Alison Mariella Désir is a runner, mother, and an activist. She is the founder of Harlem Run, as well as several other running collectives for women. She is a Global Ambassador for Hoka One One, and Athlete Advisor for Oiselle. Alison has a huge presence in the running community, of which she is a powerful advocate for women, both on a grassroots level and on a higher platform with brands and key community leaders. This is a powerful conversation with Alison, and covers the following topics:
- Her one year old son and motherhood
- How she got her nickname ‘Powdered Feet’ and her childhood
- Her early experiences running
- Her parents preparing her for the world
- Being a minority in school
- Feeling more accepted and belonging in college
- Being inspired to run a marathon
- The importance of structure
- Founding Harlem Run, and the evolution to what it is today
- Sharing and having a collaborative partner
- How she met her husband
- Who inspires her
- Her goals and future ambitions as a runner and advocate
- Womxn Run the Vote and how she got involved with Oiselle
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EPISODE LINKS
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SPONSORS
Jaybird
Jaybird creates high performance wireless headphones for athletes. ‘Designed for Athletes, Built for Adventure’ is the core of Jaybirds ethos.
Trail runs up high, climbing at shady cliffs, and SUPing on the lake are a few of the ways we’re filling the hot, sunny days of late summer—we’re already trying to minimize being indoors, so it’s the perfect time to get outside. And for many of us, it’s almost time to drop back into school, work, or even just the new normal. Whatever the next few months hold for you, Jaybird’s True Wireless Vista headphones will keep you motivated through the final days of summer, and keep you focused up when it’s time to buckle down. Get out there, live it up, and enjoy your freedom to your favorite soundtrack.
Vista: Vista is Jaybird's first dustproof, shockproof, waterproof, and sweat proof set of true wireless earbuds. Vista's innovative design and unrivaled combination of comfort and performance ensure you'll never worry about them falling out and slowing you down.
Jaybird would like to offer 10% off a Jaybird Vista purchase to all ROO listeners. Use code ROO10 on Jaybirdsport.com
Oiselle
Oiselle is a Seattle based, women run athletic apparel company, for women. Oiselle makes beautifully designed and functional running apparel for female athletes of all ages, paces, and places and brings together a community of women who love to move, run, and fly. Their mission is threefold: make great products, improve the sport, and build the sisterhood. Oiselle makes apparel for both recreational runners and women who are at the pinnacle of their sport, and everything in between. Three American Records have been set in Oiselle uniforms, and their extended sizing means there is something for everyone. The design and wear testing process is extensive, and they use models that are as diverse as their incredible product choices.
Oiselle’s website is full of free resources for training plans, advice for girls and much more. As part of Oiselle’s social mission, they created the Bras For Girls program, aimed at encouraging participation in sport for late elementary to middle school girls. They donate sport bras to girls at an age where many stop participating in sport due to discomfort with their changing bodies. Oiselle aims to encourage participation in sport by reducing a prominent barrier for many girls in that age demographic. So far, Oiselle has donated over 8000 sports bras to middle school girls, and is expanding the program every year.
Oiselle has organised a WOMXN RUN THE VOTE virtual relay from Atlanta, Georgia to Washington, DC, September 21st-27th, 2020. Teams of 15-20 will virtually cover the 680-mile journey, learn about Civil Rights historic sites and people, and raise money for Black Voters Matter, an organization dedicated to increasing power in marginalized, predominantly Black communities. Your registration will include an exclusive invitation to a virtual event featuring LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter, on September 22nd (National Voter Registration Day).
Oiselle is offering a 15% discount to ROO listeners, who used the code ‘ROO15’ at oiselle.com This is only valid for Oiselle products purchased before September 15 2020.
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For more information and additional content visit runningonom.com
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