You've already fought to restart, to reset, to put every teeny tiny teeniest tiniest ounce of energy into standing up and saying no, or being like, "Uh- uh. I've got this. I've got this back." And then that's taken away from you again. What was going through your mind? You've already said it was so hard for you to talk, to explain your thoughts in your head. When you were alone in those moments of thinking, like, " Please God, this is the second time I'm going through this," how? How did you get that strength to just say, " I'm going to do this again"?

So you had this terrible flare- up that ended up with you being hospitalized. Let's fast- forward a little bit to January 1st, 2022. That was after your second paralysis, and you've already kind of fought for your life. You've already fought to restart, to reset, to put every teeny tiny teeniest tiniest ounce of energy into standing up and saying no, or being like, "Uh- uh. I've got this. I've got this back." And then that's taken away from you again. What was going through your mind? You've already said it was so hard for you to talk, to explain your thoughts in your head. When you were alone in those moments of thinking, like, " Please God, this is the second time I'm going through this," how? How did you get that strength to just say, " I'm going to do this again"?

It was extremely difficult. I went through ... especially the second time, I went through this deep, deep depression. At this point, I'm not quite 33 yet, and all I've known was trauma and pain and sickness and illness. When I relapsed with this condition for the second time, and I did not recover as quickly as I did the first time, I didn't get to my baseline as quickly as I did the first time, I was ready to fold in the towel. I was like, " I don't want this anymore. I don't want to fight anymore." I say often that people make New Year's resolutions and they declare new things for their new year and all of this, and I think that's beautiful. I love that people set intentions for themselves ahead of time. They see something and they want to go for it, and they do the work to make those intentions happen. For myself, I don't want to say I've never done it, but I don't necessarily subscribe to New Year's resolutions. For me, if I want to make a change, I'm going to make it now. As soon as I think it and I say I want to do something different, immediately I'm going into action on how I can put this forward, how I can set this forward. It just so happened that this thought process of, " I'm done allowing my disabilities to determine my quality of life. I'm done allowing my disabilities to rule my life for me," it just so happened that it happened to fall on January 1st of 2022.

It was extremely difficult. I went through ... especially the second time, I went through this deep, deep depression. At this point, I'm not quite 33 yet, and all I've known was trauma and pain and sickness and illness. When I relapsed with this condition for the second time, and I did not recover as quickly as I did the first time, I didn't get to my baseline as quickly as I did the first time, I was ready to fold in the towel. I was like, " I don't want this anymore. I don't want to fight anymore." I say often that people make New Year's resolutions and they declare new things for their new year and all of this, and I think that's beautiful. I love that people set intentions for themselves ahead of time. They see something and they want to go for it, and they do the work to make those intentions happen. For myself, I don't want to say I've never done it, but I don't necessarily subscribe to New Year's resolutions. For me, if I want to make a change, I'm going to make it now. As soon as I think it and I say I want to do something different, immediately I'm going into action on how I can put this forward, how I can set this forward. It just so happened that this thought process of, " I'm done allowing my disabilities to determine my quality of life. I'm done allowing my disabilities to rule my life for me," it just so happened that it happened to fall on January 1st of 2022.

Wow.

Wow.

Crazy. I was, " Okay, well."

Crazy. I was, " Okay, well."

Crazy.

Crazy.

" Let's do it."

" Let's do it."

Yeah.

Yeah.

So I had-

So I had-

33 years of, " No, I'm not doing that." And then all of a sudden you're like, " Oh, this is the biggest one yet."

33 years of, " No, I'm not doing that." And then all of a sudden you're like, " Oh, this is the biggest one yet."

Yeah. This is enough. Enough. Enough. I want to make my dreams a reality. I want to enjoy my life. I don't want to live suffering anymore. I don't want that anymore. So if that means that I have to act from my wheelchair, then I will act from my wheelchair. If that means that I am going to be on big stages and I have to do that from my wheelchair, I will do that. If that means I have to be an author from my chair, I'm going to do that. I'm going to be the strongest actress, author, motivational speaker from my wheelchair. Let's do it. I'm done. My disabilities ... And that is my motto. I live by it daily. I profess it daily. My disabilities do not disqualify me for my purpose. They don't. I have to do things differently, and that's okay. And I think when people begin to understand that there are different ways and different avenues to getting to your goals, to reaching your dreams, and knowing that your possibilities are endless despite what you're going through, despite your conditions, despite your life's circumstances, you really become unstoppable. And so I was doing this search on how I can become stronger, and I'm a huge fan of Cynthia Erivo. I've been a fan of hers since The Color Purple on Broadway, and I would see her getting on this thing called a Peloton bike. I'm like, " What is that? I want to do it. I want to do that. I like that. I like that. I want it. I need it." And so I did all the research and finding out what this thing called Peloton was and what it does and how I can use it to become a better, stronger version of myself, disabled and all. My god- sister had a Peloton as well. So I reached out to her and I was like, " Okay, so you have a Peloton. Tell me all about it. I'm thinking about getting one." She was just like, " Do it." That was all I needed.

