Why I Do It.

Every once in a while I ponder if what I do truly matters. I wonder if people really read what I write… if I am doing my best to inspire, and ponder if they can feel all the emotions I poured out in writing it.

You think, “If I can help just one person…” This week, a few people have messaged me confirming that the human heart does translate words into action, and action in spreading hope.

They have had the kindest words, they are changing themselves for the betterment of health, and self-confidence.

I am so grateful to be a vessel… not always do we understand His plan, but I am so honored that mine included a pen and some words that can unite us into becoming our best selves.

Thank you Susan for your thoughtful words… AND LET’S GIVE THIS GIRL SOME KUDOS FOR WHAT SHE ACCOMPLISHED ❤️. THIS IS WHY I DO IT ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

“I just wanted to take a moment to thank you… I know I never post anything about myself on the group pages, but I do read everything, and I want you to know it has meant a lot.

Some days your words have gotten me out of bed. Some days they have made me go outside and some days they have pushed me through training.

I want you to know that you have made a difference in at least one person’s life and that you are appreciated. You have been a great support and you helped me to this…”

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The Art of Alignment

Did you ever wake up and think how did I get here? What is life trying to teach me? And why must I stay on this path? For me, this is something I ponder with curiosity almost daily.

As I always try to move forward with Integrity and Intention… my mind wanders back to “all the things.” The whys and ways of my old life. The demand to myself of changing my habits and body. The rawness of exposing my booze addition, my previous obesity, and the hallway of self-sabotage I was trapped in.

The efforts of searching and trusting what nutrition I choose and what supplements I will make a priority in taking are all things that as I age and gain wisdom… become of utmost importance. Alignment happens when we stay in agreement with ourselves… not the wishes of others!

Alignment happens when we pray, we manifest, and we know that the people, friends, acquaintances you are connected with are pivotal in reaching your dreams and goals. The sport I love more than almost anything, has connected me with the most amazing humans. Hard work, grit, sacrifice, kindness, are just the tip of what we have in this community.

Whether you are a runner, walker, swimmer, biker, hiker, yoga teacher, friend, family member, or just along to learn and grow… know your purpose is important, the language of life you speak will be the enlaced in your legacy.

We all hide from reality. We don’t like to talk about the hard and messy things. We believe we can do it alone, we choose mediocrity every time. Find time for readjustment and alignment. Work hard to hustle for what you know is yours and claim the possibility of loving life.

I will be looking for those ready to align with me… to take chances, and discuss visions of only goodness, wholeness and wellness. We can’t do it alone… but together, we can rise 💛. May your attention be on your alignment and may only goodness cover you.

Once Upon a Writer’s Dream…

Once a upon a time… this crazy girl from a little farm town had a dream. A dream of telling, sharing, and using her personal story to help others overcome their personal struggles and travel down a road to their own personal greatness.

She dreamed of using her words to describe and tell her tale of how alcohol nearly broke her, food addiction shamed her, and low self-worth almost crippled her into further darkness.

She found a love of running. She found joy. And she finally found a way to feel completely loved and open to endless possibilities.

As I type this my heart is full. The tears of happiness to see my blog name, and my Facebook support group that is filled with beautiful people come alive with my logo is unreal to me.

I am so grateful to my nephews, George Yurkovitch, and Jacob Scully. To George for putting my ideas to paper with his amazing artistic talent… and to Jacob for making it come to life with his graphic design talent.

This logo is deeply personal. It’s a beautiful reflection of how this girl crushed her demons, and ran through all the broken pieces to reach her destiny.

I am forever grateful for all of my friends and family who have supported my journey… dream your biggest dreams…don’t let this world tell you you can’t… and never forget: “YOU MUST RUN BEFORE YOU FLY.”

#thislogoisthebomb #RUNBEFOREYOUFLY

Keep Running

What can you do today that sets you apart from typical crap we face… especially on a Monday!?

Keep Running is such a great mantra for me. It can be delineated in so many areas of life.

There are never-ending reasons life gives us to bow our heads quietly and feel defeat.

We get easily annoyed by traffic, people, overthinking, the stress of our work.

Stuck in our home life, our addictions, our shortcomings and struggles… we simply forget to keep going.

