March 25, 2021
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:00:00]
This is 2021. I'm tired of hearing first. We shouldn't have that anymore. So I'm that person I want to get to the point where, when we see another minority president, nobody's losing their mind because they're just, Hey, that's our president. It's not, Hey, first black president.
###### India Cook: [00:00:15]
And I think sometimes it's not all about having the conversations, but putting in the work. And I think for me, that's my way of giving back and showing like, no, I'm not going to be silent. I'm going to continue to show y'all that work can be done. We have the specialties, we have the expertise, we have the experience and we're giving it to you all.
### Episode Intro
###### Kevin Chang: [00:00:35]
Hello, and welcome to the RaceMob podcast, where we're all about running long, having fun and making the human connection.
This is episode number 41.
I'm Kevin entrepreneur technology and fitness nerd. And I'm joined by the head coach of RaceMob and master motivator, the incomparable Bertrand Newson.
This is a great conversation with a well-respected veteran podcasting crew. We met Tommy and India when we were invited to a discussion in September of 2020 that brought together podcasters around the world to chat about inclusion and diversity in our sport.
Before we get too deep into this episode, I just wanted to take a few moments to talk about something that's been on my mind.
As an Asian American male I've often felt uncomfortable speaking out on matters of inclusion and diversity. I'm still learning about the challenges and struggles that my partner and so many in the African -American community have had to deal with due to systemic racism. My approach has been to listen, uncover the stories and tell you all about it.
But recently there has been an unsettling number of hate crimes towards Asians, including a recent incident in Atlanta. And there was a heinous crime in Boulder, Colorado, just this week in the same city where I went to college and a few blocks from where I lived.
While the motives are still unclear, what is obvious is that violent crimes have become all too prevalent for too long. We've had powerful leaders, media outlets, and social media algorithms that have capitalized on hate. They amplify it and they funnel it to fuel their own agenda.
And that's why it's more important than ever to be intentional when building communities, we have an obligation to be inclusive, to make sure that our clubs, organizations, and teams are diverse. We're so fortunate as runners to be able to bond over this common love for our sports, the appreciation for the hard work that it takes to get over the finish line or to just tow the starting line.
I'm so fortunate to be able to partner with Bertrand because you can see the diversity and enthusiasm that has group two legit naturally carries. That's why at RaceMob, we're not so focused on bringing in high ticket sales or attracting affluent market segments. We're intense on inspiring health and fitness to everyone, but it's especially important that we bring health, fitness, wellness, and hope to those who need it, especially to those who don't even know where to start.
We've seen how it's impacted our lives, not only our health, mental acuity and confidence. But especially the emotional benefits of having a strong community.
Okay. Thanks for listening to this important tangent for me. And now to the show notes.
You are going to love this incredible conversation from the run duo podcast.
We dive into the Publix Atlanta race. Yes. A real live race. Which had about the importance of diversity and the important steps that we're seeing towards inclusion, India breaks down her recent experience, getting coaching certified and the unique program that she's coaching with. Plus we dive into some podcasting tips from these industry veterans.
All of the show notes can be found online at RaceMob dot com slash podcasts, and without further ado, here's our conversation.
### Start of the Interview
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:03:48]
RaceMob family, you are in for a real treat all the way from Atlanta, Georgia podcast, duo extraordinaire. Yes, the Tommy Mitchell and India Cook. We were very fortunate last year to cross paths, and we've been blessed ever since innovators in the podcast space. Great energy as you're about to witness. And we couldn't be happier, more honored to have you both on welcome Tommy and welcome India.
###### India Cook: [00:04:16]
Thank you.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:04:17]
Thanks. We appreciate it. Love, love being on, you know, loved it, loved to let somebody else do the editing while we just talk crazy.
### A Half Marathon in Athlanta
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:04:26]
So let's, let's dig right in let's uh, let's take it back, not way, way back, let's take it back probably about a week ago. I was in Atlanta. You guys are there right now as part of the half marathon experience. Maybe talk a little bit about, uh, that race day experience and we'll get into your history and how the run do a podcast got started and some other great takeaways as well.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:04:47]
I'll let you go ahead, India.
