Welcome to another inspiring episode of the Running Strong Mind-Body Connection podcast! In today's special "Unplugged with Karen" edition, our host Karen goes solo and unscripted, sharing straight from the heart. She reflects on an incredible year of growth for the podcast, filled with powerful stories, uplifting connections, and personal milestones.

Karen opens up about her own journey this past year—from running major races like the Formidable 50K and Javelina 100 to overcoming injury with a blend of intuition, acupuncture, red light therapy, and magnets. She dives deep into the power of listening to your body, setting meaningful intentions (instead of just New Year's resolutions), and maintaining a positive, healthy mindset.

Along the way, Karen celebrates the guests and listeners who have become such an important part of the show's community, hints at exciting upcoming episodes, and shares insights from her work as a mental fitness coach. Whether you're tuning in for tips on mental resilience, healing, or simply looking for a dose of motivation to kick off 2026 strong, this episode is filled with gratitude, authenticity, and practical inspiration to help you unlock your own potential.

So grab your running shoes—or just settle in for a mindful listen—and join Karen on this honest, heartfelt journey of running strong in mind, body, and spirit.

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Welcome to another inspiring episode of Running Strong Mind-Body Connection! In today's "Mo & Me #3," host Karen sits down with her running partner and legendary guest, Mo Bartley, for their first chat of 2026. Together, they reflect on the highs and lows of the past year—the injuries, the setbacks, and those unexpected moments that force every runner to reset their mindset.

From shared stories of recovering from injuries to the joy they find in community, relationships, and running no matter the season, Karen and Mo Bartley dig into how they set intentions for a new year. You'll hear candid advice about staying positive, embracing cross-training, and the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive people. Whether you're aiming for your next ultra or finding motivation on a gloomy winter morning, this episode is packed with humor, wisdom, and practical tips to help you run—and live—with intention in 2026.

Jump in for an honest conversation about resilience, reflection, and the mindset that carries us through every mile, on and off the trail.

Welcome to another inspiring episode of Running Strong Mind-Body Connection! Today, host Karen Bonnett-Natraj sits down with Jessper Maqyindang, an accomplished runner from Los Angeles whose journey began with a childhood diagnosis of asthma.

Instead of letting this challenge hold him back, Jessper Maqyindang transformed adversity into passion—sharing how he built up from short training runs to 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, and ultimately, marathon and ultramarathon distances. In this conversation, you'll hear personal stories of perseverance, a mindset focused on growth, and the importance of community in the running world. Karen Bonnett-Natraj and Jessper Maqyindang explore what it means to push past physical and mental barriers, stay present in nature, and inspire others by taking action on big goals.

Whether you're a runner, athlete, or just someone curious about how passion can change your life, this episode will motivate you to listen to your heart and find strength in every step—no matter where you start. Tune in to discover how challenges can turn into triumphs, and what's next for a runner whose curiosity knows no bounds.