latoya shauntay snell

We are happy to welcome Latoya Shauntay Snell to the Suite Run Podcast! Latoya is the founder of Running Fat Chef and her host of her show, Running Fat Chef Podcast. She is a Global Athlete Ambassador for Hoka as well as a Chef, Writer, Motivational Speaker, Multi Sport Athlete + Ultrarunner. In this conversation, we begin with Latoya's experience as a chef, move on to her running and then we chat about the great places to dine out, run, race and more in her neighborhood of Bed-Stuy in Brooklyn. 

*Be advised of some adult language*

Enjoy our conversation!

Click HERE for the show notes.
Click HERE to grab a Suite Run mug.

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Where to find Latoya:
Latoya on Instagram
Running Fat Chef Website
Latoya on TikTok

Where to find Natalie and Jerold:
Natalie's Instagram
Suite Run Instagram
Natalie's Twitter
Suite Run Twitter
Natalie's Facebook
Suite Run Website
Suite Run Facebook

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.

Kanoa Greene is nothing short of a rockstar in the water and on dryland. Greene, a Rider University Graduate with her Master's Degree in Music, Vocal Pedagogy and Performance, is living and thriving in her passion to help others channel their creative minds and spirit. Her extraordinary body of work is seen in the body positive, size inclusivity and body diversity space. In her own words, "It's not just a conversation but an action that is found at the heart of the various businesses and projects that [she] leads. Kanoa is able to instill awe inspiring mantras and confidence in women globally to live their best lives in the bodies that their in because she's managed to practice what she's preached. 

On this episode, Kanoa Greene and Latoya Shauntay Snell discuss Kanoa's shift from music to corporate America and trusting the process to became an entrepreneur in the fitness and wellness space. Both women navigate openly talk about their experiences as entrepreneurs in the fitness and wellness space. Greene expanded on equity and knowing your worth when working with brands in the influencer space. Kanoa and Latoya talk about their unique takes on how they navigate through negative commentary, avoiding comment sections and the slow progress in the body positive and fat liberation spaces. Kanoa expands on the needs for the surfing community and bridges the gap between being an influencer and advocate in the social media space as a Black plus size athlete. 

Darrietta Lee is one of the most down to earth people that Latoya's grown to know and love in this space. She is a mother, runner, aspiring powerlifter and overall amazing human being. When Darrietta walks into a room, her warm energy isn't the only thing that's apparent to people - she is a Black Muslim athlete that proudly wears her hijab. At times, dialogue or personal interactions in the fitness space gets weird fairly quick.

On this episode, Darrietta Lee and Latoya Shauntay Snell share frustrations and experiences of being Black in the fitness space and explore Darrietta's experience of the lack of Black Muslim representation in the fitness space. Darrietta reflects on a year post Ahmaud Arbery and why Black Lives still matter after a year of protesting. She explores layers of self care, stepping back from social media and finding joy in being more diligent in finding value in being alone.

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

Meet Roc Roshon, a trans masculine educator with a B.S. in Sports and Leisure Management from Eastern Connecticut State University, M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of South Florida and doctorate student in the Department of Sport Management at Florida State University. With all of these dynamic credentials and powerful work in the fitness space, Roc saw the importance of creating a community that reimagines spaces for movement for queer and transgender communities.

On this episode, Roc and Latoya Shauntay Snell touches on several layers of intersectionality in the fitness and wellness space and how race, sexual identity, gender/non gender identity and accessibility can help people from marginalized communities thrive when resources are provided. Roc talks about their experience with sports in high school, college and beyond that was afforded to them from another institution. Latoya and Roc talk about their queer identities and some of the typecasting that's associated to LGBTQ+ people. Roc and Latoya talk about sexuality, binary identity structure, pronoun usage and not overthinking the process of being an ally to LGBTQ+ people.

If you want to learn more about Rooted Resistance, please visit www.rootedresistance.com. And remember, pride is 365. Check out hrc.org to continue this conversation beyond the podcast. Consider learning more about how the LGBTQ+ community can use your help in the U.S. State Legislatures and policies in sports and beyond.