###### India Cook: [00:04:49]
I was just about say you go ahead, Tommy. So the race day experience was very different, but. Very awesome. I would say that Atlanta track club has done an amazing job through this pandemic finding different ways to make the race experience different. Of course, being that the race was at the Atlanta motor Speedway, we were able to run around the track.
It's just a very different experience. Of course. Let me preface this two laps around the track. So a lot of people ask prior . If we ran the full half marathon or the marathon all around the track and it's like, no, we weren't on the track the whole entire time we were on there for two laps.
So you're ending 5k is when we hit the track, but it was a great weekend. Great experience 5k and half marathon myself, as well as Tommy was able to run the half marathon. So good experience, not my best race, but it was still a great race day and I finished it.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:05:41]
There you go. Yes. I'll second. What, India saying is about the Atlanta track club.
They have found ways in this time to get in-person races done. Um, which is great, honestly, because India, and I also ran in, it was a 10 mile or last year. That was, um, the first in-person race I had running. I don't know how long and I forgotten how much I missed it. Honestly. I was like, you know, Oh, so there were no in-person races.
I hadn't been racing that much before COVID hit. So I didn't think that much about it. But once I actually got to get out there, run with other people, struggle, you know, get on the struggle bus with other people, not so much in this race, in the, in the other one, I I've found you get those, and I talk about this all the time, you run into these people, you have no idea who they are, they become your run partner during that race.
Like you are just together basically because you guys are, you know, your paces are so perfect together. You end up staying together through the whole race. You know, I missed all of that. You know, that, that adventure, and then that crossing the finish line.
They don't hand you your medals still. They put it in a bag because of COVID, but. Crossing that finish line and getting that metal is something that I didn't think I missed so much, but I actually did once I got out there.
###### India Cook: [00:06:51]
Definitely. I agree. Definitely realize what you like when it comes to racing. So I think that that's , best part of it is that the race experience is just a different experience than just doing things virtually or running independently.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:07:03]
A great thing about this one, the Publix marathon and half marathon was they actually found a way also to have really just family members, I guess, but they were at least spectators where before you really didn't see that at all, but at least they had the way it was set up. There's a way for your friends and family, actually to see you on the course.
, while you ran, which is another great thing. Um, at the end of the race, like when I finished, I didn't have anybody out there, but I just saw so many family members taking photos of their friends and their family finishing. And because it was on the NASCAR track, everybody was trying to get a photo right there on the finish line of the NASCAR track.
So it was really cool to see that because you hadn't seen that in so long. You like the
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:07:44]
song says ain't nothing like the real thing, right.
### The Run Duo Origin Story [00:07:49]
And, , now let's talk about what's your history, . How long have you guys known each other? And then how did that, uh, partnership evolved to a fantastic podcast that you guys have been running since? What, 2018?
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:08:02]
I don't know.
###### India Cook: [00:08:11]
Listen, let me tell you guys this, every single episode, he's like, what episode is this again? And I have to go and make sure that look to see what episode, and then like two seconds later, he forgets and I'm like Episode
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:08:24]
We'll start the podcast and I'll go, wait a minute. What episode is this? And let me just explain, because I don't care what episode it is. I just enjoy talking about running. That's the whole reason I started doing podcasts. I had a podcast that I did by myself before run duo called shut up Tommy. Yeah, exactly.
Go shut up Tommy. I have a thing about turning hobbies into jobs. I don't like to do that. I've done that a couple of times. I don't like to do that. I like things to be. You know, that's just, it's a me thing. I just like things to be, if it's a hobby, I like to keep it a hobby and doing it by myself just became such a job.
You know, it was an every week thing. And I was like, okay, I can't keep coming up with content. Y'all know all y'all on here right now. Know how hard it is to come up with content, to come up with. interesting things to talk about and think about doing that just by yourself. You don't have anything to bounce, anything off of.
So I was really getting, you know, I was like, eh, I don't know, but I still wanted a podcast. So I hit up India and India. I think you were actually my first interview on shut up Tommy. If I'm not mistaken, she was my first interview and "Shut Up Tommy." I know India mainly through my girlfriend, Heather. I think they ran together at one point.
And then all of a sudden I started seeing India around in the running community and she was already doing a vlog. She was someone who enjoyed talking about running, which that's what I wanted. And also I felt like if I'm going to have somebody to bounce things off of, maybe it should be a female because, you know, I got the male point of view, she has a female point of view.
