Libsyn Directory

TJ Bryan: Explains How She Saved Herself at Age 64 By Taking One Step at a Time

Release Date: 08/23/2022

Who Am I? Who Are We As Athletes When We Can't Compete

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

In this episode, the last of Season 6 I'm sharing my personal journey. It has been a challenging season since the pandemic. I faced various obstacles, including COVID-19, two knee surgeries, financial struggles, and my most recent surgery. Many athletes find their identity in their sport, but it has been difficult to compete due to a plethora of reasons which I discuss.. It led me to reflect on who I am and the roles I play in life.I underwent another surgery recently. I share my fears surrounding the surgery and my desire to live without regrets. In this episode, I...

From Navy Officer to Ironman: Tom Scheer's Journey to Fitness

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

Navy officer, college president, and entrepreneur are only a few of Tom Scheer's many accomplishments. In this inspiring episode. Tom shares his story of growing up in a racist neighborhood and finding acceptance through sports, leading to a passion for fitness and endurance races, including over 30 Ironman competitions. It all began at the Boy and Girls Club and he is passionate about giving back to the organization that gave him so much. Tom shares his strategies for managing a busy life, emphasizing the value of discipline and time management. He discusses his military mindset,...

Finding Yourself Beyond Sports with Anna Marcolin

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

Do you find it difficult to define yourself beyond your sport? As athletes, we often identify ourselves with our sport and struggle to find our identity outside of it. In this episode, we sit down with psychotherapist Anna Marcolin to explore this topic and learn about her own journey in finding her identity beyond sports. Anna shares her love for sports and how she believes that athletes should enjoy every moment of their sport and be consistent while being easier on oneself. She emphasizes the importance of sports being fun and rewarding work for doing hard stuff. Anna talks about her...

David Redmond Explains The Importance of Community in His Triathlon Journey

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

started his triathlon journey following his divorce. He has a family history of high blood pressure. He knew he was at risk if he did not get off his couch and become active. Watching an IronMan World Championship on TV was his initial inspiration. As a young man growing up in Indiana, David was very active in sports. He played basketball, football and even some baseball. After college, he did some boxing at the gym but pretty much remained inactive until his divorce in 2010. David relies on the triathlon community to stay inspired and get...

Dr. Nina Franklin- That Salad Lady- Talks Us Through Her Journey of Food and Nutrition

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

On today’s episode, we will hear from renowned wellness expert and distance running enthusiast, . Also known as across multiple media including YouTube and TikTok. Dr. Franklin will talk us through her journey of keeping fit since the age of 12 to date even through motherhood. Dr. Franklin has extensive knowledge about food and nutrition given that she has a plethora of academic degrees and certifications. She will talk to us about her passion with food and nutrition how she moved from academia to create the “That Salad Lady” brand. Why she feels like this way she has more impact on the...

Pushing the Limits: The Story of Alex Torres and His Iron Man Journey

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

Alex Torres, an Ironman Triathlete, shares his journey of overcoming challenges and realizing his potential to become an Ironman. Alex started his athletic journey as the "runt of the Torres family," but through hard work and determination, he proved everyone wrong and accomplished his goal of becoming an Ironman. One of the key pieces of advice that Alex shares is to never forget your "why." This is what will keep you motivated and inspired during the long and tedious moments of training. He also emphasizes that discipline and perseverance are essential in becoming an Ironman, but these...

Team Culberson Shows Us That Health and Fitness Can Be A Fun Family Affair

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

This episode features two athletes sharing their journeys, successes, and challenges. This mother-and-son duo in sports always finds a way to support each other! Dr. Petriece Culberson started her fitness journey while serving in the US Army. Her son Jullien “Jules” CulbersonJules was exposed to sports even while in the womb. He was pushed in a stroller as his mom ran with her mom group. Dr Culberson attributes her time in the armed forces and participating in sports in making her disciplined and driven. She uses this drive in competition, pushing herself to be the...

