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Friends In Training Podcast with Marcela Todd: Life is A Marathon

Friends In Training Podcast with Marcela Todd: Life is A Marathon

By: Marcela Todd
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Welcome to The Friends In Training Podcast with Marcela Todd: Life is A Marathon. This podcast is your ultimate companion for staying motivated and inspired on your fitness and life journey. Join Marcela each week as she shares uplifting stories, hosts insightful interviews with experts and everyday heroes, and offers practical tips to help you tackle challenges, celebrate victories, and keep moving forward—one step at a time. Whether you’re a seasoned runner, a first-time walker, or simply seeking inspiration, this podcast offers encouragement and community for everyone. Tune in, subscribe, and let’s run this marathon of life together!

Visit https://friendsintraining.net for more information and resources.

2026 - FriendsInTraining.net Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Running Into Reinvention: Stella's First Half Marathon at 68

    Running Into Reinvention: Stella's First Half Marathon at 68
    Jun 11 2026
    In this inspiring episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela welcomes Stella Papadopoulos, a remarkable woman who completed her first half marathon at age 68 at the A1A Marathon & Half Marathon in Fort Lauderdale. After running throughout her early life, Stella Papadopoulos took a 15 year break before returning to the treadmill at age 60. What followed was an extraordinary journey of transformation that went far beyond physical fitness. Through strength training, nutritional changes including the ketogenic diet, and consistent dedication, she lost 45 pounds and even experienced a 40% improvement in her vision. But Stella Papadopoulos's story is about much more than running. After divorcing at 60 following a 25 year marriage, she faced a pivotal question from her lawyer: "How do you want to live?" That question sparked a complete reinvention. She became a certified personal trainer at 62, launched a YouTube channel called Inspirations by Stella, published a book on navigating divorce, and embraced watercolor art as a form of healing and expression. Throughout their conversation, Marcela and Stella Papadopoulos explore the power of reclaiming your life at any age, the importance of self love and inner work, and why consistency in both running and life creates lasting transformation. Stella Papadopoulos shares practical advice on starting a fitness journey, the role of proper nutrition and fueling, and how running became a meditative practice that helped her reconnect with her strength. This episode is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to rebuild, that dreams don't expire, and that forward motion is always a choice we can make. 00:00 Welcome and Meeting Estella 00:51 Estella's Running Journey: From High School to 15-Year Break 01:28 Coming Home to Running: The Walk-Run Method 02:27 Women Reinventing Themselves After 60 03:18 The Ketogenic Diet Journey and Vision Improvement 05:12 Nutrition Fundamentals: Protein and Macros 07:20 First Steps for Beginners: Walking on an Incline 08:16 The Half Marathon Challenge 12:26 Race Day Experience and Jeff Galloway's Method 13:54 Running for Everyone: Breaking Down Barriers 15:09 The Friends In Training Community 15:51 Divorce and Rebuilding: How Do You Want to Live? 16:20 Women as Emotional Glue: Becoming Invisible 17:20 Don't Wait for a Wake-Up Call 18:10 Forward Motion: Running as Metaphor for Life 18:37 The Mental and Meditative Side of Running 19:51 Inner Work: Prayer, Meditation, and Self-Love 20:35 The Oxygen Mask Principle: Taking Care of Yourself First 21:24 Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Health 22:17 Life's Tough Miles: Getting Through the Hard Times 22:51 Quietly Suffering: Breaking the Silence 23:10 The Book: I'm Getting Divorced, Where Do I Start? 23:41 Inspirations by Stella: YouTube Channel and Content 23:53 Watercolor Artist and Creative Expression 24:44 Fulfillment is an Inside Job 30:05 Free Resources: Digital Products and Journal Prompts 31:41 Dreams Don't Expire: Finding Your Dreams Again 32:46 Dreams Come True: New York City Marathon Story 33:48 Final Words: You Are a Light Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/ Follow Stella Papadopoulos's journey on YouTube: Inspirations by Stella
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    35 mins
  • Part 2: Making Badwater History at 80 with Bob Becker

    Part 2: Making Badwater History at 80 with Bob Becker
    Jun 2 2026
    In this follow-up episode of Friends in Training: Life is a Marathon, Marcela reconnects with legendary ultrarunner Bob Becker to hear the story behind his long-awaited Badwater 135 finish. After several attempts that ended in disappointment or came just short of the official cutoff, Bob returned to one of the world’s most demanding ultramarathons at age 80 with a powerful goal: to become the oldest finisher in Badwater 135 history. This time, he crossed the finish line in 45 hours, breaking Jack Denness’s long-standing record and proving that determination, preparation, and the right support can carry us through even the hardest miles. Throughout their conversation, Bob reflects on the crew, coaching, and community that helped make the finish possible, while also looking ahead to future races and adventures around the world. 00:00 Welcome and Podcast Introduction 01:27 The Badwater 135 Challenge 02:38 Chasing Jack Dennis's Record 03:25 Three Attempts at History 04:58 Breaking the Record at Age 80 07:29 The Power of Your Crew and Community 09:06 Return to China: A Special Journey 11:21 Race Director Life and Keys 100 11:55 Alaska Calling: Denali 135 15:20 Race Details and Registration Info 21:34 Advice for Aspiring Ultrarunners 23:43 Closing Thoughts and Farewell Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/
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    24 mins
  • Part 1: Inside the World of Ultrarunning with Bob Becker

    Part 1: Inside the World of Ultrarunning with Bob Becker
    May 26 2026

    In today's episode, Marcela sits down with legendary ultramarathon runner and race director Bob Becker for an inspiring conversation about endurance, resilience, and continuing to move forward at every stage of life.

    Bob introduces listeners to the world of ultrarunning, sharing what it takes to go beyond the marathon distance and complete races that demand intense preparation, both physical and mental. He reflects on remarkable milestones from his running journey, including Badwater 135, the Badwater “double,” fixed-time ultramarathons, a 48-hour age-group world record, and running 230 miles in 74 hours.

    Beyond the miles, Bob shares how running reshaped his life, leading him from mortgage banking into race directing and the founding of the Keys 100. He also opens up about family, surviving prostate cancer through early detection, and the importance of staying active and focused on what lies ahead.

    (00:07) Meet Bob Becker and the World of Ultrarunning
    (02:45) Badwater 135, Fixed-Time Racing, and Bob’s Longest Run
    (04:18) Records, 48-Hour Racing, and the Badwater Double
    (06:27) Bob’s Early Life, Career, and Becoming a Race Director
    (08:46) Starting Late, Joining Friends in Training, and Qualifying for Boston
    (11:50) Family, Community, and Bob’s Best Life Miles
    (14:44) Prostate Cancer, Early Detection, and Preventive Health
    (16:55) How the Keys 100 Began
    (19:50) Relays, Community, and Introducing Others to Ultras
    (25:35) Favorite Races, Memorable Challenges, and Lessons Learned
    (32:10) Advice for Runners: Do Your Homework, Prepare Well, and Stay Realistic

    Learn more about Marcela, and the FIT community, at https://friendsintraining.net/

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    38 mins
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