So I went to her and was like, Hey, you want to do a podcast? And I was really surprised. And India was like, yeah, she'd be like, man I don't know, I don't know. But I set it up, you know, every other week thing is something that I started just because I knew how hard it was for every week.
You know, you gotta, you got a nine to five job. It's just. Really really hard. So I always applaud people who can have kids do podcasts, run marathons, do all of that. I applaud you. I can't do it. I need, I need some off time, but that's kind of how I came to India with the idea for The Run Duo
###### India Cook: [00:10:26]
Yeah. So my side of the story is: he is correct. I was doing a vlog, but it was not yet on YouTube. Like it is now. I was blogging just on Facebook. And what I did was I started blogging my journey to my first marathon. So I did, I've done two marathons and I decided to document that journey.
So I would upload videos on Facebook and just allow people to see my journey, like my every week training, the highs, the lows, all of that. So I would document it.
And of course at that time of my life vlogging consistently just didn't match with my lifestyle. And so I did it for two years. And when Tommy reached out to me to ask me if I wanted to do the podcast, I was in a little bit of a hiatus and trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my blog.
And I was like, you know, what, how can we arrange this? Because just setting it up and like, how can we make this a partnership to where it won't be so much? and so I was like, you know what? It may be better for me to verbally talk about my running space instead of also including the audio, the video, it's a different beast when it comes to doing blogs.
Honestly, Tommy came to me at the right time on the right day. And I just said, you know what I said, you know what, let's do it. And so we have been a duo since then. We have not missed a Thursday. We do every other week. And I mean, we enjoy it. We're very organic and raw. Like we don't practice things like when we first get on, on Thursdays, we literally say what we talking about today, literally before we record, we say, what are we talking about today?
We go down our list. Okay, you're going to talk about that. I'll talk about this. And we piggyback off of each other and then that's it literally it's five minutes before we record. And we just allow it to just be a very raw organic communication conversation. And it's just been working for us.
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:12:15]
Yeah. And we clearly see that we clearly feel that.
And that's, you know, Kevin and I picked up on that from the very first time we know we were on air with you guys and we see that and our audience hears that right now.
It is that raw. It is that real. And you know, that's something that Kevin and I, you know, we feel we have good chemistry on. Camera, we enjoy hanging out, chopping it up, so to speak. And I'm sharing that with our audience that is growing. And again, just following your lead.
###### India Cook: [00:12:40]
But no Coach "B". I agree. I think Tommy and I are, when we first discussed doing this podcast, one of our biggest things was. First of all being organic, second of all entertaining, but also having conversations that are not so high level and so technical.
Like let's have conversations that appeals to your casual runner, to your everyday runner, to your people that are being dads, moms, sisters, brothers workers, like people that have a full life, and that are also into the running scene because I mean, we understand, we have several podcasts out here that are elite runners and people that only talk about the elite in the stats, but what you said, there's a whole other population out there that is not being met or get lost in those types of conversations. And so we really want it to bring it down.
, of course, we talk about stats. We talk about the world majors. We talk about all of those things. We've interviewed some there, some elite individuals. But we want to also talk about the everyday and what it looks like to juggle it all.
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:13:35]
And look at this panel here, look at the diversity of this panel. Fantastic. Which we'll talk more in detail as well.
###### Kevin Chang: [00:13:43]
don't we talk about it right now? So we were first brought together back in, well, October, September. Yeah. Yeah. Thanks to tests. Marshall. Who, who brought us together? , a panel discussing diversity. , right before the race, , an event that she puts on.
### Diversity and Representation in the Running Community [00:13:58]
Let's talk a little bit about, , what we were chatting about back then, which is, talking about introducing more diversity into the sport and , are we doing enough? And so have you guys had additional discussions since September, , with other folks, do you guys have any other additional thoughts on that?
Tommy, I'll start with you.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:14:17]
I think talk about diversity and representation on every single podcast. I think because , it's definitely something that's relevant in today's world is always been relevant in the world. I, um, definitely feel like we're going in the right direction. I'm the person that can't wait until we stop saying first, this first black first Asian first, this first that I'm, I don't want to hear first.
This is 2021. I'm tired of hearing first. We shouldn't have that anymore. So I'm that person I want to get to the point where, when we see another minority president, nobody's losing their mind because they're just, Hey, that's our president. It's not, Hey, first black president. That's the point I'm looking for.
