[upbeat music] I got cleared to go and just, like, walk, work out, all that stuff.
I told my PT, "I've always hated running, but I want to try it because, like, this has showed me that, like, I need to take advantage of my life and my body and what it's capable of.
And, like, my body's never gonna be 100% again, and, like, I wish I did this before, but, like, why not still try? Why not still go for it?" Welcome to For The Long Run.
We explore the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated, and how they've been able to achieve sustainable excellence. I'm your host, Jonathan Levitt, and we're so glad you're here.
This episode is sponsored by Bouldertheon, and it has clearly been resonating with you all. Hundreds of people have signed up with my code, and I'm so stoked to hang with you all this fall in Boulder.
Bouldertheon is more than a single race.
With a 5K, 10K, half, full marathon, and kids races, it's a great weekend whether you're hunting for a PR, which is a bold move for an altitude race, or just looking for an excuse to visit Colorado in the early fall.
If you're local to Boulder, there's a course preview on August 22nd for the half and the full, and August 29th for the 5K and 10K races happening out of Fleet Feet.
Visit bouldertheon.org to register, and use code FTLR2026 for $20 off the half or the full.
Huge thanks to Bouldertheon for putting together such a fantastic community event, and for your longtime support of this podcast, now in year three of our partnership.
This episode is brought to you by Tifosi Optics, and with summer here, this is about the most useful time of year to talk about them.
I've been running in Tifosi for a few years now, and in the summer, they basically live on my face. Long mornings, high sun, sweat in your eyes, that's exactly when good eyewear stops being a nice-to-have.
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So if you've been squinting through your long runs, now's the time. Head to tifosoptics.com and use code FTLR2026 for 20% off. That's FTLR2026 at tifosoptics.com. And welcome back.
We have Kelsey Waller joining on the podcast today. Kelsey, thanks so much for taking some time to chat. Of course. The first question is always a doozy. Who is Kelsey? Oh, who is Kelsey? Um, well,
my day job is I'm a CPA. I'm an accountant, and that is what my nine-to-five is. That has been, um, what I've been doing since I graduated school. I went to Texas A&M, have a master's in accounting.
So that's, like, kinda, like, on paper who I am. But after I...
Well, I took a job in Denver 'cause I wanted to get out and explore, 'cause I knew I had this passion in me to see the mountains, go live life, go travel, and so I immediately
requested a job during my internship to move to Denver, and that was gonna be the start of, like, figuring out who I was.
And so I moved to Denver, worked at a Big Four accounting firm, and had a skiing accident, and that has opened the door to me so much. You would think the opposite, but it has completely
revamped my life. It has made me realize that life is so, so short, and I need to try all the things, and even something that I didn't grow up doing, why not try it? Because, like, I live by YOLO.
You only live once, so, like, why not just do it? So now after that, I am a triathlete, which feels weird to say 'cause I've only done two triathlons, but I am a triathlete.
I practice three sports all week, so I've started that last year. I ran my first half-marathon last year, so I'm a runner, but I'm a huge just adventurer and traveler. I love to see new places.
I love to be outside, be in the mountains, and I love to just, like, try hard shit and see what that feels like.
So you took something that would be really disruptive to a lot of people, and you figured out a way to make it a po- into a positive. I can't imagine that that was easy or the first- No... the first thing you thought of.
Like, talk me through what that looks like. Yeah, so I mean, one, having a serious accident like that, like, I literally just fell, but I ripped everything in my knee, and, like, I didn't grow up skiing.
Skiing was already something that I, like, tried fresh, tried new as an adult. And so, like, I had this accident. I'm in a new place.
I don't really have a lot of friends or, like, support of people that can help me throughout that recovery, but I was just sitting there on bed rest and was just, like, kinda looking out the window, and I was like, "Damn, I wish I was out on a walk right now.
Like, I... Why can't I be walking?" And then I would see people running. I'm like, I always hated running.
I literally grew up hated running with a passion and thought, like, I was just never built for it 'cause, like, in seventh, eighth grade PE, I was, like, running a few steps and then just got so out of breath.
It, like, hurt my chest so much, and I was like, "Oh, this just, like, isn't me." So in high school I danced and I did agriculture stuff, but, like, beyond that, I just, like, I never cared to do running.
Took up weightlifting in college, but I was like, [sighs] "I kinda wish I was out there running right now. Like, I wish I had the opportunity to even, like, try it, even if I hated it. Like, right now I can't even walk.
I can't even use the stairs. I can't go to the bathroom by myself." And so, like-
Once I got cleared to go and just, like walk, work out, all that stuff, I told my PT, 'cause I was working closely with a PT down in Lakewood for, um, a good like year and a half, and I was like, "Hey,
I've always hated running, but I want to try it," because, like this has showed me that, like I can't just like take advantage of, or like I need to take advantage of my life and my body and what it's capable of.
And like my body's never gonna be 100% again. And like I wish I did this before, but like why not still try? Why not still go for it? And so like I wanna, I wanna try all the things.
And so yeah, I started running, and then that's when I like started training for my first 5K and then randomly one day ran a 10K for the first time and was like, "Oh, this is like so cool to finally like hit these goals."
And it's very different from most people, 'cause a lot of people kind of, they grow up with these goals.
These goals didn't come to me until I was like physically unable [laughs] to even walk, and so that, that just like reminded me like, "Wow, life is short. Like try, try the hard things."
Do you think you would have ever had this type of, not epiphany, but pivot or appreciation or gratitude without having it taken away from you? Honestly, I'm not sure I would've, or it would've just taken me a lot longer.
Because like the way that my life has worked out, which like I'm so, so blessed for where my life has led since that moment. Like I do wish my knee didn't hurt as much sometimes, but like
I couldn't imagine my life without it. And so like I probably wouldn't have met my now fiance, or like moved up to Longmont, or got into cycling, or like got into triathlons in general. So h- I don't know.
Maybe if I surrounded myself with certain people, but it was just like me pushing myself to running, that's what like opened so many doors of what I am now. And even like me finding a new job. Like
I was so scared to leave my first po- post-grad job until like I started doing things I was uncomfortable with. So talk us through the, the evolution of, "I wanna go for a run. I wanna do a 5K.