Yeah. This is enough. Enough. Enough. I want to make my dreams a reality. I want to enjoy my life. I don't want to live suffering anymore. I don't want that anymore. So if that means that I have to act from my wheelchair, then I will act from my wheelchair. If that means that I am going to be on big stages and I have to do that from my wheelchair, I will do that. If that means I have to be an author from my chair, I'm going to do that. I'm going to be the strongest actress, author, motivational speaker from my wheelchair. Let's do it. I'm done. My disabilities ... And that is my motto. I live by it daily. I profess it daily. My disabilities do not disqualify me for my purpose. They don't. I have to do things differently, and that's okay. And I think when people begin to understand that there are different ways and different avenues to getting to your goals, to reaching your dreams, and knowing that your possibilities are endless despite what you're going through, despite your conditions, despite your life's circumstances, you really become unstoppable. And so I was doing this search on how I can become stronger, and I'm a huge fan of Cynthia Erivo. I've been a fan of hers since The Color Purple on Broadway, and I would see her getting on this thing called a Peloton bike. I'm like, " What is that? I want to do it. I want to do that. I like that. I like that. I want it. I need it." And so I did all the research and finding out what this thing called Peloton was and what it does and how I can use it to become a better, stronger version of myself, disabled and all. My god- sister had a Peloton as well. So I reached out to her and I was like, " Okay, so you have a Peloton. Tell me all about it. I'm thinking about getting one." She was just like, " Do it." That was all I needed.

Without a thought.

Without a thought.

Without a second thought. Okay. So I downloaded the app and I was like, "Okay. So I don't have the bike. I can't do heavy weights or anything like that. I can't run. What can I do that's going to help build my strength?" Light weights. I can do those. I can do those from my chair. I can do a couple one, two, three pounds from my wheelchair. And so I went through the instructor list, all the instructors, and I said, " I want somebody that looks like me, that looks like they've been through some things and have come out on the other side." And I saw Tunde's picture and I was like, " Her." It was something about the light in her eyes. You could just see it. You could just see it. And so I hit start on that app and I would train every day. I would literally take three to five arms and lightweight classes a day.

Without a second thought. Okay. So I downloaded the app and I was like, "Okay. So I don't have the bike. I can't do heavy weights or anything like that. I can't run. What can I do that's going to help build my strength?" Light weights. I can do those. I can do those from my chair. I can do a couple one, two, three pounds from my wheelchair. And so I went through the instructor list, all the instructors, and I said, " I want somebody that looks like me, that looks like they've been through some things and have come out on the other side." And I saw Tunde's picture and I was like, " Her." It was something about the light in her eyes. You could just see it. You could just see it. And so I hit start on that app and I would train every day. I would literally take three to five arms and lightweight classes a day.

We know those are not easy classes from Ms. Oyeneyin. Thank you.

We know those are not easy classes from Ms. Oyeneyin. Thank you.

They're not. They're not. I don't know.

They're not. They're not. I don't know.

Uh-uh.

Uh-uh.

I don't know.

I don't know.

How she does it?

How she does it?

I have no idea. I don't know. But I knew that every time I got into this class, her words were encouraging, and it just encouraged me to continue the fight. I felt stronger doing it. I felt the strongest I've ever felt.

I have no idea. I don't know. But I knew that every time I got into this class, her words were encouraging, and it just encouraged me to continue the fight. I felt stronger doing it. I felt the strongest I've ever felt.

Absolutely.

Absolutely.

I haven't turned back since.

I haven't turned back since.

We love it. We love it. Okay, but tell me though, with no matter what, no matter how many steps forward you get to take, you know, as a human, that your health is fragile. We all do. I hope that we all understand life is fragile, and from having the setbacks that you had with your health, I'm sure in the back of your mind you were thinking, " My health is more fragile than some other people, so I have to protect my power as it grows." How did you know that it was the right time to take all the steps you did? So you just talked about the steps with Tunde that encouraged you to do the arms and lightweights from your chair, and then the next step for you, well, not the next step, but a few steps later, but the next really big one was ... Shaunta- Mae, you decided to run. You believed you could and you did. But talk us through how you, not just physically, but mentally got to a place where you believed so powerfully that you could trust your body again to do this.

We love it. We love it. Okay, but tell me though, with no matter what, no matter how many steps forward you get to take, you know, as a human, that your health is fragile. We all do. I hope that we all understand life is fragile, and from having the setbacks that you had with your health, I'm sure in the back of your mind you were thinking, " My health is more fragile than some other people, so I have to protect my power as it grows." How did you know that it was the right time to take all the steps you did? So you just talked about the steps with Tunde that encouraged you to do the arms and lightweights from your chair, and then the next step for you, well, not the next step, but a few steps later, but the next really big one was ... Shaunta- Mae, you decided to run. You believed you could and you did. But talk us through how you, not just physically, but mentally got to a place where you believed so powerfully that you could trust your body again to do this.

