What does it actually mean to BE fearless?

It doesn't mean you're never scared, nervous, unsure, or uncomfortable. Sometimes being fearless is simply deciding to do something even when you're a little afraid.

In this first episode of Fearless in Five, we're sharing five simple ways to practice being more fearless in your everyday life.

Being fearless doesn't have to be loud or dramatic. Sometimes it's one small decision to step outside your comfort zone and then another.

Because running is just the beginning.

This episode was completely unplanned.

Edith and I were in Vienna, just talking, when somehow we got onto the subject of a woman she had been intimidated by when she first met her.

And I had to stop her.

Because… Edith? Intimidated?

I don't think I've ever thought of Edith as someone who is intimidated by anyone. 😂

But the more we talked about it, the more I realized how relatable it actually is. We all have those women we look up to. Women who seem so accomplished, confident, talented.

Sometimes that admiration can feel a lot like intimidation.

So we started talking about the women who inspire us, the women who make us a little nervous.

And maybe there's something really powerful in realizing that the women we look up to are just women, too.

This was one of those conversations that started somewhere unexpected and ended somewhere much more interesting which is probably why I love it so much.

Sometimes, we run because we want to get stronger. And sometimes, we run because we need to remember just how strong we already are.

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, Kim talks with Peloton instructor, Mariana Fernández about the moments when running became a reminder. A reminder of her strength, her resilience, and the person she was capable of being when she needed to hear it most.

Mariana shares the story of her mother, a trailblazing runner in Mexico who has been one of her greatest inspirations, and how her mother’s example helped shape her own journey as a woman and a runner.

She also opens up about a deeply personal chapter of her life: choosing to pursue motherhood on her own and navigating the courage, uncertainty, and strength that came with that decision.

And, Mariana is running the New York City Marathon for 261 Fearless! We talk about what this race means to her and why she wanted to run it with us!

It’s an honest conversation about the women who shape us, the moments that ask us to dig a little deeper, and how sometimes a run can give us exactly the reminder we need.

Because running is just the beginning.

Let's get to know the women behind the runners that lead 261 Fearless communities!

At the 261 Coach Summit in Vienna, we brought together women from across the global 261 Fearless community and one of our conversations dug a little deeper into who these special, impactful women are in addition to be a runner.

Kim sat down with Petra from the 261 Club Austria, Leslie from 261 Club Chile, and Paula from 261 Club Austria to talk about the things that light them up and make them special!

We talk about what they love to do besides running, what borders others have placed on them that they conquered, and how they are seeing the 261 Effect in their communities.

And then we get a little more personal—and a lot more fun—with the question: What is something that might be silly but brings you so much joy!

Recorded live at the 261 Fearless International Coach Summit in Vienna.

What happens when you stop caring so much about what everyone else thinks?

At the 261 Coach Summit in Vienna, we brought together women from across the global 261 Fearless community and one of our conversations was all about caring less and living more.

Kim sat down with Juliet (JMo) from the 261 Club UK, Prima from 261 Club Southern California, and Suela from 261 Club Albania to talk about the things we’ve learned to let go of as we’ve gotten older. The expectations. The pressure to be good at everything. The need to make everyone happy. The stuff that used to take up way too much space in our heads.

We talk about what they’ve finally given themselves permission not to care about, what matters more to them now than it did ten years ago, and how they are seeing the 261 Effect in their communities.

And then we get a little more personal—and a lot more fun—with the question: What are you weirdly good at?

Recorded live at the 261 Fearless International Coach Summit in Vienna.

What if the person most impacted by your volunteer work is you?

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, host Kim Chaffee sits down with Marlene Prosch, Senior Operations Manager at 261 Fearless, to talk about the unexpected ways volunteering can shape our lives.

Marlene's journey with 261 Fearless began with a simple goal: finding women to run with during the winter months. What she didn't realize was that saying yes to a volunteer Coach role would push her outside her comfort zone, build her confidence, introduce her to an international community of women, and ultimately lead her to a career with 261 Fearless.

Together, Kim and Marlene explore how volunteering can help us discover strengths we didn't know we had, create meaningful connections, and open doors we never imagined. Marlene also shares insights from her recent participation in an Erasmus+ volunteering workshop in Berlin and reflects on why volunteering is just as transformative for the volunteer as it is for the people they serve.

Whether you're already volunteering, considering getting involved, or simply curious about the impact one small "yes" can have, this conversation is a reminder that you never know where a volunteer role might take you.