I wanna do a, I just did a 10K." What did that, what did that progression look like? I mean, like after that and like to where I am today, or like just small nuggets?
So you, you decide you wanna do something hard- Yeah... that you hadn't done before. What happens next? It's just like, what, what else can I do? Yeah. Just what's next?
Meaning, meaning what happens once you decide that you wanna go for a run. Yeah, so like I, I was like, "Let me just try to run one mile, and let me make it not hurt so bad." 'Cause grew up it hurt, it hurt- Yeah... bad.
And so I'm like, "Let me make this easy." And then everyone, there's races all the time, especially here- Right... this is the mecca of it. So I was like, "Let me try to find a 5K." And me being crazy because I'm, like
I also have that adventure, travel, world, international stuff in my head too. So I'm like, "Let me go run in a pretty place. Let me make it harder for myself." And so like my first 5K was in Estes Park at elevation.
And then, um, so like I ran that and I was like, "Okay, yeah, like I, I wanna keep doing this. I wanna work until the next thing." And I kinda like,
kinda put it on the back burner 'cause that summer that I run, ran the first 5K, I actually backpacked in Italy, which like that was a brand new thing to me too. Um, and so like I focused on that for a little bit.
So then I got back into the running and was like, "Let me just try to like run whatever feels good." And then I like got to four miles, and like that felt great, and so I was like, "Let me try five miles."
And then ran- randomly one day I was like, "Let me try a 10K." And then in that moment I was like, "Maybe I sign up for a half marathon." And so then I like did a bunch of research of which ones I wanna do.
Me being crazy again, I signed up for the Steamboat Marathon. So not even one here or at sea level, but, uh, yeah, I signed up for that one.
And then during the process of like me knowing I wanted to sign up for a half marathon, I, [laughs] I found a bike at a garage sale. My fiance, boyfriend at the time, bought it for me. It was 20 bucks.
He negotiated it down to 20 bucks. It was like originally 50. And I just like started riding it and was like, "Oh, I haven't ridden a bike since I was like five. This is pretty fun." And I'm like,
"I'm gonna run a half marathon one day, and the cycling thing's fun. Why not try swimming? Why not like just [laughs] do it all?" Like, I don't know what the hell to do, but why not just like push myself to go try it?
And so I just like have slowly increased my goals each time. And so like once I hit it, I set a new goal, a new thing to attempt, a new thing to try. And so like my most recent one is, I mean,
my, I did my first Olympic triathlon, what, a week ago. Um, and so like my next goal is to do my first half Ironman. And so like I'm sure right after I finish that, I'm gonna be like,
"We should try a full Ironman." But I'm gonna give myself two or three years for that. That one's like real heavy- It's intimidating... on commitment. Yeah. [laughs] But I might like,
I might look into some ultras and maybe some like cycling races, 'cause I, I love cycling. Yeah, I just kind of, once I hit a goal, 'cause I, I set a very like attainable, reachable goal.
Once I hit that, I'm like- What's next? I can do more. Is it attainable and is it reachable? And it, like, d- when you set the goal, does it feel attainable and reachable? No. I fully doubt myself.
And even with me, like 27, 28 weeks into training for this IRONMAN, I have only a couple weeks left, like I am still very intimidated.
But like I, as the days go on and the time I put forth into my training, I, I feel a lot more capable. What does that lead to in other parts of life?
Um, it leads to me standing up for myself, to kind of make other shit happen in my life, especially like with my job. Like, knowing how
much I am capable of and like how badass I feel, like not thinking I could do these things and then doing them, I'm like, "No one can knock me down."
Isn't that cool how this sandbox of endurance sport enables us to have so much power in other parts of life? Yeah. And it's a great, like, stress reliever because, like, it's so, it's so hard.
These sports are so damn hard. And so, like, it's a great way to, like, get out frustration, get out stress and all of that. And so, like, it helps you feel better, just like f- you feel more relaxed, you feel happier.
Of course, like all the endorphins flowing afterwards, especially if it's, like, a great workout. But then also, like, you just, like, you feel like you can fricking reach t- to the moon.
How do you, how do you keep the, that joy in it? You keep hitting these milestones and you keep checking boxes of new things that you haven't done. How do you continue to c- to keep the joy while...
Like, eventually you'll run out of boxes to check- [laughs]... unless you just, like, then you get into- Go crazy... 50Ks and 100-milers and two... You can do- Yeah... you know, the Fidelity 401K, which needs to exist.
[laughs] Like, these races are getting longer and longer. Yeah. Or you can go faster and faster.
Like, how do you, how do you think about, like, do you think about the next couple of years and, and how to keep having joy with it all as, as the newness kind of fades?
Um, I think there's still ways to always make something new. And so, like, now, um, so I did my first half marathon just about a year ago. It was the Steamboat half marathon, like July, f- no, June 1st of 2025.
Um, so it's been exactly a year, and I've ran two others, two other half marathons since. And, like, what's helped me keep that newness alive is that, like, they're in different places, maybe with different people.
And, um, the last one I did was a trail half marathon, so, like, that was so different than my f- road half marathon. And so, like, there's little aspects of it.
And then also a huge thing for me is, like, the community aspect. And so I, I love doing this stuff by myself, but of course, like, we as humans, like, we need connection. We need a village. And so, like,
I've- [sighs] I love, like, getting people into this sport, and that's a lot of what I try to share with my content that I put out on social media, is just, like, showing people that it's
fun to do this stuff, to try new things. And, like, these sports, sometimes they feel very,
or, like, these goals feel unattainable, and, like, these sports feel unreachable because, like, there's so many elites and pros in it.
But, like, there's still ways of being an absolute amateur and beginner and, like, still putting yourself out there. And so, like,
I think what will always keep that joy for me is helping other people get into this space too. And so, like, I have a run and cycle club in Longmont, and, like,
I love just getting people together, and I love bringing new people to it. And, like, I've recently started a new, um, Cycling For The Girlies series on social media- Nice... to, like, help get people into cycling.