There's this feeling that I get right before a big leap in my movement and my life. It's hard to describe, but it's just this inkling that I get inside. Every time I make a huge leap, I feel it, not days, not weeks, literally moments before I do it. I received my tread in December of 2023, so I started learning how to walk December 12th of ... Nope, I'm lying. December 2022. I started learning how to walk on the tread December 12th, 2022. Beautiful numbers.

There's this feeling that I get right before a big leap in my movement and my life. It's hard to describe, but it's just this inkling that I get inside. Every time I make a huge leap, I feel it, not days, not weeks, literally moments before I do it. I received my tread in December of 2023, so I started learning how to walk December 12th of ... Nope, I'm lying. December 2022. I started learning how to walk on the tread December 12th, 2022. Beautiful numbers.

I was going to say I remember as well. I was away on maternity leave and I came back, and I'd seen you take some of my classes while I was away on maternity. And then we connected when I came back. So I was like, " It must've been 2022."

I was going to say I remember as well. I was away on maternity leave and I came back, and I'd seen you take some of my classes while I was away on maternity. And then we connected when I came back. So I was like, " It must've been 2022."

Absolutely. Yeah. And so this specific day, I want to say it was in February, I was on the tread and I was walking. And I got that same feeling. I said, " I think I can run. I'm going to try it. I'm going to try it." Now, as I'm learning how to walk, my speeds are very, very slow on the tread. 1.5 to 2.0 speed. So for me, a run was literally 2. 7, 3. 0.

Absolutely. Yeah. And so this specific day, I want to say it was in February, I was on the tread and I was walking. And I got that same feeling. I said, " I think I can run. I'm going to try it. I'm going to try it." Now, as I'm learning how to walk, my speeds are very, very slow on the tread. 1.5 to 2.0 speed. So for me, a run was literally 2. 7, 3. 0.

Speed is irrelevant, isn't it? It's the movement.

Speed is irrelevant, isn't it? It's the movement.

It's the movement.

It's the movement.

Mm-hmm.

Mm-hmm.

And so I hit that button. I hit it twice. And I'm getting faster. My legs are moving a little bit faster. I'm like, " Oh my God." I have the post somewhere on my Instagram page where I'm actually doing it.

And so I hit that button. I hit it twice. And I'm getting faster. My legs are moving a little bit faster. I'm like, " Oh my God." I have the post somewhere on my Instagram page where I'm actually doing it.

Hang on, I can see it.

Hang on, I can see it.

This is literally what happens every time. The same with the bike. I got on the bike and I was training every day for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. But there was this specific day. When I was on my bike, I'd have to use my hands to pedal my legs. That's how I'd be able to move my legs. And I did this daily until one day I was like, " I think I'm going to take my hands off. I just want to see." The same feeling. "I just want to see if I can do it." And I pedaled. And I was like, " Wait a minute." And I did it again, and again, and again. It's just this-

This is literally what happens every time. The same with the bike. I got on the bike and I was training every day for anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. But there was this specific day. When I was on my bike, I'd have to use my hands to pedal my legs. That's how I'd be able to move my legs. And I did this daily until one day I was like, " I think I'm going to take my hands off. I just want to see." The same feeling. "I just want to see if I can do it." And I pedaled. And I was like, " Wait a minute." And I did it again, and again, and again. It's just this-

Oh, I have chills.

Oh, I have chills.

It's just this God wink, I'll call it a God wink, that says, " Mae, you're ready. Mae, you're ready. Mae, you're ready." I think the hardest part in that is trusting that God wink while denouncing the doubt that you have in your head. It's a balance being like, what are you going to trust more? Are you going to trust the doubt or are you going to trust the God wink that has never felt you? Every time you lean into that God wink, it happens for you. That's just been my journey. I trust the God wink every time.

It's just this God wink, I'll call it a God wink, that says, " Mae, you're ready. Mae, you're ready. Mae, you're ready." I think the hardest part in that is trusting that God wink while denouncing the doubt that you have in your head. It's a balance being like, what are you going to trust more? Are you going to trust the doubt or are you going to trust the God wink that has never felt you? Every time you lean into that God wink, it happens for you. That's just been my journey. I trust the God wink every time.

So strongly. From the minute, I'm sure, that you stood up for the first time after paralysis to taking those steps of running on your tread, hands off the thighs on the bike, lifting those heavier weights, to crossing the finish line at the United Airlines NYC Half, every God wink has been a really, really beautiful one with a big smile as well. It's like a cheeky wink. It's not just-

So strongly. From the minute, I'm sure, that you stood up for the first time after paralysis to taking those steps of running on your tread, hands off the thighs on the bike, lifting those heavier weights, to crossing the finish line at the United Airlines NYC Half, every God wink has been a really, really beautiful one with a big smile as well. It's like a cheeky wink. It's not just-

Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.

Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely.

Okay. Let's have a look at the adaptive training that you've gone through, because I think it's so important for people, you said this earlier, to understand that ... You said, " Your disabilities does not disqualify you." And it needs to be said louder. It needs to be said louder every single day in every single way that people are training around the world, that there are multiple ways of doing things; though, the way, the one way, is not the right way at all, because it's not right for everybody. It might be right for that person. It's just not right, period.