And I think after this past year with everything that went on, we are seeing diversity representation all over the place. I just want to make sure that it's not a big reach and then it just goes away. I'm 52. I grew up in the seventies and the eighties. It was amazing to see, uh, an African American mannequin.
I mean, you know, you would lose, you're like, Oh my God, that's, you know, on the, on the East coast, I don't know how it was on the West coast, but you know, it was amazing to see an African-American, you know, mannequin. And I remember probably in the middle eighties, you start to see of representation of African-Americans of minorities in different places.
And then all of a sudden it kind of went away. So I don't want the same thing to happen this time. I don't want us to get out there. And then all of a sudden we don't see it anymore. So we just got to keep talking about it, keep bringing it up and getting it, getting people out there.
###### India Cook: [00:15:45]
So I will say that I have consistently been communicating about representation and more so being embodying it.
So for me last year, opened up a lot of doors for me and connecting with the running community and the things that I'm doing outside of even the podcast. Like I think Tommy and I, yes, we speak about diversity and inclusion on our podcasts very often, but I think just us having a podcast that's consistent within the running community is an extra step, right. It is a step that is being done.
I think for me, I've had several conversations since last year about diversity inclusion. The reason why I have my vlog, the reason why Tommy and I are here is because I am trying to do better to show people. Representation is out here. The, what people see in magazines and things of that nature is not the only representation of runners.
And so I think for me, me continuing us continuing Tommy and us continuing to do the work that we're doing is to what I feel is our footsteps towards showing diversity and inclusion. And I think sometimes it's not all about having the conversations, but putting in the work. And I think for me, that's my way of giving back and showing like, no, I'm not going to be silent.
I'm going to continue to show y'all that work can be done. I have, we have the specialties, we have the expertise, we have the experience and we're giving it to you all. So I think for me, it's about action. And I think that everyone, when we talk about diversity inclusion, everyone has a different space in their world of how they want to give back.
Some people may be a podcast. So some people may donate to certain organizations. Some people may be on the front line. Doing the protest or whatever it is. And for me, it is doing the work that I'm doing with my podcast, my blog and my brand. That's the way I'm giving back and showing.
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:17:29]
And having such a platform in the form of a podcast and YouTube presence, and the respect you've garnered over the years.
### Navigating Through 2020 and the BLM Movement [00:17:37]
How was it navigating, you know, last year, you know, through Amaud Arbury, , listening to the community, being able to articulate to others who maybe just couldn't understand. I mean, how has it being, you know, part of the community during that timeframe for our listeners to have a greater sense of understanding right there in Georgia.
###### India Cook: [00:17:54]
Say for me, well, I'll speak a little briefly for us, Tommy and I. So we had a podcast that we recorded, and we talked about the black lives matter movement and Ahmaud Arbury and everything that happened. And before Tommy and I recorded that episode, I just literally came to Tommy and I said, Tommy, we're going to talk about this today. We did. That was it. We're going to talk about what's going on in the world today.
We didn't rehearse anything. And it ended up being an episode that was our visions and our feelings about what's going on in the world, how we're feeling as runners, because. It did touch, you know, closer to home. My experiences with running as an African-American woman is very different than Tommy's experiences of running as an African-American man.
So he was able to explain there his piece and our piece. But I think that I did not expect for that episode to get the platforms or the publicity that it did because we were just expressing our experiences.
So I would say in regards to that, it has been a huge change. It has allowed us to be seen and allowed us to be heard, but it's, I feel like it's not because of that we're African-American podcast was in the running space, but I think it's because it was our experiences that people didn't realize were actually happening or people could feel that way.
Something that I say all the time is the things that happened last year, or even this year, the things that are happening when it comes to racism, it's nothing new to us. Like I wasn't surprised that it happened per se and that's unfortunate, but I think it's one of those things where we have to really take a step back and see what are you exposed to? And are you hearing other people, are you communicating with other people that potentially could have different views or experiences than you to open up your mind?