'Cause, like, yeah, I'm still such a beginner. I'm still pretty new, but, like, I can advocate for all of us girlies that in a very male-dominated, -dominated sport to, like, hey, like, you deserve to take up space too.
And so, I don't know, I think just always making friends and doing stuff with different people, like, that'll keep it exciting and new. And yeah, and just, like, setting different goals each time. So, like,
I'm about to do my second sprint tri in two weeks, and my first goal last year with my first sprint was to finish. This one, it's gonna be a, a different race, so that's already new for me.
And then two, I kinda wanna beat my time last year. [laughs] Um, but, like, I'm not a person to race. I'm not super fast. And then the third one is, like, to have more fun.
Last year, I was so stressed out, and, like, same with my first half marathon. I'm so nervous, so stressed out, anxious, and, like, I didn't give myself the full space to just have fun and enjoy myself.
And so, like, that's what's gonna make this sprint, uh, triathlon feel new to me is 'cause it's gonna have just slightly different goals. You talk a lot about the community and getting people into it.
Um, in a sport like cycling, there's so much that goes into, like, even before you can get on the bike, like allowing your s- your bike to be ready to ride. Like, I- Yeah...
put carbon wheels on and tubeless tires on, and, like, I don't know what [laughs] I'm supposed to do with them. [laughs] So, like, my friend Rachelle is gonna come over and help me put the slime in the tubes.
But, like- Yeah... there are these things that you just, like, don't know what you don't know. Yeah.
Um, is part of that, is part of what you're doing with the group, um, to kinda help people get over that hurdle as well? Oh, for sure. Like, I, I want- All these spaces to feel welcoming, even though, like, I can't...
Okay, you can never promise that, like, just because you treat someone good doesn't mean someone else will treat them good. Right. And so, like,
I can't promise that they'll go somewhere else, like, a friend will go somewhere else and, like, everything will feel attainable and approachable and, like- Particularly in cycling. Yes. And, like, understandable.
But, like, I know I can make that space- Yep... for them. And so, yeah. I, like... I don't know. I have so much fun with it. And, like, moving your body is so good, and I want all, all the people to do it.
I want everyone to do it. And particularly in this day and age, people are craving that in-person community connection. I went through... I do an audience survey every year- Mm...
for this podcast, and I was reviewing it, um, yesterday over the last three years, and the most common feedback was, like, more in-person events, particularly here in Boulder, so- Yeah... that's happening.
So if you're listening and you wanna stay, stay attuned to all of that, that ForTheLong.Run, and, uh, subscribe, and we'll email you when, when, uh, when those come out, when those events come out.
But, um, yeah, there's so much... We spend so much time behind our computer screens these days, and, um, these in-person events, group runs, group rides, whatever, it's, it's just so fun.
I went to a happy hour last night down in Denver, um, for a health tech event, and it's just, like, so refreshing to not have Zoom meetings with people and, like, shake somebody's hand or give them a hug and, and meet people- Yeah...
and understand what makes them tick beyond just the, you know, 29 minutes you have in a, in a meeting with somebody. Yeah. And you get to know the real person behind the screen.
Of course, like, no one is fully themselves behind a screen.
Like, they can't show you, like, what you said, the, what they, what makes them tick and what makes them so happy and just, like, seeing their emotions change and everything. Like,
like I said, we humans, like, we, we need that connection. We need all of the emotions and all that stuff. Like, that's what makes life life. And yeah, we, we won't get that unless we do in-person things. Totally.
Um, so what, what has it been like building a, a cycling group? Ugh. Um, definitely a bit defeating at so- times 'cause, I mean, it's so, it's so new.
I started, um, the run club first last April, and so we're about a year and a couple months into that. And that definitely, like, has more people. Give a shout-out. What are the details? Okay.
So, um, it is called Wild Coyote Club, and we're definitely all-encompassing. We'll do... I've done, like, trail run days before, paddleboarding days. I just want people to get out there, move, and make friends.
Like, [laughs] I have told my fiance this and, like, several friends, like, I don't, I don't care if you don't like me, you don't wanna be friends with me, but I hope that you can still come and make friends with someone else.
Like, you, I'm not asking you to be my friend. I'm just asking you to put yourself out there so you can make a friend, or maybe you're the perfect friend for someone else that you haven't even met yet. And so, like,
I, I just want to create a space. Like, I don't want it to benefit me really at all. I want it to benefit everyone else. And so, yeah, I have the run club and the cycle club, and
if I, like, somehow could get ahold of a pool and reserve a spot there, it would also be a swimming club. [laughs] A full triathlon club. Um, but- Elk's Lodge, North Boulder. Yeah. Call your name.
I mean, [laughs] that's a little far from me for a morning swim, but- Yeah... um, I do like Elk's Lodge, for sure. I have swam there once. Uh- It's intimidating, though. It, it really is. But, um, yeah, we...
We're based in, in Longmont 'cause I live in Longmont, and I was like, "I want a space to do these things with friends and to meet people my age or even older than me, younger than me, whatever. I don't even care.
Like, age doesn't matter. It's just, like, who feels good to be around." And so, yeah, we have Monday night run club at Wibby Brewing, 6:30 PM. And
new this year, I started a coffee jog, an early morning jog, 'cause, like, some people don't wanna work out after work. They like working out before work. And so I'm trying to, like, hit every person.
[laughs] And so, uh, Friday mornings bi-weekly, the first and third Friday of every month, and if there's a fifth Friday, then that one too, um, 6:30 AM at Juniper Goods Cafe.
If you haven't been and gotten coffee there- Heard it's really good... it, people love it, even th- that don't live in Longmont, and there's a reason why. It is very good.
Um, and then the group rides actually just started last week. What day is it? No, two days ago. Um, [laughs] will continue for the rest of summer, and that's at the Longmont Bicycle Company at 6:30 PM on Wednesdays.
There are a lot of people that listen to this that live in Boulder and Longmont and Niwot and all sorts of places nearby, so hopefully at least a few of them will, uh- Yeah... will join.
