She was feeling stuck at 37. Then she ran 52 marathons in a single year🏃‍♀️

Hey runners,

If you’ve been feeling stuck in your own routine, holding back on a goal that feels "too crazy," or questioning if it's too late to make a change, today's story is going to hit right where you need it.

Have you ever looked at a moment you thought was a crisis, only to realize it was the spark for an extraordinary second chapter?

This week on Your Story, Your Why, I sat down with Julie Weiss—a mother, runner, and national inspiration known as the "Marathon Goddess," whose running journey started as a midlife escape and transformed into a global movement of hope.

Here is what we dive into in this week's episode:

• From Kauai to Lifeguard Towers: How a barefoot run on a family vacation inspired her to replace antidepressants with motion and run her way out of depression.

• Trial by Fire: Hitting the wall at mile 12 in her debut marathon, and how meeting her coach (and future husband) David changed everything about her approach to the sport.

• 52 Marathons in 52 Weeks: The grueling reality of flying out every Friday, running 26.2 miles over the weekend, and returning to her full-time job on Monday morning to honor her late father.

• The Decade-Long Million Dollar Promise: Why it took ten years of relentless dedication to surpass $1,000,000 for pancreatic cancer research—and why she never gave up on the goal.

• The 7 C's to Defy Your Limits: Her actionable framework for creating certainty, building community, finding your cause, and discovering the inherent worth you already possess.

True transformation begins the moment you stop asking for permission to start and realize your light is meant to shine bright right now.

"Your Story Your Why" - Julie Weiss Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal

💭 Final Thought

Julie’s journey is a powerful reminder that there are no fake runners and it is never too late to redefine what is possible for your life. Whatever heavy thing you're carrying this week, remember that you have the power to turn your trials into a cause that lifts up others.

What’s a goal you’ve been hesitant to go after because it feels too big? Hit reply and let me know—I read every single email!

Until next week, keep chasing those miles,

Letty Lundquist

Editor-in-Chief, Marathon Journal