Okay. Let's have a look at the adaptive training that you've gone through, because I think it's so important for people, you said this earlier, to understand that ... You said, " Your disabilities does not disqualify you." And it needs to be said louder. It needs to be said louder every single day in every single way that people are training around the world, that there are multiple ways of doing things; though, the way, the one way, is not the right way at all, because it's not right for everybody. It might be right for that person. It's just not right, period.

Yeah.

Yeah.

When we look at all of the adaptive training that you've done, it's vast.

When we look at all of the adaptive training that you've done, it's vast.

Yeah.

Yeah.

So where are you at now? You're obviously not just doing one, two, three- pound weights from your chair. Where are we now? What's your training like now?

So where are you at now? You're obviously not just doing one, two, three- pound weights from your chair. Where are we now? What's your training like now?

Actually, I just finished week three of Tunde's upper body program. So I'm lifting.

Actually, I just finished week three of Tunde's upper body program. So I'm lifting.

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for you. Do you need me to send a masseuse or something for you?

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry for you. Do you need me to send a masseuse or something for you?

All of the things. Because the woman is nuts.

All of the things. Because the woman is nuts.

The woman is just nuts.

The woman is just nuts.

And this is my second time going through the program.

And this is my second time going through the program.

Okay.

Okay.

I'm a glutton for growth.

I'm a glutton for growth.

Yes. I've done it once and that was fine. Thank you very much.

Yes. I've done it once and that was fine. Thank you very much.

So I'm definitely lifting a lot heavier. I find so much joy in doing lower body, and that may just be because I didn't have the functionality of my lower body for quite some time, and so being able to use those same legs and those same muscles and joints that were immobile at one point, and being able to press heavy weights is just something that just rocks my mind every time. I feel so strong doing it. I'm just getting back into running again. I was sick for some time, which kind of comes with the territory. I have a suppressed immune system, so things take much longer. But I'm getting back into running. I have my next race on the 1st.

So I'm definitely lifting a lot heavier. I find so much joy in doing lower body, and that may just be because I didn't have the functionality of my lower body for quite some time, and so being able to use those same legs and those same muscles and joints that were immobile at one point, and being able to press heavy weights is just something that just rocks my mind every time. I feel so strong doing it. I'm just getting back into running again. I was sick for some time, which kind of comes with the territory. I have a suppressed immune system, so things take much longer. But I'm getting back into running. I have my next race on the 1st.

Which race? What?

Which race? What?

It is the Women's Fitness Festival that I do every year. This is actually the very first race that I did back in 2023, so this is a way that I pay homage. I do this every year. This year, I will be running the 10K, so I'm playing catch- up with training for that, and then also doing a lot of cycling. As far as having to adapt, I adapt a lot. A lot of the things that I have to do, I pay attention a lot to my body. I just have to. As someone who-

It is the Women's Fitness Festival that I do every year. This is actually the very first race that I did back in 2023, so this is a way that I pay homage. I do this every year. This year, I will be running the 10K, so I'm playing catch- up with training for that, and then also doing a lot of cycling. As far as having to adapt, I adapt a lot. A lot of the things that I have to do, I pay attention a lot to my body. I just have to. As someone who-

Of course.

Of course.

... lives with multiple conditions and disabilities, I have to pay attention. Because the moment I choose not to pay attention can be the defining moment of whether I go from being in a stable condition to making myself critically sick, or in an emergency situation, life- threatening situation. For me, the way I care for myself when I get into any workout is making sure that my heart meds are on deck. I have to make sure that my heart rate is at a pretty low level before I get into my exercises, my routine, my training. Because if I don't, I get really sick. At times, if I'm flaring with Crohn's disease or the gastroparesis, I have to do my workouts on all my feeds, which you guys have probably seen a few times. Managing to spin or lift weights or run attached to my feeding tube is an adjustment, but it's something I need to do. And the days that I'm flaring from my neurological condition, what does that look like in my training? That means I may have to slow down. That means I may have to do workouts from my floor. That means instead of running, I may have to walk. It means no inclines at times. It means having to go at a much slower pace. But all of this, all of this is just an indicator that things may just have to be different. It doesn't mean that you can't do them. It doesn't mean that you're less qualified to do them. It doesn't mean that you're not worthy of doing them. It just means that you have to lean into the pivot a little bit. When you lean into the pivot, you realize that you're not limited. You're not limited. You can do it all.

... lives with multiple conditions and disabilities, I have to pay attention. Because the moment I choose not to pay attention can be the defining moment of whether I go from being in a stable condition to making myself critically sick, or in an emergency situation, life- threatening situation. For me, the way I care for myself when I get into any workout is making sure that my heart meds are on deck. I have to make sure that my heart rate is at a pretty low level before I get into my exercises, my routine, my training. Because if I don't, I get really sick. At times, if I'm flaring with Crohn's disease or the gastroparesis, I have to do my workouts on all my feeds, which you guys have probably seen a few times. Managing to spin or lift weights or run attached to my feeding tube is an adjustment, but it's something I need to do. And the days that I'm flaring from my neurological condition, what does that look like in my training? That means I may have to slow down. That means I may have to do workouts from my floor. That means instead of running, I may have to walk. It means no inclines at times. It means having to go at a much slower pace. But all of this, all of this is just an indicator that things may just have to be different. It doesn't mean that you can't do them. It doesn't mean that you're less qualified to do them. It doesn't mean that you're not worthy of doing them. It just means that you have to lean into the pivot a little bit. When you lean into the pivot, you realize that you're not limited. You're not limited. You can do it all.