Um, so the goal is just congregating. It's just meeting people. It's really the purest sense of community. Very social. Yeah. Very fun, very social.
And, like, I, I try to welcome all paces, all levels, all skills because, like, I know how hard it is. I'm, I'm a slow runner. I ran my first half-marathon at a 12:30 pace, and I was pushing it, like, dead.
And my, my goal [laughs] was just to not just, m- not stop. Unfortunately, my tummy hurt, and so I had to stop at a port-a-potty at, like, mile eight. But other than that, like, I hit my goal of not stopping.
And so, like- I know what it is to be running longer to hit those distances, 'cause I'm not very fast. I'm not under 10 minutes. And, like, even cycling, I started off not very fast.
Now I have gotten a little bit fast, and it's awesome. But, um, [laughs] Does it feel so good? [laughs] It, yeah, I'm...
It is crazy the cycling progression that I have made, because I used to be scared of downhills, and now I'm just like, "See ya." [laughs] Or like, "You don't even hear me, 'cause I'm just zooming."
But, um, even, like, swimming and, like, e- everything that I try and that I do enjoy doing, I'm not very fast at. And so, like, I, I don't wanna single anyone out.
I don't wanna be like, "Oh, you have to be this pace to run with us." At run club on Monday nights, I walk every time.
In case someone wants to walk or someone's in the back, I make sure that they're covered and that they're good and they have a friend. I feel like that's a big need in Boulder County. Mm-hmm. [laughs] There are a lot...
Like- Yeah... I'm the sub-three marathoner, and I find myself in the middle to back of the pack sometimes. Yeah.
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Yeah, and it's like I, I have so many of my friends, like, we're all kind of in that, like, 11:30 to 15-minute mile. And, like, there's a lot more out of a, out- lot more of us out there than we realize.
But, like, there's not many spaces for them to feel comfortable in. And so that's what I'm trying to create. And, like, we have some really f- fast people that come, but, like, they're off running together.
But, like, I'm, I still make sure that I'm there for whoever wants to come that aren't that pace. I will give a shout-out to the group runs out of Fleet Feet on the weekends- Mm-hmm... in the summer.
They have pacers up to 13-minute mile- Love that... I wanna say. Um, and so we'll be doing some events with them around Boulderthon this fall, this summer and fall.
Um, so it's good to see that kind of thing starting because that's literally half of the pack, um, [laughs] by definition.
Yeah, and, like, in a couple years, those people will be middle of the pack, maybe front of the pack if they, like, really want to get faster and put in the work and do the intervals. The intervals are not very fun.
But yeah, like, that's what makes up the running community. It's not just the elites and just the people that run eight-minute miles or less. And so, like, yeah, I just try to make it a very inclusive space for all.
What does community mean to you? Oh. Community just, like... I don't know. I've been b- big on community ever since I got into my university. We at Texas A&M, we are a little bit of a cult, I'll give you that.
Um, we're very big on having, like, that community, networking, all of that. It just, it means, one, putting yourself out there. Two, like, having support and, like,
meeting people to give you that support, but also giving that support back to other people. And just, like, having more fun in life. I think, like, if you kind of isolate yourself, which, like, at times I do.
Uh, we all deal with mental illnesses at times and, like, there's a lot of times I, I deal with a lot of anxiety. But, and so, like, I kind of isolate myself at times.
But, like, I wouldn't be doing all that I am doing without community and without the extra push and support from my community that I've built. Um, and so, like, uh, community does mean everything.
Like, I think that's what makes life just, like, a little bit extra special. And I don't know, I'm, like, getting emotional about it now because I am a bit hormonal and on my period. But, like, I don't know,
there is something so special about, like, finding the right people for sure. Say more about that. Oh[laughs] Um, so like, of course, like you are who you, like, who you surround yourself with.
And so, like, if there's some people that are just, like, so negative and pessimistic, like, how are you supposed to grow in that? Like, you want to be around people that will help build you up.
The average of the five people you spend- Yeah... the most time with, yeah. And like, a major example is my fiance. So we started dating two years ago. We'll celebrate two years in two days.
We went on our first date, and I told him, I was like, "Yeah, like, I just ran my first 5K, and like, I want to start running.
And like, I, [laughs] I suck at it, but like, I want, I wanna keep working at it and keep trying." And he said, "I'll run with you."
And our second date the next day was him coming on a run with me, and he's [laughs] feet in front of me, but just like, him, like, still being there and supporting me, that, like, helped me feel a lot more...
I, I felt more empowered and was like, "Okay, yeah, like, I'm not alone. I c- I can do this, and I have someone that supports me." And I think, like, that's kind of why I've set such
crazy goals in such a short amount of time because, like, of the community that I have built in with h- him. I found him, and he, like, really supports me. And I'd, I...
There's so many times where I'm like, "I can't do this. Like, I literally can't run this distance," or, "I can't cycle 50 miles," or, "I can't go at this speed," or, "I can't do this interval workout," whatever it is.
He's like, "No. Yeah, you can." Is he usually right? Yes. [laughs] Yes, he is.
Because, like, other people will sometimes believe in you more than you can believe in yourself, and so I think that's anosh- another special thing about community is that, like, those people will really just lift you up and, like,
make you feel like you can do the impossible. It's pretty wild the, when you step back and listen to someone talk about somebody else, right?
And, and the words that other people say about someone are often much stronger than how we think or feel about- Yeah... ourselves. I was at an event last night, and somebody was introducing me, um, to other people.
And I was like, "Damn, that w- that's an impressive introduction." And it, like, creates more self-belief. Like, it created more self-belief in my, in myself- Yeah... than
had he not said that or, "Hey, hey, this is John." Mm-hmm. Or, or just like the way that somebody else can, can talk about you.
And, and I had a conversation with him afterwards, and I was like, [laughs] "You're, like, helping me sharpen- Yeah... how I think about myself or the, the skills that I have about myself." But it's fascinating.
Like, I'm not saying that to pat myself on the back. I'm saying that 'cause, like, I often struggle with imposter syndrome, or why am I in this room?