Perseverance, practice, and promise give us hope and a reason to always believe that what we do matters… integrity matters… the dreams and aspirations that live inside you matter…

Take today… this day, Monday, as a chance not to stop and start over, not to sit with deep regret, not to judge yourself for what you did or didn’t do… but simply to keep going…

Keep Running.

You will be amazed at how much love this universe has for you.

You will be overjoyed when you watch the seasons of your being blossom into vivid greatness.

Whatever tries to halt your progress today… turn your head, root your feet and just “keep running.” ☀️

I am so overjoyed to announce that along with my blog page, I now have a safe space to share, inspire, love, and grow!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group with Suzanne Swanson is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better 💛.

#mindsetiseverything #keeprunning #hopedealer

Run With Our Pack. NEW FB Group and Page

I would like to welcome everyone who recently signed up for our mailings or joined our Facebook group, Run Before You Fly. These past few days have been a whirlwind of sorts. One minute I was still daydreaming about a blog, a name, a Facebook group of my own. Then, boom, just like that we hit go… and here we are. 🤎

The Run Before You Fly blog will be the place I keep my writings, musings, ponderings of life, love, struggle and happiness. Some have asked to receive a daily dose of runner’s inspiration from my pen to your heart… for that, I recommend signing up for my email list.

Our Facebook group will serve as a safe space to share our personal victories and losses, influence and inspire each other. We can post about and celebrate our talents, what lights us up, areas where we need help, and all the beautiful chaos life gives us.

Our group will not be a place to criticize, be better than, insult or put anyone down. I won’t tolerate that. Open discussion is fine, and while we may not agree on every topic or everyone’s ideas or thoughts… there is always a respectful way to have a conversation.

Sometimes I still stumble out of bed… hit the coffee pot, put my workout clothes on and tie my sneakers. I grumble, I stay stuck sometimes in my old ways of thinking. Self doubt… shame… and guilt try to infiltrate their way into my brain. Dark places can inspire us to be better, stronger, and wiser.

Commitment… perseverance… gratitude… these are all things that, during my active years of eating too much, drinking too much and overthinking, I thought were not possible for me. I’m here to tell you… yes, this and more is possible. You can achieve good things, and restore yourself to health.

Whatever you struggle with… food? Substance? Gambling? Trauma? PTSD? Depression? …know that you can recover. Your story helps the next person, so never be afraid to tell it.

I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know why I am on this journey yet. But I do know this.

I am hopeful. I am strong… and I am grateful.

Feel safe here. Share, and together let’s inspire each other to change the world 🌍.

Join Our Pack! “Run Before You Fly”.

Join the Run Before You Fly Facebook Group– for running motivation, staying accountable, being healthy, setting goals, offering support to one another, and breathing life into our dreams!

To receive daily inspiration via email, sign up here. Please add us to your Safe Senders list so that my message to you won’t get lost in spam by accident!

A Work in Progress

Hi! It’s Suzanne from Run Before You Fly. I wanted to thank all new subscribers for signing up for my list!

I hope to deliver inspiration, hope and a place to recharge in body, mind and spirit.

Please be patient with us as we fine-tune everything on the website. Over the next few days, I’ll be settling into my new home online. There will be short-term to-do lists to tackle, and long-term goals for serving my community in the best way that I can.

We’re working on setting things up so that I can stay in touch with you, and offer support and encouragement.

Are you on my email list?

I may ask you to re-susbscribe as we configure the technology to manage an email list properly.

I hope you don’t mind, everything here will be much like life… a work in progress, with small victories, occasional setbacks, and celebratory stop points along the way. 🙂

It’s my long-term vision to write and publish a book to share with you. Perhaps a collection of running stories, personal essays, precious glimpses into my world and life.

Some snippets, snapshots and messages of hope, faith and courage… with an emphasis on how perspective, positivity, purpose and perseverance make all the difference.

The Run Before You Fly Blog simmered on the back burner of my cluttered and sometimes chaotic mind for some time. Then, like a bolt out of the blue, took shape quite suddenly. I’m thrilled to have you on board for my writing journey!  