Absolutely. You can. You can. Doing it all for you, recently, or this year let's say, culminated in such a magical day in March where ... I mean, I saw you, was it the day before or two days before? I don't remember whether it was the Friday or the Saturday. You were in studio. You took a cycling class with Tundes. You were exhausted. You said to me like, "Becs, I'm tired. I'm really tired. I'm not feeling a hundred percent." Tunde and I were like, " Chill. Just take this class as easy as you want. This is your shakeout moment." And then the next morning, there you were, shining so bright with the biggest smile. I'm not going to take away from the fact that I know it was ... You had some tough moments. Every single runner has tough moments when they go through race day. It's not just you. But let's think about the positives and the amazingness. Is there a moment from that day that you still think back to that gives you the chills of like, " Oh my gosh. Wow."

Absolutely. You can. You can. Doing it all for you, recently, or this year let's say, culminated in such a magical day in March where ... I mean, I saw you, was it the day before or two days before? I don't remember whether it was the Friday or the Saturday. You were in studio. You took a cycling class with Tundes. You were exhausted. You said to me like, "Becs, I'm tired. I'm really tired. I'm not feeling a hundred percent." Tunde and I were like, " Chill. Just take this class as easy as you want. This is your shakeout moment." And then the next morning, there you were, shining so bright with the biggest smile. I'm not going to take away from the fact that I know it was ... You had some tough moments. Every single runner has tough moments when they go through race day. It's not just you. But let's think about the positives and the amazingness. Is there a moment from that day that you still think back to that gives you the chills of like, " Oh my gosh. Wow."

There's a couple of them for me. Yeah. I'd probably say one of the biggest ones for me, and I'd say maybe for Tunde as well, we're on the FDR and we see a runner who's not looking the best. Tunde spots her first, and she grabbed my attention, and I noticed her as well. We're just watching to see how she's doing, see if she kind of picks things up. Tunde is fine, I'm fighting for my life, but seeing her kind of took my mind off of the pain that I was experiencing, right?

There's a couple of them for me. Yeah. I'd probably say one of the biggest ones for me, and I'd say maybe for Tunde as well, we're on the FDR and we see a runner who's not looking the best. Tunde spots her first, and she grabbed my attention, and I noticed her as well. We're just watching to see how she's doing, see if she kind of picks things up. Tunde is fine, I'm fighting for my life, but seeing her kind of took my mind off of the pain that I was experiencing, right?

Distraction. Right. Mm- hmm.

Distraction. Right. Mm- hmm.

Her wellbeing, her safety became a priority for the both of us. So we continued to watch her, and she just continued to go downhill, and at one point, she had gone off to the side and it wasn't good. It looked like she was going to topple over. We ran over and we grabbed her and we got her to safety. We got her to the medics. I think the beautiful thing about that that I love so much is, it is a reflection of what the running community looks like. It's selfless. You want to see everybody win. You want to see everybody well. And to be able to take not necessarily the pressure off of ourselves and our race, but to take our thoughts out of doing our own thing, to lend a hand, to help somebody else in need more than wanting to finish this race at a certain time or in whatever capacity, was just a beautiful moment. That's one I will never forget. She did end up reaching out to us after the race and said that she got the help that she needed, and she was actually able to get back on the course and finish the race.

Her wellbeing, her safety became a priority for the both of us. So we continued to watch her, and she just continued to go downhill, and at one point, she had gone off to the side and it wasn't good. It looked like she was going to topple over. We ran over and we grabbed her and we got her to safety. We got her to the medics. I think the beautiful thing about that that I love so much is, it is a reflection of what the running community looks like. It's selfless. You want to see everybody win. You want to see everybody well. And to be able to take not necessarily the pressure off of ourselves and our race, but to take our thoughts out of doing our own thing, to lend a hand, to help somebody else in need more than wanting to finish this race at a certain time or in whatever capacity, was just a beautiful moment. That's one I will never forget. She did end up reaching out to us after the race and said that she got the help that she needed, and she was actually able to get back on the course and finish the race.

Yay. Perfect.

Yay. Perfect.

So that was absolutely beautiful.

So that was absolutely beautiful.

Yes.

Yes.

Another, which actually happened a lot. One of the things that Tunde kept repeating to me while on this course was, " Pick your head up. I want you to see the beauty around you." Every time she said that, it took my mind off of the pain and on the moment that I was actually doing something that I never imagined for myself. I never saw myself running 13. 1 miles. Even up to the beginning of starting the race, I was like, " I'm really about to do this? This doesn't feel real." So every time she told me to " pick my head up, I want you to see the beauty around you," it gave a new perspective. It gave a new light about running this race, and I got to see so many people on their own journeys running their own race at their own pace. It was absolutely beautiful. Running with Team for Kids, so that the kids could see somebody like myself and so many other people that are out there running the race, disabled and all, in pain and all, was absolutely beautiful. And had she not taken me out of my pain by telling me to simply pick my head up and see all the beauty around me, I would've missed it. Those are probably the two most pivotal moments for me in that race. Oh, wait, one more.

