115 episodes

Welcome to The Extra Mile, the official Charity Miles podcast where each week we interview people who are going the extra mile for health and to make an impact. Each interview is conducted outdoors on a walk or run with our guest. And we invite you to turn on your Charity Miles and come along for the walk or run with us.

The Extra Mile - The Official Charity Miles Podcast gene@charitymiles.org (Gene Gurkoff)

    • Health & Fitness
    • 5.0 • 169 Ratings

Welcome to The Extra Mile, the official Charity Miles podcast where each week we interview people who are going the extra mile for health and to make an impact. Each interview is conducted outdoors on a walk or run with our guest. And we invite you to turn on your Charity Miles and come along for the walk or run with us.

    Maria Baltazzi - Take a Shot at Happiness

    Maria Baltazzi - Take a Shot at Happiness

    Maria Baltazzi is an Emmy Award winning television producer, traveler, marathon walker who raises money for cancer charities, author and longtime Charity Miler with over 8500 Charity Miles!  
    Maria recently wrote a book called "Take a Shot at Happiness" which invites and coaches us to explore happiness in our own lives.
    While Maria discovered that her own "happiness essentials" include faith, self-love and physical health, she encourages people to explore and understand their own personal meanings of happiness.
    She also draws from her experience as a producer on shows like Survivor to help us all think like storytellers to script, perform in and capture our own reality shows of happiness.
    Thank you to Maria for sharing so much with us.
    Thanks also to our sponsors at Factor 75.
    Eating better is easy with Factor’s delicious, ready-to-eat meals. Every fresh, never-frozen meal is chef-crafted, dietitian-approved, and ready to go in just 2-minutes. 
    You’ll have over 35 different options to choose from every week, including Calorie Smart, Protein Plus, and Keto. Also, there are more than 60 add-ons to help you stay fueled up and feeling good all day long. 
    I've been enjoying Factor for two months now, as I get back in shape. I've lost 15 pounds since starting Factor, and I've taken nearly 90 seconds off my mile pace for my long runs.
    My favorite things about Factor are: 
    The variety of meals, all of which have been delicious. The convenience.  They're really ready in less than two minutes which makes the healthy choice the easy choice when it comes to mealtime during a busy/hectic schedule. You all know that we work hard to develop partnerships with brands that we believe in, brands that share our values, and brands that can help us all live healthier and make an impact.
    That's why we're truly grateful for our partnership with Factor and I hope you'll check them out.
    Head to Factor75.com and use code MILES to get 50% off your first box while subscription is active. 
     
    ---
    Here are some noteworthy timestamps for the interview....
    02:59 Maria's Journey with Charity Miles
    04:08 Maria's Role on Survivor and Connection to Ethan Zohn
    06:19 Maria's Transition from Producer to Author
    06:46 Understanding Happiness through Survivor
    08:27 Maria's Personal Journey to Happiness
    09:19 The Role of Storytelling in Happiness
    10:06 The Power of Photography in Capturing Happiness
    17:06 The Impact of Storytelling on Personal Behavior
    25:40 The Foundational Three Elements of Happiness
    29:07 Exploring the Concept of Happiness
    30:00 Making a Choice for Happiness
    31:04 The Role of Education in Happiness
    31:47 Personalizing Your Happiness Essentials
    33:09 The Importance of Exploration in Happiness
    35:13 The Role of Faith in Happiness
    37:21 The Problem with Prescriptive Self-Help Books
    38:18 Understanding Happiness as a Choice
    45:53 Practical Steps to Cultivate Happiness
    51:48 The Connection Between Happiness and Resilience

    • 53 min
    Susan Greeley - How to Stick With Your New Year's Resolutions

    Susan Greeley - How to Stick With Your New Year's Resolutions

    In this episode, we're thrilled to walk with Susan Greeley, SVP and National Director of Wellness Services for Castle Connolly Private Health Partners, one of the newest partners in our Employee Empowerment Program.
     
    Susan is also a registered dietician, cookbook author and the host of her own podcast, A SENSe of Wellness.  So we recorded this as a doubler that Susan will be releasing on her podcast too :)
     
    Susan lives near me in New Jersey, so we were able to meet up for a walk in a park near my home.  It was a beautiful, chilly day before Christmas.  And since we were in the holiday and new year spirit, our conversation weaves through several themes that can help us all stick with our 2024 resolutions.
     