And I find myself in some, like, really incredible rooms, and I'm often like, "What... But why am I, why am I here?" Mm-hmm. "Why am I the one getting this chance?"
It's, it's helpful to have people remind you that you, you belong and you deserve to be there. Yeah, and I sh- I f- I've been feeling like that for, God, almost 10 years now, and like, countless times I've felt that too.
I have, um, imposter syndrome at, like, every race that I go to. I'm like, "Oh my God, what am I doing here?" But, like, everyone brings something special to the table. And like,
yeah, me and the person next to me, we're both doing the same thing, but there is something different still that we're doing.
Like, uh, the reason I'm doing it may be different than why she's doing it, and like, that's what makes us special 'cause, like, I've had to fight different battles and get through, successfully, different battles than that next person.
And so, like, everyone deserves to be proud of themselves for whatever they work towards, and like, they got to that same spot as someone else by fighting through different battles.
And like, yeah, that is just something to be proud of. And like, you deserve to pat yourself on the back be- 'cause, like, yeah, we don't wanna be super, like, overly confident to where we're just assholes.
But, like, you still deserve to, like,
have that confidence in yourself, and you deserve to pat yourself on the back often because, like, otherwise, how are you supposed to, like, have any belief in yourself to set a new goal?
The imposter syndrome thing is fascinating. I talk to so many people who objectively have done incredible things. They've won Olympic medals- Mm...
or they've run faster than most other people on the planet or whatever it is that they've done that society deems as, like, this is success, and they still feel it.
And, and sometimes I feel like that's a good thing in a way in that, like, it keeps a chip on our shoulder. It keeps us moving forward. It keeps us growing, but it's kind of annoying [laughs] at times too, isn't it?
Oh, yeah, for sure. But I think it kinda ties back into, like, that's what makes us human and what, like, reminds us of, like, oh, we should appreciate this. Yeah.
Because, like, I don't know, like, it's a crazy thing to be here. So like, I don't know, I think it just is a little reminder. Totally.
It, it sucks, but it's a little reminder to take full appreciation of those little moments and of where you've gotten. For sure. So you also share your story on social. Mm. What's the, what's the story behind that?
What inspired you to, to do that? Yeah, so, um, back in college, I started working out, weightlifting, going to the gym, and I also did not do that growing up. I d- I did a lot of stuff as a child.
I was a farm girl, showed some goats, did a lot of, like, country bumpkin stuff. [laughs] But, um- You did what to goats? Showed them Show, oh, showed them? Yeah. I was a goat shower- Got it... and a- Like-...
poultry judger Like at, at, not like festivals, but- Uh, like stock shows? Yep. Got it. Yeah, yeah. Um, and I like- My Boston is showing... um, so yeah, like that, that is my past. And I like was a dancer.
I literally told, told you I like didn't think I could run. If someone was like, "Let's go for a run," I'm like, "No, have fun." And that was my same thing with working out. I didn't care to lift a single weight.
How did I not have more injuries when I was dancing? [laughs] Don't know, but I was doing high kicks all the time. Youth. Super flexible. Yeah, youth.
But I like didn't care to do any type of working out, endur- endurance sports, lifting weights, nothing. But then, I mean, [laughs] I kinda owe this all to a not so good thing during college.
I was with this terrible ex that cheated on me a lot, and I thought maybe if I like got a bigger butt, I would look better. He would stop cheating on me. So like, let me lift some weights. Like, let me change how I look.
And holy shit, after a couple of weeks, I'm like, "Why the fuck am I doing this for him?" Like, I need to be doing this for myself. And also, like, this is giving me confidence. I don't care how I look.
I don't need to impress anyone else but myself. And so, like, my perspective completely shifted, thank God. [laughs] But like, the sole reason was not a good reason.
But yeah, I was like, "Let me get into this working out thing. I'll lift some weights. Can't really lift five pounds, but like, maybe I should document my journey."
And 'cause I, like, had so many people that I was friends with from high school that, like, also did not work out. And so, like, maybe this will help other people.
'Cause it's like giving me a lot of self-confidence 'cause I was very insecure. Being in that relationship made me so insecure. I didn't, like I don't recognize that girl back then 'cause she just, like,
did everything for this boy and was an asshole to her family. And like, I don't want to change any part of that, um, like any part of my life because, like, that's who I am. That's helped make me into who I am today.
And so, like, I can't change my past, but like, I'm, I feel so bad for her. What would you say to her? Girl, fuck him. And like, you're going to live a good life. Like, you're going to realize what's important, and like,
you are beautiful. And oh my God, I'm emotional. Um, sorry. Um, I just like,
I would tell her how strong she is and how, like, she can do the impossible 'cause like I've done so many cool things since then, traveled to so many cool places, and it wasn't,
like, it, it is because I finally got out of that relationship. I would also tell her that she's just worth more than what she ever thought she was.
Like, she is enough and even more than enough, and that, like, she deserves the world, as does everyone else, but always stay kind. [laughs] What would she say to you if she saw you today?
She would just be like, I think, just in shock and just be like, "How did that happen?" Like, "What the hell?" And maybe like have a lot of self-doubt and a little bit of imposter syndrome and be like, "Mm,
are you on drugs?" [laughs] Like, "How did that happen?" And I'm like, "No, I'm completely sober. I don't do anything. I just, like, have found what's good in life and am living it up 'cause life is so short."
And I think back then I didn't think that. I just like, I don't know, I didn't appreciate all the little moments and all the little things that make me me too.
Do you think, do you spend any time reflecting on the, the growth? Um, I do. When I'm having
a really, like, hard emotional time, like with some workouts, and I mean, like, I do all my training with no music, so I reflect quite a bit, um, especially like on my long runs. Um, I, I think a lot. Yeah.
And like, I don't know, I, I, I think it's nice to reflect on all that stuff.
And yeah, it doesn't, like, it makes me sad that, like, I went through that, but like, I'm so happy with the growth that I have had and how it's put me in the spot today.
