Run The Race

<p>After 20 years in the US Army, our latest guest on the "Run the Race" podcast continues to be an avid long distance runner and is now a life coach - helping you meet your small and big goals, maybe ones you made for 2026.&nbsp;</p> <p>(2:12) Retired Staff Sgt. Laurie Miorana in Columbus GA - who has a civilian job on Fort Benning - talks about those New Year's "resolutions," why people fail and how you can succeed! That includes some hints on losing weight and saving money.</p> <p>(10:25) She had some dangerous close calls during 3 deployments to Iraq, thankful to God and her training, learning a lot about leadership and discipline/structure/planning from her Army career. What kind of leader or example do you want to be for others? Laurie wants to help others live their best life, including fellow Army vets.</p> <p>(18:00) She loved running even before the military, but being a soldiers taught her how to be an even better athlete. We also talk about the farthest she's run...her favorite races...and the rewards of being involved with Team RWB, keeping vets physically active in a community instead of isolated: <a href="https://teamrwb.org/">https://teamrwb.org/</a>.</p> <p>(29:30) Married to an "Army brat," she and John have a great relationship because they are both very focused on being fit and helping others - including volunteering at races and cheering on fellow runners through success/injuries/adversity.</p> <p>(34:46) Laurie breaks down what life coaches do, how it's different than counseling, common obstacles for meeting your goals, being disciplined, and how you can sign up for an exploratory session with her before signing up for a 3-9 month package of "Better Together Life Coaching": <a href="https://paperbell.me/better-together">https://paperbell.me/better-together</a>.</p> <p>After some steps to live your best life, I close the episode out in prayer. Thanks for listening! Make sure to subscribe to "Run the Race" for more inspiration on fitness and faith. Tell others about the podcast too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>He's been on the radio for more than 40 years, many of those in the Columbus GA area! His voice and name (and face) make him a local celebrity. And he's outspoken about his love for Jesus! Back on air after a scary battle with cancer and open heart surgery, Bear O'Brian (real name is Wade Collier) opens up about his struggles and tells radio/life stories as the latest guest on the "Run The Race" podcast that you hopefully will/do subscribe to.</p> <p>(2:30) We start with how Bear got his nickname, being a role model, putting God on the backburner when he had radio success, and a breakthrough moment of faith (at an Iowa hotel, when he was a traveling comedian) that changed his life.</p> <p>(9:33) Is he allowed to talk about his Christian faith on the radio? Bear gets emotional when talking about what a listener told him in Montgomery about God using him. And this broadcaster's been doing the daily "Inspiration of the morning" for close to 30 years: <a href="https://bearsinspirations.homestead.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPL_H1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtSnU1VHJMNzJlRlZjNkhuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg9JydtRhshgck1MKzL3mTt0o_s0MXHDzSz2IXQbnnisoES0SttVpo_Oc-Sk_aem_hJPbb0f7ZC-3pVMTAXQwng">https://bearsinspirations.homestead.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPL_H1leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtSnU1VHJMNzJlRlZjNkhuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHg9JydtRhshgck1MKzL3mTt0o_s0MXHDzSz2IXQbnnisoES0SttVpo_Oc-Sk_aem_hJPbb0f7ZC-3pVMTAXQwng</a></p> <p>(21:17) Back on air a month+ ago, Bear talks about how his heart and cancer challenges began. He gave his fear over to God before what ended up being an 18 hour quadruple bypass heart surgery. How important was his faith through the health scares which included 6 rounds of chemo to get rid of his non Hodgkins lymphoma cancer? God holding his hand and not letting go! (31:31) And after doing his radio show from home, he finally gets to go back into the renovated studio soon.</p> <p>(35:30) Losing 72 pounds amidst the cancer/heart problems, the wakeup call his Bear wanting to walk more and eat good enough to not gain that weight back. Part of that involves seasonings.</p> <p>(40:16) His radio career started in 1978, through several southeastern states, but what's kept him in this business this long? He also transformed from a party guy to a DJ that does it God's way now. He gives some tricks of how he's so personal on air...and answers what his future in radio may look like, a job he loves, blessed to have many that listen. I close out the episode in prayer.</p>