Lloyd Henry Explains How Initial Failure Helped Him Become a Better Athlete

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

Some of the most important lessons are the ones we learn from failure. Lloyd Henry is a 32-time Ironman & long-course finisher. He overcame the stigma of athletes losing their drive after a loss. He had no background in sports, but progressed to become a sub-3-hour marathoner He has competed in numerous running events (5k to ultra-marathon) including the Boston Marathon and Comrades Marathon (South Africa). He has been running since 2002 and coaching triathletes since 2004. He uses all his personal experiences to coach effectively. Coach Lloyd Henry ...

Having Peace When You Have to Pivot In Life

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

Pivoting can provide stress and uncertainty as it is changed from an original plan. Change can also be somewhat scary. It can mean changing one's life, whether it's a job, a move, or a new journey. Pivoting can be risky yet beneficial. Pivoting lets people follow their passions, although with a new or renewed focus. Pivoting can foster growth. Adapting to a new setting may help one grow and further find themselves. It may allow a new sense of purpose, and a renewed passion. Changing one's life can initially be sad as you are in a sense saying goodbye or saying later to...

REBROADCAST- Who or What is Your Inspiration?

Running is Cheaper Than Therapy

As we go into a new season, let me start by thanking everyone who has taken even a minute of their time to listen to my podcast. It has been a challenging journey balancing podcasting with a full-time job and other adventures and I have learned a lot along the way. I am a strong black woman who may act as if nothing bothers me, but life sometimes sucks and we all need inspiration. My podcast is called Running is Cheaper Than Therapy. It features runners, triathletes, other athletes, and others who have overcome obstacles to make it to their finish lines. This episode I will talk about...

More Episodes

TJ Bryan is a career educator, an author and a runner who continues to run well into her seventies. TJ is a member of a small group of women over 70 who run in marathons. She is a rare African American woman competing at this distance. After TJ retired from a 30-year career in higher education, she became a runner. She was 64 years old at the time--hardly the point at which most people embrace a demanding sport. No one was more surprised than she was when she demonstrated ability as a runner at a wide range of distances. At 78, she has completed 53 races. Even more impressive are her ten marathons and qualifying for the Boston Marathon on eight of these marathons.

She is the author of two books, Saving Myself One Step at a Time: A Running Memoir and Black Girl in Red, White, and Blue America. She is currently working on a third one. Prior to retiring, TJ served as a professor, academic administrator, and university chancellor. She has a bachelor's, master's and a PhD in English, Language and Literature.

Episode Highlights:

How TJ started running at 64.
Dealing with injuries and how they tried to derail her running.
TJ speaks about her most memorable races.
What’s on TJ’s bucket list?
What motivates TJ to run, and some of her fears.
Some wise words from TJ.

Guest Bio

Born on August 21, 1945, T. J. Bryan is a member of a small group of women over 70 who run in marathons. She is a rare African American woman competing at this distance. After T. J. retired from a 30-year career in higher education, she became a runner. She was 64
years old at the time--hardly the point at which most people embrace a demanding sport. No one was more surprised than she was when she demonstrated ability as a runner at a wide range of distances.

From 2009 to 2019, T. J. completed 53 races. Regularly, she won age-group awards irrespective of the distances—in 5Ks, 10Ks, 15Ks, half marathons, and marathons. Of her races, ten were marathons—eight of which she ran fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon. This marathon is one of the most prestigious 26.2-mile races in the world because competitors must qualify by running fast times in earlier marathons and must be accepted before they may register.

Initially, T. J. planned to run in the Boston Marathon only once. She changed her mind and registered five times. She ran the race three times. Injury prevented her from competing in the April 2013 and October 2021 versions of the race. T. J. has written about running in two books. In Saving Myself: A Running Memoir, she captures her running journey. The memoir is available through Amazon. Readers praise this book, citing its honesty and its inspirational qualities. In her five-star novel titled Black Girl in Red, White, and Blue America, T. J. devotes several chapters to her main character’s late-life running experiences; these sections are based on her own adventures.

Before retiring and becoming a runner, T. J. served as a professor, academic administrator, and university chancellor. Her academic credentials include bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees in English language and literature.