So I would say that it was. Helpful for us in the midst of being able to share our experience, more people want it to communicate with us because we were open to share our experience, but also educating people that are like us, African-American individuals that we have to be open to our allies and we have to be open to educating other people and sharing our experience so they can have a better understanding or clarity on different sides.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:19:56]
Definitely, and just thinking about that episode, um, when India was saying that she got on the phone and she's like, we're gonna, we're gonna talk about this today. I'm on your side.
And I mean, the thing, is I was planning on talking about it anyway, but that's what we do. We just talk about what's going on. So I won't talk about it anyway, but she made a point like, Hey, this is what we're doing today.
###### India Cook: [00:20:21]
I'm a little bit more passionate about talking to than Tommy. Tommy is very laid back and I'm like, listen, this is why we're talking about today.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:20:31]
She cause she was strong about it. But, , I mean, honestly I mean, it did get a whole lot of publicity. I think it went to runner's world.
That was probably one of our most listened to podcasts, which is great. That's great. And all I, and I honestly, I doubt I remember what I said, because unfortunately in my lifetime, I've had to talk about stuff like this quite often, you know?
And it, it begins to wear on you. It really does. When I see stuff like this, now I just hang my head. Cause I've just, I'm just like, dude, why, why is all this happening? Why does this have to happen? So it really, it does bother me. It may seem like, like any, since I'm very laid back, I've just learned it. Just my, I have to keep emotional control because you would just get upset.
And I remember sitting somewhere one time and just thinking about all the stuff's gone and I just started getting mad and I'm like, okay, wait a minute. I gotta make a phone call for my job right now. I need to come. I need to, you know, I need to calm. Yeah. I need to calm down. And it's unfortunate, you know, that I have to live like that.
You know, it's unfortunate that I have to think the way I do. I have to think about my son. And when he grows up, what is he going to have to deal with? And is he going to be smart enough to navigate through all of this? I was lucky I had great men in my life. My father, my uncles. Who dealt with a lot more than I deal with as far as, you know, racism, but they taught me, Hey, when I was a kid, I had a very bad temper and my dad was really scared that my temper one day was going to get me in trouble with police, with somebody.
And he taught me, he was like, look, you need to learn to control your emotions. I understand you're upset, but you know, not everybody's your family, not everybody's going to take your tantrum and deal with it. Some people are going to take it another way. So it's just. With everything that's going on right now with everything, with social justice that is going on right now, I just pray that it will actually make a change.
And I felt like, you know, last year we were starting to move in that direction, but you know, the, the other side, they don't just go to sleep. They just don't fall down. They, they fight too. So that's why we have to stay vigilant. And that's just kind of the way I feel about it anyway. Yeah.
###### India Cook: [00:22:35]
I think the last thing I would add is something that I've been really, I think, frustrated more so with, with this process.
And when I say process, the changes that have been happening in the outreach or the things that has been happening with running brands and companies and all of this stuff is diversity is not just african-American it bothers me when people use the word diversity and they only focus on black people.
And so it's like, it is, thank you. Like I'm an African-American woman. Like thank you. I appreciate it. But it's not just us. It is so many other people that embody that. It is disabilities is physical abilities is different. Body size is like, there's so many other things. That encompasses diversity. And I just hope that everyone is looking at that as a whole.
And also us as African-American individuals are receiving that diversity is not just us. And I think that that's another piece, like I'm excited for the changes that are happening, but less, not just compartmentalize it to white and black. There's so much more to it.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:23:33]
Exactly. That's definitely true.
###### Kevin Chang: [00:23:35]
Love what you guys are saying.
### Coach B's Experience and Diversity in the RCAA [00:23:37]
Coach "B". I wanted to give you some opportunity as well, because, um, I know that we've talked a little bit about this on our YouTube channel, but we haven't really had a chance to dive into your experiences, as well as I know that more recently you've been on some RRCA boards , specifically around hiring . And so, , any insights that you have, any, any thoughts that you have?
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:23:58]
Thank you, Kevin, for that. Yes. Recently, I'm appointed to a nominating committee for the executive board for, um, the RRCA. So interviewing potential board members and we made our recommendations and we took a lot of things in consideration.
I appreciated the process, being able to have a seat at the table to have some say, and to see some of those candidates that. Looked like this panel right here, you know, the diversity of those candidates, the experience, the capability, um, of those individuals. And we made some good recommendations and the board as they'll will be announced, uh, at the national meeting next month in Orlando, Florida will have a, a greater sense of representation from a female perspective and a minority perspective as well.
