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Lead Stories: Saturday, September 6, 2008

Podcast 4: Interview w/ Dr. Ruth Heidrich, vegan marathoner & cancer-survivor

Posted January 23rd, 2007 at 12:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Motivation, Books, Success Stories, Nutrition, Columns, Success Stories, Vegetarianism, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts, Health & Fitness

This week I had the privilege of interviewing Dr. Ruth E. Heidrich; the subject of TFS’s January 2007 “Success Stories” column.

In her mid-forties Dr. Heidrich was diagnosed with breast cancer; a shock to anyone – especially a marathon runner who had been in nearly perfect health. In order to stay cancer-free she set two incredibly challenging goals: becoming a vegan and completing an IRONMAN triathlon. Dr. Heidrich has achieved both goals and gone on to become an elite athlete. She has now run six IRONMAN triathlons, is approaching 100 marathons and has collected over 700 medals.

Download the podcast to learn about her fight with cancer, marathon running, being a vegan and the exceptional advice she offers in her new book: “A Race for Life” (published by Lantern Books)!

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select save as).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Dr. Ruth Heidrich
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 23.1MB
Length: 00:18:50

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Podcast 3: Interview with Paralympic gold medalist Rudy Garcia-Tolson

Posted January 19th, 2007 at 2:00 PM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Motivation, Success Stories, Columns, Success Stories, Special Features, Interviews, Podcasts

I was honored to have the opportunity to interview Rudy Garcia-Tolson, The Final Sprint’s Success Story selection for December 2006.

Rudy, a Paralympic gold medalist, lives by the motto “A Brave Heart is a Powerful Weapon”. He was born with several, rare birth defects, including the crippling Pterygium Syndrome. At five years old, after 15 operations, Rudy chose to have both of his legs amputated above the knee to avoid spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Rudy didn’t allow the loss of his legs to stop him and has persevered to become one of the world’s premier athletes. He won a gold medal in the 400m IM at the 2004 Athens Paralympics and has completed a half IRONMAN triathlon.

Download the podcast to learn how Rudy has overcome such tremendous obstacles, defied the odds and become a true testament to the strength of the human spirit.

Listen In
[MP3] Direct Download (Right click, select save as).
[RSS] Add The Final Sprint Podcast RSS feed to your RSS reader to have the show delivered to you

Host: Adam Jacobs
Guest: Rudy Garcia-Tolson
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Ryan Ahlwardt & Darnell Perkins
File size: 12.9MB
Length: 00:18:50

Interested in featuring The Final Sprint Podcast on your site, blog or My Space page? Click here to learn how!

Read the rest of this entry »

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“Success Stories” Series:
November 2006: Jim Fortner

Posted November 1st, 2006 at 9:00 AM by Adam Jacobs

Section: Motivation, Success Stories, Columns, Success Stories

A Note from the Editor-in-Chief: This is the first edition of our brand-new “Success Stories” Series. “Success Stories” aims to highlight remarkable and factual accounts of runners who have overcome major obstacles, changed their lives via running and much more.

We are very proud that our first “Success Story” is about our very own - Mr. Jim Fortner.

Jim, now 67 years old, was once an inactive and overweight smoker. However, for the past 23 years running has completely changed his life. Today, Jim is one of the most knowledgeable runners that I have ever encountered and a true role model.

The following is Jim’s personal account of his metamorphosis. Prepare to be “wow’ed” and motivated by this incredible gentleman.

I am 67 years old and didn’t start running until I was 44. Before then, I was a very inactive person. Even as a kid, I didn’t participate in sports, except for the “sandlot” variety. I was an overweight couch potato all of my adult life and a 2-3 pack-a-day smoker from age 16…..until I reached my mid-40’s. Then I decided to lose 30 pounds, start exercising and stop smoking….in that order. I thought I had the best chance of keeping the weight off if I lost it and started exercising before I quit smoking. Read the rest of this entry »

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