EP 202: Andrew Kim - From the Floor at Runners' Choice Waterloo: The Best Gifts for Runners
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Release Date: 12/11/2025
EP 221: Jessica Halsall, Ottawa's Power Mom - Running for CHEO with the Desjardins Charity Challenge
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
What fuels the miles when the finish line is only half the story? This week on the AO Running Podcast, we’re joined by Jessica Halsall - mom of two, Badass Lady Gang lead, and member of Otto’s Ottawa Power Crew - to discuss her Tamarack Homes Ottawa International Marathon journey. A runner and fitness instructor, she is turning her strides at Ottawa Race Weekend into support for the CHEO Neonatal Intensive Care Unit via the Desjardins Charity Challenge. Jessica gets real about the journey from her son's birth to reclaiming her athleticism. We dive into the non-negotiables of postpartum...
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EP 220: Andrew Tsang - Running for Campfire Circle
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
In this episode, we dive into Andrew Tsang's massive undertaking: a 260+ KM relay journey from Toronto to Muskoka in support of Campfire Circle. This incredible organization provides life-changing camp experiences for children impacted by cancer, offering them a chance to heal through play and joy—even while receiving treatment on-site. As someone who has personally felt the impact of cancer within his own family, having lost his dad after a very short battle with CNS Lymphoma, this mission is deeply personal for Andrew. We explore the logistics and "why" behind the 260km trek to Muskoka,...
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EP 219: Julian Compton, Move for Change - Turning Every Step into Real Change
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
In this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Julian Compton, endurance athlete and founder of Move for Change. Julian explains how he uses physical fitness as a powerful vehicle for social advocacy and youth empowerment. We hear how Julian launched Move for Change in 2020 to support BIPOC youth and dismantle systemic barriers in the GTA. Through his organization, Julian has raised significant funds for youth-focused charities and community infrastructure projects, such as rebuilding a high school track, over the last six years. The conversation also highlights the...
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EP 218: Sergio Raez Villanueva - Crushing 50k for Canada at 2026 World Championships
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
What happens when you trade a tennis racket in Peru for the grueling Canadian ultramarathon circuit? In this episode, we sit down with Sergio Raez Villanueva, an elite long-distance runner whose "gutsy" racing style recently took him all the way to India to represent Canada at the 50K World Championships. Sergio opens up about his profound transition from a Peruvian immigrant to a national-level athlete, revealing how he used running as a meditative lifeline to navigate the hurdles of a new life. We trace his evolution from the fast-paced world of collegiate cross country to the grit of...
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EP 217: Neil McKay, London Children’s Hospital - Finding Purpose Through Persistence
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
How do you turn grief into a movement? This episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast features Neil McKay, founder of Persistence Racing, marking five years of resilience in London, Ontario. We explore the launch of Fox Stride, a unique "double dash" track event, and the deeply personal motivation behind Neil's mission. After navigating family tragedy and recovery, Neil’s experiences with the London Children’s Hospital inspired his London 100—a 100km solo challenge to raise $5,000 for pediatric care. It’s a powerful look at finding purpose through pain and the profound impact of...
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EP 216: Jadyn Keeler, CTFL Athlete - Scientific Precision + Athletic Grit = A Formula for Success
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
Find out about one of Canada’s most promising distance runners! This week on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we’re joined by Jadyn Keeler, the University of North Dakota standout and Canadian Track and Field League (CTFL) athlete currently shattering records in the 5,000m and 10,000m. Jadyn joins us to discuss her unconventional path to the NCAA, her independent recruitment hustle, and the reality of being an international student navigating NIL endorsements. But it’s not all track—Jadyn also dives into her demanding double major in Molecular Biology and Geography, explaining...
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EP 215: Canadian Track and Field League Panel - A New Era for Canadian Track
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
What is the future of Canadian athletics? The Canadian Track and Field League (CTFL) is rewriting the script. In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Teschuk, Sam Kenahan, Matthew Lozano, and Saed Griffith to discuss how a unique team-based structure is building a sustainable home for track and field talent in Canada. Episode Highlights: - From Roots to Results: The guys share stories of early inspirations—from childhood soccer to being coached by their fathers—and how those roots fuel their current Olympic and marathon aspirations. - The CTFL Blueprint: Why a team-centric format is the...
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EP 214: Lindsay Housman, Founder and CEO of Hettas - Engineering the Female Stride
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
For International Women’s Day, we’re burning the "shrink it and pink it" playbook. This week on the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, Lindsay Housman, Founder and CEO of Hettas, joins us to explain why your running shoes have a gender problem. A woman’s foot isn’t just a smaller version of a man’s—so why is the industry still treating it like one? We’re diving deep into the biological grit: how hormones impact your ligaments, why your stride mechanics are unique, and how Hettas is using independent research to prevent the injuries the big brands ignore. From funding...
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EP 213: Selina & Helga of ScarboroRuns - Scarborough's Heartbeat: Celebrating Two Years of ScarboroRuns
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
"We didn't just want a run club; we wanted a support system for Scarborough." What happens when two runners realize their neighborhood is missing a heartbeat? They build one themselves. In this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Selina and Helga, the visionary co-founders of Scarbororuns, to celebrate a major milestone: their second anniversary. What started as a chance meeting while training at Thompson Park has evolved into a movement. Selina and Helga share the "origin story" of Scarbororuns, detailing how they identified a gap in the Scarborough fitness...
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EP 212: Judith Kasiama, Colour the Trails - Trailblazing Inclusion & Reclaiming the Outdoors
Athletics Ontario Running Podcast
In this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, we sit down with Judith Kasiama, the visionary founder of Colour the Trails. Based in British Columbia, Judith uses her background in gender studies to bridge the representation gap for BIPOC individuals in adventure media, becoming one of the most influential voices in the outdoor industry. Highlights: - Building Community: How Colour the Trails creates safe spaces for trail running, mountain biking, and skiing. - True Allyship: Moving beyond performative gestures toward active listening and genuine trust. - Enriching Nature: Why...
info_outlineWhat happens when a casual 10K bet among friends turns into a complete lifestyle overhaul? On this episode of the Athletics Ontario Running Podcast, host John Shep sits down with Andrew Kim from Runners' Choice Waterloo to trace his incredible journey.
From his first strides in 2020 to shedding weight and shifting careers, Andrew shares how running became the catalyst for a new life. We dive into how he utilized social media for accountability, leading to partnerships with major brands like Lululemon and Strava, and how he tackled numerous marathons and ultras along the way.
Plus, just in time for the season, Andrew opens up his playbook for the ultimate runner’s holiday gift guide. Whether you are looking for inspiration to start your own journey or looking for the perfect gear, this episode has it all.
Learn more about Andrew at: https://www.instagram.com/andrewkim47/
Register to be an Athletics Ontario member: https://athleticsreg.ca/#!/memberships/athletics-ontario-2025-membership
Check out Hammer Nutrition Canada (and use our special discount code AORP15 at checkout): https://hammernutrition.ca/