She won Miss Georgia in June and she will compete to be Miss America in early September but says there are other wins besides the crown, namely amplifying the Gospel of Christ through the opportunities on this journey. On this podcast (subscribe), Audrey Kittila opens up about winning...being a UGA student...how food/fuel is a top priority in he journey to stay fit, strong...her message to others about chasing dreams....her passions for music and education and speech...traveling as Miss GA and preparations for the next even bigger event.


(2:48) The 80th Miss Georgia, Audrey Kittila, talks about that moment she found out she was crowned the winner in Columbus. This platform also allowing her to share about her priority: To know Christ and to make Him known. She also shares about support from her home church in Alpharetta and what her top prayer was when she started as a UGA student 4 years ago.


(10:47) Fueling her body! She says that means eating what she wants in moderation. Audrey talks about the different sides of fitness within Miss Georgia and America. What are her favorite foods and how is a new personal trainer helping her? As for being spiritually and artistically fit, music also gives her a chance to share what she's feeling and her faith - playing violin and singing on big stages.


She's championing the message (19:47) "Chase your dreams." She didn't grow up in pageants, but hopes to inspire others during her reign and also as a future speech pathologist, with a little more left to get her Masters from UGA. Audrey also explains how her community service initiative "Education For All" is helping people enjoy learning more and reducing GA dropout rates.


We also dive into (28:19) the busy travel schedule as Miss Georgia, taking a "zoom out" approach, keeping a prayer journal throughout her 4 years of pageant competitions, and the sisterhood encouragement in that process. How's she preparing this final month before Miss America? It's September 2-7 in Orlando.


She also has advice for others facing fears or big challenges. (38:29) We wrap up the chat with what she wants her legacy to be as Miss Georgia...how the crown works for this taller young lady...how girls can compete for Miss GA 2026...and misconceptions about the pageant world.


Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

#256: New Miss Georgia Making Christ Known + Fueling, As She Competes For Miss America Crown

It was our first time to Alaska! This is a recap of running a marathon in state #36 for me but so much more in the "final frontier." 


Check out this solo episode with travel ideas for when you and your family go to the 49th state, but also plenty of stories about adventures with my son: flightseeing over the massive 6 million acre Denali National Park and landing/walking on a snowy glacier...running the race amidst mountains in the Alaska capital of Juneau (and where this one ranks out of 40 marathons so far)...going on several hikes, more than a dozen miles and thousand of feet of elevation, plus God's beauty what we saw at the top each time...rare sightings of Denali summit...seeing Alaskan sled dogs in action, with stories from a 4-time Iditarod champ...feeing reindeer and highland cattle at a farm...why Hatcher Pass was our favorite in hiking boots...how to get around Alaska...rafting down the river next to a big glacier in Juneau...and the different food we ate during our exciting trip (naming names of restaurants).


Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

#257: Alaska Adventure of Hiking, Animals, Running (Marathon), Food, Rafting - Travel Ideas For You

It's been almost 24 years since the attacks on America that tragic day of September 11, 2001. Columbus GA is hosting its inaugural Memorial Stair Climb at the Columbus Civic Center on Saturday morning, September 6 and the organizer of that event is my "Run the Race" guest. Dr. Ken Calain also talks about the cause that event with 2,200 steps benefits...how he helps people as a chiropractor...having that medical role for 3 local semi or pro teams in town...being a father of 8 kids and more.


(3:20) If you want to or can climb the equivalent of 110 flights of stairs - like each of the World Trade Center towers - then register for this event for only $45 with the proceeds going to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation: http://colga911stairclimb.org/.
You have until Wednesday/tomorrow August 20 to be guaranteed a shirt after signing up. You can also donate to this great cause. Dr. Calain talks about how the organization spends money raised to help honor, assist (families, first responders) and prevent future tragedies/accidents involving heroes like our firefighters, some of which will do this stair climb in their full gear. 


(13:08) Dr. Calain is also involved with F3, a national mens group focused on fitness, fellowship and faith. How and when can you get involved locally?


(18:21) We dig deeper into what people can expect when they go see a chiropractor like him. And he deals less with pain...more with pressure on your nerves, degeneration, inflexibility from lack of physical activity. His job: help your body function at 100% or closer to that. You'll hear his story about a grandmother dropping her cane and inspiring him to help others the same way. And doing adjustments, alignments in not like what you see in some of those viral videos.


(25:40) It's also interesting how he takes care of athletes in different ways as team chiropractor: hockey players for the Columbus Riverdragons, members of the Columbus Lions arena football team, and baseball players on the new Braves AA affiliate Columbus Clingstones. (31:44) He also stays busy as a father of 8 kids, combined with his wife - as they pass on a legacy of fitness and faith. And finally, he has some advice when it comes to serving in your community! I close our episode out in prayer.
  

Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

#258: Chiropractor Climbing to Honor 9/11 Fallen Firefighters, Helping Sports Teams & Your Body Too

On your journeys of fitness and faith, we are helping you stay motivated to be stronger physically and spiritually on the new RUN THE RACE podcast. Host Jason Dennis - veteran WTVM news anchor, marathon runner and missionary, will talk to experts and people with inspiring stories as we dig deeper into the mind, body and soul.

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