Learn more about volunteering with 261 Fearless here: https://www.261fearless.org/coaches/

If someone asked you, "What is 261 Fearless?"—how would you answer?

For years, that's been one of the hardest questions for us to answer. Not because we didn't know what we did, but because we do so much.

In this episode, we're introducing LACES—the simple framework that captures everything we've been working toward from the very beginning. These aren't new ideas. They're the five things every woman runner deserves, and the thread that ties together everything we do at 261 Fearless.

Connect with us on social media or visit 261fearless.org to learn more about our global community, find a local Meet Run, or discover how you can get involved.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Every conversation helps us reach more women and continue building a more fearless world, one step at a time.

We're throwing it back to last summer! In this New York City-sized episode of In Fearless Conversation, we take you inside the 2025 Club Director Summit in New York City, where global change-makers Kathrine Switzer and Edith Zuschmann delivered an unforgettable pep talk to 12 fearless Club Directors from around the world.

Recorded live at the Summit, this episode captures the passion, wisdom, and bold energy of two pioneers who know what it takes to build community, ignite growth, and lead with purpose. Kathrine and Edith reflect on the power of collective leadership, why visibility matters, and how each of us can turn courage into action—whether we're running miles or running movements.

Whether you're a club director, a leader in your field, or simply looking for a shot of fearless inspiration, this conversation will leave you ready to take the next bold step.

Featured Guests:

🎙️ Kathrine Switzer — Marathon icon, author, activist, and founder of 261 Fearless

🎙️ Edith Zuschmann — Co-founder, CEO & President of 261 Fearless, leadership coach, and global community builder

Resources & Links:

🔗 Learn more about 261 Fearless: 261fearless.org

🔗 Connect with the global Club network: Find a Club

🔗 Follow us on Instagram: @261fearless

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, Kim Chaffee sits down with 261 Fearless CEO Edith Zuschmann to unpack the results of this year's annual Club Member Survey. Together, they explore what the data reveals about confidence, community, leadership, and why women continue to show up...not just for a run, but for one another.

Edith shares why measuring impact matters just as much as measuring participation, the survey findings that surprised her most, and what they tell us about what women need right now. She also reflects on what these results mean for anyone wondering if they belong at their very first Meet Run.

Whether you're already part of the 261 Fearless community or you're curious about joining, this conversation offers an inspiring look at the ripple effect that happens when women are given a safe, supportive place to move, connect, and grow.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why 261 Fearless conducts an annual Club Member Survey
• Why measuring impact is more meaningful than counting participants
• What the results reveal about women's needs today
• How running builds confidence, leadership, and belonging
• Edith's biggest source of pride in the 261 Fearless community
• Why your first Meet Run could be the beginning of something much bigger

Connect with 261 Fearless

• Learn more about our global movement and find a 261 Club near you.
• Follow us on social media: Instagram
• Share this episode with someone who could use a little encouragement to take their first fearless step.

If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode. Every share helps us reach more women and continue building a world where every woman has the opportunity to discover what she's capable of, through running and education.

What happens when women are given a safe space to move, connect, and lead?

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, Kim Chaffee sits down with Christina Mayer-Ritzer to discuss the exciting new WE RUN project, a collaborative initiative led by Club 261 Austria in partnership with 261 Club Albania, Opportunity Balance Overcoming, and the University of Prishtina. Co-funded by the European Union through an Erasmus+ Sport Capacity Building grant, WE RUN is creating opportunities for women in Albania and Kosovo to connect, grow, and discover their strength through running.

Christina shares how the project is helping establish safe, women-led spaces where women can build confidence, leadership skills, and community. Together, they explore the power of the 261 Fearless model, the importance of creating access and belonging, and how lessons learned in Albania will help pave the way for a future 261 Club in Kosovo.

From the project's kickoff gathering in Klagenfurt, Austria, to the vision of empowering women throughout the Western Balkans, this conversation highlights how running can be a catalyst for connection, courage, and lasting change.

Growing up, Barbara DiGirolamo saw running as punishment, not something to enjoy. With parents who feared sports-related injuries and lived with disabilities, running wasn't part of her world.

In this heartfelt Inner Monologue, Barbara shares how discovering running, and 261 Fearless, completely changed her perspective. What was once something to avoid became a source of gratitude, confidence, and connection.

Join Barbara as she reflects on why running isn't something she has to do, it's something she gets to do.

Learn more about 261 Fearless: https://www.261fearless.org/

What happens when eager and ambitious students step outside their comfort zone and apply for an internship? So. Much. Growth.

