In this heartfelt episode of Extraordinary Strides, we sit down with Tia Pettygrue—a coach, pacer, marathoner, and an inspiring force in the running community. Tia’s story is one of resilience, determination, and using her passion for running to make a difference.

Tia shares her ambitious goal of completing the Selma to Montgomery 51-Mile Relay, running the entire historic route alongside her husband, Johnnie. But this journey goes beyond personal achievement—Tia is championing a deeply personal cause: raising funds for her brother Marc and his wife Ellyn, who lost their home in the Eaton Fire.

🔑 In This Episode, We Explore:

• How Tia is preparing for the grueling 51-mile Selma to Montgomery Relay, both mentally and physically
• The powerful connection between running and civil rights history along this symbolic route
• Tia’s fundraising efforts for Marc and Ellyn and the incredible outpouring of support from the running community
• Reflections on Tia’s extraordinary running journey and what she is listening to on her long runs: she has some great recs!
• The advice Tia gives new runners and what motivates her to keep striving

🌟 Whether you’re looking for running inspiration, ways to give back, or insights into balancing ambitious goals with meaningful causes, Tia’s story will leave you feeling empowered.

💡 Support Marc and Ellyn:
Join the running community in helping Tia’s brother and sister-in-law rebuild after the Eaton Fire. Every donation makes a difference. Click here to donate.

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Transform your ordinary running routines into extraordinary accomplishments with the secrets of habit mastery. Ever wondered why your New Year's resolutions crumble by February? Discover how shifting from resolution-focused thinking to a process-based approach can revolutionize your training routine. Drawing insights from James Clear's "Atomic Habits" and Dr. BJ Fogg's "Tiny Habits," I reveal the power of starting small and celebrating every victory, no matter how minor.

You won't want to miss our special challenges, like February’s Gloves On, Booty Strong Challenge and March’s Playbill Playoffs, all designed to ramp up your motivation and performance throughout the year.

February’s focus is on building strength in the posterior chain and lateral stabilizers—critical areas for female runners who are often quad-dominant. This strength helps prevent injuries and improves performance. Space is limited, so sign up now to get started on a stronger 2025.

Sign up for February’s Gloves On, Booty Strong Challenge or commit to the next three months:
Register Here


Plus, I share updates on my own running and invite you to join the Women of World Marathon Majors Facebook group to connect with inspiring female runners from across the globe.

We dive deep into building a robust identity as a runner, with a particular focus on the role of strength training for women. Learn why heavy lifting is not only about muscle gain but essential in boosting endurance and warding off injuries—especially by strengthening that all-important posterior chain.

Understand how to adapt your workouts to the seasonal ebb and flow of your mileage and why maintaining a disciplined schedule is crucial in a hectic lifestyle.

Additionally, I tackle the challenges posed by California’s wildfires, offering practical tips for training safely amid smoky skies. This episode is your guide to prioritizing health, staying adaptable, and ensuring open communication with healthcare professionals as you chase those ambitious running goals.

Have questions or want to chat? Send me a text!

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Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

Welcome to 2025! It’s a brand-new year, and this is your chance to set the tone for the months ahead. In this episode, I’m diving into the Rise to the Challenge: 4 Months to Extraordinary, a one-of-a-kind program designed to help you stop starting over and start building habits that last.

This isn’t your typical New Year’s challenge. Over four months, you’ll join a community of motivated runners and fitness enthusiasts, lean into weekly accountability, and tackle creative themes like "Glow Up," "Knockout February," and "The Fit Games."

If you’ve ever struggled with sticking to your goals after January, this program is your answer. With structure, support, and plenty of fun along the way, you’ll be set up to make 2025 your strongest year yet.

We kick off on January 6, and registration is open now. Sign up today to lock in your spot and use code COMMIT at checkout to save $20.

🎧 Ready to rise? Visit the website for all the details.

This is your year—let’s make it extraordinary together!

Have questions or want to chat? Send me a text!

Support the show

Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.

Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.