Sydney World Marathon - Jessica Stanford

Embracing the Journey: Lessons in Running, Coaching, and Life

Podcast

Introduction

In a world that often demands instant results, the art of perseverance is often overlooked. Our conversation with Jessica Stanford, a veteran runner and aspiring counselor, reinforces that there's immense value in patience, dedication, and having the right guidance. Across the various domains of her life, Jessica shares how her running journey has been both a physical and metaphorical path of growth and achievement.

The Spark of Inspiration

Jessica's story begins with a simple but telling anecdote of her newspaper route as a child—a routine that unknowingly laid the foundation for her lifelong relationship with running. Her initial success in sprinting led to an understanding of how physical discipline can mirror and contribute to intellectual, social, and spiritual growth.

Excerpt: "I would sleep as long as I could, and then I would get up and sprint my paper out.

In the Midwest. I grew up in the, in Iowa. So the Des Moines Register was my paper. I would deliver every day, but the requirement was 6:30. And so I was doing that every day for a couple of years. So I was constantly in shape. So when it came time for the presidential physical fitness award, not only was I beating the girls, but I was even beating the boys cause I'm the person out there sprinting my newspaper out every morning being fit.

So that's really how my running journey began"

You're a person who will be happy if you run every day. - Demtrio, Running Coach

Find what resonates with your clients. Everyone has their own metaphorical running, their thing that will make them happy.

From Running Roots to Competitive Heights

With a passion ignited from early age activities, Jessica transitioned from a playful sprinter to a competitive runner, achieving significant milestones in her forties. Her journey wasn't confined to the track but spilled over into various aspects of her life, illustrating that success in one domain can often inspire and facilitate progress in others.

The Power of a Great Coach

Much of Jessica's narrative is entwined with the influence of great coaches who have shaped her journey. Through the guidance of these mentors, she learned the importance of nutrition, incremental progress, and strategic rest. Detailed conversations highlight how her mentors emphasized strength over being overly focused on diet, fostering a sustainable lifestyle that prioritized her well-being.

Balance and Support: Social, Emotional, and Physical Growth

An essential lesson from Jessica's story is the balance between pushing oneself and nurturing one’s spirit. She talks about the social aspects of running, underscoring the importance of a supportive community. This support, whether from mentors or her own family, provided the motivation needed to overcome the lows of training, especially during those brutal moments of self-doubt and fatigue.

My coach over here, he teaches me how to be safe in my training and safe in my racing. And then, so he, like, gives me my limits. And then God is what makes me limitless.

Reflections on Running and Life

Jessica’s preparation for the Sydney Marathon culminated in a profound learning experience. Her success was not just in podium finishes but in understanding the hard work and dedication it truly takes to succeed. Running became a metaphor for life—an arena where perseverance and learning from past experiences prepared her to face future challenges with resilience.

I know it's going to pay off. I had done it before to get my American records, to get national championships. I had done it before.

Conclusion: Being Your Own Guide

Jessica's story reminds us that everyone has the potential to be a runner or a coach—not just in a literal sense, but as a universal metaphor for pursuing dreams and influencing others positively. She plans to channel her experiences into therapy and mentoring, helping others find their own paths to fulfillment.

5 Tips for New Coaches

1. Focus on the Individual: Remember that every person is unique. What works for one may not work for another. Tailor your coaching style to meet the specific needs of each individual.
2. Encourage Self-Reliance: Teach your clients how to trust their instincts and rely on themselves. Guide them, but let them be the heroes of their own stories.
3. Foster Strength Over Appearance: Encourage a mindset that values strength and resilience over aesthetic goals. Well-being and health are paramount.
4. Maintain Balance: Emphasize the importance of balancing push and recovery. Life isn't linear; it's important to nurture growth and allow for rest.
5. Create a Supportive Space: Build a community where everyone feels included and valued. The strength of support can inspire tremendous personal growth and perseverance.

Through Jessica's experiences, we see a beautiful tapestry of hard work, mentorship, and self-discovery, painting a picture of how we all can achieve success through life's marathon.

Tools

• The Triad (Focus, Story, Physiology)
• Solution Focused Therapy