Meet Martinus Evans - Marathon runner, podcast host of 300 Pounds and Running and The Long Run with Martinus and Latoya, future author and founder of the Slow AF Run Club. Martinus, a graduate in Exercise Science, Public Health and Digital Marketing, is known for his award winning public speaking, dynamic run coaching skills that helps plus-size individuals be active without the pressures of weight loss and hones his self professed pronouns of being a B.A.M.F. and if you don't know what this acronym means, Latoya is willing to share the definition with you in private.

On this episode, Martinus Evans and Latoya Shauntay Snell talk about his complicated relationship with body image and weight stereotypes affected him throughout his high school and collegiate years as an offensive lineman and how these viewpoints drastically differed as he shifted gears into becoming a marathoner and influencer. Martinus and Latoya explore the gift of higher education from the Black male perspective, the Slow AF Run Club and navigate through sensitive conversations about mental health. 
 
NOTE: Martinus and Latoya talk about depression and suicide. If you or a loved one is thinking about suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255. You are far from alone and it's okay to not be okay sometimes. Let's remove the stigma on mental health together.

Thinking about joining a run group outside of a social media platform that you can access from an app? Consider joining the Slow AF Run Club.

Mirna Valerio is the author of the highly acclaimed memoir A Beautiful Work in Progress, adventurer in chef of The Mirnavator LLC and known mostly for her documented scribes on a blog called FatGirlRunning. Her amazing presence is felt whether she's randomly singing on a 62 mile ultrarunning event, trekking through the snow while skiing, cycling or whatever fitness pursuit that she pleases. Just in case you don't know: She is a plus size Black woman doing all of the fabulous things and in high demand. 

On this episode, Mirna and Latoya speak about self care -- that they're both not practicing as two Black in demand athletes, content creators and motivational speakers in the fitness and wellness space. Both women jokingly but head on speak out about their feelings on the stereotypes that follow you as a public figure when lumped under the umbrella of being viewed as "body positive," the irony of defying stereotypes that marginalized people didn't create, the beauty of the outdoors and being a sometimes recruited, sometimes volunteered DEI expert and educator due to the influx of media coverage of racial discrimination.

In under 50 minutes, Mirna Valerio and Latoya Shauntay Snell will possibly make you laugh, feel uncomfortable and passively educate you about different layers and pressures of being a marginalized public figure in the outdoor space.

In an already over saturated market of fitness, food and career based podcasts, Latoya Shauntay Snell wanted to explore beyond the limitations of her blog and social media and interview ordinary and well known people in the sports and food industry to discuss what brought them into their respective fields for five or so minutes. The Running Fat Chef Podcast is a weekly-ish podcast that explores beyond athletes and public figures' Google and Wikipedia pages to push guests to tell an authentic chapter from their own book. Why? Well because we're multilayered and more than titles and the accolades that people adorn us for in our everyday life.

Despite the diverse set of stories shared on this program, Latoya challenges her guests - and even herself - to answer the simple but layered question: When we strip away our professional roles or what we represent to our loved ones and those who admire us, who are we to ourselves?

Guest host W. Eric Snell, Sr. is the founder of E. Snell Design and husband to Running Fat Chef Podcast host Latoya Shauntay Snell.

Each week, Latoya will interview guests beyond their Wikipedia, social media and Google search pages to deep dive into the layers that make each guest human. She placed herself under the microscope from one of the people who know her best: Her husband W. Eric Snell, Sr.

In this episode, Latoya and Eric talk about the reasons why she created this podcast as they haggle each other like most 20+ year couples do and dive deep into her social media fame. This episode is super lighthearted and explores the layers of transitioning from being behind the scenes to being in front of the lens, the purpose of the Running Fat Chef Podcast, reflections of how this new life changed her perspective about the world and the ways it impacted her family life.

FOLLOW W. ERIC SNELL, SR.
​​
Instagram: esnelldesign
Facebook: E. Snell Design
Twitter: E. Snell Design
Website: www.esnelldesign.com

REFERENCES:

- Running Fat Chef Media Page
​- Running Fat Chef Video Page
- Running Fat Chef About Me
- I'm a Plus Sized Runner and I Got Heckled at the NYC Marathon