Reminds me of a book I'm reading called, uh, The Gap and the Gain. Mm-hmm. And so the gap refers to, um, where you are today versus where y- you wanna be. Mm-hmm.
And the gain is if you look back five years ago to today, what you've gained. And we spend so much time thinking about the gap of
where we are today versus where we wanna be, when in reality the power comes from looking retroactively, looking, looking back and saying- Mm-hmm... "Wow, holy shit, I've just improved so much.
I wonder what will happen in the next two years," and approaching it with curiosity instead of like, "I must be this version- Yeah... of myself by next year." Yeah, and that's a lot of, like, strain to put on yourself.
And like, I think once I graduated college, I w- kind of took that into consideration 'cause like I did, one of my first tattoos when I got out here was this quote, "Wherever you are, be all there."
And it's just like, be in the moment. Like, don't- Can, can you show that again? Yeah. "Wherever you are, be all there." I love that. Right here. And like, that was just kinda my motto, and then just like,
why be so hung up about stuff you can't control? Of course, like, I live with anxiety.
[laughs] I, like, I deal with these thoughts all the time, and I get stressed out about things that, like, are obviously out of my control, but it doesn't feel like I can, like, put a handle on that.
Um, and so like, yeah, no, I know how that feels. But also, like- I have stopped setting these, like, life goals and whatnot, 'cause I'm like, I want to be in the moment.
I, like, I need to be right here right now, 'cause life is so short. And so, like, why I'm gonna stress out about where I need to be in five years? Like, I'll figure that out in five years.
Like, I'm gonna have, like, some goals so I can, like, slowly work towards them. But, like, I want to be present. I want to enjoy everything, 'cause who knows what will happen on my drive home.
[laughs] Or, like, who knows w- whatever could happen in a couple weeks. Like, I don't know. Like, things change so fast. And so, like, be right here and reflect on where you've come from the past. And so, yeah.
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FTLR via the link in my show notes. [upbeat music] I don't know if I fully answered your question about my social media. Yeah, let's go back to that. Okay.
Um, so yeah, I s- got into weightlifting and was like, "Let me just share this journey." And so I started an account. It was called Walla Workouts. And, uh, I, I love that name. It was such a good name.
And it was just, like, of me sharing my gym journey, and, like, every time I up new weights or, like, me sharing exercises. And so, like, it inspired a lot of people, and I started it, ugh, in 2018, so pre-COVID.
In the beginning of COVID, uh, when everyo- everything was on the lockdown, and we were all, like, working out at home, going on walks, people that didn't work out started working out.
And so, like, I was kind of a few years into it, two years, and so, like, my account blew up. That was, like, the peak of this account.
And, like, I wish I kinda took more advantage, but I was also in school and was like, "No, I need to focus on my master's." I'd just got into my master program, so I was like, "No, school comes first.
Like, this is just fun." I didn't realize that I could, like, make it into more of, like, a business, which I'm trying to fix now. But, um, that's whole- besides the point.
Um, I, yeah, just, like, kind of blew up and, like, made just so many friends, like, across the world. And, like,
in college I, uh, traveled abroad for the first time and, like, like I said, Texas A&M has this huge thing about networking, and so, like,
it was a huge networking thing for me and a way to me- for me to build this community. And, like, I don't know if I'll meet half these people or even [laughs] like 98%- Half would be a lot of them...
yeah, 98% of these people. But, like, I don't know, like, having that community, even if it's just, like, not the people in the room, like, it, it matters a lot to me. And, like, I, I want to help other people.
I want to show people, like, the real and raw part of life and how, like, you can do new stuff. You don't have to grow up doing anything.
But yeah, so it, like, just grew as this huge, like, workout account, and it gave me a lot of confidence. It, like, of course, like, other people were hyping me up. I was hyping other people up.
And so, like, there's different aspects of how, like, I grew that confidence.
But then it kinda transitioned into more lifestyle once I graduated college and moved to Denver, and then had my accident and was like, "Hm, I'm not really working out as much, so let me just, like, fully change it into something else."
And so that's when it became Walla Kelsey, 'cause I didn't want it to just be about working out. I was like, "There's a lot more to life than that, and, like, a lot more I want to share."
And so changed it to Walla Kelsey, and for a time it was, like, a lot of hiking, knee rehab, stuff like that. And now it's just kinda blossomed into what it is today. It's just all things my life, and showing people that
you can do hard things, and life is so short. And, like, just, like, try spontaneous stuff. And, like, also a big part of it is, like, you can do all these fun things.
It might be a little hard, but you can do all these things while still working a full-time job. I'm not your typical content creator. I'm not doing this full time. I have a regular nine-to-five.
Like, I worked my ass off to get my degrees, to get my CPA license, and, like, I'll never get rid of that. That is something, like, I will always have. I love the stability of it. And, like,
everyone has to pay bills, and so, like, your normal person, house next door, like, we all have to have jobs.
And it, like, people are so lucky to, like, do certain things full time, and, like, I, I'm just not that lucky.
Like, I have to work full time, and so, like, that's another thing with my content that I try to share is, like, yes, you can have a job while still traveling.
You can have a job while still trying all these sports, training for races. Like- You just kind of have to sacrifice your time a little bit. You can't do other stuff. I don't go out.
My social time is all my community events. Your Colorado bedtime is, like, 8:00 PM. Yeah, for sure. And so, like- Everyone's got places to be at 6:00 AM. Yeah. [laughs] Training, really. Yeah.
But yeah, I just, like, I want to show people that you can have a normal life and still do fun stuff. Totally. Um, I quit my full-time job a year ago- That's awesome...
after building all these things on the side for the last five, six, seven years, and yeah, it feels like a privilege to be in a place to, to do that and do a little consulting, and- Mm-hmm...
I ride peaks and valleys, and there's definitely some aspect of that. Um, but it's like, so I, I had been wanting to do it for two years, and, and my friend... or three years.
My friends have been egging me on, and people who were listening closely to this podcast a year ago would've heard me asking a lot of business owners and people who made changes in their life, like, "How did you break stasis, and how did you do the thing?"