In this special episode of In Fearless Conversation, we sit down with two talented student interns from Syracuse University Falk College of Sport who took the leap into working with 261 Fearless. They share their academic journeys, what led them to Syracuse, and why they were drawn to an organization dedicated to empowering women through running.

Throughout the conversation, they reflect on the projects they worked on, the skills they developed, and the lessons they learned about leadership, teamwork, and creating meaningful impact. They also discuss how their experience with 261 Fearless has influenced their personal and professional goals as they look toward the future.

Learn more about 261 Fearless: https://www.261fearless.org/

What if, instead of criticizing our bodies, we thanked them?

In this heartfelt Inner Monologue, Rosy Spraker shares a deeply personal letter written to the body that has carried her through a lifetime of experiences, challenges, and adventures. With gratitude and grace, Rosy thanks her arms, legs, heart, brain, and every part of herself for the gifts they have given her along the way.

As she reflects on the incredible capabilities of the human body, Rosy also celebrates the gift of running and the countless opportunities, friendships, lessons, and moments of joy that running has brought into her life. Through her words, she reminds us that our bodies are not something to judge or fight against, but something to appreciate for all they make possible.

A longtime supporter of 261 Fearless, Co-Club Director of 261 Fearless DC Metro, and dedicated 261 Coach, Rosy has spent years helping women discover confidence, connection, and empowerment through movement. In this episode, she turns that same spirit of appreciation inward and invites listeners to do the same.

Poignant, uplifting, and filled with gratitude, Thank You, Body is a beautiful reminder to honor ourselves, not for how we look, but for all that we are able to do.

What happens when the numbers finally start telling the story women athletes have known all along?

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, host Kim Chaffee sits down with Keri Rubenstein, Assistant Professor of Sport Analytics at Syracuse University's Falk College of Sport, to explore the exciting growth of women's sports through the lens of economics, research, and data.

Keri shares her journey from economics student to sports economist, discusses the evolution of sport analytics as a profession, and explains why the labor market for women athletes is one of the most fascinating stories in sports today. Together, Kim and Keri dive into the factors driving the rapid growth of women's sports, from increased media visibility and investment to the impact of role models, social media, and changing opportunities for female athletes.

They also explore why researchers need to move beyond comparing women's sports to men's sports, the importance of investing in women's health and performance research, and what the future could look like if we continue to prioritize access, visibility, and opportunity.

The growth of women's sports is not a passing trend—it's the result of decades of participation, passion, and perseverance finally being matched by visibility, investment, and opportunity. As researchers, leagues, media organizations, and fans continue to invest in women's sports, the possibilities for future generations of girls and women are greater than ever.

Connect with 261 Fearless

261 Fearless is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women through running and education. Through local clubs, coach education, and leadership development programs, 261 Fearless creates supportive communities where women gain the confidence to reach beyond the run.

Learn more at 261fearless.org

Follow In Fearless Conversation

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review In Fearless Conversation. Sharing the podcast helps us reach more women with stories of courage, leadership, resilience, and empowerment.

Because running is just the beginning.

Learn More About Syracuse University Falk College of Sport

https://falk.syracuse.edu/

What happens when the thing that has always felt like part of your identity suddenly feels hard?

In this honest and relatable Inner Monologue episode, charity runner alumni and new 261 Fearless Coach, Ellen Frazier shares the story of one of her favorite races and the mantra that carried her through it: "Is it that I don't want to, or I can't do? I don't want to. Tough. Keep going." As she reflects on that race, Ellen also opens up about a more recent struggle, feeling disconnected from running, despite identifying as a runner for much of her life.

As a proud member of the Fearless Fun Patrol, Ellen has spent countless miles encouraging and empowering women at events like the Boston Marathon and Every Woman's Marathon. Yet in this season, she finds herself facing a different challenge: finding the motivation and belief to encourage herself.

With a beautiful blend of vulnerability, humor, and wisdom, Ellen explores what it feels like when self-empowerment takes a temporary leave of absence, and how the support of trusted run friends can help carry us forward when our own confidence feels out of reach.

This episode is a reminder that even the people who inspire others sometimes need encouragement themselves, and that perseverance doesn't always look powerful. Sometimes it simply looks like taking the next step.

Whether you're feeling strong in your running right now or questioning every step, Ellen's reflections offer a compassionate reminder that you're not alone and that sometimes the most fearless thing we can do is simply keep going.