So very fortunate to be a part of that. And I mean, yeah, you know, I've been a, an African-American male for 51 years, so to be 52 years later this month, so we've all had our experiences as well. Um, I, I love the running community so much. It has been incredibly good to me. And diversity takes on a different meaning depending on where you live in this country, you know where in for you, you know, parts of this state that are very diverse.
And so to some people's surprise in some rural parts, maybe not as diverse, but the one common denominator about the running committee, it's at its core, pretty damn friendly. You know, some of my best friends on this earth, I have met because of my love for getting outside and walking, running, and hiking.
And when conversations don't center around political affiliation or skin tone, , it's great. And 2020 was a challenging year for many reasons. And we navigate navigated through a pandemic. A lot of people suffered physically and financially, and it also amplify tensions from, uh, a social standpoint. And we talked about that recently, but what we're doing right now talking and India, you pointed out what are we doing as leaders to force change to question, to follow up when we have the opportunity to have some influence and have some say being fair-minded, , and giving other people opportunities that have afforded us those opportunities as well. So . And that's, that's our mission.
Um, and we love doing that here at RaceMob and, and being a, a voice. A platform, but also the ability to force change and really be about inclusion. And you guys are doing that in droves, so really following your lead there, so.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:26:31]
Thanks. We definitely appreciate that Coach. "B" I did want to say one more thing about diversity.
It has to be intentional. It's just not going to happen on its own. It has to be intentional. And, um, just, you know, examples of when we're talking about hiring the new race director for the New York city marathon. you know, African-American man, but that was intentional. And I, you know what, I don't have any problem with it.
You know, some people probably do because New York road runners had some problems internally about diversity. And so they intentionally hired an African-American race director. Okay. That that's great. Doesn't mean he's not qualified for the job, but they did hire him intentionally. And I have no problem with that.
And I think it has to be until it's something that we don't think about anymore. When I go back to this becomes just normal. Just, you know, it's not a thing. Nobody says anything when they hire somebody of diversity or minority for something that we don't say anything until that point comes, you do have to be intentional with diversity.
###### India Cook: [00:27:28]
I agree. I'm really excited to see what RRCA has. , as RRCA certified coach, like I I'm really looking forward to it. For someone, I got my certification last year and there was conversations that I feel like during my certification cohort that I brought up that were, let's talk more about inclusion of pace and, you know, size and all of these things, just some in some of our like breakout rooms and things of that nature.
And I think that even the training could be uplifted a little bit in regards to diversity, could do a little facelift, but I'm really excited to see their changes and I look forward to.
### Coach India's Certification
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:28:02]
And India congratulations on your certification. How's that been for you? I mean, let's transition a little bit, as a coach, you know, Coach India.
###### India Cook: [00:28:11]
when I tell you guys that 2020 busted the door open for me, it did. It did. Of course not saying that it hasn't been any, you know, negative things, but of course, like it's just been great. So coaching has been amazing. I have to date probably coached about 15 ladies already. And so it's been literally full speed ahead. I have the opportunity to be a coach with a non-profit called Active Resolute Connected.
It, it is a nonprofit organization that helps to break barriers for ladies that may have barriers financially, physically, whether it be because they don't feel like they are a runner. Um, so emotionally, whatever it is, but these ladies are sponsored into our program and we actually provide an eight week training block for them.
They get a run coach, they get a mentor and they get a mindfulness coach through that time. And they also are connected with virtual physical therapy if they have any pains or issues. And so I actually am a coach for them. Um, and so I have ladies that roll in on an eight week cycle that I work with consistently and we connect every single week.
And honestly, it's been a blessing, um, that I've been able to connect on that level with this program. And that's really, what's kind of gotten me my experience and I truly enjoy it because for me, not only working with the ladies. That are interested in running or interested in elevating their running process, but also working with ladies that have a barrier that they're dealing with.
Um, and so for me, I enjoy being able to work on a run Coach side, but also the mentality of how you feel about yourself as a runner, the mentality that you are a runner, even if you. Are only able to run to the mailbox like you are a runner. Um, and so being able to do that has been nothing but amazing. So I do Coach independently as well, but a lot of my clients have come from the ARC program . So it's been amazing.