Another, which actually happened a lot. One of the things that Tunde kept repeating to me while on this course was, " Pick your head up. I want you to see the beauty around you." Every time she said that, it took my mind off of the pain and on the moment that I was actually doing something that I never imagined for myself. I never saw myself running 13. 1 miles. Even up to the beginning of starting the race, I was like, " I'm really about to do this? This doesn't feel real." So every time she told me to " pick my head up, I want you to see the beauty around you," it gave a new perspective. It gave a new light about running this race, and I got to see so many people on their own journeys running their own race at their own pace. It was absolutely beautiful. Running with Team for Kids, so that the kids could see somebody like myself and so many other people that are out there running the race, disabled and all, in pain and all, was absolutely beautiful. And had she not taken me out of my pain by telling me to simply pick my head up and see all the beauty around me, I would've missed it. Those are probably the two most pivotal moments for me in that race. Oh, wait, one more.

(inaudible) . Of course, please.

(inaudible) . Of course, please.

Finish the race. Finishing.

Finish the race. Finishing.

Well, yes.

Well, yes.

Finishing the race. Crossing that finish line. Crossing that finish line was ... yeah. I came home from that and I've literally been living like this ever since. You really can't tell me anything now.

Finishing the race. Crossing that finish line. Crossing that finish line was ... yeah. I came home from that and I've literally been living like this ever since. You really can't tell me anything now.

Yeah, you can't. I'm fine.

Yeah, you can't. I'm fine.

If I want to do it, I'm going to do it.

If I want to do it, I'm going to do it.

Yes, you are. You are. I'm sure every step of that 13.1, that young, tiny nine- year- old girl in you who struggled for five years, feeling alone, suddenly had this joyous moment of love, of understanding, of probably a ton of frustration and anger, but release. And you used the word reclamation, reclamation, however you want to pronounce it, English versus American. But it's true. And it takes ... I'm sure. Two paralyses, years of fighting for your life, not just in the hospital, literally before; living your life day to day, fighting for yourself. It takes someone, in your instance, Tunde, to take you out of a tough moment, to distract you, to let all of those things for a moment just be reclaimed by beauty and love and allow you to see through, and a door that is just there for you of goals and strength and inspiration because you share it. I see another book coming for you because, I mean, oh my gosh. How many kids out there who ... Yeah, she's looking at me like, " Yes, Becs. You know." I mean, you know I have a two and a half year old, and it shocks me every single day the things that she picks up in my words, of course, but my mannerisms. And to have somebody like you inspire a kid who was you? You know? That child needs you. That child needs to see this beautiful smile that you have, this strength upon strength upon strength that you have held on to. So thank you for inspiring. Not just inspiring kids like you, but you will inspire Tallulah to be a stronger and more beautiful human in what you do. So take those challenges, everybody. Take them, because life is precious, but boy, can we? Can we? Because as you said to those boys, " Who can't? Who can't? Uh- uh."

Yes, you are. You are. I'm sure every step of that 13.1, that young, tiny nine- year- old girl in you who struggled for five years, feeling alone, suddenly had this joyous moment of love, of understanding, of probably a ton of frustration and anger, but release. And you used the word reclamation, reclamation, however you want to pronounce it, English versus American. But it's true. And it takes ... I'm sure. Two paralyses, years of fighting for your life, not just in the hospital, literally before; living your life day to day, fighting for yourself. It takes someone, in your instance, Tunde, to take you out of a tough moment, to distract you, to let all of those things for a moment just be reclaimed by beauty and love and allow you to see through, and a door that is just there for you of goals and strength and inspiration because you share it. I see another book coming for you because, I mean, oh my gosh. How many kids out there who ... Yeah, she's looking at me like, " Yes, Becs. You know." I mean, you know I have a two and a half year old, and it shocks me every single day the things that she picks up in my words, of course, but my mannerisms. And to have somebody like you inspire a kid who was you? You know? That child needs you. That child needs to see this beautiful smile that you have, this strength upon strength upon strength that you have held on to. So thank you for inspiring. Not just inspiring kids like you, but you will inspire Tallulah to be a stronger and more beautiful human in what you do. So take those challenges, everybody. Take them, because life is precious, but boy, can we? Can we? Because as you said to those boys, " Who can't? Who can't? Uh- uh."

I'm going to show you.

I'm going to show you.

"Not me. I can. Thank you." And here you are today, still, taking the hoops and shooting your shot, my girl. You're utterly astounding. You're awe- inspiring. All of the brain people, doctors out there, tell you to find awe in life every day. So today, my friends, if you are struggling to find awe, go on Shaunta- Mae's page, see her face, and there's your awe, inspiration for today. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing it with us, with the world. I can't wait to see what ... You're giving me the winks and the nods of what's coming for you. I can't wait to see you and squeeze you in the studio when you're next here. But thank you for being you, and just everything you do.

