This former pro boxer, who has owned a gym for the last 7 years, showed me the ropes, in and out of the ring. On this episode of "Run The Race," he also has some advice of what you can do, in terms of workout and food, after Thanksgiving.

Speaking of that holiday, (2:15) I share what it was like to dress up like a turkey for a local "Beat the Bird 5K," then introduce this week's guest. 

(8:10) Darrel Wright starts off talking about his journey from track star to the Army to boxing and now a personal trainer plus owner of Wright Way Fitness, a gym in Columbus GA. The military had an influence on his life and his choice of sports. (12:37) After 74 amateur bouts and being a 4-time GA golden glove champion, he became a pro boxer, but he explains why it was one and done with pro fights. There are a lot of life lessons, he says, that comes from boxing - like getting knocked down and getting back up! His motto: Think it, Speak it, Do it, Be it. That can be positive or negative.

Why was this former boxer (16:40) so focused on wanting others to succeed in fitness and boxing? Opening his gym was a leap of faith, inspired to do it by the Bible and comedian Steve Harvey. (21:30) And just this year, they now have a separate boxing gym with a ring. He talks about what it means to train like a boxer, which doesn't have to include getting punched, but does include a full body core workout. Wright has boxing clients as young as 7, as old as 70. His 2 kids, neither teenagers yet, are getting in the ring now. And this personal trainer says it's not all about weight loss, but being a better you!

(29:00) Wright doesn't do diets, wants people to enjoy eating, but he talks about moderation in the holiday season and continuing workouts in a judgment free place. (34:43) He also talks about the popularity and misconceptions of boxing. 

(38:31) How can you stay motivated to keep up with fitness during the holidays? You use it or you lose it. (42:58) In the final segments: "Food for Thought" is about workout and food ideas post-Thanksgiving, "Parting Gift" is Thankful wisdom from the Bible, then my closing prayer. 

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

#89: Boxing and Life the "Wright Way" Through the Holidays & at His Gym

A serious case of heat exhaustion halfway through a 24 hour race didn't stop this week's guest on the "Run the Race" podcast, who ended up finishing with 106 miles!

23-year-old Army National Guard Sgt. Nathan Harmon, who's active duty on Fort Benning, (2:30) starts by talking about God motivating him to run these long distances. He details how his first 24 hour race in Georgia, on a 1 mile track. An ambulance was called for him after he was throwing up at mile 63. How did he keep going after being a heat casualty?

(12:50) And why run or walk for 24 hours? He says "it's the beauty of pushing your body to the limits." (15:43) Nathan also points to certain scriptures about how he draws strength from God, starting races with prayer, and hoping to inspire others. He has a tattoo that in Hebrew means "Embrace Through Suffering" like Jesus did. No excuses!

He talks about his role in the military, (21:04) as a leader at the Army National Guard Warrior Training Battalion, hoping to influence Privates with Christian leadership. While the Army taught him to go fast and hard with running, training for ultras has taught him the importance of slowing down.

(27:51) That drive he has to be the best comes in part, from trials he went through growing up - from his mom having health problems to him working 50+ hour weeks as a 16-year-old while in school. Nathan has advice for others about being patient with growth (physically and spiritually). He jumps out of airplanes too, often the days before some big races.

One of his first ultras was (35:48) a 40 miler in Pine Mountain GA, where he hit a boulder and had a bloody leg a dozen miles in. He also talks about getting lost. (41:51) Nathan is also halfway through his meteorology degree, choosing soon between a career in the Army or forecasting the weather. After our chat, I have a "parting gift" about pushing limits, then my closing Prayer.

Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.

#115: Overheated Soldier Pushes to Finish 24 Hour Race, Running for God

Get ready to be motivated and inspired to improve on your fitness and faith walk. Do you want to lose weight? Grow closer to God? Get stronger physically, mentally and spiritually? On this new RUN THE RACE podcast, we’ll focus on how to get started and how to challenge ourselves in all these things.

On this first episode, you’ll hear me get personal, with lessons learned as a veteran TV news anchor, husband and father, avid marathon runner and church builder. 

(12:00 mark) Listen to find out how I got started with running and working out. Along the way, there’s been plenty of pain, success, (17:30) even a bathroom fiasco while running across Georgia with a team of friends. (21:50) Getting motivated can be a struggle. Hear WHY your podcast host went from the couch (38:30) to the new goal of running a marathon in all 50 states.

(25:45) We also talk about doing more than talking the talk, putting faith into action. The name of this podcast comes from Hebrews 12:1, which says “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles us. And let us run with perseverance the race marked for us.” 

Share pictures of how you run your race of fitness and faith and include #RunTheRacePodcast. Thank you for listening. Tell others about this new “Run The Race” podcast. For more  details, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast.

#1: Motivation To Get In Shape, Physically and Spiritually

Our first guest for this podcast is longtime Solder Marathon Director Cecil Cheves, a cancer survivor who has completed 15 full Ironman events. He’s an inspiring and fit 70-year-old who wants to honor God.

This military-themed episode starts with highlights of running the very rainy Marine Corps Marathon, then Cecil Cheves shares interesting stories about (9:45) how he got started running in his 40s, (16:00) his battle with prostate cancer, plus how he stays fit at age 70 after battling injuries.

Cecil also talks extensively (20:30) about victories and struggles with his faith, along with tools for anyone to be physically active. It was fascinating to hear him talk about (28:25) Ironman success, adventure races he's finished, (39:30) and how "Lord may I have your grace" is how Cecil tries to approach everything.

(46:00) We close the interview talking with the race director about the 10 year run of the Soldier Marathon. The final one is Sat. November 16 on Fort Benning GA. 

Tell others about this new “Run The Race” podcast, rate it and write a review after you listen. Share pictures of how you run your race and include #RunTheRacePodcast. Thank you for listening. For more information, past/future podcasts, go to https://www.wtvm.com/podcast/

#2: Ironman & Cancer Survivor Talks Fitness at 70, God's grace & Soldier Marathon

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.

#115: Overheated Soldier Pushes to Finish 24 Hour Race, Running for God

RUN THE RACE Podcast

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