50. The Hero Behind the Half with Garry Bjorklund

50. The Hero Behind the Half with Garry Bjorklund

Garry Bjorklund is a Minnesota hometown hero, collegiate All-American, Olympian, Grandma’s Marathon champion, and the namesake of the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon. But before his name was printed on thousands of race shirts, Garry was a kid from Twig, Minnesota, running gravel roads, racing his mom to the mailbox, and learning that running was about much more than winning. In this episode, host Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Garry ahead of the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon to talk about his roots, his running career, the people who shaped him, and the lasting spirit of the race that still brings him back to Duluth. From a serious foot injury that threatened his future, to the heartbreak of the 1980 Olympic boycott, to the joy of seeing everyday runners cross the finish line, Garry’s story is full of humility, perspective, and deep love for the running community.  In this episode, you’ll hear: *  How Garry first fell in love with running on the roads and trails of Twig, Minnesota  *  Why he says “the race begins at halfway”  *  The coaches, teammates, neighbors, and friends who shaped his life  *  How Garry went from not knowing what a college scholarship was to running for the University of Minnesota  *  The impact of legendary coach Roy Griak and teammate Eugene Daly  *  What Garry learned from competitors like Steve Prefontaine and runners of every level  *  Why he sees running as a family, not a lonely individual sport  *  How Grandma’s Marathon became part of Garry’s life and legacy  *  Why the finish line matters just as much for everyday runners as it does for elites  *  The funny story of the runner who insisted Garry Bjorklund was not Garry Bjorklund  *  Garry’s love story with Rhonda, the courage it took to call her, and the “karma” of his Olympic bib number  Whether you’re chasing a personal record, running your first half marathon, cheering from the sidelines, or simply trying to keep moving forward in your own life, Garry’s story is a reminder that running is never just about speed. It’s about friendship, humility, kindness, courage, and the people who help us become who we are. Inspired? Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves running, Grandma’s Marathon, or a story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Support the mission to raise $1 million for medical research:  unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com [https://unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com]

49. Sally's Hotline: Positivity is the Word of the Day with Scott Keenan

In this edition of Sally’s Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Scott Keenan, runner, organizer, author, community leader, and the original founder and race director of Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. As Grandma’s Marathon celebrates its 50th anniversary, Scott reflects on one of the simplest but most powerful lessons he carried through his years of coaching, race directing, and building a world-class event: stay positive. Rather than offering complicated advice, Scott shares the same word he gave his East High School runners every day for six years: positivity. Whether you are facing a bad run, a difficult race, a hard season, or a setback in life, Scott’s message is clear. Shake it off, look for something good, and keep moving forward. This short but powerful tip episode is a reminder that positivity is not about pretending everything is easy. It is about choosing hope, refusing to get pulled under by negativity, and believing that you can still get through what is in front of you. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: * Why Scott’s word of the day was the same for six years * How positivity helped him coach young runners through bad races and hard days * Why negativity can pull you down faster if you let it take over * How looking for something simple and good, like a bird in the sky, can shift your perspective * Why positivity and hope go hand in hand Key Takeaways: * Stay positive, even when the run or the day does not go your way. * A bad race does not define you. Shake it off and keep going. * Negativity makes hard things heavier. Positivity helps you move through them. * Hope matters. Things can get better when you keep moving forward. * Sometimes the best advice is simple: full steam ahead, damn the torpedoes. If you want to hear Scott’s full story, including how he founded Grandma’s Marathon in 1977, built it into a world-class race with small-town charm, and helped shape one of Minnesota’s most beloved running traditions, listen to Episode 48 of Unstoppable: Stories That Move. You can also read Scott’s book, My Journey to Grandma’s Marathon: History and Heroes. Support the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose to raise money for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. Your support helps move that mission forward. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA Together, we can save lives.

