The Balancing Act of Fitness, Activism + Self Care with Jordan Marie Daniel

Meet Rahaf Khatib - an 25 time half marathon runner, 11 time marathoner, stay at home mother to three and the first Syrian to complete the Abbott World Marathon Majors. She was heavily noted for her Ted X speech and for being a top ten finalist in the 2015 Runner's World cover search. This two time sprint triathlete appeared in places like CNN, Strong Fitness Magazine and Women's Health. 

Rahaf Khatib and Latoya Shauntay Snell touch on the lack of adequate coverage and representation in mainstream media for Muslim athletes. In this episode, they will touch on the lack of fitness gear like properly fitted hijabs, religious modesty to an open call to companies to collaborate with Muslim influencers. Both ladies speak on motherhood and the horrible atrocities that are taking place in Palestine. Through their candid discussion, their hopes to is to break through harmful stereotypes that thrive in and outside of sports.

Countless people of different backgrounds gripe about not seeing an accurate depiction of diversity in their fitness spaces; some people breathe life into the communities that they crave to see. 

Meet Carolyn Su - a Houston raised Taiwanese-American runner, mother, dietician and founder of a dynamic community Diverse We Run. After making a note of the lack of diversity present at some of the running groups that she attended, she wanted to create a platform that featured stories that were similar and differed from her own. Through her platform, presently over 12K strong, features athletes of diverse backgrounds, fitness abilities and personal hardships and highs. Diverse We Run prides itself on "building racial representation through story-telling, advocacy and community." Carolyn was featured as one of four November 2020 Runner's World covers for her work with Runners Alliance. Her story adorned places like Oiselle, Tracksmith and several other places.

On this episode, Carolyn Su and Latoya Shauntay Snell talk about the evolution of Diverse We Run and the importance of seeing a reflection of your own community. Carolyn Su goes into depth about the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program, food apartheid and the hardships of financial uncertainty poses on an individual. Additionally, both ladies reflect on harsh realities and lessons learned through the COVID 19 pandemic, motherhood and racial tensions. 

Meet Micki Krimmel - an incredible member of the LA Derby Dolls turned founder of the athleisure wear company Superfit Hero. In 2015, she created a brand that would help the roller derby world with clothing that fit but her clothing is known as a refreshing contribution to the body positive movement. Like many athletes, sports helped her find a deep non-judgmental connection to her body that created space for a new sense of confidence and composed mind. 

On this episode, Micki Krimmel and Latoya Shauntay Snell talk about their heavy distaste for diet culture and the predatory practices that we commonly see in traditional fitness marketing. We also learn more about Micki's passions for bikes, fitness and how her company Superfit Hero changed the narrative by shifting her sizes from Large to 7XL. 

Fourth generation Lakota runner, Jordan Marie Brings Three White Horses Daniel was born in Kul Wicasa Oyate - Lower Brule, SD. Daniel is highly respected in the running community and beyond for her impeccable work as an advocate in the Indigenous community and beyond. Her exemplary work is acknowledged globally, particularly for her run at the Boston Marathon where she ran for missing and murdered indigenous women. As the founder of Rising Hearts – an Indigenous led grassroots group devoted to elevating Indigenous voices and promoting intersectional collaborate efforts across all movements with the goals of racial, social, climate and economic justice - she is a powerful force to be reckoned with. 

On this episode, Jordan Marie Daniel and Latoya Shauntay Snell talk about the usage of their platforms to advocate for unique causes in the fitness space. They don't mince their words about the uncomfortable layers that sometimes surface when talking about personal safety in several marginalized communities or the gray areas that present itself as a challenge while passionately advocating about a cause or communities. Latoya inquires about the layers beyond the surface level of Jordan's pursuit of self care: Personal identity outside of running, self discovery in a leadership role and the harmony between talking about injustice while preserving space for joy as an Indigenous person.

Iresha Picot M.Ed, LBS, is a Licensed Behavior Specialist, and has a Master's Degree in Urban Education and Post-Graduate work in Women Studies from Temple University. In addition to a Master's Degree, she has post-graduate certifications in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism. Iresha is the co-editor of the book, "The Color of Hope: People of Color Mental Health Narratives", and has written articles in the Research in the Teaching of English, Elephant Journal, Aunt Chloe's Journal, Specter Magazine and For Harriet. She has been featured in articles in NPR, Bicycle Magazine and PBS American Portrait Series. Currently, Iresha works in the Behavior and Mental Health fields as a Licensed Behavior Specialist, Outpatient & Mobile Therapist. Iresha is currently under supervision to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Outside of these credentials, Iresha is an entire vibe on Instagram. Iresha is notoriously known for the collective affirmations on Sundays with GirlTrek and a certified warrior that will remind you reclaim your peace by any means necessary. 

On this episode, Iresha Picot and Latoya Shauntay Snell dissect different layers of radical self-care and the power of fully acknowledging when you are not doing okay. Picot and Snell discuss their joy of pivoting towards indoor workouts and cycling during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine. Picot talk breaks down the art of communication, layers that intimidate people due to prior personal experiences and connecting with a therapist. 

NOTE: Audio may be slightly distorted for brief periods of the podcast. Recordings are done remotely. 