    Hint: make them easy and fun. And don't go it alone.
     
    Here's a quick rundown with timestamps:
     
    00:05 Introduction and Welcoming
    02:23 Susan's Background and Role in Wellness
    04:02 Susan's Cookbook and Approach to Wellness
    05:13 The Importance of Support and Community in Wellness
    05:48 Gene's Background and the Founding of Charity Miles
    07:13 The Impact of Charity Miles and the Importance of Community
    10:10 The Importance of Change
    15:26 The Role of External Support in Behavior Change
    16:58 The Importance of Community and Positive Surroundings
    28:11 The Impact of Charity Miles Beyond Fundraising
    33:32 The Power of Intrinsic Rewards
    36:11 The Role of Feeling Good in Behavior Change
    37:21 The Problem with Wellness Challenges
    39:52 The Importance of Consistency
    40:13 The Power of Tiny Habits
    53:36 The Role of Fun and Laughter
    55:18 The Importance of Sleep, Hydration, and Outdoor Activities
    56:37 The Power of Community
     
    -- 
    We're also thrilled to introduce our newest sponsor, Factor, America's #1 Ready-to-Eat Meal Delivery Service.
    Simply put, Factor meals are Easy, Nutritious and Tasty.
    No matter your eating or dietary style, Factor serves up the meals you’re looking for with a flexible menu of chef-crafted, dietitian-approved options.
    Imagine having delicious, chef-prepared meals that align perfectly with your diet - be it Keto, Vegan, Protein Plus, or Calorie Smart - delivered right to your doorstep and ready to eat in under two minutes.
    With over 34 meal options and 45 add-ons each week, including snacks, smoothies and more, Factor makes it easy and tasty to keep your health journey on track.
    No more boring salads. Just mouth-watering dishes like roasted garlic filet mignon and shrimp, or blackened salmon with smoked gouda cauliflower grits and broccoli.
    Charity Miles members get 50% off your first order of Factor plus Free Wellness Shots for Life! Just go to charitymiles.org/factor to claim this exclusive offer.
    No commitment is necessary—skip or cancel at any time.
    But, of course, I don't think you're going to want to skip or cancel once you try it.
    Huge thanks to Factor for their support, and for helping us all make it easy and delicious to reach our 2024 goals.

    • 59 min
    Aaron Sherinian - Take a Chance on Someone

    Aaron Sherinian - Take a Chance on Someone

    Edith Wharton once said, "There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."
    Today's guest, Aaron Sherinian, is both—a candle igniting change and a mirror reflecting the light of others.
    Eleven years ago, Aaron was the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer for the United Nations Foundation, where, amongst many other things, he was instrumental in founding Giving Tuesday, a movement dedicated to turning the Tuesday after Thanksgiving into a day of giving.
    During these crucial early days for Charity Miles, Aaron observed the power of our community sharing the #GivingTuesday hashtag on social media, sparking his interest in our mission.
    This led to a breakfast meeting that was a turning point for Charity Miles and me personally.
    Aaron not only connected us with crucial sponsors like Johnson & Johnson but also provided platforms for us to share our story at events like the Social Good Summit, the Moms+Social Summit, and SXSW. These opportunities were instrumental in introducing us to key members of our community.
    I've wanted to do this interview for a long time, and it brings me particular joy to share it on Giving Tuesday.
    In this conversation, Aaron shares insights from his career and personal experiences, including:
    The potluck dinner of life and how each of us can bring our best dish. Effective ways to invite people to embrace positive change. Think big but start small. The evolving role of social media and its impact on social causes. Why rallies are important. The importance of cultivating a purpose posse. Overcoming taboos to find solutions. The power of showing up. The transformative power of taking a chance on someone. It's no exaggeration to say that Charity Miles would not exist today without Aaron taking a chance on us.
    In honor of Aaron, I invite you to take a chance on someone else you see spreading light into the world.
    #EveryMileMatters