Yeah. And so I was just like, I became obsessed with asking people how they did something risky or challenging or whatever.
I figured out how to do that, um, and I posted a reflection piece, uh, la- earlier this week, or last, maybe it was last week, um, now that I'm a year in, and it was just a challenge to people to be, to, to do something hard.
Yeah. Whether it's this week, this month, this year, like, pick something hard and do it. And I got a lot of responses from people who, who commit to doing something. Yeah.
And whether it was quitting their job or, or, um, signing up for a race or, like, doing something hard, I love thinking about the ripple effect that, like, talking through this kind of stuff can have because I've seen what sport can do for me.
I've seen what taking a risk can do for me. Like, it's been the most fulfilling work year of my life- Mm-hmm... while also being incredibly challenging, but I'm having more fun and joy than ever before.
I was able to take that leap from being egged on by a lot of people, but through particularly listening to the Second Nature podcast over the last year, and episode 100 in particular, was...
I texted the guys, um, while I was on my run. I was like, "Okay, I get it. I'm quitting. Like, I'm doing the thing." Yeah. Like, yes, you got... Like, you can... I can do it.
Um, and so I think about how that content and that con- those conversations pushed me, and now the impact that I can have on other people.
And so I guess the call to action here is, if you're listening, if you've made it this far, uh, do something hard for yourself this week, this, this month, um, and let it, let it instill more self-belief, uh, in, in you as a result.
Yeah, and I, like, fully support anyone that takes that leap of faith. I think that is such a cool move to do.
And, like, to me, my life just looks a little bit different, and so, like, to me, it was quitting my first post-grad job and finding a new one.
But, like, the people who are willing to stick it out and be self-employed and find these things to do in their daily life to quit their nine-to-five, I think that's awesome.
The health insurance piece is a pain in the ass. [laughs] Oh, I don't got it. And maybe filing your own taxes, which, like- Yeah... no, not me. Yeah, you're a CPA. Don't, no. That shouldn't be hard.
I absolutely hate taxes. I went into auditing, not taxes. Got it. And now I work for a vacation rental company, so. [laughs] Got it. I try to sta- stray away from taxes. They're not fun. Yeah.
Shout out to Brad, my ta- my CPA and friend. [laughs] I send him about 15 1099s- Oh, yeah... every, every year. That's a lot. [laughs] He's gotta track them down. I think it was 13 this year. Dang. Um, yeah, it's a lot.
So we got connected from Popfly- Mm-hmm... which is a creator management platform for brands and a way for creators to go in and find campaigns, gifted campaigns, paid campaigns, all sorts of, of other adventures.
Popfly is a sponsor of the Long Run Labs podcast, which is my other show that's all about the business of the outdoor industry, and they're also the company that I tell every brand in the space that they should be using if they have a need for creators and leveraging content, which is most.
So how did you find this brand? How did you, how did you get connected with them, and talk through what, um, professionalizing the content has, has looked like for you. Yeah.
I mean, so like I said, when I had, like, my skiing accident, I moved out here. That was kind of all within the same, like, six to 10 months.
I, like, completely dropped all my content 'cause I was like, "I've gotta do life." Um, and so it wasn't up until, like, February of 2025, especially having my fiance, him supporting me and being like, "Yeah, do it."
I, like- Sounds like a trend here. He sounds like a good dude. Well, that's why I said yes. [laughs] Okay. So, I mean... Um, but yeah. He, like, was like, "Yeah, just, like, try it."
And I think he also wanted to benefit from things that I get from my content career. But, um, I was like, "Okay, I'll try posting more.
Like, I'll just try to just put more content out there, and I'll, like, start signing up for different things."
So I, like, did a bunch of research and, like, looked up what other creators would say, like, are good sites to apply to and, like, put yourself on for those opportunities, and Popfly came up.
And, um, kind of briefly, like, like I told you before we started today, was like, I signed up. I didn't know what the hell I was doing, but then I saw...
Like, I followed them on Instagram and saw the opportunities that other creators were getting, 'cause they're very, um, outdoorsy.
They're dabbling more into, like, the run and cycling community right now, which, like, they featured me on a, a article about, like, the top, like, cycling creators, and I was like
This feels awesome because, like, I haven't even been doing this for, like, two years, but, like, I love it. And people do love my cycling content 'cause I'm just myself out there.
Um, and I love to wear pink and fun colors, and to all the local people, if you see me on a pink bike, or if you see a pink bike out there, that's most likely me, um, 'cause I'm wearing all the bright stuff.
I cannot be contained to just black or neutral colors. [laughs] No black and gray for you. No.
Um, but yeah, I, like, started seeing just, like, more people talk about Popfly 'cause they, like, kinda, like, grew up a lot, like, last year.
And so I was like, "Okay, yeah, I'll, like, start signing up for campaigns and stuff." And then I actually, probably just even a couple months ago, not too long ago, I had a call with Casey, one of the employees there.
Casey Rocks. Yeah. And I asked her, I was just like, "Hey, like, y'all work with some really cool companies. You're, like, growing a lot. Like, what can I do to help myself?"
Um, because, like, I want to give myself more opportunities, and, like, I'm always thinking about community, too.
Like, if I can get this work, I can meet more people, and, like, this will just connect me with a bigger community. And so yeah, that was...
It was just me kind of asking her of what she recommended I do, and then me just putting myself out- out there, signing up for things. And [laughs] all, like with all this content stuff, and anything in life,
I remember in college, like, signing up for clubs and stuff, what's the worst thing that you can be told? No. No. It's literally a two-letter word. Actually, maybe is worse. [laughs] I think maybe is worse. Yeah.
Maybe- 'Cause it's not a no yet... yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe is worse 'cause they're, like, considering, but they're, like, hesitant. It's an eventual no. But, like, I'd much rather be told no and keep looking. Yeah.