A Question for You:

I’d like to ask you, what are your hopes for following along with me? As a runner, a person who had to look my own demons dead in the eye before overcoming addiction and finally taking steps toward becoming my healthiest self, I know that I’m not alone. 

What was it that brought you here, and how can I offer you support?

Now is a great time for us to set intentions with the birth of this new blog — a new space to share, learn, and grow together. Feel free to write in via the contact page on this blog.

Ask Suzanne! Advice Column for Everyone.

I may offer an anonymous advice column. Please do write in at those times when you’re feeling like you need some guidance. As always, your privacy is respected and protected. 

I’ve posted a special welcome and launch announcement in case you missed it 🙂

Thank you so much for being a part of my journey!

Suzanne at Run Before You Fly

PS: If you know someone who can use encouragement around setting health and life goals, share this blog with them. 

Tell a friend about Run Before You Fly!

Runner’s Mantra

When we stay in tune with our inner being, we recharge our power. Yoga and meditation are important for me as a runner to seek gratitude in my capabilities.

As a human being, these practices allow me to reset my focus. They set me back into the present moment and sketch a blueprint for my well-being and success.

I can easily get sucked back into conflicting thoughts. I can easily get drawn into a vortex of shit that promises success and elation but only delivers despair and destruction.

Today, seek what is good. Demand nothing but that which will fill you with happiness and promise.

Leave toxic crap where it belongs… and rise above the people and things you set you back. This leg of my journey always brings challenge… but this woman will always bring grit, and self-will.

Rise up today from wherever you are. Re-set. Re center. Re-focus, and then hold yourself.

Tell yourself you’re listening… you are trying… and that you are loved.

Join our safe space where we will share, inspire, love, and grow!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group with Suzanne Swanson is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.

Revolution.

To achieve greatness we must take every sour thing that has tried to dim our light and revolt.

We must take every lie we were taught to believe and turn it into truth.

We must relentlessly and repetitively find our purpose and make it known why we were destined to be granted a spin on this earth.

Being overweight is hard. Being unhealthy is hard. Being angry, defeated, and without joy is hard.

Staying sober can be hard, staying motivated is hard. Discipline is hard. The choice is ours… we choose our hard.

Effort counts… consistency counts… our will counts. Wake up and cut the anvils. Be your own mayday and let’s show this world… that we are not just talkers … 

We are World Changers.

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.

Inner Badass

There is a neverending journey to my soul. Each section of my path teaches me something valuable to my foster my continued growth and repair.

Here’s what my journey has spoken so softly yet loud as a bell this past week… listen and your spirit will guide you ~

Seeking rest and solidity is a must for me. I struggle with this…. but to rest in His word… in my truths, and in my beliefs, isn’t just for show… it’s my life support.

Release any and all toxic bullshit from your life. This includes people, places, and things. People will try and attach all their baggage onto you. Cut the cord and seek out only those who amplify your well-being.

Never ever underestimate the power of your inner badass. Stop worrying about tomorrow and unwrap your hidden gifts. Share them.

Be kind, be good and ever so light… but be not fooled. Do not be fragile or persuaded… be strong and clothed in his strength. 💙

Seek your power today… Amen.

Join our safe sharing space!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.

Perspective.

When self-doubt creeps in and negativity creates a hazy film over our progress… changing our perspective can make a world of difference.

See yourself through different eyes… love who you are. Be proud of the accomplishments and progress you’ve made.

Accept the things that cannot be undone, and continue to march forward, placing the building blocks of your dreams and goals into action.

Self doubt will come. People will try to cloud your vision, and trials of life will attempt to strip you of the faith that is necessary for contentment and peace.

Seek today to be happy on purpose. Know that waking up and trying to be better, moving your body, and mentally seeing your destination is critical to a healthy mindset.

You are allowed to be unsure, you are allowed to self question… that’s where growth comes from. Shift your perspective… simplify the plan, and trust that you are exactly where you need to be your journey today

Let’s make today beautiful…

Join our safe space where we will share, inspire, love, and grow!

Run Before You Fly Private Facebook Group with Suzanne Swanson is open to all who wish to continue to share their experiences, love of running, and battles of life, with each other. Together we are better.