All Episodes

December 15, 2022 65 mins

Mirna Valerio has made it her life’s purpose to live and experience the fullness of humanity each day. She is a Brooklyn native with many talents. Her recognition as a runner has grown after a viral post from her blog, FatGirlRunning. Since then, she has appeared in various publications and was chosen as 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

We discuss how she started running, her growth as a running, writing, singing and advocating for kindness. This is a great episode that will motivate you to keep pursuing your deepest passions.

 

Episode Highlights: 

  • How Mirna started running at the age of 13
  • Growing up in Brooklyn, New York 
  • The importance of humans being out in nature
  • Running 11 marathons, countless half-marathons & ultra-marathons
  • Why she loves gravel biking
  • Her passion for writing and how her blog was born
  • Publishing her memoir, A Beautiful Work In Progress
  • Singing, performing arts and joining The Juilliard School

Guest Bio

Mirna Valerio is a native of Brooklyn, NY, a former educator, cross-country coach, ultrarunner, obstacle course enthusiast, and author of the recently published memoir, A Beautiful Work in Progress. Although she began running in high school, she recommitted to the sport after a health scare in 2008. It was then that her love for running and all its attendant benefits were reignited. She soon started her blog Fatgirlrunning, about her experiences as a larger woman. Mirna's athletic story was featured in the Wall Street Journey, Runner’s World, NBC Nightly News, CNN,  CW Network, and in the viral REI-produced documentary short, The Mirnavator. Her writing has been featured in Women’s Running Magazine, Self Magazine Online, Outside Online, and Runner's World Magazine. Most recently, she was chosen as a 2018 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year.

Connect with Mirna

Order her book, A Beautiful Work In Progress here

Follow Mirna on Instagram

Read her website and publications here 

Did you enjoy today’s episode?

Please subscribe and leave a review. If you have questions, comments, or possible show topics, email runningischeaperthantherapyolb@gmail.com.

To subscribe and review use one links of the links below 

Apple

.css-j9qmi7{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;font-weight:700;margin-bottom:1rem;margin-top:2.8rem;width:100%;-webkit-box-pack:start;-ms-flex-pack:start;-webkit-justify-content:start;justify-content:start;padding-left:5rem;}@media only screen and (max-width: 599px){.css-j9qmi7{padding-left:0;-webkit-box-pack:center;-ms-flex-pack:center;-webkit-justify-content:center;justify-content:center;}}.css-j9qmi7 svg{fill:#27292D;}.css-j9qmi7 .eagfbvw0{-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;color:#27292D;}


Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.