Meet Mirna Valerio.
You may have seen Mirna on the NBC news, or in a viral post on Facebook. Oh, wait, or maybe you saw her on the latest issue of Women's Running, or under the pen name, Fat Girl Running, or in this awesome Lane Bryant Campaign (which includes a 4 week program written by Mirna)!
If you didn't catch on so far, Mirna is a runner, and not just any runner, she's one of those people that love to just run and run and run and run... she does the crazy long, ultra races.... kinda like former #wcw and WMC Project presenter, Sarah Scozzaro.
We asked Mirna to be a #wcw a while back and wow is she blowing it up and being oh, so crushable!! Go Mirna!
So awesome to see Mirna making such a solid impact on women all around the globe and we're over here crossing our fingers that we'll get to meet Mirna in person sometime soon!
Alright, get ready to crush as we introduce you more to Mirna Valerio... aka. The Mirnavator!
Oh, and you'll want to check these out:
TWITTER - INSTAGRAM
fatgirlrunning-fatrunner.blogspot.com
What do you do?
I am an educator: Director of Equity and Inclusion/Spanish/Cross Country Coach
What else do you do?
I also blog at fatgirlrunning-fatrunner.blogspot.com; I am a contributing writer for Women's Runner Magazine, and am an author of the forthcoming book A Beautiful Work in Progress, due out October 1, 2017
How do you define the word 'strength'?
Strength is that which emanates from you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It counteracts all forces of life gravities and allows you to stand on your own two feet, and withstand that which attempts to knock you down.
How did you discover your passion/work/niche?
I have always been a educator and writer, and since high-school a runner. I discovered running as a means of becoming a better field hockey and lacrosse athlete, and fell in love with the sport as well.
How do you incorporate movement into your daily lifestyle?
I'm always training for something: races, Tough Mudders, life and longevity....so it's a vital part of my day, that is scheduled in.
Where would be a good starting point for someone who is looking to add more movements into their life like what you do?
Schedule it in and really make it an essential part of your lifestyle.
“You can’t wait for your body to be perfect. ”
Think of it as a way to help prevent disease and chronic illness, and most importantly as a way to make sure your body is functionally strong and able to do the things it was meant to do.
How do you define 'fitness'?
Fitness is the ability to move about freely and unencumbered most of the time, and at high intensities without persistent pain (soreness notwithstanding).
The ability to run, walk briskly, swim, exercise, without hurting yourself--the ability to do these things for long periods of time. The ability to recover fairly quickly from these activities.
The ability to depend on your strong body to be functionally healthy. This applies to differently abled bodies too.
Where do you see the future of the fitness?
Fitness will be for everyone, and it won't be limited to a certain aspirational body type.
Does movement increase your self-confidence? If yes, how?
Absolutely. When movement is a constant in your daily routine, you constantly discover how physically and mentally strong you are. You are constantly confronted with your own humanity and this creates a connection with self that is unlike any other activity.
What motivates the crap out of you? (quote, music, people, sport, etc)
I am motivated by the possibilities of discovering how far, how fast, how long my body can go, move, be.
What advice do you wish you could have given your former self?
Well, there really is no former self--isn't it the same self but on a different place in the life continuum? I have no regrets.
THANKS MIRNA! We are now changing this question to your 'younger' self! :)
Anything else you'd like to share with us or a bunch of women out there?
You are enough, and this has always been the truth whether you believe it or not.
Support Mirna further and read more from her in her new book, Beautiful Work In Progress... Which already sounds awesome!