"Not me. I can. Thank you." And here you are today, still, taking the hoops and shooting your shot, my girl. You're utterly astounding. You're awe- inspiring. All of the brain people, doctors out there, tell you to find awe in life every day. So today, my friends, if you are struggling to find awe, go on Shaunta- Mae's page, see her face, and there's your awe, inspiration for today. Thank you so much for sharing your story. Thank you for sharing it with us, with the world. I can't wait to see what ... You're giving me the winks and the nods of what's coming for you. I can't wait to see you and squeeze you in the studio when you're next here. But thank you for being you, and just everything you do.

Thank you. Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank you also because you've played a pivotal role in my journey as well. When I started taking your classes on the tread, when I first started, I was so intimidated. I was so intimidated because I was like, " Do y'all know who Becs is? Do y'all know? Do y'all know who this woman is? She's a beast. She's a beast on the track. I don't know if I can do this." But getting into your classes, honestly, I think you're one of the most challenging tread instructors there is. Because, one, again, you know who Becs is. But because you challenge us to push ourselves past our limits, but you inspire us in the process, which I think is beautiful because oftentimes, especially when it comes to me, being on the tread is hard. Running is hard for me daily. It is a constant battle in my head of, if I can actually do this still. I've run a half- marathon. But when I get in your classes and I choose these hard classes, knowing that you're there and that you're inspiring, and you're doing it with such love and compassion and empathy for the people that you are instructing and teaching, not just on the tread, but off the tread as well, is something that I'll hold dear to. I absolutely adore you. I do. You're so special to me. I did not forget the message that you sent to Tunde, while I was on the course, for me, as I was fighting the last, I think it was like the last 5K. I think it was the last three miles. And that helped me run a little bit faster. It actually brought me to tears. So I want to say thank you for all that you do. Thank you for inspiring so many of us. Thank you for your love and your heart, not just for the sport, but for the people. I'm glad I get to experience you in this way, and I definitely can't wait to get back to New York to hug your face again. And hopefully be in your classes, because I need that. I need to have no chill in your class.

Thank you. Also, I'd be remiss if I didn't thank you also because you've played a pivotal role in my journey as well. When I started taking your classes on the tread, when I first started, I was so intimidated. I was so intimidated because I was like, " Do y'all know who Becs is? Do y'all know? Do y'all know who this woman is? She's a beast. She's a beast on the track. I don't know if I can do this." But getting into your classes, honestly, I think you're one of the most challenging tread instructors there is. Because, one, again, you know who Becs is. But because you challenge us to push ourselves past our limits, but you inspire us in the process, which I think is beautiful because oftentimes, especially when it comes to me, being on the tread is hard. Running is hard for me daily. It is a constant battle in my head of, if I can actually do this still. I've run a half- marathon. But when I get in your classes and I choose these hard classes, knowing that you're there and that you're inspiring, and you're doing it with such love and compassion and empathy for the people that you are instructing and teaching, not just on the tread, but off the tread as well, is something that I'll hold dear to. I absolutely adore you. I do. You're so special to me. I did not forget the message that you sent to Tunde, while I was on the course, for me, as I was fighting the last, I think it was like the last 5K. I think it was the last three miles. And that helped me run a little bit faster. It actually brought me to tears. So I want to say thank you for all that you do. Thank you for inspiring so many of us. Thank you for your love and your heart, not just for the sport, but for the people. I'm glad I get to experience you in this way, and I definitely can't wait to get back to New York to hug your face again. And hopefully be in your classes, because I need that. I need to have no chill in your class.

You better. You better. You better. We're getting you in. Amazing. All right, lots of love, and I will see you soon.

You better. You better. You better. We're getting you in. Amazing. All right, lots of love, and I will see you soon.

Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

New York Roadrunners is a nonprofit organization with a vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running. The support of members and donors like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the health and well- being of our communities through inclusive and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. Dr. Jane Yoo is a dual board- certified dermatologist, a surgeon and an assistant professor at Mount Sinai, and she wants every runner, especially runners of color, to take sun protection seriously. A decades- long New York Roadrunners member, Jane just completed her Abbott Six Star Journey at the 2024 Berlin Marathon, and she's in training now for Sydney. In addition to her work as a researcher and a public policy advocate, Jane is a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation helping shape national sun protection standards. She joins us today to share her practical advice for fall marathon training, especially when it comes to sunscreen and skin health. Dr. Yoo, it is great to see you. You and I have had a chance to chat a couple of times in the past about your passion on this topic, so thank you so much for joining us.