Meet Morit Summers - Founder of Form Fitness Brooklyn, author of Big and Bold: Strength Training for Plus -Size Woman, social media content creator and a powerhouse personal trainer with a host of certifications. Morit Summers has over a decade of expertise in the fitness world and made it her personal mission to make this space more inclusive. Her strong energy is a necessary force in this space as we navigate through body politics surrounding conversations around shape, size, weight and identity. This athlete was seen on Lululemon during Women's History Month,  Shape, SELF and countless others.

On this episode, Morit Summers and Latoya Shauntay Snell explore parts of Morit's origin story on her love for fitness and honoring her plus size body as a personal trainer. Summers talk about the differences between some of the fitness content creation that shown online versus hiring a fitness professional that can tailor specific goals according your individual needs. Additionally, they talk about how COVID-19 impacted Morit as a business owner and how to adapt as an athlete to the unpredictable changes during this period.

Meet Nicole Snell - A dynamic international speaker, CEO of Girls Fight Back, the creator of Outdoor Defense and an impeccable ray of Black Girl Magic. She is the self-defense instructor for IMPACT Personal Safety and an adventure leader for Black Girls Trekkin. She has traveled the world speaking to hundreds of groups at colleges, K- 12 schools, corporations and the military on topics including sexual assault and violence prevention, boundaries, personal safety and empowerment. Nicole won a Webby Award in 2020 for hosting the Tastemade Travel video "Self Defense for Female Travelers" where she represented IMPACT Personal Safety. Nicole is a NACP credentialed advocate and has dedicated her life to teaching people how to live a confident, free and empowered life. As an outdoor enthusiast and solo traveler, she's visited 25 countries on 6 continents.

On this episode, Nicole and Latoya explore a series of sensitive areas: Disordered eating, race identity, self defense and sexual assault. Both women talk about their mental and physical relationship with exercise, how to unlearn toxic thought processes about weight and exercise and the stigmas surrounding body image. Nicole weighs out the pros and cons to using weapons and how to prepare your body and mind in life threatening situations. 

Sika Henry is a HOKA ONE ONE sponsored triathlete, 2X marathon champion, 2019 IRONMAN World Championship finisher and was named Athlete of the Year as part of the 2020 Outspoken Women in Triathlon Awards for her advocacy in the triathlon space. On May 2, 2021, Sika made history becoming the first United States Black triathlete with a professional card. Through the Challenge Cancun event, she qualified for her USA Triathlon Elite license and this stemmed from not giving up even after facing a huge hurdle in April 2019 where she went through a horrific bike crash during a race. Despite being sidelines for two years, she committed herself to making this vision come into full fruition.

By day, she is a corporate analyst for Ferguson Enterprises that manages to do two a day workouts to train for a host of events. She is a graduate from Tufts University with her degree in economics. While pursuing her studies, she became a NCAA All American in Track and Field as a collegiate high jumper. Soaking in all of these accomplishments can make a person have a strong sense of pride and mental fatigue.

On this episode, Sika Henry and Latoya Shauntay Snell talk about the joys of being acknowledged for your accolades while setting healthy boundaries on yourself and others while thriving in the public eye. Sika and Latoya explore conversations on impromptu breaks at the height of a career, self inflicted pressures of representing marginalized communities and absorbing in your accolades while it's still happening. Henry and Snell discuss the lack of diverse representation in the triathlon world, how they handle pushback when challenged from hecklers and what Sika loves to do during her downtime. 

Mireille Sine is a HOKA ONE ONE Flyer, USATF Level One coach, Garmin Ambassador and graduate from West Coast University with her Master's degree in Public Health.  She moved to Los Angeles, CA when she was six years old and became a sprinter and hurdler at Bravo Medical Magnet High School. Mireille is thoughtful and channels strength through her authentic storytelling in and outside of the fitness industry.

On this episode, Mireille Sine and Latoya Shauntay Snell weave into three different areas: Authentic storytelling, autoimmune and invisible conditions and Latoya's favorite - food. Both women share their feelings about the shift of storytelling and teaching via social media and in the mainstream space about sensitive subjects like COVID-19 and the toll of 2020's protests. Additionally, they openly talk about lupus, lightly talk about endometriosis and the effects of eating a predominately plant based diet is helping her with her lupus diagnosis and athleticism.

NOTE: As a light reminder, the Running Fat Chef podcast guests and host share their authentic stories. By no means does this podcast serve as a replacement for a medical provider.

Anna Mae Flynn is an amazing HOKA ONE ONE sponsored ultrarunner and ultrarunning coach with Mountain Endurance Coaching. During her adolescent years, she ran competitively for Striders - a junior Olympics team and weaved her way into the cross country and track team at Watauga High School.  After graduating college and overcoming burnout from college athletics, she taught math in Lake Tahoe. Her love for sports pushed her to jump into triathlons, road and mountain cycling, swimming and skiing; eventually she found herself back into the running world. In 2015, she took a liking to the trail running community through the Way Too Cool 50K. If you follow enough of her journey, you'll know that she was first female at the Speedgoat 50K and there's a host of other accolades that decorate her portfolio.

On this episode, Anna Mae Flynn and Latoya Shauntay Snell reflect on a year of not participating in races and how it impacted their careers, mind and spirit. Anna Mae touch on how the COVID-19 pandemic shifted her gears on running, as well as the mental, physical and emotional impact on her clients. Anna Mae and Latoya talk about their connection through HOKA ONE ONE and being two sponsored athletes of different pace groups. Both women provide advice to new athletes that jumped into running during the pandemic and touch on necessary diversity in the running community.