Episode Eighteen: Pace, Pain & Power: Navigating the Run with Chronic Illness

Episode Eighteen: Pace, Pain & Power: Navigating the Run with Chronic Illness

Author: G-PACT non profit September 3, 2025 Duration: 45:06

In this episode, Sam and Kristen share an honest conversation about what it means to run with chronic illness and disability. For Kristen, running became a lifeline during a particularly tough health season. Together, they explore the emotional and physical realities of adaptive athletics, from the trial-and-error process of figuring out what works, to the deep mental health benefits that running can offer. Kristen introduces her unique “flag system” for assessing daily readiness, emphasizing how listening to your body is essential in protecting both health and joy.

They also dive into the nuances of language around disability, how the running community can uplift or isolate, and what true inclusion looks like on the course. With insights on nutrition, hydration, gear prep, and pacing, this episode offers practical tips and powerful reminders that healing doesn’t mean returning to your old life—it means building something new, one step at a time.



Hosted by two people navigating life with gastroparesis, Surviving out of Spite is a raw and real conversation from the G-PACT non-profit. This isn't a clinical lecture; it's the sound of two friends unpacking the daily reality of a chronic condition, finding humor in the absurd moments and solidarity in the shared struggles. You'll hear candid personal stories that range from frustrating to triumphant, alongside practical tips forged from lived experience. The dialogue covers everything from managing health and relationships to simply preserving your identity beyond a diagnosis. Tuning into this podcast feels like pulling up a chair to a kitchen table conversation where no topic is off-limits and laughter is considered essential medicine. It builds a community through audio, reminding anyone facing a similar journey that they are understood. Each episode explores the complex patient experience with honesty, aiming to inform, connect, and affirm that navigating life with gastroparesis is a story of resilience, often fueled by a bit of defiant spirit.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 44

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