    • 45 min
    Walking Meditation with Haley Fountain

    Walking Meditation with Haley Fountain

    If you're not joining our live weekly walking meditations, then you're missing out!
    We do them on Zoom every week, alternating between Wednesdays and Fridays, at 1PM ET.
    Here's a recording of our latest walking meditation, led by Haley Fountain.
    Haley is an integrative nutrition coach, yoga teacher and meditation coach in Houston, Texas.
    To the point, she's fantastic.
    If you enjoy this walking mediation, then keep an eye out for our live meditations which we announce my email to all of our members.
    (If you'd like to get those emails, just download the Charity Miles app.)
    If you'd like to learn more about Haley, click here.
    ---
    Also big thanks to our sponsor, Hope Foods, which makes the most delicious and nutritious plant based hummus and dips. 
    All Hope Foods products are Organic and/or Non-GMO Project verified, GFCO certified gluten-free, OU-certified kosher, and dairy and soy-free.
    Hope Foods is also committed to mental health, which is why they're the perfect partner for our walking meditations.
    To learn ore about Hope Foods and explore holistic well-being resources on their website, click here.

    • 29 min
    Elisabet Lahti - Unleashing the Gentle Power of Sisu

    Elisabet Lahti - Unleashing the Gentle Power of Sisu

    Today's interview is with Elisabet Lahti, Ph.D., an author, speaker, trainer and expert on the Finnish concept of Sisu.
    What is Sisu? Sisu is a Finnish word that most closely translates in English to "grit". 
    But if "grit" is the feeling we get when we grit our teeth, Elisabet notes, Sisu is in our guts.  It's in our bodies.  It's gentler.  And yet in its own way very powerful.  
    These nuances are not just descriptive semantics. They have important implications for how we can cultivate Sisu and how we can apply it in our own lives.
    In this interview, Elisabet shares:
    Her Personal Story of Sisu: Elisabet takes us on a personal voyage, revealing the her own challenges and experiences with domestic violence that shaped her profound understanding of Sisu.
    Her Epic Journey in New Zealand: Elisabet also takes us on her journey of walking, running and biking the length of New Zealand as part of her dissertation research on the concept of Sisu.
    Sisu vs. Resilience and Grit: We dive into the nuances of Sisu and how it sets itself apart from seemingly similar concepts like grit and resilience. Elisabet's perspective sheds light on the subtle yet profound distinctions.
    Cultivating Your Sisu: Elisabet generously imparts guidance on how individuals can cultivate and tap into their innate Sisu, empowering themselves to face life's challenges with grace and strength.
    To learn more about Elisabet and Sisu, click here.
    --
    Also big thanks to our sponsor, Hope Foods, which makes the most delicious and nutritious plant based hummus and dips. 
    All Hope Foods products are Organic and/or Non-GMO Project verified, GFCO certified gluten-free, OU-certified kosher, and dairy and soy-free.
    Hope Foods is also committed to mental health, recognizing the connection between gut health and brain health, aligning with Elisabet's description of Sisu as a resilience rooted in our guts, not just in our heads.
    To learn ore about Hope Foods and explore holistic well-being resources on their website, click here.
     

    • 1 hr 5 min
    World Food Program USA - Erase Hunger

    World Food Program USA - Erase Hunger

    Come along for a special walk in Cambodia to experience how the World Food Program USA's school meals program is changing the lives of studens, their families and their communities.
    Every day, millions of children walk into school on an empty stomach which makes it impossible to learn, much less thrive. Today, 153 million people under the age of 18 are severely hungry – an alarming, devastating number that is only expected to rise.  
    That's why WFP's Erase Hunger campaign is focused on supporting kids and their communities through their school meals program.
    This back-to-school season, starting August 1 and culminating on October 16, World Food Day, together with their partners, they will raise funds to provide 3 MILLION SCHOOL MEALS FOR KIDS AROUND THE WORLD.
    We are always proud to partner with the World Food Progam USA. And we're surely grateful to collaborate with them on their Erase Hunger campaign this fall.
    If you'd like to learn more about the World Food Program USA, and how you can get involved in the Erase Hunger campaign, click here.

    • 10 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
169 Ratings

169 Ratings

David Richman Author ,

Awesome host and show!

Gene is an awesome podcaster! His style of interviewing is one in a million! He's super informed, present, and very inquisitive. He does the interview outdoors, while walking or running. How awesome is that?! It's one of the best shows I've guested on. Kudos and keep going the Extra Mile!

Robyn CM ,

Worth Every Second of Your Time

I love this podcast! It’s like listening to a Real Life cheerleader for an hour. It makes me think and grow and see things in ways I wouldn’t normally.

ThomSinger ,

Great podcast

I like things that are different- interviews while running meet that description. I met Gene and he is a great person and I like how he challenges people to do more!

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