Because yeah, it sucks to be rejected. It sucks to be told no from, like, cool shit you wanna do, but it may open the door to something else. Like, it just may not be what was meant to be. And so, like,
you kinda gotta trust in life's timing of whatever happen will happen. And, like, if you get told no from putting yourself out there, then I think something better is waiting, and that's kinda how my life has
slowly worked out, and it's just, that's how it's, like, flowing. There's ebbs and flows and, like, my life's not beautiful, and I try to share that. I try to share all my down moments and, like, the moments I struggle.
But, like, there's still so much positive to be found in the rejections and the nos and the runs that you couldn't finish or whatever it is.
Like, people get so stuck on the negatives, but I'm like, "Well, no, there's still a positive. There's still something to, like, look forward to or something, like, better waiting." Totally.
Um, if you're listening and you're a creator and you wanna check out Popfly, I'll put a link in there, and you can sign up and check it out. Uh, it's free to join. I've done awesome campaigns with Pact Outdoors.
They make biodegradable wipes for backcountry. Osprey, John G., all sorts of- Mm-hmm...
really cool brands, um, and some of the biggest brands in, in the sport, but also some really small brands that are just trying to get their, their, um, feet off the ground, which is a cool, cool way to work.
Yeah, and I think this is a great time to kinda join them, too, 'cause they're blowing up. Like, they're working with some really cool brands, and, um, what, the Outdoor, Outside Days just finished here in Denver.
I wish I could've gone, but it was my niece's graduation. Uh, she graduated high school. But, um, they'd hosted a little after party thing on the first little night, and- It was awesome. I went to it.
Yeah, I was there, too. It was nice, yeah. I guess I didn't see you. [laughs] There were a lot of people there. [laughs] Oh my God, it was so crowded. I was like, "Uh, what did I get myself into?"
[laughs] And were you on the, were you on the roof when the lightning started? Yeah. [laughs] That was not... I was like, "Uh-" Yeah... "maybe we shouldn't be up here."
Well, I was also like, "It's kinda past my bedtime." Yeah, right. And then they're like, "Oh, there's a raffle," and I'm like, "Oh, I, I love a good raffle." But like- Did you win anything?... no.
I stayed past my bedtime for no raffle. I was there with some people from New York, and one of them won a chair. Oh, sick. And she was like- Those chairs look nice. Yeah, it's in my, the back of my car.
[laughs] She was like, "I can't fly with this. Do you want it?" [laughs] Uh, so shout out to Popfly and Oakley- Mm-hmm... for a wonderful, uh, wonderful evening. Yeah. Uh- And Basecamp. And Basecamp.
Um, Kelsey, this has been a blast. Uh, so your race coming up in two weeks, what's, what's the, what's the mental win? How, how do you make that a mental win? I mean, one, just signing up, having the courage to sign up.
And, like, I'm pretty confident since I just did an Olympic tri that I will finish this sprint tri. Um, and so, like,
knowing that I've already been there before and I'm just, like, coming back to the space to have more fun, that's a mental win. I think, like, not being so stressed out and, um, being, knowing I'm gonna be more relaxed.
Of course, like, I will be stressed out. I always get race day jitters. Just like growing up I got test jade, day jitters. Um, I can't, I s- I can't seem to get rid of it. But, um, I don't know.
I think- Nerves mean you care. True. True. Means that we are alive, too. That's true. Um, but yeah, I think there's a lot of mental wins with it. And I don't wanna race it, but I like...
'Cause I, I need to prep for my 70.3, but I kinda want to see how fast [laughs] I can go on the bike because I went so fast at my Olympic tri that afterwards me and my coach were like, "What the hell?"
[laughs] Um, and so I think, like- If I can go even slightly faster, that'll be a huge win, too. Cool. Like, mentally just knowing, like, how much I've improved.
Like, seeing my progress while training these last 20-something weeks. Will you have a mantra? Do I have a mantra? Will you for race day? Um, well, my mantras are always YOLO. That's just a every day thing.
And then, two is, like, just why not? Take advantage of it. Take advantage of life. It is so short, so why not put yourself out there?
With those mantras and what you said at the beginning, the Way Too Cool 50K is in your future. It is located in Cool, California- Mm-hmm... which is in Yolo County. Oh, sick. [laughs] So.
I'm, like, thinking I'm gonna get YOLO tatted on me. I- Well, you gotta do the- the- the 50K in Yolo County first. Okay. But I also can get it even if I don't do that. That's true.
[laughs] But I am planning… So, like, I did the Zion Ultra- Cool... um, with Vacation Races, um, back in April, and, like, being there, being around the community, b- the people, it was amazing.
And I was just like, "I've never ran over 13 miles, but, like, I think I could do 100K."
[laughs] And so, like, I think after I take a break from triathlon training, which I'm still gonna be doing it after my 70.3, I just need a break from double days.
I'm kinda exhausted from doing two workouts a day, but I'm like, "Yeah, I'll try a 30K and then a 60K, or 50K and then a 60K." And so that might be in my future, might be on my list.
The 100K, that comment about the 100K reminds me of [laughs] um, ironically, Maren from, uh, Popfly- Mm-hmm... commented something about, in the Second Nature group, and the phrase she used was, uh, delusional optimism.
Yeah. [laughs] I feel like it's powerful. Be like, "Yeah, why not? Fuck it, I'm in." Yeah. Life is short. YOLO. Yep. Love it. [laughs] I think that's a good place [laughs] that's a good place to wrap.
Where can people find you if they wanna follow along with your journey? Um, in person at all my club locations for Wild Coyote Club, which that is the exact name on Instagram and Strava.
And then for me personally is Walla Kelsuy. Um, I guess f- future Kelsuy Bauman, since I will get married in the next year. But, um, for now, Walla Kelsuy, W-A-L-L-A K-E-L-S-U-Y. Awesome. Y. There's two Ys.
[laughs] Thanks, Kelsuy. Thank you. [gentle music] That's it for today's episode. Like many long runs with friends, it's sad when it has to end.
Join us next time as we continue to share inspiring stories from the running community. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend or training partner who you think would like it, too.
This podcast was produced by Emma Benner of Sandy Boy Productions with musical composition by Brian Walters of Singletrack Sound. Thank you for your support, and we'll see you out there. [gentle music]