“I was late one day and I had to go to work. I had to move my butt 6.5 kilometres with 20 lb. in my bag. I made it there in half an hour. I was out of breath and winded but the feeling I felt after that was phenomenal. I haven’t let go of the opportunity since.

“If I can’t run, I have to find another way to get rid of those urges [to use crystal meth]."

- Jennifer-Lynn S., 30
Guelph, Ontario Canada
Via Canadian Running

"After a successful major neck and chest surgery in February 2014 to remove a non-cancerous, overgrown thyroid gland, I felt like I got an extended pass on life. In the two weeks after surgery, I lost 15 pounds of water weight as my metabolism readjusted. Recovering at home for the next month, I discovered that my weight was drifting down because I had started eating at home more and was walking every day to help my recovery. In addition to moving more, I decided to seize this trend of declining weight and make some more changes to my routine to avoid possible side effects of the ongoing thyroid hormone replacement therapy and to address my high blood pressure and glucose."

- Mike L.
Silver Spring, Maryland USA
Via How Running Changed Me

“I cycle because I live in London and so I use it as a means of transport. It’s really easy to nip around on a a bike. I’m not, like, a massive fiend committed to cycling every day but I do manage to do it. I cycle and I go to the gym to make myself feel good. Not to look the way someone else wants me to look."

- Grace
London, England
Via Refinery 29

"Running became as way for me to take back part of myself, even when I was the one who let others take advantage of me so quickly...The more miles I ran, the stronger I felt, and, though not recovered, at least I made it to a point where I could look for the new road ahead."

- Jen A. M.
Via Running, A Love Story

"Alcoholism and drug addiction is a serious disease that affects millions of people in this country....I am grateful that whatever I am doing is helping. That's all that I am trying to do. I'm just trying to take my story and make it help somebody else."

- Todd C.
Holland, OH
Racing for Recovery

"I had a dream of being a world recognised runner. That dream is coming true. When I hold Nepal's flag up high as I cross the finish line, that is my proudest moment."

- Mira R.
Bhojpur, Nepal
Via National Geographic, Breaking with Tradition,This Trail Runner is Finding Her Way

"I LOVE to walk for my health, to get out with my dog, have some "awww" moments looking at nature and put me in a good, calm mood."

- Cathy L., 61
Yardley, PA, USA

"I've learned how far I can push myself, a lot of independence, but also when to ask for help."

- Sarah J., 25
Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Via CBC news, Trailblazing: Edmonton Woman Set to Conquer Trans Canada Trail