New York Roadrunners is a nonprofit organization with a vision to build healthier lives and stronger communities through the transformative power of running. The support of members and donors like you helps us achieve our mission to transform the health and well- being of our communities through inclusive and accessible running experiences, empowering all to achieve their potential. Learn more and contribute at nyrr. org/ donate. Dr. Jane Yoo is a dual board- certified dermatologist, a surgeon and an assistant professor at Mount Sinai, and she wants every runner, especially runners of color, to take sun protection seriously. A decades- long New York Roadrunners member, Jane just completed her Abbott Six Star Journey at the 2024 Berlin Marathon, and she's in training now for Sydney. In addition to her work as a researcher and a public policy advocate, Jane is a spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation helping shape national sun protection standards. She joins us today to share her practical advice for fall marathon training, especially when it comes to sunscreen and skin health. Dr. Yoo, it is great to see you. You and I have had a chance to chat a couple of times in the past about your passion on this topic, so thank you so much for joining us.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Okay. I have a lot of questions about this. Let's just start with the basics. When a runner is out there training through the spring and the summer months, getting ready for whatever their race is, a half- marathon, a marathon, maybe they're in races over the summer, how much is sun protection a factor they should be thinking about? How much time in the sun does it require to really potentially do damage to your skin?

Okay. I have a lot of questions about this. Let's just start with the basics. When a runner is out there training through the spring and the summer months, getting ready for whatever their race is, a half- marathon, a marathon, maybe they're in races over the summer, how much is sun protection a factor they should be thinking about? How much time in the sun does it require to really potentially do damage to your skin?

Well, that's a great question because I think when we think about running marathons, we're thinking about the long game. Our training typically starts in the summer, goes through November, and so we see all different seasons. We should be thinking about sunscreen actually every single day of the year because we have sun exposure that comes from two different types of rays; the UVA rays, which cause premature skin aging, as well as the UVB rays or burning. But we still also have visible light that affects us, so every day, we should be thinking about sun protection.

Well, that's a great question because I think when we think about running marathons, we're thinking about the long game. Our training typically starts in the summer, goes through November, and so we see all different seasons. We should be thinking about sunscreen actually every single day of the year because we have sun exposure that comes from two different types of rays; the UVA rays, which cause premature skin aging, as well as the UVB rays or burning. But we still also have visible light that affects us, so every day, we should be thinking about sun protection.

Jane, if I can call you Jane, you and I know each other, I should call you Dr. Yoo. Dr. Yoo, we run in the morning a lot of the time. Oftentimes our races are at 8: 00 a. m. sometimes 7: 00 a. m. How big a factor is that? I'm not often going out for a run at noon or 2:00 in the afternoon. I'm usually early in the morning, sometimes late in the evening. Does that matter a lot? If you're running before 9: 00 a.m., do you have to worry about this less or is the sun really dangerous any time of day?

Jane, if I can call you Jane, you and I know each other, I should call you Dr. Yoo. Dr. Yoo, we run in the morning a lot of the time. Oftentimes our races are at 8: 00 a. m. sometimes 7: 00 a. m. How big a factor is that? I'm not often going out for a run at noon or 2:00 in the afternoon. I'm usually early in the morning, sometimes late in the evening. Does that matter a lot? If you're running before 9: 00 a.m., do you have to worry about this less or is the sun really dangerous any time of day?

I think you really have to worry about the sun during the prime times, during noon and when it's really, really hot out, but I would recommend folks to run either early in the morning or in the evening, so they get less of that exposure and less of the burning. I have to say that most people think that skin cancer is caused by just the sun, but there's genetic and there's environmental factors that play a role. The most important thing that we can do is protect ourselves and make sure that we have hats as well as sunglasses and UV clothing.

I think you really have to worry about the sun during the prime times, during noon and when it's really, really hot out, but I would recommend folks to run either early in the morning or in the evening, so they get less of that exposure and less of the burning. I have to say that most people think that skin cancer is caused by just the sun, but there's genetic and there's environmental factors that play a role. The most important thing that we can do is protect ourselves and make sure that we have hats as well as sunglasses and UV clothing.

So it's not just about sunscreen. It's obviously about the things, the physical things that block the sun. I'm a huge fan of running with a hat on, baseball cap sort of thing when the sun's out, and sunglasses to protect the eyes as well, right?

So it's not just about sunscreen. It's obviously about the things, the physical things that block the sun. I'm a huge fan of running with a hat on, baseball cap sort of thing when the sun's out, and sunglasses to protect the eyes as well, right?

Exactly. The more you can protect yourself on sun exposed areas, the better. If you want to get into sun protection, well, first of all, this is May, Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Let me start off with that. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, and one in five people will be diagnosed by age 70. So everyone needs sunscreen and everyone is at risk regardless of their skin color. What the American Academy of Dermatology recommends is that everyone wear sunscreen that's broad spectrum, protecting you against the UVA as well as UVB rays, SPF30 or higher, as well as something that's water resistant. Most people ask, " Well, what is SPF?" That's the number that just tells you how long the sun's UVB rays would take to redden the skin when you're using a particular sunscreen compared to the amount of time without the sunscreen. Basically, using a sunscreen with SPF30 blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays. The higher number SPFs block slightly more of the sun's UVB rays, but no sunscreen can block a hundred percent of the sun's UVB rays. Again, it's really, really important to reapply, and what I recommend is reapplying every two hours.