48. The Man Behind Grandma’s Marathon with Scott Keenan

Host Sally Hed Dahlquist sits down with Scott Keenan ahead of the 50th anniversary of Grandma’s Marathon in 2026. Scott founded Grandma’s Marathon in 1977 with a tiny budget, a $3 entry fee, no permit, and one very big vision: to build a world-class marathon with small-town charm on the beautiful North Shore of Lake Superior. Scott shares how a small running club race in Duluth, Minnesota grew into one of the most beloved marathons in the country, now bringing thousands of runners to the region and creating a major economic impact for northern Minnesota.  From convincing Olympian Gary Bjorklund to run his first marathon in Duluth, to building international competition, to naming the race after a local saloon, Scott’s story is full of grit, vision, humor, and relentless belief in what this race could become. In this episode, you’ll hear: * How Scott founded Grandma’s Marathon at just 23 years old  * Why the first race had a $3 entry fee, a micro-budget, and no official permit  * How Gary Bjorklund helped put Grandma’s Marathon on the map  * Why the race became known for world-class competition and small-town hospitality  * How Grandma’s added the Gary Bjorklund Half Marathon to help runners choose the right distance  * The wild logistics of a point-to-point marathon, from buses to trains to gear transport  * The story behind the name “Grandma’s Marathon”  * Why Duluth, Lake Superior, and the running community made this race something truly special  Whether you’ve run Grandma’s, dream of running it someday, or simply love hearing how one person’s vision can grow into a legacy, Scott’s story is a reminder that big things often start small, with a wild idea, a few determined people, and the courage to begin before everything is perfectly ready. Learn more about Scott’s story in his book:  My Journey to Grandma’s Marathon by Scott Keenan Inspired?  Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who loves running, Duluth, or a good underdog origin story. Support Sally’s mission to raise $1 million for medical research:  unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

47. Sally's Hotline: The Courage to Change with Christy Larson

In this edition of Sally's Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Christy Larson, an everyday athlete, outdoorsy girl, health coach, and woman who had to rebuild her health and life after alcoholism nearly destroyed her. After starting to drink at age 50 and drinking every day for two years, Christy reached a point where she knew something had to change. Her story is one of honesty, courage, vulnerability, and taking the first step back toward herself. Rather than offering easy answers, Christy speaks from lived experience about what it takes to face the things we use to cover up pain: being willing to change, asking for help, digging into your “why,” and surrounding yourself with people who want to see you grow. This short but powerful tip episode is a reminder that you are not alone, change is possible, and sometimes healing begins with something as simple as picking up a pencil and writing the truth down. In This Episode, You'll Hear: * Why Christy says not to be afraid of change, no matter how hard it feels * How harmful habits can become crutches for deeper pain * Why reflecting on your “why” can help you find the root cause * The importance of vulnerability and asking for help * How journaling helped Christy process, reflect, and reconnect with herself * Why the “power of the pencil” can be a simple but powerful tool for healing Key Takeaways: * Don’t be afraid to change. You will never know what is possible unless you try. * Be willing to give up the harmful things you have used to cover pain. * It is okay to be vulnerable, and it is okay to ask for help. * Journaling can help clarify your thoughts, patterns, emotions, and needs. * Surround yourself with positive people who want to help you grow. * You are not alone, and you can change no matter what you are struggling with. If you want to hear Christy’s full story, including her struggle with alcoholism, the turning point that helped her stop drinking, and how she began rebuilding her health, confidence, fitness, and life, listen to Episodes 45 and 46 of Unstoppable: Stories That Move. Support the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose to raise $1 million for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. With NIH budgets being cut, your support matters more than ever. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA

46. From Bottles of Wine to the Finish Line with Christy Larson

Sally Hed Dahlquist talks with the unstoppable Christy Larson, a runner, outdoor lover, wife, and woman who fought her way back to herself after alcohol had taken over her health, confidence, and sense of identity. Christy shares the honest turning point that changed everything: her husband finding hidden bottles throughout the house and telling her the truth she did not want to hear... that alcohol was killing her. After ER visits, high blood pressure scares, a pulmonary embolism, weight gain, secrecy, and fear, Christy made the choice to stop drinking and begin rebuilding her life one day at a time. Now more than three years sober, Christy has reclaimed her energy, confidence, love of running, and joy in being outdoors. Her story is a reminder that recovery is not about becoming someone new. Sometimes, it is about fighting your way back to the person you were all along. In This Episode, You’ll Hear: * How Christy recognized that alcohol had changed her mentally, physically, and emotionally * The painful but powerful moment that pushed her toward sobriety * Why honesty, support, and daily choices became essential to her recovery * How running helped Christy reconnect with strength, confidence, and possibility * What she learned from completing her first marathon, even when it did not go as planned * Why she now looks forward instead of backward Key Takeaways: * Recovery starts with honesty, even when the truth is hard to face. * A strong support system can help you keep choosing yourself when things get difficult. * Progress does not have to happen overnight to be real. * Running can become more than exercise. It can become proof that you are still capable. Medical Disclaimer: This episode is for personal storytelling and general informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous, and anyone struggling with alcohol use, substance use, mental health concerns, chest pain, blood pressure issues, pulmonary embolism symptoms, or any other health concern should consult a qualified medical professional.  If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or substance use, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) can help. Call their hotline at: 1-800-662-4357 Support the Mission: Unstoppable: Stories That Move is a podcast with a purpose: to raise $1 million for medical research to help fund cures for cancer and other diseases. With NIH budgets being cut, your support matters more than ever. Donate today at unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com or mail a check to: PO Box 12, Afton, MN 55001, USA