Verna is Navajo, a mother of four, and days away from running a 50-mile ultra run. She started running after having her second child 12 years ago. Hear about Verna's journey as a runner and how it’s underlined her resilience as a person. Now she's bringing native women together by uplifting their running journeys, too.

Featured in this episode: Verna Volker

Hosted by Gale Straub

Sponsored by Smartwool & Stio

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In this episode, you'll hear:

About growing up Navajo in Northwest New Mexico
How Verna took up running after her second child
The ways running has emphasized Verna's resilience
Why Verna shares the stories of other native runners through her Instagram: @native_women_running
Verna's annual virtual run to raise awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women
Why Verna places an emphasis on safety (not fear) when running
What excites her about the future of Native Women Running

Resources

Verna Volker: Instagram
Native Women Running: Instagram
Native Women's Wilderness: Instagram & Website
Red Earth Running Co: Website
About the inaugural virtual run for MMIW
About Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women
Urban Indian Health Institute
Women's Running: The Importance of Running in Native American Culture
Learn more about the land you're exploring on: Native-Land.ca
She Explores Landing Page

Sponsors and Discount Codes

Smartwool: Learn more at Smartwool.com
Stio: Get 25% off your order when you use the code 'EXPLORE' at checkout

Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Music is by Swelling, Josh Woodward, Kai Engel, and Monplaisir using a creative commons attributions license.

Running Towards the Sun: Verna Volker