### India's First Client
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:29:54]
That's great. Any success stories that you I'm sure there are plenty. Anyone come top of mind that you'd like to share with our audience?
###### India Cook: [00:30:01]
For sure. So I will say honestly, my first client, I won't share her name cause I don't want her to feel so conscious, but she has just really done amazing.
I connected with her just via social media. Um, I would see her posts. I don't, I didn't know her prior to. But I would see her post and she would talk about her pace and, Oh, I want to get faster. And I mean, at this time she was running 15 minute miles. Um, and I just was like, you're doing amazing like that.
You're you're out here moving and you are doing something. And I try to tell my clients all the time. Yes. There's always going to be someone that's faster than us, but there's also always going to be someone that's wanting to get to where you are so pace and how fast or slow or whatever it is. Is relative, right? Like that's relative to people
And so I just really uplifted her via social media. It transitioned into her being a part of the ARC program. And she now is doing absolutely amazing has progressed over the eight weeks. And I'm now working with her independently outside of the program, but she is just continuing to kick herself on down the street.
She is doing amazing. Like, I feel like every time she sets out to do a time trial or do a race, she is succeeding. And honestly, I think more surprised at herself and I tell her all the time. You have to break past that mental. If you tell yourself you can do it, you can do it. And that's something that I appreciate all the time when she's sometimes tells me what she's done and I'll make.
Do you realize, do you really realize what you just did? Like you really kick behind? Like, do you realize that? And sometimes I have to reframe her thought process on it's not just a mile, it's a mile. You did a mile when, before you couldn't do that. You know? So I would say that she's a huge success story from start to my continuation with her and I'm really enjoying working with her.
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:31:42]
That's great, great stuff.
### Tommy's Got a Coach [00:31:44]
Tommy, I recall, I heard recently, I think post the Atlanta half marathon that you may be coached now, right? That was...
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:31:55]
Yeah. yeah. We have a friend who was also a coach. I started by Coach. Mark Monroe, coach Monroe. And I mean, I've known Mark from my early days in the running community here in Atlanta, Georgia. The best race I've ever run in my life, Mark ran with me basically almost stride for stride through the whole race.
And just because we're good friends, you know, we're friends, we hang out beyond running, you know, we go hit the bar or whatever. So he actually ran the Publix half marathon as well. So, as we were making the second turnaround, like you made you go out, you'd go up one street, turn around and go down the other one, turn around.
So I'm making that second turnaround I'm coming up and that part was kind of healing. So. I started walking a little bit. And so Mark remembers me from my days, like, cause the race we ran together was a marathon in Savannah. We ran the Savannah marathon and you know, it was a great day for both of us. But I think both of us, uh, PR that day, he remembers me from that.
So as I'm going up the Hill walking, he's coming down, he yells over. If I was training you, you wouldn't be walking
And that's the kind of guy Mark. He is, you always, he's messing with you. And that's what we do. We mess with each other. So in the back of my mind, I go, you know what, because he, at that point he was probably about a mile behind me. So I was like, if he catches me. I'm going to let him coach me if he can, if he can get, I didn't say it to him.
I just thought it in my head. So, you know, I continue the race. We get to the track, get to the NASCAR track. And all of a sudden I feel this little nudge on my back. Hey, man. I didn't see him when he goes, Coach, you know, and Mark has, he's a very steady runner. He has a very, he, if you've ever seen him run, you could spot him a mile away.
Cause he has a very different kind of gait, when he runs and he goes by me and his little, his little kind of shuffle run and you know what I was like at the end of the race, because he waited for me after I finished, he was a little bit ahead of me when he finished. And I said, you know what? I, you know, I told them what I, you know, I thought to myself, I said, I'm gonna let you coach me.
So we've already set it up. My payments and he's already sent me a training plan. Next race is probably going to be, well, I guess I'll probably there's a four mile or the Singleton four mile. I'll probably run that, but the next big race will be July 4th, which would be the Peachtree here in Atlanta. But I told him to go ahead and make me a half marathon training because honestly, when I've run PRs it's because I have been training for something further.
I think when India talked and I said, you know what? When I was training for this half marathon, I never reached 13 miles. And I usually do. And then I thought to myself that's because I don't think I've ever trained for a half marathon. I think when I've run half marathons, because I trained, I was trained for a marathon.