<p>With this episode coming out on New Year's Eve, time to start working on those 2026 goals! This week's "Run the Race" podcast guests, a couple in Columbus GA, can help you with those "resolutions" or whatever you want to call them. They are the leaders and race directors for REVOLUTION RUNNING, that puts on around 10 races eacg year in different parts of Georgia.</p> <p>(4:20) John (JP) and Jenna Pollard talk about making small or big goals for the new year and have advice for succeeding, which includes giving yourself grace. They also found a love connection with each other through running, getting married 4 years ago. And now, they run together essentially every day at 5am.</p> <p>(16:42) Starting Revolution Running about 17 years ago, JP talks about the name and they both discuss what it takes to direct a race, creating fun courses for runners on trails and roads. (22:50) Signing up for a race also creates motivation or accountability. They talk about some deadlines on January 1st (tomorrow) for a groundhog hoodie and price increases on other races. Here's more info on their events and how to sign up: <a href="https://revolutionrunning.net/">https://revolutionrunning.net/</a>.</p> <p>Along with getting to see people emotional at the finish line, (32:12) these married race directors also see tough times for runners and have dealt with injuries themselves too, like IT band. It's also a balancing act with these running events, bring married and parents and full-time jobs.</p> <p>(41:25) We close out our pod chat with some insight on the iconic Western States 100 which JP has run and which Revolution Running is helping you get into. Jenna's favorite race is in Huntsville AL. (46:50) We also chat a bit about the mental clarity that running can bring you, a reset. (52:40) I close out the last podcast episode of 2025 with prayer. Thanks for listening! Subscribe and share "run the race" with others!</p>

<p>A week before Christmas now, a Columbus GA pastor is remembering (2:15) a special Christmas Eve service he led for many soldiers in Saudi Arabia amidst war in 1990 when it was, at least briefly a "Silent Night." The story will move you. He gets emotional talking about service members singing that song, in a Muslim country, as the Gulf War began.</p> <p>(9:05)This week's podcast guest, Pastor Bud Rupel, talks about the challenges for the military for the holidays and what he did as Army chaplain for 17 years, bringing hope through Jesus and listening through tears and anger.&nbsp;</p> <p>His path was not straight (17:10) to the Air Force then eventually the Army. Church life started for Pastor Bud Rupel as a Quaker, but he eventually asked Christ into his life and his now-wife to marry him. Even as an Army chaplain, he too was a broken sinner who was serving his nation and God.</p> <p>(29:34) On staff now at Evangel Church in Columbus (south of Atlanta) for 20 years, Pastor Bud talks about the transition from military ministry to pastoral care, what he does for those that are sick or want to get married or for families of those who die.</p> <p>Bud Rupel was also recently (40:30) diagnosed with cancer that he opens up about - trusting God through the discovery and treatment, as he continues to focus on reaching as many people as possible for the Gospel. (48:45) And Pastor Bud closes us out in prayer.</p> <p>Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Subscribe to it! Tell others about this podcast and share it, for more to hear these inspiring stories of faith and fitness.</p>

<p>After being a football star for Harris County High and the University of Georgia, Jordan Jenkins was drafted into the NFL almost a decade ago. (4:44) Fast forward to now, an injury forced him out of the sport and he's helping veterans in his hometown - after growing up being the son of an Army Sgt major. As the latest guest on our podcast, Jordan Jenkins talks about that charity effort...UGA football...being in pro sports...transitioning from pro athlete to real estate and still working out....military vets' mental health struggles...being back home, and more.</p> <p>(7:50) Jenkins, who had 22+ sacks in 5 years with the NY Jets, talks about the current Dawgs in the College Football Playoff...the changes in the sport including NIL and tough practices. He also gives us new info on almost playing at Alabama, where Coach Kirby Smart was back then. And a torn ACL ended his ride with the Las Vegad Raiders.</p> <p>(15:38) The former outside linebacker opens up about a rough end to his NFL career, then what he does for fitness and mental health post-football, with (20:57) God also opening doors for him in real estate and helping others through his new nonprofit "Harboring Change."</p> <p>(26:20) Growing up as an "Army brat" that moved around a lot, Jenkins is sensitive to what former soldiers go through, wanting to give them a second chance. He bought and donated 2 houses in Columbus GA to the Plummer Home nonprofit that provides transitional housing to vets that have dealth with life-altering challenges like homelessness, addiction, and/or prison. More info: <a href="https://theplummerhome.org/">https://theplummerhome.org/</a></p> <p>(33:21) He calls the Harris County and Columbus area "home." What's it like for him to watch football when he's off the field? And he doesn't miss the pain of being in the NFL. (39:35) I close out the episode in prayer. Thanks for listening to "Run The Race." Make sure to subscribe and share it with others, for more inspiring stories of fitness and faith.&nbsp;</p>