Learn more about 261 Fearless here: https://www.261fearless.org/

We've talked a lot of about safety in our last few episodes and today we are addressing a different layer to running safety... understanding your body, preparing for the unexpected, and making informed decisions that support your health and well-being.

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, host Kim Chaffee sits down with 261 Fearless education experts Dr. Juliet McGrattan and Marlies Hirschbeck to explore what it means to safeguard your run. Together, they discuss practical strategies for staying safe, building confidence, listening to your body, and creating sustainable running habits that support you on any run.

Whether you're new to running, returning after a break, managing a health condition, or simply looking for ways to run smarter, this conversation offers valuable insights to help you feel empowered, prepared, and fearless on every run.

Connect with 261 Fearless:

• Website: https://www.261fearless.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/261fearless
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/261fearlesskvswitzer
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/261fearless

Learn More About 261 Fearless

261 Fearless is a global women's running network dedicated to empowering women through running and education. Through local clubs, coach education, and community programs around the world, 261 Fearless helps women discover their strength, confidence, and courage—one step at a time.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps us continue bringing fearless conversations to runners and change makers around the world.

A safer future for women runners starts with honest conversations like this one.

For many women, running brings confidence, healing, strength, and joy. But it can also come with fear—a reality that too many female runners know all too well.

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, I’m joined by Dena Lewis, ultra marathoner, entrepreneur, and founder of Running Mate, the first real-time, on-demand run-share app created to help make outdoor running safer.

Dena shares her deeply personal story of surviving two assaults while running alone and how those experiences inspired her mission to help women reclaim their confidence, freedom, and sense of safety outdoors.

Connect with Dena, Sydney, & Running Mate

• Running Mate Website
• Running Mate Instagram
• Dena Lewis on LinkedIn
• Sydney Johnson on LinkedIn

Follow 261 Fearless

• 261 Fearless Website
• 261 Fearless Instagram
• 261 Fearless on LinkedIn

What does it mean to take charge of your safety without giving up the freedom to run?

In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Raymond and Meagan Doyle, co-founders of Safely, to talk about female runner safety, confidence, preparedness, entrepreneurship, and the belief that no one is taking running away from us.

Ashley and Meagan have built a movement focused on empowering women through education, awareness, and practical safety tools. Since launching Safely, they’ve taught more than one million people how to use pepper spray and have spoken at races and running events across the country.

Connect with Safely

Website: Safely

Instagram: @livesafelyco

Use Discount Code FEARLESS for 10% off your order PLUS 10% donated to 261 Fearless

Why Self-Care is NOT Self-ish

In this Inner Monologue episode, 261 Fearless Coach Ambassador Sarah Jackson (261 Fearless Club UK) reflects on the importance of creating “non-negotiables” for self-care, not as acts of selfishness, but as essential practices that help us show up more fully in our lives.

Sarah shares how entering midlife, navigating anxiety, and managing the demands of everyday life led her to rethink what caring for herself truly means. In this episode, Sarah explains how her 3 non-negotiables have become anchors for her mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.

With honesty, humor, and warmth, Sarah reminds us that self-care does not have to look perfect and that prioritizing ourselves can be one of the bravest things we do.

About 261 Fearless

261 Fearless is a global women’s running organization empowering women through running, and education.

Follow 261 Fearless on Instagram for more inspiring stories and community updates.

What happens when running suddenly feels different and your body no longer responds the way it used to?

In this episode of In Fearless Conversation, I sit down with physician, runner, and author Dr. Juliet McGrattan to talk openly about menopause, the evolving relationship women have with running through midlife and beyond, and her new book, The Runner's Guide to Menopause: Your Essential Toolkit for Strong, Happy, and Healthy Training.

Juliet shares practical insight, expertise, and compassionate encouragement for runners navigating fatigue, shifting performance, hot flashes, confidence struggles, and more. Most importantly, this conversation is a reminder that menopause does not, and should not, mean the end of your running story.

No matter where you are on your menopause journey, this episode offers reassurance, education, and hope.

About Juliet

Dr. Juliet McGrattan is a medical doctor, runner, running coach, and author passionate about helping women stay active throughout every stage of life. Her newest book, The Runner's Guide to Menopause, offers practical guidance, training support, and encouragement for women navigating menopause while continuing to run.

Connect with Juliet

Instagram: @drjulietmcgrattan on Instagram

Get the Book

The Runner's Guide to Menopause

Purchase here: Buy the Book

Listener Discount

Use code: RUN20 (Discount available for a limited time. Depending on when you find this episode, the discount may no longer be available)

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Website: 261fearless.org