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

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

45. Sally's Hotline: Stopping the Unstoppable

In this solo edition of Sally’s Hotline, host Sally Hed Dahlquist explores one of the most difficult decisions athletes face: knowing when to stop. After completing 181 marathons, and recording five DNFs (Did Not Finish), Sally shares the story of her most recent marathon withdrawal at Wisconsin’s Pine Line Marathon and explains how she recognized the difference between normal fatigue, mental discouragement, and signs that her body genuinely needed rest. This episode is about perseverance, self-awareness, and learning that sometimes stopping is not failure... it’s wisdom.  In this episode: *  Sally’s firsthand account of quitting a marathon at mile 16.5  *  The physical and emotional warning signs that should never be ignored  *  How to tell the difference between discomfort, exhaustion, injury, and illness  *  A practical checklist for deciding whether to continue or stop  *  Six simple ways to reset your body and mindset mid-race  *  The story of Christy, a struggling first-time marathoner who found the strength to finish  *  Why helping another runner helped Sally regain confidence herself  Sally’s Six-Step Mid-Race Reset When things begin falling apart during a race, Sally recommends: 1.  Walk briefly and allow your body to recover  2.  Correct your posture and stand upright  3.  Take several deep breaths to reset your breathing  4.  Honestly assess your symptoms and energy levels  5.  Adjust clothing or cooling strategies for comfort  6.  Seek encouragement, support, or a pep talk  These small adjustments can completely change the trajectory of a difficult race. This episode is dedicated to Christy, a first-time marathoner Sally met during the Eau Claire Marathon who was ready to quit at mile 17.5. With a little guidance, encouragement, and determination, Christy found the strength to continue and finish her race.  Important Disclaimer This podcast episode reflects Sally’s personal experiences as an endurance athlete and is intended for informational and motivational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Always consult a qualified medical professional regarding injuries, illness, chest pain, dizziness, or any health concerns before, during, or after athletic activity. Support the Mission Unstoppable: Stories That Move is raising funds for medical research focused on cancer and other diseases. To support the mission or donate:  unstoppablestoriesthatmove.com

44. Sally's Hotline: The Doing of the Thing with Gregory David

In this edition of Sally's Hotline, we hear from the unstoppable Gregory David, photographer, filmmaker, skydiver, skier, and a man who has had to start over in life more times than most of us can imagine. From breaking his back in a parachute accident, to immigrating to the United States from South Africa, to rebuilding after personal loss, Gregory knows firsthand what it means to fall, literally and figuratively, and choose to get back up anyway. Rather than offering easy answers, Gregory speaks from deep experience about what actually gets you through the hardest seasons of life: discipline, belief, mental rehearsal, and the willingness to stay focused on your goal even when progress feels invisible. This short but powerful tip episode is a reminder that the beginning is always the hardest part, and that if you can imagine something clearly enough, you are already closer to doing it than you think. In This Episode, You'll Hear: * Why the beginning of any hard thing is always the most difficult * How progress becomes exponential once you push through the early resistance * The difference between hope and belief  * How Gregory and his skydiving team learned to do things that had never been done before, one pattern at a time * Why mental rehearsal is just as important as physical training Key Takeaways: * Don't give up just because it starts hard. Everything does. * Believe you have the capacity to improve.  * Discipline and focus compound over time. Progress that feels slow is still progress. If you want to hear Gregory's full story including skydiving championships, filming Hollywood movies in apartheid-era South Africa, refusing spinal surgery against doctor's orders, and his philosophy on consciousness and inner change, listen to Episode 43 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