And the half marathon kind of came either afterwards or before was the tune-up or, you know, or, you know, a race after the actual marathon. So I said, go ahead and make me a half marathon training program. Cause I really need to get my base back together. I don't run anywhere close to the amount of miles that I used to.
But I want to try to, you know, get my consistency backup. So I said, Mark, let me see what you can do for me. So it was really great. Actually. He surprised me with the training plan. He knows me. Um, I'm a big Buccaneer fan. Um, people love bucking me or thing
###### Kevin Chang: [00:35:07]
So you were happy month. Huh?
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:35:13]
He put a little Buccaneer thing on my training. So. You know, he, he really knows me. So we're gonna see how it goes with the coaching
###### India Cook: [00:35:21]
Mark. It's interesting. It's going to be fun. Yeah. Yeah.
He's like that with everybody though. Like if you see him on the course, if he knows you and he knows that you have the ability to be doing better than what you're performing at that moment, like, he's like, what are you doing? Like, he will check you. Like, he's not going to baby. You like, he's going to tell you, get yourself together.
###### Tommy Mitchel: [00:35:40]
Exactly. But I mean, I love , the, the group that India is with a few years ago, there was another gentleman that we put together some virtual races together. Um, I call them the Big Inspiration is his name is Mike Martinez.
But I found out through that how hard it is to get people who don't run to run. It is very, if somebody doesn't run to give them to get up and do anything is very difficult. I did not realize how difficult until we put together that virtual race. And we were trying to advertise and market to people because I want to market to people who didn't run and say, Hey, this is a way for you to, you know, get out, start running.
Nah, they don't want to hit doing it. So the things that like India's group are doing, where they're taking away, all the obstacles they're, they're telling you, okay, you, all you gotta do is stand up. Exactly. That's all you gotta do is what you need to get people off the couch, basically. Coach B your family.
That's why, when you said you got your whole family to run, how did you do that? Cause trust me. Hi, I called jolt. I will pay your way. My man was like, Hey, I'm busy that day. I told you what day is on yet. So that is just really hard to get people running. But once you can, once they can get that groove going, everybody falls in love with running.
Everybody does.
###### Bertrand Newson: [00:36:57]
And that, you know, that's a good point, Tom, you asked me that. And, uh, you don't know until, you know, it's one thing, if you're explaining to your family and friends who don't typically run, what the experience is all about, but the catalyst was the Atlanta event in 2020, you know, my sister and niece came out, they watched me and my brother finished and my sister said, uh-uh! This is the last time I'm coming out and watching you guys finished without me getting in the middle.
I'm like, okay, you know, we hear you. I mean, she, she stuck to it and, um, you know, I put it out there like late November, early December, and it was a matter of really like couch two to half marathon. My brother had run before in the past, my sister's put in the work.
but it was her who saw the vibe, the sense of community sense of, uh, and so many different ages and shapes and sizes and races. Yeah. They're crossing that finish line last year in Atlanta. That really is like, you know what? I can do this because she saw people out there like her, some people taller, smaller, bigger, wider, but you know, what, if they can do it.
So can I, and by her making that decision, she also brought her daughter along as well, who was able to pace to her first 5k, um, when it was in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago, but it was this great experience and, you know, she's a twin. So once she was in and my sister was in there, my brother's like, Oh, heck no, y'all he dusted off the shoes and came out and we all finished.
So, and that moment, and we're still, you know, the text threads that we have had since race day have been fantastic. Now that our parents on that text thread, our partners were on that text read as well. I'm looking at what's the next race and I'm getting back in the groove again. It's fantastic. But again, they don't know until, you know.
And that's the one thing about a live race. It just, the level of energy and comradery and sense of accomplishment, and we all have nine to fives. We all are out there grinding with bills and responsibilities and all that other stuff, but it takes you back to when you were a kid and when you know all that stress is, is washed away and you're just putting one foot in front of the other.
And yes, you can have some stressful races sometimes that can happen. But when you cross that finish line, you realize all the hard work you've put into that sense of satisfaction and gratification is priceless. So, yeah, and I, I can't wait until the next live race with the family to seeing what they're going to be doing. You know? So how about family call your family? Tell me we got, I just want to see you finish.
###### Kevin Chang: [00:39:32]
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